[shibby]

I stayed here for 3.5 weeks, the first 3 days I hated it, I felt like I had been fooled into coming to a complete tourist trap where all the guys are middle aged foreign men and all the girls are hookers (aka Patong). However there is actually quite a cool expat community and yes, there are alot of local hookers and ladyboys, but there is also many, many more hot, legit girls that come to holiday here from all over the Philippines. There's also many hot girls from all over the world. Not to mention the beaches on Boracay are some of the best I've seen. White Beach, which is the main beach, apparently got voted #1 beach in Asia last year. I'm not sure I'd agree with that, but it definitely is nice. As busy as it is, the island also has a very laid back vibe, walking along the main strip you will mainly see live acoustic music sets and people chilled out on the beach with buckets of beer, rather than people drugged up jamming to club music and wasted off their faces. Sometimes the latter is alot of fun, but it's nice to see a busy island in SEA with a chilled out vibe.

A lot of people recommend coming in low season, it is a lot cheaper, but I'd prefer to come in high season as you'll avoid the rain, the weather is hotter and there's more people. I'm sure both seasons can be a good time though.

Another tip is get friendly with the owners of the bars and restaurants. Most of them are expats, and they'll be able to tell you everything you need to know about the island, as well as introduce you to a lot of local people that know where to find a good time. It's a small island, everyone knows everyone, so hanging with locals can get you cheap or free booze in alot of places, avoid the cover charges for clubs etc etc.


Accommodation:

I went during high season (February/March) and there was still alot of vacant rooms. I find it hard to believe people saying they showed up during high season and all accom was sold out. My advice would be to book at the most 1 night in advance (especially if you're arriving at night), and the next day just walk around and ask some of the small resorts and guesthouses. Around Station 2, you will find alot of "resorts" that consist of 5-20 rooms. You should be able to find beachfront private rooms with ensuites for 2,000 pesos ($45) per night. I stayed for 3 weeks during high season and had a room smack bang in the middle of the action, my front door literally on the foot of White Beach at Station 2, for 10,000 pesos per week (around $230). Double bed, fridge, TV, hot water, AC, fresh towels and sheets each day. If you hunt around I'm sure you can actually find cheaper. Around Station 1, there are some flashier resorts for the higher rollers. Prob set you back something like $100-$200 a night. It's much quieter down there, and only a 5-10 min walk to Station 2 where most of the good bars and clubs are. Not to mention the beach is much nicer that way too. Regency is a higher end hotel which is in the middle of the action. Shangri La is very flash and expensive, but its a bit out of the way. In fact I didn't even see it the whole time I was there, I just heard everyone keep saying how expensive it was.
One chick took me back to her place which was back on the main road about 10 minutes walk from the beach. It was actually a really nice little apartment with a kitchen, bathroom and single bed. No AC though. She said it was only 3,000 ($70) per month. However, she was a local. I have no idea how you would score a place like that, but just remember its available if you wana ask around and hunt it down.

Gym:

I'd recommend having a killer beach body when you're on the island. It's so hot and so a lot of the time you'll be shirtless or in a tanktop. Even at night.

There's a few options. Patio Pacific Resort in Station 2 has a small but decent gym with everything you need to stay in shape (Free weights, bench, boxing bag, smith machine). It's not cheap though. 300 pesos ($7) for a day pass. Regency also has a small but sufficient gym but I think it's for guests only. Sometimes there's nobody in there though, you can just rock up and use it. Also you do not need a key to get in. If a staff member is sitting in there, he'll ask your room number. Just tell him a room number and you're OK. Even if he's knows your lying, he probably won't care.
Kingfisher hotel probably has the most complete gym in terms of weightlifting, and it's only 60 pesos ($1.50) for a day pass. I went there regularly. It's a bit away from the action though, take a tricycle there, I paid around 30 pesos (75 cents) one way. Probably your best option. Has all your basics - bench, squat rack, free weights, cables, bag. Not the cleanest gym in the world but will get the job done.

