Travel guides / Asia / Philippines
Boracay Travel Guide
White sand, warm water, easy island days.
Boracay is considered the most popular beach destination in the Philippines. We have visited many times and always had a great time. Here is everything we know, from getting there to where to stay.
- Where it is
- Off the northwestern tip of Panay Island, Aklan province, Western Visayas
- Size
- 10.32 km²
- Airports
- Kalibo (KLO) and Caticlan (MPH)
- From Manila
- About a 40-minute flight
WHY VISIT
Why you should visit Boracay
Boracay is an award-winning island, recognized for its beauty by publications like Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. It is a good introduction to Philippine island travel.
It has a reputation as a mass-tourism and party island, but it is a more flexible holiday destination than most people think. You can find resorts outside the busy areas, on or near beaches that are just as nice as White Beach. Despite its many luxury hotels, Boracay also caters to budget and mid-range travelers. If you hate crowds, there are ways around them as long as you plan your trip accordingly.
Good reasons to go
- White, powdery beaches and crystal-clear water
- Big enough not to bore you if you stay more than a couple of days
- Tourist-friendly, with well-developed hotels, resorts and entertainment
- Easy to reach: about a 40-minute flight from Manila
GETTING THERE
How to get to Boracay
Book your flight well in advance. Many visitors fly to Manila first. Tap a tab to see the options.
Kalibo (KLO)
Kalibo is the international airport, with a longer runway, so larger planes and more tourists fly in. It is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from Boracay Island.
How to get from Boracay to Kalibo AirportCaticlan (MPH)
Caticlan typically has only propeller planes landing, which we do not find as safe. It is very convenient, though: only a few minutes from the ferry terminal for Boracay.
How to get from Manila to BoracayCheapest flights
Airlines flying to both airports tend to have comparable prices unless a sale is on. We use a price comparison site, BookingBuddy, to find the lowest fare and save time searching.
Compare flights on BookingBuddyFrom Manila
Many tourists fly to Manila, the capital, before continuing to Boracay. See our step-by-step guide for the connection.
How to get from Manila to BoracayGETTING AROUND
Getting around Boracay
Boracay is small, and walking is often the best way to get around.
Tricycles
The tricycle is the main public transport for tourists, in gas or electric versions. The electric ones follow a designated route like a public bus. Hotels can arrange private transport on request.
Boracay transportation guideRoads and walking
Roads are narrow, and the main road along White Beach can be especially busy in the early evening and during high season. To help ease traffic, walk as much as possible, especially if you are staying around White Beach.
Motorcycle rides
Some locals offer motorcycle rides for a set price, although they are not government regulated.
BEACHES
The beaches of Boracay
The beaches are the main reason to visit. Most are public, though some of the nicest are private property.
White Beach
The most popular beach on the island, and where most hotels and tourist establishments are found. It is divided into Boat Station 1, Boat Station 2 and Boat Station 3.
7 things to know about White BeachBulabog
On the eastern side of the island, opposite White Beach, Bulabog is a hub for water sports. Kiteboarding and windsurfing are popular from November to April when the wind is strong. It is less developed than White Beach, but has hotels, restaurants and bars, and it is generally quieter.
Boracay’s Bulabog BeachPuka Beach
On the northern tip of the island, Puka Beach is stunning and serene, with hardly any development. It stretches about 800 meters, and its sand is heavily mixed with crushed puka shell. A must-visit.
9 things to know before visiting Puka BeachIlig-Iligan
On the northeast coast, Ilig-Iligan is a sandy paradise that not many tourists know about. It is a short 7-minute ride (2.5 km) from Puka Beach, or about a 30-minute walk.
6 things you don’t know about Ilig-IliganWHAT TO DO
What to do on Boracay
You can lounge on the beach all day, or go island hopping, windsurfing, zip-lining, jet skiing and snorkeling.
Top things to do on Boracay
Our list of the best activities.
Read the guideIsland hopping
Take a boat tour around the islands.
Read the guideWalk White Beach
From Boat Station 1 to Boat Station 3.
Read the guideWater sports at Bulabog
Kiteboarding and windsurfing, November to April.
Read the guideQuiet time at Puka Beach
Crushed puka shell sand and few crowds.
Read the guideFind Ilig-Iligan
A little-known beach on the northeast coast.
