Kawa hot baths are now offered everywhere. Some resorts in Tagaytay and Rizal have started imitating the traditional Kawa Hot Bath that originated in Tibiao, Antique putting in their own twist to the once mind-boggling but soothing spa. I would have loved to try them but I saved the very first taste of this famous steam bath for where it has all started. I’m for diversity and innovation but I think you would all agree when I say that “Nothing beats the original.” So on my visit to the Panay Islands last year, I made sure not to miss the experience that only the original Kawa Hot Bath could offer.
MY TIBIAO KAWA HOT BATH STORY
I just came from an overnight trip in the stunning Malalison Island where I did some trekking. Two weeks before that, I was in Davao Oriental where I spent everyday discovering its hidden spots. I love spontaneous travel but it somehow could get to a point where I would need to slow down and take the backseat. I thought Tibiao was the perfect place for that so I didn’t give spending a night in Calawag Mountain Resort a second thought.
From Culasi, I rode the bus to Tibiao. I reached the junction leading to the line of mountain resorts offering Kawa Hot Bath after 15 minutes. I then walked my way to the habal-habal terminal and chartered a driver to take me up to my preferred resort. Some drivers will usually offer other resorts but I was told to stick to Calawag as they have the best service as what many travelers vouch for on the internet. Before heading up to the mountains, we stopped by an outpost where I paid an environmental fee of P50.
The ride up to the resort took 30 minutes along a steep and winding uphill road. Good thing it was already paved otherwise it would have been one hell of a difficult ride. Upon reaching Calawag Mountain Resort, I was ushered to the reception counter where I booked a room and activities for my 2-day stay. I also ordered myself dinner and breakfast meals. I was then shown around and accompanied to my room.
When I had settled and changed clothes, I went back to the reception area and waited for my turn to experience the Kawa Hot Bath. They have a variety of baths available but I chose to have the Kawa Milk Bath as it looked most enticing among all the choices. It was supposedly for an hour’s service but during my turn, I was able to enjoy it for as long as I wanted. The staff was also very kind as they refilled my kawa with warm water every 20-30 minutes. I was entertained by the sound of the river flowing and of the gorgeous view of the mountains while trying to soak myself clean of stress. It was such an extraordinary experience.
I didn’t have any other activities booked for that day. After rinsing off, dinner was served. I was told that I was the only guest spending the night at the resort so I kinda felt scared but they reassured me that some staff was staying as well. The thought of being alone in the mountains was unnerving but the night was so peaceful and quiet that I was able to doze off until morning with much ease. The morning was freezing cold but I didn’t mind. I had coffee before I went water tubing where I spent an hour shouting my heart out in exhilaration and excitement. My amazing time in Tibiao was capped off by a sumptuous meal consisting of fried rice, scrambled eggs, corned beef and a cup of coffee.
HOW TO GO TO TIBIAO
From Manila – The best airport to access Antique is Caticlan which all local airlines fly to daily. From Caticlan, there will be buses available to every destination nearby. Hop on the one going to Iloilo as it will pass by Tibiao. Alight the bus at the junction in Tibiao going to kawa hot bath resorts then ride a motorcycle/habal-habal to your preferred resort.
From Iloilo – From the airport, ride a van to the bus or van terminal going to Antique (20 Min | P70) then ride a van or a bus to either Culasi (5 Hrs | P220). The earliest trip is at 5 AM daily. Alight the bus/van at the junction in Tibiao going to kawa hot bath resorts then ride a motorcycle/habal-habal to your preferred resort.
GOOD TO KNOW TRAVEL INFO
- There are other resorts in the area but the most popular and most vouched for by other travelers is Calawag Mountain Resort. I also highly recommend this resort due to its impeccable service and beautiful ambiance. Some drivers would recommend other resorts but just politely decline the offer and insist that you be taken to this resort.
- Reservation is not necessary especially during non-peak months.
- There is no cellphone coverage in the area so you’re guaranteed a day of your needed Social Media detox should you choose to stay for the night.
- For travel to this town and other parts of Antique during the “New Normal”, please inquire from the local Tourism Office especially if you will be coming from outside of the province.
CALAWAG MOUNTAIN RESORT RATES
| ACTIVITIES | Coffee Body Scrub - P399 Full Body Massage - P499 1-km Water Tubing - P299 Extreme Water Tubing - P499 Budtong Bato Falls - P249 Extreme Kayaking - P899 Fish Spa - P119 *Rates are per head |
| KAWA INN | Banga AC Room - P1299 Buri AC Room - P649/head Abaca AC Room - P649/head |
| KAWA BATHS | Kawa Salt Bath - P299 Kawa Milk Bath - P399 Kawa Coffee Bath - P399 Kawa Beer Bath - P399 Kawa Wine Bath - P599 |
| OTHER FEES | Entrance Fee - P50/head Lumpiga - P399/table Native Gazebo - P499 Tree House - P499/person/night |
BUDGET & OTHER ESSENTIALS
| EXPENSES (Solo w/o airfare) | Day-1 Van to Culasi - P220 RT Boat @ P1000/2 - P500 Environmental Fee Malalison Island - P30 Homestay Malalison Island - P300 Food - P300 Total Day1 - P1350 Day-2 Guide For Trekking @ P300/2 - P150 Food - P300 Bus to Tibiao - P30 Fare to Calawag Mountain Resort - P90 Environmental Fee - P50 Accommodation - P400 Kawa Hot Bath - P399 Total Day2 - P1419 Day-3 Whitewater Tubing - P400 Food - P300 Fare to Jump-off - P90 Bus to Iloilo - P220 Total Day3 - P1010 TOTAL for 3D2N - P3779 |
| WHAT ARE THE FEES | Malalison Island Round Trip Boat - P500 Day TOur | P1000 Overnight Environmental Fee - P30 Homestay - P300/Head/Night Guide Trek - P300/5Pax Tibiao Environmental Fee - P50 Kawa Hot Bath - starts at P299 Whitewater Tubing - P400 Chasing Waterfalls - P200 Accommodation - Starts at P400 |
| CONTACTS | Calawag Mountain Resort - 09174503121 | 09475316518 |
***Budget already includes a visit to Malalison Island
There you have it lovelies! I hope you enjoyed this post. Don’t forget to share it with your friends and plan that trip now. I’ll see you on the next blog. Ciao!
