BORACAY MINI GUIDE

Boracay is a small island south of . Getting there requires different modes of transportation such as by air, by land and by sea. Coming from Manila, there are two routes to choose from: a. Manila to Caticlan (via Philippine Airlines / / Air Asia) – 45-minutes from Manila on an air bus plane. Flights leave at hourly intervals from Manila to the Caticlan airport. b. Manila – – Caticlan (via Air Asia / Cebu Pacific / Philippine Airlines – Air lines include Boeing 747 or Airbus A320 in their fleets) – a 45 minute flight from Manila and a 2-hour land transfer from Kalibo to Caticlan. Private vans for hire and air conditioned buses are available (no pre-booking required, can be arranged on arrival in Kalibo).

ARRIVAL TO CATICLAN Caticlan is a jump-off point to Boracay from the Jetty Port. Public bancas (small motorized boats) from the jetty port transport passengers to the centralized boat station on the island and this takes about 10 minutes. Boats run every five minutes and are on a first-come first-serve basis. Private boat transfers from the port direct to your resort can be arranged through your hotel or our coordinator, Amanda Tirol. It is best to change into slippers/ sandals at the jetty port for your comfort and in anticipation of the beach.

Choosing flight route depends on your preferences; here are the THINGS to consider: a. Via Caticlan – flying straight to Caticlan airport saves time, as it is directly on the Jetty Port. However, the airfare is usually higher than via Kalibo. Also, during bad weather conditions flights are rerouted to Kalibo for safety reasons.

b. Via Kalibo - flying to Kalibo will need you to transfer to Caticlan via land with 2 hours travel time. Ticket cost is usually cheaper.

Most hotels arrange airport transfers and therefore it is much better to avail it at a little extra cost rather than experience stress and hassles on your trip. We can also arrange this for you at a cheaper rate.

Southwest Transfers’ Rate:

From Kalibo Airport to hotel – P 1,700 per person round trip From Caticlan Airport to hotel – P 1,400 per person round trip

Private Van: Kalibo Airport to Jetty Port – P1500 per van per way, maximum of 8 persons considering luggages

Private Boat: Caticlan Jetty Port to Boracay Port – P800 for first 5 persons in excess P50 per head per way (Day Rate) There will be night difference after 5PM.

If you want to travel on your own, please see below rates: ($1-49 pesos) • P150 to P200 per person - Public Van one-way from Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Jetty

Port (1.5-2 hours travel time) • P60 to 100 – Tricycle fare from Caticlan airport to Caticlan Jetty Port (10-15 minutes travel time) • Public boat at P25 per person from Caticlan port to Boracay port or fast craft at P35 to P70 one-way • Boracay port to your hotel at P150 per tricycle but if you want to share with the other passengers its P20 to P30 per person.

PORTERS At the Caticlan Jetty Port, there are uniformed porters to help you with your luggage. The going rate for porters is Php 20.00 per piece of luggage. Always have small change ready.

FEES Kalibo Airport Terminal Fee – Php 200 Caticlan Airport Terminal Fee – Php 200 Jetty Port Terminal Fee – Php 75 Environmental Fee – Php 100 CLOTHING

What to wear The dress code is very casual, day and night. Mostly you will walk and stand on sand, even in many restaurants. Sandals, flip-flops, comfortable shoes and casual clothes are advisable.

For the wedding day, the requested attire is “Island Formal”. For men, this would be linen shirt and light colored pants. For women, dresses in light fabrics such as chiffon, georgette, or jersey are ideal.

Please remember that the wedding ceremony and reception will be at the beach, comfortable attire is best. Flat shoes, wedges, sandals, leather or canvas shoes (drivers/loafers or topsiders) are ideal footwear.

MEN WOMEN

GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND OF BORCAY

The island transportation is mainly by tricycle. Flagging down roving tricycles will cost P10 per person during the day and P20 per person during the night. Parked “trikes” can be hired for private use from P60 – P150 per trip, although expect to negotiate on the price especially at night. TRANSPORTATION Here are the transport fares and contact info if you need some transport arrangements: BLTMPC (036) 288 3271 E- Trike / Motorized Tricycle Fares Php 10.00 individual trip per person Tricycle Rental Php 60 – 150 per trip for 7 persons E – Trike Rental Php 60 – 250 per trip for 7 persons Multi-Cab Fares Php 250 per trip up to 10 persons Multi-Cab Rental Php 700 for 2 hours Air Conditioned Van Rental Php 350 per trip Helicopter Contact (036) 288 4356

CLINICS AND HOSPITALS Metropolitan Doctors (038) 288 6357 Clinic Clinica De Boracay (036) 288 6340 DentCare & Therabreath Center (036) 288 6171 Island Medical Clinic (036) 288 3166

HAIR & MAKE-UP RESERVATIONS FOR THE WEDDING DAY Hair and Traditional Make-Up: Php 2000.00 per person Hair and Airbrush Make-Up: Php 3500.00 per person Hair Only: Php 1000.00 per person Traditional Make-Up only: Php 1,200.00 per person Local make-up artists: Make-Up Studio Fern Quimpo Victor Ortega Please contact us if you need some help on bookings.

