Visit Boracay Island with your family
Boracay has long been the favorite vacation of the country’s younger generations. And no wonder! On one side of the island, you can shop till you drop, party like there’s no tomorrow and feast on food from all over the world.
What is probably less known about the island is that it’s also ideal for family vacations. Hotel — deluxe or otherwise — provide serene spots perfect for relaxation with the spouse with kids. Less “busy” than the hotspots, the area where the deluxe hotels are situated is especially suited for families. If you relish just hearing the sound of the waves along the beach, this is the place for you. Since the entire expanse of Boracay is always within the walking distance, you can always visit other areas when you need a change of scenery.
There are two ways to plan a trip with the family. You can either book through your local travel agency, which for a service fee, will prepare everything — from plane tickets, and resort reservations to itinerary. Make sure you get a good deal. The list of resort packages vary per agency, so it’s always good to compare first before committing to the first “bargain.”
If you want to do it yourself, search the web, check out newspapers, magazine for resort ads and contact them directly. They usually offer seasonal packages that help you maximize your funds. This allows you more choices and information.
There are two major gateways to Boracay island — via Kalibo airport, which requires another one-hour van ride to the jetty port, or through Caticlan airport, just five minutes away from the banca station. From there, a 20-minute scenic boat ride will take you to the island proper.
Boracay has a wide range of activities for everyone — from simply lounging about to challenging your sense of adventure. Yearly activities — like the Aklan Fiber Festival and the Nestea Beach Volleyball Championships — keep the island bustling with movement. Tourism is the island’s main source of revenue and residents make sure you feel welcome and safe. At the airport, you are given a card with vital numbers you might need such as the Coast Guard’s and Police Assistance.
Right smack in the middle of Boracay island is the tourist center, perfect for business people who need to check up on the office or email an important memo. It offers a wide range of services — foreign exchange, postal services, credit card services, business center, photo developing, internet access, long-distance telephones, safety deposit boxes, and even a mini-mart for the grocer in you. There are also tourist information center in the island for those who require more facts about Boracay.
While the kids frolic in the sun, spend some time with your partner. Stroll barefoot along the white-sand shoreline of Boracay, get a massage together on the beach, or enjoy a candlelit dinner by the sea. Nothing beats the majesty of a Boracay sunset on a lazy afternoon.
Choose from cozy bungalow-type accommodations, Mediterranean style villas or resort hotel rooms. There are always apartments and properties for sale if you decide to make this your vacation home.
Aside from the kiosks, stalls, and peddlers scattered along the beach, Boracay has two main shopping areas — the Trade Fair Center and D’Mall — both which more or less carry the same variety of goods. For the best bargain, compare prices and haggle. D’Mall has stores that sell eclectic lamps and home decor from all over the Asia. Be sure to check out the export quality items available at retail prices like organic soaps and native bags. There is also an antique shop, an art gallery, and a salon.
Since you can purchase practically everything — from shades to swimsuits — on the island of Boracay, pack light. Souvenir shirts go for as low as P75 and beaded jewelry start at P10.
If shopping isn’t your cup of tea, try the island food. We’re sure you won’t be disappointed. The choices are endless and you are bound to leave the Boracay island planning the next trip back.
There are always live solo and group acts at night when Boracay becomes an island of exotic buffets. Some establishments offer family meals at good prices — P350 for two to three persons P500 for four to six, and P750 for six to eight. There is Mongolian buffet for P175 to P195, as well as authentic Italian made-from-scratch pizza starting at P120.
A typical course meal with cocktails is only P250 while a great English breakfast with all the eggs you can eat is just under P200. Exotic cuisine can be had at steeper prices. Try Indian cuisine at Vinju and True Food, Portuguese meals at Banza, and yummy Crepes Bretonnes at Cafe Breizh.
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