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Travel | Serenity at Pandan Beach Resort


Away from the bustling and hectic life of Boracay, 45 minutes away from Caticlan lies the town of Pandan, Antique.  Taking an airconditioned bus from Caticlan via San Jose Antique will take you to the town's bus terminal.  You've got to take a tricycle to this place.  They know Pandan Beach Resort so they will bring you here in a matter of 10 minutes tops.

Serenity is key with Pandan Beach Resort.  Once you come in their long driveway, you will be greeted with their large receiving cum dining area.  During our visit, the place was quiet and only the sound of crashing ocean waves on the shore can be heard.


Our room likewise serene and had a homey feeling.  It felt like we were home and the beds were so inviting.  After our short bus ride, we were up for a quick nap given our hectic travel itinerary that took us from Kalibo, Altavas, Roxas City, Caticlan then here in Pandan.  We slept soundly I might add and woke up refreshed later in the day.


We took a walk on the their beachfront and although they might not have white sand like Boracay, what they have was a sense of calmness.  They have children playing on its shores, men mending their fish nets and cats and dogs lounging about on the sand.  Walking hand in hand with the setting sun is so romantic,  good thing me and my wife were on hand to witness the serenity of this place.  


It was fortunate that we came in right after a big storm of sorts thus we had clear skies after.  Giving us a great view of the beach and had a cool day walking in the sand.  When dinner time came, we had a sumptuous meal consisting of green salads and fish.  Clean healthy living on the beach?  What a way to end the cool evening with the breeze coming in while we were dining.

To cap our night, we availed of their in-house massage of which was just right.  We had a tiring whirlwind travel run and a good massage is what we needed.  Simply ask the desk should you want one.  Their massage area is further inside the resort and it had Bali feel to the whole thing, adding more to the relaxing feeling we already are getting.



Among the four provinces of Panay, it is only now that we are slowly learning how Antique is a lovely place to visit.  Thanks to Pandan Beach Resort, we were able to experience their boodle lunch at Dioso Farms and the water tubing fun of Malumpati Cold Springs, and the calmness of its beach.  Surely we would come again and visit.

How to get to Pandan Beach Resort

By Plane
Take the plane to Caticlan or Kalibo airport.  

Then take a ride either taxi, or tricycle or jeep to the nearest Bus Terminal

If you are coming from Kalibo, take the Bus to Caticlan take drop off in Nabas.  You can take a tricycle up to Pandan Terminal. 

Our tip is to take the Ceres Bus to Caticlan, then take bus to Iloilo via San Jose, they have rest rooms in them.  Make sure the sign on the bus says San Jose. Then get off when you reach the Pandan Terminal.  

From Caticlan, bus fare costs Php less than Php80 per person one way.  Travel is to Pandan is just 45 minutes.
From Kalibo, we didn't ask for the fare, but Kalibo is far away, expect two hours of travel to Pandan.  (They have limited bus to Iloilo via San Jose so try to get it early.  Last trip is 530pm from Kalibo.)

There are tricycles to take you to the Malumpati Cold Springs (Tip - arrange for a return trip with the same tricycle if you are came in the afternoon.  Mornings they have a queue still).  For this trip we didn't know how much the fare costs as we went here by van provided for by tour guide.

By Boat from Manila
Take a bus from Manila to Batangas Pier.

Take the Boat preferably 2Go, from Batangas Pier to Caticlan.  Cost is Php1,300 for a tourist class accommodation one way.  Travel time is from 9pm to 6am.

Walk from the Caticlan Jetty Port where the bus terminal is.  Ask the guards where it is as there are no signs to lead you to it.

Take the Bus to Iloilo (Via San Jose) - Our tip is to take the Ceres Bus, some of their buses to Iloilo have rest rooms in them for the same fare.  Make sure the sign on the bus says San Jose. Then get off when you reach the Pandan Terminal. 
From Caticlan, bus fare costs Php less than Php80 per person one way.  Travel is to Pandan is just 45 minutes.

There are tricycles to take you to the Malumpati Cold Springs (Tip - arrange for a return trip with the same tricycle if you are came in the afternoon.  Mornings they have a queue still).  For this trip we didn't know how much the fare costs as we went here by van provided for by tour guide.

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To make for an easier planning and fun, we suggest calling Pandan Beach Resort to help you out with this experience. Call Pandan Beach Resort at 09175809648 or email pbrpandan@gmail.com to help you out and enjoy your vacation.

*photos and videos herein are a mix of those taken by yours truly and that of Pandan Beach Resort.  Thanks to Ms. Gigi Bautista and Leo Dioso for being gracious hosts of the Pandan Beach Resort.