Complete Boracay Travel Guide

by | Aug 30, 2016 | Asia, Places to Go | 2 comments

 

COMPLETE BORACAY TRAVEL GUIDE

 

It’s true, Boracay has become a cliché destination in the Philippines.

There are over 7,100 to explore in the Philippines, but Boracay still reigns as the flagship beach destination for the Philippines, and for good reason.

This popular Philippine destination is consistently ranked in countless international travel magazines as one of the world’s, if not the world’s, best beach destination. The world-class powdery white sand beaches and the endless activities and things to do in Boracay certainly deserve this recognition.

And add the nightlife, you will understand why Boracay often is dubbed as the “Ibiza of Asia.”

So if you have Boracay on your radar for a while now, this guide is for you!

 

HOW TO GET TO BORACAY

 

There are two airports in Boracay: Kalibo Airport and Caticlan. Regardless of which airport you fly into, you will eventually need to end up at the Caticlan Jetty port.

 

How to Get to Boracay island from Kalibo Airport:

 

For those who are on a budget and have time on their hands, Kalibo will probably the best option for you. Flights to Kalibo are almost always cheaper than flying directly to Caticlan. Additionally, there are now international flights from Korea, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore that fly directly to Kalibo, eliminating the need to stop in Manila altogether!

– By bus: Probably the most popular method of transportation to the island. Upon exiting the baggage claim area, there are people selling packages that offer bus and ferry transportation directly to Boracay. The typical cost for this is 300 pesos.

– By van: A faster ride to Caticlan, the vans usually takes just over an hour to get to the island. Typical cost is roughly 300 pesos.

– Bus from Kalibo City Center: For those who are in a budget, you may take a tricyle (or tuk-tuk) to Ceres bus station in the main town of Kalibo. From there on, you will see buses that head straight to Caticlan. Typical cost are around 100 pesos or below.

 

Airlines that fly to Kalibo Airport:

 

Air Busan – Busan
Air Seoul – Seoul Incheon
AirAsia – Kuala Lumpur
Cebu Pacific – Clark, Cebu, Manila, Seoul-Incheon,
China Airlines – Taipei Taoyuan (Seasonal)
HK Express – Hong Kong
Juneyao Airlines – Nanjing, Shanghai-Pudong
Okay Airways – Changsha, Tianjin
Pan Pacific Airlines – Busan, Muan, Seoul Incheon
Philippine Airlines – Beijing, Busan, Cebu, Manila, Seoul Incheon, Taipei Taoyuan
Philippines AirAsia – Busan, Cebu, CLark, Davao, Manila, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai Pudon
Scoot – Singapore
SilkAir – Singapore


 

How to Get to Boracay from Caticlan Airport:

 

Caticlan airport is approximately 7 kilometers from the island itself. Compared to Kalibo, the travel time to directly to Boracay is a lot shorter and more convenient – which makes the cost to fly directly to Caticlan a lot more expensive compared to Kalibo.

Additionally, this airport is also a lot smaller and doesn’t have the infrastructure of Kalibo Airport. With that in mind, this airport is a lot more susceptible to flight delays and cancellations.

– Upon exiting the airport, find a tricycle to take you to the Caticlan Jetty Port. This cost usually around 40-50 pesos, depending on your bargaining skills.

– If you are traveling light and don’t want to dish the 40-50 pesos, you have the option to walk directly to the terminal (around ten minutes).

– Once at the ferry, you must pay the environmental fee of P75 and environmental fee of P100. The ferry fare itself costs P25.

 

Airlines that fly directly to Caticlan Airport:

Air Juan – Busuanga, Cuyo, Tagbiliran
Air Swift – El Nido
Cebu Pacific – Cebu, Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Clark
Philippine Airlines – Cebu, Clark, Manila
Philippines AirAsia – Clark
SkyJet – Manila

 

 

cebu pacific air manila airport philippines
 

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

I smell tourists.

I feel like each and every passing year, Boracay is increasingly saturated by tourists. And it shows the moment you get off the bangka (tagalog for boat) on the main island where you have to navigate around the crowd, women in uniforms selling $8 per hour massages on the beach, and men walking up and down the beach waiting for their gazes to be met, just so that they can sell you a packaged tour.

Boracay was relatively unknown 40 years ago until a German writer published a book about the Philippines and introduced the island to the world.  Fast forward to today, Boracay is now dotted with restaurants, hotels, bars and nightclubs all along White Beach – with new ones being built every year.

Despite, the alarming amount of tourists that come to Boracay every year, it still makes me very happy to see foreigners discovering the islands of the Philippines. Fellow travel blogger Tom from the U.K. recently traveled to Boracay and had an excellent time!

