How to Enjoy Boracay on a Budget

It’s still possible for you to enjoy Boracay on a budget. All it takes is some careful and creative planning on your part.

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.