Boracay 2

Features:

Boracay: Sun-Lovers’ Island Paradise

In the Land of the Ati-Atihans

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Boracay is 345 kilometers south of Manila and is accessible by air from Manila or Cebu through Caticlan and Kalibo Airport in Panay Island. Boracay is made up of three villages, namely, Balabag, Yapak and Manok-Manok. Balabag where the magficent White Beach is located is the largest of the three barangays. There are about 200 resorts and hotels to accommodate visiting foreign visitors and Filipino balikbayans.

Visitors to Boracay enjoy an added attraction of the colorful Ati-Atihan Festival held in Kalibo, Aklan every January 14 – 16 in honor of the feast of Santo Nino. Kalibo is the takeoff point for visitors coming from Cebu or Manila to board a light plane to Caticlan before getting to Boracay on outrigger boats and gaily decorated bancas of all shapes and designs, a tribute to the creativeness and craftsmanship of the Filipino boat makers.

Since there are no piers in Boracay, visitors must be prepared to get wet to wade on the shallow waters or to be bodily carried across the shore. To most, this is a thrilling and an experience of a lifetime which nobody complains.

During the day, the beaches of Boracay is a scene of people of various races strolling along the powdery white beaches and taking a cool dip on the shallow clear sea waters or basking in the sun, of children and adult alike building sand castles, or people simply relaxing on hammocks in the cottages by the shore enjoying their favorite drinks or just reading to while their time. The beaches of Boracay beckon visitors for serious swimming or just wading by the shore.

After a swim in the sea, one can engage in relaxing activities, explore the beaches on horseback or play an exciting game of beach volleyball. For the adventurous, one can hop on a outrigger and sail to the other side of the island or swim to the floating Kontiki bar anchored off White Beach and cool off with a cocktail. There is no dull moment at Boracay at day or nighttime.

After sunset, the island transforms into an exciting night of dancing and partying at the disco houses and karaoke bars. Bars, beer joints as well as disco houses with amazing light and sound equipment open until the late morning hours. At Beachcomber bar, dancing can become very animated when things warm up. Dinner shows featuring Filipino traditional dances can be seen at the Titay Theater Restaurant starting at 7:00 o’clock in the evening.

The dancers perform different dances each night. The dance repertoire consists of the Mountain Suite—dances of mountain people such as Ifugao, Bontok, Kalinga and others using musical instruments of gongs, drums and primitive flutes; Muslim Suite—dances of the people of Sulu like the famous bamboo dance “Singkil”; Maria Clara Suite—dances of sophisticated steps in the tradition of Spain and Europe. Maria Clara style is a dance of noble citizens; Rural Suite—well-known Filipino dances such as “Tinikling” and “Pandanggo sa Ilaw”; Tribal Suite—dances of cultural minorities of the non-Christian and non-Muslim in Mindanao such as Mansaka in Davao, Bagobo in Central Mindanao, T’Boli in South Cotabato and Yakan of Basilan.