48 Hours in Boracay, and how to make the most of it

As a world-famed vacation destination, it’s easy to get to Boracay, making it possible for you to actually have that weekend getaway on the island. There’s just so much to do on Asia’s 24/7 island, you may not be able to experience everything. Yet, a weekend is still enough to make the most of your Boracay trip. If you have 48 hours, here’s an itinerary to cover the hot spots and activities you shouldn’t miss.

DAY 1- ARRIVAL

Arrive early in the morning in Kalibo or Caticlan Airport. Upon arriving on the island, stash your bags at the hotel or hostel you have booked. Some hotels only allow check-in at 12 PM but most of them allow you to leave your bags so you could go around without any baggage. Ready your flip flops and start the day. Grab your breakfast as you will need the calories to fuel your day. Choose a beachfront restaurant to get a view of the beach while sipping your cup of coffee. Don’t rush yet, and have some time to appreciate the beauty that’s in front of you. Since it’s a bit late for an island-hopping tour, start your vacation with a land tour around the island’s iconic spot.

10 AM – 1 PM

Start the tour at Mt. Luho to get a 360 view of the island. Rent a motorcycle or tricycle if you’re with a group to Mt. Luho, located near Bulabog Beach. Prepare at least PhP100 for the entrance fee to the view deck area. Since it’s the highest point on the island, you’ll actually have to climb some stairs, but will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the island. At Mt. Luho area, you can also try zip line and sky cycling activities or ride an ATV (all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

After Mt. Luho, you can head over to Sitio Hagdan in Barangay Yapak to try kart racing as well. If you prefer to get wet early, try some water activities; just head back to the White Beach in Station 1. Of course, you don’t skip water sports activities during a Boracay holiday. A regular banana boat ride is just PhP250 per person for a minimum of five people. If you’re traveling alone, that’s not a problem since you can just join other groups. You can also try flyfish or even a jetski ride. If underwater adventure is your thing, that’s also possible as you can just easily book a helmet diving activity.

1 PM – 4 PM

After a busy morning, have a sumptuous lunch. Well, the option is long but one thing you should experience is the paluto (cooking service) on the island. If you want the same experience, there are paluto restaurants at E’Mall Talipapa in Station 3. Buy your choice of seafood, meat, and vegetables and have it cooked the way you want it. To regain some energy for the later part of the day, head back to your hotel to have some siesta time.

3 PM to 7 PM

After a refreshing break, try some popular snacks on the island while enjoying the view of the beach. Try the famous chori (chorizo) burger from any of the food stalls along the beach or get the popular banana peanut choco shake to quench your thirst while waiting for the sun to set. To enjoy the sunset best, also try a 15-minute parasailing activity or experience paraw sailing. Experiencing golden sunset on a relaxing boat ride is one thing you should not miss!

7 PM to MIDNIGHT
After the sailing, you might wanna head back first to your hotel to get some rest and prepare for dinner. You can go for buffet dinners, have a fancy dinner in a restaurant or just grab something in fast-food chains on the island. But choosing local restaurants is still the best option.

After dinner, get some booze and enjoy the island’s happy hour. Get some discounts in some bar for your drinks on their respective hours. You can also join a drinking spree and bar hopping activities, but always in moderation. Just get enough some rest for the next day.

DAY 2

6 AM to 9 AM

Waking up early when you’re on vacation has its own perks. Enjoy the 4-kilometer White Beach with a lesser crowd. After the long walk, have another filling breakfast for a busy day.

9 AM – 4 PM

You will spend six to eight hours of your second day for the island hopping activity. The activity starts at Station 1 of the White Beach. The island hopping activity includes a tour encircling the island and visiting nearby spots like Crystal Cove, and Magic Island where you can try cliff jumping. The tour also visits other beaches on the island like Puka and Ilig-Iligan. You can also try snorkeling and meet some friendly fishes. The island hopping activity also includes fulfilling buffet lunch usually with Filipino dishes. What more can you ask for? After the activity, the boat goes back to Station 1.

4 PM – 6 PM

Upon returning from the island hopping, you can opt to swim more at the White Beach and wait for another sunset. Watching how the sky folds into the darkness is just a perfect sight to cool down. You can also use this time to buy some souvenirs for family and friends back home.

7 PM – 9 PM

After taking a bath from the tiring day, it’s better to pack your things already for your takeoff the next day. Packing early will make you cram less and so you won’t forget any of your stuff.

Since it’s your last night, dress up and find another good place to eat. Whether you’re in a group, with your special someone, or just alone, spend the night in a fancy restaurant is never a bad idea. Pair it with a glass of wine or any drink you like for a delicate finish too. Take some time to witness a fire dancing performance while having dinner or even after that as well.

9 PM to MIDNIGHT

To cap your holiday, have a relaxing massage too. It’s a perfect way to release the stress and to fully feel lighter after the hectic two days. You can also have a massage in your own hotel, at the beachfront, or go to a massage place if you prefer. A relaxing moment is what you will need for a good night sleep before going back to reality the next day.

