Choosing your line of business in Boracay

Investors view Boracay as a tourist destination. Entrepreneurs often capitalize on the beaches of the island. Thus, the wealthiest businessmen often put up hotels and resorts in Boracay. These places often offer relaxation amenities, with Boracay’s azure waters and white sand in the backdrop. Some of these resort-hotels also have their own spas to provide guests all the rest and relaxation they need.

Aside from these, bars and restaurants are also booming business ventures. What makes Boracay such a favorite place to visit is its amazing nightlife. Cocktail drinks draw attention especially among foreigners who are on the lookout for something new and exciting during their stay on the island. Seafood and grilled meat dishes are popular menu items. You can also choose to open restaurants with a more relaxed atmosphere for couples and groups who just want to spend some quiet time together.

In addition, you can also start with something simple like souvenir shops. Let your creative streak push you to make beach-inspired designs for bags, shirts, and other accessories that will remind tourists of their pleasant experience in Boracay.

Knowing where to begin

The first thing you need to consider if you want to have a business in Boracay is your product or service. Make sure that it is not just a profitable thing but something that you are also passionate about. It is always good to start marketing something that you yourself believe in. Don’t just see it as an income-generating product or service.

You should also begin inquiring about lease rates, taxes, and other costs you need to shoulder for your business location. Inquire about differences in rates during peak and off-peak seasons. Ask if you get additional benefits when you do business in Boracay if you team up with a local.

If you want to start your business in Boracay, it would be best to consult someone who’s knowledgeable about the island. These people can give you valuable pieces of advice no business textbook can tell you. Foster good relationships with current owners of business establishments because there’s a big chance that you will get in touch with them or even initiate partnerships with them once you start your own Boracay business.

Tirta Spa

Tirta is Hindu for “holy water.” Located on a hill overlooking White Beach, Tirta Spa believes in being an oasis of comfort where you are nurtured and cared for. By word of mouth, it is considered to be the best place to relax in Boracay. It welcomes everyone not just in need of relaxation but also of inspiration.

Pamper your body with herbal compress, a special blend of herbs and spices wrapped in muslin cloth and lavishly applied onto you, or generate a positive flow of energy with foot spa reflexology. Tirta offers packages such as Before and After Sun or the Secrets of Egypt that will treat you like royalty. Prices range $50 to $80 for single treatments and $120 to $230 for packages.

Tirta Spa
Sitio Malabunot, Manoc-Manoc
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
5608, Philippines
+63-36-288-6841
+63-36-288-6481
tirtaspa.com

Nami Resorts

Release all anxieties and welcome the reviving treatments Nami Resorts has to offer. Exfoliate with Nami’s aromatic salt glow package or the ultimate relaxation package. Remove those toxins with the lymphatic drainage massage and relieve chronic stress in you with a deep tissue massage. Nami’s spa therapists have been trained by an expert with over 20 years’ experience.

Nami Resort
Diniwid Beach, Boracay Island
Malay 5608
Aklan, Philippines
+63-36-288-6753 to 56
+63-36-288-6382 (fax)
namiresorts.com

Kai Regency Spa

Boracay Regency Beach Resort is located in Station 2 along White Beach. Kai Regency Spa is Asian-inspired, offering a holistic approach to wellbeing. It offers different kinds of massages such as Aroma Hot Stone massage and the Four Hand Harmony.

Facial treatments at the Verandah will pamper your features with Kai’s Purifying Facial and Kai’s Diamond Peel. Kai Rituals is a soothing treatment package for two. Tender Romance and Romantic Paradise are relaxing sensations every couple will love.

Boracay Regency
1212 A, Mabini Street,
Ermita, Manila
+63-2-523-8707
+63-2-523-8708
+63-2-523-2899
+63-2-528-4706
+63-2-528-4995
boracayregency.com

Mandala Spa and Villas

Located in Station 3, Mandala is a luxurious Boracay spa. The spa treatments are done at the Yin Yang Place where you can view the sea or, if you prefer more privacy, in bamboo-furnished villas. Mandala Spa allows you to surrender your mind to their signature Mandala massage that employ ancient Indian massage techniques.

