Backpacking Philippines: Cheap Boracay Package Tour and Budget Travel Tips

Cheap Boracay Package Tour and Budget Travel Tips

UPDATED April 2013

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: The Basics

The easiest and fastest way to get to Boracay is to book a flight to Caticlan Airport though it can only handle small propeller planes due to the short runway. The alternative airport is Kalibo Airport which can handle jumbo jets and international flights but is at least 1.5 hours away. (see below for the applicable fares and fees table)

From Caticlan Airport, you need to ride a tricycle to get to Caticlan jetty port then a banca/fastcraft to Cagban Jetty Port (about 15 minutes travel time) on Boracay Island then another tricycle to your beach resort or accommodations.

From Kalibo Airport, you need to ride a shuttle van (fare: PhP200.00, travel time about 1.5 hours) or bus (Ceres Liner, GM Bus, Southwest Tours, Star Express and 7107 Island Tours) to take you to Caticlan Jetty Port, ride a banca (motorized outrigger boat for about 15 minutes) or fastcraft then a tricycle to your resort or accommodations. (see below for the applicable fares and fees table)

How to get to Boracay by Air:

Flights to Boracay via Caticlan Airport (now Godofredo P. Ramos National Airport)

Cebu Pacific ATR 72-500 turboprop plane at Caticlan Airport

Manila to Caticlan Flights (direct flights to Boracay)

Cebu Pacific:
SEAIR
PAL Express (book via PAL website)
Interisland Airlines: special flights only, chartered planes service available

Cebu to Caticlan Flights:

SEAIR
Cebu Pacific Air
PAL Express

Clark Airport to Caticlan Flights:

Cebu Pacific Air
SEAIR
AirAsia Philippines

How to get to Boracay from Kalibo Airport

Flights to Kalibo are cheaper than direct flights to Caticlan Airport

First you book a flight to Kalibo Airport then take a bus or van (right outside Kalibo Airport). Additional 1.5 hours travel time plus PhP200.00 bus fare but significant savings in airfare via Kalibo.

Manila to Kalibo flights are served by the following airlines

Philippine Airlines
Cebu Pacific
ZestAir (Zest Airways)

Davao to Kalibo Flights

Cebu Pacific

Note: Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Bus Fare: PhP200.00 (Travel time around 1.5 hours)

International Flights to Kalibo Airport (direct foreign flights to Caticlan Airport)

ZestAir flies from Kalibo to Incheon, South Korea
ZestAir flies from Kalibo to Pusan, South Korea
ZestAir flies from Kalibo to Shanghai, China
ZestAir flies from Kalibo to Taipei, Taiwan

Chartered flights to Boracay:

If you're quite a big group and from a city with no direct flights to Caticlan or Kalibo, you can inquire about chartered flights to Boracay from Interisland Airlines. It may not be cheaper but guaranteed faster
with no stop-over in Cebu or Manila.

Ferry to Boracay from Manila:

Romblon Shipping Lines (operated by the owners of the defunct MBRS Shipping Lines) operates a ferry boat to Boracay from Pier 8 of Manila North Harbor. Regular ferry fare from Manila to Caticlan is PhP1050.00 (economy). Call these telephone numbers: +63.2.243.5886; +63.2.244.4497; +63.2.244.0619

Ferry to Caticlan from Roxas, Oriental Mindoro:

Ferry Companies serving the Roxas, Oriental Mindoro to Caticlan ferry route

Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc.
Ferry fare is PhP460.00 (economy)
Contact Number:
Batangas: +63.43.723.8294
Caticlan: +63.36.288.7373

Starlite Ferries
Ferry fare: PhP400.00
Roxas: +63.921.463.8989
Caticlan: +63.36.288.7495

Ferry to Boracay from Batangas Pier

2Go Travel Ferry's St. Ignatius of Loyola sails six times a week from Tuesday to Sunday at 9pm from Port of Batangas and arrives at Caticlan Jetty Port the following day at 6am. 2Go Travel is now the operator of Negros Navigation, SuperFerry, SuperCat and Cebu Ferries. They also serve the Caticlan-Odiongan, Romblon route. Batangas to Caticlan ferry fare is PhP875.59. You may call 2Go Travel hotline at +63.2.528.7000

Ferry from Manila to Kalibo:

Tutubi boarded an overnight ferry to Kalibo with a college friend to take part in the Ati-atihan Festival in 2004. No updated information though on ferries plying this route.

