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

Sulu Thu Thai Restaurant

Located in the Balabag neighborhood, Sulu Thai serves exceptional Thai specialties. You can find mild and spicy dishes there—fiery curries, seafood entrees, vegetarian dishes, crispy spring rolls, and spicy soups. All the meals are fresh, inventive and prepared by a Thai cook that happily adjusts the food to your liking. The native style building has a semi-open design. You can sip aperitifs and delight in the breeze wafting in in from ocean while you wait for your food to be served. The restaurant accepts all major credit cards

Sulu Thu Thai Restaurant
(+63) (36) 288-3400
White Beach Path
Boracay, Philippines 5608

Boracay DeParis Beach Restaurant

The Boracay DeParis serves a fusion of Thai, Filipino, French, Vietnamese and Japanese dishes. Serving some of the freshest meals on Boracay Island since 1981, they offer traditional Thai menu items along with gourmet and budget menus. The extensive selection offers French cuisine, Asian cuisine, grilled seafood, fresh seafood, beef and fish steaks, sushi and vegetarian dishes. Let the staff know that you caught some fresh seafood while fishing, and the chef happily prepares it to your liking. The restaurant overlooks the Sulu Sea next to the Boracay DeParis Resort.

Boracay DeParis Beach Restaurant
(+63) (36) 288-3233
Station 2 Balabag
Boracay Island, Philippines‎ 5608
deparisboracaybeachresort.com

Thai Castles Restaurant

Thai Castles Restaurant, nestled within the Boracay Sandcastles Resort, offers Filipino breakfasts, Thai cuisine, and international dishes. Sip tropical fruit shakes in rattan lounge chairs overlooking the beach while feasting on curried fresh prawns, crabs and fish personally served to you out in the open. Recreation facilities and services provided by the resort, so sample activities like horseback riding, water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing scuba diving and mountain biking. The restaurant and lounge open at 7 a.m. Major credit cards accepted.

Thai Castles Restaurant
+(036) 288 3207
White Beach
Boracay Island, Philippines‎ 5608
boracaysandcastles.com

Prana

Prana is the only restaurant in Boracay that offers a pure vegetarian menu. The restaurant, located at the premises of Mandala Spa and Villas, offers gourmet vegetarian dishes, desserts, and brewed organic French wines. Experience well-prepared meals from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. This unique food haven has very few competitors serving the best vegetable dishes, fruits and salads, light foods and healthy drinks. Among the restaurant’s specialties include pappa al pomodoro or tomato soup, lettuce and chopsuey meals. Other refined vegetarian dishes offer a fusion of Asian, French and Italian flavors. Since Prana forms part of Mandala Spa, you can expect a very relaxing and serene atmosphere. You can also overindulge in Prana’s dishes without having to compromise health and nutrition.

Prana Boracay Restaurant
Mandala Spa and Villas
Boracay Island, Malay Aklan
Philippines 5806
(+63) 36 288 5858 (phone)
(+63) 36 2883531 (fax)

Cyma

Cyma Restaurant offers Greek vegetarian cuisine. Greeks are known vegetable-lovers: their menu consists of various vegetarian dishes from appetizers, soups, salads to main dishes. Even Cyma’s Greek shish-kabobs are accompanied with fresh vegetables. Among the specialty appetizers include stuffed zucchini flowers, spinach and artichoke fondue, Greek bruschetta, tzatziki and hummous. Cyma also created two unique salads composed of various vegetables, beans, nuts, cheese and vinaigrette. Roka Salata comes with fresh arugula and candied walnuts while tonnos salata contains Ahi tuna, olives and boiled eggs in addition to fresh vegetables. Visitors must also try Cyma’s original vegetarian pasta dishes such as solomos angel hair, baby clams angel hair and roka pasta. Their main dishes include gigandes, spinach rice, bamies (braised okra), meatless moussaka and yemistes. Various fish fillets and selections also comprise the restaurant’s menu list.

