Boracay is known for its pure white sand and crystal clear water. This tropical island in the central Philippines is dream holiday destination for many honeymooners.
Getting there:
Took a flight using the ‘World’s Best Low-Cost Airline’ from Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) to Clark International Airport. The flight time took 3 hours and 45 minutes. Really had a good deal from AIRASIA, the round trip ticket only cost me USD 60 and mind you it includes 15kg Check-In Baggage.
Of course for those of you who are just planning for a short stay in Philippines, don’t bring big suitcase with you. It's so troublesome. Read on and you will know why.
Arrived at Clark International Airport. This International Airport original name was CLARK International Airport and renamed to DIOSPADO MACAPAGAL International Airport and later renamed back to Clark International Airport. Don’t want to bore you with it’s history but anyway, I guess the authority decided not to take down the name out of respect of the former President.
Stayed a night in Tune Hotels in Angeles City before taking the next morning’s flight to Kalibo International Airport.
The cost of cab from the airport to Tune Hotel cost me 500 pesos (USD 13) and from the hotel back to the airport cost me 350 pesos (USD 9). Why the price difference? Well obviously I have been rip off.
The budget hotel is located along the main road of Angeles City which less than 10 minutes drive away from the airport and it's clean and cheap.
Took the AIRASIA airline from Clark Airport to Kalibo Airport which cost me USD 12. The flight duration took an hour.
Welcome to the Town of Kalibo.
Outside the airport you can find busses and vans to take you to Caticlan Jetty. For 250 pesos (the cost includes the ferry trip to Boracay), I took an air conditioned van from Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Jetty. Got the opportunity to have a quick look around the town of Kalibo through the window of the van of course.
After about two hours, I arrived at the Caticlan Jetty. Paid 100 pesos for the Environment Fee and another 75 pesos for the Jetty Port Terminal Fee and off to Boracay Island. Took the Oyster Ferry which is comfortable and air conditioned. After about 10 minutes, I am already at Boracay Jetty (Cagban Port).
There are plenty of motorised tricycles at the jetty, so no worries for your transportation to your hotel. Cost me 200 pesos.
After 15 minutes ride along the Main Boracay Road, I arrived at Bulabog Beach.
A short walk and I found my hotel. The Levantin. I booked this hotel through AirAsiaGo.com and got a good deal. USD 68 for 2 nights. The hotel is great and the room is spacious. I will definitely go back to this hotel if I am ever in Boracay again.
The hotel is just located by the beach. Checked in and began my exploration of the Island.
There are a few hotels along Bulabog Beach and even more hotels along the White Beach like the Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel.
The distance from Bulabog Beach to White Beach is a mere 10 minutes. You walk through any alley and you will reach the main road. From the main road, you keep walking till you reach White Beach. You might reach D’Mall first before arriving at White Beach.
You will of course reach the White Beach Path first and voila, White Beach is in front of you. I grab my camera and started snapping pictures.
Bring along your sunglasses, beachwear and most importantly, your camera. Well if you intend to take pictures while swimming, you can purchase the waterproof casing in Boracay. I brought along my Olympus Tough camera, so i didn't have any problems swimming with my camera.
Me and my beau bought our beachwear at at Boracay and so should you. There are hundreds of design for you to choose from and it's cheap.
If you have the time, rent a Paraw (canoe type sailboat) and sail along seaside while watching the sunset.
There are plenty of restaurants in Boracay. There is a wide variety for you to choose from. English, Spanish, American, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Local cuisine and etc.
You can also get your hair breaded or get a temporary tattoo.
You can always grab a beach chair and enjoy the view of the sea. However the chairs are only for rental.
Aaahhh.....D'Talipapa. You can get your souvenirs, T-shirts and beachwear here. Don't forget to try out the seafood here.
D'Mall, expensive version of D'Talipapa. One stop shopping place and a tourist hangout place.
As you walk along the White Beach Path, there will be people enticing you to either buy something or join a tour. "Ma'am, buy a hat, sunglasses, join this tour, sailing...". So don't worry if you have not pre-booked any activities before coming to Boracay. The people there are so willing to offer their services to you, which actually start to get on my nerve. Nearly every 10 meters I walk, there will surely be someone to approach me, 'ma'am this, ma'am that'.
I chose the Allan B Fun Tours for my tour around the Island (600 pesos). The tour itinerary includes Crystal Cove Island (additional 200 pesos), Puka Beach and 2 snorkeling trip (additional 40 pesos).
The Bangka (outrigger boat) that took 15 of us in a group around the Island.
First stop is the Crystal Cove Island. If swimming is not your 'thing', you can skip the 2 coves and explore the island by foot.
After lunch and snorkeling, we head off to Puka Beach. If you want to take a break from the crowd in White Beach, Puka Beach is the place to be. This beach guarantees a serene surrounding that will complete your Boracay experience.
