Some folks would possibly say that Boracay is overrated. However when you ask us, this island stays to be among the finest locations within the nation, fascinating vacationers from all around the world.
Its powdery white sand, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking sunsets are nonetheless the proper elements of a tropical paradise. And apart from the world-famous white seashore, there’s a ton of must-try actions right here. You’ll be able to go seashore hopping, get pleasure from thrilling water actions, and expertise the island’s nightlife. You can too go for a extra stress-free route — simply lounging by the shore and indulging in a few of the most scrumptious cuisines on the island. There’s something for everybody!
So when planning your journey, there’s a variety of issues to think about. That is very true when it’s your first time or it’s been some time since your final Boracay journey. On this article, we’ll give attention to the stuff you shouldn’t do when going to Boracay. Listed below are a few of the errors that you need to keep away from to make your journey hassle-free and enjoyable!
1. Unhealthy Timing
Not all months supply the identical expertise in Boracay — some are undoubtedly higher than others! When planning your journey, take into account these three key elements:
- Climate
- Crowds
- Algae Bloom
The perfect time to go to is November to Could, which falls throughout the dry season. The months of February to Could are significantly sunny, however additionally they mark Boracay’s peak season, that means larger crowds and better costs, particularly throughout Holy Week.
One other factor to bear in mind is that Boracay’s well-known White Seashore experiences algal blooms from March to Could, peaking in April and Could. Once we visited in early March 2024, there was solely just a little algae, however by early July, it was virtually fully gone. Should you choose a quieter expertise with nice climate, take into account touring between November and January, however keep away from the Christmas and New 12 months rush.
Do you have to keep away from June to October? Not essentially! Whereas this era is a part of the wet season, it doesn’t imply fixed downpours. In truth, until there’s a hurricane, Boracay stays a year-round vacation spot with a lot to do. Simply be aware of the climate forecast and regulate your expectations accordingly.
2. Not Reserving Lodging in Advance
Everyone knows that reserving early often means cheaper charges. However in Boracay, that’s not the one purpose to safe your keep forward of time. Whereas not necessary when touring to Boracay, confirmed reserving at an accredited lodge or resort is extremely really useful, as workers at Caticlan Port could often test and ask to see it.
Fortunately, Boracay affords numerous lodging choices — from high-end resorts to budget-friendly stays excellent for {couples}, households, or teams of associates.
Should you’re in search of a spot to remain, try our LIST OF ACCREDITED BORACAY RESORTS AND HOTELS! As well as, listed below are a few of the top-rated resorts in Boracay primarily based on on-line consumer critiques:
Seek for extra Boracay Resorts!
3. Not Contemplating PWD and Senior Companions
Boracay is a superb vacation spot for all ages and is comparatively straightforward to discover. Nonetheless, it’s not with out challenges, particularly for aged and PWD vacationers. Should you’re touring with senior residents or individuals with disabilities, it’s important to be aware of their wants.
Attending to Boracay includes a number of steps, particularly when you’re DIY-ing your journey. From the airport, you’ll have to take a tricycle to the jetty port, the place you’ll line up a number of occasions. Public boats typically have slender gangplanks that may be difficult to stroll on, even for these with out mobility points. That stated, it’s nonetheless manageable as workers members are often accessible to help, and we’ve even seen wheelchair customers efficiently board.
For a smoother expertise, take into account reserving a switch package deal. These packages supply a extra handy and hassle-free journey with fewer queues and higher help. They’re broadly accessible each onsite and on-line, making them straightforward to rearrange for a extra snug arrival.
✅ BOOK CATICLAN AIRPORT TO BORACAY TRANSFER HERE!
✅ BOOK KALIBO AIRPORT TO BORACAY TRANSFER HERE!
4. Paying Larger E-trike Fares
E-trikes, or electrical tricycles, are the first mode of transportation in Boracay. You’ll typically see them cruising alongside the principle highway or ready for passengers. Nonetheless, when you’re not accustomed to the fare system, you would possibly find yourself paying greater than you need to.
There are two sorts of e-trike journeys in Boracay. The primary one is the shared journey, generally referred to as an particular person journey. These trikes observe a set route, selecting up and dropping off passengers alongside the way in which. Generally, you’ll be using with others; different occasions, you’ll have the trike to your self. For this kind of journey, you pay a person fare.
For brief distances, the fare is simply P15, with charges growing primarily based on the gap traveled. Reductions can be found for college students, senior residents, and PWDs.
