Six months after the Boracay closure last April 26, 2018, it finally opened to the public last October 26, 2018. There was so much hype about it, not only among Filipinos but also among foreign tourists. Boracay Island, for those not familiar, is located in the western Visayas region of the Philippines, specifically in Aklan. The main tourist area is the White Beach, which is a 4 km stretch of white powdery sand beach. It is internationally known for its picturesque and pristine white sand beach, and exciting activities the island has to offer. At some point in time, it was hailed as the world’s top beach party destination.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the island for some relaxation as well as to enjoy the festive vibe of the island. Over the years, Boracay has slowly deteriorated and has become polluted, hence the closure for some much-needed rehabilitation.
So, now that it has undergone clean up, what can people expect from Boracay 2.0? What are the major changes? Is it worth all the hype? Let’s find out.
Boracay – How to Get There
To get to Boracay, the most convenient way is to fly by plane. You can reach Boracay through the following routes:
- Kalibo – Their airport is larger compared to Caticlan. It is 90 minutes away from Caticlan Jetty Port and you would need to take a van to reach the port.
- Caticlan – It is 10 minutes away from Caticlan Jetty Port.
Both airports cater to international flights. From Cebu, the flight to Caticlan takes approximately 30-45 minutes. Caticlan has separate airports for arrival and departure. Once at the Caticlan Arrival airport, you can either opt to ride a van or a tricycle to take you to Caticlan Jetty Port.
For budget travelers, the tricycle costs Php 100 for a chartered ride. It will take you about 10 minutes to reach Caticlan port where you will then ride a ferry or a pump boat going to Cagban Jetty Port, your point of entry to Boracay island.
You will then have to fill out an arrival form which will ask you for your basic information, purpose and length of stay, and most importantly, your place of stay in Boracay. Be sure to book ahead and ensure that your place of stay is in the official list of accredited hotels and resorts.
You can then proceed to buy your ticket for the ferry or pump boat. If you want convenience, comfort, and safety, best to take the ferry. It is airconditioned, and you can sit comfortably. The pump boat ride, however, is much cheaper at php25 but lacks comfort and convenience. All in all, taking the ferry will cost you Php250. Breakdown:
- Fare – 75
- Environmental Fee – 75
- Terminal Fee – 100
After a 5-10 minute ferry ride, you will already arrive at the Cagban Jetty Port. You are now officially at Boracay Island! Motorcycles will be waiting outside to take you to your place of stay.
Accommodations/Where to Stay in Boracay
Only tourists with pre-booked accommodations at the accredited hotels/resorts/airbnbs are allowed to enter the island. This is an initiative made by the local and national government to control the number of tourists entering the island daily. This move will help preserve the cleanliness of the island and avoid overcrowding as well. Click this link to see the full 2019 updated list of accredited hotels and resorts in Boracay. Most hotels and resorts are located in the White Beach Area which is divided into three stations:
· Station 1
It is located in the northern part of the White Beach; it is where most of the popular and luxury resorts are located. This is also the quietest section of the beach.
· Station 2
It is the busiest part of the island as restaurants, entertainment, and shopping area are located here. You can find D’mall, bars, clubs, as well as high–end and mid-range accommodations here.
· Station 3
It is the last part of the White Beach where you can find the budget accommodations, restaurants, and small shops. Recently, high-end resorts are starting to develop the area.
If you are looking for a more quiet place to stay, away from the crowd, but still just a few minutes walk to the beach, Vilus Place is a great place to stay while in Boracay. Their accommodations can be considered mid-range.
Things to do in Boracay
Before its shutdown in 2018, Boracay is known for the best beach parties and nightlife scene. So, now that the government has given more emphasis to its preservation, what are the activities you can do in the Boracay? Well, nightlife is still there but only confined now to the premises of the establishment, unlike before where it extends near the beach area. Music is still there but on a more toned-down manner.
Exciting activities still await tourists, like island hopping, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kite surfing, parasailing, sunset cruise, and many other water activities. The best way to enjoy the island is perhaps to just chill and relax at the beach, and just simply letting your body feel its fine powdery white sand after taking a swim. Don’t miss out watching the famous Boracay sunset, too.
Where to Eat in Boracay?
More than just an island paradise, Boracay is also a gastronomic place offering various types of cuisines to hungry tourists. However, it can’t be denied that everything in Boracay is expensive, from accommodations, services, down to its food. So, where to eat in Boracay if you are on a strict budget? D’Mall is a great place to start. You can find fast foods there, but prices are slightly higher than the usual fast food prices. You can also try the popular staples of the island such as Jonah’s Shakes, and Halo Mango.
Getting Around Boracay
The means of transportation in Boracay is through motorcycles and e-tricycles. The minimum fare is Php10/person except for habal-habal (single motorcycle) which is PhP20/person. Since road and infrastructure upgrades are still on-going, expect that some parts of the road can be bumpy and dusty or muddy, depending on the weather.
Do’s and Don’ts in Boracay
To ensure the preservation and push for a #Betterboracay, a number of rules and regulations are strictly implemented. Signages and infographics are placed everywhere to remind tourists of things not allowed on the island. There is also high police visibility to ensure these regulations are followed as well as to ensure safety on the island. No smoking is strictly implemented, but there is a designated place to smoke which can be found inside the D’Mall area.
Best Time to go to Boracay
High tourist season starts in October and ends in May. During this period, thousands of tourists, both local and foreign, flock to the island. For local tourists, it would be great to take a dip and enjoy the sea breeze on hot summer weather. Foreign tourists, on the other hand, want to escape from their country’s cold season and find comfort on the island’s warm weather. This is the best time to go to Boracay because the beach is generally calm. It is perfect for water sports activities like kite surfing because the wind blows out to the sea and is reliable for these kinds of activities.
Low tourist season starts in June and ends in October when the wind blows onto the beach and there is more rain in usual. There are fewer tourists on the island and one can take advantage of the lower rates on accommodations, goods, and services. For a budget traveler, this is probably the best time to go to Boracay. 🙂
Aside from the high tourist season, there is also a Peak season where the number of tourists is on an ultimate high, and resorts are fully booked. This happens during major holidays like Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, and Holy Week.
Final Verdict
Some people who have been to Boracay before its closure say it has become boring and a far cry from what it used to be. No more beach parties, fire dancing, and sandcastles to cap off one’s Boracay experience. Others, however, commend the long-overdue rehabilitation that was done to the island. Now, the White Beach is back to its beautiful, pristine state, a far cry from the polluted beach that it was before.
Now, you can enjoy laying in the sand under the shade of a coconut tree, whereas before, has been occupied by tables and chairs of resorts and hotels. There may be a lot of establishments closed due to non-compliance of environmental regulations, and activities no longer allowed, the rehabilitation of Boracay is THE best thing that ever happened to it. Anything that’s good for Mother Nature is always good for everyone. Now, you can finally enjoy the beach like how it is supposed to be.
