🎄 Jojo's Christmas Cottage: A Year-Round Holiday Wonderland in Kalibo, Aklan

One of the charming attractions in Kalibo, Aklan is Jojo’s Christmas Cottage, located within the Sampaguita Gardens. This magical, 3-storey Victorian house is a dream come true for Christmas lovers and is famously known as the first Christmas-themed establishment in the Philippines—where it’s Christmas every single day!

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✨ A Christmas Wonderland All Year Long

From afar, the cottage already looks like something out of a fairy tale. As you step inside, you'll be greeted with shelves filled with Precious Moments collectibles, including dolls, figurines, pins, posters, and other charming knickknacks. Prices range from ₱200 to ₱5,000, depending on rarity and design. I was especially captivated by a tea-making set, but I had to settle for a photo souvenir—too pricey for my travel budget!

Right at the center of the ground floor is an angel figurine standing next to a Victorian-style round table adorned with flowers and more collectibles—creating an instantly Instagram-worthy centerpiece.

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🧸 Unique Finds & Festive Figurines

The entire space is decked with holiday décor—truly giving off cozy Christmas vibes all year round. Though the Christmas Museum upstairs was under maintenance during my visit, the ground floor alone offered a feast for the eyes. The handmade dolls, especially the festival-themed and Aquino family figurines, are worth a look. All doll clothing is hand-designed and sewn by staff, explaining the detailed craftsmanship (and the price tag).

At the back, there's even a Cinderella-themed wall complete with crowns—perfect for selfies with your special someone (or manifesting one, if you're still single! 😉).

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☕️ Useful Info and Insider Tips

• ⏰ Open daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

• 🎫 Entrance Fee: ₱50.00 (consumable; can be used in the cottage's coffee shop or deducted from collectible purchases)

• 🕰️ Museum Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• 📍 Address: #1 Sampaguita Avenue, New Washington, Aklan

• ☎️ Phone: (+636) 264-3422

• 📧 Email: mariamae_sjb@yahoo.com

• 🌐 Website: sampaguitagardensresort.weebly.com

Some blogs mentioned that you can explore Mr. Butcher’s mansion (the founder), but I wasn’t able to confirm that—perhaps next time!

Oh, and don’t leave without buying Jojo’s version of Kalibo’s famous biscocho (toasted bread)! It’s hands down the best one I’ve ever tasted.

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🎁 If you're visiting Aklan, don't miss Jojo’s Christmas Cottage!

💬 Have you been here or planning to go? Let me know in the comments!
📸 Share your photos and tag me—I’d love to see your own Christmas experience, even in the middle of summer!

 

🗺️ Quick Kalibo Getaway: What to See, Eat & Stay in Aklan’s Capital

After a refreshing morning swim and hearty lunch in Boracay, we headed off to Kalibo, the capital of Aklan. The journey from Caticlan took about 2.5 hours, including waiting time for the van. Since we were only staying a night, we booked a room at Kalibo Hotel, conveniently located near the airport. The van dropped us right in front, which was super convenient!

🏔️ How to Get to Mt. Pico de Loro via Cavite and Batangas – Complete Guide

Mt. Pico de Loro, or Parrot’s Beak, is one of the most scenic and popular day hikes in the Philippines. Located within the boundary of Maragondon, Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas, this mountain offers panoramic views, forest trails, and the thrilling Monolith climb at the summit.

Whether you’re a first-time hiker or a weekend warrior, this post breaks down how to get to Mt. Pico de Loro via both Cavite and Batangas—because yes, we tried both routes!

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🧭 TWO TRAILS, ONE ADVENTURE

You can start your trek through either:

• Cavite Route (Ternate Highway) – easier trail and the most commonly used
• Batangas Route (Brgy. Papaya, Nasugbu) – steeper and more challenging

For our trip: we went up via Cavite and descended via Batangas. Highly recommended if you're up for variety!

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🚍 How to Get to Mt. Pico de Loro via Cavite (Ternate Trail)

🚌 Step 1: Ride a Bus to Ternate or Maragondon, Cavite

• 🏁 Where to Ride:
• Lawton (Liwasang Bonifacio)
• Coastal Mall, Baclaran
• 💸 Fare: ₱83.00
• ⏱️ Travel Time: ~1.5 hours
• 🚌 Sample Bus Lines:
• Saulog Transit – +63(46)431-1753
• Erjohn & Almark – +63(46)872-1154
• San Agustin Transport – +63(2)874-5563

🛺 Step 2: Tricycle to DENR Registration Point (Ternate Highway)

• 💸 Fare: ₱100.00 per person
• ⏱️ Ride Time: 20–30 minutes
• ⚠️ Note: On weekends, trikes slow down for safety—many cyclists and joggers use the same road.

