When is the best time to visit Boracay?
Boracay has two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The most popular time to visit the island is between November and April when there is the least amount of rain. If you're looking to spend your holiday dancing the night away at the many bars, book your flights to Boracay over this summer period. While airfare and hotel rates are more expensive, you can't beat the idyllic island weather!
Travellers buying return flights to Boracay in the dry months can also attend the Boracay Dive Olympics. It's one of the most popular events of the season and is usually held from the last week of March to the first week of April.
For a quieter escape, buy your airfare to Boracay for travel over the wet season (July to October). There will be fewer crowds on the beaches, and the hotels usually lower their rates. It's also a good time to find deals on cheap flights to Boracay if you don't mind brief showers and cloudy days.
What should I know before visiting Boracay?
How to get to Boracay
There are no direct flights to Boracay. The main airport you'll fly into is Caticlan Airport (MPH), which is on Panay Island. Once your flights to Boracay arrive, you'll need to take a taxi to Caticlan Jetty Port where you'll catch a boat ride to Boracay. Some of the hotels on the island may offer a transfer from Caticlan Airport (MPH) for you, so you don't have to worry about anything else.
Check with your hotel to see if a transfer is included in your accommodation rate, or if one can be arranged at an additional cost.
Don't only visit White Beach
White Beach is the most popular stretch of sand on Boracay. It's 4 kilometres long and is where you'll find dozens of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. However, it's also the most crowded part of the island. Travellers buying flights to Boracay can escape all the other tourists by venturing to the quieter (but equally beautiful) other beaches on the island.
How to get around Boracay
The easiest way for travellers booking cheap flights to Boracay to get around is by foot. But if you want to explore at a faster pace, you can hop onto a motor-tricycle. It's a cheap mode of transport on the island, and you can hail one down from the street. Keep in mind that you'll need to haggle with the driver before the journey begins.
What are the best things to do in Boracay?
Go on a beach-hopping excursion
If you want to beach-hop around Boracay, you can use public transport or walk. One of the best beaches on the island, besides the popular White Beach, is Puka Shell Beach. If you like kiteboarding and windsurfing, add Bulabog Beach to your beach itinerary. For travellers buying cheap flights to Boracay that want to explore further afield, you can join an organised island-hopping tour, available from one of the operators on the island.
Soak up the nightlife
Boracay is known as a top nightlife destination in the Philippines. During the busy summer months, travellers from all over the world book flights to Boracay to attend the famous themed parties. For solo travellers, you can experience the island's nightlife by joining the Boracay Pub Crawl. It's a great way to meet locals and other travellers at the same time.
Try the local food
Don't fly all the way to the Philippines to dine only at Western-style restaurants - try the local fare! Not only is Filipino food delicious, but it's cheap. You can pick up dishes for less than Php 50 ($1.40 AUD), making Boracay an affordable destination for foodies buying tickets to Boracay. Some of the top dishes to try include Adobo, Lechon and chicken inasal.
Go scuba diving or snorkelling
White Beach isn't the best place for travellers buying flights to Boracay to go snorkelling. Instead, take your snorkel mask and fins to Illig-Iligan or Tambisaan beach. Keen scuba divers buying return flights to Boracay can explore the coral reefs in the deeper parts of the ocean. If you're a PADI certified diver, you can expect to pay around Php 1,600 ($44.71 AUD) for a dive trip and beginners can take an introductory course for Php 3,000 ($83.83 AUD).
Go cliff diving
Want to get an unforgettable adrenaline rush? Don't leave Boracay without going on a cliff diving adventure! One of the best places to go is Ariel's Point. You can sign up for a full-day tour for around Php 2,800 ($78.24 AUD). The cost includes a round-trip boat ride, unlimited drinks, a lunch buffet and use of canoes, kayaks, and snorkelling gear.
Upon arrival at Ariel’s Point, travellers buying return flights to Boracay can jump from diving platforms with heights of between three and 13 metres.