Cyma Boracay Restaurant
D’Mall, Station 2, Boracay Island,
Malay, Aklan 5608

Zuzuni

Visitors can easily find Zuzuni restaurant since it forms part of Zuzuni boutique hotel and resort. Just like Cyma, Zuzuni mainly offers Greek cuisine but has additional Mediterranean dishes. Guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the beach front as the restaurant is located near the famous White Beach. The restaurant has several tents outside the main establishment in case it gets too crowded or if guests prefer outdoor dining experience. Mouth-watering specialties include tzatziki feta cheese and horiatiki salata, a special salad combining fresh cucumber slices, black olives, feta cheese, vinegar and ground pepper. For the main course, guests should try Zuzuni’s moussaka, a dish similar to lasagna but with the addition of eggplants. Shrimp saganaki pasta, another must-try, uses olive oil and secret spices to cook the pasta to al dente with shrimps garnished on top.

Zuzuni Boracay Restaurant
Station 1, White Beach,
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan 5608
(+63) 36 288 4477

Bans Beach Resort

This beachfront resort near boat station one offers no-frills native-style accommodations set amongst a tropical garden. Located near D’Mall, which is a collection of shops and restaurants at the heart of Boracay, Bans Beach Resort is centrally accessible to both sea and mountains. It has 23 cozy cottages with their own private porch overlooking the greenery; some of them are air-conditioned while the rest are equipped with electric fans. Other resort amenities include an outdoor cooking facility and daily complimentary breakfast.

Bans Beach Resort
Station 1, Barangay Balabag,
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan Philippines
(+63) (36) 288-3156
bansbeachresort.com

Casa Asia

Just steps away from boat station one, Casa Asia is a family-owned and managed beach resort that started operation in 2004. It has four air-conditioned rooms that have hot and cold shower as well as cable television and refrigerators. One of the rooms is double sharing while the rest are triple sharing; all of them can be converted to rooms with electric fans to make the price cheaper. This resort also offers laundry services, island tour services and airport pickup services. Sailing, picnic trips, kite boarding and motor biking around the island can also be arranged at the front desk.

Casa Asia
Boat Station 1 Boracay Island
Malay Aklan, Philippines 5608
(+63) (36) 288-5387
casaasiaboracay.com

Lion’s Den Resort

Lion’s Den has two main locations; the resort is near boat station one while the villa is nestled right at the island’s only lake and within walking distance to D’Mall. Lion’s Den Resort offers rooms with fan cooling or air-conditioning options, cable television, refrigerator and wireless broadband access at a minimal charge. Its Nipa Hut-style cottages are overlooking a garden and have their own private verandas.

Lion’s Den Resort
Station 1, Barangay Balabag,
Boracay Island, Philippines
(+63) (2) 433-7532
lionsdenresort.com

MR Holidays

Situated behind Blue Waves beach resort and in the middle of Chalet Tirol and Friday’s, MR Holidays is a secluded property that is within steps away from the beach. It has 13 rooms that are equipped with cable television and either electric fans or air-conditioning units; the deluxe rooms come with refrigerator and a private porch. Its rates are also inclusive of daily breakfast.
MR Holidays

Station 1, Barangay Balabag,
Boracay Island, Philippines
(+63) (36) 288-5360
mrholidaysboracay.com

Milflores de Boracay

Consistently offering the same rates for its guest rooms during peak season and low season, Milflores de Boracay is known for its spacious accommodations and its quality amenities that are offered at a low cost. Though not a beachfront property, it is only a two minute-walk away from the shores of Sulu Sea. Its nine rooms are furnished with air-conditioning units and cable television sets. Complimentary wireless Internet is accessible at the reception area.

Milflores de Boracay
Station 1, Balabag, Malay,
Boracay, Philippines
(+63) (922) 880-0762
milflores.net

Photo credit: Danes

Aria Italian Boracay Restaurant

Aria is a small authentic Italian restaurant located in the beachfront of D’Mall in Boracay. The astounding urban and island design usually draws visitors to come inside the restaurant to try several Italian dishes. Topping the list of restaurant favorites include the wood fire pizzas and breads. The woodfire oven located right in the center of Aria’s kitchen serves as the main attraction. Another must-try is the focaccia bread, considered the best in the whole island of Boracay. Their focaccia graces the wooden ovens in less than three minutes. One of the famous pizza that Aria has to offer deliciously combines Parma ham, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Aria’s classic margherita will definitely bring visitors back and asking for more. Visitors should also try other dishes on their menu list such as pastas, salads, antipasti and meats.

