Who doesn't love Boracay? Every summer of each year, my friends and I make sure we have tickets booked for a fun trip this beautiful island in the Visayan region. Boracay is a popular destination not only for tourists but for the young Filipino crowd who wants to enjoy the beach and the dynamic Bora night life.
So, what's new in Boracay?
EPIC is the newest and hottest party place to be in the island. Located near D'Mall and having a head-turning architecture and appeal, it's surely hard to miss! Drinks are quite expensive compared to other bars in Boracay but you sure are getting good quality and efficient service. They also serve pretty tasty bar chow and even lunch/diner. Famous DJs from Manila frequent the place especially when there are events so good party music is guaranteed. If you want to party the night away, go to Epic Boracay and have an epic night.
ALL TIME BORACAY FAVORITES (Where To Eat):
* Madly Mexican at Mañana.
If you have already been to Boracay, I'm sure you have seen or heard of this place. It's a colorful restaurant located in Station 1.5 with waitresses dressed in rumba dresses and giant Mexican hats. Mañana serves really good Mexican food at affordable prices. Their usual serving is good for two, but if you're hungry, then a plate of yummy tacos and enchiladas will be just right. It's not as expensive as the Ole Mexican restaurant at D'Mall, so you can enjoy Mexican meals on a budget. Try their beef enchiladas and special tacos!
Mañana beef enchiladas and taco |
To be honest, I don't get the battle of the fruit shakes in Boracay. For me, all the fruit shakes are equally good and refreshing! Brand doesn't matter. Whether it's from Jony's or Jonah's or the new Loco Frio, as long as it's fresh (made with real fruits) and really cold, I'm down for it. Nothing beats sipping on these refreshing treats while basking under the hot summer sun! Just choose your favorite flavor and enjoy! A fruit shake costs around P80-P120 so it's not heavy on the pocket. Bottoms up!
* Tummy Staples by the beach - Ribs and BBQ!If fruit shakes are the perfect thirst quenchers in the beach, I'd have to say ribs and barbecue (grilled food) are the best chow to feast on. That charred and rugged taste with a hint of sweetness just compliments the relaxing beach mood. The best ribs in town can be found in no less than the popular Hawaiian BBQ. Yes they do have a branch in Tagaytay. Hawaiian BBQ is not a budget restaurant but you get what you paid for. Generous servings of juicy and mouth watering ribs are just difficult to resist. I recommend the pineapple rice, onion rings as appetizer, and of course their house specialty - the ribs.
Now for grilled food and barbecue, our go-to place would be a small resto located inside D'Mall - I ♥ BACKYARD BBQ. From the name itself, you'd really love their barbecue which tastes like home-made grilled goodness you toasted in your backyard. They also have generous servings and even if it's not a "budget resto", you get what you paid for. One thing they have to improve however would be their service. When the place is packed, the waiters have a hard time. I recommend the grilled prawns with bbq rice.
SUN & FUN: Things To Do In Boracay
* Paraw Boat Sailing: Enjoy the Sunset.
Catching the Boracay sunset has always been a spectacular view. Whether you're just lounging around the beach beds of White House or Sur while sipping fruit shake by the shore, or swimming and getting a tan on the clear beach, or enjoying ice cold beer during happy hour with good friends, catching a glimpse of the beautiful Boracay sunset is a MUST. The best way to appreciate this photographers' favorite sunset is by sailing in a Paraw Boat. For only P300-P500 per head (a normal Paraw would fit 6 people), you can enjoy a relaxing mini cruise around the Boracay Island while you wait for the picture perfect sunset. It's definitely something worth a try. Make sure you bring those cameras with you!
* Get a relaxing massage!
When you walk along Boracay station 2, you would always see a lot of posters, standees, and ladies in uniform offering massage. They actually have 3 kinds - massage in their spa/establishment, massage by the beach, or room service massage. I'm honestly not comfortable getting a massage by the beach and I also don't want strangers in my hotel room so we tried one of those indoor massages. We were taken to one of the smaller hotels in station 2 and they had small cottages with massage beds. At P400 per hour, we were able to get a relaxing back & foot massage that made the trip even more relaxing. Try it! Just make sure to keep your belongings safe.
*More things to do: Be Ariel or Flounder for a few minutes and go reef walking/helmet diving. Try para sailing and get a bird's eye view of the beautiful island. Try a new look: get a braid or henna tattoo. If you're adventurous, try the ATV or jump off a cliff at Ariel's Point. Or get entertained and watch fire poi dancers or listen to performers live.
There are just so many things to do in Boracay and it's up to you to make your trip worthwhile! :)