How to Get to Boracay



They've got lots of promos in Cebu Pacific Airlines flying to either Kalibo, Roxas or Caticlan. Best option though for your flight is Caticlan from Manila. Please be advised that you're not the only one eyeing for the Caticlan route (regardless of the season), so make sure to book your flight ahead of time and check promos FREQUENTLY and book it QUICKLY.


From 6am-10pm,
there would be a fleet of pumpboats ready to take you from the Caticlan port to the Island.You may want to check Negros Navigation (288 5891; www.negros navigation.ph) that has a desk at the La Carmela de Boracay Hotel, near Boat Station Two on the beachfront road.

Boracay Hotel Reservation

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Getting There: Quite easy!
Book a flight! To maximize your time and make the most out of your trip, the best flights to Boracay are the ones heading to the Caticlan Airport, as it only takes a few mins by tricycle or shuttle for you to get to the boats going to the island. If you, however get a Kalibo flight from Manila, expect a 2 hour trip by bus/shuttle from the Kalibo Airport to the Caticlan port. Once you've arrived at the Caticlan port, it'll be a 10-15 min boat ride to get to the island. Just make sure that you've got cash prepared to pay for the Port/Terminal and Environmental fees.


Photo of Caticlan Port via aklanforum

Before you step out of the airport, you will be approached by local boat operators that'll offer you boat ride packages which includes the shuttle/bus from the airport to the Caticlan port. But then again, this is your call, price differs but not that much. If you're coming from the Kalibo airport, it normally costs P350.00-P400.00 one-way per person, or you're coming as a group, check their group packages. Some hotels may already include the boat and land transfers for you so there's no need to avail of the boat services being offered in the airport.

Boat Operators: (click the link for more info)

Southwest Tours Boracay

Island Star Boracay

Oyster Ferry (Fastcraft)

Photo by Irvine Kinea via flickr

Then after the quick boat ride, you now look for a tricycle or a multicab (but if you've reserved accomodation that includes land transfer via shuttle/van - much better and quicker!) that will take you to your chosen hotel, lodge, inn, resthouse or whatever. It's best to still bring a map or at least know the address of the accomodation. Maps are available at the Caticlan and Cagban port for free.

Now since you're coming from the boat with all that luggage, you're obviously a tourist, so they tend to charge you differently in that case, P50.00-P75.00 for a P10.00-P20.00 fare. Just to share as well that when I went to Boracay the first time, back in 2007, I was charged P200 for the tricycle ride to the hotel... enough said. :)

What you need to figure out is how NOT to get a chartered ride.A chartered ride is when you don't ride with other passengers on the same tricycle which is, of course, always more expensive. In short, it's considered a private ride for you.

So how do you do that? Non-chartered or sharing tricycles can be located at the jetty port as well, just tell them you want a shared ride (take note that if you choose this option, you will have to wait for other passengers to ride with you or until all seats are occupied). This sometimes won't work though especially if your destination is off the main road, you either walk from the main road closest to your accomodation or you just have to take the chartered ride.

Boracay Main Road via Panoramio.com

Another non-chartered option that you may do is again walk a bit further to the main road and stand on the side where traffic goes to the direction tricycles, multicabs, vans and shuttles head with tourists/passengers. Hail a tricycle/multicab (regardless if it's empty or with some passengers) and talk. Talking... I know this is one of the challenges that we all have to encounter whenever we go to places, coz you'll never know when you can trust someone and if you're understanding each other. Anyway, talk to the driver, ask for the fare, if you think he's charging you too high, try to negotiate for a fair price, they may decide to take you on a P25.00 fare. They will most likely accept but some may still decline. If worse comes to worst, just take the chartered ride or go back to the terminal.

Also if you're carrying alot of bags/luggage you may just also want to pay extra for some of the space for the bags as a courtesy to the other passengers that might get hit by your things.


As for which place to stay -based on my experience:
Station 1 - High End and Really Quiet (a bit far from the party and food places but closer to nature)
Station 2 - Party People, Water Activities and Noise (my personal choice! partyphile here!)
Station 3 - Fair Priced and Quiet (my second choice because it's close to my fave chow locations)  

Best time to stay:
Low Season - July-September (Rainy Season)
High Season: - October- February
Peak Season - March-June (Summertime!!!)

Have Fun in Boracay!