Read the guide
FOOD & DRINK
Where to eat and drink
Boracay is the most developed beach destination in the Philippines, with a good range of restaurants and eateries, from fancy western restaurants to Filipino fast-food chains and cafes that suit a budget. Beachside restaurants line White Beach, and many of the good ones are around Boat Station 2, close to D’Mall. More affordable places are usually across the main road from the beach.
For bars and clubs, just walk White Beach from Boat Station 1 to Boat Station 3 and take your pick. San Miguel is the staple beer, and cheap rum, vodka and spirits are available in convenience stores like 7-Eleven. You can drink in public, including on the beach, but please do not leave bottles on the ground. Locals are strongly against littering. Random fact: beer warms up fast in the tropical weather, so locals put ice in their beer.
Our recommendations
- Mang Inasal: try the Filipino inasal chicken
- Gerry’s Grill: reasonably priced seafood with tables facing the beach
- Lemoni Café and Restaurant: a clean, cozy western restaurant
SAFETY
Staying safe on Boracay
Boracay is reasonably safe and locals are friendly. A few reminders for a stress-free holiday.
Drugs
Avoid buying and using drugs on Boracay. Philippine law is strict, enforcement is more aggressive nowadays, and there have been cases of tourists being extorted by law enforcers.
Touts
Touts are present, mostly hassling you to go island hopping. They can be annoying but are legitimately offering the tour. In low season you can get a better deal than through your hotel. We usually approach a simple tour office by the road, or a boatman directly, since hotels and touts are middle-men taking a cut.
Where to stay on BoracayTheft
Mugging is not common, and there is generally no problem walking around at night. As a precaution, do not carry a lot of cash, especially if you are going out drinking. Hotel thefts are not common either, but at a hostel, put valuables in a locker, and book elsewhere if there is none.
Medical services
Boracay does not have a proper hospital, only clinics with doctors and nurses. For major emergencies, patients are usually taken by boat to Caticlan, and then by ambulance to Kalibo. Bring your medications and prescriptions, and do not expect top-notch medical assistance.
WHERE TO STAY
Where to stay in Boracay
Boracay has a big variety of hotels: hostels and guesthouses for backpackers, mid-range hotels, and luxurious resorts and villas. We especially like boutique hotels on Boracay because they are usually reasonably priced, well run and charming.
5 starsLuxury
Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa
9.1/10 on Agoda · 9.3/10 on Booking.com
4 starsComfort
Coast Boracay
9.1/10 on Agoda and Booking.com
3 starsMid-range
Anahaw Studio Suites
9.0/10
Ferra Hotel Boracay
9.1/10
2 starsBudget
W Hostel Boracay
9.1/10
Westcliff Villa by Bluewaves
8.9/10
1 starStrict budget
Lolas Lodge
8.6/10
Patrick’s Home Boracay
7.9/10
Properties are rated by overall verified guest review scores. A minimum of 50 verified guest reviews is required. Star ratings and scores were tallied at the time of writing and are subject to change.
GO DEEPER
Get the complete guidebook
Want more on Boracay, or on other amazing places nearby? The Lonely Planet Philippines guide has practical, insider information for a country known for pristine beaches and happy people. You can get it as a PDF or Kindle (EPUB) file and read it offline while traveling, and choose between the whole book or just the Boracay chapter.
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
Why get travel insurance for Boracay
Boracay is a small island in a developing country, so do not expect top-notch medical assistance. Medical emergencies, accidents and theft can happen, which is why travel insurance is a smart move. We like a policy that covers lost passports, valuable documents, medical services and emergency evacuation.
Keep reading
All our Boracay articles
Every article we have written for this trip, from practical how-tos to hotel reviews.
9 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Puka Beach, Boracay
Read the guideHow to Get from White Beach to Puka Shell Beach, Boracay
Read the guide
8 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Boracay Island
Read the guide
6 Things You Don’t Know About Ilig-Iligan Beach, Boracay Island
Read the guide
Top Things To Do on Boracay Island
Read the guide
Where Did We Stay on Boracay Island: Hannah Hotel Review
Read the guide
How to Get from Boracay Island to Kalibo Airport
Read the guide
What to Do on Boracay Island: Island Hopping
Read the guide
Where Should You Stay on Boracay?
Read the guide
Boracay Island Public Transportation Guide
Read the guide
Boracay’s Bulabog Beach
Read the guideThe 7 Things You Need to Know about White Beach, Boracay
Read the guide
How to Get from Manila to Boracay
Read the guide
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