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Cheap Boracay Package/ Budget Travel Tips

Boracay, the most visited place and popular tourist spot of Paradise Philippines, with it's powdery white sand bragging right as one of the best beaches in the world. Everybody thinks it's expensive but there are cheaper alternatives to cheap Boracay package tours peddled almost everywhere and that is the DIY tour of the famous island.

Picture of Boracay Beach near Station 2

Where to stay:

Trafalgar Cottages
Boracay Courtyard (not recommended)
Frendz Resort
Hotel Villa Sunset
Ocean Breeze Inn
Aissatou Beach Resort (Bulabog Beach)
Habagat Kite Village (Bulabog Beach)
Isla Gecko Resort (Station 2)
Isla Kite Guesthouse (Bulabog Beach)
Surfer's Home (Bulabog Beach)
Casa Camilla

Sandra's Inn (Station 1)
Boracay Orchard
Orchids Boracay
La Carmela de Boracay
Boracay Regency
Boracay West Cove (http://www.boracaywestcove.com)
Cohiba Boracay Resort (Bulabog Beach)
7 Stones Boracay Resort (Bulabog Beach)
Mika's Place (Diniwid beach)
Microtel Inn & Suites
Mika's Place
Diniwid Beach Resort

Touristy resorts include AltaVista, Asya, Discovery Shores, Friday’s, Mandala Spa Resort, Nami Private Villas, Punta Rosa Boutique Hotel, Bella Vista de Boracay and Red Coconut.

Boracay Restaurants: Where to Eat/Dine in Boracay

Cheap seafood at D'Talipapa where you can buy fresh seafood catch and have them cooked the way you like (similar to Manila's Dampa and Seaside Paluto style). For Muslims, some restaurants offer halal food (or may pass your expectations)

Many restaurants, turo-turo and street food on the beach.

Boracay Visitor Center (+63.2.890.8902; website) can provide more information. Tourist Center at Station 2.

Boracay Trivia and History:

Boracay's sand does not feel hot to the feet even on a hot summer day. It has something to do with the absence (or is it presence) of a certain compound in the sand.

History of Boracay narrates how European backpackers "discovered" the beach and released photos of the place to the world.

ATM Banking and Money Changers:

Allied Bank, Metrobank, BPI, Landbank (ATM Fees and charges for BancNet, Megalink, ExpressNet, Visa, Plus, Cirrus, Maestro, Mastercard, JCB, China Union Pay apply.) There's a BPI ATM in front of Boracay Beach Chalets in Station 2.

Boracay Aquasports, Water Sports and other activities:

swimming, snorkeling to scuba diving, windsurfing, sailboating, kayaking, skim boarding, glass bottom boats, sailing (paraw), boardsailing, and boating. Jet skis, banana boat rides and the likes for a certain price (usually higher than any other place due to the presence of tourists). Island hopping, hiking, trekking, caving, mountain climbing, biking, and horseback riding. Golf at Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Country Club. ATV and Bug car rental off-road driving. Spelunking at the Bat cave. Massage at some Boracay spa (whole body massage are available on white beach at PhP300/hour. Massage ladies use coconut oil)

Barangays: Balabag, Yapak, Manoc-manoc

Stations: 1 (high-end resorts), 2, 3 (low cost resorts)

Ports:

Cagban Port (north of the island)

Boracay Beaches:

White Beach (most popular, longest and tourist-infested)
Bulabog Beach (boardsailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and kiteboarding et al),
Diniwid Beach (walking Distance from White Beach, near Station 1)
Puka Beach (South of the island. tricycle ride or by boat from White Beach)
Balinghai Beach (secluded, best snorkeling site on Boracay Island)
Ilig Iligan Beach (near many caves)

How to get to Boracay:

Cheap flights to Boracay from Korea:

ZestAir (formerly Asian Spirit flies from Korea to Kalibo via Incheon International (ICN) airport twice a week

