Boracay Travel Information

The Island	Beaches	Adventures	Activities & Entertainment	Useful Tips & Information

 

 

                    

 

Boracay is considered by international travel connoisseurs as one of the best beaches in the world. Honestly, no judging skill is needed once you step on its powdery white sand and gaze at its crystal clear water to exclaim paradise!

This captivating island for many certified sun-worshippers the world over, paradise goes by the name Boracay. For indeed, many visitors have come back to Boracay year after year. Some have even chosen to live in this paradise island.

The whole island is only 7 kilometers long and less than 1 kilometer at its widest, yet all people of the world who are in the know want to cocoon their beach bodies into this Eden. Its long white sand beaches rival the best beaches of more popular destinations such as Bahamas, Fiji Island, Maldives, Palau as well as the neighboring Phuket, Lankawi and Bali.

 

 

           

 

       

 

Boracay Island is a small bone shaped tropical island located approximately 200Km south of Manila about an hour’s flight from Manila Domestic Airport. Facilities are available to suit different label of activity. For those wanting to just lounge around and take in some rays, beach-front hotels usually have lounge chairs set up just a few steps away from the hotel entrances. Facilities for the usual water sports activities such as kite boarding, wind surfing, kayaking , parasailing, snorkeling, diving and jet skiing are also widely available for those in search of more active pursuits.

The fun in Boracay also doesn't end when the sun sets. Boracay nightlife is pulsating with many bars and restaurants serving food, drink and fun until the very late evening . Accomodations in Boracay are never a problem as travelers have a wide array of options from budget fan cottages to luxurious five star resort hotels. Restaurants too are aplenty and you can choose to dine in any of the side street turo-turo (pointing on a cooked meal) or in the more expensive beachfront buffets.

Boracay Island to tourists is like a hypnotic magnet that lures much lotus existence. It is a big statement, but Boracay Philippines will captivate you and entice you to its secrets and nowhere in the Philippines and probably in Asia will you encounter an island as seductive and alluring as Boracay.

 

 

Climate in Boracay

The climate from March to June are the summer months in Boracay, with temperatures ranging from 28 to 38 degrees Celsius. November to February bring enjoyable winds, cooler temperatures, and occasional rain showers. July to October are the rainy months.

 

High season is from November to the end of May and low season from June to October.

 

Windsurfing months are Nov-April, best Dec-Feb. The best months are Jan-May, OK June- Sept [with some rain], but April and May are Philippine school holidays and the place gets noisy and crowded then. Don't consider Oct-Nov because it is windy, possibly grey and wet.

 

How to Get There

By Air

The country’s major airlines like the Philippine Airlines and Cebu pacific fly regularly to Kalibo Aklan. There is also is thirty-five minute flights of Zest Air or SEAir to Caticlan. These airlines also fly from Cebu to Boracay in less than an hour.

• Kalibo to Caticlan

If landing in Kalibo, an alternative to the vans (which are often hot and break down easily) are the air-conditioned buses operated by South Star or Island Star Express. They cost slightly more (P220-P250  vs P200 for the vans) but they are usually cooler and travel time is faster because they don’t make a lot of stops. The only downside is that they may wait for the bus to be filled before leaving and this obviously takes longer than the vans.

Upon exiting the terminal, look for the South Star or Island Star tables or representatives.

 

• Caticlan Airport to Jetty Port

If landing in Caticlan, another way to get to the jetty port from the airport is to simply walk. As you get out of the airport, you will have to turn right and make a u-turn when you reach the end of the railing. Walk to the end of the street and onto the highway where you will turn right. When you see the hardware store on the left, turn left on the road there and that will lead you straight to the jetty port. Alternatively, you can also flag down a tricycle at the highway for P7.00 per person.

Either way is cheaper than the P50/tricycle fee at the terminal near the airport!

 

• At The Jetty Port

Prepare the necessary fees early. You will need to pay the following per person:

            Boat Ticket: P25
            Environmental Maintenance Fee: P50
            Jetty Port Terminal Fee: P50

            TOTAL : P125

Before entering the jetty port, security guards will search your bags. Be prepared to open your bags quickly and show them the contents.

And finally, before boarding, you will have to list down your name and details for the boat’s manifest.

 

• Boracay Jetty Port to White Beach

If you pay the “individual” fare, it is only P20 per person to most points on the main road near the beach. You can also choose to get the whole tricycle all to yourself for P100. These are the same when you are leaving the island (just say “Cagban” if you want to get to the port)

Fares may be different when you want the tricycle to turn from the main road (and take you directly to the beach, for example) and when you ask it to go beyond Friday’s. So make sure you clarify the rate before getting on.

Boracay Tricycles
Unfortunately, Boracay tricycle drivers will take advantage of you whenever they can. Don’t be afraid to complain and find the barangay hall if you encounter any problems.

