One of the best destinations in the Philippines is Boracay, an island that is highly popular for its white-sand beaches and the nightlife. Situated in Aklan, it is around 345 kilometres from Manila and it sits at Panay Island’s northern tip just off the Sibuyan Sea. Each year, Boracay accommodates a hefty share of tourists from around the world, allowing them to enjoy wining, dining, partying, clubbing, relaxing, and a variety of leisure activities under the sun. While staying in Boracay may sound expensive to those who are on a shoestring budget, the island still offers a good and affordable options for them. Here are some ways for you to get started on a budget-friendly vacation in Boracay.

First things first: Getting to Boracay can be cheaper if you do not choose air travel. If you are adventurous and have much time to spare (i.e. 18 hours), taking the nautical route should be a good choice to get to the island. Take off from the port in Batangas in Luzon for a cheap way to get to Boracay. The route is also scenic since the ship passes along several provinces, allowing you to enjoy your trip. If you must insist on traveling by air, book a flight going to Kalibo via Cebu Pacific. Upon arrival, ride an air-conditioned van that heads off to Caticlan, which stands 15 minutes by boat away from Boracay itself. Upon getting to the port of Boracay, simply ride a multicab and head over to your preferred accommodation.

Affordable yet high quality accommodations can be found in the different stations of Boracay, and they are close to the beach by means of riding a tricycle or even by foot. You can also choose to go to Boracay during off-seasons when the accommodation rates of options by the beach are lower than during peak-seasons. It also helps if you travel in a group since lodgings become more affordable for all of you.

At face value, Boracay is popular for for its beautiful beaches that boast pure white sands. However, aside from the white sandy beaches of Boracay, the island’s nightlife also contributes to the charm and vibrant atmosphere. To add to that, the eccentric cultural mix of people flocking to enjoy everything that Boracay has to offer keeps its nightlife very lively and definitely worth the trip.

Where should you go?

Boracay does not run out of venues to enjoy barhopping, clubbing, drinking, karaoke, dancing, and other entertainment options that offer varying ambiances to match any budget or idea of what enjoyable evening is supposed to be. Several bars line Boracay Beach and play a large role in heating up the nightlife of the island. In fact, many restaurants and bars are closed during the daytime and only open as soon as the sun goes down (and stays open until the first traces of sunrise appear). These venues tend to get crowded in the weekend, especially during peak seasons. You can expect some of the bars to charge you an entrance fee. If you want a more laid-back time, choose to visit Boracay during weekdays when the crowds are smaller. Non-peak seasons let you enjoy a quieter nightlife, allowing you to enjoy a more relaxed evening alone, with your family, friends, or with a special someone.

Barhopping lets you experience everything that Boracay’s nightlife has to offer. If you want the fun without the price tag, then just enjoy free live performances in the beach. You can watch live bands, cultural dances, ethnic shows, and others. During peak seasons. You can catch major live performances of popular celebrities, bands, and performers from Manila coming over for small concerts to promote their latest work.

As a well developed tourist destinations, the island of Boracay offers numerous accommodation facilities for different budget ranges and preferences. From first class beach resorts to essentially furnished hotels, long termed residences, and budget accommodations, you are sure to find all these in island paradise.

First class beach resorts in Boracay are located mostly along its finest beaches. These resorts add an extra lap of luxury to the already irresistible offer of Boracay’s pristine white beaches. Some additional amenities you can enjoy by staying at a first class hotel in Boracay are free shuttle services around the island, a private beach, and Internet service. These beach resorts usually charge between P5000 to P20000 for a three day, two night stay.

Now, if you don’t have that much cash to burn on accommodations, there are several less expensive hotels that you can choose from. You might have to sacrifice beach front locations and several luxurious amenities by choosing these hotels, but they are nonetheless clean and efficient. Rates for a three day, two night stay in these hotels usually start at P3,000.

For budget travellers, the island also offers much cheaper accommodations. Locals residing in the island usually offer rooms in their houses to visitors who are interested in renting transient space. Rates of transient rooms are by far lower than those offered by resorts, but you shouldn’t expect the luxury and comfort of the latter either. These transient houses, however, are the best option if you want to experience authentic island living as most of them are traditional nipa hut accommodations.

Now if you plan to stay in the island beyond the usually three day, two night vacations, it is best to book an apartment or other long term housing facility in the island. In general, the farther away an apartment is from the beach, the cheaper its rates are.

Then again, whatever kind of accommodation you choose to use for your stay in Boracay, you can expect the same brand of warm hospitality that the island, and the whole country, is well known for.

The island of Boracay is small enough that you can easily walk around and get to wherever you need to go. In fact, to get to one end of the 4 km White Beach to another, the walk will take you only about an hour and a half. If you want to be in close commune with nature, leisurely walks around the island are definitely in order. Just don’t go barefoot and don’t walk around at high noon because the sun light is especially strong during this time. Besides, your feet will not appreciate you torturing them by getting them in close contact with the scorching hot sand.

If you’re going to areas outside the White Beach, public transport in the island comes in the form of tricycles. These are motorcycles that have sidecars attached to them where the passengers are supposed to sit. The fare ranges from five pesos to twenty pesos depending on how many people are hiring the ride. If you’re going to charter a tricycle for an hour, you may have to shell out 150 pesos.

You can also rent bicycles. Some resorts rent them out to their guests at about 50 pesos per hour. This is another way to get around the island and exercise at the same time. You just need to be careful on the road. Bikes are supposed to run on the right side of the road. Tricycle drivers tend to navigate through the main roads like maniacs so make sure to stay out of their way.

There are also resorts that can help you arrange for motorcycle rentals. But take note that driving manners and the road conditions may be different from those in your country. You will also need an international driver’s license to be able to rent a motorcycle. Rentals can cost about 150 pesos an hour.