General Info
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Boracay is a tropical island in the Philippines, an hour flight from Manila. White beach, it's 4km long, powder white sand beach with crystal clear blue water was voted #1 as one of the world's best beaches. It is the most popular beach destination in the Philippines. Boracay Island is about 7km long, and has several other more remote beaches around the island, as well as Bulabog Beach, which is the best kiteboarding and watersport beach in Asia. Boracay is a vacationer's paradise, with luxury 5 star hotels, through traditional bungalows; something for anyone's budget and taste. There are all kinds of activities on the island, most famous for the diving, kiteboarding, and windsurfing. There are many fantastic restaurants on White Beach with food from around the world. Boracay is above else famous for it's nightlife, with pubs and bars of all kinds that are jumping until very late at night.
Geography
Boracay is in the province of Aklan. Aklan is located in Panay. This is the center of the Philippines. These central islands are the Visayas, region 6.
The Island of Boracay is shaped like a dog bone. It is 8 km long, and 1 km wide at it's narrowest. White Beach and Bulabog beach are the primary and secondary tourism beaches, both located opposite of each other.
Boracay is located 2km from Caticlan, the mainland gateway for sea and air access to Boracay. There are ports both in the south of Boracay (Cagban Port) and Caticlan (Jetty Port) to ferry passengers across the Tabon Straight.
Boracay is separated into three districts; Yapak in the North, Manoc-Manoc in the South and Balabag in the center. Tourists will use the boat stations of White Beach for reference. Boat Station 1 in the north, Boat Station 2 in the center, and Boat Station 3 in the south. (The boat stations are no longer in use, however they are the accepted points of reference for all things White Beach.)
Boracay has 12 beaches. White Beach is the most famous with most of Boracay's establishments lined along the 4km long beach and footpath. Bulabog Beach, directly opposite, is the secondary watersports beach and protected by a great reef. There is also the beautiful and undeveloped Puka Shell Beach in the north. The remaining other beaches are either deserted, remote, or have private resorts and villas. You can access nearly all beaches by a series of paved or gravel roads, or by sea.
Weather
Amihan - High Season
September/October to May/June
25-32°C (78-90°F)
Hot and humid, Northeasterly to Easterly winds, little or no rainfallPhilippines Summer
April / May / June
28 – 38 degrees C
Hot and mostly dry
Sometimes Easterly to southeasterly Trade windsHabagat - Low Season
May/June to September/October
25-32°C (78-90°F)
Cool south-west wind, moderate to heavy rainfall
Tourist Season
The Low Season is when the winds change and blow eastward into White Beach. There is more rain than usual, but there are also fewer tourists, better prices on accommodations, and other lower prices. The low season begins in May, and ends in October.
During High Season, the winds come from the other side of the island, and White Beach is protected. The wind blows out to sea, leaving the beach pristinely clean and generally calm. It is also winter in the northern hemisphere, and tourists come in numbers in search of sun, heat, beach and party. High Season starts in October and ends in May.
The Peak Season is when the tourists are at their height. This includes Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, and Holy Week (Easter Week). Some resorts have a +10% to +25% premium on their rooms, and the island gets fully booked. Make sure you book as far in advance as possible.
Getting There
By Air:
Caticlan Airport is a smaller airport 5 minutes from Boracay. There are domestic flights from Manila and Cebu. A motorized trike will take you to the Jetty Port, less than five minutes away. This is definitely the preferred airport for ease and convenience. Due to the small size of the runway, smaller turboprop airplanes are used.** April 3/10 UPDATE: The 3 airlines that fly into Caticlan Airport are SEAIR, Air Philippines, and Cebu Pacific. Zest Air flies only into Kalibo Airport. **
Kalibo Airport is a larger airport 90 minutes from Boracay. This airport that has some international flights, and accommodates larger jet airplanes. An air-conditioned van service will take you from Kalibo Airport to Caticlan for 200 PhP, or by Jeepney for 85 PhP.
