USEFUL INFORMATION AND TIPS TO TRAVELLERS
TIPPING
Upon arriving at the
airport or to Cagban jetty port in Caticlan you will see the porters who help
bring your bags. In gratitude, you may give them 20 pesos per bag. For bellman
in hotels - 50-100 pesos. Housekeepers - 50-100 pesos or $ 1, you may leave the
tip on the bed or on the nightstand, but better if you give them directly. For
waiters - 50-100 pesos. Reminder: Some restaurants already include 10% service
charge to the bill. In this case, you may not have to leave them nothing. If
the tip is not included in the bill, you may give them as you see fit. With or
without tip, waiters will still serve you by all means, but you motivate them
to work even better if you give a small tip. In general, tipping is not
compulsory but optional. In the Philippines, everything is done from the heart,
so no matter how much you have given, Filipinos will still appreciate it!
TRADE AND PEOPLE OFFERING SERVICES ON THE BEACH
There are a lot of people
on the beach offering different services. We advise you not to deal with them, but
just politely smile and say "no." Otherwise, speaking to one, the
rest will come running to you and will not stop until you buy from them. If they
will offer you a tour and price is okay with you, do not rush to pay the full
amount yet, since most of the time they do not declare other fees, charges or
taxes that you will pay once you are already on the tour. Thus the tour will
come out much more expensive that you expected. Most of them will offer you a
tour by boat around the island, but did not say about the size of the boat. Most
of the time, they provide a small boat which is very dangerous when you
encounter big waves on the sea. Or they do not warn you about the coming storm.
Of course, we understand that they too, want to make a living, but this should NOT
to be done by deceiving tourists!
Contact the our office
and be assured of their safety and quality of services for a small price!
TEMPORARY HENNA TATTOOS
Reminder: If you want
to have a henna tattoo, be extra careful so as not to stain the hotel’s linen
and bed sheets. Henna tattoos cannot be easily removed by simple washing.
Hotels charge the client for tattoo stains.
FISHING
Many people on the
beach offer fishing knowing that the tourists could be easily cheated. Most of
the time, they collect money beforehand and they take to just a few meters away
from the beach where there is no catch at all. In fact, fishing is strictly
prohibited in Boracay, because they preserve the corals and fish sanctuary in
the area. If you want to go for fishing, ask us and you will be told where and
when it is best and allowed to fish.
POLICE AND SECURITY
You will notice a strict
security measures at the airport, at the hotel, sometimes in stores. A lot of
people in blue and white uniform conduct the security check. They are not
police officers, but they are security guards, helping to ensure safety in the
island. Do not worry! This does not mean that the place is not safe, but on the
contrary it is very peaceful in Boracay!
WEATHER
A brief description
about weather and season was already presented on the main page of this site,
but unfortunately, over the past three years, the climate began to change. From
February to March we have observed smaller chances of rain when compared
before. And even during the rainy season (June, July, August) there were almost
no rain. Sometimes it is better to come here during the rainy season, because
there is no rain, and the prices of hotels were cheaper by 50%. So why not come
during this time?
AIRPORT AND HOTEL REGULATIONS
For departure, usually
check-in counters at the airport open 2 hours before departure time. For
example, if your flight from Caticlan to Manila is at 14:00, then you need to
leave the hotel at 12:00. Terminal fee in Caticlan airport is 200 pesos and 40
pesos in Kalibo International Airport. In Manila airport for international
flights, terminal fee is 550 pesos. For airplanes that fly to Caticlan, free
baggage allowance is 10 kg per person, allowed hand carry bag is 5-7 kg. In
Kalibo, free baggage allowance is 15 kg because larger aircrafts fly via Kalibo.
If you want to take with you alcohol drinks, the allowed quantity is 2 liters
per person.
