Get a henna tattoo in Boracay

The crowning glory of Philippine beaches, Boracay and its white beach and crazy view of the stunning sunset, continue to reign among the hearts of sun loving tourists and local visitors. This jewel off the tip of the Panay Island is a world recognized natural treasure with its 9 kilometer expanse of natural beauty. Off shore are the greatest views of the coast where colorful triangles hover as sailboats roam around the breadth of the sea. Down below are interesting corals, and small swimming creatures that tickle your feet as the crystalline sand fill your toes. Huge rocks slapped by the splashing waters look like mermaid hangouts in the middle of the water. Through the fascinating views, the waters also swarm with wind surfers, and boaters among others. Ashore are bare backed people in their bikinis trying to get that perfect tan. Great big sand castles are common views, along the palm tree lined shore. Throughout the beach walk are laden shacks filled with native accessories, crafts and many other souvenir items. Tattoo artists stand by as you pass, luring you to get a distinctive Boracay henna or a tight braid.

Further up are lines and lines of gourmet restaurants serving all sorts of cuisine from international origins. In between are small shacks offering local tastes and delicacies. Fresh seafood hauled straight from the water and cooked before your eyes is just among the unique tastes in the beach.

Buy a kilo of fresh lobsters for P750 (about $17)

More souvenir shops line the area called D’Mall, the shopping hub along the beach. Through the alleys are numerous resorts and hotels catering to the different tastes of the visitors.

Aside from the great beach activities (beach volley, wind surfing, wall climbing, etc.), other entertainment opportunities await visitors as the musical local artists serenade you with their unique type of music, while other street entertainers paint your faces with a smile.

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 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.

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.

Beautiful beaches may be Boracay’s main attraction, but these stretches of white sand are not the only reasons why the island is one of the most visited destinations in the Philippines. There is also the island’s perfect weather, the eccentric cultural mix if offers, and of course, its very lively nightlife. Truth to be told, Boracay’s nightlife is as much of a tourist pull factor as its beaches.

The whole island of Boracay, which only measures nine kilometres long and one kilometre wide, is packed with an intoxicating mix of bars, restaurants, discos, and other afterhours venues. The beaches themselves are transformed to tropical party venues after the sun kissed the water at sunset.

Boracay bars are on top of the list when it comes to nightlife and entertainment in the island. These bars are open from sunset till sunrise, with their parties usually spilling out to the beaches. Given the wide variety of Boracay bars, you are sure to find a place with music, food, and a crowd that suits your taste.  Bar hopping is also a popular practice and is recommended if you want take a sampling of everything.

Live performances by the beach are another staple in Boracay. Live band performances, ethnic shows, cultural dances, and a variety of other shows are staged every night near and on the island’s beaches.  During peak seasons, these live performances usually include major shows featuring popular celebrities and performers from Manila, the country’s capital city.

Nightlife in Boracay, however, is not all loud and crowded. The island also has several night life venues where quiet and intimate is the name of the game. D’Mall, the main shopping district in Boracay, is lined with several international restaurants and quiet shops. There are also classical piano and guitar shows held nightly by the beaches. These spots are perfect for a moment of solitude and romantic dinners under the stars.

Bikinis of Boracay

The gem in the Philippines tourist crown, Boracay boasts one of the most perfect stretches of tropical tourist beach anywhere in Asia. Not-surprisingly it is the most popular destination in this archipelago though it’s tastefully developed and not overly crowded. The whole beach-feel has been retained since the access roads are kept away from the water front and the low-rise beachfront resorts provide a great experience where you can literally get sand between your toes while eating breakfast!

This blog will gradually reveal the best of Boracay and those things to watch out for, in short how to get the most out of your visit here. By the end of 2009 this will all be upgraded into a 100 page website that is part of a large established guide series to Southeast Asia, with sister sites on the Visayas, Manila and the Philippines. Everything you need to know about Boracay will soon be found here.

The island centres around the stunning White Beach, which runs for several kilometres of perfect white sand, aqua coloured water and plenty of coconut palms. The ends of the beach offer an private and quite island experience while the central beach area is where you will find many restaurants, bars, shops and services. It all adds up to a great experience of sunbathing, sailing, snorkelling and diving, water sports, relaxing and partying.

Hotels and accommodation: Boracay has plenty of fine hotels right on the beachfront to suit all budgets on room rates. Some are cheap, others cost the earth, and if you intend to stay during a busy period it’s worth booking well in advance online to secure the cheap hotel room rates.