Manila to Caticlan Flights

Cebu Pacific with 9 flights daily
Interisland Airlines with 1 flight daily, 2 flights on MWThFSU (jet)
Asian Spirit with 13 flights daily
Sea Air with at least 6 flights daily
PAL Express with 8 flights daily

Manila to Kalibo Flights

Philippine Airlines with up to four flights daily
Cebu Pacific with one to two flights daily
Air Philippines with one to two flights daily

Cebu to Caticlan

Asian Spirit with one to two flights weekly
Sea Air with one to two flights weekly
PAL Express with 1 flight daily

Caticlan to Busuanga (Coron Island/Calamianes/Northern Palawan)
Sea Air on demand

Cuyo to Caticlan flights by Seair arrives on Friday and leaves on Monday.

Ferry from Manila to Boracay via Caticlan:

MBRS Shipping Lines (telephone no. +63.2.243 5888) ferries ply the route from Manila to Caticlan. The ships leave Manila's North Harbor, Pier 8, every Friday, Monday and Wednesday at 5 PM. Arrives in Caticlan the next day between 6 and 8 in the morning.

Buses From Iloilo to Caticlan

Ceres Bus from Iloilo to Kalibo and three times daily directly to Caticlan.

GM Liner bus company serves the Iloilo to Caticlan route twice daily.

Mini-vans from Iloilo to Kalibo and another mini-van from there to Caticlan. Alternatively, rent a taxi from Iloilo directly to Caticlan. The trip Iloilo to Caticlan takes between 4 to 5 hours.

Buses From Kalibo to Caticlan:

Southwest Tours, Star Express and 7107 Island Tours ply the route from Kalibo Airport to Caticlan with air-conditioned buses or coasters. Included in the price is also the boat transfer from Caticlan to one of Boracay's boat stations.

Mini-vans in Caticlan, a little cheaper, boat service to Boracay not included, trip takes 1 to 1.5 hours.

Other shipping companies service the route Manila to Dumaguit, half an hour east from Kalibo. The companies are WG&A and Negros Navigation.

Manila to Boracay via RO-RO (Roll-on Roll-off): the cheapest way to to go Boracay Island

It's 2 hour bus ride to Batangas port plus 3 hours RORO to Calapan, Mindoro plus another 3 hour land travel to the port of Roxas, Mindoro then a 5 hour RORO to Caticlan port.

From Caticlan jetty port, it's just a 15 minute ferry ride away from Boracay.
Fare: P20 if you're a local or if you can pass yourself as one (speak Aklanon)
around P100, for tourists, otherwise

Telephone numbers of RORO buses and vans:
Rodastco Vans +63.921.524.5394 Cubao to Caticlan, P910 one way, incl. of ferry fares
Philtranco +63.2.851.8077, 851-8079 (Alimall, Cubao to Caticlan)
Bachelor Express +63.2.731.7287 P945 one way
Dimple Star Transit +63.2.862.3075 (Ali Mall, Cubao and Alabang, Muntinlupa City)

By Car from Luzon
Caticlan, the entry point for Boracay, can be reached also by private cars or air-conditioned buses, via the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, stretching from Batangas, Luzon, to Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao. A RORO (Roll On - Roll Off) vessel leaves Batangas daily at 8.30 AM to Calapan, Mindoro. From there drive your own car or board a mini-van or air-conditioned bus to Roxas, Mindoro, where another RORO vessel leaves at 2pm for Caticlan, where the boat arrives at 6 PM. Private cars can be parked at secured parking lots for a fee. No cars are allowed on Boracay Island. The same RORO vessel leaves Caticlan daily at 9 AM.

Contact Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc., (Main office Batangas City)
Telephone Number: +63.43.723.7975; +63.43.723.7598; and +63.43.723.2964.

Starlite Ferry at +63.2.724.3034

Maharlika

Wi-Fi Internet in Boracay:

Some resorts offer free wi-fi Internet access, some charge extra. best to bring SmartBro or Globe Tatoo broadband Internet.

