Souvenir items are everywhere in Boracay. If you want to have some memento to wear any day to remind you of your wonderful island vacation, grab some shirts with original artworks by local Boracay artists. Aside from shirts, there are also other fashionable clothing items that you can only find in Boracay.

Accessories are always hip and never go out of style. Boracay has a handful of stalls full of intricately-made bracelets and necklaces. Most of these accessories are made from sea shells painstakingly put together for you to wear while basking in Boracay sun. Shades are also a popular commodity on the island but beware that most of these “branded” shades are imitation.

Where great deals are

As soon as you start shopping in Boracay’s tiangge shops, think of the prices you pay for each item. Although you buy in “bargain hotspots” on the island, it never hurts to haggle. After all, haggling makes shopping more fun. (Haggling is also part of Filipino culture and most vendors expect the customers to haggle.) This is especially easier if you are in Boracay during off-peak seasons.

Bulk or group discounts

In contrast, peak season in Boracay means everything is expensive, including accessories and shirts. In this case, you can ask for group or bulk discounts. The trick here is to shop with somebody or take advantage of souvenirs in bulk so you can easily negotiate prices with the vendors.

Specials and promos

Also, check out promos. Promotions extend far better if you have local friends (those who live in Boracay and the island of Panay) with you on the trip. Upon mention of them being locals, you will be surprised at the discounts you can get. And these discounts can even apply on resort amenities and rates, not just tiangges alone. Usually, Boracay business owners do not explicitly advertise their promos for locals.

When haggling, make sure you keep it cool and friendly with the vendors. Although it goes a long way for you in terms of saving up, learn when to press on and when to stop. Also, keep some of your oozing excitement pent up because that’s a weakness vendors will take against you. If they see how much you like an item, they might not let you haggle even for a single peso. So put on your game face and have fun bargain hunting on the Island of Boracay.