Boracay is the top beach destination in the Philippines for leisure travelers.

I’ve made frequent trips there since I was a kid. I can’t even recall how many exactly. Just a half-day drive away from Iloilo (my hometown), Boracay had been my family’s favorite holiday destination growing up. I’ve explored all the best spots on the island.

Is Boracay worth visiting? Yes! The beach is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines, but it’s also compelling enough to earn Boracay a spot on the list of the World’s best beaches & islands by many of the top globally recognized travel publications.

Be forewarned though. Boracay can get heavily touristic. If you’re an adventure seeker looking for hidden spots & local experiences, there are many off-beat places in the country that will suit your liking better. You can find them on my list of the best places to visit in the Philippines.

If you do not mind the touristic side of Boracay, then go! It’s a beautiful island to spend a relaxing and hassle-free vacation, especially if you’re after the resort experience & nightlife.

Traveling to Boracay for the first time? This detailed travel guide will make it easy for you to plan and maximize your trip. I’ve included a sample Boracay 3-day itinerary bellow followed by a 1-day and 2-day itinerary. PLUS, helpful travel tips.

Boracay Itinerary Blog Contents

3 Days Boracay Itinerary

Day 1 — Land Tour

Day 2 — Island Hopping

Day 3 — White Beach

Where to Stay in Boracay

Boracay Budget & Expenses

1 Day Boracay Itinerary (24 hours)

2 Days Boracay Itinerary (48 hours)

Boracay Travel Tips

3 Days Boracay Itinerary (3D2N)

This sample 3 days and 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary will take you to Boracay’s top tourist spots and things to do.

When you’re in Boracay, you can never go wrong with simply taking things slow and chilling all day at White Beach, enjoying the gorgeous view of the powdery fine sand and turquoise waters.

However, if you’re the type of traveler who likes to do more sightseeing and enjoy all the fun water activities that Boracay has to offer, then this super jam-packed itinerary is for you.

Begin with a land tour of Boracay, a Station 1 beach walk, and a sunset paraw sailing on Day 1. For Day 2, join an island hopping tour to Puka Beach, Crystal Cove, and Magic Island Cliff Diving. On your last day, explore the scenic Station 3 and do some souvenir shopping at Station 2.

Day 1 — Boracay Land Tour

Flight to Boracay

9 AM — Caticlan Airport arrival

9:30 AM — Caticlan to Boracay hotel transers — PHP 1,280 roundtrip or PHP 730 one-way incl. terminal feesBook hereCompare Rates

Caticlan Jerry Port arrival

9:45 AM — Caticlan to Boracay ferry

10:15 AM — Cagban Port to hotel shuttle

10:30 AM — Boracay hotel check-in — Book hereCompare Rates

11 AM — Boracay land tour — via Boracay HopOn HopOff Bus (PHP 250 per day or PHP450 for 3 days) or e-trike charter (PHP500 per hour)Book here

Boracay Newcoast

Sinagpa-Diniwid Beach trail (Lambros Point)

White Beach Station 1

Willy’s Rock

Jonah’s Fruit Shake

Starbucks Beachfront Coconut View

3:30 PM — Crystal kayak photoshoot — PHP 270Book here

4 PM — Paraw sunset sailing — PHP 2,450 per group of 2Book hereCompare Rates

Boracay sunset at White Beach

Dinner / White Beach at night

Where to Stay in Boracay

White Beach in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines

Click below to see rates and compare hotels in Boracay within your budget.