Shangri-La's Boracay Resort located at Punta Bunga and Banyugan Beach. I was told that it is the best beach in Boracay and the beach is characterised by fine soft white sand and crystal clear turquoise water. Well you need to be the guest of the hotel or any private houses to gain access to the beaches. If you want to enjoy comfort, luxury and have the cash to splurge, why not.
After the tour, we arrived back at White Beach. One last look of White Beach before I call it a day.
Early next morning, checked out of the hotel. Took a motorised tricycle to the jetty for 150 pesos.
Took the Bangka (outrigger boat) from Boracay Jetty to Caticlan Jetty which cost 125 pesos including the Environment and Terminal Fee.
The distance between Godofredo P. Ramos Airport or better know as Caticlan Airport (Boracay Airport) is just a few hundred meters from the Jetty. You can walk there but I opt to take the motorised tricycle which cost 50 pesos.
The check-in baggage allowance for airlines to and from this airport is only 10kg. Don't forget that you have to pay 200 pesos for the terminal fee.
There are a few booth in the airport selling food and if haven't the time to have your breakfast earlier like myself. You can also grab a cup of coffee while waiting for your flight.
Only smaller aircraft flies to this airport. I took this turboprop aircraft by Cebu Pacific Air to my onward destination which is Puerto Princesa, Palawan in Philippines. Not a direct flight anyway.
My original flight to Palawan using AirAsia was cancelled (informed by Airasia 3 weeks before my flight date with full refund), therefore I had no choice but to book another airline company.
I have heard horror stories about Cebu Pacific Air often delaying and cancelling their flights. But to my surprise, not only the flight was punctual, but they actually took off 15 minutes earlier. Keep up the good work Cebu Pacific Air.
What is there in Puerto Princesa? Well, one of the 7 Wonders of Nature is in Palawan which gives me a very good reason for me to visit this place.
Let you know the wonders of Palawan in another posting.
Let me summarise my trip in Boracay. The map above will give you a better understanding.
1) Van from Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port
2) Ferry from Caticlan Jetty Port to Cagban Pier (Boracay Jetty)
3) Motorised tricycle from the jetty to Levantin Hotel using the Boracay's Main Road (middle road on the map, in between White Beach and Bulabog Beach). There are no taxis in Boracay.
4) Arrived at Bulabog Beach, walked along the beach. Levantin is located somewhere at the middle stretch of the beach.
5) You can laze around the beach of Bulabog, but swimming by the seaside is not recommended. The sea is not as clean as White Beach and moreover, there are many Bangkas occupying the shore. From Bulabog Beach walk to White Beach.
6) D'Mall is located between Station 2 White Beach and the main road of Boracay.
7) D'Talipapa is located nearer to Station 3 White Beach.
8) White Beach takes up most of the Western shoreline, while Bulabog Beach dominates the Eastern coast and Puka Beach the Northern coast. You can always travel to Puka Beach by motorised tricycle. Should cost you around 150 pesos per vehicle one way.
9) Punta Bunga and Banyugan Beach is located at the Northwest of Boracay Island.
10) You see the rock on the top of the map? That is Crystal Cove Island
11) You will make it for your earliest flight out of Catilcan Airport. There are plenty of tricycle at the main road of Boracay. At first I was quite worried that it will be difficult to get a motorised tricycle during the wee hours. I got my tricycle at 4.15am and made it in time for the Bangka that was about to leave the jetty at 4.45am. There are porters to help you with your bags at the jetty. Just pay them 20 pesos per porter. Reached Caticlan Airport around 5.10am.
12) There is a 15kg weight limit on checked baggage in Kalibo and 10 kg in Caticlan. You can bring heavier bags with you, but you have to pay for the excess baggage fee.
13) Don't bring big bags. Why? (a) The tricycle is small and the most it can fit is 1 big bag. (b) Only walking path leads right up to the entrance of the hotel. So don't expect your vehicle to pull up right in front of the hotel.
14) The official currency of Philippines is Peso. Use 1,000 or 500 pesos in shops and restaurants. From there you can get your smaller bill denominations for other usage such as transportation and purchasing of items from stalls.
15) Credit cards are not widely accepted. You should not have problems using them in hotels. Even in D'Mall, most of the shops and restaurants does not accept credit card. In D'Talipapa, credit card is not accepted at all.
16) There very few ATMs in Boracay and they often run out of cash. So one word of advice, bring plenty of cash.
17) You can haggle for just about anything which is quite tiresome for me. That is why the all the price and cost stated here is just as a guideline. If you can get a better price, good for you.
18) Bring a compact camera. Don't forget a waterproof casing for your camera if your's is not a waterproof camera like mine :P
19) I don't advise you bringing along a DSLR for your beach outing. You do not want to leave your belongings on the beach unattended! The same if you intend to take a dip in Crystal Cove Island. There are no lockers for you to keep your items. You leave your items on a rock and if you lose it. That's too bad.
20) Put lots of sunblock lotion.
One last word of advice. Keep Boracay Clean.
Take Nothing But Pictures, Leave Nothing But Footprints.
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