White Sandy Beaches? Check. Reasonable room prices? Check. Breathtaking sunsets? Check. Welcome to Boracay, Philippines. Located in the Western Visayas region about 200 miles south of Manila, Boracay is a small tropical island quickly becoming a premier tourist destination. Add the fact it was voted among the top ten beaches in the world in 2007 on Yahoo, where else can you go wrong?
How to get there:
There are a number of ways to reach this paradise island. The most ideal way is taking a charter plane from Manila to Caticlan. From Caticlan, you will need to take a boat to Boracay itself which is about a 10-15 min ride. Be sure to have more than enough pesos on hand because there are a number of fees you will need to pay before boarding the boat. Don’t get too tight, it’ll only cost you less than 5 USD for all the fees per person.
Where to stay:
Boracay has everything from expensive resorts and condos, to dirt cheap bungalows and cottages. Depending on the type of budget you have, you’re sure to find a place to suit your needs. Depending who you’re travelling with and the reason you’re visiting, I recommend finding a place with A/C, hot water and a clean facility. Do you really need a flat screen TV with 100 different channels? You’re on vacation! Why spend time indoors?
What to do:
There are more than enough things to do in Boracay. While majority of the visitors are content with working on their tan all day, Boracay also offers sightseeing, diving, para sailing, kite surfing and a number of different water sports. Be very careful when choosing your water activities though, as many “tourism representatives” will charge you a number of unnecessary fees. An acquaintance of mine was unfortunate enough to experience this when opting for a diving expedition. Before getting in the water in full scuba gear, a boat approached them and demanded an environmental and diving fee which they were unaware of. This caused them to stop and go back to shore to pay for the fees. I, and some friends of mine were also on the unfortunate end when we decided to check out the Bat Caves.
A tourism rep advised us that there will be a parking and entrance fee before entering the Bat Cave, which we didn’t mind at all. What caught us by surprise was the fact HE himself was charging us for using one of his cousins as a guide (a guide is needed to navigate the caves) after we toured the area. It made us wonder why he didn’t notify us of the charges while we spoke to him in the beginning. Be weary that locals will take advantage of you, just like any other foreign country. So be sure to ask a lot of questions before deciding what you would like to do, especially if it involves you paying for it.
Shopping:
While you won’t find any Gucci or Louis Vuitton shops, Boracay’s d’Mall (the only mall on island) offers many shops suitable for your souvenir needs. You can also find a number of restaurants and coffee shops in the mall in case you get hungry. For those on a budget, check out the flea market d’Talipapa. They also have a number of souvenir items that are cheaper and can be bargained down to an even cheaper price if you throw them a wink (just kidding).
Nightlife:
While you won’t find any “clubs”, Boracay has it’s fair share of bars where you can dance the night away. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, you can walk along the beach and wait for the fireworks to start. While they don’t shoot fireworks every night, you can purchase some which the locals will fire off the beach for you.
Recommendations:
Depending how long you’ll be staying, travel as light as possible. Because you’ll have to board a boat on the way to Boracay, it’s more convenient if you replace the suitcase with a gym bag or even a backpack. Try to bring cash only, while it sounds a bit risky there is only one ATM on island and the cost of credit card charges are extremely high. Be sure to get a fruit shake at Jonah’s Fruit Shake & Snack Bar in Boat Station 1. They have the best fruit shakes you will ever try, trust me. Eat at CYMA located in d’Mall. While they don’t serve Filipino cuisine, where do you go wrong with a $10 rack of lamb? If lamb isn’t your thing, their spinach artichoke dip is the best I have ever tried. CYMA is a must eat, hands down. If you think you’re a hard drinker, take on the “Still Standing After 15″ challenge at Cocomanga’s Shooter Bar. That is 15 different shots that you will have to drink (or not) before you leave.
If you are successful, your name and country will be displayed on the wall of fame throughout the bar itself, and you get a free t-shirt. If you can’t hang or pass out before finishing, don’t fret, it’ll only set you back 20 USD. 15 shots for $20? Where do you go wrong? Visit Puka Shell Beach, a place you can find puka shells that you can use as souvenirs. If you’re gutsy enough, check out the Bat Cave. Ever wonder what Bruce Wayne has to put up with in his Batcave? This is the closest experience you’ll get. Just be ready to climb down slippery boulders (a result of guano, bat feces) and face coral snakes. Yes, there are snakes lying around minding their own business, but they aren’t poisonous. Lastly, take plenty of pictures. Boracay boasts one of the best sunsets I have ever seen. An awesome spot is located at Willy’s Rock off of Boat Station 1.