Top Fun Things to Do in Boracay, Philippines (Best Activities & Attractions)

Whenever someone thinks of a vacation trip in thePhilippines, the first destination that most likely comes to mind isBoracay —which comes as no surprise! After all, it’s a dreamy destination that’s known worldwide for its white-sand beaches.(Things to Do in Boracay)

Of course, it helps to note that there are a LOT of other islands in my home country that are not only equally beautiful but are also recently gaining more recognition(e.g.Siargao,Batanes, and more!).

Nevertheless, the fame of Boracay as one of the top islands in Asiaremains. It truly holds an unmistakable natural magnificence that various international travel agencies and publications have come to acknowledge by showering Boracay with various awards and accolades over the years.

As a result, tourists rush to book flights to this pristine island not only during the Philippinesummerbut in the other months of the year too!

It’s true that given the continued rise of Boracay’s popularity, there have been several travelers who have been put off by it, saying that it was too touristy. I have actually first landed on this island at a time when it had already been in such a state — but I still had a really,really,great time!

It made me realize that for as long as you know what to expect, what to do, when to go,andwhere to go, you’ll end up enjoying the utmost beauty of Boracay no matter the crowds; so I say, go and give it a try!

As of 2018, the government did an extensive natural and urban “facelift” of Boracay; so as a visitor, you’ll get to enjoy a better scene!

Before I discuss the top things to do in Boracay, let me share with you some essential travel tips.

Boracay Travel Guide

Photo by:Shutterstock

»Quick Travel Planning

TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)!However, take note that a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher whichtravel insurance companyis the right fit for you and your trip!

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»Best Time to Visit Boracay

It is best to visit Boracay during the dry season(November to May, commonly called ‘Amihan’). The White Beach will be very calm so it’s suitable for swimming, whereas, on the other side of the island, strong winds pass by making it suitable for activities like kite surfing or windsurfing.

It’s still okay to visit during the wet or rainy season(June to October called ‘Habagat’)because travel costs will also be a LOT cheaper. Most days you’ll still get to enjoy the sun too; but of course, there is also the risk of typhoons.

With regard to “tourist seasons” take note of the following…

• Low Season:June to November(June being the wettest month)
• High Season:November to May, with the following peak seasons(that usually cover big Philippine holidays)
  • Christmas & New Year
  • Chinese New Year(first half of February)
  • Easter(late March and up to April)

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»Getting in to Boracay Island

You can take a ferry to Boracay(e.g. from Batangas Port)— but thebestway to reach Boracay is to ride an airplane! There are various airlines that you can choose fromAir Asia, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, or SEAIR among many others.Starting points can be from Manila, Clark/Angeles City, or Cebu.

The best way to scan through all of these airlines and find the best flight deals is to useSkyscanner.

There are two (2) airports located near Boracay and you can choose from either of the following…

NOTE:Because of the pandemic, Caticlan Airport is currently the only allowed point of entry for leisure travelers, whereas Kalibo is for overseas Filipino workers (ROFWs), locally stranded individuals (LSIs), and authorized persons outside of residence (APORs).

• Caticlan or Godofredo P. Ramos Airport(IATA: MPH)
  • PROS: It’s the fastest connection to Boracay. After landing, you just need to reach the Caticlan Jetty Port which is a 3-minute tricycle ride away (₱50) or a 10-minute walk. From this port, you just need to board another boat(total cost of Php 200 or $4+)that will take you to Boracay in just 15 minutes.
    • For a hassle-free experience, book ashared transferor apremium private transferonline.
    • Check with your hotel because they might be offering free transfers, if not a transfer that is at a cheaper rate.
  • CONS: Airfare is more expensive than that of Kalibo and since the airport size is small, it is limited to small aircraft only, often resulting in more flight disruption problems due to sunset flight limitations and weather sensitivity conditions.
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• Kalibo International Airport(IATA: KLO)
  • PROS: Airfare is cheaper and larger aircraft can land here because the airport is bigger(it’s an international airport).It helps to mention that it’s usually in this route that promo fares are typically applied so watch out for those!
    • For a hassle-free experience, book ashared transferor apremium private transferonline.
    • Check with your hotel because they might be offering free transfers, if not a transfer that is at a cheaper rate.
  • CONS: Travel time to Caticlan takes a while. After landing, you need to take either a bus or a van in order to get to Caticlan Jetty Port which is 1.5 to 2 hours away. After arriving at the port, you will still have to take the 15-minute boat ride to Boracay Island.

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»COVID-19 Travel Requirements

In order to enter Boracay, visitors should secure the following.

1. “Quick Response” (QR) Codevia the Online Health Declaration Card (OHDC) that can be accessed athttps://www.touristboracy.com/orhttps://aklan.gov.ph.
2. Proof of identificationwhich can be your passport or any other government-issued ID.
3. Travel detailsof your trip
   • A copy of a confirmed booking slip/form from a DOT – Accredited Boracay Island accommodation/establishment. You can get this fromAgodaorBooking.com
   • Round Trip flight/travel details (only Caticlan Airport can be used by those traveling via air)
4. Proof of vaccination
   • Fully Vaccinated:you can provide ANY of the following
     • VaxCertPH Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate with full vaccination status
     • Locally-issued vaccination card/ID with full vaccination status and verifiable QR code or with contact details of the vaccination center
     • World Health Organization International Certificates or Vaccination Card/ID/Certificate issued abroad
   • Unvaccinated: Negative RT-PCR result certificate taken from any DOH-accredited laboratories within 72 hours to date of travel
5. For minorsbelow 12 years old, please accomplish the certificate of undertaking traveling with minors template athttps://aklan.gov.ph/

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»Visa for The Philippines

If you’re NOT a citizen of any of the Philippines’exempted countries, you are then required to avail of a visa beforehand.(Most nationalities are granted 30-days in the country, visa-free).

Check full visa requirementshereas per your nationality.

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»Where to Stay (Boracay Accommodations)

To search for the best hotel accommodation in Boracay at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices betweenAgodaandBooking.com. But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search throughAirBnB.

For the ultimate list of cheap hostels and luxury accommodations, check out this list of thebest hotels in Boracay.

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»Philippine Currency

Philippine peso(PHP / ₱) wherein USD $1~ or €0.85~ is equal to about Php48~. In the event that you want to exchange your money for PHP, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive.

How to best exchange your currency?Either exchange it at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in any city center in the Philippines. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card — however, you must make one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank. Speaking of cards, many Philippines establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand because a lot of smaller shops do not accept cards.

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»Cost of Travel in the Philippines

Much like any other country in Southeast Asia, the cost of travel in the Philippines is quite low compared to other parts of the globe such as Europe.

To give you an idea, you should expect to travel to the Philippines with an average daily cost of about USD $20~(Php 1,000~)per person on a budget, or at least $50~(Php 2,500~)if you want to experience more comfort on activities, tours, hotels, and more.(Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges only).