Boracay Travel Guide 2024  – Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting!

So you’re planning to visit Boracay?

Well, you’re in for a treat! 

Boracay is EASILY one of the very best beach destinations not just in the Philippines, but in the WORLD. 

Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, but it’s also extremely convenient – you won’t have ANY problems here. 

But alright, alright. There are a few things you need to know before you come visit. 

That’s why I’ve put together this Boracay travel guide for 2024. 

In it we’ll look at:

• How to get to Boracay
• Boracay travel requirements
• A map of Boracay’s spots
• Things to do
• Where to eat
• Sample Boracay itineraries (including my itinerary when I was there)

Then I’ll finish it off with some quick-fire FAQs about Boracay! 

There’s a lot to discuss, so let’s dive right in! 

How to Get to Boracay

There is only one entry point into Boracay – the Caticlan Jetty Port. To get there, most tourists take a flight to Caticlan airport, ride a 10-15 minute van or tricycle trip to the port, then jump on a ferry for a 10-20 ride to the island. 

There are flights almost every day from Manila or Cebu to Caticlan. 

From Caticlan Airport, you have several options. You can hire a transfer service – which will take care of:

1. The van to the port
2. The ferry to Boracay
3. The van to your hotel

This is probably the most convenient way to get to your hotel, and only costs php800 for local tourists, and php1,000 ($20) for foreign tourists if you book at the airport (If you book through Klook, it costs php640 for locals and 830 for foreigners).

For budget travelers, you can skip the service and go straight to the tricycle terminal right outside the airport. 

When you arrive at the port, you’ll have to present your Boracay tourist QR code (more on this later), then pay several fees including:

• Ticket fee
• Environmental fee
• Terminal fee

Then when you dock in Boracay, there’s another tricycle terminal that can take you to your hotel. 

You can save about php200 ($4) per head this way, which certainly adds up if you’re traveling in a big group. 

But just a warning! Things can get pretty crowded and disorganized at the Caticlan port. So if you don’t want to be jostling around trying to find the right booths to pay the right fees, the transfer service will be better for you. 

Also, many hotels in Boracay can organize private transportation for you at your request! 

Boracay Travel Requirements

As of 2024, you’ll only need:

1. Valid ID or Passport
2. Confirmed booking with a DOT-certified accommodation (full list here)

There are no longer any requirements relating to COVID vaccinations!

You will have to fill up a few forms when you get to the Caticlan Jetty Port. However, these only ask for basic information, and you only need IDs and confirmed bookings to get to the island.

Disclaimer! These are the current requirements. I’m going to do my best to keep this up-to-date, but please check with Aklan’s provincial website for official updates! 

Last Updated: February 2, 2024

Boracay Travel Map

Boracay is quite a small island that’s shaped like a drumstick. 

There are four “zones” that you need to know about. Starting from the south, to the north, there is:

• The “town proper” in the south
• White beach (with stations 1, 2, and 3) on the east side of the “drumstick bone”
• The windy east side of the island
• The hilly northern side of the island (the meat of the drumstick)

Boracay “Town Proper” (Manoc-Manoc)

The port is found in the southern tip of the island. This is the part that’s closest to a “town proper”. Many locals live here, and there are budget hostels that are great for backpackers. 

It isn’t the most beautiful part of Boracay, but it’s interesting nonetheless! 

White Beach (Balabag)

Heading a little north, you’ll get to the main tourist area of Boracay, White Beach. 

White Beach is found on the western side of the island, and this 4km stretch of white sand has it ALL. 

Aside from the beach, this is also where you’ll find lots of resorts, restaurants, stores, and even D’Mall – an open-air shopping zone for all your needs. 

Honestly, if you spend your entire vacation in White Beach, that’s alright – because this is where the real Boracay experience is at. 

White Beach is divided into 3 stations – Station 1, 2, and 3. 

While there are several overlaps, here’s generally how the 3 stations are divided:

Station 3 is the southernmost station, and it’s where you find most of the budget accommodations and food choices. The floating dock for banana-boat rides, parasailing, speedboating, and other water activities is found in this area as well (you can get here by riding a boat from Station 3 or 1). 

