I'm planning on going to Boracay sometime in August. I hear
that getting to the island from Manila is quite a pain, that
there arent many flights and its hard to book. Is this
true? How can I be assured of getting a flight? (I'll be
flying out of Hong Kong).
Also, any cheap bungalow you recommend?
Finally, I'm open to going to some island other than Boracay
if getting there is easier. Any suggestions? Thanks!
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JC - Flights from from Manila to Kalibo shouldn't be a
problem as this is a daily flown route. The return airfare
should be @$100US, depending on the exchange. When you
arrive in Kalibo, right at the airport, there are air
conditioned buses that will take you directly to Caticlan
for the Ferry ride to Boracay. Not sure of the cost now,
but it was about 150 pesos one way. Depending on the
exchange rate, that can be anywhere from $5-$10US. The
ferry ride will cost you a couple more bucks, but it should
be cheap. Accommodations in Boracay can run from cheap to
expensive, depending on where you want to stay. There is a
service on the island itself that might be able to help you
find a place, depending on your budget. On the other hand,
you should be able to find something yourself since August
is off-season. Beware that you will also be in the middle
of the Monsoon season too, so be prepared for rain and
mosquitoes. There are a variety of restaurants available
from cheap to expensive. Suggest you do some exploring.
Have a great time!
Air Philippines, which flies directly from Manila to
Caticlan in Aklan, saving you a two-hour overland trip from
Kalibo and the hassle of rushing off to the Kalibo airport
at mid-day for an evening flight. It's not too difficult
to book a ticket from Air Philippines, but you may want to
check out http://airphilippines.com (which is under
construction) for reservation info. At any rate, if you
miss the Caticlan flight, you can easily book on Philippine
Airlines or Asian Spirit (both Kalibo bound). From Caticlan
airport, all you need to do is take a tricycle to the beach
(5 mins), where outriggers will take you to Boracay (15
mins).
There are several resorts that offer reasonable rates
(US$19 a night for a beachfront cottage [double room ] at
Bans for instance, or nearby Mila's Resort for US$28 a
night [a/c double room, complimentary breakfast and dinner]
), and since August is "off-season" for tourists, I'm sure
you can find a good bargain. Check around, though, and
don't mind the local middle-men.
Another island definitely worth visiting (a little more
difficult to get there though) is Camiguin Island in
Mindanao. There are daily flights to Cagayan de Oro (PAL,
Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines) after which you take a bus
to Balingoan where you can catch a ferry to Benoni (1 1/2
hrs) or Guinsiliban (1 hr); ferries leave from 6 am to 2 pm
so make sure to get an early start. Once you're there,
knock yourself out at the hot and cold springs, the
underwater cemetery, White island, Katibawasan falls and
more. Camiguin Seaside Lodge is a good place to stay
(reasonable rates at P250 [US$6] when I was last there);
but Paras is by far the best resort on the island (a little
more expensive at US$75 for a 2 room, 6 bed cottage with
kitchen and 2 t/b; US$50 and upwards for a/c rooms). Best
of all, hardly any tourists!
the kalibo flights are 737's whereas the flights to caticlan
are in very small planes - 10 seaters (?). reservations on
the 737 are therefore easier.
.
if you fly to kalibo there will be a lady hovering in manila
airport near the check-in to sell you the bus and ferry
ticket - buy it, it's a straight deal and saves you messing
around in kalibo. the drive from kalibo to caticlan is about
1:15 hours and is a little twisty. the driver's a dickhead
as well - may you live in interesting times. when you get
off the bus at the caticlan "pier" there is a plethora of
boats (bancas) to convey you to the island. it's a 10 - 15
min trip to the southern boat station - with 5 minutes a go
to the middle and the north boat station. you board and
leave the boats through knee-deep water and walk up a 200 x
50mm (8"x2") plank at 45 deg, so if you have luggage, hire a
"porter" to get it on board for you. 50 peso, just over a
dollar, would be a reasonable tip - unless you are a real
tightarse.
The Asian Spirit planes hold about 60 passengers, but it is
a popular way to get there so the flights fill up fast.
Kalibo is an absolute pit, but the vanride to Caticlan is
quite scenic. There are scores of vans plying the route.
You don't need to sweat buying tickets in Manila. Believe
me these guys will find you. If you do end up in Kalibo
for the night waiting for a van the next morning, the only
decent place to stay is the Emerald (? Esmerelda?) right
next to the bus/van station where the airport road meets
the southern highway and the road to Caticlan. Everything
else in town is crap.
Sorry about that, I always confuse Air Philippines with
Asian Spirit (hard to see why, with Asian Spirit's
trademark 70's flower-power graffiti all over their
aircraft). It's Asian Spirit that flies direct to Caticlan
(Air Philippines flies into Kalibo). The 10-seater planes
which fly into Caticlan are owned by another airline,
Pacific Airways. Asian Spirit flies 3x daily into
Caticlan, departing Manila at 10:20 a.m., 1:20 p.m. and
4:20 p.m. Check out http://www.asianspirit.com for online
booking.
the 10 seater was from cebu. however, it is difficult to get
bookings on the Asian Spirit planes. try if you can cos the
bus drive from kalibo is no fun at all - and i am one not
easily worried by asian driving.
Go to Boracay... you won't be dissapointed. Maybe it's not
like it used to be but I was the a few months ago and it
was a brillant 5 days, in fact I didn't want to leave.
highly recommend the "Mona Lisa " white sands. beautiful
cottage style units with A/C and full kitchen. don't miss
the horseback rides thru the jungle and take the banca ride
around the island. get a 1 hour massage for a few bucks
from one of the women on the beach. try the all you can eat
buffet at Lorenzo's.