Mandala Spa has package treatments tailored for both men and women. Here you can experience the “hilot” or the traditional Filipino massage. Rules on reservations and cancellations are strict, but guarantee your enjoyment of the luxurious Mandala experience. Needless to say, reservation is highly recommended.

Mandala Spa and Villas
Boracay Island, Malay Aklan
Philippines 5806
Tel: +63 36 288 5858
Fax: +63 36 288353

Boracay Internet Cafe Number 1

Located near Rizzo Garden Restaurant and Bar, Boracay Internet Cafe Number 1 offers high-speed Internet access on the island. Facilities include scanner and printer, where they charge you printing per page. You can also use of their international direct dialing (IDD) phones and fax machines.

Boracay Internet Cafe Number 1
Resort Rizzo, Manggayad
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Philippines 5608
(+63) (36) 288-6259
kiss.to/boracay

Boracay Tourist Center

Boracay Tourist Center is the biggest shop in the island, with a large array of services available for both tourists and residents of Boracay. Their Internet cafe has several Wi-Fi hotspots for those with laptops. They also provide money transfer, foreign currency exchange, safety deposit boxes and other financial services for visitors of Boracay. The tourist center also features a mini-mart and a souvenir store located in the same vicinity.

Boracay Tourist Center
Mangayad, Manoc-Manoc
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Philippines 5608
(+63) (36) 288-3704
(+63) (36) 288-3023
touristcenter.com.ph

Angol Center

Located along the south beach area, Angol Center is an Internet cafe that offers high-speed wireless Internet access on an hourly rate. Various hardware add-ons such as webcams and headsets for your Internet surfing and communication needs are also available. The cafe offers CD/DVD burning, scanning and printing. If you want to have something to munch on while surfing the Internet, Angol Center has an onsite snack bar. The Internet cafe opens 24 hours daily.

Angol Center
Casa Camilla, Angol, Manoc-Manoc
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Philippines 5608

Station 168

Probably the most visible Internet cafe in Boracay, Station 168 sits near D*Mall along the White Beach path. The Korean-owned Internet cafe has at least 25 computer units and provides the fastest Internet on the island. A word of warning though: some keyboards have Korean characters so it might be a tad distracting. Station 168 opens 24 hours daily and serves onsite snacks.

Station 168
2nd Floor, Sea Lovers Restaurant
Station 2, Manon-Manoc,
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Philippines 5608
station168.com

To achieve your ideal body, you may wish to walk briskly along the beach or to swim in the crystal clear waters. You do not have to do these early in the morning; try during sunset or at night.

There are other ways to have fun in Boracay and still find the time to stay fit. Exercise does not have to be tedious or repetitive, and thus boring. Since you are in Boracay, you might as well make exercise a bit more fun. Here’s how.

Gyms

You will find gyms where you can lose weight while in Boracay. There are many well-equipped gyms in Boracay like Muscle Tribe beside Paradise Garden Resort Hotel and the gyms at Patio Pacific Hotel.

Beach sports

Beach sports are essential to Boracay fitness. The fine white sand of Boracay is perfect for beach volleyball, football, and frisbee. You will often find players along the beach. Just wait until you’re invited; join the game and make friends.

Mountain biking

Join Cyclone MTB Club (Mountain Bikers Boracay) at Bom Bom Bar near D*Mall. On Sundays, they tour around Panay Island. This is not only a great way to strengthen your heart and lungs. You also get to see pristine parts of the island.

Rock climbing

This is a great way to lose weight and improve your muscle tone. Rock wall climbing is available at Patio Pacific Hotel. Rock climbing puts pressure on your toes all the way to your fingers; it’s also a great way to train your mind’s ability to focus.

Surfing

Try traditional surfing, kitesufing, or windsurfing. These are great water sports that sharpen your senses and flex your muscles. However, if you’re too scared to take risk, try skimboarding or riding an approaching wave instead. Because you start from the beach side, they are less dangerous and less strenuous. Still, you can use these activities to enhance your balance and burn those excess calories.

Tennis

Have you ever noticed how tennis players have slim sides? You might want to try this sport in Boracay. Play tennis at Tirol and Tirol Boracay Beach Resort. The resort have two concrete courts that await you.

