Boracay Resorts Travel Guide

Where is Boracay?

A dumbbell-shaped 7-kilometer speck off the northwest corner of Panay Island, Boracay is located in the Visayas island group of central Philippines in the Pacific. First rumored as a paradise isle in the 70s, it is now a favorite international vacation destination.

Prime among its beaches, White Beach stretches for 3.5 kilometers on the west side of the 'handle' of the dumbbell. A dazzling expanse of "talcum fine" white sand, it is considered by travel connoisseurs as the world's best tropical beach. Tiny Boracay, the Apple of our Isles, is big on everyone's lips.

Getting There

The easiest way to Boracay is to fly direct to Caticlan, which takes all of 36 minutes.

Via Kalibo: The next best way is to fly to Kalibo Airport. From there you take a two-hour (2-hour) ride to Caticlan.

For the ride between Kalibo and Caticlan, mini-vans, air-conditioned buses and rental vehicles run in both directions, direct from the airport and Caticlan Jetty Port.

By Land

From Iloilo or Bacolod on neighboring Negros Island, the only way to get to Boracay is by bus. Mini-vans or buses ply the 4 to 5 hour Iloilo-Caticlan route. The trip is split into two: a 3 to 4-hour drive from Iloilo to Kalibo, and, transfering to another vehicle, from Kalibo to Caticlan, for a one-and-a-half-hour drive. A non-stop, 3 to 4-hour taxi ride from Iloilo to Caticlan is always an option.

Tips

Travel Attire. From Caticlan, the only way to reach the Island is by boat. Be prepared to get wet, from the occasional splash, rain, or the quick wade to the beach. Shorts, T-shirts and slippers are de rigueur on boat trips.

Helpful Hands. If you're lugging heavy gear, porters at the Caticlan and Kalibo Airports, the Jetty Ports and the Boat Stations are ready to help.

"Human Baggage". If you don't want to get wet, the porters are more than willing to carry you (yes you!), via sitting on their shoulders, to and from the boat and shore. Important Reminder. Entrust your luggage/bags only to porters in proper uniform (men sporting a colored T-shirt/Polo with a "Porter" logo and wearing an I.D.).

The excitement begins right where you get down

Where you get down literally takes you where the happening is. Central Boracay, the White Beach, is informally divided into three sections that correspond to the three drop-off points popularly referred to as "Boat Stations" (Boat Stations 1, 2 and 3 at the Map ). From the Caticlan Jetty Port, you disembark at the Boat Station nearest your resort or your desired drop-off location. During off-peak or monsoon season, other drop-off points or docking stations around the island might be used for considerations of safety.

Getting Around

Boracay is criss-crossed with a network of roads with one Main Road traversing centrally the island's 7-km length. The many minor roads that intersect it lead you to any of the beaches, resorts and other points of interest. The ubiquitous "tricycle" (motorized pedicab) is the classic mode of transport. Daytime fare per passenger is P7 for any trip on flat area, or Main Road, between Boat Stations 1 & 3. Fares are higher for trips beyond these Stations. Nighttime rates are doubled, and often negotiable. If you don't want to be confined to the Main Road, you can rent a mountain bike to explore the Island away from the beaten path. Rentals vary.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Boracay Cheap Hotels

Coco Mangas Hotel Beach Resort Cocomangas Beach Resort fronts the world-famous White Beach, one of the top ten beaches in the world

Nigi Nigi Nu Noos Beach Resort Immerse yourself in the delights of paradise. with a backdrop of swaying palms, set against clear blue skies.

Sea Wind Boracay Island Sea wind opens on to the best beach front of the island.

Boracay Five Star Resorts

• Friday's Resort
• Sea Wind Boracay Island
• Waling Waling Beach Hotel