DiscoverBalete
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Balete.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Balete
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Balete
- The search phrase holidays to Balete, Aklan is accurate to anyone who misses that quiet reprieve of life in the city because of the mild winds and slow-paced atmosphere in the town that smoulders visitors into a restful provincial ambiance.
- The fertile plains which interlace the landscape are fertile reminders of how agriculture influences every morning with farmers welcoming the sun according to how each crop rises.
- Once there, the narrow, friendly streets beckon like an open door to go back to the past and the bang of the market vendors and the smell of fresh goods combine to give you a smorgasbord of sensations.
- The hills around it are soft sentinels that stand in the background and provide breathtaking sceneries that shift to golden greens in spring to bright emeralds in summer.
- The surrounding river, which meanders in the form of a silver line, mirrors the moods of the sky and its banks are littered with locals who come to talk and laugh.
- Each and every part of this serene scene has a storey to tell: the ancient coconut trees all the way to the simple houses with their centuries-old tradition.
- Capital (of the province): Kalibo
- International airport: No international airport in Balete.
- Nearest commonly used: Kalibo International Airport; for international flights also Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (Caticlan)
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official / local languages: Akeanon (Aklanon), Hiligaynon, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- The green rice paddies that cover the outer parts of the town are glittering like mirrors when they are kissed by the sun forming an almost unreal scene that astonishes all the eyes.
- The conventional markets are full of stalls, where the best of the local produce and crafted products are represented, and the market reflects the true picture of the culinary and artistic heritage of the Balete.
- Rivers wind in the forest and waterfalls tumble over bluffs, and all are tempted to enter the crystal-clear pools and make splashes, which are like a spa bath in nature.
- The cultural landmarks, such as the churches several centuries old and the ancestral houses, are silent observers of the faith that the community has had and its long history.
- Music, dancing and colouring streets make community festivals memorable events, which make regular events turn into festivals, which can be felt through happiness and social pride.
- The quiet country streets cause an invitation to making leisure walks, and with every turn of the walk, a new viewpoint, a new smell, or a new tale to be narrated.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- During the dry season that falls between November and May, you are guaranteed of cloudless skies and warm temperatures, which would be ideal to venture out and visit rice terraces, coconut groves, and rural tracks without rain as a nuisance.
- Even the rainy season sees the infrequent rainfall transforming rivers into spectacular waterfalls, and the green vegetation is even more alive, so it has a dramatic view to those who like nature.
- Mornings are cool and in the early morning there is a cool air, which freshens the senses, and due to the late afternoons, the landscapes are exposed to warm and golden light, which creates perfect moments to take photographs.
- Rains in April-May are short and frequent, very refreshing and put the fields green and the air fresh after an exploration day.
- During the dry season, accessibility of this town is enhanced because the roads are clear and transport networks are also efficient, like booking through world pinoy flights, all the way into holidays to Balete.
- The timing of holidays to Balete seasonal festivals is well planned with most events taking place in the late summer period or the early fall providing the visitor with an opportunity to see the traditional dances and community events at their most colourful.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Panipiason Waterfalls
- This undiscovered treasure falls down a collection of terraces creating natural pools where all swimmers can refresh themselves in the peaceful atmosphere.
- The adjacent forest is thick with the native vegetation and flowering plants, and has provided a beautiful walking path, which brings to a spectacular sight of the base of the waterfall.
- The wrongly placed stone steps give the ground a criss-crossing effect, which gives travellers a sense of adventure as they take a leisurely hike until they drop into the cool waters.
- The fall roar with its echo created by the cliffs that surround it makes up a soundtrack of tranquilly as one spends the day having a good time and being relaxed.
- People tend to sit close to the pools to exchange self made snacks and tales which transforms an ordinary visit into a collective one.
- The disappearance of the light at the end of the day leaves the pools with a golden hue, which makes it an ideal place to capture photos as there is a glow at twilight time.
Balete Public Market
- The open-air structure of the marketplace means that the vendors can place stalls in a systematic manner each where there is a bright produce that is easily visible against the town backdrop.
- Coconut water and the locally grown mangoes and hot rice cakes are all tempting the visitors to taste flavours that have been enhanced over years.
- The lively conversation of shoppers and merchants produces a dynamic atmosphere, which reminds of a living mosaic of the ordinary life.
- The traditional craft is found in the example of bamboo baskets, hand-woven fabrics and hand-cut carvings, offered by the local artisans, who can tell about the artistic soul of the culture.