BANKS There are a number of banks on the island that will change Dollars or Euros. Most resorts have this service as well. There are ATM’s at the D’Mall that you can withdraw from. Ideally, paying in cash is the better way of settling bills when in restaurants or malls, as some small restaurants/resorts/shops may charge for credit card usage. Please confirm with your resort regarding their payment policy.

Please check online for an updated conversion rate athttp://www.exchangerate.com/

WHAT TO DO

SHOPPING The central market, also called Talipapa, offers a variety of beachwear fashion shops, specialty shops, & many food stalls. Another open-air market to the north & more upscale than the Talipapa, is called D'Mall. This place hosts a small supermarket, beachwear shops, antique furniture, lamps, jewelry & native woodcarvings. Both places are perfect for pasalubong or souvenir shopping. City Mall is the first and newly opened mall on the island, if you’re looking for a full-sized supermarket and fast food chains.

SNORKELING AND BEACH HOPPING Trips around the island often include stopovers at different beaches or coves; the most popular of which are Puka Beach, Ilig-Iligan Beach, Laurel Island & Crocodile Island. The front desk of the resorts can arrange boat trips with lunch packages. Banana Boat, Zorb, Zipline and Dune Buggy Tours are nice too!

DIVING AND AQUA SPORTS The island has more than 24 dive sites and over 20 dive centers offering services suited for beginners and experienced divers alike. , kite boarding, wake boarding, jet skiing, parasailing, sunset paraw sailing, and banana boat riding are also very popular Boracay activities. Many sport shops display their services along the pedestrian pathway and are easy to find.

GOLF

Fairways & Bluewater is and 18-hole par 72 World- class golf course stretching across most of the island. For inquiries and reservations, contact us. WHAT TO DO

SPA AND MASSAGE Many licensed masseurs roam the beachfront offering massages for Php from Php 350.00 - 450/hour . You can also treat yourself to a luxurious day at the Mandala Spa. Being very popular, it is advisable to book reservations early. For treatments and rates you can check the website: www.mandalaspa.com.

WINING AND DINING You can start off your day with a superb breakfast at Real Coffee, Lazy Dog, and Lemon Café or at the Sunny Side Café. Known for its ambience, True Food serves authentic Indian and vegetarian cuisine, Cyma for great tasting Greek food. Dos Mestizos for Spanish cuisine, and true carnivores can have their fill in the Boracay Steak House, Forno Osteria at Discovery Shores, for Italian cuisine, Kasbah for exotic Moroccan dishes and Hawaiian-Bar-BQue’s famous original Hawaiian barbecue. There’s also Mañana that serves excellent Mexican food and equally excellent Margaritas! The upscale Aria Café restaurant by D’Mall serves wonderful Italian dishes along side the pedestrian pathway. The seafood risotto at Friday’s Restaurant is the best brunch to start your day. For great tasting pizzas and melts, checkout Don Vito Ristorante, Yellow Cab and Shakeys. You may also try Pamana Restaurant, Maya’s, Subo Restaurant and Titos for Filipino cuisines. Don’t leave the island without visiting Los Indios Bravos (Gastropub cuisine). Station Juan at White House offers delicious spread from traditional Filipino and international cuisine, their famous Panizza is a must try. Most of these restaurants offer seafood, but if you want to personally choose and buy fresh seafood, go to Tindahan it Boracay and have it cooked at one of the market’s restaurants that offer the service. For affordable restaurants, there is Smoke, Mang Inasal or Andoks mostly located at D’Mall. Of course, a trip to Boracay wouldn’t be completed without one of Jonah’s famous fruit shakes, Jony’s fruit shake or Ti Braz for scrumptious crepes.

Popular nightspots include Epic, Summer Place, OM Bar and Wave Bar are known to last until sunrise parties. Bom Bom & Pat’s Bar for its live reggae and island percussions. Visit Exit or Aplaya for Techno music. For the brave, try Cocomangas’ at Station 1 for infamous 15 shots and still standing and proudly have your name immortalized on their wall of fame. Club Galaxy, is the newly opened and the biggest Bar on the island.

COORDINATOR

For flight & resort inquiries and reservations, please contact: Boracay Weddings & Events by AMANDA TIROL +63 917 5396220 [email protected]