Uncategorized – RIGENE TRAVEL BLOG

BORACAY BEACH

Boracay is the top beach destination in the Philippines for leisure travelers. I’ve made frequent trips to Boracay Island since I was a kid. I can’t even recall the number of times I’ve gone there.

Is Boracay worth visiting? Yes! The beach is not only one of the most beautiful in the Philippines, but it’s also compelling enough to earn Boracay a spot on the list of the World’s best beaches & islands by numerous globally recognized publications.

Be forewarned though. Boracay can get heavily touristic. If you’re an adventure seeker looking for hidden spots & local experiences, there are many off-beat places in the country that will suit your liking better. You can find them on my list of the best Philippine beaches and places to visit in the Philippines.

If you do not mind the touristic side of Boracay, then go! It’s a beautiful island to spend a relaxing and convenient vacation, especially if you’re after the famous nightlife.

Best time to visit Boracay – My favorite time to visit is during the cool months from November to February or the shoulder season from the end of May to the first half of June. Go during the dry/summer season (March, April, and May) for the highest chance of sunny weather. It’s also the peak season, so book your rooms well ahead.

A trip to Boracay does not have to be expensive. There are a lot of budget-friendly places to stay, restaurants, and ways to spend less. Read all the extra tips on this page if you plan on traveling on a tight budget.

Flights to Boracay — Boracay-Caticlan or Kalibo Airport, which one to choose? Go for Boracay Airport because it’s conveniently located within a short ferry ride away from Boracay Island. Kalibo Airport is a good alternative if you are flying international or happen to chance upon cheaper airfares. In addition, you can also fly in/out of Roxas Airport and Iloilo International Airport. This is especially recommended if you want to go on a side trip to other destinations in Panay Island.

Boracay Budget

Your travel expenses will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help you set your own budget, here are budget estimates if you follow the 3 days and 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary posted above. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices.

Prices below are ‘per person’, calculated based on a group of 2 people sharing the travel expenses.

Transport expenses breakdown
PHP 780	Caticlan Airport to Boracay transfers — P390 per person one-way fare + return trip. Includes terminal fees, environmental fee, boat/shuttle ticket & hotel pick up/drop-off.See discounts From Kalibo
PHP 100	Tricycle rides within Boracay (estimated only) — Short rides in Station 1, 2 or 3 area
PHP 150	Mt. Luho tricycle ride — PHP 150 per tricycle per way + return trip. Max 4 people per tricycle.
PHP 150	Puka Shell Beach tricycle ride — PHP 150 per tricycle per way + return trip. Max 4 people per tricycle.

Activities/attraction costs breakdown
PHP 120	Mt. Luho entrance fee
PHP 1,050	Paraw sailing — Per person for a group of 1-2 pax.Book online
PHP 2,788	Ariel’s point cliff diving — Per person. Includes buffet lunch & drinks.Book online
PHP 990	Boracay Pub Crawl — Per person. Includes free entrance to 3-4 bars, 5 shooters and 5 shots.Book online

Budget Trip – Backpacker expenses
PHP 1,180	Transport — Including Caticlan Airport transfers, terminal/boat fees, tricycle fares within Boracay.
PHP 1,400	Accommodations — 2 nights in a budget hostel. P700 per bed per night x 2.
PHP 1,500	Food — Sample food budget of P500 per day x 3 days.
PHP 4,080	Sub-total — Including 2 nights accommodations, 3 days food & transport. Excluding attractions/activities & flights. Approximately USD 78 / SGD 106 / EUR 68. Or, a daily budget of PHP 1,360 / USD 26 / SGD 35 / EUR 23.
PHP 4,948	Activities — Ariel’s point cliff diving, Boracay pub crawl, paraw sailing & Mount Luho entrance fee.
PHP 9,028	Total — Including activities 3 days expenses above. Approximately USD 173 / SGD 235 / EUR 151. Or, a daily budget of PHP 3,009 / USD 58 / SGD 78 / EUR 50.

I’ve included backpacker budget estimates for food & accommodations to give you an idea of how cheaply you can do the trip. If you have money to splurge on hotels, food, and luxuries, simply use the expenses posted to calculate your own budget.

Other activities
PHP 2,500	Parasailing — Per person price for the double/tandem ride.Book online
PHP 825	Island hopping — Join-in tour. Includes BBQ lunch & guide.Book online
PHP 650	Boracay Flyfish RideBook online
PHP 970	Boracay Helmet DiveBook online

Where to Stay in Boracay

Most accommodations are located in the general area of White Beach, which is divided into three stations.

You can find many upscale resorts in Station 1 (north end), mid-range hotels in Station 2 (middle part) and more budget-friendly options in Station 3 (south end). Beachfront properties tend to be more expensive.

If you’re looking for a cheaper place to stay, keep a lookout for accommodations inland, but not more than 10 minutes away walking distance from White Beach.

There are also plenty of luxury resorts hidden in secluded beach coves and hilltop locations all around the island. This is the best option if you want to enjoy a peaceful vacation away from the crowds.

Best Luxury Hotels in Boracay — Splurge at the best 5-star and 4-star hotels in Boracay.S
UnderPHP 8,000	Promo rates on 4-Star & 5-Star Boracay hotels — Grab discounts on luxury rooms available for booking today.S
UnderPHP 6,000	Recommended 3-Star Boracay hotels & mid-range accommodations — Great-value rooms for couples or when traveling with family & friends.S
UnderPHP 3,000	Best Boracay budget hotels — For travelers looking for decent yet affordable accommodations.S
UnderPHP 1,500	Best Boracay hostels & budget hotels — affordable places to stay for backpackers/solo travelers.S
FromPHP 700	Cheapest places to stay in Boracay

There are two main airports for Boracay-bound tourists.

Boracay Airport is the nearest and more convenient option. Meanwhile, Kalibo Airport serves direct international flights & often cheaper airfares.

Flight duration to both airports is roughly the same. Travel time is around 1 hour from Manila & Cebu, 1h 30m from Davao, 3h 40m from Singapore & 4h 20m from Seoul.

Money saving tips

Traveling to Boracay on a budget? Here are some ways that you can spend less & enjoy a cheap vacation. These are especially useful if you are backpacking or simply traveling on a limited/tight budget.

1. Go on shared tricycles — For transport between stations 1, 2 & 3, hail a tricycle with passengers already riding. Ask the regular fare, which is usually PHP 10 to 20 for short rides. Empty tricycles waiting along the highway usually charge the chartered rate, which is a lot more expensive. There’s also the option of simply walking along White Beach and enjoy sightseeing until you reach your destination.

2. Travel in a bigger group — Sharing expenses with more people can make your tours & accommodations a lot cheaper per person.

3. Eat local — If you want to take a break from expensive food at tourist-oriented restaurants, look around for a carinderia or local eatery, usually found along or near the main road. You can even do your groceries at the supermarket (easy to find) and cook your own food if your hostel has a kitchen facility. There’s also a growing number of fast food chains in the island like Mang Inasal, Andok’s & McDonald’s.

4. Haggle down prices — Boracay is known for overpricing tourists, even local tourists from nearby provinces. Don’t be shy to haggle! Always ask for a lower price when buying souvenirs or booking tours. Shop around for the best deal.

5. Consider staying outside of White Beach — Expect to pay a premium for beachfront rooms. There are a lot of cheaper options near the main road. Choose one that’s not too far from the beach though.

6. Look out for discounts online — With the rising popularity of booking sites, there are a lot of accommodations & activities that can be booked cheaper online than paying walk-in rates.