Top 15 Best Things to Do in Roxas City, Capiz
Roxas City, Capiz is known as the seafood capital of the Philippines. It is known for being a major center for seafood production and for its famous Baybay Beach, which is a popular tourist destination for its black sand beaches and clear blue waters.
The city is also known for its rich cultural heritage, with several landmarks and festivals that showcase its history and traditions. Roxas City is the center of commerce, trade, and education in the province, and is home to several universities and colleges, making it an important center of learning as well.
Together with Tourism Promotions Board, we recently traveled to Roxas City, Capiz to discover and learn more about this city. To my surprise, this city in Western Visayas has so much more to offer than seafood and folklore. Read on to know all the things we enjoyed doing while in Roxas City!
Visit the birthplace of President Manuel A. Roxas
In case you didn’t know, Roxas City is where the former president of the Philippines Manuel Roxas was born. In Capiz, specifically, you’ll find the well-preserved Manuel Roxas Ancestral House that you can visit. The house is made of stones and capiz shell windows that are reminiscent of traditional houses during the Spanish colonial era. It has now turned into a museum, wherein antique collections and home furniture used by the Roxas family can be seen displayed inside the house.
- Location: Rizal St., Roxas City
- Entrance fee: P50
Go on a heritage walking tour
Want to see the historical city in one go? Join a fun heritage walking tour in Roxas City. The good thing about this is that everything is just within walking distance! See iconic landmarks such as the president Manuel Roxas statue, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Panubli-On Museum, the Manuel Roxas Ancestral House, and the Capiz Provincial Capitol.
See the tallest statue of Jesus Christ
Did you know that one of the tallest statues of Jesus Christ is located in Roxas City? The 102 feet tall statue of Jesus Christ, wearing white and red garments is found atop Tumandok Hill. The impressive life-like statue is surrounded by great views of the city, making it a must-visit site for pilgrimage, especially during the Holy Week.
- Location: Tumandok Hill, Dinginan, Capiz
Visit the Santa Monica Church
The Santa Monica Church, also known as Panay Church, is a Baroque-style historical church in Roxas City. It’s best known for the five-story bell tower, which houses the largest bell in Asia, called the Panay Bell. The church was said to be built in 1774, making it a historical site to see in Roxas City.
- Location: Panay Church, Roxas City-Panay Road, Panay, Capiz
See one of the largest church bells in Asia
As mentioned above, Panay Church is home to the largest bell in Asia, weighing more than 10 tonnes. It was cast in 1884 by Juan Reina, using sacks of coins donated by townspeople. More than the huge bell, there are other bells to be found inside the church.
Experience River Cruise at Palina Greenbelt Ecopark
Go on a relaxing river cruise at Palina Greenbelt Ecopark in Sagay–and it’ll be one of the most memorable experiences you’ll have on your Capiz trip. Aside from the picturesque views and pleasant vibe, you’ll enjoy the mouthwatering seafood dishes they serve–from mussels to shrimp, oysters, and fish!
Visit Capiz Ecology Park and Cultural Village
Another day with nature is best experienced at the Capiz Ecology Park and Cultural Village in Nagba. It’s a family-friendly agritourism destination where you can take on fun activities such as eating and cooking local delicacies, trying out local practices such as weaving, and learning about sustainable farming. It’s an open-air museum where you can learn so much about their traditions and culture.
A day trip to Islas de Gigantes
Hop out for a moment and go for a relaxing beach getaway in Islas de Gigantes! Bask in the sun as you visit its very own white sand beach, go for a swim, and sunbathe and chill along its sandbars.
Eat Fresh Seafood at Baybay Beach
Baybay Beach is where the best seafood experience is. Come here and have a delightful feast with a view! Stroll leisurely along the beach walk, feel the breeze and listen to the sound of the waves, and go restaurant and cafe-hopping all day long in this area!
- Location: People’s Park, Arnaldo Boulevard, Roxas City, Capiz
Visit the Roxas City Museum: Panublion Museum
Formerly a water tank in 1910, this establishment was then repurposed to become Panublion Museum in 1920. Named after a Hiligaynon term Panubli-on, meaning guardian of precious things, the museum houses several Panay-anon artifacts from indigenous people in the Visayan mountains. Inside, you can see photo exhibits, artifacts, shells, stamp collections, and more.
- Location: Legazpi Street, Roxas City, Capiz
- Operating Hours: 9 am to 6 pm (Tuesday to Friday); 9 am to 5 pm on weekends, Closed every Monday
- Entrance fee: FREE
Chill at Cafe Terraza
Looking for more lunch options? Head to Cafe Terraza, which offers great vistas and even greater food. It sits on top of a hill, surrounded by a neatly landscaped garden and nipa huts that create a relaxing atmosphere. Of course, lunch isn’t complete without trying out their bestselling seafood specialties such as baked oysters and seafood kare-kare!
Buy pasalubong at Banica Dried Fish Market
You can’t leave town without taking home dried seafood in Capiz. At Banica, just about two kilometers away from Roxas City, you can buy the best-dried fish in the market for an affordable price. Support locals and shop for seafood pasalubong as you go through the whole marketplace. From vacuum-sealed dried fish to crab aligue, condiments, and other specialty products, you can get them all here.
Shop shell crafts at Kapis atbp
Aside from seafood products, Roxas City is known for unique capiz shells. Gift your loved ones back home and buy capiz shell products at Kapis atbp– it’s a family-owned business that makes use of capiz shells in making beautiful home items such as lanterns, home decorations, and fashion accessories.
Visit Culajao Mangrove Eco Park
Adventure awaits at Culajao Mangrove Eco Park, where you can learn more about mangroves. It’s an eco-park filled with about 19 mangrove species, 11 bird species, and a great nature spot. It’s a good place to discover ecotourism through its educational tours. They have cottages here where you can go for a picnic. There are other activities you can do here like fishing, too!
The Ruins of Alcatraz
The Alcatraz Ruins is an abandoned resort that’s also worth going to in Capiz. People come here to see remnants of what was once visioned to be a resort destination. But due to a typhoon, the construction was unfinished. Though it’s now in ruins, you can still see the beauty of its coastal views and the way to get here is just as adventurous.
- Location: Brgy. Culasi, Sitio Nipa, Roxas City, Capiz
Try various local snacks
Have you ever heard of delicacies called puso or basa-basa? You can eat these local delicacies when you visit Brgy. Tiko Sitio in Panay. If you love rice cakes, try puso and biko made tastier with nipa sap. Basa-basa is also worth a try, which has a bit of a sour aftertaste that tastes like tuba.
- Location: Brgy. Tiko Sitio Tugas, Panay, Capiz
How to get to Roxas City
By plane, head to NAIA in Manila and fly to Roxas City Airport for a little more than an hour. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia fly out to Roxas City daily.
You can also take the bus from Manila which will take about 20 hours. From Manila, head to Batangas port, then take the RoRo bus for approximately 15 hours.
Explore Roxas City, and Capiz, and add this mesmerizing city to your travel goals this year! From nature spots to historical places and the best seafood dishes, Roxas City will definitely give you a fun-filled and memorable trip in Western Visayas. What other places did you love about Roxas City? Which among these Roxas City Tourist Spots will you explore first? Share your travel experience with us!
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