Boracay Travel Guide: Reach this island paradise in a snap!
The paradise called Boracay!
Going to Boracay can be a bit tiring and challenging unless you’re really in for some adventurous trip to the country’s best party island. As one of my unsolicited tips, always travel light as much as possible. A backpack or small travel bag would do, as long as all your travel essentials are in place.
Manila – Kalibo (via Air Asia)
When we went to Boracay, we opted to land at the Kalibo International Airport because the airfare is much cheaper compared to that from the Godofredo P. Ramos (Caticlan) Airport, which by the way only caters to small propeller planes that make airfare more expensive. But the only setback then was that Kalibo International Airport is 2 hours away from the Caticlan Jetty port – the gateway to Boracay Island.
The Kalibo International Airport
Upon arriving at the airport, we availed of the shuttle and door-to-door services of Southwest Tours (the best we’ve experienced so far) and it transferred us flawlessly and safely to Caticlan Port. It made us feel like a VIP, but of course, with a reasonable price.
TuristaBoy Tip: Upon arriving at the island, I highly recommend that you guys (must) buy a transparent and waterproof pouch that will hold your money and other personal, important stuff. It comes in handy as you will be into some water activities and it will protect your gadgets and money from getting wet. It just costs around PhP 100-150 (or even cheaper if you know how to haggle.) 🙂
Also, when traveling, always have a little extra money with you because sometimes, fares and other expenses are exclusive of terminal and environmental fees. As of May 2015, the terminal fee in Kalibo International Airport is PhP 150, the terminal fee in Caticlan Jetty Port and Cagban Jetty Port (Boracay Island) is at PhP 10 – 15; and the environmental fee is at PhP 70 – 75.
By Air:
Bound for Kalibo, Aklan
When planning to go to Boracay by air (from Manila), there are three major (and 1 minor) airlines servicing the Manila-Aklan route. First is Cebu Pacific (to Caticlan, to Kalibo; from Cebu); second is Air Asia (to Kalibo, to Caticlan); and third is PAL Express (to Caticlan or to Kalibo). The minor airline servicing this route is SkyJet Airlines (to Caticlan). All these airlines offer daily and regular trips to and from the specified routes. Some of them offer occasional, all-in, and very cheap airfare promos and discounts to attract more visitors to the island. Travel time is about an hour.
By Water:
As of this writing, there are also two routes going to and from Boracay Island. The primary carrier known by many is 2Go Travel. One of its routes is from Batangas Port to Caticlan Jetty Port in mainland Panay and the second one is from Odiongan, Tablas Island (Romblon) to Caticlan Jetty Port. To see their travel schedules, click on the carrier’s name to redirect you to its booking site. Though way much cheaper than riding an airplane, it would roughly take you half day (7-8 hours) before reaching the island.
By Land:
Upon reaching Panay Island via air or water, through its major cities, Roxas (Capiz) and Iloilo City (Iloilo), you can ride a bus or a van from these capital cities going to Caticlan Jetty Port. Travel time is approximately 5-6 hours.
*Note that these schedules, routes, and fares are subject to change without prior notice and I’ll try my best to update this post as soon as I receive any changes. And for more information, click on the carrier’s name on this post and it will lead you to their booking sites.*
Sample Itinerary:
Here is my (unplanned) itinerary and actual, individual expenses when I went to Boracay with my friends. You can use this as a guide for your future visit. Besides, you’re the one who’s going to make that itinerary happen! 🙂
Day 1
| 1230 | Arrival at the airport (NAIA Terminal 4) |
| 1230 – 1345 | Waiting time / Checking-in of luggage |
| 1425 – 1530 | Flight from NAIA 4 to Kalibo International Airport via AirAsia (Or to Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan via Cebu Pacific or SkyJet) |