BORACAY REGULATIONS
In order to preserve
the environment, the following regulations are being strictly imposed in
Boracay:
1. No littering on the
beach
2. No smoking on the
beach
3. No extraction of
sand and pebbles
4. Do not urinate on
the beach
5. No strolling of animals
on the beach
6. No drinking of
alcohol on the beach
Aside from these
rules, we also strongly discourage buying or taking large shells from Boracay,
because these are often confiscated at the airport! It is better to buy shells
in Manila or Cebu, because they do not have these regulations there.
PROSTITUTION
It is illegal in the
Philippines, but unfortunately sometimes offered to tourists. Reminder: Be
extra careful when dealing with girls for hire because most of them are transvestites!
PRICES FOR TOURS AND ACTIVITIES IN BORACAY
For your reference,
these are the approximate prices of activities and tours in Boracay (prices are
valid from April 2013 and onwards, but this may change over time):
Ø
Parasailing (15 min.) - 1,800 pesos
Ø
Jetski (30 min.) - 2,000 pesos
Ø
Helicopter tour (10 min.) - 3,500 pesos per
person (maximum capacity is 3 pax)
Ø
Yacht rental - 6,500 pesos/hour, minimum of 2
hours
Ø
Helmet Diving or Reef walking (30 minutes dive)
- 1,000 pesos includes souvenir photo and video
Ø
ATV or Buggy Safari (2 hours) - 1,800
Ø
Island hopping (3-4 hours) - 1,500 pesos per
person, minimum of 4 people, including lunch
Ø
Aklan village tour and Philippine culinary (whole
day) - 3,500 pesos per person, minimum of 4 people. This is a whole day tour,
usually from 8:00 - 18:00. Itinerary includes Bat Cave, Jawili waterfalls,
pineapple fabric factory, mangrove forest. Lunch is included.
Ø
Eco-tour Antique (whole day) - 3,500 pesos per
person, minimum of 4 people. This is a whole day tour, usually from 8:00 -
18:00. Itinerary includes: Blue River, Antique waterfalls, hot pot Jacuzzi,
fish spa. Lunch is included.
Ø
Paraw sailboat - 1200/hour, good for 2-4 pax
Ø
"Banana boat" (15 minutes) - 250 pesos
per person, minimum of 5 people
Ø
"Zorb ride" - 500 pesos per person,
minimum of 2 persons
Ø
"Zip-line" - 700 pesos per person,
minimum for 2 persons
Ø
Whole body massage (1 hour) 350 pesos (please refer
to the spa salon "Boracay Therapeutic Massage, tel: 288 5668)
Ø
Hot stone massage with hot stones (1.5 hours) -
800 pesos (refer to the spa salon "Boracay Therapeutic Massage, tel: 288
5668)
Need tours in Boracay?
We can help: russian_infocenter@yahoo.com, Tel.: +63 969 2788 (mobile) or +63 36 288 1669 (Landline). We could send you
a russian-speaking guide for an info-meeting in your hotel.
WHERE AND WHAT TO EAT, BARS, MASSAGE
Boracay has a wide
variety of restaurants, from budget type to fine dining. These restaurants are
mostly concentrated along White Beach. Almost every hotel has its own restaurant.
Different cuisines are served: Seafood, Filipino, Italian, Chinese, Korean, French,
Spanish, Indian, Thai, and others. By walking on White Beach, you will see a
lot of restaurants offering a la carte and buffet meals. Prices for buffet
meals range from 250 to 1,800 pesos per person. In this section, we recommend the
following restaurants and dishes that you must try.
RESTAURANTS
Fridays Restaurant - in Station 1
The best buffet dinner
is served in Fridays restaurant! It offers international cuisine: European,
Japanese, Asian, Italian and others. Best time to come is 18:30. They have a
show during dinner which starts at 19:30 which includes folk dances and fire dance.
Table should be booked in advance, please call: +63 36 288 1669 to help you
with the reservation.