Food:

This island has pretty much everything you can think of. There are good budget eats around. A standard meal for me was rice, a few eggs, chicken stew and some veges for around 200 pesos ($4.50). Lots of joints selling local food at that price ($3-$5). If you feel like splurging, you can find pretty much anything you want here - Italian, Mexican, Spanish, American, Chinese, Korean etc etc.
Between Station 2 and 3 there is the D Mall. It's like a shopping area filled with restaurants (well over 30 of em), as well as all types of other little shops. You will find any type of food from very cheap to very expensive, fast food, cafe food, flashy restaurant food etc. I don't think eating well is a problem on Boracay.
Don't forget to indulge in the fresh fruit shakes for around 100 pesos ($2.30). Mango on Boracay are amazing.


Nightlife:

In my opinion, going out in Boracay is pretty overrated. There's really only a few main clubs I can think of.
Paraw: Down near Station 1, this is quite a big place and is often packed, but most of the local girls here are hookers and other than that it's mostly dudes. You'll find a couple of western girls there but not in large numbers. Not when I was there anyway.
Summer Place: Also filled with hookers but generally a better crowd than Paraw. There was some nights where there were alot of white girls crowding out the dance floor, boozed off their faces and well into holiday mode i.e. bang mode. A lot of Scandinavian and Euro chicks in general. Always seemed to be meeting Swedes and Spanish girls.
Epic: Probably the classiest joint I could find. Actually looks like a nightclub and not a hooker joint, and doesnt attract many local girls. I think alot of them aren't allowed in, since the bouncers know they're hookers. Probably your best bet to find other travelers.
Cocomangas: Seriously a ladyboy and hooker fest. Go check it out though, you might like it.
There's a few other 'clubs' on the island but I never really checked them all out. Perhaps someone else can chime in on this.

Like I said, going out on Boracay = overrated. Alternatively, there are so many nice little bars and lounge type places with very good live acoustic sets playing. There are too many for me to name. Just walk along the beach at Station 2 and you'll be spoilt for choice. In my experience a better way to spend your night is snag some phone numbers, set up a date at one of these places, sit back in the sand in your little lounge chair and get her boozed while live music plays in the background. Maybe bounce a couple of times and then do your thing.

You'll actually find that unless theres a big party somewhere that night, by 1am the island has quietened down a bit and people have headed home. Some people move to the hooker bars like Summer Place and Paraw, but those clubs actually seemed to have a better crowd before midnight.

Also a new rule is the bars need to stop playing music at midnight. So usually by 12:30 or 1am alot of the beach is quiet and closed down, and only the clubs are still open. Nightclubs can keep on playing music til whenever. Sometimes there's an exception to this rule e.g. Holy Week.


Girls:

There is a complete overflow of Korean tourists on Boracay. They are everywhere. They also seem to roll in packs of no less than 20 and are generally groups of old people or young couples. You might find a few young single ones floating around though.
Euro chicks are also abundant and are generally keen to party.
To Filipinos, Boracay is like a little sanctuary where they can come and get wasted and do whatever they want with no repercussions. These are words spoken to me by Filipino girls. If you meet a local girl and she says shes from Cebu or Manila, I'd say you have a really really good chance to have her in your bed that night. If you meet a local girl and shes from Boracay, well, theres a good chance shes a semi pro, and if shes a good girl she prob wont be as DTF as the girls that have come to holiday from the big cities. Another piece of advice is don't be stringing along too many girls that actually live on the island. Boracay is VERY small, at least the tourist part, and you are definitely going to be bumping into the same girls again and again. If you piss off the wrong girl, you may have cousins and brothers after you. The locals don't fight fair either, which means weapons, 5 on 1, anything goes. And the locals on Boracay pretty much get away with anything. I heard a shitload of bad stories from some expat restaurant owners that I used to hang out with, doesn't sound fun. On the other hand, the locals are also really cool guys if you're on their good side, so play your cards right.
During the day on the beach is probably the best time to talk to girls and get numbers. Make sure you're in good shape There is also a pub crawl a few nights a week that is not a bad way to meet girls, but its around $20 pp. Save your cash and just follow them


Massage:

Lots of good massage joints. I'd say avoid the ones on the beach and actually go to the ones that have an establishment. The masseuses are actually well trained and the Filipino Hilot style massage actually rivals the traditional Thai, imo. Check it out and decide for yourself. 400 pesos per hour ($9). I actually had some success with my masseuse too, although we had to grab a drink way down the other end of the beach because she said she'll lose her job if she's caught messing around with clients. So if you do ask for her number, do it discreetly.


