boracay

[c1528351]

Anyone been to boracay in philippines before..may i know how to visit there and what are the accomodation like. Feel lke going in october and may i know the weather during that period

 

[BernardATK]

Do a search, there r some useful old threads. Just for sharing, avoid Oct coz its typhoon season in the php from may to Dec. But u can get cheaper fares due to these....

I went there last yr end of oct. Last day kena tropical depression. Ferry service cancel, flights cancel. Book at least one week holiday there just in case.

 

[the_guardian]

Do a search, there r some useful old threads. Just for sharing, avoid Oct coz its typhoon season in the php from may to Dec. But u can get cheaper fares due to these....

I went there last yr end of oct. Last day kena tropical depression. Ferry service cancel, flights cancel. Book at least one week holiday there just in case.

Typhoon in Philippines is very unpredictable and because of wind factor, some regions will get hit even if it is not in the predicted path.

Boracay is in Central Philippines and 'sheltered' by numerous big islands to the east. Boracay's White beach is facing to the west so the waves are calmer, as long as it is Cat 1 Typhoon and below. However, prepare some time allowance. Bernard is correct, flights can get cancelled. Major category 4 Typhoons can form within 3 days notice.

Nov 1-2 is a major holiday in Philippines. Please avoid last week of Oct, ppl are preparing to go back to the provinces and you'll get caught in human traffic jam.

Good news is that October (except last week) is a low season so hotels & resorts have good rates. Also, beach are less crowded, tourists don't flock till late Nov-Dec (mostly KR, JP, EU and US), where they spend their winter season in Boracay instead.

You may PM me if you have questions regarding Philippines or Boracay travel, I'll be glad to provide as much info as I can

 

[ivanhoe]

Thinking of going dec ,Tiger air direct flight starts july but now then i knows typhoon season need to think twice.

 

[the_guardian]

Thinking of going dec ,Tiger air direct flight starts july but now then i knows typhoon season need to think twice.

Typhoons will always be there between Jun-Dec. It's upredictable, some will just miss the Philippines and head to Taiwan instead. Also, Boracay is in Central Philippines which is not usually battered by big typhoons (compared to Bicol region in Eastern Luzon).

Furthermore, it's going to be El Nino season this year so expect a 'drier' year with less rain and more sunshine. Perfect for beach!

December is usually cold and dry. Typhoons would have ceased by December but because of global warming, some slipped through even weeks before Christmas. Remember a few years ago Southern Philippines Mindanao island was ravaged by a late season typhoon in December?

In December, I think you would need to worry more about high hotel rates and crowded beach in December rather than typhoon

 

[ivanhoe]

Thks the guardian for your advice ,my mistake Tiger air land at kalibo not boracay ,still undecide whether to go anot.

 

[the_guardian]

Thks the guardian for your advice ,my mistake Tiger air land at kalibo not boracay ,still undecide whether to go anot.

much welcome. From Kalibo, it takes 1.5-2 hrs by rented van to Caticlan, where you'll take a 20-30 mins boat ride to Boracay Island. There is a small airport in Caticlan which has domestic flight to Manila and perhaps Cebu. The runway is too short for jet airplanes so a direct flight from SG would land at Kalibo.

I never regret going to Boracay. It's really a paradise. Back then, I endured a 13 hour Bus > Boat > Bus > Boat > Bus > Boat journey just to get to the island and it's really worth the long travel. The sand is amazing, it felt so cool even the sun is scorching hot. There's no other kind of sand like that you'll ever see in your life. It also boast that White Beach is always listed as one of the best beaches in the world by travel websites like TripAdvisor, etc.

You may also want to check out other great beaches in Panglao, Bohol; El Nido, Palawan or Coron, Palawan. They are less crowded than Boracay but equally or even more beautiful beaches

 

[ivanhoe]

Thks guardian again, u make me feel like going to boracay again but i think wont be this year .Cheers

 

[nagase_4]

I went there last yr june...pm me if you need more details for boracay...cheers!

 

[G3mSton3]

Hi can i check if i taking a flight in the afternoon, only reaching Kalibo Airport at 4pm. By the time with 2hr bus ride to the ferry terminal? Will i be in time to catch the last boat to Boracay Island? As i duno is there any last boat timing.

For the Bus ride, do i jus have to walk out from the Airport and able to find this bus to bring me to the ferry terminal?

 

[yennylee_89]

boracay can be very crowded as almost every tourist want to go there; but the island gets to accommodate everyone. hotels are abundant, some are even rated 5stars so expect total luxury. beach is very beautiful - white against blue; and you'd love the palm trees lined parallel to the shore. it's fun there, especially at night.

 

[GottaCatchEmAll]

I am going to Boracay this Oct. Tics already booked....

