Sunsets and Soft Sand in Boracay

“In the end, this is your journey, live the life you imagined.” Ashlyn Harris

1/30/20267 min read

Boracay surprised us in the best possible way. Of all the beaches we visited in the Philippines, the beaches on Boracay may have been our favorite. The sand is soft and stretches on for what feels like miles, and the sunsets are consistently stunning. It is the kind of place where the beach itself becomes the main event, and every evening feels like a show you do not want to miss.

Boracay is not difficult to get to, but it is not quite as simple as flying directly into some of the other islands. That said, it is absolutely worth the extra effort. You fly into Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, often referred to as Caticlan Airport, which is located on Caticlan Island. From the airport, you take a short shuttle ride to the ferry terminal. Once you arrive there, you will immediately notice port stewards who help guide travelers and carry luggage. We highly recommend tipping them a small amount when they assist you. A few dollars goes a long way, and they make sure you are well taken care of throughout the process. After that, you take a short ferry ride over to Boracay Island itself, where another van transfer brings you directly to your hotel. All of these transfers can be prearranged and paid for ahead of time, and we strongly recommend doing so. Having everything coordinated in advance makes the arrival process much less stressful.

We are very loyal Marriott Bonvoy members, so when we saw that there was a Four Points by Marriott on Boracay and noticed how inexpensive it was, we booked it without hesitation. Unfortunately, that stay did not go as planned. We only stayed one night and checked out the following morning. When we woke up, we noticed bugs all over the walls of the room. The hotel offered to move us to the room next door and did not take our concerns seriously, even after we showed them videos, photos, and the issue in person. At that point, we decided to take our business elsewhere, and we are very glad we did.

After some quick research, we found The District Boracay, and it ended up being the perfect fit for us. This small beachfront boutique hotel cost less than one hundred dollars per night and exceeded our expectations. They provided complimentary breakfast, clean and comfortable rooms, and free beach chairs and umbrellas right on the sand. The location could not have been better, situated directly in the main shopping and dining area. Everything was walkable, convenient, and felt safe. Their website is thedistrictboracay.com, and based on our experience, we would not hesitate to stay there again.

Boracay offers no shortage of activities. You can book catamaran cruises, snorkeling trips, island hopping tours, and all kinds of water adventures. For us, this was the third Philippine island on our itinerary, and we had already packed our earlier stops with excursions. By the time we arrived in Boracay, we were ready to slow down. We spent our days relaxing on the beach, enjoying long walks along the shoreline, and taking in the scenery. We were also able to fly our drone along the beach, which resulted in some incredible videos and photos that really captured how beautiful the island is.

The food scene in Boracay was another pleasant surprise. While the area clearly caters to tourists, the prices are still very reasonable, and the quality is excellent. You can find traditional Filipino dishes, fresh seafood, and a surprising variety of international options. If Crystal ever has the chance to enjoy a margarita and Mexican food, she never passes it up, and Muchos Boracay did not disappoint. The food was authentic, flavorful, and exactly what she was hoping for.

Boracay turned out to be the perfect place for us to relax and unwind. Between the beaches, the sunsets, the laid back atmosphere, and finding the right hotel, it was an ideal way to wrap up our time in the Philippines. We will absolutely plan a return trip here in the future.

If Boracay or the Philippines are on your travel list and you want help with flights, transfers, hotel selection, or building an itinerary that fits your travel style, contact Tacks Travels. We are happy to help you plan a trip that balances adventure, comfort, and the kind of relaxation that Boracay does so well.

Boracay surprised us in the best possible way. Of all the beaches we visited in the Philippines, the beaches on Boracay may have been our favorite. The sand is soft and stretches on for what feels like miles, and the sunsets are consistently stunning. It is the kind of place where the beach itself becomes the main event, and every evening feels like a show you do not want to miss.

Boracay is not difficult to get to, but it is not quite as simple as flying directly into some of the other islands. That said, it is absolutely worth the extra effort. You fly into Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, often referred to as Caticlan Airport, which is located on Caticlan Island. From the airport, you take a short shuttle ride to the ferry terminal. Once you arrive there, you will immediately notice port stewards who help guide travelers and carry luggage. We highly recommend tipping them a small amount when they assist you. A few dollars goes a long way, and they make sure you are well taken care of throughout the process. After that, you take a short ferry ride over to Boracay Island itself, where another van transfer brings you directly to your hotel. All of these transfers can be prearranged and paid for ahead of time, and we strongly recommend doing so. Having everything coordinated in advance makes the arrival process much less stressful.

We are very loyal Marriott Bonvoy members, so when we saw that there was a Four Points by Marriott on Boracay and noticed how inexpensive it was, we booked it without hesitation. Unfortunately, that stay did not go as planned. We only stayed one night and checked out the following morning. When we woke up, we noticed bugs all over the walls of the room. The hotel offered to move us to the room next door and did not take our concerns seriously, even after we showed them videos, photos, and the issue in person. At that point, we decided to take our business elsewhere, and we are very glad we did.

After some quick research, we found The District Boracay, and it ended up being the perfect fit for us. This small beachfront boutique hotel cost less than one hundred dollars per night and exceeded our expectations. They provided complimentary breakfast, clean and comfortable rooms, and free beach chairs and umbrellas right on the sand. The location could not have been better, situated directly in the main shopping and dining area. Everything was walkable, convenient, and felt safe. Their website is thedistrictboracay.com, and based on our experience, we would not hesitate to stay there again.

Boracay offers no shortage of activities. You can book catamaran cruises, snorkeling trips, island hopping tours, and all kinds of water adventures. For us, this was the third Philippine island on our itinerary, and we had already packed our earlier stops with excursions. By the time we arrived in Boracay, we were ready to slow down. We spent our days relaxing on the beach, enjoying long walks along the shoreline, and taking in the scenery. We were also able to fly our drone along the beach, which resulted in some incredible videos and photos that really captured how beautiful the island is.

The food scene in Boracay was another pleasant surprise. While the area clearly caters to tourists, the prices are still very reasonable, and the quality is excellent. You can find traditional Filipino dishes, fresh seafood, and a surprising variety of international options. If Crystal ever has the chance to enjoy a margarita and Mexican food, she never passes it up, and Muchos Boracay did not disappoint. The food was authentic, flavorful, and exactly what she was hoping for.

Boracay turned out to be the perfect place for us to relax and unwind. Between the beaches, the sunsets, the laid back atmosphere, and finding the right hotel, it was an ideal way to wrap up our time in the Philippines. We will absolutely plan a return trip here in the future.

If Boracay or the Philippines are on your travel list and you want help with flights, transfers, hotel selection, or building an itinerary that fits your travel style, contact Tacks Travels. We are happy to help you plan a trip that balances adventure, comfort, and the kind of relaxation that Boracay does so well.