Cellphone:

You need a cellphone. Pick up a simcard at any of the local phone shops, they sell sim starter packs for $1. Go for Globe or Smart. It's pretty easy to get on their 3G prepaid service, so you can stay connected. Most bars and restaurants have wifi too.


Visa:

Not far from D Mall is the immigration office. If you're over your free 21 days, 3000 pesos ($70) can get you a 58 day visa if I remember correctly.


Booze:

Booze is cheap, but not dirt cheap. A beer might cost you 100 pesos ($2.30). A cocktail might cost you 200ish ($5). I'd probably spend 1000 ($23) on a night out. If you wana smoke a shisha (great for dates imo) they'll cost around 400 ($10).


Note: If you can go during Holy Week, which is in April sometime I think, the island is overflowing with hot local girls looking to have a good time. By good time I mean drunken, no strings attached sex. My friends that live on the island would drool every time they talked about Holy Week. Everything will be more crowded and more expensive, but the beach and bars will be flooded with sexy Filipinas in bikinis going wild. Unfortunately I had already left by the time Holy Week rolled around, but perhaps some of the guys here can report back on this. Chinese New Year is supposed to be very busy too.


There you have it. For me, I would personally take Boracay over Patong or Koh PhiPhi any day of the week. But to each his own. There's also a whole lot of this island that I didn't cover, so feel free to add your own info - this is far from a complete guide of the island. There are many other beaches and drinking spots that I didn't manage to check out.

Also remember that Boracay changes very fast and very often. Especially the restaurants/bars.

[Brosemite]

Outstanding report!

For logistics, where would you recommend staying around Boracay island?

And which airport do you recommend flying into?

Are there going to be enough tourists around May? Thinking about heading there around that time. Would you recommend 2-3 days or say 4-5?

[Global Entry]

This is a very solid data sheet - would be great to repost it with the title Data Sheet or Trip Report in it so that it doesn't get lost in the mix. The fact that a sheet this detailed has only one reply (before mine in eight months) means its not being found often enough. Definitely gives Boracay a different spin than I had heard about. Nice job Shibby.

[berserk]

Great report, I was there during the low season, which at the time was more like the monsoon season. I definitely do not recommend going during the rainy season. I know there are some online biz people working out of there too.

[Brosemite]

Is it still going to be high or low season say around Mid-May?

[azulsombra]

Solid datasheet.

You spent almost a month in Boracay tho??
Did u find a steady local girl there to stick with?

I visited in 2010 and got sick of it after a weekend. Most tourists were Koreans in big groups or tons of couples like you said. I found more American females there than anywhere else in SouthEast Asia and I dont like to hang around Americans in SE asia. Most bars were filled with semipros and the other ones were a sausage fest many foreign asian english teachers go there to chill. Things were relatively expensive for the phillippines, but accomodation was cheap.

Did u check out the cockfights they hold on Boracay? The scene is a trip and I ended up betting and making some money there. Locals really get into.

The vibe there was chilly chill and maybe worth it for a few days but u mentioned the negatives of how tiny the island is that gaming multiple girls is a bad idea. All in all for me it doesnt compare to any of the Thai Islands but to each his own.

[Global Entry]

Boracay Trip Report (4/16-18/2014)

I went to Boracay during Holy Week, which was suggested by the OP here. I wanted to provide an update to what OP provided and maybe an alternate view of Boracay and the value of going there. I am not going to repeat any of the information that OP provided in which I am in accord, but rather only if I have a different experience or accomplished things in a different manner (maybe this is obvious, but perhaps saying so will eliminate a few unnecessary questions).


Boracay is an hours flight from Manila, and about the same from Cebu. You’d likely be flying into Caticlan airport, taking a quick trike ride to the ferry port (25p per person), and then boarding a motorized catamaran for a perhaps 20 minute ride to Boracay’s corresponding ferry port (100 pesos per, plus 75 pesos port fee per person in both directions). There is also a big ferry with sleeper cabins (I think I heard 888 pesos was the price) for an eight hour overnight trip from Batangas City, in South Luzon (two hrs from Manila). Given the brevity of my trip, I flew in, and as it was Holy Week, I was fairly raped on the fare (280USD) for the roundtrip. Normal prices will be half of that or less, on either of Cebu Pacific, or Philippines Airways.