Ambassador in Paradise Restaurant - in Station 1
It is located at the
Ambassador in Paradise Hotel in Station 1. We suggest that you try their entire
menu list, because they are all diverse and delicious. The tables are right on
the sand, near the beach. They also have a band that plays melodious music, and
that together with a delicious meal creates a good ambience for dining. Our
favorite dish here is Chef's Passion, Angus beef with a side of mashed
potatoes. They also offer Filipino dishes. Try shrimp soup “Sinigang”. For
those who like spicy food, try Spicy Pork Adobo.
Obama Grill Restaurant & Bar - at station 1
Located at the first
station along the main road. Here you can try the most delicious grilled ribs
on the island. Try also grilled lobster, seafood chopseuy, grilled tuna belly
and sheep meat and beef burger.
La Reserve Restaurant (French Restaurant)
They have the best
selection of French wines and champagne, located next to Red Coconut Hotel. It
is not difficult to find this restaurant, because the entrance is a small
Eiffel Tower. Recommended for those who like a cozy French interior. We advise
you to try Lobster La Reserve, lobster cooked in champagne sauce. Chateaubriant
- grilled meat with red wine sauce. Rib eye steak, Lamb Chop - grilled lamb and
garlic in olive oil. Rossini - grilled meat in red wine with goose liver.
Seafood Casserole, Biarritz Platter - assorted grilled seafood.
Red Coconut Restaurant (European, Asian and Italian restaurant)
Near D'mall, located in
Station 2, Red Coconut Hotel. It is a fusion of Asian and European cuisine.
They have a great menu with recommendations from the chef: soups, salads, main
dishes. For seafood lovers, try seafood platter.
Tito's Restaurant (Filipino cuisine and Grill)
Near D'mall, located
on the second and third floors of PAT'S CREEK BAR, between PARAISO GRILL and
LAPULAPU DIVING CENTER. This restaurant serves modern-style Filipino dishes.
Try their Sinigang na bangus, Sugpo sa Aligue, Tilapia with mango salsa.
Paradiso Grill (Seafood, Grill)
Located in station 2
near D'Mall (left side if you’re facing the beach). Best seafood restaurant on
the island. Try their grilled lobster and fish Lapu-Lapu. Also try grilled or
steamed shrimps and clam shells. Recently, this restaurant got an new
collective name - Boracay Uptown. Now there are different restaurants inside
this establishment offering different cuisine: Dulcinea and the Golden Cowry -
Filipino dishes, Sbarro - Italian cuisine, and there is also a stall for
sweets, cakes and pastries.
Kaeseke Restaurant (Japanese restaurant)
Located at D'Mall. One
of the best seafood restaurants offering Japanese food. Try their sashimi,
sushi, tempura and salad.
Saneh Thai Restaurant (Thai restaurant)
Located at D'Mall. One
of the best Thai restaurants on the island. Try their Tom Yam soup, Pla Kao
Lard Prik (fried fish in Lapu Lapu sweet-pepper sauce), Pla Muek Tod Kratian
Prik (fried squid with garlic and pepper) and other food on the menu.
Tilapia 'N Chips (Fish Restaurant)
Located next to grocery
store Craft's, a few steps away from D'mall. It serves fried fish and French
fries (Fish 'n Chips). Try also fried fish Tilapia Filipino style. Tilapia fish
is a favorite of local people, which tastes like carp. For children, we
recommend a delicious fish burger.
Don Vito Restorante Italiano (Italian pizzeria) - at station 2
This restaurant offers
the best Italian food on the island. Try their pizza, pasta and salad! They
have the most delicious chocolate shake on the island (in the opinion of
Russian tourists).It is located at the second station in Mandarin Hotel.
D'Talipapa (Fish Market)
Best place for those
who want to buy and eat fresh seafood. Here, the price is lower than in restaurants
on the beach. You can buy seafood of your choice in this market then bring it
to the nearby local restaurant (also in the market). The restaurant will charge
you a small amount for cooking service. Among the restaurants in D’Talipapa, we
recommend the following:
1. Boracay Fiesta (Seafood), stall №. 35.
One of the best local restaurants in the fish market D’Talipapa. Here, they use
traditional methods of cooking from the province of Pampanga – birth place of
good chefs. They also have a culinary school in this province. Try their
Steamed Fish with Cabbage, Steamed Lapu Lapu fish in thick sauce, Stir fry
fried Onion with Mussels and Quick Fried Prawns.