Recommended Boracay Hotels

The Lind (Splurge / Station 1) Book hereCompare Rates

Shangri-la (Splurge / Yapak) Book hereCompare Rates

Savoy Hotel (Mid-range / Boracay Newcoast) Book hereCompare Rates

Ferra Hotel (Mid-range / Bulabog Beach) Book hereCompare Rates

Hannah Hotel (Mid-range / Station 1) Book hereCompare Rates

La Carmela de Boracay (Budget / Station 2) Book hereCompare Rates

Boracay Backpackers (Budget Backpacker / Station 1) Book hereCompare Rates

The Lazy Dog Bed & Breakfast (Budget Backpacker / Bulabog Beach) Book hereCompare Rates

Best Areas to Stay in Boracay

Most accommodations are located along White Beach, which is divided into three stations. The best area to stay is Station 1 (north end), known for having the best beachfront in Boracay and a more upscale atmosphere. If you prefer a more central location close to nightlife and shopping, consider booking a hotel in Station 2. Station 3 (south end) offers a quieter, more rustic experience.

Additionally, there are plenty of luxury and mid-range resorts in private beach coves like Station Zero and Boracay Newcoast, as well as hilltop locations around the island. This option is ideal for those seeking a peaceful vacation away from the crowds.

For budget-conscious travelers, consider looking for accommodations inland near White Beach or Bulabog Beach.

Where to book your hotel

Book your room with these trusted booking sites. I use them frequently to grab rock-bottom prices & enjoy convenient bookings. Once you’ve picked a hotel, remember to search all the sites below to make sure you are getting the best prices:

AgodaKlookBooking.comTraveloka

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Boracay Budget & Expenses

Your travel budget will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help set a budget that’s tailored to your travel goals, here’s a list of travel expenses/rates in Boracay. I’ve included links to sites & apps where you can book online. Make sure to check them for discounts and reviews.

Bulabog Beach, in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines

Flights
PHP 2 115 Manila to Boracay-Caticlan flights — Cebu Pacific CEB Super Pass promo roundtrip fare per person. Check and follow the latest promo fares.

Click below to compare airfares on multiple airlines in one search:

Skyscanner

Transport expenses breakdown
PHP 1 460 Caticlan Airport to Boracay hotel transfers — P790 one-way from Caticlan Airport + P650 return trip per person . This package rate includes hotel pick up/drop-off and all fees in Caticlan/Boracay ports (terminal fee, environmental fee, boat/shuttle fare).Book hereKalibo Airport transfers
PHP 15 eTrike within White Beach — Short rides in Station 1, 2 or 3 area. Minimum fare per person.
PHP 220 Boracay Hop-On Hop-Off Shuttle — 1-day pass per person. This air-conditioned shuttle service has stops all over the island including Puka Beach, Boracay Newcoast, White Beach & Cagban Port/Tambisaan Port.Book here

Angol, Station 3, in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines

Caticlan Airport & Jetty Port Fees (DIY Boracay travel)
PHP 100 Caticlan Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port tricycle. Per tricycle or P50 per person.
PHP 150 Environmental fee. Per person.
PHP 150 Terminal fee. Per person.
PHP 50 Caticlan-Boracay boat fare. Per person.
PHP 150 eTrike to White Beach from Cagban, Boracay Jetty Port. Per tricycle (max 6) or P25 per person.
PHP 150 Motorcycle to White Beach from Cagban, Boracay Jetty Port.

Paraw Sunset Sailing in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines

Activities/attraction costs breakdown
PHP 1 313 Paraw Sailing — Per person sunset sailing for a group of 3.Book here
PHP 650 Boracay Sunset Cruise — Per person. Includes stand up paddle boarding, kayak, mermaid tail photo-op & snorkeling gear.Book here
PHP 730 Boracay Island Hopping — Per person. Includes buffet lunch.Book here
PHP 670 Boracay Helmet DiveBook here
PHP 1 800 Parasailing — Per person price for group of 2 (double/tandem ride). P2,500 for solo ride.Book here
PHP 450 Banana Boat — Per person.Book here
PHP 400 Stand-up Paddle — Per person for 30 minutes.Book here

View more rates on Boracay tours and activities. Book discounts online on:

KlookGetYourGuideKKday

Accommodations (choose from options below)
PHP 4 000 Mid-range hotel — Per room for two/night.
PHP 2 000 Budget hotel — Per room for two/night.
PHP 700 Backpacker hostel — Per bed/night.