After getting off the cat in Boracay, there are more trikes to take you to your hotel or other accomodation. Note: We were met by an english speaking Philippino guy on the Caticlan (Aklan side) port and he seemed to be a licensed and legitimate guide. He actually escorted us from Caticlan airport all the way to our accomodations in the Philippines, and didnt request any money or fee. He was leaving when I stopped him to give him 100 pesos trip for his good service - mostly I think it was useful to make sure that none of the trike drivers tried to rip us off, though with the small trip we ended up in the same place no doubt.

The trike from the port, which is south of Station 3, should probably cost from 150-max250 pesos to get to an accomodation in Station 2 (closer) or Station 1(further) or on the Bulabog beach side of the island (about as far as Station 1). Total time is about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic, which can be heavy. If you’re travelling light, you can opt to take a motorbike taxi.

A side note on trips on trikes and taxis. Once you’re in the Station 2 or Station 1 area, very few if any trips except to the port should be more than 100, and most shouldn’t be more than 50 if your staying on the White Beach side (where Station 1 and 2 are) of the island. Figure one half for the motorbike taxis. Most of the time, I didn’t discuss the price with the drivers unless they brought it up, i just gave them an appropriate amount of money based on previous experience. Haggling (if its worth your time) is more than acceptable, such as with the trike driver that asked me for 150 to take me and one other passenger (a masseuse) from Station 2 to the Bulabog beach side (which is the windy side of the Island where all the kite-surfing and wind-surfing activity takes place) - I told him 100 and while he grumbled, he relented and of course a local would probably pay 20 or 40 for the same service.

I used AirBnB to book a small house - I visited Boracay with a dude I know from Shenzhen, a young Russian guy who wanted to learn to kite-surf. As a result of that, and that I hate noise when I am trying to sleep, we rented a small house a ten minute walk (two minute trike ride) from Station 2 on the Bulabog side of the island. Here’s the link to the place - its not a recommendation, as the place was OK, not great, though the view from the deck is incredible. It was up a very steep hill and it was not easy (though not terrible impossible) to get a trike or bike ride to station 2 (coming back always can). Walking the ten minutes back and forth from Station 2 just for a meal or otherwise felt like a bit of a waste of time, and a hassle, and probably wasnt worth the peace and quiet, and...the place borders a rooster farm, seriously, so my hope of peaceful quiet went out the window and in came a bunch of cockadoodle fucking-doos. There’s some kind of ironic joke there for a gamer in Boracay, but I’m too lazy to figure it out. Anyway, the roosters crow most of the day, and if you book outside holy week, there are many other choice on AirBNB. FYI we paid 115 per night plus the AirBnB service fee.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2408678

My buddy did go kitesurfing twice, and he liked the location very much. He’s 24, though, and has little basis for comparison.

OK, enough about logisitics...

I thought that all in all, going to Boracay during Holy Week was a pretty big fail.

There were to be sure many many good to very good looking filipinas in Boracay during the few days I was there, as well as the usual (I’m told) assortment of attractive women from many other countries. Most notable were very feminine looking girls in bikinis from Scandinavia (seriously), and many Chinese tourists in groups (not necessarily tour groups though). A lot of these Chinese girls were, to me, very good looking and higher than the normal standard I’ve seen in China.

All that seems promising, but I found that for the reason for coming, ie.. the higher end filipinas, was definitely overrated. To be sure there were many too be found, but they were very coupled up or in family groups, or large mixed groups. There were a few groups of girls who I would have guessed were from Manila on holiday, but few and far in between, and I did a fair amount of walking and looking. I also saw several instances where girls in non-mixed groups would look at a foreign guy and a filipino girl (definitely guys who imported girls high end and otherwise for a boracay holiday) and clearly sneer at the girl, as if she was for sale. I also had one girl say to me as I looked at her and a friend walking by me on beach near Station 1, “Don’t even think about it.” At least that’s what I think she said, and I think it was directed to me.