SuperFerry and Negros Navigation don't list Kalibo on their destinations list, the closest port is Iloilo.

Cebu Ferries don't have trips even to Iloilo pier.

Manila to Boracay via RO-RO (Roll-on Roll-off):

the cheapest way to to go Boracay Island (if you have lots of time to spare)

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.

RORO buses to Boracay (contact numbers and trip schedules verified):

Philtranco bus to Boracay near Caticlan Jetty Port

Philtranco +63.2.851.8077, +63.2.851.8079 (Cubao to Caticlan)
Bachelor Express +63.2.731.7287 RORO bus fare: PhP945.00 one way

Dimple Star Transit +63.2.862.3075 (Ali Mall, Cubao and Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Mindoro)
Fare: PhP1030.00 (Cubao to Caticlan, one-way, air-con bus)
Roro bus schedule: daily trips to Caticlan via Batangas Pier and Mindoro

Rodastco Vans to Roxas City (Capiz) (contact number +63.2.732.6891);
They only ply the route Manila to Roxas with daily trips to Roxas at 8pm (fare: PhP700.00) from their terminal on southbound Espana corner Antipolo (near the PNR Espana station) in Sampaloc, Manila. From Roxas City, you need to ride another van to Caticlan.

How to Get to Boracay from Iloilo

Buses From Iloilo to Caticlan are serviced by GM Liner and Ceres Liner.

How to Get to Boracay from Bacolod:

Take the Bacolod to Iloilo ferry (Oceanjet, Weesam Express et al) then ride the bus to Caticlan from Iloilo.

How to Get to Boracay from Davao City:

You can fly from Davao to Iloilo via Cebu Pacific then take the bus to Caticlan

Boracay From Cagayan de Oro (CDO):

1. Book a flight from CDO to Manila/Cebu then Manila/Cebu to Boracay (either Kalibo or Caticlan
2. Board a Ferry from CDO to Iloilo then take a bus to Caticlan

How to Get to Boracay From Tacloban:

Book a flight to Cebu to Tacloban then a connecting flight to Caticlan or Kalibo.

Fees and Fares for Boracay budget purposes and accounting:

Going to Boracay fees and fares:

Cheap flights to Boracay are available during promo period/sale of airline tickets

Manila Airport Terminal Fee (NAIA): PhP200.00 (now included in plane ticket)
Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal Fee: PhP200.00 (now included in plane ticket)

Tricycle Fare from Caticlan airport to Tabon Port (Caticlan): PhP100.00/person
Environmental Fee: PhP75.00/person
Tabon Jetty Port Terminal Fee (Caticlan Port): PhP50.00
Ferry/Fast Craft fare from Tabon to Boracay Port: PhP30.00/head
Boat fare from Tabon to Boracay Port: PhP15.00/head

Fast craft ferries are faster than outrigger boats but wait for passengers unlike native bancas. Trip to cross to Boracay Island is about 20 to 15 minutes only

Bus Fare from Iloilo to Boracay: PhP325.00
Travel time: around 6 hours

Getting Around Boracay Fees and Fares:

Tricycles: PhP10.00 minimum fare
Boracay Island Tour with Tricycle: PhP200.00/hour (negotiable)
Diniwid Beach to D'Talipapa fare: PhP100.00 (if trike is on queue)
D'Talipapa to Bulabog Beach Tricycle Fare: PhP20.00/head
ATV rental rates: PhP3500.00/hour (varies, ATV rental shops near Fairways and Bluewater in Barangay Yapak)
Island-hopping rates: prices vary, negotiable

Getting Out of Boracay Fares and Fees:

Tricycle Fare from White Beach to Boracay Port (Ferry terminal): PhP100.00
Tambisaan Jetty Port Terminal Fee: PhP50.00/head
Ferry ride to Caticlan Port (Tabon Port): PhP30.00
Cheaper boat ride (banca ride, outrigger boat): PhP15.00
Tricycle ride to Caticlan Airport: PhP100.00
Caticlan Airport Terminal Fee: PhP200.00

Boracay Tricycle minimum fare: PhP10.00

Fares and fees varies, sometimes you can haggle with tricycle drivers for cheap rates.

