Boracay Travel Tips

Business Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Sunday to Thursday
Banks: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, some open on Saturdays.
Shops: 09:00 to 19:00, Monday to Saturday, some open until 22:00.

Boracay Island is a safe destination and doesn’t present the concerns that are pertinent to visiting Manila or other mainland areas blighted by high crime levels. Pickpockets are perhaps the biggest concern for holidaymakers. However, with a little common sense visitors can avoid being targeted by them or at least make it difficult for their possessions to be taken unknowingly.

Keeping wallets or purses in front pockets and strapped across the body respectively is advisable, while other valuable items should also be carried in difficult-to-reach places. Avoid using backpacks in busy areas unless you can lock the double-zips together or are prepared to wear them on the front of your body to avoid their contents being pilfered.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 60Hz.

The Philippines is known to be home to malaria-carrying mosquitoes although Boracay is considered a low risk area. Visitors who are concerned might want to consider a course of anti-malaria tablets which can be obtained through general practitioners. All visitors are advised to wear mosquito repellent, especially at night and when around plant life or areas of still water where mosquitoes are prevalent. Dengue fever contacted from mosquitoes is also an issue although the risk of contracting this disease on Boracay is relatively low.

On the beaches, sand flies can be a nuisance and their bites can cause unpleasant irritation. However, getting bitten can be avoided with the use of insect repellent and sun cream, the latter making the skin’s surface difficult for the flies to adhere to.

Alcoholic beverages can present issues to reckless visitors as the local spirit measures are generous, making it easy to consume excessive amounts. When combined with the dehydrating effects of the sun, over indulging in alcohol can lead to problems. Visitors should be wary of the effects of the sun, especially in the high season when temperatures are high. Avoid over-exposure and be sure to wear an appropriate factored sunscreen at all times.

Tap water is not considered safe to drink and visitors should not presume that ice in drinks has been made from purified water. If in doubt, it’s wise to ask for drinks without ice. Bottled water is readily available from resorts and vendors across the island.

There are no specific vaccinations required for visiting Boracay, although it’s worth bearing in mind that rabies is prevalent so anybody planning on close contact with animals should consider a course of injections prior to their trip.

Boracay Island Hospital is located on the main road and offers a good standard of medical treatment. Emergency services are available. Visitors are advised to take out holiday insurance with medical cover, else risk facing hefty bills in the event of an emergency.

Boracay Island Hospital: +63 36 288 3041

Filipino is the main language of the island of Boracay; however, English is commonly spoken and generally with competency. Visitors will rarely have any problems based on language barriers.

The Philippine peso, comprising 100 centavos, is the official currency on the island of Boracay. Notes are issued in denominations of Php1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5, while coins come in Php10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 centavos.

Cash and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged in banks, at some shops and at most hotels. Sterling and US dollars are the best currency to bring. Rates of exchange will differ between establishments, with the banks invariably offering the best deals. ATMs are available but scarce with machines located at Metrobank and D'Mall. Most foreign cards are accepted; cards endorsed or provided by American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are the most readily accepted.

Visitors are permitted to bring up to 400 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 250g of loose tobacco) and no more than 2 litres of alcoholic beverage (1 litre maximum per bottle). Prohibited items include illegal drugs, firearms and certain organic products as well as pornographic literature.

If meeting a local for the first time, a handshake and a smile is an appropriate form of greeting. It’s important to note that if you meet several Filipinos together, you should greet the eldest first in order to observe the local age hierarchy. Be sure to use formal titles with the individuals until you are invited to use their first name or nickname.

Dress on the island should be modest, meaning that beachwear should be confined to the beach and extra skimpy swimming costumes are best avoided. Long pants are often obligatory for dinner in resort restaurants.

For evening dinner at a local’s house, it’s customary to arrive between 15 and 30 minutes later than the scheduled time if a large party of diners is expected. If it is only you that is expected, then arriving punctually is fine. Wear smart to smart-casual clothing as appearance counts for a lot in Filipino culture.

It’s polite to bring a gift for your host or hostess with sweets or flowers being the most common items. If bringing the latter, chrysanthemums and white lilies should be avoided. Gifts should be wrapped. Don’t be surprised if the person receiving the gift doesn’t open it in front of you as it’s customary to open present only after guests have left.

In the dining room, wait to be told where to sit. After you have been seated, wait patiently for all other guests to find their seats. Eating commences only when the host indicates it’s time to do so, after which guests are expected to help themselves to what is usually a buffet-style selection of food.

Forks and spoons are the usual utensils provided for eating with the fork held in the left hand and used only to assist food onto the spoon, which is held in the right hand. There’re no cultural rules with regards to clearing your plate or leaving food behind at the end of the meal, however, it is polite to try everything that is offered to you.

Visitors from the UK, Republic of Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa may enter the Philippines for stays of up to 21 days with a valid passport that has six months validity from the date of entry. Citizens of other countries may require a visa to enter the Philippines, although some exceptions do exist. For more information, contact a Philippine consulate in your country of residence.

Boracay’s main tourist office is located on the main road and provides all manner of services for foreign visitors, including information on accommodation and transportation. The office’s address and contact details are:

Department of Tourism Office
Boracay Main Road, Balabag
Boracay Island Malay Aklan 5608
Phone: +63 36 288 3689
Fax: +63 36 288 3689