Boracay - Where Filipinos Go to Play

Boracay

Boracay is not a secret. Every Filipino knows about it. Seasoned travellers to the Philippines have likely been there at least once.

But outside of Asia, it's not known quite as much.

And it is quite stunning. Powdery white sand. Deep blue sea. Restaurants, bars and hotels right on the seafront. Inland, you'll find pretty much whatever you need.

The activities there are everything you would expect from an Asian holiday paradise: swimming, snorkelling, diving, para-gliding, kite-surfing, wind surfing, parasailing - it's all here.

All that and a huge variation of food and drink that satisfies pretty much anyone. As well as some of the best sunset views we have ever seen.

Yes, it is very touristy. No, it's not where you go for a quiet getaway.

But Boracay is where you go to have fun, and lots of it. Boracay is the island that proves that it really is more fun in the Philippines

Boracay

How to get there

There is no airport on Boracay - the island is simply too small. Travellers go to Kalibo or Caticlan Airports, which have limited international flights and none from Europe or the Americas. However, they both have direct connections to both Manila and Cebu.

From Scotland, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines all offer one-stop flights to both Manila and Cebu.

From Manchester, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines also offer similar routes.

Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines offer direct flights from both Manila and Cebu to both Kalibo and Caticlan. From Caticlan, take a tricycle (a motorbike with a sidecar) to the port, pay for a seat on a shuttle boat (paying local tourist taxes as you do so) and then grab an e-jeepney on arrival to take you to your hotel. It's a bit of a faff, but more than worth it. Click here to see how.

How we did it

Flights: We've flown to the Philippines with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines. We start tracking flights around 11 months before our travel dates using Kayak or Skyscanner and then book them when the price drops to around £750-£850 for the long haul portion.

Our preferred airline for travel in the Philippines is Cebu Pacific as they are usually the cheapest.

Transport: As described above.

Hotels: Signature Boracay South Beach Hotel.

Our Top Tips

• Avoid Manila - Cebu is a much smaller and friendlier airport. Don't take chances after a long flight: take the airport bus into the city and spend at least one night at a hotel. We recommend the Bayfront Hotel North Reclamation if you are on a budget, or, if you're feeling a little richer, Bai Hotel Cebu.

• From February to May, local algae cover parts of the beaches in Boracay. They're harmless, but ruin the aesthetic somewhat.

• If you like to be closer to the 'buzz', stay at Station 2, but be aware that the close proximity of nightclubs, bars and restaurants may cause quite a bit of noise at night. Station 3 is quieter, being a little further from the 'buzz'. Station 1 is where the expensive, upmarket resorts are. It's more refined - but so are the prices!

• Local restaurants are much cheaper than their foreign equivalents. Eat at local carinderia (cafes): the food will be tastier and a lot cheaper.