When seated at any of the outside bars in Station 2, it was definitely evident that the approach would be akin to approaching in a club in the Ft. in Manila - I.e. a social circle approach that would require establishing value, overcoming stigma of foreigners in the PI etc. There was a lot of table activity at places like Epic (Station 2) where groups of upper-class Filipinos stayed in their own groups at tables.

I sensed zero girls gone wild type attitude that the local friends of the OP had mentioned. I didnt see a lot of these types of girls even drinking heavily. I did venture by Paraw, which was empty on Thursday, and looked in on Epic, which again looked like the same social setting as a high-end Manila nightclub. Cocomangas is a different beast, and I didn’t check it out, nor was my expectation that this was a place to attract wealthy filipinos as its also associated with sex tourism to a degree.

There are other girls in Boracay, but I didnt find the locals to be overwhelmingly friendly towards foreigners (or anyone) and I think it might be a lot easier to make some progress when there isn’t as much business activity.

Also, as I indicated on the unified Philippines thread, I tried to use Skout on Boracay, but it yielded gay dudes and ladyboys for the most part. Total waste of energy. FC also yielded very few active accounts in Boracay, and it didnt allow for separation of Boracay from Malay City either.

I wasnt without approaches, as I opened two girls from Shanghai the first morning I went out alone ( I arrived at 7AM, this was perhaps at 10AM). They were really practice-rounders though, nothing I’d put in any work on - I have spoke to them to practice my Chinese and out of boredom.

A funny incident happened in the restaurant Globy (a decent choice in Station 2) when I was with V, my russian friend. A bunch of Chinese came in, 5 girls in their twenties and one dude. V, who is fluent in Chinese and has a good understanding of Chinese culture, and I notice that three of the girls were quite pretty, though one was clearly the girlfriend of the guy. Anyway, we’d made eye contact with the group and then V tells the waitress (its lunchtime) to send them, especially a pretty girl in white, a plate of fruit. They were very appreciative on its arrival and we exchanged WeChat information and ended up drinking with them for several hours that night until the bars closed. Unfortunately it went no further than that (yet, as we have the two good looking one’s contact info, and they are from Fuzhou, a not soooo far city also in South China (Fujian province). But hence, that was the day that “Fruit Game” was born.

V, novice that he is, also pulled a few scandinavians but nothing really emerged for either of us than this.

Overall, I’d put down some of the troubles to general foreigner problems in the Philippines and suspicions of sex tourism, even in Boracay. Some of it is because during Holy Week, so many Filippinos come in groups from Manila, its actually likely that they could get caught if they tried anything with a foreign guy. I think as OP mentioned, it might be better to catch high-end Manila girls in Boracay when its not so crowded - they’re probably much less likely to get spotted by someone who knows them outside Holy Week. High end Manila is a small crowd, to be sure.

A few good things...
the kite-surfing looks amazing and the Bulabog side of the island is quite gorgeous.
White beach has some of the nice beaches I’ve seen, just way overcrowded with commercialization and lots of hawkers of crap who necessitate headphones. Also there are theives (usually little kids who cannot get into too much trouble, being sent out by their parents or older siblings).
The ocean was clean and pleasant on the White Beach side, like a huge bath. Sunsets are epic, and from the shore, looking away from the myriad restaurances, coffee places, and hawkers, out to the ocean, the sail boats off the beach do make Boracay look like paradise.

My suggestion would be (other than perhaps going to El Nido, which is a longer time commitment to reach but correspondingly less overrun by tourists) take a girl with you and go other than during holy week. HW makes it a see and be seen time for rich Filipinos, and as anyone who has spent time there knows, being seen by Filipino girls doesn’t include being seen with foreign guys.

[Kangaroo]

Great data sheets guys, i just got back from 9 days in Boracay.

2 new notches, first one on first night 6 from tinder, and second one on second night from a local girl i met at a pool party solid 8, 18yo, spent the rest of my trip with her.

