Boracay tops Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Islands

This tiny tropical island in the Philippines is making a big splash. After debuting at No. 4 in the World’s Best Awards last year, it has taken the top prize, appealing to travelers with its natural beauty and still-under-the-radar status—chances are you haven’t “been there, done that.” - Travel + Leisure

I have never been to Boracay but as a Filipino, i am so proud that it is considered as one of the best in the world. This will definitely boost tourism in the Philippines, i hope Palawan will be on the list next year

World's Best Islands - Yahoo! Travel

 

Sorry Anna, IMHO. Borocay is overrated. Been there twice and I have to say it is a pain in the butt to get there - plane - van - boat van - and sort of boring while you are there. Got rained on both times I went, stayed at good resorts but would not go back. A friend of mine is taking his wife and 3 daughters to the Shangri-la Resort there, I warned him to bring lots of money and bring books or something to do.
I will say this, Friday's is a cool place to stay, drink, and eat if that is all you are going to do.

 

No wonder my FI said no when i told him i want to go there with him. He has been there once and doesnt want to go back. We ended up staying for 5 days at Coco Grove Resort Siquijor instead. Thank you for the info Pato but i still want to go there someday.with or without my FI. A lot of my friends went there and their pictures are great. Yes the travelling part is a pain in the butt but the beach is so worth it they say... i just have to experience it myself...

 

Dave's Straw Hat Inn Boracay

Try looking up Dave's Straw Hat Inn on Trip Advisors website. It's rates #2 out of 122 hotels in Boracay and the price is anywhere from $20-$60 U.S, but of course the #2 rating is based on over 526 Trip Advisor Member reviews. I've never been to Boracay, but I plan on taking the Wife and Kids there someday and this is where We'll be staying. I cannot afford the 5 star hotels there, and besides that they're probable flooded with Koreans and Rich Foreigners anyways. Dave's Straw Hat sounds like it'd be more My cup of tea.....cheers

 

We have been to Boracay twice and enjoyed it both times. There are different options for getting there and there is a wide range of hotel prices /amenities available. You can fly to Caticlan instead of Kalibo to avoid the van ride (just a tricycle and pumpboat across to the Island) but we actually drove there from Dumaguete, leaving our car at a hotel near the airport in Caticlan. We stayed at cheaper places a couple minutes off the beach (around P1200, with pool, aircon, hot water). White beach is beautiful and there is lots of nightlife and restaurants. We usually ate near the fish market, buying our fresh fish and prawns and having them cooked at the surrounding eateries (but this is starting to get a bit expensive as it has become popular). We bought most of our souvenirs at the smaller beaches on the East side; much cheaper!

On our first trip, we paid P1500 per person for a boat / snorkelling trip. On our second visit, we took a pedicab to the East side of the Island for P50 total and walked into the water at exactly the same place the boat had taken us the year before. There is a grocery / department store along the main road (cant remember the name) that has a restaurant / bar on the roof; good food and cold beer and a great place to see the sunset. I will go back again but I suggest avoiding Easter, Chinese New Year, and when I was there at the end of May, there was lots of algae in the water and along the shore (I dont know if that is common there?)

Of course, it is a small Island that is getting more and more popular so there are lots of visitors and lorts of people trying to sell you stuff. They will keep stacking up the restos, bars, and resorts until you can no longer move. If you prefer less hassle, Panglao Island near Tagbiliran is a good option. If you like quiet, then Bantayan Island and Malapascua, both North of Cebu might be your best option and there is also a beautiful beach near Sipalay in Negros Occidental.

 

Thank you John Reynolds and SteveB, i will be noting the names of the places you stayed, ate and went to. I was wondering if you have seen a billiard place in Boracay? It will be lovely to go around the island, swimming and snorkelling in the morning and then in the evening, play billiards and have a beer, that is my idea of a great vacation. I am not comfortable at staying in expensive hotels, i would rather stay in a cheap but nice place so i will have more money to explore the island.
SteveB i have been to Panglao Island, stayed in Alona Kew resort but the beach there is dirty since there are lot of boats docked there. I really love the trip to see the dolphins near Balicasag Island and Virgin Island, their beaches are perfect. Barbecue and beer in Alona beach at night is really great and am looking forward to go back there. Its my dream to go to Bantayan and Malapascua and we almost went to Nataasan Resort in Sipalay....well someday soon.. Thank you SteveB for the infos

 

Takatuka Resort on Sugar Beach, Sipalay is a great place.. Stayed there with the Wife and Kids. I know that the Sulu Sunset Resort ( a short walk towards the end of the beach ) has a billiard table and if I'm not mistaken the Bermuda Beach resort next door may have one in their bar/ restaurant area. This is a very quiet beach with no karaOke or jet skis allowed. Takatuka-lodge.com is the website If I'm not mistaken....

 

The Shangri-La Boracay is currently on offer at the mind-numbing stupid price of 18792-33 + 10% service charge + 12.6% tax making it 23039-40 peso per room per night. This is based on two people sharing and includes a free breakfast for 2 !!! Built in to the price is the cost of the boat transfer, but you only go there once and return once, so if you are staying there for a week you are paying daily for something that you only use once...........and at that price there is still no guarantee of freedom from beggars and hawkers or sleep-denying karaoke. If going to Boracay is a must, then the Fairways and Bluewater Resort and Country Club offer a much more sensible package at 2684p plus plus.

Sorry Anna, but I doubt that it will have a huge impact on Philippines tourism. Tourism is a business and all businesses rely on repeat customers. The Philippines seems to care only for today and makes no provision nor shows any interest in trying to ensure that vacationers want to return for a repeat visit, unlike many of their SEAsia neighbours. As there is no direct travel to Boracay, any international visitor has to arrive and depart through either Manila or Cebu, with the inevitable delays, frustrations and rip-offs in both places. That alone ensures that the visitor has a lousy impression on arrival, and leaves with a bitter sour after-taste on departure.

 

I remember checking Takatuka website last year when we did some planning for a vacation. Their huts are so cool, specially the Bongo-Bongo. Its good to know there is a billiard table next door. Hopefully i can go there with my FI....

 

You go to the area of Station 3 and get brand-new clean aircon rooms starting 1.200 up. Food choices are awesome on Boracay without hitting the overpriced super-hotels. And if you go outside the Asian holiday seasons the Island might still be above the water... If you want a quiet beach, just go to the other side to Puka Beach.

If you only want a quiet white beach, go to Malapascua

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