2. Natalia's Kusina (Seafood)
Stall №. 11 and 12. We
recommend you to try Grilled or Steamed Lobster and Lemon Buttered Lobster.
Nigi Nigi's Restaurant (European restaurant) - in Station 3
Located in station 3
near Victory Diver's Dive Center. Try their salad, fresh fish of the day, tropical
chicken dish and American-style hamburger.
Nagisa Coffee Shop and Restaurant (Japanese Restaurant) - in station 3
Located in station 3
next to hotel Boracay 357. This is a Japanese restaurant with a tropical style.
We encourage you to try their Sashimi (chopped fresh tuna), tempura (toasted
seafood and vegetables), Nagisa Maki (rice, egg, lobster and vegetables), Soba
(noodle soup).
Boracay Regency Restaurants
Boracay Regency has
several restaurants serving a wide variety of dishes: Christina’s Restaurant,
Wave Bar, Mesa Restaurant, even McDonald's. Every night they offer dinner
buffet in the front beach restaurant. An interesting feature – dancing waiters
and new theme buffet every night!
Astoria Restaurant
They have the most
affordable yet delicious buffet among other 4-star hotels on the island. Price
for lunch is only 350 pesos per person, while dinner is 450 pesos per person. Usually
they serve Italian, Asian cuisine and seafood.
FILIPINO DISHES: WHAT TO TRY?
1. SINIGANG
It’s the Filipino
version of Tom Yam which may contain fish, pork, beef or chicken, and
plantains. Tamarind is added to make the soup pleasantly sour.
2. ADOBO
The main ingredient
which is usually pork, chicken, beef or squid is cooked with garlic, onion,
coconut vinegar, soy sauce and aromatic laurel leaves. There are different
versions of this dish which may vary from sweet, salty or spicy.
3. CRISPY PATA
Marinated pork shank, fried until crisp to the
bone.
4. CHOP SUEY
Stir-fried vegetable (cabbage, carrots, young
corn, mushrooms, chicken or pork or liver) with soy sauce. Fresh vegetables
give the dish a sweet taste.
5. NILAGA
Pork or beef soup with
bananas, sweet potatoes and cabbage. Banana and sweet potato make this soup a
little bit sweet.
6. PANSIT
Traditional stir-fried
rice noodles. Main ingredients: rice noodles, chicken or pork, cabbage, carrots
and soy sauce.
7. LECHON
This is a native
delicacy which is actually a whole suckling pig roasted on charcoal until
tender is usually served during major holidays in the Philippines. It is
usually served with a sweet and spicy sauce made of pork liver.
8. BISTEK
Pork or beef stew in
soy sauce, coconut vinegar, lime, laurel leaves and white onion
9. KINILAW
Fresh fish (any catch of the day) marinated in
coconut vinegar, onion, garlic, ginger and chilies
10. SISIG
Grilled or roasted pork
ears, cut into small pieces with added diced onions, peppers, mayonnaise and a
dash of soy sauce and lime. This dish is usually served on a metal sizzling
plate.
Desserts
1. HALO HALO
Crushed ice, milk, sweet jelly, caramelized
bananas, corn, sweet potato, breadfruit, sweet soya beans, crunchy rice flakes
and other sweet fruits in season. This dessert is usually served in a tall
glass with custard and a scoop of ice cream on top.
2. LECHE FLAN
Custard made of whipped
egg yolks, milk, sugar and vanilla. This dessert is usually served with
caramelized sugar on top.
3. UBE
A dessert made of
purple yam, milk, coconut, sugar and vanilla and lime rind. There are many
variations of this dessert, sometimes it is served with a little margarine or
cheese on top.