Will be arriving at kalibo first. Regarding the bus and boat transfers and timing, i cant seem to find solid information online.

Do I have to book online? Or will I be approached for bus ride at the airport?

And hows their operating timing? and cost?

 

[genie47]

Also, beach are less crowded, tourists don't flock till late Nov-Dec (mostly KR, JP, EU and US), where they spend their winter season in Boracay instead.

Don't forget the Taiwanese. They like to flock to Boracay too.

 

[nakamoto]

I should change peso or usd for boracay? Where is the best to change in Singapore?

 

[BernardATK]

I should change peso or usd for boracay? Where is the best to change in Singapore?

Tanjong Pagar Complex. The ma-ma money changer beside NTUC fairprice. S$1 to 32.5peso. You can change your money to peso. Don't bring USD.

 

[nakamoto]

Tanjong Pagar Complex. The ma-ma money changer beside NTUC fairprice. S$1 to 32.5peso. You can change your money to peso. Don't bring USD.

Thanks. i went arcade change le. 33.55

 

[prayhard83]

i have some queries and anyone can answer my doubts?
1. is march-may a good season (weather) to go boracay? is it considered peak months?
2. i see several options to reach boracay, any recommendation?
- SG to Kalibo (flight) to Caticlan(bus) to Boracay(boat)
- SG to Manila (flight) to Caticlan (flight) to Boracay (boat)

many thanks

 

[JDelphiNet]

I am going to Boracay this Oct. Tics already booked....

Will be arriving at kalibo first. Regarding the bus and boat transfers and timing, i cant seem to find solid information online.

Do I have to book online? Or will I be approached for bus ride at the airport?

And hows their operating timing? and cost?

I hope you've already made your transport arrangement. In case you haven't yet, do check the transfers being offered by Southwest Tours. I'm not in any way affiliated with them. Just that I had a positive experience with them when I took my family to Boracay sometime in 2011.

We flew in to Boracay via Caticlan so we took a 1 way Caticlan -> Boracay package. They basically provided the transport (minibus) from airport to the jetty, then the boat ride to boracay island and finally, the transpo (minibus) from boracay jetty to our hotel.

Our return to manila was through Kalibo International Airport (coz the plane fare's cheaper) so I booked their Kalibo 1 way trip. It's roughly the same transpo.. but the vehicle to Kalibo airport was a private/bigger bus (40 seater I think).

 

[JDelphiNet]

i have some queries and anyone can answer my doubts?
1. is march-may a good season (weather) to go boracay? is it considered peak months?
2. i see several options to reach boracay, any recommendation?
- SG to Kalibo (flight) to Caticlan(bus) to Boracay(boat)
- SG to Manila (flight) to Caticlan (flight) to Boracay (boat)

many thanks

March to mid May is usually the busy months. We went there mid of March and we paid peak season charges. You may want to check the hotel pricing for more info. I booked my hotel (Boracay Garden Resort) through MyBoracayGuide.

I believe most will tell you that the summer months (march to may) is the best time to visit boracay. The place can be crowded though.

Regarding getting to boracay, if you can get the direct flight to Kalibo then that will be much, much better since you don't have to worry about connecting flights (sometimes, flights do get delayed causing problems with connecting flights).

If the indirect trip (via Manila) is cheaper though then you can consider it.. but preferably choose the same airline (ie Cebu Pacific for SG -> Manila, then Cebu Pacific again for Manila -> Kalibo). Also consider giving about 2-3 hours (perhaps) buffer in between the connecting flights.

 

[prayhard83]

March to mid May is usually the busy months. We went there mid of March and we paid peak season charges. You may want to check the hotel pricing for more info. I booked my hotel (Boracay Garden Resort) through MyBoracayGuide.

I believe most will tell you that the summer months (march to may) is the best time to visit boracay. The place can be crowded though.

Regarding getting to boracay, if you can get the direct flight to Kalibo then that will be much, much better since you don't have to worry about connecting flights (sometimes, flights do get delayed causing problems with connecting flights).

If the indirect trip (via Manila) is cheaper though then you can consider it.. but preferably choose the same airline (ie Cebu Pacific for SG -> Manila, then Cebu Pacific again for Manila -> Kalibo). Also consider giving about 2-3 hours (perhaps) buffer in between the connecting flights.

thats a very fast reply!
i was looking at cebu pacific for sg-manila-Caticlan route. for kalibo route, not many airline (with relatively preferred timing) are available from sg. tigerair lands at kalibo at 4.30pm, and with 2 hrs bus ride to jetty, and then boat to island, it would be night time.

i am looking at hotels/resort with sea views with budget ard 400sgd/night. is that possible? Shangri-La hits 600sgd/night for sea views..