Philippines, Boracay

Before leaving

This tiny island measuring approximately 6 km long, is the pride of the Philippines; an island paradise in the true sense. Boracay is a popular tourist destination for years because of its breathtaking beauty and vibrant nightlife. Whether you want to laze on a beach of white sand like powder in the shade of coconut palms, sip cocktails every night in the open air beach bars, or exercise by hiking through the lush jungle and you indulging in your favorite water sports, all this is possible on Boracay Island. As beautiful as it is, the development has taken precedence over the island during the last decade, so keep that in mind if you prefer a more secluded and protected place ...

To see

You can not miss the 4 km-long White Beach in all its splendor and perfection - this is the # 1 attraction of Boracay. The second most popular beach is Bulabog Beach, a magnet for lovers of windsurfing and kitesurfing. Baling Hai Beach and Puka Beach are a little outside the box and also worth a visit for their excellent views.

To do

If you do not want to laze on the beach all day, why not exercise with the range of water sports offered? You can also try a hike in the jungle to the interior of the island, explore bat caves, or attempt to climb Mount Luho (100 m above sea level) - this can be difficult, but the views are worth it once you're up there!

think

The board sail and tournaments Frisbee and Dragon Boat races are held each year, so it may be worth your visit to coincide with one of those events. Keep in mind that the Hagabat (monsoon) extends generally from May / June to September / October, bringing strong winds and rainfall. A more discreet version of the Ati-Atihan Festival takes place on the island in January and running is a great way to experience the local culture.

To avoid

Avoid US-style shopping malls and tacky nightclubs - none of them is an asset of this island paradise.

To enjoy 

Unfortunately, authentic Filipino cuisine can be somewhat difficult to find due to the proliferation of restaurants offering Western cuisine. You could eat a different cuisine every night if you like: the German, Spanish and French to Italian and British cuisine, and as the Philippines is a former American colony, there are also many American influences. But you will also find other more "exotic" options like Thai restaurants, Indian and Mexican. So if you fancy a hot dog, a paella, a tandoori or spaghetti bolognese, you'll have no trouble finding them. This is unfortunate because the Filipino food can be very tasty, the chicken adobo / beef (prepared with soy sauce, garlic and vinegar) is the national dish, but you can also taste the kare- kare (cooked oxtail in peanut sauce) or afritada (chicken / pork simmered in a tomato sauce with vegetables). But being on a tropical island, searching seafood because they are excellent; grilled fish with shrimp, calamari, lobster and shellfish, you can choose your catch of the day on Boracay.

To report

Have a look on indigenous antique furniture and wood carvings at outdoor market north of the island. Along White Beach, you'll find plenty of souvenir shops selling clothes and beach accessories. Look for the delicate jewelry made of shells from the nearby Puka Beach.