Kalibo is the capital of the province of Aklan, in the northwest of Panay Island, Philippines.
Kalibo is best known as the venue of the Ati-atihan festival, normally held during the 3rd Sunday of January. The term Kalibo comes from the Aklanon word "sangka libo", ("one thousand"), the number of native (Ati aka aeta) people who attended the first Catholic Mass there. After this very first Mass, a celebration was held that was continued annually as the Ati-atihan festival.
From the time of the Spanish colonial administration until the institution of Pilipino as the national language in 1946, Kalibo was spelled as "Calivo".
The municipality has already reached the requirements to be a city but certain issues prevent the municipality from reaching cityhood.
Kalibo is 50 minutes from Manila by plane or somewhat longer by ship through the Dumaguit or New Washington Ports on the northern tip of Aklan. Kalibo Airport is about ten minutes from the main plaza. Kalibo can also be reached directly from Incheon, South Korea through international flights served by Asian Spirit and Pacific Pearl Airways.
The nearest cities are Roxas City in Capiz, and Iloilo City in Iloilo. Both are accessible by bus and minivans.
Kalibo is a gateway to Boracay island via the port of Caticlan, just 45 minutes away by land.
Public transportation around the city is by tricycle, multicab and jeepneys.
Kalibo's main industry is agriculture where the primary product is rice and coconuts. Kalibo is also the hub for the Piña Cloth industry of aklan.
The Piña and Abaca cloths are also being exported to various parts of the world most particularly North America. Kalibo is also known for other native products such as handbags made of buri leaves which is a favorite for Caucasian females visiting the town.
Kalibo is a 1st class Philippine municipality. As of 2006, it was being administered by Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo, who led the town's first Foundation Day celebration on November 23, 2005.
According to the 2000 census, Kalibo has a population of 62,438 people in 12,628 households.