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
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.
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.
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.
The tricycle terminal of the airport was also improved.
They now have a system!
A) Buy a ticket from the dispatcher
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
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.
C) Ride the tricycle to your destination.
Passengers for each tricycle were limited up to three only. So, we got two tricycles.
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.
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.
In this registration, we provided our details. Plus we also showed our hotel booking confirmation.
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)
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:
A cheaper option, the pump boat is also available. It is a smaller boat compared to the Oyster Ferry.
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.
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.
After paying all of the fees and getting the ticket, we proceed to the security measures of the port.
The way to the boats were still the same.
Before riding the boats, the passenger data sheet should be answered. Good thing there were tables with pens.
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.
Boatmen were very friendly and helpful. They carried our luggage to the boat.
There were some safety rules inside the boat, like No Smoking, and…
wearing of the life jackets while on the trip to Boracay Island.
Step 5. Arrive at Cagban Port
The trip was not too long, we were immediately close to Cagban Port.
This was the arrival area of Cagban Port. The port is the entry point in Boracay Island.
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)
The pathway may be cute, but passing through it may be hard for some, you need balance to go through this 🙂
The pathway was made out of hard plastic. I hope this platform can last long.
After the pathway, we already met the beach!
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.
Step 6. Ride a Tricycle/ Multi Cab/ Van
After we had our photos taken, we rode an electric tricycle to our hotel.
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
More details at https://happyandbusytravels.com/nigi-nigi-nu-noos-e-nu-nu-noos-beach-resort/
Pinjalo Resort
More details at https://happyandbusytravels.com/pinjalo-resort-villas-boracay-island/
Residencia Boracay
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.
These were the tickets that we got after paying for the boat ticket:
Pay the Terminal Fee
Then after we got our boat tickets, we pay for our 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:
We then went inside Cagban Port after paying for the fees.
The terminal pass’ bar code was scanned, then we entered the boarding area.
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.
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.
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.
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