Boracay Island Transportation

The last time we went to Boracay, we met this van driver. Since we almost occupied the whole van, we have it all by our group. He gave us his contact number since we planned to maximize our stay in the island and leave at early morning. And so we asked him to be our van going back to kalibo.

Feel the basking heat of the sun, Warm water, soft sand, and swaying palms in the soft breeze. That is how we describe BORACAY, the paradise in tropical island of the Philippines.

I spend 5 days in boracay and I really have fun. My travel makes a lot of difference from boat transfer to boracay. I rode in oyster ferry . I think its a new ferry there because its really cool and modern facility. I feel safe and very comfortable. thats one that i truly miss in boracay.

We flew from Manila Airport to Caticlan using AIR PHIL EXPRESS.We prebooked online and paid 7392 pesos airfare plus 112 Pesos taxes which is $182.00 CDN. We also had to pay a 200 pesos Departure Tax - cash only.
It's about an hour flight.

If you want to get to Boracay by plane then you should fly to the airport called Caticlan which is right across a narrow strait from Boracay.
From Manila you have more than 20 flights a day to Caticlan with the airlines, Caebu pacific air, SEAir and Air Phil Express.
The flight is roughly an hour unless you fly SEair which is faster as they use turbo prop airplanes.
The airport is tiny and the runway very short and if the weather goes bad then planes might be directed to Kalibo airport two hours drive from there.
An odd thing is that when you leave from Boracay they do not only weigh your luggage, but also you as a person to know the exact weight of the plane as the runway is very short in Caticlan.

Once you land at Caticlan airport you should either walk or take a tricycle taxi down to the jettyport around 700 meters away where you have small jetty ferries going over to Boracay.
That boat journey is only around 15 minutes.

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There will be a long line of Motorbike Taxis to take you from Boracay Port to White Beach. It is very well organized and prices are well stated. This trip is 100 Pesos ($2.00 U.S.) per motorbike .
Hans sat in front and I sat in back bench with the luggage. From there to our Hotel Best Western Boracay (Station 2) took about 10 to 12 minutes. The driver took us right to the entrance. Motorbikes cannot go right down to the beach (that is if your hotel is on the beach), so will leave you on the main road next to a path that leads down to White Beach.
Getting around White Beach, most visitors travel by foot along the beach's sandy walkway. It's about an hour walk from one end to the other (Station 3 to Station 1). Hans and I took a motorbike taxi to Astoria which is in Station 1 and the cost was 60 Pesos. We also did a bicycle taxi once to the Red Pirates. It was hot and we were tired - Hotel to Red Pirates - 100 Pesos - and that young man earned every peso.

Note in Picture # 2 - to the right is our Hotel and on the left is the walkway to the Beach.

After leaving Caticlan Airport, walk across the street to where the Motor Tricycles are. The ride costs 50 Pesos per trike for the 5-minute trip to the Jetty Port. The Jetty Port uses Bangka Pump Boats that ferry between the Caticlan Mainland and Boracay Island. The Bangka trip costs 25 Pesos per person. Non-residents also pay a 75 peso environmental Fee and a 50 Peso Terminal Fee. You need to get these tickets outside the Jetty Port before you enter - Total 150 pesos per person ($3.00 U.S.).
The trip from the mainland to the Island is about 15 minutes. Try and get seated at the front of the boat or else you will have to make your way to the back of the boat which can be difficult - at least it was for me. Wearing life-jackets is required, but you may just put it on your lap to have it handy. If you have heavy luggage, porters will assist you at 20 Pesos per item.

Title: Cebu Pacific Has Thieves Working For Them, Travel At Your Own Risk!!!

On Dec 30, 2011, my family flew on Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 915 from Manila to Caticlan to go to Boracay for New Years. My wife and I were seated in Row number 1 directly behind the cock pit. Due to events on the flight, we accidently left a digital camera sitting in our seats when we exited the aircraft. All individuals on the flight exited at the rear of the plane ahead of us. We were THE LAST PASSENGERS to get off. The only individuals left on board the flight were the pilots, flight attendants and cleaning crew.

We noticed that our camera was missing almost immediately after while getting our bags. We spoke with the Caticlan airport Cebu Pacific representative. He attempted to talk to the plane staff but said that the plane was preparing for departure and nothing could be done. However, he would forward our information to the manila office for follow up.

Over the next few days in Boracay, we had several phone calls from the Caticlan Cebu Pacific rep only to say there was no new information. Our case was still being investigated.

We returned to Manila on January 4, 2012. We filed a notice with the office Cebu Pacific office on arrival in terminal 2 and spoke to a manager. He said that the matter would be investigated. We never received one phone call or one email from Cebu Pacific in the month that followed the filing of this report.

I believe our camera was stolen by the flight staff. No one else was on board following our departure. The camera was on a seat in view of the staff. Cebu Pacific management saw and heard our notices of the loss/ theft but took zero actions. They never communicated with us. They do not seem to care that their employees will steal from their passengers. When you travel domestically in the Philippines you have many options; Philippine Airlines, Zest Air, Air Phil Express, Seair and others. No other airlines personnel have ever stolen from me. I have taken Philippine Airlines more times than I can count. Take any other air carrier instead of Cebu Pacific. Only take Cebu Pacific if it is absolutely necessary. If you must take Cebu Pacific, make sure all bags are locked and you can maintain control/ possession/ visual of your valuables at all times. Cebu Pacific staff will steal from you and the management does not care that they do it. A cheaper plane ticket with Cebu Pacific will cost you more when your valuables are stolen.

I will retract this statement if Cebu Pacific contacts me and compensates my family for our loss. However, I really doubt at this point that Cebu Pacific could even find our filed complaint.

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If you're coming from Manila, these are the step by step guide. I hope this helps.

Manila to Boracay (Caticlan) via Cebu Pacific

1. NAIA Terminal 3 to Caticlan Airport
*Pay: Airport Terminal Fee - Php200.00

2. Caticlan Airport To Caticlan Jetty Port
*Pay: Tricycle or Multicab (located outside the airport) - Php50/Trike
250/cab

3. Caticlan Jetty Port to Cagban Port (Boracay Island)
*Fill-out: Tourist Information Sheet (1 Info sheet/per group)
*Pay: Environmental Fee - Php75.00
Terminal Fee - 50.00
Pump Boat - 25.00

4. Cagban Port (Boracay) to Resort/Hotel
*Pay: Tricycle or Multicab - Php100/trike or 20/head
250/cab