Poverty Incidence of Carles Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Carles is the 14th wealthiest town in Iloilo (based on income) in 2009, with an income total of P70,475,987 (2009)[22] The agricultural produce of the town includes fish, prawn, crab, rice, corn, sugar, cattle and poultry.

Carles is a significant center for commercial fishing, so much so that it carries the name 'Alaska of the Philippines' - reference to the area's marine resources.

As part of the Coral Triangle, these islands contain some of the most biologically diverse marine resources, and one of the most productive fishing grounds in the country.

[citation needed] Various commercial species are harvested along Carles' waters, including mackerel, barracuda, sardines, shad, pompano, grouper, squid, cuttlefish, shrimp, prawns, shells, seaweed and others.

[24][25] One tourist destination in Western Visayas is the Islas de Gigantes or Higantes Group of Islands located in the second class municipality of Carles in northern Iloilo.

It is home to a variety of species, two of them endemic: the Gekkonid Lizard (Gekko gigante) and the Island Forest Frog (Platymantis insulatus).

[27] Sicogon was a popular tourist destination[28] during the 1970s, known for its clear waters and white sand beach lined with coconut trees.

[29] However, due to the situation caused by martial law, development stalled and Sicogon's popularity faded in favor of Boracay Island.

It receives flights from Manila, Cebu, Clark, Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, Dumaguete, General Santos, Legazpi, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga, Singapore and Hong Kong and is served by three airlines; Philippines AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines.

[31] Roxas Airport (IATA: RXS, ICAO: RPVR) is closer to Carles with domestic flights from Cebu and Manila.