Station 2 is right in the middle of White Beach, and is thought of as the mid-range area. D’Mall is found here, as well as most of the popular restaurants, stores, and some resorts as well. There is no dock in station 2, but this is the place to go paddleboarding or kayaking. 

Station 1 has a reputation of being the “classy” zone of White Beach. This is where you’ll find some of the more high-end resorts. This is also where you can enjoy the famous Boracay Parawsailing.

Again, there are overlaps. But if you want a quick-and-easy way to divide White Beach, that’s how to think of it! 

The Windy East Boracay (Balabag)

On the other side of the drumstick bone is Bulabog Beach. 

Contrary to the chill vibe of White Beach, the East gets REALLY windy. 

This makes it the perfect atmosphere for extreme water sports, like kitesurfing! 

The Hilly North Boracay (Yapak)

Once you pass the thin “drumstick bone” (with White Beach on the west, and Bulabog on the east), you’ll get to some hilly, winding, and oftentimes forested roads. 

Here you’ll find a mix of local homes and super-high-end resorts, like Shangri-La. 

On the Northeast side of Boracay, you’ll find a bunch of secluded resorts, Ilig-Ilagan beach (which can be dubbed as White Beach without the crowds), and Cujo’s keyhole (a nice place for pictures!). 

Finally, on the Northernmost tip of Boracay, you’ll find Puka Beach which, to me, is the best place to watch the sunset and enjoy nature in Boracay. 

Where to Stay in Boracay

As a tourist hotspot, you won’t run out of choices when it comes to where to stay! 

Budget Places to Stay in Boracay

For budget options, you can always find affordable hotels or hostels around the town, station 3, or in some not-so-well-known areas. 

Lots of these rooms (which are good for 2) go for around php1,000 – php2,000 ($20-$40) per night. 

If you’re going solo, you can even find some that go for under php1,000 ($20) a night. 

Keep in mind though that it’s difficult to find budget accommodations that are along the beachfront – which is kind of a big deal since it’s Boracay we’re talking about. 

Mid-Price Places to Stay in Boracay

There are also mid-priced hotels scattered all over the place which go from php2,000 – php5,000 a night ($20 – $100).

Most of the hotels you find along White Beach fall into this category, with the ones closer to the beach often more expensive. 

My family and I stayed at Piccolo Hotel during our visit, a 3-star hotel 200m away from the beach and about 100m from D’Mall. 

It wasn’t luxurious or anything, but it was everything that we wanted from it (cozy rooms, fast wifi, tv, not too far from the beach, etc.). We didn’t have any complaints! 

High-Price Places to Stay in Boracay

To me, anything above php5,000/night ($100) is expensive. 

Maybe I’m a little more stingy, or maybe it’s because I’m used to Philippine prices. 

Whatever the case, if you’re looking for something that’s more than just “okay” or “I have no complaints”, then you’ll want a place that goes anywhere from php5,000 – php10,000 ($100 – $200) a night.

Most of the hotels in Station 1 fall in this category. You can also find many of these around Yapak, near Ilig-Ilagan Beach (the northern part of the island). 

Luxury Places to Stay in Boracay

If anything above php5,000 ($100) is expensive, then anything above php10,000 ($200) should be considered luxurious. 

And boyyy are there luxurious places in Boracay. 

We’re talking places like Shangri-La, The Lind, Crimson, all the big names. 

Some of these resorts even have private beaches, so you can enjoy the beautiful white Boracay sand with absolutely no crowds around you! 

Of course, these places aren’t cheap at all. 

But Boracay is easily one of the best luxury destinations. So if you want to max out your trip, why not book one of these luxury hotels? 

Boracay Activities (What to do in Boracay!)

Now let’s get to the fun part:

Things to do in Boracay! 

It might be small, but Boracay is PACKED with things to do. 

Here are some of the very best ones! 

Things to Do in Boracay #1: Swim and Chill in White Beach

Ahhh yes, of course. 

