How to Go to Boracay Island?

Boracay Island was again open to the public last October 26, 2018. We had a chance to visit the island right after it opened. So we are sharing our experience and some of the tips for travelers. 🙂

Updated as of October 21, 2019

Welcome to Boracay Sign - Boracay Island

Quick Links

 

 

Arrival in Boracay Island

Step 1. Go to Caticlan Jetty Port

Before going to Boracay Island, everybody must go to Caticlan Jetty Port.

There were different ways on how to go to Caticlan Jetty Port:

Via Boat

2go Travel

Website: https://travel.2go.com.ph/

Price: Php 700+ (basic fare plus taxes) from Batangas Port

Travelling time: 10 1/2 hours

The boat will directly dock at Caticlan Jetty Port.

 

Via Plane to Kalibo + Van/Bus Ride

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Asia

These were just some of the planes who has direct flights to Kalibo.

Price: It differs per airline, but it can range from 1,000 to 20,000 (roundtrip)

Traveling time: Plane (45 mins from NAIA) + Van (2 hours)

 

Via Plane to Boracay Airport 

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, Skyjet

These were just some of the planes who has direct flights to Boracay Airport.

We prefer this way.

Price: It differs per airline, but it can range from 1,000 to 20,000 (roundtrip)

Traveling time: 45 minutes from NAIA

 

See the new Caticlan Airport, now called Boracay Airport (click on the link)

 

We preferred traveling via plane to Boracay Airport because it was the fastest. We are sharing the steps going to Boracay Island from Boracay Airport.

Happy and Busy Riding a Plane

If you wish to go to Boracay Island without the hassle of buying tickets and paying the fees, there were counters and people who will offer easy transfers it will range from Php 500 – 700. But we of course prefer to do the transfer ourselves, it will be faster and a bit cheaper.

Transfers counter, boracay the new caticlan airport

 

Step 2. Ride a Tricycle

Those without airport transfers can ride a tricycle to Caticlan Jetty port. The port was just near the airport so you do not need to get a van or a bus.

Going to the tricycle area of Boracay Airport The New Caticlan Airport 1 - Happy and Busy Travels
Walking to the Tricycle Terminal

 

Exit of the arrival area of Boracay Airport The New Caticlan Airport article of Happy and Busy Travels
Airport Exit

Tricycle Counter of Boracay Airport The New Caticlan Airport article of Happy and Busy Travels

The tricycle terminal of the airport was also improved.

They now have a system!

A) Buy a ticket from the dispatcher

Getting a ticket from the tricycle terminal of Boracay Airport The New Caticlan Airport article of Happy and Busy Travels

A tricycle ride from the Boracay Airport to Caticlan Jetty port costs Php 100 per tricycle.

B) Go to the tricycle and show your tickets

Tricycle ticket at the Boracay Airport The New Caticlan Airport article of Happy and Busy Travels

The ticket has two parts, one is for the driver, and the other one is for the passenger.

Colors of the tickets differs everyday. Here is our ticket when we went back in Boracay.

Tricycle ticket at the Boracay Airport

 

C) Ride the tricycle to your destination.

Inside the tricycle from Boracay Airport The New Caticlan Airport article of Happy and Busy Travels

Passengers for each tricycle were limited up to three only. So, we got two tricycles.

going to the port from Boracay Airport The New Caticlan Airport article of Happy and Busy Travels

 

Step 3. Arrive at Caticlan Jetty Port

We arrived at the Caticlan Jetty Port after the tricycle ride. There were tourist assistance booths in the area.

 

Catilan Jetty Port - Boracay the new caticlan airport

Tourist Assistance - Catilan Jetty Port - Boracay the new caticlan airport

Tourist Verification Counter

Tourists who took the offered transfers at the airport already registered in the airport. So, those who did not take the transfers must register at the Caticlan Jetty Port.

Tourist Registration - Caticlan Jetty Port

In this registration, we provided our details. Plus we also showed our hotel booking confirmation.

Registration Form at the Caticlan Jetty Port

 

TAKE NOTE! Those without hotel booking confirmation CAN NOT enter the island.

 

After this verification process, our hands were stamped. Before entering Caticlan Jetty Port, the guard will check your hands if you have this stamp. (UPDATE: We went back last March and April 2019, stamps are not needed)

Stamp at Caticlan Jetty Port going to Boracay ISland

 

After the stamp, we proceed in buying our boat tickets and paying the necessary fees.

 

Buy a Ticket and Pay the Fees

These were the fees before Boracay was opened to the public:

Boracay Fees Boracay Airport The New Caticlan Airport article of Happy and Busy Travels

A cheaper option, the pump boat is also available. It is a smaller boat compared to the Oyster Ferry.