Click below to view Boracay hotels, compare rates & read the reviews:

AgodaKlook

Food
PHP 600 Mid-range restaurant. Meal for 2.
PHP 150 Budget meal in a local eatery.

View all food & dining vouchers discounts on:

Klook

1 Day Boracay Itinerary (24 hours or less)

Diniwid-Sinagpa Beach Trail in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines

Boracay Land Tour.

Flight to Boracay

Caticlan Airport arrival

Caticlan to Boracay hotel transers — PHP 1,280 roundtrip or PHP 730 one-way incl. terminal feesBook hereCompare Rates

Caticlan Jerry Port arrival

Caticlan to Boracay ferry

Cagban Port to hotel shuttle

Boracay land tour — via Boracay HopOn HopOff Bus (PHP 250 per day or PHP450 for 3 days) or e-trike charter (PHP500 per hour)Book here

Sinagpa-Diniwid Beach trail (Lambros Point)

White Beach Station 1

Willy’s Rock

Jonah’s Fruit Shake

Starbucks Beachfront Coconut View

Crystal kayak photoshoot — PHP 270Book here

Paraw Sailing — Book here

Explore White Beach Station 2

D’Mall shopping & souvenirs

Real Coffee

Hotel to Caticlan transfer

2 Days Boracay Itinerary (48 hours / 2D1N)

Puka Beach, in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines

Day 1 — Boracay Land Tour

Flight to Boracay

9 AM — Caticlan Airport arrival

9:30 AM — Caticlan to Boracay hotel transers — PHP 1,280 roundtrip or PHP 730 one-way incl. terminal feesBook hereCompare Rates

Caticlan Jerry Port arrival

9:45 AM — Caticlan to Boracay ferry

10:15 AM — Cagban Port to hotel shuttle

10:30 AM — Boracay hotel check-in — Book hereCompare Rates

11 AM — Boracay land tour — via Boracay HopOn HopOff Bus (PHP 250 per day or PHP450 for 3 days) or e-trike charter (PHP500 per hour)Book here

Puka Beach

Boracay Newcoast

White Beach Station 1

Willy’s Rock

Jonah’s Fruit Shake

Starbucks Beachfront Coconut View

3:30 PM — Crystal kayak photoshoot — PHP 270Book here

4 PM — Paraw sunset sailing — PHP 2,450 per group of 2Book hereCompare Rates

Boracay sunset at White Beach

Dinner / White Beach at night

Boracay sunset at White Beach — FREE

Dinner / White Beach at night

Day 2 — White Beach

White Beach in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines

5:30 AM — Bulabog Beach sunrise

Water activities (choose from below)

Helmet diving — PHP 1,000 per personBook here

Jet ski — PHP 2,200Book here

Banana Boat — PHP 2,700 per group of 6Book here

Parasailing — PHP 3,600 per group of 2Book here

Sinagpa-Diniwid Beach trail (Lambros Point)

Explore White Beach Station 2

D’Mall shopping & souvenirs

Real Coffee

2 PM — Hotel check-out

Hotel to Caticlan Airport transfer — PHP 550Book hereCompare Rates

Caticlan Airport arrival

Boracay Travel Tips

How to get to Boracay

There are two main airports for Boracay-bound tourists.

Boracay Airport is the nearest and more convenient option. Meanwhile, Kalibo Airport serves direct international flights & often cheaper airfares.

Flight duration to both airports is roughly the same. Travel time is around 1 hour from Manila & Cebu, 1h 30m from Davao, 3h 40m from Singapore & 4h 20m from Seoul.

Caticlan Airport to Boracay

Boracay-Caticlan Airport (MPH) serves direct flights from Manila, Cebu, and. Major airlines operating here include Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and AirAsia.

Boracay Airport is also known as Godofredo P. Ramos Airport and Caticlan Airport.

The Boracay Airport terminal fee is not collected at the airport. You don’t have to worry about it since the P200 terminal fee for domestic flights should already be included in the flight ticket price upon booking.

