Boracay will always be the BEST beach place in the hearts of many Filipinos. The island is a feast for the senses – there’s gourmet food, a variety of cuisines, luxurious hotels, exotic spas, adventure sports, and the best nightlife on any island.
People go to Boracay not only for the powdery white sands and the energetic nightlife, but also to experience the bohemian beach spirit. This spirit lives on in the people who have decided to stay in Boracay despite the overdevelopment on this small island off the coast of Caticlan.
The people of Boracay are now more eco-conscious, and eco-friendly programs are being rolled out to protect the beauty of Boracay for the next generation
Boracay Island Paradise
HALA BIRA! LET'S GO
January is the time to hang loose in the "Land of the Atis." Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan, is the gateway to Boracay. Every second weekend of January, it celebrates the Ati-Atihan Festival where frenzied streetdancing is performed by costumed and black-sooted "tribes" as they wend through the main streets from dawn till the witching hours.
The Ati-Atihan is celebrated for three days and commemorates the 13th-century land deal between 10 migrating Bornean chieftains and the aboriginal Ati King Marikudo. It also honors the town patron, the infant Santo Niño.
To the accompaniment of hundreds of lyres and drums, merrymakers throw all inhibitions to the wind as they join the tribes in a mad jig punctuated by rhythmic shouts of: "Hala bira! Puera pasma! Hala bira! Viva Santo Niño!" (Loosely translated, means: "Let go! Don't get sick! Let go! Hail the Holy Child!") Kalibo is also famous for its handloom weaving industry where fine silken fabrics are produced from the fibers of the piña (pineapple) and abaca plants.
ISLAND FLAVORS
The taste of the region is simple with charbroiled chicken as common fare. Another favorite dish is raw fish marinated in spicy vinegar.
Dining, however, is no problem in Boracay with most resorts having their own restaurants that serve both Filipino and international cuisines. Small snack bars and fastfood outlets line the island.
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 TRAVEL TIPS
1. Wear SHORTS !!! Don't be like those corporate geeks who needs to be carried by the boatmen coz their office pants will get wet. You will be walking on waist-to knee deep of water when you get to Boracay Island.
2. Bring Slippers. Tho you can buy them anytime at the market, it still pays to bring those sturdy off-road strap ons. Your plush basketball shoes wont feel and smell right with all those sand in them. Don't think it's not fashionable at the airport either, co'z it is, and security inspectors will love you for not giving them a hard time to look for things in your shoe.
3. Travel Light. Its best if you can have all your things fit in a backpack. Don't bring your leather luggage, they will get powdery white with sea salt and ruin the leather. Most of the things you need are available at the island store.
4. Bring your medicines. Common sense huh? It will be tragic if your asthma inhaler will not be available on the island drug store.
5. Wear light cotton clothes.
6. Use Credit Cards. At the island, visa and mastercard is widely accepted, and there is even a center where you can get "cash advances in peso". If you're using an international $ card, you will be amazed at how far your dollar can go. (cause you will normally be billed in Philippine Peso)
7. Be friendly. There is no place for grouchy people in Boracay. The locals, even a 5 year old kid will smilingly greet you "Good morning", when you pass by, it wouldn't hurt to exchange hi's and hello's...it's simply one of the friendliest place in the world.
8. Buy Souvenirs. Nothing is more annoying than friends arriving from Boracay without even a single "pasalubong" for you. The market is a sure hit for bargain hunters, small intricately carved and hand painted fishes and dolphins are amongst the favorite.
9. Get a good package and competent travel agency.
Boracay Philippines - Island Beach Resort
Boracay Resort is one of the hottest travel destinations in the Philippines attracting thousands of foreign travelers every season. The world famous Boracay Island is located in Aklan province 345 kms. South of Manila. Boracay Philippines is a beautiful small island surrounded by coral reefs and located one kilometer north-west of Panay in the island Visayas. It is 7 kilometer long and 1 kilometer width at its narrowest point.
Boracay is made up of three little communities: Yapak in the north, Balabag in the middle, and Manoc-manoc in the south. Hilly elevations up to 100 meters above sea level characterize Yapak and Manoc-manoc. Intertwining trails link the small three villages together but sometimes may lead to a lush tropical jungles. Boracay Island is accessible by air from Manila or Cebu through the two principal air gateways: the Caticlan Airport and the Kalibo Airport. Public transportation and Electricity are remain relatively scarce.
Once on the island, you will find out that getting around is easy and simple. There are three categories of transportion: motorized tricycles and pedicabs shared with other passengers, individually rented motorbikes and bicycles, and shuttle service offered by some hotel owners. Taxi's are not available however, since everything in Boracay is more or less within walking distance, you will find most likely to join the majority of visitors moving around Boracay Island on foot.
The best part of Boracay is its 4 kilometer "White Sand Beach", also known as the Long Beach by its residents. It is located at the West Coast between the villages of Balabag and Angol, and some experienced travelers claim it to be the "Finest Beach of all Asia". The water is shallow, sand is finer and more brighter than any most beaches in the archipelago. There are about 350 beach hotel resorts with more than 2000 rooms to suit virtually everyone's taste.
Getting to Boracay Island
From Manila’s domestic airport, take flights to Boracay either via Kalibo (1 hour and 45 minutes away) or via Caticlan (10-20 minutes by boat).
From Kalibo airport, air-conditioned bus and vans for hire will take you to the Caticlan Jetty Port, where boats are stationed to take you to boracay island. Motorized tricyles and pedicabs will take you from Caticlan Airport to the jetty port, 3 minutes away.
While from dumaguete, the cheapest route is to take a bus to bacolod (approximately 6 hrs).
Then a boat ride to Iloilo, and a bus again for Caticlan.
Most visitors prefer to fly via Caticlan because of the much shorter travel time to Boracay itself: land transfer from Kalibo takes up to three hours, while it could be as short as 40 minutes from Caticlan including the brief banca(boat) ride. Even if you are nervous about flying in small aircraft, the shorter travel time may be a clincher. Flight fares range from 5,000 to 6,000 Philippine pesos (US$1=P49.64).
Boracay has been known by Filipinos as the "Number One Tourist Spot In The Philippines". While a British publication known as TV Quick, awarded Boracay Island as the Number One Tropical Beach In The World!