Remember:
- the fare becomes more expensive when it’s late at night
- the fare is higher when you get on or get off on the side roads that branch out from the highway. Take a short walk to the highway and get on there instead

- Get the tricycle number and (as much as possible) driver number when you encounter any problems
- Count your change!

In General

Travel times will be more difficult during the very peak periods (Holy Week and Labor Day Weekend) so try to allow more time to get to your destination (such as from the island to the airport).

By Ship

If you want to take a boat going to Boracay, Several ferries sail between Manila and Caticlan. The journey takes between 12 and 16 hours. Ferries from Manila to Caticlan:

 

• Negros Navigation

• Super Ferry

• MBRS Lines

By Road

Buses and cars run from Manila to the Southern provinces by means of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway. A nautical system conceptualized under the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Buses leave from the Philtranco terminal in Cubao and Pasay city throughout the day. The journey by bus takes approx. 12 hours. Caticlan is the 4th port that the highway runs through.

Carriers from Manila to Kalibo

  
www.philippineairlines.com

www.cebupacificair.com

www.airphils.com/

www.zestair.com.ph

 

Carriers from Manila to Caticlan

www.zestair.com.ph

www.flyseair.com

www.interislandairlines.com/

 

Boracay Island Weather

The Northeast monsoon and the Southwest monsoon dictate much of Boracays climate. In November (well, usually) the Northeast monsoon, called the amihan, starts with pleasant fresh winds and lasts till early February. Temperatures in these months range from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius. Occasional rain showers can make the nights quite cool (22 degrees C.)

From March till June it’s summertime starting with hot and sunny days and then becoming very hot days and hot nights and receding Trade winds. It’s mostly sunny with occasional thunderstorms. Temperatures range from 28 to 38 degrees Celsius.

July to October is the time of the Southwest monsoon, called the habagat. This is the wettest season of the year and it rains often. The rains though don’t persist long and rainy mornings or afternoons change with sunny periods. August is often very sunny and humid.

 

Areas of Boracay - by Station

      White Beach, Boat Station 1 is the North-Western section of White Beach that is home to some of the top luxury resorts on Boracay. White Beach is at its widest, and it is considered to be to the upscale section of Boracay. Almost all of the resorts are directly on the beach, and having most services on-site. The footpath ends, and travel is by foot down the beach to get to central White Beach.

 

      White Beach, Boat Station 2 is the restaurant, shopping, and entertainment heart of White Beach. There are some high-end resorts, and many of the popular pubs and bars. D’Mall is also here, a collection of 100 small tourist shops and restaurants that reach to the back of the main road. This is the shopping center of White Beach, and where a lot of the action takes place.

 

      White Beach, Boat Station 3 was the last section of White Beach to be developed. Most of the remaining White Beach budget and native style bungalows are located here, although recently more upscale resorts and services have been developed to take advantage of this more relaxed atmosphere. It is the quietest part of White Beach. There are some excellent value accommodations, as well as a few of the nicest White Beach Resorts.

 

      Bulabog Beach is the 1.5km long water sports beach of Boracay, and is located on the east side of the island. It is home for much of the windsurfing and kite boarding,and also has jet skis, parasailing and boating of all types. It is a 5 minute walk to D’ Mall, 10 minutes to White Beach. There are some resorts here as well. The beach is protected by an offshore coral reef. It is less developed and quieter than White Beach. “Number One kite boarding beach in Asia.”

 

      Off White Beach are various other accommodations, many of the top luxury private resorts. Some are more remote, and offer a retreat from the tourists of the more popular beaches. There are a variety of unique rooms and resorts available around the island. All have shuttle services to and from White Beach.

 

 

Brief History of Boracay Island

The island was originally home to the Ati tribe. Boracay is part of Aklan Province, which became an independent province on April 25, 1956. Formerly undiscovered, it wasn’t till the 1970s that tourism began to develop in Boracay, and the island became popular with backpackers in the 1980s.

Years ago, Boracay Island was a well-guarded secret, almost possessively so that only a few knew of its existence.

It was only in the 70’s when, it is said, a foreign movie crew accidentally “discovered” this island paradise. Others maintain that it was the German traveller, Jens Peters’ book, which included rave reviews of Boracay that changed the island’s pace from that of being a quiet secret to eventually being voted (like many other beaches in the Asian region) as having the best beach in the world.

Whichever story is true, it was around this time that Boracay Island slowly ceased to be a private travelers hangout and eventually became a favorite tourist destination in the Philippines. In a span of a mere 10 years, the whole world, it seemed, discovered Boracay and the once, nearly deserted stretch of beach became a teeming vacation and leisure spot for upscale tourists from all parts of the world.