28 MARCH, 2018


How to go to Boracay from Caticlan? If you haven't been to the world-famous Boracay, it's recommended that you do a bit of research about traveling to and around the island. Know the ways to get to the airports and piers, the price range of air and land fares, and how to get around. Planning your itinerary well can help you save money, effort, and time. Here's your guide.

From NAIA to Kalibo International Airport

How to go to Boracay from Kalibo? The most common way of reaching your Boracay hotel from the Kalibo International Airport is through a bus ride and a boat ride. But before you get into your transportation options within the Aklan Province, the first question is: “How to get to Boracay from Manila”?

The best way to get to Boracay from Manila is through a plane. You can reach Kalibo in about 45 minutes (direct flight) from the Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) via a domestic flight. As of the writing of this article, the cheapest round-trip ticket to Kalibo on Chinese New Year weekend is around Php7,300 per head. Planning for a Boracay trip on Holy Week? You can snag a round-trip ticket for as low as Php5,700. The earlier you book, the better your chances of getting special discounts. Check out promos by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, and other airlines. You can also book a flight from Manila to Caticlan Airport, which is also a 45-minute flight.

From Cubao/Makati to Caticlan via RoRo

Feeling adventurous? Travel to Boracay by water. You can take a bus from Cubao to Batangas Port. The Cubao-Batangas ride is about two hours, excluding traffic. Skip the horrendous EDSA traffic and take the MRT to Taft Avenue where buses are bound for Batangas Port. These include Tritan bus, JAM Transit or BLTB.

From the port, get on one of the RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off) ships to Calapan, Mindoro, which will take about 2 to 3 hours. The ships leave Batangas at 8:30 AM daily so make sure you're there ahead of time. Check out rates and promos offered by 2GoTravel.

Once you're in Calapan, you can drive your car or take a van to Roxas Port. Get ready for about 3 hours of land travel. Finally, take a 4- to 5-hour boat ride (via RoRo) to Caticlan Jetty Port. Remember that you can bring your car to Kalibo and the Caticlan Port, but you cannot take it to Boracay. You can use pay parking services in Caticlan.

From Kalibo to Boracay

How to get to Boracay from Kalibo Airport? One of the most important things to ask your hotel is whether they provide airport transfers. From the airport in Kalibo, you'd need to travel, usually by bus, to the Caticlan Jetty Port where you'd need to get into a boat to Boracay. If your hotel doesn't provide transfers, you can ask your airline. The bus ride to the Jetty Port is about 90 minutes so it's advisable that you choose a comfortable means of transportation, and an airconditioned bus is the way to go. There are also tour vans for rent that can take you to the port.

If you're not in a rush to go Boracay, you should consider exploring the unique charms of Kalibo. Explore the rich flora and fauna of Aklan in Bakhawan Eco-park and Research Center. The park houses a mangrove forest, which is considered as one of the most successful mangrove reforestation projects in Southeast Asia. Learn about the history, traditions, and culture of Aklanons at the Museo ti Akean. You can visit archeological finds such as terracotta jars, brass chocolatera, and porcelain from the Ming Dynasty.

From Caticlan to Boracay

How to get to Boracay from Caticlan? You can book a flight from NAIA to Caticlan, cutting your travel time. But be warned that ticket prices are a bit higher if you're landing directly in Caticlan. Moreover, this regional airport does not allow landings and takeoffs past 3 PM. The boat ride at Jetty Port takes about 20 to 25 minutes depending on where you're landing in Boracay. There are three boat stations on the island: Station 1, 2, and 3. Don't forget to ask about the boat station nearest your hotel.

How to go to your hotel in Puka Beach from White Beach? You can take a tricycle for a fare of Php100 to Php250, depending on how you haggle with the local drivers. The ride would take about 20 minutes from Station 1, and a bit longer from Station 3.

Getting around Boracay

You cannot bring your car to Boracay so you're left with walking, biking, riding tricycle taxis or e-Trikes, or renting motorcycles. Here are some tips to remember:

  1. The minimum fare for tricycle taxis and e-Trikes is Php10 per person while chartered or rented rides on flat roads is for a minimum fare of Php60 for five (5) persons.
  2. You can rent a tricycle taxi to visit several tourist destinations in one tour. This will maximize your limited vacation time. The hourly rate is Php300 for four (4) persons.
  3. Don't be scammed by opportunistic drivers by checking the fare rates which should be posted in their tricycles. If you're unsure, ask the tourism office or locals for the right fare.
  4. Haggle. It doesn't matter if you're a Filipino or foreigner. Negotiate your fare.

Tricycles and e-Trikes are not allowed on the beachfront so your options are to walk or rent a bicycle. You can also rent an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) if you're exploring the steep and elevated parts of the island. The rate starts at Php1,250 per hour per person.

Maximize your precious vacation days by planning your trips well. Consider traveling with your friends or holding a Boracay team building so you can split the expenses. Think about economies of scale and of course, “the more, the merrier.”