Boracay truly is one of the world’s best beaches—and is a favorite of people who love the water and everything it offers. There are just so many things to do on the island — and following are 5 of the coolest things you can do in Boracay this summer!

1. Parasailing

Image source: https://www.youtube.com

One of the coolest — literally — things that you can do in Boracay is parasailing! Just imagine being up in the air, carried by a parasail, and seeing the magnificent beauty of Boracay from up above. You can even take photos, too, so you’ll have a memento of your time up in the air!

Rates: P750 to 2500 per person

Where: Bulabog Beach or White Beach

2. Scuba Diving

Image source: http://calypso-boracay.com/

Sure, Anilao has a lot of great diving sites, but Boracay is simply underrated because aside from being beautiful aboveground, it also has a lot to offer under the sea! In fact, the island of Boracay has more than 15 majestic diving sites where you’d get to see various fish, corals, caves, and even underwater tunnels — making for a terrific and unforgettable experience!

Rates: P1600 for a “fun dive”/ P3500 for 3 to 4 hour beginner course

Where: White Beach

3. Island Hopping

Image source: http://www.funsundivetravel.com

Another great thing to do in Boracay is island hopping. In fact, it’s one of the most popular tourist activities in the area. After all, you really won’t be able to fully appreciate Boracay with just one glance. There are more than a dozen beaches — and a whole lot of coves to see. What you can do is join one of those boat tours, and get to see Tambisaan, Crocodile, and Puka Beaches, alongside other beaches on the island, too. You might even make new friends along the way!

Rate: P1000 to 3000 per boat

Where: Ask the staff of the Boracay resort you’re staying in so they could recommend a great tour for you.

4. Standup Paddling

Image source: http://www.supracer.com

This is kind of challenging, which makes it all the more fun! It’s like surfing — minus the crazy waves of the sea. What you’ll do is paddle a board while standing up, and since Boracay’s waters are shallow and calm, you won’t have a hard time doing this. It’s a good way to test your reflexes, too!

Rate: P300 to 500 per hour

Where: Station 1

5. Cliff Diving

Image source: http://www.skyhdwallpaper.com

And finally, what better way to maximize your Boracay adventure than by cliff diving? Get to feel the wind in your hair, and make a big splash in the waters! You can do this at Ariel’s Point in Station 1 where there are five different diving platforms, the lowest being 7 feet high, and the highest, 13 feet. If you don’t want to jump, you can still watch the divers and see Boracay from one of its highest peaks.

Rate: P1,600 per person, including outrigger ride, lunch buffet, unlimited drinks, snacks, and use of diving/watching amenities.

Where: Ariel’s Point, Station 1

What are you waiting for? Don’t waste time just lounging or swimming. Try these cool activities, and your time in Boracay would surely be worthwhile!

Ten Dishes That Taste Like Filipino Summer

Ten Dishes That Taste Like Filipino Summer

For most Filipinos, the talk of summer evokes happy memories of frolicking on the beach, family reunions, and other celebrations highlighted with sumptuous food. Thus, there are certain dishes and drinks that reflect the sights, sounds, and smells of Filipino summer—and ten of them are listed below:

1. Halo-Halo

Image source: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com

Ah, there is nothing better that screams Filipino summer than halo-halo. In fact, it’s so good that it has actually become a year-round favorite!

You see, halo-halo combines ice, milk, jackfruit, bananas, ube or yam, beans, gelatin, pinipig or crushed young rice, and seasonal fruits such as melon or mango in one big bowl. It’s then topped with leche flan, and ice cream. The milky, fruity goodness can definitely beat the summer heat—and remind you of sweet memories.

2. Buko Pandan

Image source: https://remit2homeblog.wordpress.com

This is a favorite Filipino dessert. It’s also a fiesta staple. It’s an easy-to-make dessert made from pandan, and screwpine leaves, milk, buko (coconut meat,) and green gelatin. It has that gooey, milky, and gelatinous flair that makes for a perfect dessert.

With the sweet smell of pandan, this white and green concoction is definitely something you’d devour in a heartbeat! Yum!

3. Guinumis

Image source: http://www.foodspotting.com

Guinumis is a toned-down version of the halo-halo that contains ice, milk, pinipig, tapioca pearls or sago, together with caramel syrup or arnibal! It’s sweet but not overwhelming, and it leaves a great flavor in your mouth that makes you want to have some more!

4. Sago’t Gulaman

Image source: http://www.filipinochow.com

This drink is truly a summer staple. If you think about it, there’s probably a store in almost every street in the country that offer’s sago’t gulaman!

This drink combines sago, gulaman or flavored jelly, and arnibal to provide you with an affordable thirst- quencher that would always make you think of Philippine summer.

5. Sorbetes

Image source: http://magandafilipino.com

Mamang Sorbetero, anong ngalan mo, tinda mong ice cream, gustong gusto ko… So the old Filipino song goes! Sorbetes, also known as dirty ice cream—though nothing about it is dirty—is one of the best Filipino summer treats.

Sorbetes is an affordable alternative to expensive, branded ice cream. It comes in chocolate, ube, or cheese flavors that you can buy in one cone—and can even enjoy in a bun. The secret to its flavor is carabao’s milk—which makes eating sorbets an even more unique experience.

6. Saba con Hielo and Mais con Hielo

Image source: http://panlasangpinoy.com

Saba con hielo is a bowl of cold milk, crushed ice, and saging na saba or sweet plantain, while mais con hielo is a cup of crushed ice, cold milk, and sweet corn. These are both perfect for merienda or snacks, and definitely brings back a lot of childhood memories for many Filipinos.

7. Ice Scramble

Image source: http://www.kusinamasterrecipes.com

There’s always this certain joy that you’d feel when you see someone selling real, authentic ice scramble in the streets!

Basically, ice scramble, known locally as skrambol, is a mix of powdered milk, crushed ice, chocolate syrup, and your choice of flavor or sprinkles. It’s sugary sweet, and could really cool you down on a hot summer day.

8. Banana Cue

Image source: http://panlasangpinoy.com

Banana cue is also a delectable merienda staple. It’s a stick of sweetened plantains that are rolled in brown sugar. Choose those that are coated in hardened sugar and you’ll surely melt in the goodness!

9. Ice Candy

Image source: https://www.pinterest.com

Every summer, a lot of Filipino families get some extra income by selling their own version of ice candy—which is basically frozen fruits or fruit juice in a tube. Popular flavors include mango, avocado, chocolate, or even fruit salad—made from fruit cocktail and buko.

10. Buko Salad

Image source: http://www.angsarap.net

And last but not the least is buko salad.

This is a mix of buko or young coconut meat, with gelatin, kaong or sugar palm fruit, nata de coco or coconut gel, and condensed milk. Sometimes served in coconut shell, topped with a pretty mini paper umbrella, this dessert is something that will leave you in awe and would make you come back for more!

Summer in the Philippines is truly colorful. With food like the ones mentioned above, you can be sure that celebrating summer in the Philippines would always be a treat!