A Look Back: Boracay

Boracay, the famous beach destination in the Philippines which is a go-to place for tourists who loves to party and chill. Most people go there during summer and that this location usually held beach events where local artists gather and do beach sports sponsored by certain companies in the Philippines. Now, what is an introvert like me doing in a place like this? A place flocked with people both foreign and local?

Well, there is a story to that one. I wanted to visit Boracay and see for myself why people talk about this "paradise". But within my bucket lists, it is not top priority. I didn't even planned on going there that time. I went there on the summer of 2013 and yes that was 3 years ago so apologies if I can't remember how much I spent there or how I went there.

The beach front full of tourists

My workmates wanted to go to Boracay and as they say the more the merrier so they convinced me in joining. I was really declining on joining but they convinced me otherwise. I just thought to take advantage of the opportunity as I may not be able to go there for the next years or maybe not at all. I am comfortable with my two workmates so I told myself that I am okay in going there with them.

How I got there:

We went to Boracay via Iloilo City.  What I remember is that, we were unable to go there via Kalibo or Caticlan as there were no more flights available because it was March and it was summer. Yes, it was Peak Season that time. I've researched the latest information on how to get there so that it will be much more accurate. Here are the ways you could get to paradise:

The ferry port

Iloilo to Caticlan

Take a bus from Tagbac Bus Terminal in Iloilo to Caticlan and then take the ferry across as described below. Both AC and non-AC buses run the route and cost (as of July 2016) ₱350. All buses pass through Kalibo and may only have a sign on the front for Kalibo, be sure to confirm the same bus goes through to Caticlan or you may have to change buses. The bus route takes approximately 6 hours. Private vans may also be hired to run the route. Vans that can fit up to 12 passengers may try to get passenger's at the port, near the airport, and from near the Tagbac Bus Terminal. Jeepneys can take you from the port or airport to the Tagbac Bus Terminal. You may have to change between Jeepney routes, but drivers should be able to direct you.

Caticlan to Boracay

Whether you go by plane or by boat, you will pass through the small town of Malay on the "mainland" of Panay island. Outrigger boats or "bancas" leave every few minutes from Caticlan's jetty port. After exiting the Caticlan Airport, find the tricycle stand to the right, past the various resort offerings. A tricycle and boat for two people from Caticlan Airport to the Boracay jetty is ₱150. Just the boat from the Caticlan Jetty to the Boracay Jetter will cost you ₱25 in addition to the following Environmental and Terminal fees. Tourists also have to pay a terminal fee of ₱100 and an environmental fee of ₱75.

By plane

There are two airports located near to the island of Boracay.

• Caticlan or Godofredo P. Ramos Airport
• Only relatively small aircraft can land at this airport. Airlines with flights to and from Caticlan are: Cebu Pacific Air from Manila and Cebu, Philippine Airlines and SkyJet from Manila only. From Caticlan airport you can either take a tricycle (₱50 fixed price for airport tricycle, or ₱10 per passenger if you walk out to the main road and catch the shared ride on a tricycle passing by) or walk (10 minutes) to Caticlan Jetty Port. If you are not comfortable on small planes (or with rough landings), you should consider flying into and out of the larger Kalibo Airport.
• Kalibo International Airport
•  Compared to Caticlan's airport, the Kalibo Airport runway is able to land larger aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s. However, it is further from Caticlan's jetty port which is 80 minutes away.

There are minivans, vans, coasters and buses that serve travelers between Kalibo International Airport and Caticlan Jetty Port.

By road and ferry (RoRo)

The "Nautical Highway" is a combination of overland highways and roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) vessels that allows you to bring your vehicle to Panay Island and visit key cities like Kalibo. Taking your car all the way to Boracay, though, isn't possible.

Public transport also operates on this same route and is the most cost-effective way of traveling between Manila and Boracay. Assuming good connections, the total journey time is around 12 hours.

The easiest way of arranging this is to book a van in Manila by contacting private operators. This will enable you to book a straight trip from Manila to Caticlan at the cost of ₱1200, more or less. Their group operates several passenger vans which can load 10-14 or 15-18 persons. You book the trip exclusively or share with fellow travellers.

There are one or two ferries per day direct from Batangas Port to Caticlan Port, which eliminates the long sea and road journey from Batangas to Roxas.

he more challenging (but slightly cheaper) do-it-yourself version goes as follows:

The easiest way would be to book a straight trip that allows you to purchase just one ticket from Cubao terminal to Caticlan Port. The cost is between ₱1000-1200.

But if you really want to save money, you can also commute from Cubao bus terminal station (near Alimall). There is really no difference except for the fact that you need to purchase ticket/s in every stop.

Cubao-Batangas Best leave 07:00-08:00 so you arrive in Batangas Port before 22:00.

Batangas-Calapan the trip takes 2 hours via cargo ship or an hour to one hour and a half via Supercat. Do not purchase tickets for the Calapan to Roxas Van as this can either be a scam or you end up squeezed in one van along with several other passengers with tickets.

Disclaimer: The information above is from Wiki Travel. To know more details, please click here to be redirected to the website.

Inside the ferry terminal

Where I stayed:

I remember very well where we stayed. It was budget friendly and is located within Station 2 where restaurants and parties took places. It was Bonzai Beach Resort. They have 2 types of rooms. The bamboo veranda and main building rooms where the rooms are concrete. We stayed at the concrete room and we are satisfied with the place. For more info, check out their website here. 

Just at the back is where Bonzai Beach is

Boracay Regency Hotel sign

7 Stones Hotel - located on the other side of the island

Still part of the Boracay Regency Hotel

The things I did and the places I went to:

Unfortunately, I didn't get to do the activities that Boracay is famous for - snorkling, scuba diving, island hopping/boat tours, kite boarding, skim boarding, ATV, parasailing, etc. Well, so happens that my travel buddies are more on the party side. So we just partied at Club Paraw and did some videoke and beers for those nights we were there. As for me, I had fun but I may have preferred staying by the beach and just relax (introvert problems). We did get to stroll along White Beach but I appreciated the sand when we went to Station 1. There are less establishments there and fewer hotels and people. It really is milk-ish white and unbelievably soft. We also visited the Virgin Mary's Grotto.  

The grotto

The fire dancer

Beachhut Bar Menu (2013)

Overall, it was still an experience I can't forget. I'm glad I went there. There could be a lot that have changed after all, it was 3 years ago. I would still recommend you going to Boracay. It has a beautiful beach front and has the parties that you could only hope for.