Fees and Fares for budget purposes and accounting (updated march 2008):

Manila Domestic Airport Terminal Fee: PhP200
Environmental Fee: PhP50/person
Tricycle Fare from Caticlan airport to Tabon Port: P70/person
Cagban Jetty Port Terminal Fee: P50/head
Tabon Jetty Port Terminal Fee: P2/person
Boat fare from Tabon to Tambisaan Port: PhP20/head
Caticlan Airport Terminal Fee: PhP20
Caticlan port terminal fee PhP50
Diniwid Beach to D'Talipapa fare: PhP100 (if trike is on queue)
D'Talipapa to Bulabog Beach Tricycle Fare: PhP60 (PhP20/head)
Island Tour with Tricycle: PhP200/hour (negotiable)
Island-hopping (boat) cost: rates vary, negotiable

If you can speak Aklanon, you can get away not paying the environmental fee :P
Caticlan Airport is now named Godofredo P. Ramos National Airport

UPDATED: April 19, 2009

Labels: Aklan, Beaches, Boracay, Hotels and Resorts, Resorts, Travel Guides, Western Visayas

posted by backpacking philippines @ 11:40 PM,

26 Comments:

At May 19, 2008 10:06:00 PM, jheiyd said...: nice blog ;) very informative! thanks!
At Jun 9, 2008 12:50:00 PM, Lady and Mike Stevens said...: this is an excellent blog!! i like backpacking but i cant do it coz i thought it's pretty costly...and all of my friends are traveling with expensive fares and hotels..i don't enjoy those kind of trips..:) thanks for this info!! i added it up in my favourites..now my foreigner friends will enjoy traveling..:)

more power! God speed!
At Aug 22, 2008 5:55:00 PM, Anonymous said...: may i know the all in all expenses of air fare and accomodation>>..pls the cheapest one only! tnx,,,
At Aug 26, 2008 11:21:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Last April I paid $150 round trip on SeaAir. The various airport fee's, taxes, trikes, etc. came up to around 500P. I stayed at two different hotels. One a small distant for the beach (Alice in Wonderland) and then a small hut very close to the beach (Villa De Oro). Both were perfectly acceptable for me. However, I'm a person that doesn't need room service or even hot water, lol. The first place I was charged about $35 a night and the second place I was charged $50 a night. There are off season specials like crazy. You can also look for out for very special airfares and save quite a bit from what I've heard. I'm also of the belief that it's always better to do a DYI instead of a package deal.
At Sep 19, 2008 10:01:00 PM, tutubi said...: anonymous, yeah, backpacking is also DIY tours like what i did the last time i was there.
At Oct 28, 2008 12:27:00 PM, Anonymous said...: do you know how much exactly will it cost if its from manila to boracay using roro? as in all the fees and taxes and buses and ships thanks..
At Nov 14, 2008 4:51:00 PM, maya said...: hi, i been scrolling to your post and they are great infos worth sharing.i been searching ways to have an affordable vacation in boracay with my fam but i find it too expensive.
Do you think July would be good to stay there?
At Nov 14, 2008 8:57:00 PM, tutubi said...: maya, july is off-peak for bora so resort rates are cheaper than summer. it's also the time when many koreans, from what i've heard, stay there to escape winter or is it romantic honeymoon packages
At Nov 26, 2008 10:26:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Hi. Im planning on going to boracay and am looking for cheaper accommodation than US$12 a night. US$12 was the cheapest i found and it had a TV??? all i need is a fan... a mozi-net i got. I managed for cheaper in the caribbean. Bali has cheaper options as well but there we went off-tourist-routes.
i want to go kiting there for January and February 2009 - wondering whether local cheap one-month rentals are available.

any suggestions?

