Western Visayas

A Philippine region of islands, colonial-era towns and white sand beaches, with Iloilo City as its hub and Boracay as its best-known island.

Find a room in Western Visayas Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Western Visayas

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Western Visayas, also called Region VI, takes in Panay, the smaller Guimaras and several outlying islands. Five provinces make up the region: Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo on Panay, and Guimaras. Iloilo City is the largest city and the regional center for business and government. It is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and its colonial-era heritage houses, churches and buildings draw most city visitors. Miag-ao Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Baroque-Romanesque architecture.

The region suits trips that mix city sights, heritage and beaches. Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan is the main gateway. Boracay, in Malay, Aklan, is known for white sand and clear water. The Gigantes Islands in Carles have sandbars and limestone cliffs, and Guimaras is known for its mangoes. Dinagyang in Iloilo City and Ati-Atihan in Kalibo are the best-known festivals. Allow extra days, since moving between islands and provinces takes time, and check the season before you book.

Western Visayas in five

Fly to Iloilo, Kalibo or CaticlanIloilo International Airport in Cabatuan is the main gateway to the region. For Boracay, the two options are Kalibo International Airport and the domestic Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Malay.Getting around
Take Ceres buses or vans between provincesBuses, vans and jeepneys run between cities and towns across Panay, and Ceres operates many of the routes. Iloilo City also has a premium express bus to the airports at Cabatuan, Kalibo and Caticlan, run by the LTFRB since March 2019.
Ride a tricycle for short trips in townsTricycles are the main transport for short trips in Roxas City, Kalibo and San Jose de Buenavista. In Iloilo City, use the white metered taxis or the modern Public Utility Jeepneys.
Board the Guimaras ferry at Jordan PortFerries from Iloilo City run to Jordan Port in Guimaras, an island known for its mangoes. Confirm the day's sailings with the port before you leave Iloilo City.
Check the current provinces before you bookNegros Occidental and Bacolod left the region on June 13, 2024, under Republic Act No. 12000. Palawan was ordered transferred here in 2005 but remains in Region IV-B, so confirm the provinces before you plan the route.

Things to do in Western Visayas

See all attractions in Western Visayas

a museum building with a large metal bowl in front of it

Museum · Western VisayasMuseo Iloilo

Landmark · Western VisayasMalumpati Health Spring & Tourist Resort

Sight · Western VisayasBernardino Jalandoni Ancestral House

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Western VisayasPut the places you like in Western Visayas on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)
Entry: Visa-free short stays for many passports; check the Bureau of Immigration Read more
Emergency: 911 national emergency; 117 police hotline
Tipping: Varies; check at the venue
Time: UTC+8, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain26 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Festival season
FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Dry, cooler
MarchRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Dry, getting hot
AprilRain19 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, dry
MayRain26 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot, rains near
JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Rainy season
JulyRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Rainy, typhoons
AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Typhoon peak
SeptemberRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Typhoon risk
OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Rains easing
NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dry, cooler
DecemberRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Festive, dry

Average daily high and low in Iloilo City, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Western Visayas

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 96%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Western Visayas

07:25 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today29°24°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed30°24°71%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 71%.
Thu29°23°97%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 97%.
Fri29°23°90%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 90%.
Sat28°23°75%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 75%.
Sun29°23°94%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.

Updated 04:21 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 63.7 PHP

Amount

Converted to

PHP · Philippine Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Miag-ao ChurchAsk locally for the road time from Iloilo CityA UNESCO World Heritage church with Baroque-Romanesque architecture and detailed decoration.
GuimarasFerry from Iloilo City; ask the port for the crossing timeKnown for its mangoes and an easy crossing from Iloilo City.
Gigantes Islandsby boat from Carles, Iloilo; ask the operator for the crossing timeWhite sand beaches, sandbars and limestone cliffs with clear blue water.

Before you go to Western Visayas

eSIM for Western VisayasData for ferries and airport transfersRead the guide

Insurance for ferry crossingsCover for boat transfers and bus delaysRead the guide

Money and cards in the provincesPesos, cash and card useRead the guide

Where to stay in the regionCompare Iloilo City and BoracayRead the guide

Rules for Western Visayas, checked

Many nationalities enter visa-free for short stays. Check the length allowed for your passport with the Bureau of Immigration before you book.Source
Declare cash and foreign currency above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival. Check the current amount with the Bureau of Customs.Source
Boracay charges an environmental fee on arrival at Caticlan Port. Check the current amount and how to pay before you travel.

Plan around Western Visayas

All of the Philippines

Entry rules, transport and money for a Philippines trip

Read the guide Getting around Panay

Buses, ferries, airports and tricycles across the region

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs a visa and what to check before you fly

Read the guide Money and costs

Pesos, cards and cash for a day out

Read the guide Where to stay

Base in Iloilo City or Boracay, or split the trip

Read the guide Festivals in the region

Dinagyang and Ati-Atihan, both held in January

Read the guide

Western Visayas FAQ

How many days do you need in Western Visayas?

Iloilo City, Miag-ao Church and Guimaras can fit into a few days. Add more time for Boracay or the Gigantes Islands, since both are reached by boat or flight.

How do you get from Iloilo City to Boracay?

Take a bus or van from Iloilo City toward Caticlan, then a ferry from Caticlan Port to Boracay. Kalibo International Airport is the other option for reaching the island.

When is the best time to visit Western Visayas?

November to February has the drier weather. June to October brings rain, and August to October carries the highest typhoon risk.

Is Iloilo City worth visiting?

Yes, for colonial-era heritage houses, churches and food. Iloilo City is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and the regional hub, so it works well as a base.

Which festival should I see?

Dinagyang in Iloilo City and Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, Aklan, are the best-known festivals, and both are held in January. Book transport and rooms early for either one.

What language is spoken in Western Visayas?

Hiligaynon is the regional lingua franca, spoken in Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz, Antique and Aklan. Kinaray-a, Aklanon and Capiznon are also spoken, and Malaynon is spoken in northwestern Aklan, including Boracay.

Is Miag-ao Church worth the trip?

Yes if you like Baroque-Romanesque churches. Miag-ao Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with detailed decoration.