Boracay Info
Sirenna's Boracay Travel Guide
General Tips
Backpacking in Boracay
September 12, 2005.
I nside a Nipa Hut by sirenna
If you are looking for budget or
backpacker accomodation, head down to
the area south of boat station 3 on
White Beach. Nipa Huts are available for
around P500 or less, though facilities
are pretty basic. You will be provided
with an electric fan and a mosquito net,
but there is usually no hot water. Ask
around to find the best deals - the
further south you go, the cheaper it
gets. This area (known as Angol) has a
friendly, laid back atmosphere, some
nice little bars and restaurants and a
pretty good snorkeling area. There are
way less tourists than the middle part
of White Beach, and you won't be
harrassed by vendors all day. If you
arrive on the island without a place to
stay, just inquire at the Pirates Pub -
they can point you in the direction of
the best budget accomodation in the
area.
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Coconut Man
September 4, 2005.
The Coconut Man by sirenna
Filipinos are such resourceful people -
if there is something to be sold, you
can sure that there will be someone to
sell it, even if the customers are out
in the middle of the ocean! This
friendly local guy has found his niche
selling coconuts to people on boat
trips. He loads them onto his little
paddle boat and tours around the areas
where people have stopped to swim and
snorkel. Once he has cut the coconut
open with his bolo knife, you can insert
a straw and drink the syrupy juice
inside.
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Buko Juice
March 12, 2005.
Buko Juice by sirenna
The juice of the young green coconut (buko)
is a natural remedy for stomach upsets,
diarrhea, food poisoning, hangovers etc
(and it tastes good on a hot day)!
Apparantly it has anti-bacterial
properties, and has a cleansing effect
on the body. After you've finished the
juice, have someone cut it open for you
and you can enjoy the white 'flesh'
inside. They are actually not that easy
to get hold of - sometimes you'll see
some on sale in the market, otherwise
you'll need to ask a local to find you
one. The juice is clear, sweet and
slightly syrupy. Watching a guy shimmy
up a coconut tree to cut one down for
you is quite entertaining too. Expect to
pay around P20-P30.
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Puka Beach
January 4, 2005.
Deserted beach by sirenna
Puka Beach was named after the famous
Puka Shells which were popular as
jewellry in the 60's and 70's. Such
large numbers of them were collected
from the beach that sadly there are
hardly any left now. This is a nice
place to spend an afternoon - much more
peaceful than White Beach. There are a
few bead sellers around but generally
you'll be left in peace. You'll need to
bring snacks or a picnic, and some cold
drinks. Look out for the cave too.
We sailed to Puka Beach with Captain
Joey from Red Pirates. We had a BBQ on
the beach and a cooler full of beer -
everything we needed really! Be sure to
bring your camera to catch the sunset as
you sail back.
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Tourist Center
October 16, 2005.
Tourist Center by sirenna
Boracay Tourist Center is located on
White Beach, between boat stations 2 and
3. As well as booking/confirming
flights, changing travellers cheques and
money, and withdrawing cash, the tourist
center offers a postal service, internet
cafe, photo lab and safety deposit
boxes. There is also a shop selling
overpriced clothing, souvenirs, imported
cigarettes, grocery items, refrigerated
goods and beer/wines. You can buy
shampoos, mosquito repellant and sun
screen here, but you'll find these items
much more reasonably priced elsewhere on
the island.
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August 4, 2005.
I don't think they sell kettle
chips! by sirenna
If you have rented a motorbike or quad,
it's good to know where to top up the
gas. There are several of these little
petrol stations are located along the
main road, but you could easily drive
past them if you don't know what to look
out for. They sell the petrol in old
coke, rum or cooking oil bottles.
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ATM Machines
October 29, 2005.
ATM in D'Mall by sirenna
There are now at least two ATM machines
in Boracay which accept Visa, Mastercard,
Cirrus & Maestro. One is located in
D'Mall, close to Jude's bar, and there
is another at the Metrobank on the main
road near the back entrance of the Mall.
Don't wait until your pockets are empty
to withdraw cash from these machines, as
they are frequently offline or empty,
especially at the weekends when you need
them most! You can also use your Visa
card to withdraw money from the Tourist
Centre, but this is only advisable as a
last resort, as they charge you 7% for
the privilege!
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Geckos
February 27, 2005.
Small Gecko by sirenna
You are bound to see these creatures if
you visit Boracay. They are totally
harmless, and quite useful too, as they
eat flies, moths and mosquitos. Geckos
are most active at night, and you'll
spot them scurrying across the walls and
clustered around lightbulbs, catching
insects. They are very timid, and
usually run for cover when you approach
them. The larger variety come in some
unusual colours - I've seen green ones
with orange and yellow spots, and even a
blue one. They make a noise which sounds
a little like the word 'gecko', which is
how they got their name. Locals call
them 'Tuko', also after the sound they
make.
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Magical Castles of Sand
September 3, 2005.
Sandcastle by sirenna
If you are strolling on White Beach in
the evening, you'll come across these
lovely sand sculptures. Boracay's
children start building their fairytale
castles in the late afternoon, and after
dark they light them up with little
candles. If you want to take a picture,
be sure to give them a few pesos,
especially as some of these kids are
homeless. |
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