Boracay consistently tops various lists for the best beaches in the world, which is why it attracts thousands of first-time visitors each year. In fact, these lists may be the reason why you decided to finally visit Boracay for the first time.

Boracay is a beach lover’s paradise with its beautiful coastlines, comfortable hotels, and delectable restaurants. At the same time, planning your first visit to Boracay can be a little overwhelming. Here is a quick survival guide to help you make your first visit to the island a hassle-free and enjoyable experience.

Take a Flight to Caticlan to Get to Boracay Faster

When booking your flight to Boracay, you may notice that there are two possible airports for you to choose from: Caticlan International Airport and Kalibo International Airport. For a faster and more hassle-free transfer to Boracay, book a flight that lands in Caticlan. You easily shave off 1-2 hours of travel time since the boat transfer to Boracay is only 5 minutes away from Caticlan Airport.

If you are unsure of how to get to Boracay from either airport, refer to our transfer guide.

Book a Hotel Registered with the Philippine Department of Tourism

It is a good idea to book your hotel months in advance, especially if you’re planning to visit during the peak-season (March-May). You should also double check if your chosen hotel is registered with the Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT). This is necessary since you’ll need to show an itinerary from a DOT-approved hotel before being allowed to board the boat transfer to Boracay.

When choosing where to stay, it’s best to look for Boracay hotels in Station 2, like Feliz Hotel Boracay. This puts you closest to the liveliest spots and the best restaurants on the island.

Bring Your Own Reusable Water Bottles

Sustainable tourism has become a significant point of emphasis on Boracay ever since the island was shut down for clean-up several months ago. Given this, it’s a good idea to bring your own reusable water bottles with you to help reduce plastic waste on the island. You may also choose to bring a canvas bag or eco-bag with you to further cut down on single-use plastics.

Always Have Cash On-Hand

Although there are significant efforts to provide cashless transaction services on the island, there are still quite a few things that can only be paid for in cash. As such, you always want to have cash on-hand. This is especially important if you need to ride the local tricycles to get from your hotel to wherever you need to go. If you plan to withdraw money from a local ATM machine, it’s best to withdraw all the cash you’ll need for your trip since there are limited machines and long lines.