Boracay on a short string budget.

The Philippine government is pushing a 10-million tourist by 2016, that would be double dare from 4.3-million last 2012 with the campaigns in each corner stating how fun it is.

Summer is about to end and I'm a bit worried because I  haven't even tasted a ocean water or had any sunburn in my skin. I only have five thousand bucks to save or to spend on a beach trip, but where?

Boracay is a dream, If you come to think of it, you need an awful lot of cash just to get there, that would include fare, food and a good accommodation. So why bother right?

Your wrong my dear friend.

How far would 5 thousand peso budget will take you? It will be as far as you wanted it to be.

A plane to Boracay would be nice, if your in a rush and only have limited time, promos are good one alternative would be Air Asia  flights are cheap on weekdays and planned trips are more cheaper than other airlines. Some may have promos, but like me, "ain't nobody got time for that"

If you really have short string budget that is so tight your willing to sleep on a beach you gotta try this.
2GO travel offers the most cheapest way to go to Boracay, with direct ferries off the port of Caticlan, it will be a jiffy cruise for the whole gang.

A fair warning
There would be a different class of accommodation, for 10 hours cruising you need to choose wisely.

Economy will be a culture shock, open air, double decks and all kinds of people with a blanket of linen as your privacy. It's cheap with just around 800 fare, specially if your on a night trip, you can feel the cold ocean breeze blowing like your an ant clinging for dear life.

Tourist class is awesome specially on day trip, air conditioned, comfy and relaxing. I highly suggest book this for a less stress travel. Covered decks, few crowds, less children (if your lucky) and if you have the privilege to choose your beds, choose the ones on the sides near the AC far from the comfort room and away from the corridors where people pass by. The price would be around a 900 to a thousand peso

Cabin class: If you have a friend with extra cash on hand, upgrade to cabin, maximum of 6 to 8 pax closed door, private room, a heaven with an additional charge.

A special note:
Since your in a ferry, pack your bag with extra water, food and snacks, It will cost you if you buy from the ships shops. It's OOOVVVVEEEERR priced.

So the trip would cause you a hefty 2,000 peso round trip plus the bus ticket from Manila to Batangas port.

Now you are in Boracay! Horraay! with 3 thousand peso to spend.

From the  port alone you'll need an extra hundred for the terminal fee, environmental fee that will cause you 50 pesos, and a boat that will bring you to the island that would be around 30.

TIP: get the non-air conditioned boat around 25 pesos, it's fast, quick to depart and cheap, the f2go montenegro fast boats and the orient peal will take 10 years to set sail, ugh. and its expensive.


Finding a place to stay.

DO NOT look for a place near the beach area. Find the ones outside the expensive zone, the beach houses, for a group of 6 person, a family room with 2,000 is fair enough, don't be to shy to ask and haggle. They are very friendly and tourist oriented if your good you can even bring it down to 1,500.

I would suggest to look at station 3 for cheapest beach houses.

Food

Andoks would be a life saver, with different meals form chicken to pork and cheap deserts. It would be a god blessing with just a 5 to 10 peso mark up on it's prices you'll hardly notice. 2 branches situated in the D-mall area on station 2 and the other one is in station 3 beside paradise hotel.

Mang Inasal is located inside the D-mall a Tiendesitas like shopping center. with grubs without a mark-up that cost only 99 peso unli rice offers. It would fill that tummy for the whole day of swimming.

Buffet there are good grubs along the beach walk, if a final night of stay, you could treat your self with a nice diner before you leave, you deserve the best.

The terminal tickets in Boracay going to Caticlan
Is full of bull crap! I mean, what for? you pass by a certain building, with no AC, no scanners just mutant guards holding a magic stick that somehow traces any conspicuous object of your bag  with just a single wisp. amazing huh? take note, there are no chairs available for you to sit on, crowded and just full of shit.

and that's about it.

Things you really need are
shades
slippers
water proof bags for your gadgets
(they cost a lot if you buy them in boracay)








Cheers to the Beach Bums!

Duration of stay 3 days plus 2 days of trip. It was worth every single cent.