4. BRASO DE MERCEDES
A soft delicate cake made of whipped egg
whites and sugar. Once the cake is cooked, a generous amount of custard is
spread on top and then the cake is rolled to form like a log.
5. SUMAN
Sticky white rice boiled in coconut milk.
There are many variations of this dessert depending on what island are you in,
but generally it is wrapped with palm or banana leaves for extra aroma and
exotic presentation. It could be served with sugar, sweet cream, coconut jam,
or caramelized fruits in season.
6. BIBINGKA
Baked rice pancakes served with grated coconut
meat, cheese and slices of salty eggs on top. This dessert is usually served on
banana leaves.
Exotic Filipino dishes
1. BALUT
Boiled duck egg with chick
inside
2. STREET BBQ
Grilled chicken feet,
head, wings, intestines in sweet and spicy sauce
BARS AND DISCO HOUSES
Pat’s Creek Bar and Bom Bom Bar – station 2, near D’mall
If you want to relax
in the evening, you can to come here and enjoy a cocktail to the sounds of
live acoustic guitar, or later at night listening to reggae music. Here you can
really feel that you are on a holiday due to its relaxing ambience. They
arrange special concert every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Happy hour starts at
17:00 until 20:00. The show usually starts at 21:00. It is recommended to come
early, as seats are usually occupied.
Cocomangas
One of the oldest bars
on the island, yet it is one of the most popular due to lively disco music, exciting
ambience, and the famous “15 shooters”. “15 shooters” are actually 15 mixed
cocktails served to clients who seek extreme drinking experience. But it is not
actually about drinking only, it is more of the challenge, pushing yourself to
the limit and most of all pride for one’s country, because if the client were
able to drink all of the 15 cocktails and he is still standing, one point will
be given to his country and his name will be posted on the wall of fame, aside
off course from the coveted prize T-shirt with logo “Still standing after 15”,
which is believed that only cool macho men could have. The cost of 15 cocktails
is 1,500 pesos. It is better to come as early as 20:00 if you want a seat
because they accept visitors on a “first come first served” basis.
Guilly’s Island
This is popular among
young adults because they play the latest club music here. Crowd begins to flock
here at 22:00.
Club Paraw
Located next to
Cocomangas and Guilly's. This is a good place to chill out and dance because
they have a big dancing stage.
Juice Bar
Located at station 2
near Boracay Regency Hotel. A petite bar on the front beach serving a wide
variety of alcohol drinks and cocktails. Excitement starts here when bartenders
begin to do their flair stunt.
SPA AND MASSAGE
Boracay has many
wellness spas and beauty salons which are being offered in hotels and even on
the beach. Among them, we could only recommend 3 establishments which is our
all-time favorite due to their quality massage services and dedicated professional
masseuses:
Mandala Spa
This is perhaps one of the best spas in all of
Asia. Their massage villas are located in Ambulong (near station 3), nestled in
a beautiful lush garden, contributing to make the vicinity’s tropical ambience.
Try their complete wrap package (3 hours). Services are pricey but it is worth it!
Mandarin Spa
Located in Boracay
Mandarin Hotel. They offer good quality spa packages at affordable prices. We
recommend their signature massage "Gold massage" that helps even skin
tone and aids proper blood circulation. Clients of Russian Center receive 10%
discounts.
Boracay Therapeutic Massage
If you want pure
quality massage at low price, then we recommend you try this salon. They have a
salon at the front beach near Lapu-lapu Dive Center, another one at Borasky
Hotel, 2nd floor, near D’mall along main road and a third one just
opposite Borasky Hotel. Price ranges from 350 (whole body massage) to 800 (hot
stone massage). This is not a spa, but massage salon. Our favorite among their services is the Hot
Stone Massage. Tourists from cold countries like Europe are very fond of this
massage! They also accept house calls, perfect for those who want to do the
procedure in the coziness of their own rooms. Hotels who do not have spa hire
masseuses from Boracay Therapeutic Massage to work in the hotel on a part time
schedule. Price in the hotels ranges from 1,200 – 1,500.
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