Boracay Itineray + Travel Budget Guide

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 a trip, save money, and maximize your time. Scroll down to read must-know travel tips before you go, followed by a sample itinerary + budget breakdown , recommended hotels/places to stay , things to do/places to visit and lots of extra travel tips.

See also: 18 Things to do in Boracay + Tourist Spots, Best Places to Visit in the Philippines, Top Countries to Visit in Asia.

View all travel tips on: Boracay, Philippines, Asia.

Get Started

Before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip! Click below to compare rates & read reviews:

Boracay HotelsTours + discountsFlightsAirport transfersInternet/Data

How to get to Boracay — Touchdown at Boracay-Caticlan Airport (MPH), the nearest gateway to Boracay Island. This airport is officially known as Godofredo P. Ramos Airport. A good alternative is to fly via Kalibo International Airport (KLO), which is 1 hour 30m away from Caticlan. Both airports are located 1 hour south of Manila by plane.

Boracay-Caticlan Airport transfers

The transfers below include the drop off/pickup directly from your hotel, and all fees in Caticlan/Boracay Ports.  (terminal fee, environmental fee, and boat fare).

Book here

Boracay Island is a 15-minute ferry ride away from Caticlan. Travel time from the Jetty Port in Boracay to White Beach is 10 minutes.

Boracay entry requirements (COVID-19 travel guidelines) — Boracay is open to travelers! Starting October 29, the Boracay QR code is no longer required to enter the island. Instead, visitors are required to stop at the tourist desk in Caticlan Jetty Port for registration. Updated as of October 30, 2022.

Book your hotel online — Most Boracay hotels & resort are found along or near White Beach, the main tourist area. There are also plenty of luxury resorts tucked away in private beach coves and stunning hilltop locations all around the island. Click below to check rates and read reviews by other travelers.

Book hereCompare rates & reviews

Where to stay in Boracay

Grab rock-bottom rates and avoid fully-booked rooms by booking online as soon as you know you’re going. For a safe stay, check out the list of DOT-Accredited Boracay hotels.

Boracay tours & discounts — Save money by checking discounts online on tours, airport-island transfers and activities. Booking before you leave also saves you time by avoiding the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash during your actual trip.

Book here

Popular tours & discounts booked by other travelers:

Boracay Travel Guide Blog

Boracay Itinerary

What to do in Boracay in 3 days? Here’s a 3 days & 2 nights (3D2N) itinerary for your do-it-yourself (DIY) trip.

Day 1: Explore White Beach

Day 2: Beyond White Beach

Day 3: Free time

Boracay Budget

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.

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

AgodaKlook

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

Klook

View all food & dining vouchers discounts on:

Klook

Where to Stay in Boracay

Most accommodations are located in the general area of White Beach, which is divided into three stations.

You can find many upscale resorts in Station 1 (north end), mid-range hotels in Station 2 (middle part) and more budget-friendly options in Station 3 (south end). Beachfront properties tend to be more expensive.

If you’re looking for a cheaper place to stay, keep a lookout for accommodations inland, but not more than 10 minutes away walking distance from White Beach.

There are also plenty of luxury resorts hidden in secluded beach coves and hilltop locations all around the island. This is the best option if you want to enjoy a peaceful vacation away from the crowds.

Top Boracay Hotels & Resorts

Where to book

Book your room through 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.comAirbnb

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 Travel Tips Before You Go

How to get to Boracay

Caticlan Airport to Boracay

Boracay/Caticlan Jetty terminal fee and entry fees

Kalibo Airport to Boracay

Caticlan Jetty Port Schedule

Iloilo to Boracay

Roxas, Capiz to Boracay

How to get around Boracay?

How many days to spend in Boracay?

When is the best time to visit?

How to get money?

Money saving tips

Pre-book your Boracay tours & attraction tickets online

Should I book my Boracay hotel online?

How to book cheap flights to Boracay?

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:

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:

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

Borcay Port (Cagaban/Tambisaan) to White Beach Hotel

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.

