Boracay still a paradise for tourists
BY JIHAN ALISANGCO, ANC

Boracay was full of visitors once again this past summer, even if weather bureau PAGASA announced it was going to be a wet season.

Who wouldn't want to go to Boracay, with its white sands and clear waters, right?

John Yap, mayor of Malay, Aklan, said the influx of tourists, both local and foreign, actually went up this year as compared to the last couple of years.
"For this year, malakas siya. Baka nga umabot pa ng one million visitors tayo," Yap said.
I started going to Boracay in 2009 and, I must admit, I fell in love, not only with the place, but with the warm people as well.

Ever since I stepped into that white sandy paradise, I could not have enough of it. I made sure that I'd come back to enjoy the island. And I did.

For this year, I've been to this little paradise three times already.

Not all for vacation though, as I had been deployed to do some stories about the island. And, with my short visits, sometimes, just for the weekend, I have made friends with some of the locals there. And when I say locals, they're not just Filipinos, but foreigners who have called Boracay their home for quite sometime already.

So yeah, I have been blessed to visit the island quite a few times. For those who will be visiting Boracay for the first time, though, here are some tips for you.

Boracay 101

Those on a budget should book their flights and hotels ahead of time. You can either get a flight to Kalibo and travel an hour and a half to reach the Caticlan port or go book a direct flight to Caticlan.
There are various airlines providing direct flights to Caticlan such as Cebu Pacific and Seair. Once you reach the island, then it's time to head to your hotel.

If you want to be on the White Beach where most tourists go, finding affordable resorts will not be a problem.

Boracay Beach Resort (BBR) offers beachfront suites for as low as P2,500 a day with ala carte breakfast.
BBR has a nice beachfront suite which will make you enjoy watching the sunrise and sunset right at the comfort of your hotel veranda.

Patio Pacific meanwhile, offers rooms for families and groups for as low as P3,000 a day. Patio's Sebastian Stober said the hotel has been in Boracay for the past 24 years.
"Patio Pacific is the perfect place either for families or barkada, as it is located right in the center of Boracay. It is accessible for everyone, right in the middle of everything," Stober said.
For those who want to spend a quiet time at the beach, then Mayumi Beach House is just right for you.
The vacation house is a modern, comfortably furnished beachfront property that offers a private veranda (overlooking White Beach) and a great outdoor space.

This is ideal for couples on their honeymoon, or for small families out to have a fun stay in paradise.
But if you want to spend less on your room and more on food, you might want to try Bulabog beach which offers nice and cozy resorts such as Levantin and Lazy Dog.

Rooms in the Bulabog area cost around P1,500 a day. A great deal for those on a tight budget, right?

Are you brave enough?

Once you're settled in, then it's time for some serious beach fun. I'm sure you've worked so hard to get that beach body, so why not show it off and swim with friends at the White Beach? But if you want to enjoy your vacation some more, try parasailing, riding the banana boat, or testing your grip and checking out the flying fish ride.

For those looking for a one-of-a-kind and thrilling adventure to cap off your trip to paradise, then head to Ariel's Point.

For P1,400, your Ariel's Point experience is surely worth the try. The fee includes a 2-way boat ride, bottomless drinks and food which may I say, is awesome! I love their chicken barbecue and eggplant salad to the max.

But of course, it won't be an adventure if you don't try jumping off the cliffs. The lowest cliff is at 25 feet while the highest is at 60 feet.

Just make sure you listen to the divers at Ariel's Point so you would know the right way to jump off and be able to enjoy it.
Scared as I was, I did conquer it and jumped off, though I wore a life vest. And yes, next time I visit Boracay, I will go back there, jump off sans the vest, to prove to myself that I totally conquered my fear of heights and sea.

When would the next time be? Maybe sooner than everyone thinks.