Here’s a detailed Boracay travel guide with sample itinerary, budget, spots to visit, places to stay & more.16.3kSHARES
Boracay is the top beach destination in the Philippines for leisure travelers.
I’ve made frequent trips to Boracay Island since I was a kid. I can’t even recall the number of times I’ve gone there. Growing up, Boracay had been my family’s favorite holiday destination since it’s near to my hometown.
Is Boracay worth visiting? Yes! The beach is not only one of the most beautiful in the Philippines, but it’s also compelling enough to earn Boracay a spot on the list of the World’s best beaches & islands by numerous globally recognized publications.
Be forewarned though. Boracay can get heavily touristic. If you’re an adventure seeker looking for hidden spots & local experiences, there are many off-beat places in the country that will suit your liking better. You can find them on my list of the best Philippine beaches and places to visit in the Philippines.
Traveling to Boracay for the first time? This detailed travel guide will make it easy for you to plan a trip, save money, and maximize your time. Scroll down to read must-know travel tips before you go, followed by a sample itinerary + budget breakdown , recommended hotels/places to stay , things to do/places to visit and lots of extra travel tips.
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How to get to Boracay — Touchdown at Boracay-Caticlan Airport, the nearest gateway to Boracay Island. Kalibo Airport is also a good alternative. Both airports are located 1 hour south of Manila by plane. Travel time from Kalibo to Caticlan is around 1 hour by shuttle. From Caticlan, Boracay is a mere 15-minute ferry ride away. Click below to check prices & discounts on airport transfers.
Travel going to the small island is by boat. Visitors depart Caticlan Jetty Port and arrive at Cagban Jetty Port, and from there, moving around the island—or when heading to the booked Boracay hotel or beach resort—can be done on foot, by tricycle, or by bicycle. Once on the island, visitors come to the most famous part called White Beach, which is a long stretch of white powdery sand divided into three stations.
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>6% OFF Kalibo Airport – Boracay Premium Transfers – Terminal Fee + Ferry Included
One essential knowledge to get during a first-time Boracay travel is to know the difference between the three boat stations:
Station 1– Located on the northwestern side, Station 1 is touted as the high-end spot of White Beach. Resorts and hotels lie immediately by the beach, but it is still possible to walk by the beach despite the lack of a fixed pathway. This station has the finest sand out of all three locales, and it is also the quieter side because of the light concentration of establishments. Willy’s Rock, the most photographed landmark on the island, is found here.
Station 2 – This is the meso-locale where the sand is slightly grainier but still considerably fine. This is known as the center of all action because restaurants, bars, retail shops, and other tourist-catering establishments are more concentrated here. Visitors better reserve some of their verve for sundown, for a lot of action also happens at night—restaurants run abuzz, live bands color the surroundings with music, and party lovers contribute to the noise by the beach. The D’Mall, the only shopping center on the island, is located here.
Station 3 – Suitable for the budget-conscious, this station lies on the southwest close to Cagban Beach and Manoc-Manoc Beach. The texture of the sand here is grainier than the other locales. Frequented by only a few who want to have more space, this is the perfect spot for quiet relaxation and getting in one with nature. Due to the spot’s proximity to Station 2 and its tranquil ambiance, more accommodations are being put up here, both budget and pricey.
Accommodation
Boracay resorts abound on the island, but there are also hotels and native lodgings. When traveling to Boracay, it is a money-saver to grab Boracay promos and special offers by booking beforehand. This not only ensures that visitors get the type of accommodation they want, but it will also lessen the hassle of having to look for a place of lodging upon arrival.
Book your hotel early — Most Boracay hotels & resort are found along or near White Beach, the main tourist area. There are also plenty of luxury resorts hidden in secluded beach coves and hilltop locations all around the island. Grab rock-bottom rates and avoid fully-booked rooms by booking online as soon as you know you’re going. Click below to compare discounts and read reviews by other travelers.
Check prices online and pre-book discounts — Save money by checking discounts on tours, airport-island transfers and activities. Booking before you leave also saves you time by avoiding the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash during your actual trip.
