It’s summertime and the water savvy, this means it’s Bora time. Many of us are dreaming of coming to this place known as among the most beautiful tropical islands in the world.

I have been dreaming of going back to the Island of Boracay. My dream came true last week when we spent three days and two nights in Bora. This is the usual stay of the common traveler but when it comes to Bora for me it is not enough. You must maximize all your time to see the beauty of the island.

The place had many changes from my last visit almost five years ago. Boracay has its own port now unlike before. The boat docks in the pier station 3 and during low tides, you have to step in the water or somebody will carry you if you don’t want to get wet.

Still, don’t get over dressed when you are on the vacation in Boracay. You can wear shorts, sandals or slippers. Just avoid wearing jeans and your Dansko professional shoes. Avoid wearing too much or people in Caticlan may charge you higher than the usual tricycle fare or anything you wanted to buy for souvenirs.

By the way these are some the things you must know when going to Bora:

1. If your travel package by air from Manila to Caticlan airport doesn’t includes boat transfer, consider yourself lucky because usually hotels and travel agencies will charge you seven to nine hundred pesos when the usual fare from Caticlan Airport to Caticlan port is only P 50.00 per trip. The van will charge you P500.00 when the boat fare is only P25.00/head. Multicabs from Boracay port charge P250.00 per trip while tricycles charge P100 per trip to any pier station.
2. Usual tricycle fare in Boracay is P7.50 per head between station one to three. If visiting the mall don’t take the tricycle on waiting as it will charge you P50.00. Instead take the tricycle over the road as it charges normal fare.
3. For island hopping, usually the boat will charge for three hours trip around the island for P3,000 for five persons and below without food but you can market and let them cook for you free of charge. It charges P5,000 for five to ten persons, but during peak times they usually charge P500 per head with free lunch.
4. Hotdog ride and other water rides vary depending on how you transact to them and how many of you will go.
5. Hotel accommodation from P600 per day per person to as much as one can consider as the most expensive one.
6. Foods are available even in “carinderias” outside “the mall” or in “talipapa.” There are also the buffet type from P300 – P500 per head. A P70 to P100 meal are also available like in Mang Inasal. You can have the chicken barbeque for only P95 and it comes with unlimited rice.
7. Spas and other forms of massage services are also available from P350 and up
8. Carry just enough clothes so you can travel light. You can save on your plane ticket fees. Anyway, three days and two nights stay are not too long to carry a couple of bathing suits if you want to swim. One set for bed and anyway T-shirts are available for only P150, sometimes on buy one take one to P300 for the branded one.
9. Always ask for a discount.

These are just the things I experienced during our stay in Boracay. You can add or suggest additional information lacking. Make your stay enjoyable and unforgettable always even with budgetary constraints. Make your stay worthwhile.