Boracay, although super small, is probably the most populated island that tourists go to in the Philippines. There’s definitely something for everyone here with very nice resorts and restaurants on the beach to secluded beaches in the north. The island is pretty small however there is a lot packed into this island and is definitely recommended for those who want to be where the people are and where things are happenin’! We stayed on the island for a total of 4 nights in the heart of the island and the great part about this place is because the island is so slender you can walk from one side of the island to the other in just a few minutes.
Getting Here
The one downside of the Philippines is the amount of time it takes to get to any of the islands. Typically you will have to take a flight, ferry, and cab to get to your final destination so make a note when you are planning your trip that you will spend a bit of time on travel. We flew into Caticlan Airport from Manila, and then took a ferry from Caticlan Airport to the port in Boracay. The ferry port from Caticlan Airport is a very short cab ride away, you could even walk it if you want. They have ferries running all throughout the day and even late in the evening. The ferry ride is only about 10-15 minutes and from there you will have to take a tuk-tuk to your accommodation.
- Cebu Pacific: $80
- NOTE: When you book your flights from Manila to book in the morning because Caticlan does not allow flights to come in during or after sunset since they do not have lights on the runway
Location
You will probably notice that while doing your research they use terminology such as Stations and that’s how they distinguish the different areas on the island. Station 1 and 2 will be the more populated areas on the island whereas the other parts of the island will be much more secluded. The east side of the island is definitely the windy part, perfect for windsurfers, while the west side is definitely the more relaxing side of the island and great for exploring bars and restaurants, sitting on the beach with the brews perfect for watching the sunset.
Accommodation: MNL Boracay Beach Hostel
Our accommodation was very centrally located, in Station 2. We were right in the heart of the island just one block from the east side of the island and the beach, and was a very quick walk to the west side. They had free towel and also beach towel rentals. They had activities every single night with happy hour as well from 6pm-8pm. They had private beds secluded from the rest of the beds although the security lockers were pretty terrible. The roof top deck was definitely a great highlight and they also had a bar so you could buy drinks there. We ended up meeting a lot of great people and friends there who we spent the rest of our time with. They also had a great free breakfast in the morning, can’t go wrong!
- Cost per night: $16
Food & Dining
The only thing I can think of when it comes to food in the Philippines is PORK. Veggies are definitely harder to come by and usually you have to order them separately. If they have done one thing right for their food it’s def pork. Who knew it could be prepped in so many ways!
Smoke Resto
Right when we arrived the only recommendation we got was this place and checked out the reviews. They were pretty stellar and we were starving and it was one of the only places opened late too. Oh boy, this place was amazeballs! My mouth is watering just thinking of it. We got the pork belly and could not recommend it enough. Obviously most of the items on the menu are going to be meat and mostly pork so if you are vegetarian avoid but if you are a meat lover, a MUST!
Wahine Beach Bar and Grill
This was definitely our hang out spot. Located on the west side of the island and further north this was a great spot to relax and chill and get away from the hustle bustle. They have chairs on the beach you can relax in and a cool bar you can quickly grab a drink and take in the beautiful views. I highly recommend the pizza!
Spider House
This place is definitely a hidden gem. This bar/restaurant is built in the cliffside and as you can imagine as ridiculous views of the ocean and of course a hot spot for sunset. I personally didn’t eat here but our friends had some great looking dishes. A bit overpriced but you pay for the amazing view and great vibes. I absolutely LOVED this spot. Also, if you want to take a break from the food and drinks and take a dip in the ocean there is a secret entry spot underneath the cave where you can go for a swim.
Activities
Beaches
Of course beaches are definitely going to be a highlight here. As mentioned previously the island is pretty small but a lot of packed in. There is a main road that will get you to and from the beaches. Depending on where you are located some may be in walking distance but its pretty easy to get a cab if you need.
The main beach is White Beach which is very populated. Wakine Beach is more secluded but has the beach bar and restaurant near by and is also walking distance from the Spider House. If you want more secluded then head to Puka Shell Beach, famously known for its puka shells.
Nightlife
Beyond the every night activities at the hostel there are some other nightlife activities you can get involved with. We decided to check out the full moon party but don’t expect too much especially if you are comparing it to the one in Thailand.
The one thing I would definitely recommend is the Boracay PubCrawl. Although it is a bit overpriced they do a great job at getting people involved and it’s a ton of fun. We all got t-shirts and a shot glass necklace. We went to about 4-5 different bars and clubs and played fun games along the way.
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