This resort offers chic and luxurious accommodations in a great location. Beach FrontConnecting roomsLuxuryWhite Beach Hip, vibrant and fun best describe this modern resort. Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel This elegant, Asian inspired resort is located near popular restaurants and bars. Beach FrontLuxuryOcean View RoomsWhite Beach Striking and uniquely designed rooms will make your vacation unforgettable. Beach FrontGreat VibeVery RelaxedWhite Beach Le Soleil de Boracay Mediterranean-inspired resort mixed with Filipino hospitality. Beach FrontConvenient AreaD’MallWhite Beach The resort offers quiet luxury and comfort to its guests. Main Road AccessPopularShuttle to D’MallWell Reviewed Henann Regency Resort & Spa Another popular resort on the island, well known for their facilities and services. Beach FrontConvenient AreaGreat for FamiliesLocation Boasting of four large swimming pools, the resort is certainly larger-than-life.

Convenient AreaMain Road AccessPopularShuttle to D’Mall Red Coconut Beach Hotel Red Coconut is one of the most popular and well-loved resorts on the island. Beach FrontConvenient AreaGreat VibeMain Road Access Azalea Hotels and Residences The first serviced apartment hotel in Boracay with beautifully appointed rooms. ConvenientGreat for FamiliesMain Road AccessShuttle to D’Mall Best Western Boracay Tropics Resort Set in a tropical garden, this resort welcomes guests into a quiet and comforting oasis. Great for FamiliesMain Road AccessQuiet & RelaxingWarm atmosphere The Tides Hotel Boracay A mix of fashionable and fun plus accessible and convenient offered by this chic resort.The Mad Monkey Hostel on Boracay Island provides cheap, budget accommodation for backpackers, combined with a swimming pool, two bars, great service, clean rooms and the party hostel atmosphere that The Mad Monkey is famous for. Book OnlineCHOOSE YOUR HOSTELPHNOM PENH HOSTELSIEM REAP HOSTELSIEM REAP HOTELKAMPOT HOSTELKOH RONG SAMLOEM HOSTELBORACAYBest rates, priority availability and no fee’s for direct bookingsMONKEY CLUB Monkey club members receive discounts and special offers, sign up!

In the Philippines, one of the recommended places where backpackers can go to is the Boracay Island. However, an Indie traveler with the name Marek said that the place is the most heavily advertised destination and therefore having much higher prices among travel spots. If you are a backpacker with strict budget or planning to be one, here are some guides for you to survive when traveling the paradise island. Photo by Garry Knight on Flickr, Creative Commons To start off with your Boracay getaway, set a feasible budget for your noteworthy, honest-to-goodness vacation. This should cover your transportation, accommodation, food, recreational activities and miscellaneous. Take note that most of your budget will go to accommodation. It is important that you choose one where you feel comfortable without spending too much. Knowing the best time to book your travel will come handy for you when negotiating for hotel promos or discounts. Plus, other travel booking hacks could help on how backpackers get the best deals in Boracay.

Room rates vary if it is on-peak (November to May) and during off-peak season (June to October). You may also check the benefits of availing early-bird reservation promos that offer additional discounts when you book your room online. Photo Courtesy of OTA Photos via Flickr You may also try to haggle for additional promo perks like expanding your complimentary set meals to buffet serving with bottomless drinks package when hotels are customer-strapped especially during lean months. backpack beursConsider also traveling with a group to lower your accommodation expense by splitting the bill among yourselves.sly 2way backpack The best things in life are free which Boracay also offers.  backpack alkoSome of the best cost-free activities that you can do are savoring the sunset view, bumming around the beach or crafting your own beautiful white sandcastles. tuggle backpack

You could do this by visiting the unspoiled Puka Shell Beach near Alta Vista de Boracay. Photo by Rajarshi MITRA on Flickr, Creative Commons Getting to Boracay involves more than one stopping point. To reach the place, you could take any of the available island-connecting trips. Taking an alternate route to Boracay is already an exciting adventure. briggs brx backpackAs you hop from one to the next, you'll find different island sights and cultures.best abs backpack for snowmobiling First option could be the Manila air-Caticlan route, then a ferry ride to Boracay, which commands the most airfare but takes up the least travel time.  88l backpackThe second is favored more by budget travelers:  Manila air – Kalibo, Kalibo bus – Caticlan, then boat to Boracay.

