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Boracay

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Powdery white sands and turquoise waters

Boracay is a small island in the Philippines known for its white sand beaches and clear blue water. The shoreline stretches for several kilometers, with soft grains that feel like silk underfoot. Local vendors sell fresh seafood and handmade crafts near the shore. Water activities include swimming, snorkeling and kite surfing. Sunset views attract many visitors who gather along the coast to watch colors change across the sky. Small resorts line parts of the beach, providing places to stay close to the water. The island’s culture mixes Filipino traditions with modern tourism services.

Island in Philippines
Climate zone: Tropical rainforest

Tropical rainforest: Equatorial climates with year-round high temperatures and heavy rainfall, supporting dense evergreen forests and rich biodiversity.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 6.4
General Safety:7
Health & medical:6
Accessibility:5
Tap water:5
Read details
Tourist English: 4/5
English is widely spoken in Boracay, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. Communication is generally smooth for English-speaking tourists.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Boracay Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
World-class for white sand beaches. Swim in clear water, try kite surfing, enjoy sunset sailing and relax at lively beach bars.
Place score
7.8
Best at:
Sea
10
Beaches
10
Islands
9
Natural sites
9
Street food
7
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 8
Families
🧓 6
Seniors
❤️ 10
Couples
🛡️ 8
Travel Beginners
Philippines – Quick facts
Power Grid: 220 V, 60 Hz
Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
Diagram of a Type A power plug
Type B:
Diagram of a Type B power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
£1 ≈ ₱85.07
Cashless info: Rating 3/5
Cashless payments are increasingly common, especially in larger cities and tourist areas, but cash is still widely used in rural areas.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in the Philippines, but it is appreciated. 10% is standard in restaurants. Small tips are welcome for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Public drinking: Public drinking is prohibited in many areas, but alcohol consumption is allowed in licensed venues.
Public smoking: Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but smoking indoors in public spaces is generally prohibited.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps: Grab
Other: The Philippines is known for its stunning beaches, unique wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. Be mindful of the weather, as typhoon season can affect certain regions.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Boracay, Philippines
🌦️
Jan
🌬️
Feb
🔥
Mar
🔥
Apr
🔥
May
🌦️
Jun
🌦️
Jul
🌦️
Aug
🌦️
Sep
🌦️
Oct
🌦️
Nov
🌦️
Dec
High season: Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season: May, Nov.
Crowdedness: 9 (Very crowded)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Dry season November to May, rainy season June to October with typhoon risk August to October
Habagat (southwest monsoon) June to October closes White Beach swimming, Bulabog Beach on the east side then used instead
Kitesurfing season November to March at Bulabog Beach, strong northeast winds

Why travel to Boracay?

Boracay’s beauty is almost surreal. The island's White Beach is consistently ranked among the best in the world, with powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters. Beyond the beach, there’s fantastic diving, kite surfing and a laid-back island vibe. However, it can get crowded, especially during peak seasons and the nightlife is lively, which might not suit those seeking total tranquility.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Bulabog Beach
  • 2 Diniwid Beach
  • 3 White Beach Boracay
  • 4 Willy's Rock
  • 5 D’Mall
  • 6 Mount Luho View Point
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Puka Beach
  • 2 Motag Living Museum
  • 3 Ariel's Point
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Crocodile Island
  • 2 Tulubhan Beach
  • 3 Mount Luho
  • 4 Tambisaan Beach
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 CityMall Boracay
  • 2 Lifeguard Station 6 D’ Mall
  • 3 D'mall Avenue
  • 4 Crafts of Boracay Supermarket
🎈Events
  • Ati-Atihan Festival
  • Dragon Boat Festival
  • Boracay Food Festival
  • Boracay International Funboard Cup
  • New Year's Eve Beach Party
  • Holy Week Celebrations
  • Laboracay (Labor Day weekend parties)
  • Sandcastle Building Competitions
  • Environmental Clean-Up Drives
  • Paraw Regatta Festival

Knowledge before you go

  • Show proof of accredited accommodation for island entry.
  • Choose licensed operators for water sports to ensure safety and avoid unlicensed risks.
  • Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid touching coral to protect marine ecosystems.
  • No smoking or alcohol on beaches; head to designated areas behind for compliance and views.

How to travel to Boracay

The nearest airports are Caticlan (Godofredo P. Ramos Airport) and Kalibo International Airport. From Caticlan, take a short boat ride to Boracay. Kalibo requires a longer land transfer to Caticlan first.

Access summary

  • From Caticlan Airport (MPH): Van or tricycle plus boat, about 30–45 minutes.
  • From Kalibo Airport (KLO): Van/bus to Caticlan then boat, around 2.5–3 hours.
  • From Manila: Direct flights to Caticlan or Kalibo, roughly 1–1.5 hours.

Where to stay in Boracay

Boracay offers a range of accommodations from budget hostels to luxury beachfront resorts. White Beach is divided into Stations 1, 2 and 3 – each with its own vibe. Station 1 is more upscale, Station 2 is lively and central and Station 3 is quieter and more budget-friendly.

How to get around Boracay

Boracay is small and the best way to get around is by tricycle or electric trike. Walking is also a great option along White Beach and between Stations 1, 2 and 3. Motorbikes and bicycles are available for rent.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-73 %
Daily expenses in Boracay are around 73% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-19 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to PHP) is 19% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£29
£60
£151
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£15
£38
£90
🍝 Food per day
£12
£20
£56
🚕 Transportation per day
£2
£3
£5
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£7.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£2.60
🍟 Fast food combo
£4.10
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£4.30
☕ Cappuccino
£1.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£1
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£0.26
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£2.70
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£0.90
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£3.10
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£9.50
🤧 Cold medication
£3.10
💇 Basic haircut
£3.10

Safety information overview

General safety
7
Boracay is generally safe for tourists. Common sense precautions apply, such as safeguarding valuables and avoiding unlit areas at night. Water safety is important during activities.
Health & Medical
6
Boracay has basic medical facilities and pharmacies. For serious medical needs, the closest major hospitals are in Kalibo. Mosquito-borne illnesses can be a concern, so insect repellent is advised.
Accessi­bility
5
The island has made improvements in accessibility, but some areas (like beaches and boats) may still pose challenges for travelers with mobility issues.
Tap water
5
Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is widely available and many accommodations provide filtered water stations. Staying hydrated is important in the tropical heat.

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