After 48 hours on the island, it’s now time to fly back home. Yes, you can actually do so much and still have a memorable holiday even just for two days. So go, book that trip now and get a tan!

Nearby Paradise: Places You Can Explore Close to Boracay

With its powdery white sand, turquoise water, and wild parties, it’s not impossible for a small island in the heart of the country to win the hearts of millions of tourists each year. No wonder, it’s always dubbed as one of the best islands in the world.

With its paradisiacal beauty, Boracay, an island of only over 1,000 hectares is getting enough attention from the world. However, it often overshadows its mother province of Aklan and its neighboring islands. Yet, some of these places are also worth a visit and surely could be at par with the island’s beauty. When you think you need a little extra experience during your beach holiday, keep an eye on these nearby places you can explore.

Motag Living Museum

Photo by: https://motaglivingmuseum.wordpress.com

Most people know Boracay but only a few know its mother town. Boracay, composed of three villages is actually part of Malay town. And in a small village on the mainland, you can actually travel back in time.

Malay is really more than just Boracay. It is actually home to the only interactive cultural museum in the Philippines – the Motag Living Museum. It is located in Barangay Motag, about 10 minutes away from Caticlan. It is an interactive farmer’s village where tourists can witness and likewise experience how people of Malay lived before.

Old and young local people of Malay showcase the different stages of the farming cycles to visiting tourists. Guests, on the other hand, can try plowing, harrowing, and other farming methods and even or ride a carabao. Guests are also treated to folk songs and can even learn how to dance the tinikling (a traditional Filipino bamboo dance). Of course, local delicacies such as suman or rice cake are also served to guests.

They open from Tuesday to Sunday. Entrance fees are at PhP700 for adults and PhP300 for children or PhP1,600 for a family ticket (two adults and two children). A half day tour to the place is possible so why not give it a try. The place is even recommended by the Philippine Carabao Center and the Philippine Conservation Society.

Other mainland Malay attractions

Mainland Malay is also home to one of the cleanest rivers in the country. About 30 minutes away from Caticlan Jetty Port, you will find Nabaoy River – a crystal clean river stretching the village. Along the riverside are huts and restaurants that offer native dishes and delicacies for tourists. With its calm water, the river is a favorite spot for swimming and even rafting for some.

The mainland also has its own touristic eco-park. Tourists will surely enjoy a walk inside Malay Eco-Park located in Argao village. The sanctuary is planted with fruit bearing trees and surrounded by colorful butterflies. The park likewise houses the distinct flora and fauna only endemic in the town. On its highest peak, one can have a view of Boracay from afar.

Photo by: Don Rye Sistorias

Carabao Island

Carabao isn’t an island of water buffaloes, but you’ll definitely see one when you visit the tranquil neighbor of Boracay. Known as Hambil for locals, Carabao Island is actually part of the municipality of San Jose, Romblon. It is just a 25-minute boat ride from Boracay and just 10 minutes if you take a speedboat.

Carabao’s proximity to Boracay makes it an ideal destination for an island-hopping activity. You can even have a glimpse of it when you are at Puka Beach, located at the northernmost part of the island.

For those looking for powdery white sand, Carabao also has it. The island’s San Jose Beach is often compared to the White Beach of Boracay with white sand and azure waters but with a lesser crowd and a limited number of establishments.

On the opposite side of San Jose Beach is Lanas Beach. Lanas, which is facing Boracay, is the main tourist area of Carabao. Lanas Beach is meanwhile compared to Puka with pebbly white sand but with clear waters as well, perfect for swimming. This side of the island has numerous front beach resorts and restaurants.

One thing you can try when in the island is also riding a motorbike. They have fascinating viewpoint where you can have a breathtaking view of the neighboring islands of Tablas, Romblon and Boracay.

Its pristine beauty is always compared to what Boracay was like before it became a busy tourist destination. So experience its natural grandeur before people start flocking to this quiet paradise.

Nabas Wind Farm

When you set foot in Boracay, the wind turbines of Nabas Wind Farm is a sight you’ll instantly notice. The giant turbines are actually generating 32-megawatt of electricity. Currently, there are 18 turbines that are standing strong in Pawa village in Nabas and some portions of Malay.

Aside from being a clean energy source, Nabas Wind Farm is gaining much attention from tourists. Yes, tourists are allowed to enter the site and have their photos taken with the big electric fan as their background. A little tour of how a wind farm is working is worth a try.

From Caticlan, you can reach the location of the wind farm in less than 30 minutes. A service vehicle is needed when visiting the place since public transport isn’t allowed to enter in the farm’s premises.

For Boracay alone, one or two days are not enough to explore enough what the island can offer. So it is always better to spend long days in the island. Of course, giving these nearby destinations a little bit of your time and money is a must. You can actually create your own itinerary to visit these places. But if you prefer a hassle-free travel, just approach your hotel and arrange a special tour to these nearby destinations.