Online:
Tinder
Date in asia

Gym:
Kingfisher is the best
Patio is where i went
Tides also has a gym ive heard

Food:
Aria was my favourite, if you like italian food check it out
Also try out Talipapa where you pick your seafood then give it to one of the restaurants for them to cook

Nightlife:
Pawar is ok from 12-2pm but not many girls to open, a lot of hookers and lady boys
Epic is probably the best, a lot of guys and fat chicks though, had an event last night which was really good
Summerplace is where i ended up almost every night from ~2 - 5am best place to chill and dance, some hot girls around too but has hookers
Spider House is a good place to chill in the afternoon and watch the sun set

Girls:
Quality is not great, you can get a local girl if you give her you number, i was much more attracted to the delicate Korean girls around. Was with my Filipina most of the trip so didnt get to give the Koreans a shot, not many around at night though and most are with there bfs.

Gays/Ladyboys:
I was hit on by at least 2 gays a night, was ok for the first few days but got on my nerves last night, when walking home ladyboys will stop you which gets old too. If you have a gay friend tell him to go to Boracay and go to Juice bar, would be 100+ gays in there each night. Global probably thinks im gay since i was friends with a couple of them haha, but some were good, they would dance with my girl when i went to the bathroom/bar so all the thirsty guys wouldnt hit on her constantly.

Overall its a nice place, if you like water sports, chilling on the beach and mango shakes take your gf here for a chilled holiday. Stick to Manila for gaming.

[Global Entry]

Haha, K, I didn't get a chance to see you with any of your new friends, so I never had that impression (not that there's anything wrong with that ).

I also didn't see many Koreans at all, actually, at least compared to Chinese. Far more Chinese during this holy week period, which I attributed to the regularity with which Koreans visit Boracay and the increased prices during Holy Week (i.e. why come Holy Week, when they've their own easter to attend to at home and its far more expensive).

[shibby]

(03-21-2014 06:08 PM)Brosemite Wrote:  

Outstanding report!

For logistics, where would you recommend staying around Boracay island?

And which airport do you recommend flying into?

Are there going to be enough tourists around May? Thinking about heading there around that time. Would you recommend 2-3 days or say 4-5?

I'd stay on Station 2 or 3. Close to the action and not too expensive. Have never been in May so wouldn't know, sorry.

[shibby]

(03-22-2014 12:07 PM)azulsombra Wrote:  

Solid datasheet.

You spent almost a month in Boracay tho??
Did u find a steady local girl there to stick with?

I visited in 2010 and got sick of it after a weekend. Most tourists were Koreans in big groups or tons of couples like you said. I found more American females there than anywhere else in SouthEast Asia and I dont like to hang around Americans in SE asia. Most bars were filled with semipros and the other ones were a sausage fest many foreign asian english teachers go there to chill. Things were relatively expensive for the phillippines, but accomodation was cheap.

Did u check out the cockfights they hold on Boracay? The scene is a trip and I ended up betting and making some money there. Locals really get into.

The vibe there was chilly chill and maybe worth it for a few days but u mentioned the negatives of how tiny the island is that gaming multiple girls is a bad idea. All in all for me it doesnt compare to any of the Thai Islands but to each his own.

In total I was there for around 3 weeks, but I was kinda on and off the island over a couple months. It can get old but is fun when you get to know some people.

Yeah, checked out those cockfights - crazy shit. Didn't end up betting but my buddy was creaming it.

I've actually been back again since I wrote this - went with a friend and still had a pretty good time.

[Teddykgb]

How would you guys compare Boracay to Koh Phi Phi party scene along the beach.

Does Boracay attract drunk white girl backpackers like koh phi phi or is it mostly just fellow Filipino girls who vacation there?

[Kangaroo]

Not many white girls in Bora, not even that many non-pro Filipinas out at night.

[Scott Free]

(04-20-2014 02:37 AM)Global Entry Wrote:  

Boracay Trip Report (4/16-18/2014)

I went to Boracay during Holy Week, which was suggested by the OP here. I wanted to provide an update to what OP provided and maybe an alternate view of Boracay and the value of going there. I am not going to repeat any of the information that OP provided in which I am in accord, but rather only if I have a different experience or accomplished things in a different manner (maybe this is obvious, but perhaps saying so will eliminate a few unnecessary questions).

