Melo Villareal
Travel Guide: Capiz Ecology Park and Cultural Village
There is no doubt that the Philippines is full of unspoiled destinations that pull you in irresistibly, and some of them are protected areas that remind us to be responsible citizens and tourists.
In Capiz Ecology Park and Cultural Village, for instance, the eco-park features Filipino traditional houses and endemic shrubs, bamboo, and trees in its agro-forestry attraction. It has an open-air museum architecture which allows visitors to take part in tours and learn more about the local culture and experience it firsthand. Besides camping, it’s a great venue for picnics, retreats, seminars, and team-building activities.
This is an ideal opportunity for tourists to witness and appreciate the beauty of Philippine culture and its ecological wonders, without compromising its conservation.
If you are planning to visit Capiz and experience cultural immersion at Capiz Ecology Park and Cultural Village, read on to get some tips on what to expect, activities, and other important details.
Things To Do at the Capiz Ecology Park and Cultural Village
Wall Climbing and Trekking
Among the park’s many recreational activities, you’ll find wall climbing, and trekking, as well as a wellness hut where you can try their signature massage or hilot. In addition, the park also offers a variety of outdoor games and activities to keep visitors of all ages entertained.
Learn How To Weave
More than the towering trees and the ethnic houses, you’ll be fortunate to see how local artisans demonstrate their handcraft weaves made of bamboo and abaca. If you want, you can even do it yourself!
Stroll Through Ethnic Houses
The Cultural Village is home to houses from the indigenous tribes that live in Capiz, including the Aetas, the Tumandoks, and the Panay-Bukidnon, which exhibit the daily lives and traditions of these indigenous people. Through immersive displays, the Cultural Village provides an opportunity for visitors to gain a better understanding and appreciation of these cultures.
Even the traditional Philippine courtship act of “harana” can be experienced there, in which a man serenades a woman while accompanied by a guitar.
Witness the Binukot Tradition
The Binukot is a pre-colonial Visayan tradition in which a young, beautiful woman (as young as 3 or 4 years old) is kept away from the public eye for a period of time. In addition, she is not allowed to perform heavy work and is not permitted to be seen by men. Family members pamper her and teach her various oral folklore, traditional dance, and embroidery techniques. Her parents will then ask for a large dowry or pangayu at the age of 13 or 14 when she has become ready to marry. Although the tradition is no longer practiced in today’s times, this practice, which you could probably witness in the cultural village is believed to bring luck to the family and the Binukot herself, ensuring that she will have a good husband and a prosperous future.
Cook Your Own Meal and Taste Native Delicacies
There’s no trip to Western Visayas that’s complete without tasting native delicacies like Inday-Inday, a mixture of palitaw and bukayo. There’s also Bicho-Bicho, as well as Wit-Wit or GInataang Halo-Halo, which are both tasty snacks to eat at any given time.
There are also a few more dishes that will leave you hankering for more rice such as the Native Nga Manok Nga May Ubad Kag Monggo, Sinampinan, Lauya sa Ubod, Bas-Oy, and Inubaran Nga Manok to name a few. You can also cook your own meal, whether it is fish or chicken, for your group of 8-10 for less than 1,000 pesos.
A cafe is also located within the Ecopark, where you can enjoy some fruit shakes and snacks and a refreshing tea. It is the perfect spot to take a break and relax in the natural beauty of the Ecopark.
Activities for Kids
In the park, kids can also play with traditional toys like takang, tarak-tarak, and so on. It’s a lush oasis in the middle of the urban jungle, and the trees and gardens make it a nice place to escape. It also helps preserve local culture and traditions.
How To Get To Capiz
From Manila, book a flight to Roxas (via AirAsia). AirAsia flies s 3x weekly via NAIA Domestic Terminal 4.
Entrance Fee
Entrance to the park is free. For reservations, you may call the park at 0928 182 1653 or by emailing [email protected]
Want more updates about new tourist spots in Capiz, Philippines? Please follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
Read:
- 15 Best ROXAS CITY TOURIST SPOTS + Tourist Attractions in nearby towns
- Roxas City, Capiz Travel Guide: Itinerary, Places to Stay, Things to do and More
- Negros Forest Park: Wildlife Sanctuary in Bacolod City
- How Capiz Promotes Sustainable Tourism
