L to R: Liz, Me, Relle, and Lai

Oh yes, it’s the most popular white beach in the Philippines and I just went there. There are probably a lot of people who are planning to go there. Some have probably gone there before and thought of going back, while some are probably the NEWBIES who have not been to Bora ever in their lives yet, and who probably have no idea what to expect, if not for the TV features and internet posts — like this one.

So this post goes to the newbies. If in case you stumbled to my page because you typed “Boracay” into the Google Search Field, well, you got to the right page. And let me clarify, I went to Boracay during the OFF-PEAK season (July), so whatever price I mention here might be different during the peak season.

1. THE PLANE TICKETS

A View from the Window Seat

First suggestion: Book early. Why? Because a lot of air lines offer promos months before your desired date. So I suggest that if you’re a little stingy and you want to experience Bora for less, then go look for promotional offers that will slash off your plane ticket cost for up to 60%. I got mine for only PHP 1800, round trip, via AirPhil Express. I booked for July 21-24, but my booking date was February. My friends got theirs for only PHP 500, round trip, via ZestAir. They booked at the same day, for the same flight. So that’s what I mean when I say BOOK EARLY. :)


2. THE BAGGAGE

Okay. This Bora experience was the first time that I’ve been outside of Luzon so I kind of over-reacted with what I brought. Really, I looked like a first-timer with the weight of my bag. I suggest that you pack light for two reasons: First, only camels like to carry heavy burdens; Second, you don’t want to look like a noob. Specially that you’re going to the beach, you’re expected to bring teenie weenie clothes with you.

What to Bring:

a. Charger. You’ll stay there for days. You don’t wanna go there overnight.

b. Camera. Take a lot of pictures and blog it.

c. Plastic / Ziplocks. For your wet stuff. And for biyahilo purposes. You know what I mean.

d. Beach Bag. While on the beach, you need a bag to make sure that all your stuff like shades, towels, and sunblocks are all stored together. Have you ever seen those thin waterproof bags that you can fold and store in a very small purse that comes with it? Bring one of those. They’re cheap (around PHP 100-150), useful, stylish, and easy to pack.

e. ATM Cards. You don’t need all your money. They have BPI teller machines on the beach.

f. Bonamine. Or something similar to that. Going to Bora from Manila is almost half a day of transpo. If you’re biyahilo, you need something to save you from the embarrassment of having to vomit in front of everyone.

g. Swim Suits. You’re going to the beach, right?

h. Dresses for the girls, Surf Shorts for the boys. These are the clothes that are easy to pack. Clothes like these have light fabrics, and are fashionable if worn the right way. So, ditch the denims!


What NOT to Bring:

a. Tripod. If you’re with your friends, just take turns of who takes the pictures and who gets to have their pictures taken. Tripods are steel and long and heavy and bulky. Ditch!

b. Extra Flip flops. I suggest that you travel with rubber flip flops, or the same pair that you will wear on the beach. that way, you don’t need to bring extra.

c. Food and water. There are A LOT of restos and fast food chains in Bora. Food and drinks will definitely not be a problem.

d. Shampoo and Soap. These are often messy. You can buy shampoo sachets and body bars in sari-sari stores in Bora. There’s no price hike. Each sachet of shampoo and conditioner cost me PHP 6.00 each, and I bought a small body bar (Palmolive Papaya) for PHP 25. Same cost, lighter baggage.

e. Towels. You’re supposed to be able to get it from the hotel you’ll check in to. That being said, then choose a hotel that will provide you with towels.

f. Gimmick Outfit. Clubs in Bora have no dress code! Ooh-la-la. You can be there in your nighties if you want. Haha.


3. THE TRIP

Here’s a summary of what’s gonna happen, how long it’s gonna happen, and how much you need to allot for each.

a. Plane ride from Manila to Kalibo. Manila to Caticlan is actually an easier route, but my friends and I booked for Manila to Kalibo. If you booked for the same route, here’s how to play along.

DURATION: 45 minutes to an hour
PREPARE: PHP 200 Terminal Fee that you have to pay for at NAIA, before you board the plane

b. Van ride from Kalibo to Caticlan Port. Before you board the van, make sure that you prepared yourself for a long drive with no stop-over. That being said, make sure that you’re bladder is okay, and your tummy is not crying for food. Vans are parked outside of Kalibo Airport, and barkers will be around. Just talk to one and ask which van will take you to Caticlan Port.

DURATION: 2 hours
PREPARE: Your music player, and PHP 200. This fee includes the van fare and the boat fare. We’ll talk more about the boat later.

c. Boat ride from the Port to Boracay Island. By the time you get off the van, you will enter the port, wherein you have to fill out the log with your name and info. A travel adviser employed by the Caticlan Government might suggest some hotels you might wanna check into. These travel advisers are all legit as long as you see them wearing their huge government IDs. You don’t need to pay them, but you can be generous and give a tip. One of their employees named Kuya Ernie even accompanied us to the main beach and helped us look for a hotel.

DURATION: 10-15 minutes
PREPARE: PHP 50 environmental fee, and PHP 25 terminal fee

d. Tricycle ride from the Port to the Beach. Finally, you are in Boracay! But wait, there’s more. You aren’t at the main beach yet. To get there, you will need to ride a tricycle that can seat 8-10 people. Yes, their trikes are pretty spacious compared to ours in Manila.

DURATION: 10-15 minutes
PREPARE: PHP 100. This fee is for the whole trike. If there are five of you then you can just pay PHP20 each.


4. THE BEACH

Finally, you’ll get to see the exact white sand beach the TVs refer to as the famous Boracay. But if you haven’t booked a hotel yet before you went there, then you can go hotel hunting. Before you look for a hotel, consider that the Boracay Beach is quite long that it consists of three stations. Station 1 is where almost all the boats used for island hopping land. meaning, if you’re in Station 2 or 3 and you wanna go island hopping, you have to walk to Station 1 because the boats are there. The sand in station 1 is also finer than stations 2 and 3. Station 2 is where the mall is. The mall is called “D Mall” and that’s where all the cafes, shops, restos, fast food chains, and clubs are. We didn’t really go to station 3 so I don’t know what’s in there. You can check other sites like and if you wanna know more about Stations 1-3.

And that’s about it! Don’t forget to bring home souvenirs. My suggestion? Go to D Talipapa, outside the white beach. Take a tricycle and tell Manong to take you there. PHP 20 fare should do you good. D Talipapa is like the Divisoria of Boracay where everything is available and CHEAP. :)

Enjoy your trip!