First off, very well written GE. I was in Boracay waaay back in the day before it got all popular and commercialized. I get a lot of negative feedback from friends who've been there recently, feedback that matches what you've detailed so accurately. Holy Week is a bad time to go if you are doing so for Game (i.e. on the hunt), and is more appropriate for bringing a chick with you. Being predominantly Catholic, the Philippines becomes very conscious of 'Sinful Acts' during this time. Misguided according my apatheist views, but that's beside the point.

(04-20-2014 02:37 AM)Global Entry Wrote:  

I used AirBnB to book a small house - I visited Boracay with a dude I know from Shenzhen, a young Russian guy who wanted to learn to kite-surf. As a result of that, and that I hate noise when I am trying to sleep, we rented a small house a ten minute walk (two minute trike ride) from Station 2 on the Bulabog side of the island. Here’s the link to the place - its not a recommendation, as the place was OK, not great, though the view from the deck is incredible. It was up a very steep hill and it was not easy (though not terrible impossible) to get a trike or bike ride to station 2 (coming back always can). Walking the ten minutes back and forth from Station 2 just for a meal or otherwise felt like a bit of a waste of time, and a hassle, and probably wasnt worth the peace and quiet, and...the place borders a rooster farm, seriously, so my hope of peaceful quiet went out the window and in came a bunch of cockadoodle fucking-doos. There’s some kind of ironic joke there for a gamer in Boracay, but I’m too lazy to figure it out. Anyway, the roosters crow most of the day, and if you book outside holy week, there are many other choice on AirBNB. FYI we paid 115 per night plus the AirBnB service fee.

LMAO! GE, you know that the real irony here is that in Filipino/Tagalog, the word 'Bulabog' means 'disturbance' or when used as a verb, 'to bother someone while they are asleep/resting' presumably by making loud noises... I'm not even joking!

(04-20-2014 02:37 AM)Global Entry Wrote:  

My suggestion would be (other than perhaps going to El Nido, which is a longer time commitment to reach but correspondingly less overrun by tourists) take a girl with you and go other than during holy week. HW makes it a see and be seen time for rich Filipinos, and as anyone who has spent time there knows, being seen by Filipino girls doesn’t include being seen with foreign guys.

100% Agreed with this.

[Global Entry]

That is truly ironic. Must be those damn roosters.

(03-15-2015 10:52 PM)Scott Free Wrote:  

LMAO! GE, you know that the real irony here is that in Filipino/Tagalog, the word 'Bulabog' means 'disturbance' or when used as a verb, 'to bother someone while they are asleep/resting' presumably by making loud noises... I'm not even joking!

[PacFan]

Boracay is good for a weekend visit; take someone along to play with; avoid Holy Week and Laboracay (May 1st) as it just becomes a playground for the rich and showbiz types at this time

Used to be good back in the early to mid 2000's, but it's far too commercial now....

[Paul999]

Hi guys, I'm an expat living in Boracay and it's interesting to read this all.

Here's my feedback on what's been said so far and some of my own thoughts on the island:

"Like I said, going out on Boracay = overrated."

My opinion on that is that it depends on what you like. If you like bars and just hanging out with good music and conversation then Boracay is pretty good. If you like clubbing though I agree it's not so good. I mean the dancing music that's the biggest thing for me. They don't have very good DJ's here in the clubs most of the time.

"Booze is cheap, but not dirt cheap. A beer might cost you 100 pesos ($2.30)."

The cheapest beer is 35 peso (Kurts in station 3), you can find many places with beer under 100 peso though. I can't think of a single bar that sells beer for 100 peso or more, it's all lower priced. Only clubs can be more expensive.

Actually you can see pictures, descriptions, drink prices, happy hours etc for 98% of Boracay's nightlife establishments that matter here: http://boracaycompass.com/nightlife-guide/ (my guide to Boracay's Nightlife)

About accommodation, if you want cheap you can get apartments on the Bulabog side of the main road. Just walk around and ask. They're not listed online. I pay 14K per month peso for mine, all inclusive studio type, small kitchen, balcony and furnished. You can rent these for 1 month no problem, no contracts mostly.