thanx all
cool blog
At Nov 27, 2008 8:23:00 AM, Anonymous said...: the number for MBRS shipping lines seems not to be correct - tried so many times! does anyone now how I can book a ferry ticket from Manila to Caticlan in advance?
At Nov 27, 2008 9:58:00 PM, maya said...: Thanks for your response.Sorry late to revisit.
we were thinking on july kasi at least we could stay longer.it's kids' vacation.
At Nov 29, 2008 11:09:00 AM, tutubi said...: anonymous, $12 by local standards and also in boracay, a really touristy place, is cheap. if you wan cheaper, try homestays where locals offer a spare room. try to contact the boracay tourism office, maybe they can help for accredited homestays

Anonymous 2, MBRS Lines stopped servicing the Manila to Caticlan ferry route a few months back. i will update this post later. why not try the Ro-ro bus to Boracay?

maya, july? just pray there's not much rain during that time...that's why it's cheaper
At Jan 5, 2009 3:42:00 AM, Anonymous said...: mostly,how much is the cheapest get away package going to boracay??
At Feb 17, 2009 6:42:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I stayed at Nando's at D'Talipapa. Really cheap accommodations at $18 a night. Right smack at cheap restaurants and souvenir items. email them at travelnandos@gmail.com. :)
At Mar 6, 2009 5:21:00 PM, denzmeister said...: Thanks!! Now I'm ready..
At Mar 14, 2009 2:18:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Went backpacking to Boracay last chinese new year, my first time...beach absolutely gorgeous, water crystal clear color ranging from aqua blue to emerald...yet a party haven at night...cant get enough of it..stayed in a guesthouse called Panorama Boracay in station 2 at backpacker price, very central..only minute to the White Beach yet very quiet for daytime sleeping..lol..its beside DMall for eating and shopping...will definitely be back
At Apr 26, 2009 5:59:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I will be in Boracay on May30-31 with two others , can you help me find cheapest accommodation?

Can you also give bus schedule to Manila?

Thank you so much!
At Jul 17, 2009 5:06:00 PM, Anonymous said...: hi!

superb! I've read a lot of your very informative blogs. I want to recommend Polillo Islands in Quezon. I'm willing to accompany and guide you. are you interested in trailbiking. Polillo offers a great challenge to an adventurous guy like you. just email me at wildcock_888@yahoo.com. more power and God bless you!
At Nov 2, 2009 3:55:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Hello. I would like to ask if you have any idea of how much environmental fee should be paid on Caticlan port.
At Nov 2, 2009 5:47:00 PM, backpacking philippines said...: anonymous, please re-read my post and you'll see the answer there :(
At Apr 13, 2010 9:28:00 AM, Jonha @Happiness said...: I was gonna answering Anonymous but I realized you already did. Sometimes people are just too interested on what they want to know that they often fail to notice the whole package like your whole post that you're trying to give them the most information possible. Well done on such a detailed post on DIY travel to Boracay. Even if you speak Akeanon but if they see that you're a foreigner, they'd still charge you with the environmental fee. I have friends who ask my address in New Buswang (Kalibo, Aklan) and they use it to get away with the enviro fee, it works because they sound and look local, haha.

Haeong!
At Apr 19, 2010 12:20:00 PM, backpacking philippines said...: johna, yeah, commenters leave so many questions whose answers are already in my posts, kakainis na nga :(
At Jun 20, 2010 9:01:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Hi,
Does anyone know when was the first hotel or guesthouse or resort established in Boracay?

Many thanks!

Jo
At Jun 27, 2010 9:42:00 AM, Anonymous said...: As this is about budget travel, you can easily walk from Caticlan airport to the port. It takes about 5 minutes. Basically you turn left when you reach the road outside the airport, following the traffic. After 200 metres you hit a main road. Go straight across, and start looking for the ferry port on your right.

I do it as a matter of principle in fact, as the fare is a rip off.
At Jul 13, 2010 10:47:00 AM, Boracay Hotels said...: Wow this is awesome, nice blog and informative. I hope you can post some photos here.

Thanks for sharing

Tanya Gemarin
At Jul 21, 2010 3:37:00 PM, Boracay Hotels said...: Thanks for the listings, it is helpful. Hope you can post some photos here.

Tanya Gemarin