If you go this way, you’ll pay for lower airfare running at around Php 1300 to 2500, compared to the Manila-Caticlan route with plane tickets ranging from Php 7000 to 10,000.  If air travel still exceeds your budget, you could opt to travel by sea or RORO  which has the longest 13-16 hours to Boracay, but is rendered most affordable at about less than Php1000. You might think it will be a long ride going to your dream destination. Rest assured that staying by sea overnight is worthwhile. It is equipped with everything you need including comfortable beds. It also has shops, restaurants and a bistro where passengers can have fun and relax over the night. Photo by Angelo Juan Ramos on Flickr, Creative Commons Raising questions before or at hotel check-in could also help you cut additional expenses or exorbitant charging from dubious traders. Your hotel’s official shuttle or transfer service could take you from Boracay port directly to their location and may even provide free rides for touring the island.

Save up also with free meals like complimentary breakfast or extra special reception snacks. Photo by Nestor Lacle on Flickr, Creative Commons You’re off to a multi-island adventure so pack light. Aside from swimwear, take only low-key pieces like shorts, light dresses and t-shirts. This also eliminates paying additional weigh-in charges for check-in baggage at the airport.   If possible, bring only your  travel essentials. Leave behind toiletries since these are usually provided free at the hotel. If it can’t be avoided, you may go with sachet purchases for small or one-time usage only. At Boracay, you’re also thrown into a plethora of various tasty food concoctions.  Among others, meal varieties range from Filipino, Korean, Italian, Spanish, Mexican, Greek, Indian, Moroccan, Western to combination Euro-Asian cuisines. Whatever your spending spree may be, you’re sure to find one dining spot that matches your consumption preference. Budget-friendly choices also abound.  

From Eats Now or Never, you could have a mouthful of Filipino dishes at Smoke Resto, famous for its Best Bulalo Award from Unilever’s website. So Pinoy and D’ Talipapa are also cheaper seafood alternatives to beachfront restaurants. Photo by Sam Villaroman on Flickr, Creative Commons  suggests Plato D Boracay, which likewise serves local, home-cooked meals at low price running at less than Php100 coupled with free drinks. If you desire to cook, Talipapa Bukid at Station 3 has the cheapest produce and Boracay Mini Mart has the cheapest grocery finds. Of course, you have the familiar chicken restaurants like Bacolod Chicken, Chicken Inasal and Andok’s for affordable chicken meals at Php100-300. There are even quick bite favorite selling at around Php50 and below. Some of these are Chori Burger and Pinoy street food such as hotdogs, barbecue, balut or cooked duck egg, corn-on-the-cob, isaw (intestines) and adidas (chicken feet). These are usually being sold during late afternoons at beachfront sidewalks.

Must-try Boracay food spots also prompt you to check out Real Coffee and Tea Café for their famous Lemon cupcakes priced at around PHP 40 only.  Don’t also fail to drop by for short nibbles and refreshments at the highly frequented Jonah’s Fruit Shake and Snack Bar for the best milkshake in Boracay. Photo by Albert Lozada on Flickr, Creative Commons Filipinos are generally known to be warm and friendly.  What could be the easier way to get among them than by speaking the native tongue.  Its faster to connect with them when you say “Ate” or “Kuya” - Pinoy terms of endearment equivalent to sister or brother.  Why don't you also try your haggling luck to cash in for discounts by uttering “tawad”.  Of course, don’t forget the universal magic word “please” by mentioning “pwede ba” or “paki.” Other than loads of water fun and exciting nightlife, strive for an authentic Boracay experience by keeping open to what’s in and cool at Boracay.  

Get the locals for a traditional Pinoy “Hilot” massage at only Php300-350 instead of the more expensive spa service. Photo by Gareth Williams, on Flickr, Creative Commons Instead of riding the tricycle at Php. 80-150 per ride, opt to rent a bike at Php. 100 per hour for an unlimited sighting around Boracay while flexing your muscles. You could also forget about those hair styling products temporarily and have your hair fully braided at Php. 200 - 300 to get that ultimate tropical look. You could also turn into your artistic inkling by getting a henna tattoo at only Php. 100-200. Photo by Tony Cheng on Flickr, Creative Commons You wouldn’t end your memorable time at Boracay simply with just an adieu.  Definitely, you would desire to have tokens of your Boracay vacation shown off to your friends and family back home. So go on, head your way down to D’Mall, flea market or beachfront sidewalks where you could hunt and bargain for the best deals on low-priced, varied and unique souvenir selections.