| 1530 – 1600 | Registration for land transfer – Southwest Tours (or to an air-conditioned van) |
| 1600 – 1800 | Travel time (Kalibo to Caticlan) |
| 1800 – 1815 | Travel time from Caticlan Jetty Port to Cagban Jetty Port, Boracay Island |
| 1815 – 1845 | Shuttle from port to hotel (Orchids Resort, Station 3) |
| 1900 | Check-in at the hotel |
| 1900 – 1930 | Rest time, freshen up |
| 1930 – 2100 | Dinner |
| 2100 – 2300 | Nightlife, stroll by the beach |
| 2330 | Sleeping time |
Day 2
| 0600 | Wake up time |
| 0600 – 0800 | Breakfast |
| 0830 – 1500 | Island hopping with buffet lunch at Tambisaan Port (Crocodile Island, Crystal Cove), and snorkeling at two dive sites (coral gardens) |
| 1500 – 1530 | Planning for next day’s activities |
| 1530 – 1700 | Rest time, freshen up, and prepare for dinner |
| 1700 – 1900 | Dinner |
| 1900 – 2200 | Nightlife, stroll by the beach |
| 2230 | Sleeping time |
Day 3
| 0500 | Wake up time |
| 0615 – 0800 | Paraw (sailboat) Ride at sunrise |
| 0800 – 0900 | Breakfast |
| 0900 – 0930 | Registration and going to Station for Parasailing |
| 0930 – 1000 | Parasailing |
| 1030 – 1200 | Rest time, freshen up, prepare for lunch |
| 1200 – 1400 | Lunch |
| 1400 – 1530 | Buy souvenirs, stroll at D’ Mall and by the beach |
| 1530 – 1630 | Swimming at the beach! |
| 1630 – 1730 | Freshen up, fix things, and prepare for check-out |
| 1730 | Check-out |
| 1730 – 1745 | Travel time from Cagban Jetty Port to Caticlan Jetty Port |
| 1745 – 1945 | Travel time (Caticlan to Kalibo) |
| 1945 | Arrival at the airport |
| 1945 – 2045 | Dinner |
| 2045 – 2115 | Waiting time / Checking-in of luggage |
| 2145 – 2250 | Flight from Kalibo International Airport to NAIA 4 via AirAsia |
| 2300 | Arrival at NAIA 4 |
Possible Expenses:
TuristaBoy Tip: You should plan your own itinerary and budget ahead of your trip. These are only guides in planning your vacation to Boracay.
Day 1
| Bus fare – Victory Liner (Baguio-Pasay) | 364.00 |
| Breakfast – Tapsilogan, Manila | 55.00 |
| Taxi fare – Bus Terminal-NAIA 4 (150/3) | 50.00 |
| Snack at the airport | 45.00 |
| Airfare – AirAsia (promo) | 1,190.55 |
| Door-to-door transfer – Southwest Tours Bus, 1-way (Airport-Port, Port-Port, Port-Hotel; inclusive of terminal and environmental fees) | 520.00 |
| Hotel stay – Orchids Resort, Station 3 (1st night – 915 per room/3) | 305.00 |
| Dinner – Chicken Island Inasal, D’Mall, Station 1 | 245.00 |
| Nightlife – Crown Regency Outdoor Bar, Station 3 (500/3) | 170.00 |
|
2,944.55 |
|
Day 2
| Breakfast – McDonald’s Boracay (Big Breakfast), Station 2 | 153.00 |
| Transparent, waterproof pouch – RECOMMENDED! | 100.00 |
| Island Hopping package | 800.00 |
| Snacks at D’ Mall – Halowich Ice Cream, Station 1 | 70.00 |
| Dinner – Pizza Pie Boracay, Station 1 (485/3 + 75) | 311.00 |
| Hotel Stay – Orchids Resort, Station 3 (2nd night – 915 per room/3) | 305.00 |
| Nightlife – Tribal Café, Station 1 (900/3) | 300.00 |
|
2,039.00 |
|
Day 3
| Paraw Boat Rental (per person fee) | 500.00 |
| Breakfast – El Centro Island Beach Resort, Station 1 | 145.00 |
| Parasailing | 1,000.00 |
| Picture from parasailing | 150.00 |
| Lunch – La Carmela de Boracay Buffet, Station 2 | 300.00 |
| Souvenirs and Food | 1,295.00 |
| Snacks – Starbucks Boracay, Station 1 | 165.00 |
| Hotel Stay – Orchids Resort, Station 3 (½ day extension – 915 per room/2) | 458.00 |
| Door-to-door transfer – Southwest Tours Bus, 1-way (Hotel-Port, Port-Port, Port-Airport; exclusive of terminal fees) | 450.00 |
| Cagban Port Terminal Fee | 100.00 |
| Kalibo International Airport Terminal Fee | 150.00 |
| Airfare – AirAsia (promo) | 1,190.56 |
| Taxi fare – NAIA 4-Bus Terminal (300/3) | 100.00 |
| Bus fare – Victory Liner (Pasay-Baguio) | 455.00 |
|
6,458.56 |
|
|
Grand Total: |
11,442.11 (11,500.00) |
Didn’t see what you’re looking for? Wanna ask me more how you can enjoy Boracay? Want me to try other delicious stops on my return trip? Drop a comment below!
We’re born to travel!
About Aldrick 'chiki' Agpaoa
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