When I first saw a photo of a kawa hot bath online, I wanted to try it, too. Despite trying it in Tagaytay and Batangas, there was a small part of me that still wanted to dip into a kawa where it all originated – Antique.
Before being used for hot baths, kawas were used to cook muscovado sugar. But because it wasn’t profitable, they stopped. Later on, the kawas proved useful as hot baths, also known as natural jacuzzis.
Where to try the kawa hot bath in Antique?
Head to Tibiao, Antique to try a kawa hot bath. You can choose from the following:
Calawag Mountain Resort
Rates & Services
- Entrance Fee – P50 per person
Tables
- Lumpiga – P399 per table
- Picnic table – P399 per table
- Native Gazebo – P499 per gazebo
Massage & Spa
- Coffee Body Scrub – P399 per person
- Tibiao Fish Spa – P119 per 30 mins
- Half-body Massage – P249 per 30 mins
- Full- body Massage – P499 per hour
- Foot Massage – P249 per 30 mins
Kawa
- Kawa Salt Bath – P299 per person
- Kawa Milk Bath – P399 per person
- Kawa Beer Bath – P399 per person
- Kawa Wine Bath – P599 per person
- Kawa Coffee Bath – P399 per person
Accommodation
- Treehouse – P499 per person per night
- Bahay Kubo – P999 per person per night
- Family Rooms – P399 per person per night
Meals and Drinks
- Breakfast – P179 per person
- Boodle Lunch/Dinner – P749 per 2 persons and P1,749 per 5 persons
- Brewed or Rice Coffee – P49
Water Adventures
- 1-km Water Tubing – P299 per person
- Extreme Water Tubing – P499 per person
- Extreme Kayaking – P899 per person
Contact
- Numbers: 09174503121 | 09475316518
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalawagMountainResort/
- Website: http://www.katahum.com/
Kayak Inn
Rates & Services
Kawa
- Kawa Herbs – P250 per 30min
- Kawa w/ Salt – P300 per 30min
- Kawa w/ Milk – P350 per 30min
Accommodation
- Nipa Hut Room – P300 per person per night
Meals and Drinks
- Plated breakfast/lunch/dinner – P100 (A choice of grilled chicken, pork, fish served with rice)
Water Adventures
- Water Tubing – P400 per person
Contact
- Numbers: 09093602165
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayakinn/
Campolly Highland Resort
Rates & Services
Kawa
- Kawa Hot Bath – P300 per person
Accommodation
- Overnight Stay – P300 per person per night
Meals and Drinks
- Prices for meals and drinks depends on what you choose from the menu
Contact
- Number: 09062316318
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campollyhighlandresort/
Bluewave Tourist Inn and Restaurant
Rates & Services
- Entrance Fee – P10 per person (no entrance fee for overnight guests)
Kawa
- Kawa – P250 per person
- Mermaid Costume – just add P150 to your kawa payment
Accommodation
- Aircon room – P4,000 per night (good for 7- 10 persons) and P2,000 per night (good for 2 to 4 persons)
- Fan room – P250 per person per night
Meals and Drinks
- Binakol (native chicken) – P250 per kilo (P250 cooking charge)
- Boodle Fight – P250 per person
Massage & Spa
- Fish Spa – P100 per person
- Full- body Massage – P350 (1hr session)
Water Adventures
- Water Tubing – P300 person for 30 min (1.3 kms)
- Floating Cottage- P400 (good for 10 to 12 persons)
Contact
- Number: 0910 450 8562
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blue-Wave-Tourist-Inn-and-Restaurant-1465794983704522/
La Escapo Mountain Resort
Rates & Services
- Entrance Fee – P30 per person
Kawa
- Kawa – P250 per person
Accommodation
- Fan room – P250 per person per night
Meals and Drinks
- Boodle Fight – P1749 (good for 5 to 7 persons)
- P95 to P130 per person
Massage & Spa
- Full- body Massage – P399 (1hr session)
Water Adventures
- Water Tubing – P250 person (700 meters)
- Trekking to the Waterfalls – P250 guide fee for group (environmental P50 per person)
Contact
- Numbers: 09262376136 | 09774708784
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/La-Escapo-Mountain-Resort-773191839460163/
- Website: https://la-escapo-mountain-resort.business.site/
Day Trip From Boracay
If you’re staying in Boracay and want to give the kawa hot bath a try, I suggest booking this hassle-free Tibiao Eco-Adventures Experience. You’ll try eating lunch by the river, go water tubing, trek to the waterfalls, try the kawa hot bath and fish spa.
Related: A First-Timer’s Guide to Boracay Philippines
My Kawa Experience
It was my birthday when we traveled from Boracay to Tibiao, Antique to try the kawa hot bath. I chose Calawag Mountain Resort for the kawa hot bath since they offer different kawa “flavors”.