New rates at the Jetty Port

When we visited the island after the public opening, there were few changes in the rates. The round trip terminal fee was changed to one-way.

Paying the fees in Caticlan Jetty Port - Boracay Airport the new CAticlan Airport

 

Difference of Oyster Ferry and Pump Boats:

Pump Boats

Pros

  • Does not wait for a lot of passengers before departing.
  • Travelers can feel the warm breeze and smell of the ocean while travelling to Boracay Island.
  • Going in and out of the boat is faster.

Cons

  • If there’s a big wave, you might get some splashes of water.

 

Oyster Ferry

Pros

  • There is a big space for travelers.
  • Travelers won’t be worried about getting wet from splashes of water.

Cons

  • Going in and out of the ferry can be longer because there are a lot of passengers
  • Passengers have to wait for everybody to get on board before the ferry leaves the port.

 

Here were the receipts and coupons given, the environmental fee coupon, passenger data sheet, and the terminal fee receipt. Just make sure that all of these were given to you because these sheets were collected by the authorities in the port.

Tickets and receipt - caticlan jetty port - boracay the new caticlan airport

After paying all of the fees and getting the ticket, we proceed to the security measures of the port.

Security inside Caticlan Jetty Port - Boracay the new caticlan airport

The way to the boats were still the same.

way to the boat in caticlan port - boracay airport the new caticlan airport

Before riding the boats, the passenger data sheet should be answered. Good thing there were tables with pens.

Happy Answering the passenger data sheets - caticlan jetty port - boracay airport

By the way, I always have my pen when I travel. I just used the provided pens and the table to show this to everybody. 🙂

 

Step 4. Ride the Boat to Cagban Port

The boats were still the same. I am just not sure if the boat that is air-conditioned is still available.

Boats parked at the Caticlan Jetty Port Boracay Airport the new Caticlan Airport

Boatmen were very friendly and helpful. They carried our luggage to the boat.

Our baggage being carried in the boat at the Caticlan Jetty Port Boracay Airport the new Caticlan Airport

There were some safety rules inside the boat, like No Smoking, and…

Inside the boat

wearing of the life jackets while on the trip to Boracay Island.

Happy and Busy wearing life jackets inside the boat

 

 

Step 5. Arrive at Cagban Port

The trip was not too long, we were immediately close to Cagban Port.

Cagban Port Arrival Area

This was the arrival area of Cagban Port. The port is the entry point in Boracay Island.

Cagban Port Arrival Area

It’s so cute, we immediately felt the waves upon arrival.

(UPDATE: When we went back in March and April 2019, most of the visitors are not using this platform anymore. The sturdy concrete port was being used)

Cagban Port Arrival Area

The pathway may be cute, but passing through it may be hard for some, you need balance to go through this 🙂

Cagban Port Arrival Area

The pathway was made out of hard plastic. I hope this platform can last long.

After the pathway, we already met the beach!

Cagban Port Arrival Area

It was hard for us because we have a suitcase, and we are wearing shoes.

 

TIP: Wear sandals or slippers, and bring easy to carry bags.

 

As soon as we arrived in the island, we had our photos taken here at the BORACAY sign.

Welcome to Boracay Sign

 

Step 6. Ride a Tricycle/ Multi Cab/ Van

After we had our photos taken, we rode an electric tricycle to our hotel.

Electric Tricycle in Boracay Island

The Electronic Tricycle costs Php 180 for special trips. We took the special trip because we wanted the tricycle ride for us only. (Price depends on where is your hotel. In October 2019, our hotel is at Fridays. It is a bit far because it’s near the end of Station 1. Special trips costs Php 200 – 250)

There were other options like the Multi Cab or van. It will be impossible for you to walk to your hotel if your hotel is located in Station 1, 2, and 3 because Cagban Port is far from those Barangays. For non special trips, you can ride any public vehicles and it will cost you Php 10 – 30 per person.

After a few minutes, we were dropped by in front of our hotel (and in one case, near our hotel)

Here are some of our recommended hotels in Boracay:

Nigi Nigi Nu Noos e nu nu Noos Beach Resort

nigi nigi nu noos 'e' nu nu noos beach resort - Happy and Busy Travels to Boracay

More details at https://happyandbusytravels.com/nigi-nigi-nu-noos-e-nu-nu-noos-beach-resort/

 

Pinjalo Resort

Pinjalo Resort Villas Boracay Resort review and blog of Happy and Busy Travels

More details at https://happyandbusytravels.com/pinjalo-resort-villas-boracay-island/

 

Residencia Boracay

Residencia Boracay hotel and resort in station 1 boracay review of Happy and Busy Travels

More details at https://happyandbusytravels.com/residencia-boracay-station-1-boracay-island/

 

 

Departure from Boracay Island

Again, if you do not have airport transfers (just like us), this is what you are going to do.