Airlines that serve Caticlan from Manila/Cebu (in order of price for early booking)
By Land:
The Strong Nautical Highway is a both an overland route and a series of Roll-on/Roll-off ferries. The trip is 16-20 hours with stopovers and dependant on sea conditions. It's locally known as the RORO Boracay route. (A/C bus 1500 PhP)
LAND Manila -> Cubao | 2 hours
SEA Cubao -> Calapan | 2-3 hours
LAND Calapan -> Roxas | 2-3 hours
SEA Roxas -> Caticlan | 4-5 hours
Getting In
1. Caticlan Airport to Caticlan Port – After getting out of the small airport, there will be a line up of Motor Tricycles. The ride costs 50 PhP per trike for the five-minute trip to the port.
2. Caticlan Port to Boracay Port – The Jetty Port has Bangka pump boats that ferry between the Caticlan mainland and Boracay Island from 5:00 in the morning to 9:00 in the evening. There are sometimes ferries after dark, but not reliably so. The Bangka trip is 25 PhP, however non-residents also pay a 50 PhP environmental fee, and a 50 PhP Terminal fee. You need to get these tickets outside the Jetty Port before you enter. The trip from mainland to the island is 20 minutes. If you have heavy luggage, there are porters to assist you at 20 PhP per item tip.
3. Boracay Port to White Beach – Depending on the season, you will arrive at one of two Boracay Ports – Cagban Port in the High Season and Tambisaan Port in the Low Season. The distance from either to White Beach is about ten minutes. There will be a long line of Motortrikes to take you from the port to White Beach. This trip is 100 PhP per motortrike, or 125 PhP if you look like a foreigner.
4. White Beach – The Motortrikes cannot go to the actual beach, but will leave you on the Main Road with a path that leads down to White Beach. The larger paths have pedal trikes that can take you down to your resort, or you can walk the five minutes. The Motortrike drivers should know the right place to drop you off.
Getting Around
From Caticlan Port, you will take the bangka (pumpboat:photo left) to Boracay Island Port (Cagban Beach). This is a 20 minute boat trip, and boats depart frequently in both directions all day. When you arrive in Boracay, you will need to take a motortrike from Cagban to White Beach (ten minutes/125 PhP). Then you will need a pedal trike to take you from the main road to your hotel or resort. The whole trip from the mainland to your resort should be less than an hour, and the route is very standard. Just follow the tourists. There are plenty of porters to help you with heavy baggage.
Most visitors to Boracay stay on the White Beach and the footpath and travel by foot. It's an hour and a half walk from one end of the beach to the other. Motor vehicles are not allowed on the footpath and beach. There are motorbikes with sidecars (trikes:photo left) on the main road running parallel to White Beach. The fare between boat stations is 10 PhP. You can also hire a trike and driver to take you around the island for 150 PhP/Hour. This is a good way to visit other beaches such as Puka Shell Beach, or the highest point on Boracay, Mt. Luho View Point. You can also rent a motorcycle from the vendors on White Beach for 150 PhP/Hour or 400 PhP/half day. Wear a helmet and go slow. Bicycles can be rented from many resorts for less than 50 PhP/Hour.
You can also Island Hop around the island by Paraw, native canoe type sailboat (photo left). They are all over White Beach and should be 350-500 PhP per hour with crew. Popular rides are to Puka Shell Beach, sunset cruise, or up and down White Beach. There are also ATVs available for rent on the main road past station one, as well as off road buggies. They cannot be driven on the main road parallel to White Beach.
Money
The currency is the Philippine Peso (PhP). Bill denominations are : 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 pesos. If possible, bring your cash in 500 PhP denominations as you will find that getting change for 1000 PhP bills is at times difficult. ATMs dispense in 500 PhP bills. There are ATMs on White Beach, at D'Mall, and on the main road that will accept foreign debit/bank cards.
Foreign Currency is best exchanged at the banks or money changing stores. Only the larger restaurants and hotels accept credit cards including MasterCard, Visa and American Express, although a 5% surcharge on credit cards is standard. Personal checks are generally not accepted. Traveler's checks get a lower exchange rate and should be changed at Allied Bank.