Getting from Caticlan Airport to Boracay:

Step 1: Ride a shuttle to Caticlan Jetty Port, the jump-off point of Boracay-bound pumpboat ferries. Travel time is 5 minutes by shuttle/tricycle.

Step 2: Register at Tourist Desk.

Step 3: Pay these fees at the counter: (1) Boracay environmental fee, (2) Caticlan jetty terminal fee, (3) Caticlan-Boracay boat fare. Prices are posted below.

Step 4: Clear the security checkpoint & board your assigned boat.

Step 5: Caticlan to Boracay ferry. Travel time is around 10-15 minutes. Depending on the weather, the boat may dock at Cagban Port or Tambisaan Port.

Step 6: Cagban Port to hotel shuttle/eTrike.

Boracay-Caticlan to Boracay shuttle + ferry ticket

Enjoy easy transfers from Caticlan Airport to your hotel in Boracay with this convenient package ticket. No need to worry about your luggage and paying individual fees because the price already includes all the transport fares and terminal/tourist entry fees.

Book here

DIY Caticlan-Boracay travel & terminal fees

Here is a list of fees collected (in cash) at Caticlan Jetty Port & transport fares if you are considering do-it-yourself (DIY) travel:

Environmental fee — PHP 150 per person.

Caticlan Jetty Port terminal fee — PHP 150 per person.

Caticlan to Boracay ferry — PHP 50 one-way fare per person.

On your way back to Caticlan (from Boracay). The same amount is collected at Cagban Port/Tambisaan Port minus the environmental fee.

Caticlan-Boracay shuttle/tricycle fare

Caticlan Airport to Caticlan Jerry Port

Tricycle — PHP 100 per tricycle. PHP 50 per person if you are willing to wait for another passenger.

Borcay Port (Cagaban/Tambisaan) to White Beach Hotel

Shared eTrike/multicab — PHP 25

eTrike – PHP 150

Motorcycle (Habal-habal) – P150

Flights to Boracay

Boracay-Caticlan or Kalibo Airport, which one to choose? Go for Caticlan-Boracay Airport because it’s conveniently located within a short ferry ride away from Boracay Island. Kalibo Airport is a good alternative if you are flying international or happen to chance upon cheaper airfares. In addition, you can also fly in/out of Roxas Airport and Iloilo International Airport. This is especially recommended if you want to go on a side trip to other destinations in Panay Island.

Search cheap flights

Kalibo Airport to Boracay

Kalibo International Airport (KLO) serves direct domestic flights from Manila as well as international flights from South Korea. Airlines include AirAsia, Cebu Pacific & Philippine Airlines.

You don’t have to worry about paying the terminal fee at the airport The Kalibo Airport terminal fee is usually included in the flight ticket price upon booking for domestic and international flights.

Kalibo to Boracay shuttle + ferry ticket

Enjoy easy transfers from Kalibo Airport to your hotel in Boracay. Includes all the transport fares and terminal/tourist entry fees.

Book here

Caticlan Jetty Port Schedule

The first trip departs early in the morning at 5:00 am. Frequent trips, at least once every 15 minutes, run throughout the day and night. The last trip is around 10:00 pm.

Depending on weather conditions or during low tide, the ferry services operate at alternate ports — Tabon Port in Caticlan and Tambisaan Port in Boracay.

Iloilo to Boracay

Iloilo Airport serves direct domestic flights from Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro & General Santos. Airlines include Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia.

The land journey takes approximately 5 hours.

Caticlan-bound buses depart from the Ceres bus terminal in Tagbak, Jaro District, Iloilo City.

Roxas, Capiz to Boracay

Roxas Airport serves direct flights from Manila and Cebu. Airlines include by Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines.

Frequent shuttles travel between the van/bus terminals in Roxas and Kalibo. Travel time is around 2 hours.

How to get around Boracay?

eTrikes (electric tricycles) and shuttle vans are the primary transport within Boracay Island. You can easily charter or get a shared eTrike from the main road, which is around a 5-minute walk from White Beach.