Step 1. Ride a Tricycle to Cagban Port

We rode a tricycle at the highway going to Cagban Port.

It will usually costs Php 150 (special trip, regular tricycle), or Php 180 (special trip, E-tricycle). Also, take note that the price depends on how far is your hotel.

 

Step 2. Arrive at Cagban Port

As soon as we arrived in Cagban Port, we looked for the ticketing center wherein we will buy our boat tickets and pay the necessary fees.

Buy Tickets

In Cagban Port, the boat ticket booth were different from the terminal booth. So we first bought our boat tickets.

Pumpboat Ticket at the Cagban Port in Boracay Island

These were the tickets that we got after paying for the boat ticket:

Environmental Fees and Passenger Data Sheet Cagban Port - Happy and Busy Travels to Boracay

 

Pay the Terminal Fee

Then after we got our boat tickets, we pay for our terminal fee.

Cagban Port Terminal Fee

 

TIP: Names were usually asked when going in and out of Boracay Island. It is better if you have an ID with a big name. Show it to the counter to have a faster transaction. (I’m just repeating it 🙂 )

*This is no longer applicable as of October 21, 2019. Names are not anymore asked from travelers.

 

This was the terminal pass that we got after paying for the terminal fee:

Terminal pass - Cagban Port - Happy and busy travels to Boracay

We then went inside Cagban Port after paying for the fees.

Cagban Port Entrance

The terminal pass’ bar code was scanned, then we entered the boarding area.

Cagban Port - Happy and Busy travels to Boracay

The passenger data sheet should be answered again and should be given to the boatmen before riding the boat.

We went straight to the docking area of the boat.

Busy riding the boat

 

Step 3. Ride a Tricycle to Boracay Airport

After the boat ride to Caticlan Jetty Port, we went to the transportation terminal and rode a Tricycle.

The fare this time was just Php 75, Caticlan Jetty Port to Boracay Airport.

Tricycle Ticket to Boracay Airport

Or if you are taking a plane in Kalibo, you may take a van or bus ride to go there.

 

 

There is a lot of ways to go to Boracay Island, just choose wisely and be alert.

 

 

Ati Atihan in Boracay Airport

 

Busy fooling around - Happy and Busy Travels to Boracay
Just the usual Busy, taking a stolen picture of Happy 🙂

18 Comments

  • I love ferry rides as an alternative and fun means of transport.Looks like you guys had a swell time with that.
  • Melissa
    This looks like a great time! We are not super adventurous and don’t travel much, but I really like reading about other places.
  • I have never heard of this place but as your reviews are always detailed and crystal clear I will add it to my bucket list.
  • Oh it looks like you had a fab time! I hate flying so we often travel via boat, although I did fly this year alone which seems to have helped somewhat!
  • These photos look so candid! I can tell that you had a great time!
  • That's a very helpful post for anyone wanting to go to Boracay Island. Great pictures for it too.
  • Gervin Khan
    I have never been there but I really loved too. Since they reopened it to the public I will definitely plan a vacation trip for next year as my wedding anniversary gift for my husband and will definitely save this as my guidelines going to Boracay Island.
  • Claire
    Yesss, Boracay sounds so awesome! I've still havent visited but looking at y'alls photos make me want to go there asap
  • I've never heard of this place but it looks wonderful!
  • Elizabeth O
    These are very nice tips if we have a chance to go there. Seems a great experienced in Boracay and perfect tourist spot because of it's natural beauty.
  • I am thinking of finally bringing the kids to Boracay because it's nicer now. Maybe for our daughter's 10th birthday in March. Well, let's see.
  • Surekha Busa
    This is such a great guidelines going to Boracay Island, will definitely save this for my future visit in this beautiful island.
  • I have heard about Boracay Island but haven't been there yet. After reading what you shared, I am definitely adding it to my list.
  • Looks like an amazing place there. I think I would take the ferry though. I think there is just something I like about being on a Ferry.
  • wow, I love how detailed this travel post is and lovely photos :) I have heard about Boracay Island. I would love to travel there one day
  • You have such a beautiful life of travel and adventure and I love following along!
  • Eris
    Very informative! With pics to support the details! Thanks so much!!!!
    • Happy and Busy
      You're welcome! :)

Leave a comment