Important Telephone Numbers (for inquiries or in case of emergency)
Cagban Jetty Port: +63.36.288.7419
Boracay Police Station: +63.36.288.3066
Boracay Hospital: +63.36.288.3041
Boracay Coast Guard Station: +63.36.288.3486; +63.36.288.6150

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.

Pets to Boracay?
it's usually the airlines and boracay resorts' policies if you can bring your pet dog, cat or other pets that you have to the island.

Motorcycles, cars and private vehicles RORO to Boracay?
Not recommended. private cars are left parked in Caticlan and not allowed on Boracay Island

UPDATED: April 2013

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

posted by GingGoy @ 11:40 PM,

38 Comments:

At Jun 9, 2008, 12:50:00 PM, Anonymous 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, GingGoy 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, Anonymous 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, GingGoy 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, Anonymous 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, GingGoy 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, Dil 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, GingGoy 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, GingGoy 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
At Dec 15, 2010, 12:32:00 PM, Anonymous said...: 2010 December. Extremely expensive accommodation on Borocay over Xmas and New Year..'Super peak' prices so be warned
At Mar 1, 2011, 4:24:00 AM, Anonymous said...: intelligent made!...thanks fo sharing..very informative
so much useful.....especially for tourists..keep up it!..more info,more tourist.
At Apr 4, 2011, 11:25:00 PM, Boracay Hotels said...: The island paradise known as Boracay is the Philippines’ worst kept secret. Arguably the best white sand beach the world over, there’s no shortage of things to do here. Whether you take a stroll barefoot on the sand, go snorkeling, shopping, diving, reef walking or simply sit back and watch the sunset, you’ll quickly find out why Boracay is paradise on earth.
At Apr 15, 2011, 6:04:00 PM, Anonymous said...: papunta aku dun tutubi sana ay magamit ko ang iyong mga napakagandang suhistyon.maraming salamat.
At Jul 1, 2011, 1:41:00 AM, orange county hotels said...: I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post
At Jul 9, 2011, 2:40:00 PM, Anonymous said...: pwede bang mag ask kung may alam kayo na cheap room for overnight sa kalibo yung malapit sa airport? na may contact no. rin .. tnx
At Sep 17, 2011, 11:00:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Hello! I just want to ask and I hope you could help. Is there 24 hours public transportation available in Kalibo? We plan to book for an overnight stay in Kalibo since our flight is 5:30am (and must be in Kalibo Airport 2 hours earlier around 3am). Can we easily find transportation that early? Thank you.
At Oct 13, 2011, 3:23:00 PM, Cruiser Bikes said...: Thanks for sharing such a wonderful piece of information. I must say that while reading your post I found my thoughts in agreement with the topic that you have discussed, which happens very rare.
At Nov 7, 2011, 6:51:00 PM, Trekking in Nepal said...: 'Thank you for this blog. That's all I can say. You most definitely have made this blog into something thats eye opening and important.
At Dec 7, 2011, 5:15:00 PM, apartment for rent in Taguig said...: With this informative blog you've made I know a lot of people now are thinking to visit Boracay. I hope I can also do visit the place. Thank you.
At Apr 11, 2012, 3:05:00 PM, hire a mini bus said...: Boracay, always out there - always most visited. It's quite popular among tourists from Southeast Asia too
At Dec 4, 2012, 4:57:00 PM, Anonymous said...: hi! i would like to ask the most updated prices for tricycle fees and other fees such as the above posts..pls..we'll be in boracay this january 12-15...thanks for the very informative posts.
At May 7, 2013, 8:05:00 PM, Online Hotel Booking said...: I have to say that the information here was the most complete that I found anywhere. I am definitely bookmarking this to come back and express later.

Cheap Boracay Package Tour and Budget Travel Tips

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