Boracay diet

Finally, eat the right kind of food. A balanced diet is necessary to lose weight in Boracay. Stay away from fast food and beer gardens.

Try Cyma Restuarant, which offers Greek cuisine and focuses more on healthy food. You may also try Lemon Cafe serves salads. If you’re looking for the ultimate vegetarian fare, go to Prana at Mandala Spa.

Now you can lose weight and not get bored while doing it. Having a great body in Boracay doesn’t require hard work, only a lot of fun.

Start with your grand entrance to this island paradise. You could have a bailout on your transportation budget by taking the road less traveled by those excited, card-toting tourists. Forget about air travel; find another entry ticket to this world-famous beach resort.

You can take the RoRo route, or the roll-on/roll-off ferry service. The RoRo is meant for mass transportation of people and agricultural produce from Luzon to the island of Mindanao and vice-versa. It offers affordable fares, and lets you have a grander tour of the Philippine archipelago. However, be prepared to take a lengthy journey as this could have several stopovers before you reach Caticlan, your best access to Boracay. Your travel time could eat up half of your day, but hey, you can save big bucks.

Now, you’ve made it to the sparkly, white shores of Boracay with your toes unconsciously curling on those powdery white sands. How and where to find cheap accommodations in Boracay? Stay away from the beachfront hotels, especially during the peak season as these hotels and resorts will charge super-high rates. Worse yet, walk-in rates are usually more expensive.

For better rates, book your stay in Boracay at one of the many hotels and resorts away from the beachfront. Since Boracay is a relatively small island, even if you end up at a place away from the beachfront, your walk to the beach should take less than 10 minutes.

Are there fun yet cheap things to do while on the island of Boracay? Absolutely. Hire a motorbike or scooter to see everything Boracay has to offer. Make sure to ask for a discount if you hire the vehicle for several days in a row.

Or if you prefer to take it all in, feast all your senses then forget about driving yourself. Hail one of those colorful tricycles or pedicabs — those ingenious modes of transportation that are seen all over the roads in the Philippines. Tricycles are motorized bikes or scooters where a sidecar is attached to accommodate two to four passengers at one time. A pedicab, on the other hand, relies solely on manpower of your driver. It’s an ordinary bicycle where a passenger seat is latched on its side.

A visit to the bat cave where giant fruit bats nest could be worth your while. Of course, swimming in the ocean, sunbathing, snorkeling, and walking along the beach are some of best free activities that you can enjoy while in Boracay. Even scuba diving, horseback riding, boat tours, and wind and kiteboarding are reasonable as long as you don’t mind negotiating a bit. In Boracay, merchants are accustomed to visitors asking for a discount.You’ll be amazed at the amount of discount you can get by simply reciting this simple phrase: “What? No discount?” Be sure to pause. Let the merchant speak first. There are no shortage of fun-filled activities in Boracay. With some creative planning and a willingness to haggle, your stay in Boracay could be a bit lighter in your pocket.

As a beginner, you usually start your diving lessons in dive spots near Boracay’s beaches. Though it takes some time to fully learn the skills in scuba diving, there is a motivation to learn fast so you can explore other diving spots for more breathtaking views.

In most cases, you may also get your scuba diving certification once you complete a short diving course or when you finish a series of training sessions. Getting your diving certification first if you plan to dive in other diving spots in the world, however, if you want to learn the basics, one day is enough for you.

On the other hand, if you are a certified diver, the diving sites in Boracay will not disappoint you. With Boracay’s clear blue waters and dive sites surrounding the islands, Boracay is the perfect place to be when you feel the urge to dive. Boracay’s diving sites have breathtaking views of the marine life that delights every diver’s eyes.

Yapak 1 and 2

Yapak 1 and 2 gives every scuba diver an exhilarating dive because of its rich coral reefs and reef walls. The famous 2 walls of Yapak may challenge experienced divers because of its rough waters.

Baling Hai Beach

Baling Hai Beach is popularly known for its Acropa table corals. Because of its strong currents, Baling Hai Beach is only suitable for experienced divers.