- The structure of the market makes wanderers seek the secrets of the market, find the hidden treasure, and maybe take a souvenir with them to have a piece of Balete.
- The evening light is really warm, and lanterns are burning to illuminate the market stalls, making it a comfortable colourful promenade of the night visitors.
St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church
- This is an old church structure that was constructed many centuries ago and it is a museum of the colonial Portuguese architecture in its stone walls, bell towers, and its detailed carvings.
- The altar is also decorated with religious icons, which is indicative of the strong Catholic faith that is spread throughout the town.
- The interior of the church is still, and one is encouraged to reflect on it, and the light is gently broken in through stained glass windows, leaving colourful shapes on the stone floor.
- The community members come together every year to celebrate the fiesta of the patron saint whereby the church turns into a centre of worship, music and dancing.
- The gardens around the building, the sweet smelling orchids and flowering palms add to an atmosphere of tranquilly where prayer and thought can easily be practised.
- The figure of the church in the dawn of the sun produces a dramatic portrait of the church which is the object of attraction to both the photographers and history enthusiasts.
Local Coconut Plantations and Rice Terraces
- These large views indicate layers of terraced fields, all carefully hewn out of the mountain side, forming an interwoven patch work of rich greens.
- The combination of light and shadow on the terraces provides a constantly changing visual effect which is pleasing to the photographers.
- As one strolls across the coconut forests, the sweet nutty fragrances will be smelled and one can say centuries of practise and nurturing have gone into it.
- The image of the farmers picking the ripe coconuts using battered baskets depicts the efforts and commitment which keeps the society alive.
- The open spaces in the plantations allow a peaceful place to relax and/or read or just enjoy the panoramic view.
- When the sun is going down, the terraces turn into the sea of gold reflecting the colour of the sky and forming a beautiful conclusion of the day of discovery.
Reason 05
Discover More
Buhisan River
- This small river cuts across a thick forest of mangrove where picnickers are likely to have a relaxing time with the soothing rhythmic sound of flowing water.
- The cool waters of the river offer a perfect place to swim particularly in the late afternoon when temperatures increase.
- The visit is usually associated with the meal shared by the local families which gathers on its banks to enjoy the nature and community as one.
- The foliage can be explored by the birdwatcher around it which is abundant in native species and the chances are high to observe the colourful tropical birds.
- The twilight evening along the river edge presents a warm calm colour which produces a romantic walk or a silent time of contemplation.
- The banks of the river are covered with wooden benches, and improvised stalls which give the visitors an opportunity to rest and feel the simplicity of rural life.
Barangay Villages
- The villages which are the traditional ones still retain their original lifestyle with the thatched roofs, stone walls, and central open places where communal gatherings take place.
- The barangays have their own different types of crafts like Bamboo weaving, pottery and elaborate embroidery that can be seen and bought by visiting tourists.
- Local craftsmen are happy to tell the tale of the methods that they use, which gives a better insight into the cultural heritage that defines every village.
- The colourful street markets in these villages present an infused blend of fresh produce, local snacks as well as homemade products.
- Citizens are always willing to greet their visitors with smiling faces and in most cases may offer them to join in simple rituals or even eat a home-cooked meal.
- Taking a walk in these villages, it is possible to feel the rhythm of everyday life, some nuances of modernity and ancient traditions are intertwined in them.
Local Festivals and Fairs
- The festivals that are held every year in the town turn streets into a living colour festival that is full of music, dancing, and colourful costumes that are symbolic of the entrenched beliefs.
- There are lines of food stalls in the streets, and it is possible to find a wide variety of meals that represent the local ingredients and cooking creativity, such as grilled fish or sweet desserts made using coconuts.
- The community members sit in the open spaces where they dance the traditional dances whose dances recount the past and future.
- The street musicians and performers also contribute to a vibrant soundtrack and the night air feels vibrant and full of community pride.
- The feeling of togetherness is felt as all the people, both locals and visitors, are involved in the common delight, feasting, and laughter.
- Such celebrations are usually celebrated by a great procession, with gilded parades and arrogant actors in the old streets of the town.
Nearby Nature Trails
- The trail network takes visitors on a tour through the evergreen forests providing a hiking opportunity to explore the abundance of biodiversity in the area.
- There are signs along the paths that direct the traveller to areas where endemic birds, butterflies and other wildlife can be found in their natural habitats.
- The trailheads will have resting spots where the visitors can rest and listen to the sound of leaves blowing and drink up local herbal tea.
- To the bolder, the nature trails have steep uphill and downhill sections that can be exasperating to the stamina but compensate with breathtaking views.