If there’s one thing that Boracay does better than anywhere else, it’s White Beach. 

4km of fine white sand that stretches far into the water – Boracay’s White Beach is the gold standard when it comes to beaches. 

Not only that, but it’s also an extremely convenient beach. 

A lot of breathtaking beaches come with some inconveniences – like having no resorts, restaurants, shops, atms, or anything else nearby. 

White Beach has it all. 

Now don’t get me wrong. 

The beach itself is extremely clean. In fact, you aren’t allowed to eat and drink on the beach itself. 

But just behind the line of coconut trees are all the shops and restaurants you will ever need – making it super convenient. 

Honestly, the only thing “off” about White Beach is the crowds. 

But other than that, this is the ultimate beach destination. 

Things to Do in Boracay #2: Eat and Shop in D’Mall

A trip to Boracay wouldn’t be complete without checking out D’Mall! 

This open-air “mall” is actually a plaza with all kinds of stores. 

Here you get all kinds of restaurants, coffee shops, convenience stores, souvenir shops, pharmacies, and so many more. 

There’s even a place where you can shoot basketballs for prizes. 

For the food options, you get everything from Italian to Mexican to Chinese to Filipino to fusion, everything. 

There are pizzas, burgers, rice bowls, and everything in between. 

So no matter what your preferences, you’ll find something for you in D’Mall. 

Just a word of warning! 

D’Mall gets pretty crowded. 

But then again, that’s to be expected, since this is a tourist hotspot. 

Things to Do in Boracay #3: Try the Water Activities in White Beach

White Beach is really where most of the Boracay action is. 

Aside from swimming, chilling, and shopping, you can also try the many different water activities on White Beach. 

One of the most popular (and thrilling) things to try is parasailing. 

Strap into a parachute, ride a speedboat, and let the wind take you up, up, and away! 

Just a warning! This isn’t for the faint of heart! 

If you prefer thrills that aren’t as scary, you can go for a banana boat or UFO ride. 

Or try jet skiing and paddle boarding. 

Still too intense?

Do you just want to chill?

Well, there’s still an activity for you. 

It’s called Parawsailing! 

This is another activity that’s VERY popular in Boracay. 

Hop on a Paraw sailboat, and let them take you out to the sunset. 

This is probably the best way to enjoy the gorgeous Boracacy sunset. 

You can read more about these activities in my White Beach blog post!

Things to Do in Boracay #4: Hop on an Electric Tricycle for a Land Tour! 

White Beach is really what makes Boracay Boracay. 

But if you want MORE, then a great thing to do is to hop into an electric tricycle and let them take you on a land tour! 

You can hail any tricycle on the highway, and they can tour you around for php400/2 hours. 

If you’re staying in White Beach, this is probably the best way to visit places like Bulabog Beach (very windy beach on the east side of the island), Ilig-Ilagan Beach (White Beach but with no crowds!), Cujo’s Keyhole (nice little rock formation for pictures), Puka Beach (beautiful beach on the northernmost tip of the island – great for watching the sunset), and other Boracay tourist spots. 

This was probably one of my favorite things to do when I visited. So if you’ve got extra time, don’t miss out! 

Things to Do in Boracay #5: Go Island Hopping! 

Aside from Boracay, there are a few other cool islands that you can go visit. 

These include:

Crocodile Island – An island shaped like a crocodile head. If you wanna go diving or snorkeling, this is the place to do it since there’s plenty of marine life here! 

Magic Island – A place to snorkel and cliff dive!

Crystal Cove Island – As the name implies, this island is famous for its beautiful coves – there are 2 on the island. I’ve also heard that snorkeling is great in this place. 

Where to Eat in Boracay

While Boracay doesn’t have a special dish that all visitors have to try (although you could make an argument for Chori Burger), they do have a LOT of restaurants to choose from. 

And these restaurants cover just about every cuisine you can think of – Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Filipino, American… You name it, they’ve got it. 

Most of the popular ones are found in D’Mall, but you can find delicious food all along the highway. 

Some of the places I tried include: 

Steam Punk (Burgers)

This is my favorite restaurant in Boracay. 

