Boracay

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Boracay is a fantastic tropical island about an hour's flight from Manila in the Philippines. Its long white sand beach will rival any of the best beaches in the more popular beach destinations such as the Caribbean, the South Pacific as well as neighbouring Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Facilities are available to suit different levels of activity. For those wanting to just lounge around and take in some rays, beachfront hotels usually have lounge chairs set up just a few steps away from the hotel entrances. Facilities for the usual water sports activities such as wind surfing, snorkelling, diving and jet skiing are also widely available for those in search of more active pursuits.

The fun in Boracay also doesn't end when the sun sets. Boracay nightlife is vibrant with many bars and restaurants serving food, drink and fun until the very late evening.

Go soon... it's already a popular spot for Korean and Japanese honeymooners, and new places popping up all over the show. Another few years there'll be a McDonalds..

	boracay Travel Guide : 1 Get in 1.1 By air 1.2 By boat 1.3 By bus 2 Get around 3 See 4 Do 5 Buy 6 Eat 7 Drink 8 Sleep 9 Get out

Get in

The only real way in to Boracay island is via outrigger boats which leave Caticlan Port and take about 10 to 15 minutes to arrive in Boracay. There are three boat stations on the island. Just tell the boat operators which hotel you are booked in and they'll drop you off at the appropriate station. Passengers would need to wade the last few meters to shore or be carried on the shoulders of porters along with all the luggage, so dress appropriately.

By air

Fly to Caticlan, which is the nearest airport. From Caticlan Airport, hotels usually provide transfer services all the way to the resort. This would include the short ride from the airport to the seaport as well as the ride on the outrigger boat to the island itself. If you don't have such an arrangement, you can take a tricyle or walk the short distance from the airport to the seaport and catch an outrigger boat ride from there.

Airlines which fly from Manila to Caticlan include the following: South East Asian (SEA) Airlines 1 (http://www.flyseair.com) and Asian Spirit 2 (http://www.asianspirit.com). Return fares are available for just over 100 US$ per person.

Alternatively, flights to Kalibo can also be taken on airlines such as Cebu Pacific 3 (http://www.cebupacificair.com/) and the national carrier Philippine Airlines 4 (http://www.philippineairlines.com/). A bus ride will then take you to the Caticlan sea port.

By boat

MBRS shipping lines (+632-243-5888) operates a ferry between Manila and Caticlan. Call for the latest schedules and fares.

By bus

Philtranco 5 (http://www.philtranco.com.ph/d4/index.html) and Bachelor Express run bus routes on the Strong Republic Nautical Highway. From Cubao or Pasay in Metro Manila, buses run to Batangas Port about 2 hours south of Metro Manila. Ferries take the buses across to the Calapan Port on Mindoro. The buses then traverse the island and again leave on ferries from Roxas Port on the way to Caticlan. The journey can be extremely long but if you are out to save on your travel budget and don't mind the long trip duration, this could be the way for you.

Get around

• Rent a scooter for maximum mobility and best value.

• Mountain bikes are also available for rent at several locations along White Beach.

• To explore around the island, rent a native sailboat (paraw) and visit the many beaches of Boracay.

See

Do

• It is worth hiring motorbikes or scooters out to explore the island, as there are other beautiful beaches on the other side of the island that are even better for snorkeling that will be completely deserted. Hire them for a couple of days and you should get a discount. The roads are a bit dodgy, and some were still being constructed, but it's a good laugh and better than plonking yourself on a patch of white sand and seeing nothing. If you happen to be lying on the beach though definitely have a massage and manicure. We had about one a day, they are so cheap and fantastic!
• We also took a boat round the island, with lunch included which was only a couple of hundred pesos for the afternoon.. great value.
• There are loads and loads of places to go scuba diving too, and that was excellent. There are just loads of fish, but we found you could see just as many by plain old snorkeling.

• A sailing tour with The Red Pirates is a must in Boracay. You will find their red paraw (native sailboat) in Angol at the southern end of White Beach. The place is called The Red Pirates Pub. It is a beautiful spot with a very unique driftwood garden under high coconut trees. Enjoy your drink, meet other travelers from around the globe and watch one of the most spectacular sunsets in Asia. Cap. Joey will bring you to a secluded beach for a beach BBQ and he will show you the best spots around Boracay`s shores for snorkeling.

