Capiz Hotels

In addition to its impressive seaside feasts, Capiz in Panay Island presents its visitors with a unique blend of culture, history, and spirituality. The province is known as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines, but it also offers plenty of attractions for all types of tourists. Here, it’s only too easy to free your mind and go wherever your feet will take you — be it a restaurant in Roxas City, a street in a charming seaside municipality, up the mountains, inside a cave, or beside tranquil beaches and isolated coves.

At A Glance

What does it take to earn the title "Seafood Capital of the Philippines" in an archipelagic country surrounded by rich waters? Capiz, for one, offers an endless supply of freshly caught seafood throughout the year. But marine creatures are more than just food here. They are also closely tied to the province’s culture and history. Capiz takes its name after the translucent outer shell of the Placuna placenta or windowpane oyster. Aside from capiz production, the province has churches made of coral blocks, festivals that celebrate bountiful catches and harvests, and dive sites that captivate local and international divers alike. In addition to its beaches, Capiz also has numerous caves, nature parks, gardens, waterfalls, islands, fish and mussel farms, and camp sites.

How to Go

By plane

From Manila, the most convenient way to get to Capiz is by taking a 45-minute flight to Roxas Airport in Roxas City.

By boat/ferry

There are also roll-on, roll-off (RORO) buses/ferries from Manila bound for Culasi Port in Roxas City. This service is offered by both 2GO Travel and Supper Shuttle RORO several times every week.

Getting Around

Tricycles are the main mode of transportation in Capiz. However, you can also opt to take a taxi around Roxas City or to any of the province’s 16 municipalities.

Tourist Attractions

If you’re in Roxas City to commune with nature, then you should spend a day exploring the eco parks in the area. Take the Cadimahan River Tour where you can enjoy a refreshing boat ride through mangrove forests and share stories with the local fisher folk. You can also visit Culajao Mangrove Eco Park, a 4.69-hectare mangrove reservation zone, and Palina Greenbelt Eco Park. Then, cap your day with a satisfying meal at Roxas City Seafood Plaza, where you can feel the cool sea breeze while feasting on grilled oysters and squids.

There is also an abundance of beaches in the province. Baybay Beach is the most popular destination in Roxas City, but you can also try staying near the black sand Buntod Beach in Panay, which is said to be the cleanest in the province. If you’re into exploring caves, then you’re in for a treat. Kipot Cave in Mambusao, Balisong Cave in Pilar, Suhot Cave and Spring in Dumalag, and Suhoton Caves in Jamindan are just a few of the sites you can visit for a spelunking session.

For holidays that call for historical or educational destinations, you can drop by the birthplace of former president Manuel L. Roxas, The Panubli-on (Roxas City Museum), and the imposing Roxas City Bridge. There are also remarkable churches in the province, such as the grand Santa Monica Parish Church in Panay and the imposing St. Martin of Tours Parish Church in Dumalag.

Top Things to Do

Eating should be on the top of your activity list when in the Seafood Capital of the Philippines. Once you’ve had your fill of the savory grilled dishes served at Roxas City Seafood Plaza, then it’s time to pack your swimwear and head for the water. There is no lack of beaches and dive sites here for those inclined to get wet. If you’re planning on heading inland, make sure you still have a change of clothes with you as Capiz has plenty of falls, caves, and eco parks where you can go spelunking, hiking, and swimming.

Where to Eat

It’s pretty easy to get a taste of Capiz’s famed seafood at Roxas City Seafood Plaza. Prawns, mud crabs, shellfish — name it, it’s here.  Whether your meal is smoked, grilled, fried, steamed, stewed, or raw is totally up to you, too. The only concern now is which dishes to taste before your tummy runs out of space. Among the must-try dishes while in the area are steamed diwal (angel wing clams), fresh oysters, and scallops cooked in butter and garlic sauce.

Nightlife

The provincial capital, Roxas City, is still pretty upbeat even after sundown. If you wish to enjoy cold drinks and good food in the company of pleasant folks, stroll along Arnaldo Boulevard and find a pub, bar, or club that fits your mood for the evening.

Where to Stay

Travelers on a shoestring budget are sure to find an affordable hotel in Capiz, as the province has a lot of no-frills accommodations. San Antonio Resort offers a long list of amenities and a location near the beach and the airport. You can also stay at Roxas President's Inn or Asia Novotel Hotel if you want a room right in the middle of the city.

Travel Tips

• Remember that eating raw oysters has its risks. If you’re allergic to seafood or if you have a sensitive stomach, make sure that you always bring your meds with you.

• Waterproof your gadgets if your itinerary includes islands, rivers, waterfalls, caves, or fish farms.

• Capiz beaches have gray sand that can get quite hot, especially on sunny days. Bring slippers or water shoes to protect your feet when you take a stroll along the beach.