If you are following my blog, you will notice that I do travel with my family once or twice a year; and mostly these travels happen at the last quarter so to spend the holiday season with them. Few months ago, I arranged a trip with my family as a treat to them, well me and my brother shared the expenses. Since I learned from my travel experiences with my family when we went to Zamboanga City, Cebu and Bohol, I thought of bringing my family to a place wherein there’s not much of transfers. Just a place to relax and stroll around, and so Boracay popped out into my mind. Aside from that, they’ve never been to Boracay and that alone will surely excite them to visit the place. Well, being one of the best destinations in the world, who wouldn’t want to go to this spectacular beach. 
I am supposed to give this post a different title such as ‘family vacation’, ‘family getaway’ and alike phrases but I settled into ‘family time’ which I supposed suites this post best. Come on let’s admit it, traveling with family is stressful at times. What could be more stressful when one of your relative’s flight got cancelled and when you arrived at your accommodation, your room reservation got cancelled. Yes, those horrible things happened on our travel which really ruined our supposed vacation. But there’s no other remedy to that now but to move on so I’ll not pinpoint anymore. 😀
Going to Boracay
We left Manila early morning and arrived at Caticlan airport an hour after. Before leaving the terminal we registered our names at the visitors logbook. After which, we went out and rode a tricycle bound to Caticlan Jetty port. The tricycle could only fit a maximum of 3 passengers even the tricycle could fit 1 or 2 more passengers. I think that’s there regulation there. The standard rate is PHP 50.00 for the tricycle ride.
There’s a lot of people lining up to get inside the terminal when we arrived in Caticlan Jetty port. We then proceeded to the three windows located outside to pay for our boat ride which costs PHP 25.00, environmental fee which costs PHP 75.00 and terminal fee which costs PHP 100.00. I was really disappointed about this numerous fees that have to be paid when entering Boracay. I’m fine with environmental fee but the terminal fee of PHP 100.00 is too much when you will only spend about 5 minutes on that terminal.
Anyway, we reached Cagban port in about 10 minutes. We rode a tricycle (special trip for PHP 100.00) to get to our accommodation in Station 3. Since I’m hearing good reviews about some cheap accommodations on this part of the island I’ve decided for us to stay here. When we arrived to our supposed accommodation, I learned that the person I sent an email to didn’t really confirmed our reservation, their alibi was we didn’t make any down payment for our rooms. Well if the owner told me then I would probably do so but he never asked for an initial payment and just confirmed our reservation. Good thing there are much better and cheaper places to stay around that area so we moved on.
Boracay Activities
A travel in Boracay wouldn’t be complete without trying the best of its water sport and in land activities. Considering I’ve done the ATV ride already, I accompanied my family and tried this activity again. Since my youngest brother couldn’t drive the ATV, we settled for buggy.
We were charged PHP 250.00 each for the ATV and buggy ride. It’s an hour course with two stop overs, the Everland Aviary Farm and Ocean Tower. An entrance of PHP 90.00 for the two attractions.
“My Mama looking cool on the ATV ride”
Since the first attraction doesn’t interest me I told them that we will not be going and we were only interested in going to the viewpoint, and so we did.
The Ocean Tower gave us a 360 degree view of the island.
Afterwards, we went back. Since we still have much time to waste we spent time roaming around at the Happy Dreamland.
Happy Dreamland is one of the newest attraction in Boracay which offers a lot of cool and exciting rides. We planned to go-kart but upon knowing the rates we backed out as we couldn’t afford it that time. Tipid mode. 😀
Since I’ve done para-sailing and reef walking already on my first visit, I’ve decided to remove them from our itinerary. Also, the fees for these activities are too expensive for us.
Two of the things that I’ve been longing to do are Zorb and Banana Boat. Good thing my brothers and cousin are game for these activities. Both of these activities cost PHP 250.00 per person.
I really enjoyed my Zorb ride, I never thought that it will be that fun while I fell short for the Banana boat ride. It wasn’t that exciting after all. Maybe I should have tried Fly Fish.
Because my mom has a relative in Boracay, we were able to have those activities on a cheaper rate.
Food and Nightlife
Two of the specialties in Boracay that are said to be must try are Jonah’s Shake and Real Coffee’s Calamansi Muffin. I was able to try the shake before and it was good but this time I found it not refreshing anymore. I don’t know maybe it’s just that day. The drink is too thick that it doesn’t feel refreshing anymore.
We also dropped by at Real Coffee and Tea Cafe and tried the famous calamansi muffin. Not that something that I can rave about but it was good.
They say never bring your family when in Boracay. As being one of the best places to party, a night being spent with family might sounds boring. One should be partying and drinking; and good thing my brother and cousin was game to party on our first night. Also, it was good that I have a couple of blogger friends who are in the area too for a vacation. I can say I was able to have a great night out during my time in Boracay.
During our nights in Boracay, we had buffet by the beach during dinner then spent the night at Club Paraw and Sand Bar.
One of the activities that I would like to experience next time that I’ll be visiting this place is Boracay Pub Crawl. The activity really sounds exciting so I hope I could join the activity next time, maybe someone could sponsor me. 😀
Catching the Sunset
No doubt one of the best places to catch the sunset is in Boracay. The view of the sunset is just amazing. It is really dramatic. I hope next time I go to Boracay I could spend the same view with someone. :p
Nothing else could be better in ending the day in Boracay but to see this wonderful sunset by the beach.
Boracay never failed to amaze me with its grace. The place might be very different now from how it was 5 years ago but it was still indeed beautiful as it is.