• Horse riding is a fun activity in Boracay - get off the beaten path and experience native villages and scenery most other visitors don't get to see. All levels of experience are catered for. Ask a tricycle to take you to the Boracay Horse Riding Stables.

• Not to be left behind on the spa front, Boracay has the Mandala Spa 6 (http://www.mandalaspa.com/), a short walk or tricycle ride away from White Beach, to massage your cares away.

Buy

• There is a wide variety of gift shops and boutiques along the beach path and in D 'Mall. Some places will permit you to haggle, others have a fixed pricing system. Shop around as prices vary.

Eat

There are absolutely loads of places to eat, the food is brilliant if pretty touristy, and the bars/clubs are great. Expect to leave your handgun/other deadly weapon outside!

• For delicious Italian food, try Aria restaurant in "D' Mall".

• Cocoloco bar/restaurant near boat station 3 serve great Filipno and International cuisine in an attractive native-style setting.

• Manana, near boat station 1, serve large portions of tasty mexican food.

• Kurt's restaurant and bar near station 3 have a wide selection of good German and Filipino dishes.

• In "D' Mall Plaza", Upper Crust restaurant serves up some of the best food on the island. Chefs Jessica and Jamie never fail to disappoint.

• The best place to go for breakfasts and lunches is Real Coffee, near boat station 1. They serve a variety of delicious pancakes, sandwiches, omelettes and salads, as well as freshly brewed coffee.

• Hey Jude serve good pizza and bistro style food at "D' Mall". The beef kebabs are a must-try.

• Blue Mango, near station 3, comes highly recommended. There are some interesting mango-inspired creations on the menu too.

• One of the nicest new additions to the island is Lemon Cafe (D' Mall). They serve a variety of breakfasts, lunches and light meals. The service and presentation is excellent.

Drink

If you like to party, there are plenty of places to choose from. The livlier bars are situated near boat stations 1 and 2. There are plenty of places to party all night! Boat station 3 has a more laid back and relaxed atmosphere, with small native bars and restaurants - popular with backpackers.

• Hey Jude bar usually has a live DJ, and the music makes a nice change from the ubiquitous Hip Hop and "R'n'B" played all over the island these days. Try their pizza too.

• Bom Bom Bar (near D 'Mall) is a native style beach bar which often has live music. It's a popular hang out for artists and musicians.

• Cocoloco, near boat station 3, is an attractive beach bar/restaurant which also serves tasty food. You can enjoy your drink at a table by the beach, and there's a pool table in the bar too.

• Nearby Red Pirates Pub is a native style beach bar with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It's a good place to meet other travellers and chat, and sometimes there is a live tribal jam with bongo drums and native instruments.

• Kurts bar, near station 3 is run by friendly Bavarian Kurt and his wife Mags. It's a very popular spot to meet and chat, and one of the few places on the island serving draft beer.

• Cocomangas, near station 1, is famous for it's "Still standing after 15" challenge. Drink 15 ferocious shots and win a t-shirt and a plaque on the wall. This bar is popular with the student crowd.

• Rumbas bar, in "D' Mall Plaza", is an English style bar that attracts a friendly crowd. The menu is pretty good too.

Sleep

Accommodation varies in standard. Top of the line hotels and resorts with complete facilities on one end and at the other end of the spectrum you have rooms rented out by residents which usually have nothing more than a bed to sleep on. As such, whatever your budget, you could easily find a suitable place to stay in. During peak periods such as Holy Week, Christmas and New Year, rooms may be a bit more difficult to find so it would be better to reserve in advance.

• The best place by miles is Friday's Resort. The only down side is the cost, and the fact that it's at one end of the beach and most of the bars and restaurants are in the centre.

• The best "traditional" cottages were at Nigi Nigi Noo Noos. They looked great. Food was good there too.

• The White Beach at Boracay is the best place to stay, and the beach itself is pretty fantastic. Look out for the mossies in the evenings though!

• Arguably the best budget resort on the island is Dave's Straw Hat Inn, near boat station 3.

• If you prefer peace and quiet, avoid accommodation at the centre of White Beach, as this is the most crowded area. Head further north or south instead.

• The area south of boat station 3 has a more relaxed and peaceful vibe - no pounding disco till 4am! Accommodation is more reasonably priced, and there are some friendly little bars and restaurants where you can meet people and chat.

• Villa Camilla is a reasonably priced beach-front hotel in a nice quiet location.

• For lovely native style cottages, stay at Angol Point Resort.

Get out

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