Imagine some of the world’s best islands like Bali, Ibiza, Samui, Tahiti….all rolled into one. What do you get? BORACAY! I’ve been to this island at least 9 times and I never get tired of it. It is truly a beautiful island with one of the world’s best beaches!
Boracay is a fantasy come true to avid sun-worshippers and travelers looking to unwind. Life in the island proceeds at a languorous pace…what’s the rush when you’re in Paradise right? Boracay is a place where you can gaze at the shifting blues of sky and sea for hours; or watch the sun go down in a blazing display of colors, or go exploring the island’s many natural wonders like bat caves, 32 white-sand beaches including the 4-kilometer long palm-fringed White Beach with its powder-fine white sand and a Puka shell beach, kaleidoscopic coral gardens, rock formations, hidden subterranean coves, the flying fox armada at dusk, hiking to Mt. Luho, exploring Crocodile Island’s caves and more.
You can sample cuisine from all over the world right along the beach – English, Korean, Indian, Portuguese, Thai, Italian, Vegan – you name it, it’s here and it’s yummy. For adrenaline junkies, there’s no shortage of activities like scuba diving, trekking, cliff-diving, beach-hopping, windsurfing, parasailing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, banana-boat dipping, exploring the island on motorbikes and scooters, bowling, outrigger island cruises, and more….fun galore! There are world-class fairways, an Ayurvedic spa retreat, great massages on the beach, holistic wellness and meditation centers, cool and hip shops, bistros, cafes……and beautiful people from all over the world!
There are so many places to stay in with accommodations ranging from the no-star shacks in the interior to 5-star beachfront opulence. But somewhere in between and away from the action of White Beach are tranquil cliff-side villas high atop the promontory overlooking Diniwid Beach. Here, from the balconies of Nami Private Villas, is Boracay’s most magnificent view – an endless panorama of sky, surf and distant mountain ranges that is more than eye candy, it is nirvana for the senses. We lucked out and managed to stay here once. Book way in advance….months. It’s that desirable.
When you’re done being serene and rejuvenated, head down to the main beach for some serious nightlife at the trendy bars, down-home watering holes, open-air dance halls, folk pubs, and reggae joints. There’s even an underground disco. It gets wild as wild gets!
Ways to get to Boracay: the leisurely way is by boat – leaving Manila at dusk, one arrives in Boracay just after dawn, ready to start a full first day at the beach; for those on the go, there are direct flights to Caticlan by turbo-prop plane, a mere hour away from the big city and you’re in Paradise…there also jets to Kalibo from where a scenic hour and a half drive takes the traveler to Caticlan….from Caticlan, it’s just 20 minutes by outrigger banca across the channel to Boracay.
Judy Razon worked in the Philippines as a television and video events writer and director for several national television shows, including lifestyle, real estate, men’s lifestyle, cooking, sports and touring events.
Currently based in the U.S., she is also a published travel photographer for SE Asian English-language glossy magazine publications and has a passion for music, film and photography.