- Local naturalist led tours may also shed some light on the lesser known features of the flora and fauna to enhance the outdoor experience.
- Further in the altitude, the wind has a cool breeze that highlights the beauty and calmness of the nature around it.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- The Catholic tradition of the town is very deep-rooted and festivals and masses are a scaffold of a community meeting and spiritual contemplation.
- The life of agriculture regulates the everyday routine, farmers plan all their activities according to the cycle of planting, caring, and harvest.
- Fiestas are attended with traditional dances performed with the help of traditional instruments such as drums, bamboo flutes that give life to ancient tales.
- Close connexions within the community promote a hospitality culture that creates the situation of strangers being invited into the homes shortly to have a meal or a silent talk.
- The elders are living archives of the town as they transmit folklore, proverbs, and wisdom that enhance the identity of the town.
- The environment and nature are also respected and clearly reflected in the meticulous work with crops and the respectful attitude to wildlife.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- Local foods, including the eggplant, mango, and sweet potato, are eaten as fresh vegetables, which are normally cooked without altering their natural flavours.
- The main carbohydrate rice is made in a variety of forms ranging between simple steamed rice and aromatic pilafs laced with domestic herbs.
- The coconut, which is plentiful in the area, is utilised in endless varieties: milk in the dessert, grated in the fries, oil in the fries.
- Vendors provide cheap meals such as kwek-kwek(hard-boiled egg covered with orange batter), and siopao(steamed buns toppled with savoury meats).
- Old fashioned meetings will involve group meals, whose hearts are full, and the past and the present are connected by storeys.
- Fruits which are grown in seasons are also picked at the most ripe stage as visitors enjoy the sweeter fresher forms of the fruit.
Fun
- Natural pool swimming is an invigorating experience in a break of the routine life and the landscape is made more enjoyable with the view around.
- Pics along river banks and lakes make people feel together since families come to share a picnic meal, laugh and have beautiful sceneries.
- The rice fields and the coconut plantations can be explored and one can take walks along these places and enjoy the serene beauty of countryside.
- Town fiestas provide an opportunity to see the spirit of the community including music, dancing and communal feasting.
- There is a lot of fresh produce in the markets which makes shopping interactive as they can sample and negotiate.
- There are concealed bits of the scenic country roads as one walks or rides along, and it can be either a small chapel, or a quiet waterfall, and adds to the general travelling experience.
Fashion
- Light shirts and trousers made of breathable material are best used during the hot seasons, when one feels comfortable doing anything during the day.
- Good footwear like hiking boots or sandals with good grips are used to ensure that feet do not get damaged when feet are walking on surfaces that are uneven or crossing a river.
- Visitors are advised to wear modest dresses and observe decent clothing in church which respects the sanctity of the facility.
- Informal clothes would be appropriate in the local markets, where people can chat easily with each other.
- Seasonal accessories, such as hats or sun glasses, provide the fashion and shield against the harsh rays of the sun.
- Easy, casual garments permit exercise, be it walking in villages or going on hiking paths.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- The rivers and waterfalls are the natural relaxation areas and swimmers can cool down and picnic families in the islands of calm and peace.
- The agricultural terrain: rice paddies, coconut groves, root crops, presents a living museum of agricultural activities that have been in existence across generations.
- Little wooded areas and paths allow the wildlife to be diverse in the number of colourful birds and shy mammals, and watching wildlife would be a mild adventure.
- Eco-tourism projects promote responsible exploring activities so that the natural ecosystems can be preserved to be used by the tourists who come later.
- The play of light, shadows and water attracts the attention of photography lovers, and they take shots which demonstrate the uncivilised beauty of the area.
- Lesions and holidays to Balete nature tours can help one better learn the nature around him or her, revealing the existence of waterfalls, ancient trees, and native plants.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- The holidays to Balete Fiesta of town which is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria involves masses, parades and a series of cultural shows which are aimed at celebrating faith and community.
- Local events at the barangay level concentrate on local heritage, and they have stalls where they display crafts, farm produce, and local delicacies.
- Harvest festivals also emphasise the significance of rice and coconut cultivation and the farmers present their best harvests and recount their experiences of working.
- The celebratory music, drums, brass and folk singers fill the streets, and spread the infectious feeling of happiness to everyone who hears it.
- The dances that are held in traditional costumes retell the legends and folklore and offer a living testimony to the richness of the town in terms of culture.
- They are communal events where the old and new generations interact enhancing the existing ties and guarantee the continuation of traditions to the succeeding generation.