It’s so good, I ate here TWICE during my visit! 

Hailed as the “Best Burger on the Island”, these guys serve all kinds of delicious burger creations. 

From their standard hamburger, to their pulled pork burgers, to their Chori burgers, even to their footlong sandwiches, it’s ALL good. 

When your order is ready, they also have a cool little presentation, where your burger is lowered by a steam machine from the kitchen above. It adds a little excitement. 

Steam Punk is found right in the middle of D’Mall. 

Island Bowls – Boracay Beach Truck (Rice Bowls)

Found on the roadside entrance of D’Mall, this food truck serves some really, really good rice bowls from different Asian cuisines. 

You can go for things like Bulgogi, orange chicken, adobo, and more. I got the Chinese Pork with Nasi Goreng rice bowl, and it was suuuuuper good. 

They also serve milk teas. So if rice bowls with milk tea is your thing, you’ll love this place. 

Also, the food truck is aesthetic. So you can get some nice pics here! 

Aria (Italian)

For lovers of Italian food, this is the place to be! 

Found right at the beachside entrance of D’Mall, this place gives you a wonderful view of the beach while you enjoy your favorite Italian foods. 

They have pretty much everything you would want from an Italian restaurant – pizzas, risottos, pastas, lasagnas – you name it. 

Halo Mango (Shaved Ice)

Do you ever dream about eating a HUUUUUUUUUGE bowl of halo-halo with your partner? 

Welp, that’s exactly what you’ll get in Halo Mango! 

Let me tell you, the serving sizes here are LARGE. So don’t be shocked when you order the “couple-size” mango halo-halo, and you get a bowl that’s definitely for more than two people. 

And it’s delicious too! 

If you’ve never tried halo-halo before, it’s essentially shaved ice, milk, and a bunch of different fruits. In Halo Mango, their specialty is mangoes (duh). 

If you’re intimidated by what I’ve said about the sizes, don’t worry. They do have a display of their serving sizes in their window, so you can choose accordingly (we just didn’t pay attention, that’s why we were shocked! ).

Aside from halo-halo, Halo Mango also serves soft-serve ice creams – perfect for beating the heat! 

Merly’s BBQ (Chori Burger)

Whenever I visit a place, I always try to find something that’s truly local. 

For Boracay, the closest thing you’ll get is Chori Burger – which is short for Chorizo Burger. 

While you can get a “sosyal” version of this in Steam Punk, the “original” Chori Burger comes from a small stall on the border of Station 1 and Station 2. 

It’s… well… a bit underwhelming. 

All it is is a burger bun with chorizo and some ketchup. 

But hey, gotta try the local food right? 

Sample Boracay Itineraries (+ What I Did!)

One thing that I love about Boracay is that since the island is so small, you can easily piece together your dream vacation. 

It isn’t like some places where one activity is four hours away from the site you want to see. No, in Boracay, everything is accessible. 

That said, here are some sample itineraries you can go for! 

Sample 3D2N Boracay Itinerary (Full Pack)

Day 1 – Parasailing, water activities, parawsailing

• 10:00 – Arrive in Caticlan Airport
• 10:15 – Arrive in Caticlan Port
• 11:00 – Arrive in Boracay Island! 
• 11:30 – Arrive in hotel (check-in / drop bags)
• 12:00 – Lunch in D’Mall
• 13:00 – Parasailing + Water activities! (parasailing, banana boat, UFO, jetski, paddleboard)
• 17:00 – Paraw Sailing into the Sunset
• 18:00 – Buy souvenirs
• 19:00 – Dinner! 

Day 2 – Island hopping + land tour

• 08:00 – Breakfast
• 09:00 – Start Island Hopping Tour
• 15:00 – End island hopping and go on a Tricycle Land Tour!
• 17:00 – Last stop at Puka Beach to watch sunset
• 19:00 – Dinner! 

Day 3 – Going Home

• 07:00 – Breakfast
• 08:00 – Checkout
• 08:30 – Arrive in Boracay Port
• 09:00 – Arrive in Caticlan Port
• 09:15 – Arrive in Caticlan Airport
• 11:00 – Fly Home! 

