Comprehensive Boracay Travel Guide 2019
This article was meant to be posted years ago when I planned on putting up this travel blog. This was way before the rehabilitation of Boracay from April to October 2018 through a decree ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte. The information below is still significant and I haven't changed a lot from this article except for booking hotels and some added information regarding after the rehabilitation.
Boracay is known as one of the most visited places in the Philippines because of its astounding beaches and its finest white sands. Thousands of tourists visit here every year. After the rehabilitation, strict rules were implemented such as regulating the number of tourists arriving everyday on the island and protecting the beach from getting polluted.
It is one of the many places that I love visiting especially when looking for a beach getaway.
This article will guide you on how to travel from Manila (or from any point in the world) to Boracay; where to stay; what activities to do; and where to eat.
Book Your Preferred Hotel
First thing to consider when going for a trip to Boracay is booking your hotel. While at the Caticlan Jetty Port, all tourists will be asked for a hotel reservation from accredited hotels and won't be allowed to get on the boat without a copy of it. It's best to have multiple copies because one will be given to the tourism authority and the rest as your backup.
Once you have set your dates for your trip, look for a hotel that fits your budget and accommodation requirements. There are lots of hotels to choose from - ranging from the backpacking type of accommodation to luxurious ones.
Booking a Flight
Plan earlier and look for the lowest airfare available. There is no direct flight going to Boracay. Either book a flight going to Kalibo International Airport and arrange land transfers through bus or van going to Caticlan, which takes an hour and a half travel, or directly book a flight going to Caticlan Airport. It takes an average of 45-50 minutes of flight from Manila to Kalibo, same with Manila to Caticlan. Once in Caticlan Jetty Port, you can take a 15-minute boat ride to Boracay.
Usually, there are more available cheaper flights with the Manila to Kalibo route than the Manila to Caticlan flights. An average airfare of P1,000 to P2,500 costs the Manila-Kalibo flights (with and without the airfare promo respectively) while it costs Php 4,000 and up for flights Caticlan bound.
You can subscribe to different airline newsletters for their latest promos for cheap flights alert. I often book my flights with Cebu Pacific because of their promos. I am also a member of their GetGo Rewards Program where you can earn points and get free flights.
If you want to travel by ferry, I recommend that you book a trip with 2GO Travel via Batangas-Caticlan. It takes 2 hours of driving from Manila to Batangas Pier and another 10 hours of ferry ride from Batangas to Caticlan. You can also leave your vehicle at the pier parking lot and pay Php 300.00 for overnight parking fee.
Caticlan Jetty Port
Once at the port, prepare paying for the following expenses: terminal fee, boat fare, environmental and admission fee - which cost around Php 200.00 in total. Also prepare a copy of your hotel reservation.
Where to Eat
Some known fast food and restaurants like Shakey's and McDonald's are already in Boracay. If you want the local treat or the 'anything-goes' style, there are carinderia or turo-turo (point what you want to eat) around the area. All you have to do is ask or you could just walk by and see them.
Along the beach walk are lots of restaurants to choose from. Depending on what you prefer - Mediterranean, Asian or American restaurants - you can find them there. There are also hotel dinings that offer buffet.
One of the most go-to places by first time visitors is the D' Talipapa (The Wet Market), which is located in Station 2 or the middle part of the White Beach area. This is where different restaurants offer services to cook food that you will have to buy uncooked in the market and let you dine in their place. You can also let them do the buying. You just have to choose which establishment has the better offer.
Night Life
Boracay is (or used to be) a party island. But after the rehabilitation, there are rules that were already implemented that limit time of bar and club operations and that parties must be contained inside the establishments. There are still many places to go partying or just spend your night on though. However, in my opinion, nothing beats an ice cold beer in your hotel room with your partner or with your buddies; by the terrace where you are staying while watching the beach or the sky. It would be less harmful for the environment too.
If you've been to Boracay, you may have encountered the "commissioners" (Mga nangungumisyon - Filipino slang for sales/service agents) or the ones who [annoyingly] offer you to avail their island activities and are found along the beach or at the main road. After the rehabilitation, only accredited establishments who offer island activities are allowed. So make sure you are booking with one.
Some of the activities include: group island hopping (P1,500 per head including lunch), stand up paddling (P1,000 per person for 1 hour), parasailing (P2,500 each for 2-person gliding of 15 mins), kite boarding (P3,500 per person for 1 1/2 hours), jet-skiing (P3,500 good for 2 persons - 30 mins.), banana boat ride (P450 per person; min. of 5 persons for 15-min. ride), and helmet diving (P1,500 per person). These are only estimated rates and may vary depending on the season and the establishments who offer these activities.
There are also other activities like massages, henna tattoo, variety of tours around the island and scuba diving. Just inquire at your hotels or they could refer you to some that offer if they don't have one.
Souvenirs
As the saying goes: "Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints," but also, there are souvenir shops that offer from smallest to the largest items that you can bring home to your friends and family - keychains, ref magnets, dreamcatchers, some native stuff, t-shirts, bags, etc. You could also bargain with the vendors if you're lucky.
This may not be the most complete guide there is, but I do certainly hope that this helps you start on planning a trip to Boracay whenever your heart desires to. If you have any questions and/or suggestions, please leave a message below and I will try my best to get back to you.
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