📝 Step 3: Register Before the Trek

• 📍 Registration Site: One of the stores near the restroom
• 💸 Fee: ₱25.00
• 🧃 Tip: Stock up on snacks or water at nearby sari-sari stores!

🥾 Step 4: Start the Trek!

• 🕓 Trek Time: 2–3 hours depending on pace
• 📍 We did it in 2 hours and 7 minutes with moderate stops
• 🌳 The trail is gradual with shaded forest paths—perfect for beginners.

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🏞️ How to Get to Mt. Pico de Loro via Batangas (Nasugbu Trail)

🚌 Step 1: Ride a Bus to Nasugbu, Batangas

• 🏁 Where to Ride: Terminals near Sogo Hotel, Pasay City
• 💸 Fare: ₱140.00
• ⏱️ Travel Time: 2–3 hours depending on traffic

🛺 Step 2: Tricycle to Brgy. Papaya (MSDC Training Ground)

• 📍 Ask to be dropped at the MSDC Security Force Training Ground, Brgy. Papaya
• 💸 Fare: ₱150.00 per person
• ⏱️ Ride Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• 🛒 There's a store and fare table at the drop-off point

📝 Step 3: Register and Start the Steeper Trail

• 🥾 This trail is shorter but steeper than the Cavite side
• ⏱️ Trek Time: ~2 hours (We took 2 hours and 6 minutes with more stops)
• ⛰️ Ideal for experienced hikers or those seeking more challenge

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🎒 Essential Hiking Tips for Mt. Pico de Loro

✅ Start early to avoid heat and crowds
✅ Bring water, trail food, and wear proper shoes
✅ Don’t forget sunblock, hats, and trekking poles
✅ Bring cash—no ATMs in the area
✅ Check weather before you go—trails can get muddy

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📸 Why Hike Pico de Loro?

• 🌄 Breathtaking 360° summit views of Cavite, Batangas & the West Philippine Sea
• 🪨 The Monolith – for brave climbers with a taste for heights
• 🌲 Lush forest trails and plenty of nature photo ops

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📣 Climbing Mt. Pico de Loro is one of those bucket-list hikes that’s challenging but achievable, and incredibly rewarding. Doing the Cavite-to-Batangas traverse gave us the best of both worlds—an easier climb and a thrilling descent.

🚩 Whether you’re going for the views, the Monolith, or the experience—this is a hike worth planning.

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🎒 Ready to hike Mt. Pico de Loro? Save this guide, share with friends, and get your legs moving—the summit is waiting!

🍴 Kalibo Eats: Our Ramboy’s Dinner Experience (And That Famous Liempo!)

 

In every province I visit, I have one simple rule: try at least one local restaurant. It’s my way of connecting with the place—and let’s be honest, food is the best reward after a long, tiring travel day.

After visiting Sampaguita Gardens Resort, our stomachs were growling. We were already in Kalibo and heard so much about Ramboy’s Restaurant, especially their legendary liempo (pork belly). Naturally, we had to check it out.

🕍 Discover St. John Nepomucene Church: A Tangalan Heritage of Sacrifice & Strength

💭 A Journey That Hit Me Deeply

I wasn’t expecting a church visit to move me the way St. John Nepomucene Parish Church did.

It was just supposed to be a quick stop—something I squeezed into our Tangalan itinerary. But when I stood there, staring at its weathered limestone walls, I felt something. Something heavy.

🌿 Bakhawan (Mangrove) Eco-Park, Kalibo: A Serene Walk with Nature

🛶 A Nature-Lover’s Paradise

Our last stop during our tricycle day tour around Kalibo led us to Bakhawan Eco-Park, a peaceful escape into the heart of nature. Located in New Buswang, this former mudflat was transformed into a lush mangrove forest through the efforts of the community, DENR, and the KASAMA organization. Today, it’s one of the most successful mangrove reforestation projects in the Philippines, recognized both locally and internationally.

🌊 AFGA Wave Rock Formation: A Hidden Coastal Gem in Kalibo, Aklan

🗺️ A Scenic First Stop

Our Kalibo day tour began at the off-the-radar but breathtaking AFGA Wave Rock Formation. I initially saw it online and thought—why not? We're already in the area!

🏝️ Jawili Beach Travel Guide: Peaceful Escape Near Kalibo Airport

🏝️ Serenity Beyond Boracay: A Day Trip to Jawili Beach, Aklan

While most travelers fly to Kalibo Airport just to reach Boracay, we decided to take a detour — one that brought us peace, charm, and a whole lot less crowd. If you’re flying out from Kalibo like we were, why not spend a night here and explore one of Aklan’s underrated gems: Jawili Beach in Tangalan.