Capiz is one of the provinces of the Philippines situated in Panay Island bestowed with enchanting tourist spots. It may be surrounded with more prominent and renowned tourist attractions of the nearby provinces, Capiz has its own fascinating natural beauty worth visiting. Along the coasts of the province are the grey sand beaches lined up with seafood restaurants and accommodations. Further off its coasts are stunning islands best for beach hopping and scuba diving. While inland destinations includes museums, old churches, ecoparks, falls and a lot more.
The province of Capiz belongs to the Western Visayas Region. It is bordered by Aklan (northwest), Iloilo (south), Antique (west) and Sibuyan Sea (north). More than 760,000 total residents of the province speak in Capiznon, Hiligaynon, Aklanon, Filipino and English Languages.
From adventure trekking, beach hopping and scuba diving to visiting museums, old churches, there are plenty of places to visit and things to do in the province. Known as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines“, savour its seafood cuisines in your travel meals. Check out the list of most visited tourist spots in Capiz below.
1. Baybay Beach
Photo courtesy of Carl Zedrick Lim
Baybay Beach is one of the best tourist spots in Capiz which is a favorite weekend destination among locals and foreign travelers. The beach features a 7-kilometer long stretch of soft black sand and calm seawater (most of the time) facing the Sibuyan Sea. It is a great spot for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking but another main reason why most people visit here are the delicious sea food dishes being served in an array of beachfront restaurants. Fascinating sunset is also best viewed here.
Baybay Beach is located in Roxas City, Capiz.
2. Olotayan Island
Photo courtesy of Patricia Gamban
Olotayan Island is a 53-hectare island in Capiz abundant in greenery surrounded by clear emerald sea waters teeming with marine life and pockets of white sand beaches. It is the best site for snorkeling, scuba diving and beach bumming with its notable white sand beaches mixed with crush corals and seashells. It is an inhabited island yet it seems like it’s in raw form since the locals are taking good care of the island. The name of the island comes from the native words “olo” which means head and “tyan” which means stomach and has a popular legend behind.
Olotayan Island is situated in Roxas City, Capiz.
3. Mantalinga Island
Photo courtesy of Charlie
Few kilometers off the coasts of Baybay Beach is another popular tourist attraction called Mantalinga Island. The Department of Tourism named it a “Good Luck Island” for it is believed to bring good fortune for the local fisherfolk. Spirits and supernatural beings are believed to be dwelling on the island which attracts more tourists. It is a great spot for scuba diving and its serves as a rotunda for sailboat and kayaking racing contests. Most visitors would just dare to ride a kayak to reach the island then back to the mainland.
Mantalinga Island is located in Roxas City, Capiz.
4. Palina Greenbelt Ecopark
Photo courtesy of Garlie Lizada Batican
Palina Greenbelt Ecopark is one of the known tourist spots in Capiz that offers a relaxing and satisfying river cruise. Tourists will aboard a floating restaurant which is made of a nipa hut with tables and benches perched on a bamboo raft while being pulled by a motorboat for a river cruise down the placid Palina River. It will pass though mangroves, fish ponds and visitors may catch a glimpse of the daily living of the locals. Aside from the cruise itself, visitors may enjoy the fresh seafood meals served on the raft. Even foot spa or body massage while on board.
Palina Greenbelt Ecopark is situated in Barangay Cagay, Roxas City, Capiz.
5. Cadimahan River Tour
Photo courtesy of Aileen Deocampo
Another popular destination in Capiz that offers a relaxing river cruise is the Cadimahan River Tour. Tourists may choose to have a river cruise down the Cadimahan River or stay on a stationary floating restaurant. Similar to the services offered in Palina Greenbelt Ecopark, sumptuous seafood dishes are also being offered in the floating restaurant and additional services such as foot spa and body massage. On a river cruise, enjoy the views of mangroves and beautiful flying birds such as mangrove blue catcher, egret, tern and black-winged stilt while local singers entertain you with Hiligaynon folksongs.
Cadimahan River Tour is located in Barangay Baybay, Roxas City, Capiz.
6. Suhot Cave and Spring
Photo courtesy of Karl
Suhot Cave and Spring is one of the famous tourist spots in Capiz which is a favored destination among the locals. Onsite are open huts facing the developed spring pool wherein the cold and natural spring are coming out from the rock on the cave. A stone throw away from the spring pool is the Suhot Cave. Not that much interesting stalactites and stalagmite formations but still worth exploring to have some adventure. A 15-minute trek from Suhot Cave and Spring is another cave called Lahab Cave. Visitors may enjoy dipping or swimming on the refreshing spring or go spelunking on the nearby caves.
Suhot Cave and Spring is situated in Barangay Dolores, Dumalag, Capiz.
7. Malinamon Falls
Photo courtesy of cristeena11
Malinamon Falls is one of the recently discovered tourist spots in Capiz. It is a scenic waterfall that cascades on a rocky riverbed down the plunge pool. The basin or the plunge pool is good for swimming for the physically fit visitors since in most occasions, the current is a bit strong. Although, most people choose to climb up at the topmost part of the falls and have some spots for waterfall massage. Climbing the rocky riverbed alone is a big challenge. The falls is inside the premises of Camp Peralto, a military cam and reservation in the town of Jaminda. For interested visitors, prior arrangements should be done through the Capiz Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office.
Malinamon Falls is located in Jaminda, Capiz.
8. Roxas City Plaza
Photo courtesy of Clement Hordista
The Roxas City Plaza is one of the most accessible tourist destination in Capiz where historical and prominent landmarks and structures are located. The Roxas City Bridge is an iconic landmark in the plaza built on 1910 which crosses Panay River. The Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral has a beautiful facade that draw crowds attention which was built on 1877. The Capiz Provincial Capitol Complex built on 1915 inspired by Spanish-Filipino architecture of the 19th century. The Roxas City Bandstand which is an octagonal pavilion with neoclassical style is another prominent structure of the plaza.
Roxas City Plaza is situated in Roxas City, Capiz.
9. Ang Panublion Museum
President Manuel Roxas’ Car | Photo courtesy of Gian Anthony
Ang Panublion Museum is a circular architecture which houses variety of cultural and historical displays about Capiz. It was built on 1910 as a water tank and later on converted into a whitewash city museum of what it is today. The displays inside the museum includes paintings, images, artifacts, tools, traditional clothes and even the car used by the late President Manuel Roxas. Paniblion is a Hiligaynon term which means guardian of the precious things.
Ang Panublion Museum is located in Roxas City, Capiz.
10. Panay Church
Photo courtesy of Mark Ceniza
Panay Church, also known as Santa Monica Parish Church, is the most prominent historical landmark in the province of Capiz. It is a neo-classical baroque church built 1884 made of coral blocks. It has a fascinating facade and artistic retablos inside with carved wooden designs. Beside the church is a 5-storey belfry which houses the Largest Bell of the County made from 70 sacks of coin gold and silver given by the people of the town. The sound of the bell can be heard 8 kilometers away. Atop the belfry, visitors would notice the scenic views of the town and nearby looming mountains.
Panay Church is situated in Panay, Capiz.
