Boracay on a Budget

Certainly, a traveler can’t get enough of this paradise and enthralling get-away called Boracay. Some of the reasons why include the talcum-fine white sands, crystal-clear calm waters, the culture and the people.

During the dry season (Nov-Apr), White Beach, which is located at the western stretch of the island, is calm and utterly suitable for swimming. Here, you can simply while away time. In fact, the best thing to do when you are in Boracay is not to do anything. Let nature charm, calm and mesmerize you while sitting on the beach, enjoying the powdery white sands, feeling the cool air breeze, watching people pass by.

But if you can’t resist the water, soak in it by all means because the beach is an unbelievable, magnificent, expansive natural swimming pool. The whole beach front extends for several kilometers. The water stays quite shallow for several meters out. When it’s low tide, 30 meters off the frontage, you only have the water up to your waistline. Underneath, the softest, gentlest, finest cushion of sand gives you the best natural foot spa for free.

Boracay sunset is both awesome and captivating. On a lucky day, you get all the colors in the sky which make you momentarily forget the particular time and space you’re in. That’s why it’s called paradise. You wouldn’t wanna leave the place.

In contrast to other popular beaches in Southeast Asia, Boracay does not yet (and will probably not) have the amenities of BIG shopping malls or theaters and multi-purpose stadiums that somehow put pressure on the traveler TO DO something. But you can also get the pleasure from a lazy afternoon by building castle in the sand, playing board or card games with your companion or joining an unknown group of locals or foreigners in a fun beach volleyball game. Yes, you may only have to flash your wide smiles without need of introducing yourself. Presto, you can be in the game with people whom you have only met for the first time.

The eastern side of the island has strong winds and big waves making it enjoyable for wind surfing, wave running, etc. During the rainy or typhoon season (Jun-Oct), it’s the White Beach which gets the larger share of winds and somehow angry waves that make it unsuitable for swimming. Take note that there are no lifeguards on White Beach. Even as there are dive shops every few meters on this paradise island, the operators or the crew are not there to watch over people who swim in the inviting waters of Boracay.

During the night, however, Boracay is transformed. The place is lavish with plenty of bars staging different kinds of shows every night. You can enjoy a reggae ambiance or listen to country music played by local bands who are amazingly good at it. A traveler simply has to know that the Philippines is the leading exporter of talents in the entertainment field, virtually unaffected by the ups and down of the global economy.

Practical Tips on Backpacking in the Philippines

In the 90's, sleeping accommodations in the Philippines were limited to renting rooms for the night. Your options were confined to finding cheap accommodation in your preferred tourist destination which normally starts in Manila because the city happens to be the take-off point to most places of interest.

But backpackers accommodation has become more accessible now. Even if you wish to hit the beach, some cottages in Boracay, for instance, cater to tourists who are comfortable with staying in a dormitory with other transient individuals. In the metropolis, Malate dominates the scene as there are probably more than 5 hostel owners offering bed and breakfast accommodation for tourists. Makati City which is the entertainment and financial capital of Metro Manila already boasts of a new and excellent backpacking joint called OUR MELTING POT. Indeed, these places are a welcome development for many because even traditional cheap accommodations cin the country can get fairly high come summer season -- March to June. Whereas in the case of hostels, prices are relatively stable.

Another good thing about traveling to the Philippines is the purchasing power of foreign-dominated notes. Your dollar or Brit pound or Euro or Yen can go a long LONG way.

The average conversions (depending on forex rates) are like:
• 1 US Dollar - PhP (Philippine Peso): PhP 48-50
• 1 Brit Pound - PhP: PhP 90+
• 1 Euro - PhP: PhP 65+

So for like, a thousand dollars, that's equivalent to about 48,000+ pesos (or Php 90,000+ if you use Brit pounds) can cover everything: from food to transports, to lodging and night life and souvenirs.

Language barriers are not a problem, if you know English. The country's long history of colonization produced modern-day Filipinos who are very comfortable with the English language. (The native language is also reached in Spanish-derived words.) You would be surprised that even the seemingly uneducated beggars on the street can converse with you in English. For the more adventurous ones, learning the language of the local which is Filipino, and the primary dialects Tagalog and Visaya may come in handy when huggling for the best deals in the course of your travel. It can be pretty difficult at first to learn. But if you're a veteran backpacker, you'll get the hang of it in a little time. Buying a phrasebook helps but it's very rare to find one about the Philippines.

Local transportation (that is, the obscure towns near the good sites and not the big cosmopolitan cities like Manila and Cebu) is cheap. For prices that range from 5 to 20 pesos, you can travel by tricycle (the Philippine version of Bangkok's 'tuk-tuk'), jeepney, or any local transport modes. Buses are cheap as well while taxis have relatively higher prices depending on their routes. Traveling from any of the major islands would mean taking an extra flight which can cost a bit for foreign tourists if you don't book your trip early. Two weeks planning, however, would help you secure the cheapest deal from Philippine Airlines' econolight fares. For those who prefer another mode of transpo apart from the planes, the ferry (one trusted carrier is Superferry) can also be an enjoyable experience. However, a tight schedule should propel a traveler to take domestic flights to be able to maximize your time in the country.

As for food, the dishes are amazingly numerous and varied. Anywhere you go, there will always be a different culinary delight to please your palate. Few foreign travelers would be able to escape the challenge posed by your local friend or acquaintance in relation to eating the renowned "aborted duckling" or "balut". It's actually dug egg with a nearly formed embryo of a duckling inside. Pinoys usually laugh when tourists try it and then hurl at the sight of what they're about to eat. Even then, it's a culinary experience you wouldn't want to pass up, no matter how icky it looks! It's mostly sold on the streets where available, along with other local delicacies (all of which are within your prescribed budget). Apart from that, the rest of the Philippine cuisine is deliciously whacked! If you have a sweet tooth, definitely you will have a feast. One Caucasian friend remarked that she's not eaten as much sweets in her 30 years of existence as she did staying in the Philippines for nearly a week. The native delicacies are irresistible. Even if you have excellent self-control, it would be difficult to say no to local friends offering you all sorts of stuff, while at the same time demonstrating to you that the Filipino warmth is simply unbeatable in any part of the world.

Common sense will also tell you that any streetwise backpacker will never show BLING. Dress down, chances are you'll fit in quite nicely. Also, it's always a big help if you smile most of the time. Filipinos are really true to form: hospitable and friendly. And then there are the rip-off artists and travel scams. Be cautious at the same time. Local customs such as a simple smile and thank you will help a lot.

Finally, the best thing to do when you come here would be to drink it all in. The sights are amazing and everything is just great.

(paraphrased and edited version of the post of J. Brent Esarza, 20 Feb 2005)