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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:

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:

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.

Places to Visit in Boracay + Things To Do

Check out these top tourist spots, best places to visit & things to do in Boracay.

1. White Beach

2. Boracay Sunset

4. Boracay Island Hopping

5. Ariel’s Point Cliff Diving

3. Puka Shell Beach

7. Mt. Luho Viewpoint

9. Boracay Land Tour

6. Bulabog Beach Waterspots

8. Boracay Water Activities

10. Boracay Beaches

11. Boracay Nightlife + Parties

12. G-Max Reverse Bungee

1. White Beach

4-kilometer White Beach has clear blue waters and powdery white sand, compelling enough to earn Boracay a spot on the list of the World’s best beaches & islands by many globally recognized publications. The most picturesque stretch starts from Willy’s Rock until Station 1, which offers the finest sand.

2. Boracay Sunset

The World famous sunset view from White Beach is not to be missed. Enjoy a slow cruise on a traditional Paraw sailboat. This is my favorite thing to do during Boracay’s golden hour.

Boracay Paraw Sailing sunset cruise package

Check prices & book here

4. Boracay Island Hopping

Join a boat tour to nearby islets, islands, snorkeling and cliff diving spots near Boracay including Ariel’s Point, Magic Island, Crystal Cove & Crocodile Island.

Boracay island hopping tour package

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5. Ariel’s Point Cliff Diving

Ariel’s Point is the most popular cliff diving spot near Boracay. There are nine different diving boards and platforms ranging from 3 meters to 15 meters. Package day tours

Ariel’s point day tour package — Includes BBQ lunch buffet, unlimited drinks & boat transfers

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3. Puka Shell Beach

Named after the Puka Shell, this quiet beach offers a glimpse of Boracay before it got developed by mass tourism and a nice view of nearby Carabao Island.

7. Mt. Luho Viewpoint

See the breathtaking vista from Mt. Luho viewpoint, the highest point on the island. Try the cable car & zipline ride while you’re at it. You can go there by chartering a tricycle/shuttle, renting an ATV or by bicycle.

9. Boracay Land Tour

See Boracay beyond White Beach. Top spots include Puka Beach, Mt. Luho viewpoint, Diniwid Beach & Ilig-iligan Beach.

Boracay half-day land tour

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6. Bulabog Beach Waterspots

Running parallel to White Beach on the “back side” of Boracay, Bulabog Beach is a popular spot for water sports like windsurfing and kiteboarding.

Boracay Kiteboarding Discovery Course

Check price and book here

Boracay Wakeboarding Experience

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8. Boracay Water Activities

Enjoy these fun things to do with your friends and family. Go parasailing, helmet diving, kite surfing and more.

Boracay parasailing package

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Boracay flyfish package

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Boracay helmet dive package

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Boracay Paraw sailing

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Boracay speedboat rental and experience

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Boracay banana boat ride

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Boracay UFO ride

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Boracay jetski tour

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Discover SCUBA diving package

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10. Boracay Beaches

Explore the numerous beaches in Boracay Island. Here’s a list of places to go (click below to check room rates):

11. Boracay Nightlife + Parties

Boracay Island is famous for its year-round nightly parties. The party scene is mostly centered in the area between Station 1 and Station 2.

Boracay Pub Crawl package

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12. G-Max Reverse Bungee

The most thrilling ride in Boracay! Blast off into the sky, 60 meters above sea level, at a speed of up to 200 kph.

Where to go near Boracay

1. Mainland Aklan

2. Antique Province

3. Iloilo 

4. Capiz 

5. Carabao Island, Romblon

1. Mainland Aklan

See more

Aklan travel tips

2. Antique Province

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Antique travel tips

3. Iloilo

See more

Iloilo travel tips

4. Capiz

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Capiz travel tips

5. Carabao Island, Romblon

See more

Romblon travel tips

Don’t Stop Here

Did you find this travel guide helpful? Share your Boracay experience & tag #detourista. Follow trip updates on: Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest.

Check out these pages for more travel inspiration: