Bugtong Bato Falls
Before you head to the Kawa Bath, a good way to spend the day is to do a quick trek to the Bugtong Bato Falls. Situated in Brgy. Tunto, Tibiao, Antique, it is roughly 7 kilometers away from the town proper or Poblacion. It’s about a 20 minute, scenic walk to the 7 tiered waterfalls. We came the day after it rained so the route was a bit muddy. Be sure to bring slippers that grip well. I didn’t and our guide to switch with me at some point because I accidentally sliced my foot on a rock.
The reason why the trail is very maintained is because other than a route for the tourists to see the falls, it’s mostly used by the local farmers to get to their land. You’ll see a lot of small rice terraces which were designed by local farmers for better irrigation and to reduce erosion. A lot of the local guides still do farming as their main source of livelihood. Our guide’s husband is a farmer and she was kind enough to show us where her house is along the trail. Guides are usually paid Php150-200, but if you can spare it, I suggest you pay a little more. Our guide was even kind enough to lend me her slippers when mine were damaged.
We came in between storms so most tourists were either trapped up in the Caticlan or Iloilo. This is why there was literally no one else on the trail. While I don’t recommend you go during the storm season, it was beautiful seeing the waterfalls in full glory and without that many people. I’ve seen a lot of other people’s posts in the summer wherein the falls are super crowded and the water is scarce.
You’ll be climbing steep stairs, rocks and rappelling on the sides of 60ft waterfalls and having a lot of fun!
From Iloilo, you can ride a 3 hour UV or 5 hour bus going to Tibiao, Antique, and get dropped off to the entrance of the baranggay Tibiao. The drivers will tell you when you’re in Tibiao already and you can hire a habal-habal or motorcyle drivers that can have a maximum of 2 people on board to take you to whatever place you choose. From Caticlan, you can ride a van/ tricycle to the nearest Ceres Bus Terminal at Pueblo de Panay that drops you off in Kalibo. From there, you can ride a bus going to San Jose, Antique and ask the driver to let you know when you’re at Baranggay Importante. Take note, there’s no signal in the area so you better get all your affairs in order before you get there!