"avoid Holy Week and Laboracay (May 1st)"

I agree, I personally hate Labor Day a.k.a. "Laboracay" in Boracay as the laid back vibe that I like so much in Boracay is replaced with loud a loud and noisy vibe. And also the island is Invaded by big brands trying to push their stuff to you with their little booths scattered all around White Beach.

Fortunately Labor day only lasts for a long weekend and then everything goes back to normal.

If you're interested to know more about good reasons to visit Boracay then you might be interested in checking out my article "7 Reasons To Make Boracay Island Your Next Holiday Destination" here: http://boracaycompass.com/why-visit-boracay/ (just avoid Labor Day)

For picking up girls I really recommend going in high season as there are a lot more single western girls around during that time. During off season it's mostly Asian tourists and they travel mostly in groups.

Hope that helps!

[Paul999]

(03-17-2015 01:17 AM)PacFan Wrote:  

Boracay sed to be good back in the early to mid 2000's, but it's far too commercial now....

I get where your coming from and partly it's true. However, if you know where to go you can still find plenty of places that have not yet been commercialized. For example the far end of Station 3 still has that really laid back vibe that has been at the roots of Boracay.

And also for beaches, one of my favorites is Tambisaan beach. If there's even any tourists there you can usually count them on one hand. And that beach is great for snorkeling.

Ilig Iligan is another beach like that (no snorkeling there though, but great for swimming to some beaches close by that are completely private with rugged nature and all).

My point is, once you get to know your way around a bit you will probably start to appreciate and like the island more.

My brother came to visit recently and at first he didn't like it so much. Then after 3 weeks when he was almost leaving he expressed that now when he finally started to really like the place he had to leave. Just a personal example.

Also, the commercialization has some benefits. I mean we have high speed LTE internet connection here now (get Smart not Globe). Like the Dutch soccer player Johan Cruyff used to say: "every disadvantage has it's advantage"

[nmmoooreland20]

Whole island is getting shut down:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43650627

[RatInTheWoods]

There is exceptional scuba diving in and around Boracay, if that is your thing like me.

Short boat trips, shore night dives and cheap, hardworking dive companies make it all relaxed, lazy high quality diving.

As for girls, my advice is to give the plentiful South Korean girls there a miss. They are usually happy to soak your attention all night but never bang out.

Go for the sluts of Aussie, Europe etc and if that bombs out there is always the local girls.

[WomenLuvDeez]

I heard Boracay was shut down for renovations or something like that currently? Also I heard a island south of Boracar called Bohol is better for nightlife. I don't know yet as I haven't been there but I will be soon. I am in Italy at the moment. I am gonna be going to Venice then Slovenia to Croatia.. I heard the women in Estonia are dime's from a local here in Italy.

[chickenadobo]

(04-16-2018 01:18 AM)WomenLuvDeez Wrote:  

I heard Boracay was shut down for renovations or something like that currently? Also I heard a island south of Boracar called Bohol is better for nightlife. I don't know yet as I haven't been there but I will be soon. I am in Italy at the moment. I am gonna be going to Venice then Slovenia to Croatia.. I heard the women in Estonia are dime's from a local here in Italy.

It will be shut down for 6 months or so starting next week I believe.

For Bohol, you're thinking of Alona Beach, which is a smaller version of Boracay. It has decent beachfront and nightlife but Boracay is still better in my opinion.

[randomA]

Does anyone know if there is any snorkeling at all that can be done around Boracay beaches?

[the-dream]

I've never done it myself but on Puka Beach (15 minute tricycle from the main beach) I heard there are some nice snorkeling sights to see. They offer snorkeling on the neighboring uninhabited islands as part of the island hopping tours that the touts will offer you every 2 minutes too. I don't think the snorkeling is comparable to diving hotspots like Cebu, Puerto Galera, Palawan and Bohol but there should still be some pretty fish and corals to see.

[the-dream]

You can also do "helmet diving" which is essentially snorkeling on steroids. You put on an astronaut like glass helmet, attached to a oxygen tank on a raft on the surface, and can just breathe normally. The weight of the helmet makes you sink to the seabed and you can walk around on the seabed as if it were the land, in and out of the schools of fish. It is a pretty cool experience.