The second possibility is the particular journey, the place you constitution the whole e-trike for a personal journey. For the reason that driver received’t choose up different passengers, this prices extra. Under are the accredited fares for particular or chartered rides.
Right here’s the accredited e-trike fare in Boracay:
REMINDER! Some drivers could overcharge or assume you need a particular journey. To keep away from this, let the motive force know you favor a shared journey to allow them to choose up different passengers. Nonetheless, when you’re moist from the seashore or carrying a variety of luggage, take into account reserving a personal journey to be thoughtful to others.
5. Accepting Free Buffet Lunch/Dinner
As you stroll alongside White Seashore, you’ll encounter many distributors providing actions like island hopping, crystal kayaking, paddle boarding, massages, and hair braiding. However one of the vital tempting affords you would possibly come throughout is a Free Buffet Lunch or Dinner.
It’s onerous to show down free meals — particularly a buffet. However like most free issues, there’s a catch. This can be a advertising and marketing technique designed to make you extra open to their precise supply: a membership membership. Earlier than or after the meal, you’ll usually undergo an orientation, briefing, or perhaps a tour of the property. Whereas they received’t drive you to hitch, anticipate a persuasive pitch.
It’s not essentially a mistake to just accept. It’s actually as much as you. Should you’re curious, you may hear them out. But when your time is proscribed and also you’d relatively be having fun with the seashore or different actions, it’s finest to skip it. All the presentation and dialogue with the brokers can take over an hour and a half.
Simply keep in mind: you may at all times say NO.
6. Ignoring Warning Flags
Once you’re on the seashore, having fun with the great thing about nature, at all times prioritize security.
Alongside the shore, you’ll discover seashore warning flags. These ought to let you know how protected it’s to swim within the space at that particular time. Listed below are the totally different flag colours and what they point out:
- Inexperienced: The water is calm, and it’s protected to swim.
- Purple or Purple with a White Line: Don’t swim! The waves are harmful.
- Yellow: Swim with warning.
- Purple: Harmful marine life is current within the space.
This may appear apparent, but it surely’s value emphasizing: when you don’t know the best way to swim, keep away from deep areas. When snorkeling, at all times put on a life vest. And when you’re becoming a member of water sports activities, pay attention fastidiously to the information’s directions and observe the protection guidelines.
7. Overlooking the Guidelines at White Seashore
After the island reopened in 2018, there are a variety of issues which can be not allowed at White Seashore. These guidelines had been put in place to protect the pure great thing about the realm.
- NO smoking
- NO consuming of alcohol
- NO unlawful medication
- NO pets
- NO littering
- NO loud music
- NO fireplace dancing
- NO pitching of umbrella
- NO seashore beds/chairs
Violating these guidelines has a corresponding punishment.
8. Gathering Sand as a Memento
One other strictly enforced rule in Boracay is the prohibition on taking house sand. It is perhaps tempting due to how stunningly high-quality and white Boracay’s sand is, but it surely’s not allowed!
Should you’re caught gathering or bringing house sand, whether or not on the island, mainland, or on the airport, you can face a ₱2500 high-quality, jail time of 1 to three months, or each.
So don’t do it. Empty that vial and easily get pleasure from the great thing about Boracay’s glowing white sand — proper the place it belongs.
9. Flying Drones
Flying drones for private use isn’t allowed in Boracay. Should you’ve seen drones in your previous visits, that’s as a result of they’re solely permitted for skilled use — however with strict laws.
To fly a drone, you could safe a particular allow, specifying the precise time and placement for the flight. There’s additionally a allow charge. Earlier than the pandemic, it was ₱1300 per day, although the speed could also be totally different now. If you understand, please pontificate within the remark part!
Moreover, the variety of drones allowed per day is proscribed. Should you fly a drone with no allow and get caught, you can face a high-quality a lot increased than the allow charge.
10. Departing the Island Too Late
Leaving Boracay is rarely straightforward. Irrespective of how lengthy we keep, it at all times feels too quick. Who would need to go away paradise so quickly?
However when it’s time to go, that you must plan your journey again to the airport. It’s easy: you simply hint your steps again. Nonetheless, there are some things to bear in mind.
- First, you’ll have to pay the terminal charge once more at Cagban Port or Tambisaan Port, on prime of the ₱50 boat fare. Reductions nonetheless apply for college students, seniors, and PWDs.
- Second, boats are much less frequent at evening. In case your flight is late at evening or early morning, permit loads of time for journey to keep away from lacking it.
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