Kalibo - Caticlan - Boracay

So who cares if I've never been to Boracay?! Well... no one. But come to think of it, it won't be the 4th best island in the world for nothing. So one boring day at work, I asked some of my co-teachers if they would like to go to (drum rolls please!) - Boracay. Two of them nodded so I booked a Manila-Kalibo-Manila flight on the spot. Only then I realized that the 3 of us were all Boracay-virgins. Ok, no pressure. We'll just enjoy the sun, beach, sand and the hot men! 

wala pa tayo sa Boracay.. relaaks

Kalibo to Caticlan

Our entry point was the Kalibo International airport. We arrived there at around 6:00 a.m. From there, we took a van to Caticlan Jetty Port. Those vans are parked just a few meters away from the arrival area of the airport. You have two options; pay 250 pesos for the van + boat fare to Boracay or 225 pesos for the van only. It took us almost an hour and a half to reach Caticlan (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Boracay). 

Caticlan Jetty port

our boat to Boracay. woot!

Caticlan Jetty port to Cagban port

Upon arrival at the Caticlan Jetty port you need to ride a boat to get to Boracay. Look out for the three windows for the payments. The standard boat fare is 25 pesos-30 pesos each person. Next window will be the environmental fee of 75 pesos each person (60 pesos for students and senior citizens). The third and last window will be for the terminal fee of 100 pesos each person. 

There are available boats up to 10 p.m. Should you wish to arrange for later trips don't hesitate to ask the officials inside the terminal beforehand for a special arrangement at a certain cost of course. 

**updated November 18, 2013**

Tabon port to Tambisaan port

Apparently, there's this Tabon port in Caticlan that is just a tricycle ride away from the more famous Caticlan Jetty port (30 pesos each person). It's just a small port that usually serves as the alternative port and the endpoint is at Tambisaan port in Boracay island. We tried getting to Boracay on this port during my August 2013 trip and found out that it was a cheaper option.

We shelled out 30 pesos each for the boat fare, 75 pesos each for the environmental fee and 25 pesos each for the terminal fee. That's 70 pesos cheaper than in Caticlan Jetty port.

Tambisaan port in Boracay

Cagban port/Tambisaan port to White Beach - Station 1, 2 and 3 (or anywhere in that area)

After a boat ride of around 10 minutes, you will reach the Cagban port or Tambisaan port of Boracay. If you are traveling alone it's better to ride a tricycle and wait for other passengers to fill it up. Each passenger will have to pay 20 pesos and you will be dropped off at the station of your choice (the main highway/Angol Road) and you need to walk a few meters on the designated alleys to reach the White beach. 

But if you're in a group you can occupy the whole tricycle (up to 5 persons) and pay 100 pesos for the "special trip" - which covers everyone in the group. The tricycle driver should drop you off a few meters away from the White beach.

Cagban Jetty port

the 7-seater trike (plus the driver )

may komunidad pala talaga (?!)

And then we reached the White Beach in Boracay! After almost 4 hours from Manila and countless fees we have to endure we were now in Boracay baby!  

Whew!

White Beach to Cagban port/Tambisaan port

There are some tricycle terminals near the beach. These are for "special trip" rides. You have to pay 100 pesos for the whole tricycle and the driver won't be getting passengers anymore. If you choose to pay only 20 pesos per person, you have to walk up to the main road (Angol Road) and wait for tricycles there. You need to be specific that you are paying for a single seat only and not for the whole ride. Also, be specific on your chosen port.

Cagban port to Caticlan Jetty port

Be ready to spare a few bucks upon arrival at the Cagban port. The boat fare is about 25 pesos to 30 pesos each person. Then you need to pay a terminal fee of 100 pesos each person. 

Again, there are available boats up to 10 p.m. Should you wish to arrange for later trips don't hesitate to ask the officials inside the terminal beforehand for a special arrangement at a certain cost.

**updated November 18, 2013**

Tambisaan port to Tabon port

Tambisaan port is an alternative port in Boracay island with boats going to Caticlan at 30 pesos each person. No terminal fee was collected from us (9 p.m.) so I'm not that sure if it's because it was late already or because there are really no terminal fees from this port. Endpoint was the Tabon port in Caticlan. 

Caticlan Jetty port to Kalibo airport

We paid 250 pesos for the aircon ferry boat with van transfer going to Kalibo airport. The last trip for the boats is at 9:00 p.m. while the last van going to Kalibo is at 8:00 p.m. They also offer special trips for both boat and van for your own convenience. Double check if the van is heading to the airport or the town proper. It was a 2-hour drive because of some road repairs along the main highway. 

be guided

Bagobos Resto Grill

We were starving when we reached the Kalibo airport and when we spotted the Bagobos Resto Grill in front of the Kalibo airport, we stopped by and ordered grilled pork and chicken with pinakbet. Aside from the great meal (we had 3 cups of rice each), they also have free wi-fi access which was a great time-killer (we've got 9 hours to spare). 

**updated November 18, 2013**

Taunan Refreshment

Another option that I discovered on my August 2013 trip was the Taunan Refreshment. We had some lugaw (rice porridge) with egg for 20 pesos that energized our tired and weary bodies. They're open 24 hours and their usual diners were airport staff, pilots and flight attendants.

Kalibo airport

It was around 8:30 p.m. (and we were way too early for our scheduled 4 a.m. flight) when we asked the staff if we could sleep on the restaurant. The staff thought that we were bluffing but when we said that we were serious they asked the manager about it. Of course she said no, so we went on to the airport and asked if we could stay inside even if our flight will be after 7 hours. They declined. Their airport is not sleeper-friendly (is there such a word?). 

So we were there outside with a bunch of backpackers and slept on the cold floor. We didn't care much about sleeping on the floor but mosquitoes were everywhere and we had to cover ourselves with our malongs. I did sleep well and even dreamt of something weird. 

'Pag tayo pinaalis tapos sila hindi gulo 'to.

Pakilatag na ang banig. Maglagay na rin ng off lotion.

With 100 pesos terminal fee, the airport is nice (in spite of its being not sleeper-friendly). The flight was on-time and we didn't encounter any inconvenience (except for the mosquitoes).

**updated November 18, 2013**

During my August 2013 trip, the current terminal fee for domestic flights from the Kalibo airport is 100 pesos and for international flights is 500 pesos.

If you have any question regarding the ins and outs of Boracay/Kalibo just give me a buzz :)