Boracay's Mystique...

boat station 2
Originally uploaded by antondiaz.

A Truly Magical Experience

I've been wanting to blog about Boracay but I'm afraid that I might not give justice to Bora's magical experience that awaits any tourist/vacationer. Each Boracay experience is truly unique and the island never fails to surprise or amuse you with its cuisines, parties, sceneries, chillout places, shopping, and people. I've been in Boracay 2 years plus (I can't remember exactly) and each visit has been an unforgettable awesome experience. There is a saying that "what happens in Boracay stays in Boracay" because people literally are transformed like a butterfly coming out of its cocoon. I would like to give you a glimpse of what happens in Bora. Here are a few suggestions on how to make your boracay escape a truly memorable experience:

Related BORACAY Blog Posts:

• Boracay 2012: CRAFTY'S ROOFTOP BORACAY - Best Indian Cuisine on the Island?
• What's New in Boracay in 2010? (Part 1 of 2)
• What's New in Boracay in 2010? (Part 2 of 2)
• Tips on Getting To and Around Boracay – 2009
• Boracay 101: A Bora First Timer's Guide To Boracay's Best Restaurants, Must Try Food and Gimmick Places
• Top5 Bora Resto! [ The Bora Life #3 ]
• My Mandala Spa Experience [ The Bora Life #2 ]
• [The Bora Life.1] Top Ten 10 Cool Things to do in Boracay!
• Boracay's Mystique...

1. Signature Boracay Experience

A Boracay experience is not complete without these time-tested Boracay traditions:

• Sipping Jonas Milkshake while watching the sunset.
• Flipping over a wild banana boat ride with your friends
• Having a massage by the beach with virgin coconut oil

2. The Beach Bum look

Two-piece swimsuit is in. I've never seen Boracay soo bold with girls wearing two-piece suit as a standard and if you are wearing one piece -- it is either your old or your fat. I was shocked or maybe I was just old that I'm not been in Boracay for quite a long time. Boracay is a great place to be young and free. So what if you don't have a two-piece suit and you are shy to wear your one-piece after reading this? Don't worry, there is the famous "Paolo Collection" swimwear line in the d'Mall where you can find quality but cheap two-piece suit.

Henna Tattoos are a must! Almost all Boracay goers have a Henna Tattoo or a glitter Tattoo which serves as a trademark that you have been to Boracay. In our group, the young ones definitely got one while the young once shy away from this. Just a word of caution: the henna tattoos smudges with sweat and it would take you two weeks to remove. Also, there are some people who are allergic to Henna so be very careful. If you are determined to get a henna, get one in the morning, place it where you won't sweat easily and it should definitely be seen. I loved watching women with henna tattoos on their lower back.

Puka Shells/ Bead Necklaces. Boracay is full of vendors of necklaces. Be sure to get one to accessorize your look or bring one as a "pasalubong" to your friends or family.

3. Island Hopping around Boracay Island

Island hopping is one of the boracay plus experience that you should definitely do that would consume a half day of your itinerary. You need to negotiate with a banca boatmen preferably associated with your beach resort. The costs depends on how many you are, and how long is the trip. Here's a tip: make sure that you call him by his name when negotiating and you should know or pretend to know the places you would go to. Here are recommended places to visit/stop over:

• Snorkeling near crocodile island and drinking fresh buko juice after.
• Stopping over for lunch at Puka Grande, in Puca beach.
• Appreciating the beauty of the Nami Villas. (try to inquire and see their breathtaking rooms)

4. Dining and Chilling out with style

There are alot of good restaurants in Boracay and places to chill out for the night. Since you only have a limited time in this island paradise, you need to carefully plan out your dining adventures. Here are my favorites:

• Gasthof Restaurant in d'mall. Yummy Filipino grilled food right in the center of d'mall.
• Aria Italian Restaurant in d'mall. The food is simply unforgettable.
• Happy Hour at Cocomangas -- buy 1 take 1 drinks with Chori Burger on the side.
• Chilling out with cool music at BomBom -- this is where the likes of Paolo Santos hangs out

Other options:
Manana Mexican Food in station 1 beside cocomangas.
Caribo Restaurant in Station 2
True Food Indian Restaurant in Station 2 before boracay regency
Victory Thailand Restaurant in Station 2 right after boracay regency
Crepes St. Michel de Boracay in d'mall
Smoke Resto at the back of d'mall where you can buy food in the market and they'll cook it for you.

5. Drinking and Dancing the night away in Boracay

The Station 1 party places are still the coolest place in Bora. This includes Pier 1 Beachcomber, Cocomangas and the spill over bar in the middle Club Paraw. If you want to be wasted for the night, here are my recommended drinks for you and you'll surely dance the night away.

• Jam Jar Drink and Illusion Shaker at Cocomangas
• Weng Weng Drink at Bombom
• Slammer and Beer Bong at Pier 1 Beachcomber.

If you are planning to be wasted, make sure that there are no evidences (you don't want to create another scandal) and remember the Boracay motto "What happens in Boracay, Stays in Boracay!!"