Shopping
White Beach
After a delicious meal why not work off the calories with a bit of shopping. Take the time to walk white beach end to end to find some of the unique shops Boracay has to offer. As you leisurely stroll white beach you will be approached by men from the Muslim Vendors Association selling sunglasses, pearls, model sailboats, fake watches, belts and numerous other trinkets. There are a few stalls offering made to order bracelets customized with your name or whatever wording you decide upon. There will also be other people with laminated cue cards selling scuba diving, water sports, sailboat adventures and other activities. There are other services you will be offered as you enjoy your walk such as pedicures and manicures,beach side massages, henna tattoos, and hair braiding. Sometimes it can get frustrating hearing the same sales pitch over and over again, but just smile and shake your head…relax you are on vacation.
D'Mall
D'Mall is a one stop shopping experience for everyone's needs and desires. Starting at Budget mart on the main road all the way through to white beach you will find designer clothes, pharmacies, souvenir shops, travel agents, optical and dental services, fantastic European Deli (Heidiland-page 57) not to mention upscale and budget restaurants and a number of fine happy hour establishments.
From Crafts supermarket/department store heading towards white beach you will find a wet market offering all kinds of fruits, vegetables, meat and seafood. There are also cell phone repair vendors, souvenir shops, an alcohol store and some budget friendly hotels and restaurants. Find everything you want and more at D'Mall, located in Balabag (station 2).
Golden Bamboo
Shopping in Boracay can be a challenge finding the perfect souvenirs. Golden Bamboo has some excellent choices that cannot be found anywhere else on the island. With prices that are budget friendly and products that are well crafted and unique, you will find everything you need in this one stop shop.
D'Talipapa
This "small market place" is by no means small as suggested by its Tagalog name. With numerous alleyways you can maneuver around for an afternoon of shopping for all the souvenirs you can carry. There are vendors selling fresh veggies, fruits, meat and seafood for you to cook up yourself as well as many of the restaurants in the marketplace will cook to your pallets content. Remember to wear your bartering cap to get the best possible prices.
Plazoleta
Plazoleta is a nice central shopping area located on white beach in the middle of station 2. Juice bar and Lonely Planet coffee shop corner post the market and as you continue through you will find shops offering unique art, tattoos, leather goods, investment opportunities, used books, Thai food and a newly opened Eco friendly store that sells unique products from around the Philippines that are good for you and the environment. There are also bathrooms located in the back past Siam Thai food restaurant. BORACAY COMMUNITY MARKET at the Plazoleta on white beach. Every Saturday from 10am - 2pm with sellers coming from the mainland and within the Boracay Island community to display a wide range of regionally produced goods and attention-grabbing services. The Boracay Community Market really does provide a fresh and colourful start to a Saturday morning. Organizers promise Yummy Food, Original Products and many smiley happy people.
Communication
Boracay Island is serviced by two mobile providers, SMART and GLOBE. They have good reception through most of the island, and certainly the White Beach main area. Visitors can purchase a SIM card with phone number for 65 PhP and then purchase loads (user minutes) in amounts as low as 10 pesos. Text messages are definitely the main form of local communication at a cost of 1 peso per text. (The Philippines is the text message capital of the world). Talk time is more expensive between 6 to 8 pesos per minute. International text messages are quite affordable (most countries 20 PhP).
Landline calls are cheaper, and best for international calls. There are several International Phone booths along the White Beach footpath and in D'Mall. Some resorts also have international phone service, but generally at higher rates. Philippine country code is +63. Boracay's area code is (036). MyBoracayGuide's phone number would be +63 36 288-9999
Boracay has several internet cafes along White Beach, at the Tourist Information Center, and in D'Mall. Half hour is 25-35 PhP, one hour is 50-70 PhP. Connections are not very fast, but sufficient to email home.
Many hotels also have WiFi internet connection, and some restaurants have WiFi hotspots. Getting online shouldn't be a problem, although speeds are going to be slow and subject to interruption. Check the Beaches and Resorts section to see which hotels have internet access.
For Wifi around the Island you can buy prepaid cards from Ace Wireless Network. Call 288-3138 or go to www.acewifi.net
There is a post office in the Tourist Information Center, as well as Balabag Plaza behind Station One. There is Fed Ex and Air 21 for shipping in D'Mall.