Guess which one I chose?
Milk!
When it was time for me to dip into the kawa hot bath, they gave me a box of fresh milk to pour into the kawa. So I did what a sane Johanes would do. Haha. I drank nearly half of its contents (because milk!) and poured all the rest. Definitely refreshing!
Compared to the ones I’ve tried in Tagaytay and Batangas, the kawa hot bath in Tibiao only consisted of herbs and flowers. There were no fancy essential oils. The view from the kawa was a treat since each kawa is placed beside the river bank so you can hear the water flowing which is quite soothing and calming.
I loved every bit of the kawa hot bath!
Next time, I’ll probably give the other flavors a try.
Things To Note
- Bring enough cash as there are no nearby ATMs.
- There’s no mobile signal here.
- Don’t forget to bring your towels (because I forgot mine!). Haha.
- Use aqua shoes if you want to swim in the river. It’s pretty rocky and slippery so be careful.
How To Get There
First things first, go to Tibiao, Antique.
From Caticlan/Boracay
Ride a bus going to Iloilo via the San Jose route and ask the bus conductor to drop you off in Tibiao Antique. Let him know you’re going to the kawa hot baths so he’ll know where to drop you off.
Budget Tip: If you’re coming from Boracay, you’ll be paying the terminal fee at Cagban Jetty Port (P100 per person) then the boat fare. Be sure to keep the receipt from the terminal fee. Show this when you’re coming back to Boracay so you won’t have to pay for the environmental fee and terminal fee at the Caticlan Jetty Port. You’ll simply be asked where you went to and you’ll only have to pay for the boat fare.
From Iloilo
From Iloilo City, ride a bus or a van heading to Caticlan, Culasi or Libertad at the Molo Bus Terminal. Let the bus conductor know that you’re going to the kawa hot baths in Tibiao, Antique so he’ll know where to drop you off.
From Kalibo
From Kalibo, board a bus heading to San Jose and tell the bus conductor you’re going to the kawa hot baths in Tibiao, Antique.
Now what?
The bus will have dropped you off at the Brgy Importante Junction near the Petron station. From here, ride a motorbike (P90 per motorbike) to your preferred resort. But first, the motorbike will stop for a while at a small stall by the road where you will be asked to pay the environmental fee worth P50 per person.
Travel Tip: Check schedules and availability of buses, ferries, taxis or flights to book online with 12Go Asia.
Nearby Attractions
Aside from the kawa hot bath, you can also go and check out these Antique tourist spots
- Bugtong Bato Falls
- Museo de Tibiao
- Tiguis beach
- Butong River
- Malakagat Hanging Bridge & Tigbaboy Hanging Bridge
- Tibiao Eco-Adventure Park Zip Trip
- Mararison Island
- Rice Terraces of Antique
- Seco Island
- Malumpati Cold Spring
- Bugang River
- and a lot more!
Responsible Travel Tips
When traveling to one place, make sure you practice responsible tourism. Here are some tips to do so.
1. Respect the environment
Don’t litter. Please hold onto your trash until you find a garbage can.
Related: 16 Eco-Friendly Travel Products for the Earth-Loving You
2. Avoid single-use plastic
Bring your eco bag and refuse single-use plastic.
3. Shop local
Keep the traditional crafts alive and support local artisans. Buy from them. And try not to haggle, P20 may seem small to you but it can mean a lot to them.
4. Always ask permission
Be sure to ask for permission first when taking photos or videos especially when it comes to children.
What to Pack for Antique
- Eco-friendly Reusable Water Bottle
- Light Rain Jacket (especially from June to November)
- T-shirts, a nice top, and a long-sleeved shirt
- Swimwear for dipping in the kawa
- Aqua Shoes
- Day Bag
- Dry Bag
- Powerbank
- Universal Waterproof Phone Case
- Microfiber Towel
- Travel Insurance
- Money Belt
- Sneakers, Hiking Shoes (if you’re planning to hike) and some flats
- Reusable Straw and Reusable Bag (no to single-use plastic!)
Related Article: The Only Travel Packing List You’ll Ever Need (Trust Me)
Our Camera Gear
- Mirrorless Camera: Fujifilm XT3
- Lenses: Fujifilm Fujinon kit lens (18-55mm) | Fujinon 35mm f2 | Fujinon 50mm f2
- Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- GoPro: GoPro Hero Black 7
- Power Bank: Romoss Powerbank
- Camera Backpack: Case Logic Camera and Laptop Backpack
- Monopod: Ifootage Cobra 2 a180
- Mic: Rode VideoMicro
- Gimbal: Zhiyun Weebill-S
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