Boracay Travel Information
Barefoot in the Beach
| A Little Bit of Daring | Hala
Bira! Let Go! | Island Flavors
| Warm Hospitality | How
to get there
The palm-studded island of Boracay - with its white, talcum-fine
beach, balmy weather and warm, crystalline waters - is like a
hypnotic magnet that lures many to a lotus existence. In this
tiny, butterfly-shaped island at the northwestern tip of Pana
in Western Visayas, days can be spent by simply lazing on the
beach and nights are for indulging in the tropical party lifestyle.
Boracay is an anchor tourist destination and one of the 7,000
times more islands that make up the Philippine archipelago.
BAREFOOT IN THE BEACH
The code in Boracay is strictly informal.
There is an undeniable easy atmosphere in Boracay where walking
barefoot than shod is the rule rather than the exception. White
Beach is so, soooo fine, it feels like treading on miles of baby
powder! No wonder, even swinging discos have the beach for a floor,
giving dance a new twist. There are no hang-ups either in this
island. At daytime, tourists having a soothing massage under the
shade of a coconut tree beside the shoreline is a common sight.
And from dusk to dawn, Boracay turns into one big party place
where everyone is welcome to join in...But first, let's toast
that sunset cocktail!
Diversions are certainly no problem in this tropical eden with
leisure activities calendared throughout the year and amenities
offered by some 350 tourist establishments.
A LITTLE BIT OF DARING
For the adventure-driven, "Mambo Number 5" is a little
bit of boating and wind surfing, a little bit of scuba diving,
a little bit of trekking, a little bit of mountain biking, and
a little bit of golf. There's plenty to do in Boracay other than
beachbumming and partyhopping.
On the eastern side of the island is Bulabog Beach, a boardsailor's
mecca that draws enthusiasts from all over the world, especially
during the peak season of November to March. In January, it is
the site of an International Funboard Cup.
Sailboating and kayaking are popular sporting activities, with
Boracay playing host to the annual Paraw Regatta, an international
sailboat race that makes use of the native outrigger. Dive sites
surround the island and are learning venues to both novice and
professional divers, guided by competent instructors of the many
dive shops that operate in the area.
Trekking or mountain biking can also bring the intrepid to the
island's quaint interior villages and to the edges' scenic rocky
cliffs, discovering along the way many hidden coves with isolated
beaches far from the tourist crowd. And for golf bugs, Fairways
and Bluewater Resort Golf and Countryclub has an 18-hole championship
course.
Go to top
HALA BIRA LET'S GO
January is the time to hang loose in the "Land of the Atis."
Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan, is the gateway to Boracay.
Every second weekend of January, it celebrates the Ati-Atihan
Festival where frenzied streetdancing is performed by costumed
and black-sooted "tribes" as they wend through the main
streets from dawn till the witching hours.
The Ati-Atihan is celebrated for three days and commemorates
the 13th-century land deal between 10 migrating Bornean chieftains
and the aboriginal Ati King Marikudo. It also honors the town
patron, the infant Santo Niño.
To the accompaniment of hundreds of lyres and drums, merrymakers
throw all inhibitions to the wind as they join the tribes in a
mad jig punctuated by rhythmic shouts of: "Hala bira! Puera
pasma! Hala bira! Viva Santo Niño!" (Loosely translated,
means: "Let go! Don't get sick! Let go! Hail the Holy Child!")
Kalibo is also famous for its handloom weaving industry where
fine silken fabrics are produced from the fibers of the piña
(pineapple) and abaca plants.
Go to top
ISLAND FLAVORS
The taste of the region is simple with charbroiled chicken as
common fare. Another favorite dish is raw fish marinated in spicy
vinegar.
Dining, however, is no problem in Boracay with most resorts having
their own restaurants that serve both Filipino and international
cuisines. Small snack bars and fastfood outlets line the island.
WARM HOSPITALITY
Filipinos do not simply provide the guest with a place to rest
or park their luggage, they also share the best of what they have.
This warm, effusive brand of hospitality is what distinguishes
Philippine hotels from the others. Resorts in Boracay range from
the posh "AAA" to the more tailored "SIR"
(special interest resort).
source: Department of Tourism
Go to top
BORACAY TRAVEL TIPS
-
Wear SHORTS !!! Don't be like those corporate
geeks who needs to be carried by the boatmen coz their office
pants will get wet. You will be walking on waist-to knee deep
of water when you get to Boracay Island.
-
Bring Slippers. Tho you can buy them anytime
at the market, it still pays to bring those sturdy off-road
strap ons. Your plush basketball shoes wont feel and smell right
with all those sand in them. Don't think it's not fashionable
at the airport either, co'z it is, and security inspectors will
love you for not giving them a hard time to look for things
in your shoe.
-
Travel Light. Its best if you can have all
your things fit in a backpack. Don't bring your leather luggage,
they will get powdery white with sea salt and ruin the leather.
Most of the things you need are available at the island store.
-
Bring your medicines. Common sense huh? It
will be tragic if your asthma inhaler will not be available
on the island drug store.
-
Wear light cotton clothes.
-
Use Credit Cards. At the island, visa and
mastercard is widely accepted, and there is even a center where
you can get "cash advances in peso". If you're using
an international $ card, you will be amazed at how far your
dollar can go. (cause you will normally be billed in Philippine
Peso)
-
Be friendly. There is no place for grouchy
people in Boracay. The locals, even a 5 year old kid will smilingly
greet you "Good morning", when you pass by, it wouldn't
hurt to exchange hi's and hello's...it's simply one of the friendliest
place in the world.
-
Buy Souvenirs. Nothing is more annoying than
friends arriving from Boracay without even a single "pasalubong"
for you. The market is a sure hit for bargain hunters, small
intricately carved and hand painted fishes and dolphins are
amongst the favorite.
-
Get a good package and competent travel agency.
I highly recommend www.boracay.bestasiaphilippines.com. Bargain
and unbeatable packages all the time!
-
Bring a loved One. Every moment will be best
enjoyed if you share it with someone...
Getting to/from Boracay can be reached by plane from Manila and
Cebu City to either Caticlan (boat ride to Boracay) or to Kalibo
(bus ride to Caticlan). From Manila One way option to go via Caticlan,
the jump-off point to Boracay on Panay Island, or via Kalibo, the
capital of Aklan Province, from which one needs to take a coaster
or shuttle bus for the one and a half hour ride to Caticlan. From
Caticlan, Boracay Island is a 20-minute boat ride. Flying time to
Caticlan or Kalibo is approximately an hour, departing from the
Manila Domestic Airport. Via CaticlanFlights to/from Caticlan are
daily and available on 2 private carriers, i.e. Asian Spirits and
SeaAir, you can find below flight schedules.