Our trip lasted for three days. It might sound short (and it really was) but it was really a pleasing and fun family vacation. This family travel might have gave me stress in some points but certainly, nothing beats spending a time with them. Surely, a lot of of travels are still in line with my family. International travel? Maybe! 😀
I didn't expect that Boracay will be this exciting! My Filipina wife is planning to go back the Philippines and because of your blog, we'll try to book a reservation to the island! Thank you very much!
I didn't expect that Boracay will be this exciting! My Filipina wife is planning to go back the Philippines and because of your blog, we'll try to book a reservation to the island! Thank you very much!
Nothing really beats boracay especially when you're with your loved ones, 😀 hahaha. Marami akong natutunan sa blog na to, lalo yung sa activities na pedeng gawin, yung sa happy dreamland saka ocean tower. haha. salamat. I personally recommend nga pala this: Boracay Deals Philippines
Nothing really beats boracay especially when you're with your loved ones, 😀 hahaha. Marami akong natutunan sa blog na to, lalo yung sa activities na pedeng gawin, yung sa happy dreamland saka ocean tower. haha. salamat. I personally recommend nga pala this: Boracay Deals Philippines
Boracay is really a place for family vacation. Bonding, enjoying precious times together. Your blog really makes me want to bring my family to boracay, my mother would really enjoy it.
Boracay is really a place for family vacation. Bonding, enjoying precious times together. Your blog really makes me want to bring my family to boracay, my mother would really enjoy it.
Ang saya naman! Iba talaga kapag ang family mo ang kasama mo sa mga travel, lalo na sa gantong place, Boracay pa. Di pa nakakabalik ng Boracay, malapit na matapos ang bakasyon.. haha
Mahal nung go-kart, P600 kasi pero yung ibang rides reasonable naman kaya lang di namin feel sumakay sa ibang rides non.
Mahal nung go-kart, P600 kasi pero yung ibang rides reasonable naman kaya lang di namin feel sumakay sa ibang rides non.
Plan ko rin itreat yung family ko this summer sa Boracay. Hindi kasi kami nakapag summer vacation last year and I think this year is the right time though wala yung Papa ko kasi work siya sa abroad. I'm sure may another ipon nanaman ako nun at pagiipunan ko rin talaga.
Si mother oh… cool na cool nga with the ATV. Naiimagine ko na yung Mama hahahaha!!
Dun sa dreamland, i wonder kung magkano yung mga rates at bakit bigla kayong nagbackout? hehe mala-EK ba ang rates? 😛
Plan ko rin itreat yung family ko this summer sa Boracay. Hindi kasi kami nakapag summer vacation last year and I think this year is the right time though wala yung Papa ko kasi work siya sa abroad. I'm sure may another ipon nanaman ako nun at pagiipunan ko rin talaga.
Si mother oh… cool na cool nga with the ATV. Naiimagine ko na yung Mama hahahaha!!
Dun sa dreamland, i wonder kung magkano yung mga rates at bakit bigla kayong nagbackout? hehe mala-EK ba ang rates? 😛
Ako nung sinama ko sila last Nov, naubos ang ipon ko! heehee! Good for you Marx, soon so abroad mo naman sila masasama! 😀
Ako nung sinama ko sila last Nov, naubos ang ipon ko! heehee! Good for you Marx, soon so abroad mo naman sila masasama! 😀
Yeah, kelangan mag ipon ipon pang family trip. 😀
Yeah, kelangan mag ipon ipon pang family trip. 😀
I haven't been to Mt. Luho, yet.
I haven't been to Mt. Luho, yet.
Yes, hindi nauubusan ng gagawin. Kahit chill chill lang sa beach, solve na ako. 😀
Yes, hindi nauubusan ng gagawin. Kahit chill chill lang sa beach, solve na ako. 😀
Wala ka kasing bilib sa akin. Hahaha! Joke. Nakakatamad din mag manual.
Wala ka kasing bilib sa akin. Hahaha! Joke. Nakakatamad din mag manual.
Wow ang haba ng bakasyon! Enjoy your family trip!
Wow ang haba ng bakasyon! Enjoy your family trip!
eto gusto ko para sa mama at papa ko .. crossfingers! sana malibre ko sila dito ….
eto gusto ko para sa mama at papa ko .. crossfingers! sana malibre ko sila dito ….
wow ok tong fapy dreamland ha. that is why i love boracay. laging may bago!
wow ok tong fapy dreamland ha. that is why i love boracay. laging may bago!
Your photos of Boracay, especially the second one showing a lady tanning on the beach, are really great! Is that a telecospe in the Ocean Tower's pic? We always go to Mt. Luho for viewing, but never in Ocean Tower.
Your photos of Boracay, especially the second one showing a lady tanning on the beach, are really great! Is that a telecospe in the Ocean Tower's pic? We always go to Mt. Luho for viewing, but never in Ocean Tower.
Ganda nung sunset. Galing mo ng mag manual focus ha.
Ganda nung sunset. Galing mo ng mag manual focus ha.
Travelling with family is a different kind of travel with friends.. 🙂
Travelling with family is a different kind of travel with friends.. 🙂
Yehey! Thanks for this! 🙂
Will also be in Boracay with my family, from March 1 to 4. This will also be their first time there. The difference is – I will shoulder all the expenses. But it's ok. 😛 For sure, my family will enjoy Boracay.
All set na! =)
Yehey! Thanks for this! 🙂
Will also be in Boracay with my family, from March 1 to 4. This will also be their first time there. The difference is – I will shoulder all the expenses. But it's ok. 😛 For sure, my family will enjoy Boracay.
All set na! =)