 

 

 

Related BORACAY Blog Posts:

• BORACAY's White Christmas: 10 Never-Boring Experiences to Enjoy with your Kids! 
• THE DISTRICT Experience: A Perfect Location for Families with Kids @DistrictBoracay 

• Boracay 2012: CRAFTY'S ROOFTOP BORACAY - Best Indian Cuisine on the Island?
• What's New in Boracay in 2010? (Part 1 of 2)
• What's New in Boracay in 2010? (Part 2 of 2)
• Tips on Getting To and Around Boracay – 2009
• Boracay 101: A Bora First Timer's Guide To Boracay's Best Restaurants, Must Try Food and Gimmick Places
• Top5 Bora Resto! [ The Bora Life #3 ]
• My Mandala Spa Experience [ The Bora Life #2 ]
• [The Bora Life.1] Top Ten 10 Cool Things to do in Boracay!
• Boracay's Mystique...

 

Comments

[tanya]

great post...on't worry, you did give justice to Boracay's magic :)
i'm interested at the Paolo swimwear, i haven't noticed that shop before. haha, i think matagal ka na di pumunta ng bora kaya na-shock ka. :)but i bet you enjoyed girl-watching! haha.
after reading your post, i will make it a point to visit all the nice restos in Bora. i'm usually so barat when it comes to food so i eat at the talipapa, but next time, i'll treat myself to good food.
oh yeah, Nami is really very pretty. I'm saving up money so I can stay there, but maybe i'll go during off season so it'll be like 50% off. haha.

[anton]

siyempre kapag nasa nami ka, dapat kumain karin ng masasarap na food sa restos duon... pero even if 50% off, $100 pa rin yung rate, it should be better worth it.... don't you want to stay there during your honeymoon, hehehe? Btw, regarding paolo swimwear, of course, di ako namili ng suit... the marketing girls are raving about it so that must be something...

[ajay]

what a travelogue! made me long for boracay again;)

[tanya]

nooo...last year, meron sila package ka 10k per person, 3 days 2 nights, with airplane na. pero available pag off peak season...pwede na diba?

[anton]

tanya --- hmmn, 10k is a great bargain! hopefully hindi siya introductory price... sana hindi rin bumabagyo (parang may catch kasi yung presyo na yan :)

Ajay - thanks for the comment... I really missed Boracay and it never fails to leave a magical impact on you...

[Eric]

Hey there! Nice blog very informative.. Imma go to Bora first week of June. Sayang d ako umabot ng last week of May kase fully book ung PAL (Mabuhay Miles Award Tickets). I'm looking for resorts hope you can help me get a good one. I actually want to stay in either Waling Waling, Willy's or Pearl of the Pacific but I read in one of your posting Pearl of the pacific gave a lousy service... Any other suggestions? it's gonna be my first time in Boracay if ever:)

[ravissant]

nag banana boat ride rin kami ng friends ko last time na pag punta namin sa Boracay. Ang saya! Kaya lang I got so nervous & shaky I ended up just taking pictures & watching & bawling w/ laughter for the rest of the ride. i like your empty San Mig pix. ;P

ravissant

[anton]

Thanks ravissant for the comment-- banana boat is always fun until now. The San Mig pix was my favorite too and it took me a couple of shots before getting that effect :) thanks!

anton

[jenncharina]

i'm researching for my upcoming boracay trip when i stumbled onto your blog. thank you for all the tips. this boaracay virgin will certainly use it!

[Diana]

I really love your site! Especially appreciate your fresh and honest commentary. Best of all, your wonderful photos bring life to the words you write :D

[Mel]

just like jenncharina, i stumbled onto your blog when i was searching for boracay itinerary. sobrang ganda ng tips... kudos!

[mousy]

how long gonna take from manila to boracay?

[hector]

there are so many beautiful beach in the Philippines see are site below for more information.........

http://www.lareserve-boracay.com/boracay/boracay-island/

http://boracayspot.com/

[alexiz]

Nice post. Indeed Boracay is an exotic and enchanting place that seemed like a dream paradise. To know more of Boracay visit:
www.dreamboracay.com

[u8mypinkcookies]

going there this May! *excited* :D

[Maricel]

2nd tym n nmin ng husband ko s bora at we stayed there for 1 week. wow grabe its a really nice place for relaxation & for honeymoon. ky lang my bad experience kmi going there,hindi maganda ang service ng Cebu Pacific, imagine binaba kmi s Aklan airport dhil sarado dw ang Caticlan airport at sbi nila iaarrange nila ang transfer nmin going to caticlan.pro once n maibaba nla ang mga bagahe nmin,bgla n lang silang umalis at iniwan kmi don.this was happened last May 19,2008. at 1 png bad exerience ay ang GASTHOF resto, near D Mall,dapat itrained nilang mbuti ang mga staff nila.hindi nla alam ang difference ng tomato sauce sa bbq sauce.that place is a sux, that is my first & last tym n kkain don.

[jerick]

it is a nice place