Boracay travel guide

Boracay has no airport on the island; you fly into Caticlan, go to the port and take a boat.

Caticlan airport to the port takes 5 to 10 minutes; from Kalibo airport it's 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.

From the port to the island, the regular ferry takes 10 to 15 minutes and speedboats 3 to 5 minutes.

Terminal, environmental and boat fees are shown and paid by QR code on Boracay iPass. Your arrival airport makes a big difference to day-one travel time. All arrivals in the Philippines register on eTravel; visa-free stays depend on your nationality.

Visa and entry requirements for The Philippines

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Bureau of Immigration Philippines (Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines)
• Temporary Visitor (9A) Visa Waiver extension fees (Bureau of Immigration Philippines)
• eTravel (Philippine Travel Information System) (Government of the Philippines)

Boracay iPass is the visitor registration site run by the Aklan provincial government. You pay the terminal, environmental and boat fees in one place and scan the QR code at the port gate. Check amounts on the iPass screen; they differ between information sites, so we don't copy numbers here.

From Caticlan airport to the port is 5 to 10 minutes by tricycle or air-conditioned shuttle. Kalibo airport is 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes away. From the port to Cagban port, the regular ferry takes 10 to 15 minutes and speedboats 3 to 5 minutes. From Cagban to your hotel is 5 to 10 minutes by bus or shuttle.

iPass is non-refundable, but before the QR code is scanned you can transfer the booking to someone else. Children aged 5 and under are exempt from the terminal pass if you upload proof. Register with your arrival date; the QR code is said to be usable until the end of that year.

Based on Boracay iPass information. Times can vary with conditions.

With 2 nights: on day one, go from the airport to the port and take the boat to the island; relax on White Beach on day two. Arriving via Kalibo, the transfer alone takes half of day one.

With 4 nights: keep the first two days in the same order, leave day three free for water activities, and allow plenty of time for the port and airport on day four.

Plan meals on Boracay around lechon, sisig, grilled seafood and halo-halo: sisig or seafood for lunch, and halo-halo to cool off in the hot afternoon. We don't pick specific shops or prices here.

Register for free on the official eTravel site within 72 hours before arrival, and register your Boracay visit on iPass too. Visa-free stays depend on your nationality; check the official sources before you travel.

If a typhoon changes the port, terminal fees may be adjusted. Day-one travel time varies greatly with your arrival airport, so check the airport when buying flights.

Before you leave for Boracay

• Register on eTravel and save the QR code
• Register on Boracay iPass and save the QR code
• Check your arrival airport
• Check how you'll get to the port and hotel
• Check entry requirements on the official sources

• First time on Boracay: fly into Caticlan and take the boat from the port.
• Arriving via Kalibo: the port is 1 hour 20 minutes further, so make day one a rest day.
• Doing water activities: with 4 nights, keep day three free.