And although I haven’t lived in the country for so long, I still feel some sort of responsibility to make sure everyone is having a great time (regardless whether I know you or not)!

 

 

boracay philippines paddle boarding

Still afloat…

 

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN BORACAY

 

These are some of the activities that you need to check out while in Boracay. The experience will give you flashbacks on your flight back home. PROMISE.

 

1. Under $10 one-hour massage on the beach

 

Best. Time. EVER.

 

 

massage on the beach boracay philippines

This is absolutely the worst (obviously joking!)

 

2. Watching the legendary Boracay sunsets with fresh coconut in hand

 

Romantic AF. Even if you are single, who cares.

 

 

coconut sunset boracay philippines

Cocodrunk

 

3. Water sports activities.

 

Parasailing. Paddle boarding. Fly Fish. There’s a whole menu for you to choose from!

 

 

paddle boarding boracay philippines

Amateur hour

 

4. Cliff Diving at Ariel’s Point

 

It’s a small rocky island 30 minutes from Boracay island, with 5 different diving boards for you to choose from.

 

5. Nightlife.

 

The island comes alive after the legendary Boracay sunset. You’ll see exactly why they call this Boracay the Ibiza of Asia.

 

6. Chill at Spiderhouse

 

Located at Dinwid Beach, just passed staion 1, Spiderhouse is my favorite hangout in Boracay. This Bamboo lounge-resto is spectacular for sunset watching.

 

 

spider house boracay philippines

Spider House

 

7. Seafood at D’Talipapa

 

There is no shortage of seafood on this island, and certainly not at D’Talipapa. With 23 different kinds of seafood to choose from, D’Talipapa is the biggest seafood market in the whole island.

 

8. Shop at D Mall.

 

Just in case you need a break from the beach, there’s some good finds for you to bring home at this mall.

 

9. White Beach

 

No plan is a good plan at this beach.

 

 

white beach boracay philippines

Heaven

 

10. Puka Beach

 

If you want to escape the crowd at white beach, get a tricycle and head over here.

 

11. Willy’s Rock

 

Arguably the island’s most famous landmark.

 

FAVORITE FOOD

 

There is a wide variety selection of food in Boracay that will please even the pickiest eater. For me, what I love about coming to Boracay is enjoying the myriad selection of seafood and grilled meat for half the cost of what I would pay in the U.S.

Add that to the ambiance of dining right on the beach surrounded by colorfully lit palm trees and sounds of the waves hitting the shores – it’s beyond perfect.

 

BIGGEST CHALLENGE

 

Staying awake right after dinner…

Baking in the sun all day plus the food coma right after dinner usually knocks me out – hard to enjoy what Boracay is known for: the nightlife !

 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

 

Peak season starts in November and lasts until about May. I personally love coming to Boracay in the months of January and February, where the crowd is not as heavy compared to April or May, for example.

If you happen to visit Boracay during Labor Day weekend in the Philippines (usually beginning of May), mentally prepare yourself from the influx of Filipino tourists that come to the island to party!

 

HOTELS ON STATION 2 BORACAY

 

Station 2 is without a doubt my favorite area of Boracay. It’s the epicenter of all the restaurants, shopping, bars, and most of the action that’s happening in Boracay.

You will also find some of Boracay’s best beachfront hotels and resort in Station 2. Check out some of the hotels below:

The District Hotel Boracay – 8.8 average rating on Booking.com.

The District Boracay features 3 dining options, an outdoor pool, a 24-hr front desk, and free Wi-Fi access throughout the property. Beachfront.

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Hennan Regency Resort and Spa – 8.2 average rating on Booking.com

Showcasing an outdoor pool and views of the sea, Henann Regency Resort and Spa is located in Boracay. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant.

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The Tides Hotel – 7.6 average rating on Booking.com

Just a short walk from the famous white sand of Boracay Beach, The Tides is located within D’Mall shopping area. It features a restaurant and a rooftop pool and bar.

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Blue Marina Hotel- 8.8 average rating on Booking.com

Featuring free WiFi and a terrace, Blue Marina Boracay offers pet-friendly accommodations in Boracay. Every room is equipped with a flat-screen TV. Some rooms have a sitting area for your convenience….

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Red Coconut Hotel – 8.1 average rating on Booking.com

The 4-star Red Coconut Beach Hotel sits on the white beach of Boracay Island’s Station 2.

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Boracay Mandarin Hotel – 7.7 average rating on Booking.com

ith a variety of air-conditioned rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel is a beach front property on Boracay Island. It has an Italian restaurant and outdoor pool.

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