Boracay is a crowd favourite among travel destinations in the Philippines and for a very good reason. The island is known for its pristine white sand beaches, happening nightlife and the wide range of entertainment options available all year round. Many of the people who visit the island go there for the sun and the sand but while you’re in the area, you might want to take the time to experience some of the other festivities, events, and attractions that the place has to offer.

Ati-atihan festival

The festivities are not held in Boracay but if you’re already in the area, you might as well make the stop to visit the mainland town of Kalibo, Aklan for the annual Ati-Atihan Festival. Boracay also offers its own version of the festivities through street dancing and other events organized specifically for that weekend.

Asian Windsurfing Tour

If you’re a big fan of windsurfing, you shouldn’t miss the Asian Windsurfing Tour which organizes six windsurfing events on the island. The event is held every January to take advantage of the strong winds that are brought by the northeast monsoon.

Butterfly Garden

Children will surely find a visit to the Butterfly Garden in Boracay an interesting experience. The garden was opened to the public in April 2005 and is home to rare species of tropical butterflies as well as to a wide assortment of trees and plants native to the region. Being this close to nature is an amazing experience that you simply have to try before leaving the island.

Barangay Yapak

And while on the subject of nature, take your trip to the northern part of the island to Barangay Yapak where you will find a special breed of bats that are called the Flying Fox. Make sure to take the time to see them now because the creatures are quite rare as they always fall prey to poachers in spite of the attempts of conservationists to protect them.

Boracay is a small island located right smack in the middle of the country but it’s not all too difficult to get there. The prime travel destination is well connected to major cities around the country so no matter where you are, there’s always a way for you to get to the island.

The most popular way of travelling to Boracay is by air. Flights from Manila and Cebu going to Caticlan and nearby Kalibo are provided every day. Most of these flights are also synchronized with the boat transfers from Caticlan to the island so you getting there is no rocket science. But if you want to explore other options of travelling, you can always go by land and by boat.

Ro-Ro

Ro-Ro (Roll-on, Roll-off) is a nautical highway that was developed to connect all the major islands of the Philippines. The country is an archipelago so the government thought of a way to make transportation of goods from the north to the south and vice versa easier. This has also provided an option for adventurous travellers to try a different way of getting to Boracay.

When you go by Ro-Ro, expect to use buses and ferries to travel to Boracay. Philtranco buses offer trips to Caticlan from Manila. You just need to head for their terminal at the Ali Mall located in Cubao Quezon City or at the Ali Mall located in Pasay City. Buses leave several times daily and during peak season, the company adds more trips according to demand. The fare will set you back by P700 for non air-conditioned buses and about P850 for air-conditioned ones. This is inclusive of ferry rides that you will take along the way.

The bus will take the more scenic route to Boracay. From Cubao, you will travel to Batangas where the bus will be transported by ferry to Calapan, Mindoro. From there, the bus will go along the island and then board another Ferry from Roxas going to Caticlan.

Travel time for the whole journey is about 14 hours. It is a different albeit quite exhausting experience so make sure to travel with a buddy or a group so you don’t feel too bored along the way.

Boracay is an island that offers a perfect getaway for individuals, friends, families, and couples in a setting that boasts a fusion of laid-back beaches and exciting venues. Noted for its white-sand beaches and nightlife, Boracay is one of the top destinations in the Philippines where you are provided with a lot of enjoyable things to do. Without further ado, here are things that you should not miss doing when visiting Boracay.

1. Diving – Surrounded by the sea, Boracay is home to many diving spots that allow you to explore the fascinating marine life of the island. You can also request for lessons and rent your gear from Boracay Scuba if you want to.
2. Watersports – Parasailing, kiteboarding, and skimboarding are among the favorite watersports of locals and visitors.
3. Sports in the inland areas – Take a break from the beach and go hiking at the highest point of the island, which is Mt. Luho. You can also enjoy activities like horseback riding and tours around the island.
4. Beach sports – If water not your cup of tea, you can still enjoy fun under the sun at the beach with activities like frisbee, beach volleyball, and beach soccer. The best thing about them is that you won’t have to equip yourself with any special gear anymore to enjoy playing.
5. Tattoo – Decorate your body with one or more henna tattoos in different designs. Don’t worry – it’s painless and temporary.
6. Massage – Some resorts and beaches offer massages on the beach, like the one in Waling-Waling where you can lie under the cozy cabanas and get a rejuvenating and relaxing rubdown.
7. Watch fire dancers – Head to Hey Jude to see the fire dancers. Enjoy the show an experience some culture.
8. Watch the sunset – Boracay sunsets are some of the most beautiful in the world, so be sure you don’t miss it.
9. Boracay nightlife – You won’t run out of choices – from neighborhood bars to high-end clubs. There are dance parties and live performances (sometimes free) all year round.