Boracay Island

Short Description

Boracay has been a paradise in the 1980's. Today it is the mass-tourism spot of the Philippines. If you like Saint Tropez, Miami Beach or Acapulco, you will be fine on Boracay Island.

Time and Distance

From Kalibo it is a 75 minutes ride to Caticlan. Add another 10 minutes when you start from Kalibo Airport. There are busses, jeepneys and aircon L300. The prices are around PHP 120. At Caticlan take a pump-boat or a ferry that brings you in 10 minutes to Boracay.

If you are not the tourist described in "Short Description" one or two day are enough. We suggest to stay one night to live the nightly party atmosphere.

Equipment

Everything you need for an enjoying bath. Sunglasses and a sun-screen of factor 40 or 50 are a must. You not only get the sun directly from the sky but also from the pearl-white sand and from the sea.

What to see

White Beach is a must. It is composed of the 4.5km realy white sand beach and the parallel pedestrian highway with shops and restaurants. If you find a day without too much tourists (e.g. from June to November), you will enjoy one of the most beautyful beaches of the world.
Bulabog Beach is just accross the Island. Best crossing is behind the Tourist Ofiice because there the Island is just 1km thick. Bulabog Beach is different. The Habagat (the north-eastern wind) blows strongly and makes Bulabog Beach a paradise for kite- and wind-surfers. Go over to Winnie's Aissatou Resort, there you meet the jumpin' freaks and can have a fine drink.

What to do

There is any form of watersport you find on Boracay. Countless diving schools and diving shops offer complete PADI courses with certificate. They offer short (3 hours) and long (3 days) trips to diving spots around the island. On the beach and on off-shore platforms you find banana-rides, jet-ski, paragliding.

Before sunset there are lots of local sailboats that take you for a sunset trip. The sunsets and the sailboats with their blue sails are beautiful.

After sunset White Beach becomes one big party that lasts from 6 pm to 6 am. There are hundreds of open-air bars and restaurants with live-music, artists and any drink and food you can imagine.

Restaurants

We have checked most of the restaurants on White Beach. You can find any food specialities from this planet. Prices are from some Pesos at a foodstall up to 10'000 of Pesos in the luxury hotels. If you like a fine steak, then you have to go to the Boracay Steak House. It's quality is simply outstanding and its prices are simply small. Tell the owner that René from Silent-Gardens recommends you and you will get at least a free drink. Another fine place is the Boracay Hobbit House. They serve beers from around the world. If you do not find your preferred one on the card, ask for it. The waiters and waitresses of the Hobbit House are very special (we do not say more).

Shopping

Unfortunately the old Muslim-Market burned down in 2004. You find the Muslim-Vendors now on White Beach. The mobile ones sell fake Swiss watches, fake Sunglasses of big brands and fake pearl-chains. Dont pay the price they tell you - bargain. The fix ones have small stalls where they sell any cheap stuff.
In the shops you may buy any kind of swimming-gear, sunglasses, t-shirts, straw-hats and other souvenis. Also there you always can get a better price than the first price announced.

Costs

PHP 100 from Kalibo to Caticlan. PHP 50 terminal fee and PHP 50 environmental fee at Caticlan jetty port. Hotels in Boracay are from PHP 2300 upwards to over USD 600 one night.

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