Hotels and resorts located outside of White Beach usually have complimentary shuttle service for guests with pick-up/drop-off service at D’Mall shopping center.

How many days to spend in Boracay?

2 to 4 days is enough to enjoy most of the highlights in Boracay. If you are traveling to Boracay for 5 days or more than 1 week, consider a side trip to nearby islands including Panay Island (Antique, Aklan & Iloilo) and Carabao Island.

When is the best time to visit?

I personally prefer to visit during the cooler month of February or the shoulder season from the end of May to Early June when the island is less crowded compared to the peak season.

During this time, the weather pattern starts to change between dry/summer and rainy seasons. There’s a chance of cloudy skies/rain but the weather is generally good most days. More significantly, the green sludge/algal blooms in White Beach are not as bad as compared to the summer months.

There are three main tourist seasons in Boracay:

Super peak season — Major public holidays including Christmas to New Year, Holy Week, Ati-Atihan Festival (3rd weekend of January), Labor Day (April 1 & the closest weekend).

Peak season — December to May except during major public holidays. The hottest months or dry/summer season is March, April & May.

Low/lean season — June to December except during major public holidays. Rainy/monsoon season starts in mid-June until August and may extend until October.

How to get money?

Money exchange stalls and ATMs of major Philippine banks are widely available in Boracay.

Money saving tips

Traveling to Boracay on a budget? Here are some ways that you can spend less & enjoy a cheap vacation. These are especially useful if you are backpacking or simply traveling on a limited/tight budget.

1. Go on shared eTrikes — For transport between stations 1, 2 & 3, hail a tricycle with passengers already riding. Ask the regular fare, which is under PHP 30 for short rides. Empty tricycles waiting along the highway usually charge the chartered rate, which is a lot more expensive. There’s also the option of simply walking along White Beach and enjoy sightseeing until you reach your destination.

2. Travel in a bigger group — Sharing expenses with more people can make your tours & accommodations a lot cheaper per person.

3. Eat local — If you want to take a break from expensive food at tourist-oriented restaurants, look around for a carinderia or local eatery, usually found along or near the main road. You can even do your groceries at the supermarket (easy to find) and cook your own food if your hostel has a kitchen facility. There’s also a growing number of fast food chains in the island like Mang Inasal, Andok’s & McDonald’s.

4. Haggle down prices — Boracay is known for overpricing tourists, even local tourists from nearby provinces. Don’t be shy to haggle! Always ask for a lower price when buying souvenirs or booking tours. Shop around for the best deal.

5. Consider staying outside of White Beach — Expect to pay a premium for beachfront rooms. There are a lot of cheaper options near the main road. Choose one that’s not too far from the beach though.

6. Look out for discounts online — With the rising popularity of booking sites, there are a lot of accommodations, tours & activities that can be booked cheaper online than paying walk-in rates.

How to book cheap flights to Boracay?

If you are flying to within the next 2-3 months, the general rule to spend less on flights is by booking sooner rather than later. In case you are booking well ahead of your trip, keep a lookout for airline promo fares & seat sales.

The easy way to find cheap flights that you can book right now is to use flight search engines. These sites compare prices on different airlines to show you the cheapest prices. Check multiple flight search engines listed below:

Skyscanner

Always check promo fares before booking. Visit the airlines’ official website, mobile app, Facebook, Twitter & other social media accounts for updates.

You can also check the latest promo alerts posted here on Detourista. Click below to start:

Boracay Promo

Kalibo Promo

AirAsia Promo

Cebu Pacific Promo

Philippine Airlines Promo

To learn more, visit the guide on how to book cheap flights.

Pre-book your Boracay tours & attraction tickets online

I often book online to enjoy discounts and cashless convenience during my actual trip. Always check prices of tours/attraction tickets and read the reviews on these booking sites:

KlookGetYourGuideKKday

If you’re booking tours and you’ve already finalized your travel dates, book early, especially if you are traveling with family/friends to lock-in those open slots for everyone in your group.