Sample 3D2N Boracay Itinerary (Chill)

Day 1 – Water activities, parawsailing

• 10:00 – Arrive in Caticlan Airport
• 10:15 – Arrive in Caticlan Port
• 11:00 – Arrive in Boracay Island! 
• 11:30 – Arrive in hotel (check-in / drop bags)
• 12:00 – Lunch in D’Mall
• 13:00 – Water activities! (banana boat, UFO, jetski, paddleboard)
• 17:00 – Paraw Sailing into the Sunset
• 19:00 – Dinner! 

Day 2 – Chill + Land tour

• 08:00 – Breakfast
• 09:00 – Chill in White Beach
• 12:00 – Lunch 
• 13:00 – Explore D’Mall / Buy Souvenirs
• 15:00 – Land tour
• 17:00 – Last stop at Puka Beach to watch sunset
• 19:00 – Dinner! 

Day 3 – Going Home

• 07:00 – Breakfast
• 08:00 – Checkout
• 08:30 – Arrive in Boracay Port
• 09:00 – Arrive in Caticlan Port
• 09:15 – Arrive in Caticlan Airport
• 11:00 – Fly Home! 

Sample 5D4N Boracay Itinerary (What I Did!)

Note: Few things to note here. First, this was a family vacation. Second, most of my trips are work vacations! So I have to leave time for work too! Third, this was the FIRST destination for my travel blog. In hindsight, I really wish I did try more things here! 

But anyway, here’s exactly how I spent my time in Boracay! 

Day 1 – White Beach

• 10:00 – Arrive in Caticlan Airport
• 10:15 – Arrive in Caticlan Port
• 11:00 – Arrive in Boracay Island! 
• 12:00 – Lunch in Aria
• 14:00 – Check in Piccolo Hotel
• 16:00 – Swim in White Beach
• 18:00 – Buy Souvenirs
• 19:00 – Dinner in Island Bowls

Day 2 – Water Activities

• 08:00 – Breakfast in Hotel
• 10:00 – Banana Boat + UFO
• 12:00 – Lunch in Super Sub
• 13:00 – Work time
• 17:00 – Jogging in White Beach
• 19:00 – Dinner in Hangry Monkey

Day 3 – Land Tour

• 08:00 – Breakfast in Hotel
• 09:00 – Work time
• 12:00 – Lunch in Jollibee
• 13:00 – More work
• 14:00 – Paddleboarding
• 15:00 – Tricycle land tour!
• 17:00 – Last stop at Puka Beach to watch sunset
• 19:00 – Dinner at Steam Punk
• 20:00 – Dessert at Halo Mango

Day 4 – Parasailing + Parawsailing

• 08:00 – Breakfast in Hotel
• 10:00 – Parasailing! 
• 12:00 – Lunch at Steam Punk (again)
• 13:00 – Work, work, work
• 17:00 – Parawsailing into the sunset! 
• 19:00 – Dinner in Master Siomai

Day 5 – Going home

• 07:00 – Breakfast
• 08:00 – Checkout
• 08:30 – Arrive in Boracay Port
• 09:00 – Arrive in Caticlan Port
• 09:15 – Arrive in Caticlan Airport
• 11:00 – Fly Home! 

Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling Boracay

Now that you know everything you need to know about traveling to Boracay, let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Boracay! 

When is the Best Time to Visit Boracay?

The DRY season! The Boracay dry season runs from November to April – making those the best months to visit Boracay. Because what better time to visit an island paradise than when the skies are clear and the sun is out?

Now, I should warn you about 2 things:

#1 Boracay is PACKED during this season. 

So expect crowds of people on White Beach. I visited during this season, and whaddya know, it was full of people wherever I went (except Ilig-Ilagan Beach *wink). 

And #2, Boracay’s seasons aren’t very pronounced. 

Yes, there’s a much better chance of catching the sunshine if you visit during the dry season. But Boracay doesn’t follow a strict winter-spring-summer-fall pattern. 

