Boracay on a shoestring budget
Little Corner of Italy has super cheap rooms
Boracay’s long white sandy beaches have been compared to those in the South Pacific, Caribbean and nearby holidaying hotspots such as Thailand and Malaysia.
The natural beauty of the island has seen it develop into one of the prime destinations in the Philippines but, unfortunately for many, this has resulted in price hikes that have left the average Filipino unable to afford a visit to Boracay and made the budget-conscience traveller or backpacker think twice about heading there.
However, all is not lost; by doing your research and watching what you spend and where you spend it, a trip to Boracay on a budget is certainly possible. The main way to do so is simply scale down on everything from travel to accommodation to food; cheaper options are available, you just may have to look a little harder.
First up, stay away from Station 1, it is pricey and not ideal for those trying to keep to a daily budget. The cheapest accommodation can be found by the beach at Station 3. If you’re really willing to do anything to save money, you can try asking the locals – it’s not uncommon for them to have a room or to know someone who has a room to rent for 500 pesos or less per day, and often in a better location than the budget resorts. Those prepared to settle for a no frills dorm will find that the Little Corner of Italy has beds for as little as 180 pesos a night. More on guesthouses.
Timing is also key to saving money. The island is a fair bit cheaper during the off-season between early June and mid October. Granted, this may be the rainiest season but beggars can’t be choosers and, in reality, an average of one heavy downpour per day – normally in the morning or the evening – is unlikely to spoil your holiday and the sun soon comes back out again. An added benefit of travelling at this time is that it is not as crowded, meaning there is much more space to enjoy yourself.
Boracay may be expensive compared to most places in the Philippines, but when it comes to eating it is not hard to find cheap restaurants and cafes. Roadside stalls offer local cuisine ideal for those on a budget, while there are also numerous Mongolian grills which offer all-you-can-eat meals for just 200 pesos. Another option is to buy some fresh seafood from one of the many stalls along the beaches and cook it yourself.
If you’re looking to nurse a nasty hangover from the night before, head to Real Coffee for your breakfast. Here you can take advantage of free coffee until midday – they also serve up some delicious calamansi muffins. After several complimentary caffeine hits you may just be ready to face the heat of the day.
Boracay Island has plenty of free attractions
Every penny counts, so although using the internet is relatively cheap on Boracay, why pay if you don’t have to? Free WiFi is offered at French Bistro and Ti Braz Creperie close to station two. The connection is normally excellent while the food is not too shabby either. More on restaurants.
Next up, a shared trait of every experienced traveller, haggle! It’s common knowledge that in almost every tourist destination, particularly in the developing countries, that visitors are quoted insanely inflated prices, so prepare for this and ask the locals the real price of particular activities. You can bargain with water sports instructors and tour guides to get as low as half the original quote. To put yourself in an even stronger position, befriend a local and go with them.
Your mother always told you to watch what you drink, especially on an empty stomach, but she’s not here and you need to make the most of your money so... start drinking early! Almost every bar on Boracay offers some kind of happy hour.
What’s even better is that times vary so it’s possible to go from one bar to the next taking advantage of whatever happy hour you can find. Some begin as early as 15:00, while you can still find them going in other places until 21:00. And let’s face it, a bucket of half priced alcohol is only going to enhance an afternoon on the beach. More on bars.
Travellers looking to use their time a bit more productively have numerous other exhilarating budget activities to choose from. The trick is in the bargaining and, as mentioned earlier, the real price is almost always much less than you’ve been quoted.
First off, a bike can be hired for 75 pesos per hour and gives you the freedom to go wherever you please. One option is to take a ride to Mount Luho. It will cost a further 50 pesos to climb the makeshift walkway to the top, but is well worth it for the awe-inspiring panoramic views of the island.
You can hire a guide for the bat caves for as little as 300 pesos. As long as you are not too bothered about clambering down slippery, jagged rocks in pure darkness then it is sure to be an exhilarating half-day out for a reasonable price.
Also popular is island hopping. A great way of economising is to get a group together and hire a paddle boat rather than a motorboat. A total cost of 800 pesos would be standard. More on sailing trips.
Prices of massages on the beach vary, but stick to your guns and you should be able to haggle the masseur down to around 300 pesos an hour.
To get around Boracay, where many of the main attractions are within walking distance of one and other, walking is obviously the cheapest option. However, if your feet need a break or the heat is too intense, flag down a tricycle. A flat fee of 10 pesos along the main road is charged to those willing to share, while private hire will cost 40 pesos. More on getting around.
With all that saving it’s important not to forget the many gems on Boracay which don’t cost a penny – the stunning sunsets, the pristine white sand and the incredibly friendly locals. The island may be expensive in general but it’s certainly possible to enjoy a trip their without breaking the bank.
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