17% OFF Boracay Mermaid Photoshoot
BEST HOTEL TO STAY IN BORACAY
Discovery Shores Boracay is the one of the best hotel to stay in Boracay because of the hotel location makes it easy to walk to other places if you want to wander elsewhere. The room and the services are fantastic. Staff is very polite and accommodating. They make sure that everything is well and comfortable for their guests. Food is great and has a variety of international selections and home-cooked Filipino dishes. One of the best luxury hotels in Station 1.
Activities
Most activities are offered in Station 2, where kite surfing, banana boat, kayaking, surfing, and many other water activities in Boracay island are supervised by instructors. For hardcore watersports lovers, Bulabog Beach at the opposite side of White Beach cater to activities like jet skiing, speed boating, and windsurfing.
Visitors who want to roam around may rent an all-terrain vehicle; others who want to be windswept could endure the trek to Mt. Luho, the highest point on the island, where a zip-line ride could be enjoyed to dispense exhaustion. There is also a mini zoo and a carnival for those with kids.
Those who are not into solo travel better help themselves by doing prior research about Boracay or going along with friends. Traveling to the premier tourist spot in the country can surely bring some shock—partly due to the influx of people—because there are several travel facets that must be considered. After all, Boracay, from being a virgin paradise, has been turned into a tourist paradise.
Best time to visit Boracay — My favorite time to visit is during the cool months from November to February or the shoulder season from the end of May to the first half of June. Go during the dry/summer season (March, April, and May) for the highest chance of sunny weather. It’s also the peak season, so book your rooms well ahead.
Boracay is easy to travel on a budget — A trip to Boracay does not have to be expensive. There are a lot of budget-friendly places to stay, restaurants, and ways to spend less. Read all the extra tips on this page if you plan on traveling on a tight budget.
Explore beyond White Beach — Don’t miss other spots to see on the island. Take a detour to Puka Beach, less crowded beaches, Mt. Luho inland viewpoints, and nearby islets where you can go snorkeling or cliff diving. You can even go farther, to nearby provinces if you’re seeking a more “local” experience.
Boracay-Ariel’s Point Cliff Diving
4% OFF Boracay Half Day Land Tour
Flights to Boracay — Boracay-Caticlan or Kalibo Airport, which one to choose? Go for Boracay Airport because it’s conveniently located within a short ferry ride away from Boracay Island. Kalibo Airport is a good alternative if you are flying international or happen to chance upon cheaper airfares. In addition, you can also fly in/out of Roxas Airport and Iloilo International Airport. This is especially recommended if you want to go on a side trip to other destinations in Panay Island.
Boracay Itinerary
What to do in Boracay in 3 days? Here’s a 3 days & 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary for your do-it-yourself (DIY) trip.
Day 1: Boracay beaches & inland tour
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Flight to Boracay | |
| 09:00 am | Arrive at Caticlan Airport |
| 09:15 am | Caticlan Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port shuttle |
| 09:25 am | Caticlan to Boracay ferry |
| 09:40 am | Cagban Port to hotel shuttle |
| 10:00 am | Boracay hotel check-inSee ratesCompare prices |
| 12:00 pm | Start Boracay land tour — Mt. Luho viewpoint & Puka Beach. |
| 04:00 pm | Paraw sunset sailing |
| 05:00 pm | Sunset at White Beach & Willy’s Rock |
Day 2: Boracay island hopping
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| OPTION #1 | |
| 08:30 am | Ariel’s point cliff diving — Ferry to Ariel’s point, BBQ buffet lunch & late afternoon snack |
| OPTION #2 | |
| 10:30 am | Boracay island hopping — Magic Island, Crocodile Island, swimming/snorkeling, sightseeing at Puka Beach, BBQ lunch. |
| 02:00 pm | Free time. Choose from activities below: |
| Parasailing, helmet dive, flyfish, jetski, wakeboarding, speeboat, and/or banana boat ride | |
| Explore Diniwid Beach | |
| Explore Bulabog Beach | |
| 05:00 pm | Sunset at White Beach |
| Boracay pub crawl + nightlife |
Day 3: Free time
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Free time + pasalubong shopping — Spa/massage or pasalubong shopping at D’Talipapa or D’Mall | |
| 02:00 pm | Hotel check-out |
| 02:30 pm | Hotel to Caticlan Airport transfer |
| 03:30 pm | Arrival in Caticlan Airport |
Boracay Budget
Your travel expenses will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help you set your own budget, here are budget estimates if you follow the 3 days and 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary posted above. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices.
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