Instead, it has 2 seasons. Relatively dry from November-April, and relatively rainy the rest of the year. 

So if you’re willing to take your chances, you can avoid the crowds by coming during the rainy season (and you might score some discounts!). 

Just don’t complain if bad weather destroys your plans! 

Which Airlines Fly to Boracay Island?

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia all have daily flights to Caticlan from either Cebu or Manila. Other airlines, such as Sunlight Air also have trips from Manila. 

Meanwhile, if you’re already at El Nido, you can take a direct flight to Boracay with Air Swift. 

Keep in mind though that these flights are not regular, so you’ll have to check their website for their schedules! 

How Much does it Cost to Fly to Boracay Island?

f you book within a month of your trip, a direct flight from Manila or Cebu can cost anywhere from php2,000 ($40) to php5,000 ($100) base fare. 

That’s why it’s always good to book early! 

If you book months ahead, you can enjoy base fares below php1,000 ($20). 

If you’re lucky, you might even hit a promo! Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, and Philippine Airlines do quite a lot of promos for flying to Boracay, and you might just get your ticket for a base fare of just 1 peso! 

Why is Boracay the Best Tourist Spot?

Beautiful white sand, amenities everywhere you look, luxury resorts – what’s not to love about Boracay? 

In my opinion, Boracay is one of the EASIEST places to travel to – not just in the Philippines, but in the WORLD. 

Combine that with its natural beauty, you get a tourist spot that is truly world-class. 

What are Boracay’s Stations?

Boracay’s stations are a simple way to divide the 4km stretch of white sand on White Beach. 

While there are overlaps, Station 3 is thought of as the budget zone, Station 2 is the mid-range area with most of the shopping options, and Station 1 is considered the high-class zone. 

While it’s not on the map, some people even include a Station 0. This is where the classiest of the classy resorts are found. The types for people on a luxury escape! 

Why Did Boracay Close?

In February 2018, President Duterte closed Boracay to tourism to make way for the island’s rehabilitation. 

Before that, Boracay was getting WAYYY too many tourists – more than it could possibly handle. This led to the island getting dirty. 

With trash everywhere and sewage on the waters, Boracay was no longer the island paradise it used to be. 

Boracay reopened in October 2018, with stricter rules. This is the reason you aren’t allowed to have picnics on the beach nowadays (or even make sandcastles!). 

How Many Days Should I Stay in Boracay?

3 days and 2 nights should be enough to get enjoy what Boracay has to offer. 

Of course, if you wanna stay forever, why not? 

Kidding aside, I personally think that staying more than a week is already too much. 

Boracay is a place to escape reality. 

But if you stay too long, you’ll probably find that Boracay doesn’t have much in the way of diversity – it is, after all, a small island. 

If you have lots of time, you could jump on the ferry back to mainland Panay and explore that island. With FOUR provinces on that island, you can stay for months (and feel like you haven’t seen everything!). 

But hey! 

That might just be me. 

If you absolutely LOVE beaches, why not stay for 2 weeks? A month? 

Heck, why not a whole year? 

Which is Better, Boracay or Palawan?

Boracay is better than Palawan for casual tourists and beach lovers. However, Palawan is much more diverse than Boracay, and is better for adventurous people who want to enjoy raw nature. 

Don’t get me wrong. 

Palawan is also EXTREMELY tourist-friendly. Especially the big 3 areas (Puerto Princessa, El Nido, and Coron). 

But I feel that you’ll have to be a little bit adventurous to make the most out of your trip to Palawan. Whereas in Boracay, you can stay in your hotel all day and still enjoy the full experience. 

So it really depends on what type of trip YOU are looking for! 

Ready to Travel Boracay?

And there you have it!

That’s my travel guide to Boracay! 

So if you haven’t already, go and book your tickets. 

Because whether you’re looking for a quick escape from city life, or want to see one of the BEST beaches in the world, then you’re going to LOVE Boracay! 

If you have any other questions, you can leave a comment here, or reach out to me on my Facebook page!