Bel-at Beach

Bel-at Beach has stony corals and colorful wall reefs that make this a scenic diving location. Strong currents may be intimidating even to experienced divers, but the view is definitely worth taking the plunge.

Friday’s Rock Diving Site

The Friday’s Rock diving site is famous for its reef creatures like moral eels, Pincushion starfish, and lagoon rays. Divers prefer Friday’s Rock when they want to feed fishes when diving.

Punta Bonga

Punta Bonga possesses marine life that comprises sea stars, angel fishes, sea cucumbers, and butterfly fish among others. Punta Bonga offers an easy dive spot because its bottom is made of soft corals.

Whether you’re a first-time diver or an experienced diver looking for more adventure, Boracay will give you a fulfilling diving experience. Visit these top diving sites and witness the beauty of nature from a different perspective. The sea and its creatures will welcome you with open arms.

Photo Credit: SWBatzer

Cocomangas

Boisterous fun is what makes Cocomangas famous. Its claim to fame is its Moondog Shooter Bar, one of Boracay’s hottest nightspot. The “Still Standing After 15″ dare is more than a bacchanalian pursuit, it’s also a battle of bloated egos: expats and locals alike vie to down 15 gut-kicking alcohol mixes. And the prize? A commemorative tee — in case you don’t remember what transpired that night — and your name etched on that legendary “Wall of Fame.” If you’re not into this kind of entertainment, take a cue and play on the bar’s billiard tables.

Cocomangas
Boracay Island, Aklan, Philippines
(+63) (36) 288 6384 (phone)
(+63) (36) 288 4455 (pizza hotline)
cocomangas.com

Pier One

A surefire crowd drawer, Pier One at Station 1 sits right on the beach, complete with loungers suitable for “people watching” with an upbeat music on the background. Indeed, a nice place to chill out, this bar opens from 10 a.m. until early morning.

PIer One
Boracay Island, Philippines
+63 036 288 5288
Open Hours
pierone.com.ph

Hey Jude Bar and Bistro

Hey Jude! Bar and Bistro is also on the list of Boracay’s top nighttime covens. Located at a prime spot just right behind D*Mall, where a motley of 50-plus shops offer various products and souvenir items, Hey Jude! offers a perfect hangout joint for the island’s nocturnal party critters and hagglers.

Hey Jude Bar and Bistro
D’ Mall Boracay, Boracay Island,
Malay, Aklan, Philippines, 5608
(+63) 36 288 5401
(+63) 36 288 5402
(+63) 36 2885403 (fax)
(+63) (921) 624 7157 (mobile)
(+63) (922) 817 3227 (mobile)
heyjude-boracay.com

Summer Place Bar and Restaurant

Summer Place Bar and Restaurant is the most convenient place for night revelers and insomniacs. This place warms only at the approach of midnight then it becomes rip-roaringly wild through the witching hours. And the party could go on until 5 or 6 in the morning. The mood here is conducive — with waiters and bartenders dancing along with the loud music. It draws mostly foreign tourists, but also attracts locals to its dance-till-you-drop parties.

Summer Place Bar and Restaurant
White Beach Path
Boracay Island, Philippines
(+63) 36 288 3144

Aside from the raucous happenings, enjoy another facet of Boracay when the sun sets. This island is not only famous for its noisy fun and gimmicks, still many appreciate the island’s beauty au naturel, without the modern and irreversible blitz.

Boracay Sunset

The sunset in Boracay is one of the spectacular views on this planet. Pictures couldn’t capture the true beauty of these diurnal events; you have to see to believe.

Boracay Sandcastles

Then those painstakingly rendered sandcastles make you almost believe in fairy tales. Best viewed at night when lit by flickering candles, these ephemeral works of art completes Boracay’s magical spell. Next time to visit the island, check them out along the beach and take a few souvenir photos while you’re on the island.

Romantic Walks

And of course, the night walks at the beach. A visit to this island paradise is never complete without these nighttime escapades. Walk the long strand of white powdery shoreline with the cool sea breeze blowing. It’s a welcome respite from a hot and hectic day and the most appealing activity before you head back to hit the sack. For sure, you don’t have to count sheep to fall into a restful slumber.

Photo credit: TDP Photo