Boracay on a budget: A 'Biyahe ni Drew' itinerary

Boracay is still the number one beach destination in the Philippines. In fact, international magazine Travel+Leisure called it the “best island in the world.” Staying on the resort island isn’t always cheap, but with the right itinerary, it’s possible to have a Boracay weekend without breaking the bank.

Professional biyahero Drew Arellano and Survivor castaway Kiko Rustia spent a beach-filled, party-hard weekend in Boracay, looking for the best deals this summer. Here’s the island boys’ itinerary:

How to get there

1) From Manila, take a flight to either the Kalibo or Caticlan airport. A round-trip ticket with a budget airline like Cebu Pacific Air will cost you about P8,000 during regular season and P6,000 during seat sales. From there, most hotels in Boracay offer airport transfers to and from your accommodations for P750 (round-trip).

2) Tipid Tip: Overnight parking at NAIA is just P50/night! So leave your car there, go on that adventure, and have worry-free transportation when you return.

Where to stay

La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel | Station 2 (Contact: (+36) 288-4376)

Hotels are always cheaper when you book with friends. La Carmela’s barkada rates range from P2,400 to P5,500 per night per person, depending on how many you are and whether you’re coming during peak season. You can also modify your package to include an airport transfer.

Pitch a tent | Anywhere on the beach

Want to take being a “beach bum” to the next level? Believe it or not, you can rent a tent and spend the night on the shore from P150 to P300. Just keep an eye out for the tent “salesmen,” book your tent and you’re all set.
 

What to do

Swim like a mermaid

At the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy, you can rent a tail and have an instructor teach you how to use it for P1,500. The two-hour introductory lesson will guide you through stretching exercises, and swimming with and without floaters. You can also take photos—which Drew and Kiko enjoyed a bit too much. After completing the intro lesson, you can book a Mermaid Snorkeling session for another P1,500. This, however, is optional. If you aren’t a very good swimmer and are just in it for the cool pictures, stick with the basic lesson.

Water activities

You will never, ever run out of water activities in Boracay. If one shop is full, the next is just a few meters away. In fact, the “salesmen” even approach people to ask whether you’d like to book an afternoon with their shop. The prices below reflect the usual rates during Boracay’s peak season, so you won’t get fooled by higher prices:

Parasailing P800

Helmet diving P1,700

Riding a paraw (local sailboat) P800

Seaside massage P300

Clubbing

“Sa totoo lang, kaya mo nang mabusog nang sobra-sobra sa P500. Pero ang drinks, ibang usapan na ‘yun,” jokes Kiko. Expect to pay P300 for entrance to a club, and the budget for drinks—well, that’s up to you.

In the mood for crocodile sisig? Drew and Kiko share their choice of drinks and pulutan:

Where to eat

Kiko recommends: Smoke | Station 2

After a wild night out, cool down with some Pinoy comfort food. “Nothing beats a hangover like their bulalo,” says Kiko, who’s been on the island quite a lot these days.

La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel | Station 2 (Contact: 288-4376)

Their dinner buffet, which you can avail of even if you aren’t checking in, is just P250 and includes different kinds of pasta, seafood and even kimchi for the growing number of Korean tourists.

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