Aria Boracay Restaurant
Boracay Island
011 (+63) 36 288 5573

Da Mario Pizzeria and Ristorante Italiano

Da Mario Pizzeria is considered as the first Italian restaurant in the island of Boracay. Da Mario Pizzeria forms part of Tree House resort and bar located at Boracay, Angol Point, Station 3. The restaurant serves authentic Italian dishes from pizzas, pastas to risottos. Visitors will enjoy freshly made Italian pizzas such as Margherita, Napoletana, Floremar and frutti di mare. The restaurant also serves almost all kinds of risottos such as risotto con funghi, al chianti, alla marinara, Milanese and alla fonduta. Visitors who prefer vegetables or fish meat have the option to order various types of vegetable salads and seafood dishes such as calamari, fried shrimp, green shell and scaloppini. The restaurant also serves breakfast and desserts.

Pizzeria Da Mario
Tree House Resort
Station 3, Angol, Barangay Manoc Manoc
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
Philippines 5608
011 (+63) 36 288 3601 (phone)
011 (+63) 36 288 5116 (fax)
011 (+63) 918 661 9640 (mobile)
boracaytreehouse.com
treehouse_damario@yahoo.com.ph

Carlo’s Pizza

Carlo’s Pizza seats 120 persons in their beachfront al fresco area overlooking the beach in Station 1, White Beach in Boracay island. Visitors can expect casual dining experience and sumptuous Italian dishes in this restaurant. Carlo’s pizzas come in two varieties, classic and special. Both varieties boasts of freshly made dough topped with a combination of mozzarella, cheddar and parmesan cheeses. They use imported pizza sauce made from Roma tomatoes mixed with special herbs and drizzled with olive oil. Their pizzas always end up crunchy without the oily feel. Among those highly recommended pizza classics include capriccioso and Abruzzi. On the other hand, their pizza specials include quarto formaggi, which uses a combination of blue cheese, parmesan, cheddar and mozzarella; and messicana, a delicious combination of ground beef, tomato salsa, green pepper, jalapeño chilies, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. All pizzas come in three different sizes 9 inches being the smallest and 15 inches being the largest. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. from Monday to Sunday. However, it closes at 12 midnight from Monday to Thursday, at 2 a.m. from Friday to Saturday and at 1 a.m. during Sunday.

Carlo’s Pizza
Station 1, White Beach,
Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan
011 (+36) 288 1771 (phone)
Carlospizza.net

Photo credit: Anatomy of a Muse

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.

How do you make the most out of your one-day stay in Boracay? From the moment you step on its world-famous white sand till the jetty boat ride back to Caticlan, you would want to make the experience exhilarating and refreshing. Just remember these things, don’t leave Boracay without:

Splurging on food

Boracay has its famous fruit and chocolate shakes in a wide variety of flavors, some even containing just the right amount of alcohol. Delight yourself with Jonah’s and Jony’s Bar and Restaurant shakes while you stroll around the island. Fruit shake in Boracay is definitely a must-drink. To complete the perfect island snack, partner it with the local delicacy choriburger (grilled chorizo on a bun).

Enjoy your one-day trip by eating at fancy restaurants in Boracay. Satisfy your taste buds and indulge your stomach before you engage in physical activities. Of course, nothing stops you from eating again afterwards.

Must-try feasts are the Seawind’s buffet, Aria Boracay Restaurant’s Italian food, True Food’s Indian cuisine, and Real Coffee’s calamansi muffins among others.

Buying local handicrafts

Make sure to save some of your budget for buying Boracay handicrafts that you can take home. In Boracay, you will find the widest collection of beach necklaces, anklets, earrings, bracelets, and home decor at affordable prices. Compare prices among different stalls to get the best deals. Don’t forget to ask for tawad (discount).

Getting a massage in either spa houses or by the beach

Talented masseuses abound in Boracay. You can get your massage under the shade of a tree or in your hotel room. Soothe your aching muscles and mend your tired senses. You go to Boracay to relax; that is why you have to give yourself the most relaxing time of your life at affordable prices.

Sailing and visiting an island

Dusk is the perfect time to go sailing. Sailing in Boracay on a paraw boat can be the most thrilling part of your trip to the island. You can also do snorkeling to visualize undersea creatures. And to make it more enjoyable, hop to the next island.

Plan ahead so you can do all of these things. Make this 24 hours the best time of your life. This Boracay trip will surely leave you wanting more. Who knows, maybe you’d get a one-week paid vacation leave next time!

Photo credit: Chewy Chua