The Philippines is a vibrant and colorful country that gets even livelier and more exciting every time there is a festival. Some of the best festivals can be found in the Visayas region. During certain times of the year, these cities burst with a festive atmosphere – from the colorful décor lining the streets to people dressed up in bright and vibrant costumes, all adding to the celebratory mood.

One of the most noteworthy festivals is Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival every 4^th weekend of January. This colorful (literally) feast is in honor of the province’s patron saint, the child Jesus. This festival is the Iloilo’s version of the Ati-atihan and commemorates the conversion of the native Filipinos into Christians. During the festival, the performers’ bodies are painted black and accented with brighter hues. Iloilo is also home to the Maskara Festival, characterized by a street party in Bacolod City where people travel to have their faces hidden behind different kinds of colorful masks.

In the town of Kalibo in Aklan, the Ati-atihan festival is the most distinct of all celebrations. Held every second weekend of January, Ati-atihan is Panay Island’s most popular fiesta and also celebrates the child Jesus. It is similar to a mardi gras event that lasts for 3 days, here you can also can catch dancers with their black-painted bodies dressed in colorful traditional garb.

In Cebu, the liveliest and most anticipated celebration is Sinulog, a festival that honors the child Jesus, too, who is actually the patron saint of the island. It is also held on the third Sunday of January and it consists of performers dressed in elaborate costumes while dancing to rhythms imitating the current of a river. Both Catholic and non-Catholics are welcome to enjoy the festivities of Sinulog.

The Visayas region is among the Philippine’s biggest groups of islands and offers a plethora of interesting sights and sounds. Each of its provinces and cities offer a one-of-a-kind experience. Here are some of the must-see and must-do things when you are visiting the Visayas.

The Ati-atihan Festival

Filipinos love festivals and celebrations, and one of the must-see festivals in the Visayas is the Ati-atihan in Kalibo, Aklan. The festival is held to honor the Child Jesus (Santo Nino) who is the patron saint of the region.

The Chocolate Hills

Travel to Bohol and check out the unusual geological formation of hills that resemble Hershey’s Kisses. Although green during rainy and ordinary seasons, the hills turn chocolatey brown during dry season or in the summertime, thus the name.

Cruising the Loboc River

Of all the cruises you can take in the Philippines, the Loboc River Cruise is the one that should not be missed. The river is situated in Bohol Island and is a major tourist spot of the province, attracting both foreigners and locals alike. The river is characterized by a winding path where you can find floating restaurants and small bancas. The cruise offers a treat to the senses as surroundings consist of lush tropical greenery.

Island-hopping

Visit Cebu and go island-hopping by riding traditional rowboats or the banca. Doing this allows you to discover the captivating surroundings of Cebu’s many islands while giving you access to more of the white and unspoilt beaches. You can also enjoy a variety of activities such as watersports, picnics, and diving.

The Crown Regency EdgeCoaster

If you just want to be silly and adventurous all at the same time, do as the locals do and head over to Cebu to ride the EdgeCoaster, developed by the Interactive Rides, Inc. This unique extreme thrill ride is not matched by anything you’ll ever see in amusement parks, and is guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping.

The Visayan Islands in central Philippines has a lot more to offer beyond their tranquil forests, pristine beaches, stunning natural attractions, and historical sites. A trip to any of these islands is not complete without experiencing that particular island’s trademark festivals. Time your visit to Cebu, Iloilo, and Aklan with each of these islands’ festivals and you are in for a wonderful treat.

Cebu’s most awaited and liveliest festival is the Sinulog, a feast honoring the child Jesus (the island’s patron saint). Held every third Sunday in January, Sinulog is a festival of elaborately costumed performers dancing to a rhythm that mimic a river’s current, which translates to ‘sulog’ in the local vernacular. The festival is also marked by endless shouts of “Long live the Christ Child” and “Pit Senyor”. Sinulog is open to everyone who wants to join the festivities, Catholic or otherwise.

Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival is also held in honor of the young Jesus or Sto. Nino. The festival also celebrates the conversion of the province’s natives to Christianity during the early years of Spain’s occupation of the Philippines. Dinagyang is a very lively festival characterized by foot stomping street shows performed by dancers whose bodies are painted black and decorated by different designs of bright colors. Dinagyang is held a week after Cebu’s Sinulog.

The Maskara Festival is another of Iloilo’s famous street parties. The festival, which translates to Mask Festival, is held in Bacolod City and characterized by street dancing and yes, lots of colorful masks.

Aklan also has its version of Sinulog and Dinagyan. The Ati-Atihan is the province’s biggest festival and it is celebrated for same reasons as the previous two. Held on the second weekend of January, the festival is a three-day mardi gras that features black-painted warriors clad in colorful native attire. Spectators, locals and tourists alike, are encouraged and expected to join in by shouting the festivities’ trademark phrases: “Viva Sto. Nino” and “Hala Bira.”

Islands of paradise

Welcome to Asia’s best selection of tropical islands, the Visayas group in the Philippines. Experience the mouthwatering travel possibilities these numerous islands offer, from world class diving to stunning beaches, luxury resorts, friendly Filipino hospitality and endless coconut palms. We have the best of the Visayas covered here.

Plan your travels and update yourself on travel in the Visayas with this blog from an expert resident of Boracay and the Philippines. We plan to soon upgrade this into a full tourist info site with more than 100 pages and plenty of stunning pictures on the Visayas. Let us reveal the best of these islands.

From popular Boracay, across Panay and Negros to Bohol and Cebu we have the popular places covered. And then there’s the out of the way gems in Southern Leyte, the West coast islands of Samar, even the Romblons and sweet little Siquijor. Discover the individual flavours and highlights of each island right here.