Visa Extensions
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) can extend visitor visas as well as process other changes required in visa status. For visa extensions you will be required to make photocopies of your passport and fill out a visa application form. The cost varies depending on your visa and desired length of stay. You can expect to pay around 3000 PHP for a one month extension. There is a dress code so don’t wear board shorts or tank tops. Located on the main road
inside Nirvana Resort, best to go on Mondays and Tuesdays, 8-12 and 1-5. For more information call 288 5868.
Activities
In addition to the activities listed in the activities section of this guide, here are some other suggestions:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ISLAND HOPPING - CRYSTAL COVE Getting out into the waters around Boracay is a beautiful way to see the island. The Paraw is a simple sailboat that will take you around the island, where you can stop off at many of Boracay’s 12 beaches for a swim, snorkel or picnic. Many of these beaches are deserted, some accessible only by boat. Crystal Cove is one of these islands and undoubtedly one of the highlights of an island hopping trip. True to its name, this 2.5 hectare island is blessed with crystal clear waters which you can admire from shore or immerse yourself in a tropical wonderland. You can also swim into two caves which the island has to offer. The 200 pesos entry fee is definitely worth the experience!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DIVING
Diving is extremely popular around Boracay. The waters surrounding Boracay have excellent sites for beginners and experienced divers alike. The waters are packed with vibrant fish and reefs, wreck sites, caves and canyons. There are 30+ great dive sites within 30 minutes of Boracay, and 30 quality dive shops on the island. Diving is year round, although the best diving is considered to be January to June. PADI (no license required) Discovery Dives are around 3,000 PhP, and PADI open water certification courses are 15,000-20,000 PhP. Other courses available are advanced open water, advanced plus, rescue through dive master, as well as drift diving, night diving, cave diving, deep diving, and wreck diving... just to name a few! For experienced dive instructors and great equipment rentals try Dive Gurus or Calypso. If you want to buy snorkel or dive gear, go to Asia Divers in D'mall just down from Crafts of Boracay Supermarket. If you are looking for a trip of a lifetime book a Diving Safari today! For more information email us at info@MyBoracayGuide.com
Click here for more info.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KITEBOARDING
Kiteboarding is one of the most popular water sports on Boracay, with a growing community devoted to this extreme sport. During the November to March season, Bulabog Beach is transformed into Asia's best kiteboarding beach, due to the unique wave breaking reefs and ideal wind situations. There are numerous competitions and events here as well. The kiteboarding scene that has sprung from these conditions is rapidly increasing in popularity, and people are coming here from all over the world. Introductory courses are around 3,000 PhP, and 18,000 PhP for a three day full IKO L1 course. Equipment rentals and courses are available at Habagat Kite Village, Hangin Kite Center, Isla Kite Surfing on Bulabog beach during Amihan season and on White Beach during Habagat. They all have excellent instructors, equipment and are very reasonably priced.
Funboard Center Boracay, also offers windsurfing equipment rentals and lessons.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Habagat Kite Village
At Habagat Kite Village you will find fantastic accommodations right on Bulabog Beach where the world class Kitesurfing and Windsurfing takes place. Kites, boards and equipment rentals available with top quality brand names like North and Core. Professional instructors ready to teach you the basics or advance your skills further.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPA and MASSAGE There are many ways to treat yourself to a relaxing spa or massage on Boracay. For the budget traveler, there are many independent women that will walk down the beach and offer massages right on the sand. (300PhP). There are also numerous massage stations on the footpath (350 PhP). There are some hotels that have massage houses on the beach that also offer quality massages. Some hotels offer in-house massage services on the beach or in your room. Try Body & Sole for an excellent call in massage right in your room. If you are looking for a spa, try Bella Isa in Station 3, or Yasuragi (also in Station 3) for massage, wet and dry saunas and a Jacuzzi. For more upscale treatments, try Lava Stone, Mandala, or Tirta Spa.
"The best massages and spas in Boracay below!"
- Lava Stone spa (located next to King Fisher's Farm)
- Yasuragi Spa - www.boracaysurfside.com
- Mandala Spa - www.mandalaspa.com
- Tirta Spa - www.tirtaspa.com
- Bella Isa - www.bellaisaboracay.com
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SPR Boracay Real Estate
SPR Real Estate is a Filipino-Swiss company and is one of the leading real estate companies which has grown with the unique development of Boracay Island.
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