Transportation
- Regional Travel
- Ferry to Batangas (2Go Travel) or bus from Caticlan to Kalibo/Iloilo.
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Grab. Use Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) Bus or GrabTrike (local e-trike app).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Electric scooters for 500-800 PHP/day. Available near Bulabog Beach.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Puka Shell Beach on the northern tip for a more natural, less crowded experience.
- Top Regional Airline
- Cebu Pacific (flights to Caticlan MPH).
- Top International Airline
- Philippine Airlines (Connects via Manila or Seoul/Taipei).
- Highway Access
- The island is small; Main Road and Sunset Road are the primary thoroughfares.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Caticlan Jetty Port (main entry point from the mainland).
- Public Transport Passes
- HOHO Boracay Card - 300 PHP for 24-hour unlimited rides.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital (Station 1) or Metropolitan Doctors Medical Clinic (Station 2).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Terra Wellness at Discovery Shores or Mandala Spa & Resort Villas.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Legacy Gym Boracay (Muay Thai/Fitness) or Kingfisher Gym.
- Laundry Services
- Island Laundry (near D'Mall) - 50-80 PHP per kilo, same-day service available.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Island Fast (local app) or Foodpanda.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Chicken Inasal or Chori Burger (Street food found on White Beach).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Nonie's (Station 2) - Healthy grain bowls and vegan options.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Coco Mama (Station 2/D'Mall) - Vegan coconut ice cream in a shell (150-250 PHP).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- CityMall Boracay (Diniwid area) for standard grocery prices.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Lazada and Shopee (deliveries take 7-14 days to the island).
- Grocery Delivery
- GrabMart (limited) or local 'pasa-buy' services.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Station 2 (Exit Bar, Epic Boracay, Summer Place).
- Local Brewery
- Boracay Island Brewing Co. (available at various bars like OM Bar).
- Wine Bars
- Los Indios Bravos (Station 1) - Great selection of craft beers and wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- D'Talipapa (Station 3) for fresh seafood you buy and have cooked nearby.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Aria Cucina Italiana (Station 2) for authentic wood-fired pizza.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Willy's Rock (Station 1) - iconic volcanic rock formation with a statue of Mary.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Motag Living Museum (Mainland Malay) - showcases traditional Aklanon farming.
- Historical Sites
- The island history is largely indigenous/Ati; visit the Ati Village in Station 3.
- Religious Sites
- Holy Rosary Parish (Station 1).
- Annual Events
- Boracay Dragon Boat Festival (typically April/May).
- Cultural Districts
- Station 3 retains more of the 'old' Boracay backpacker culture.
- Theater Venues
- Fire dancing performances nightly along Station 2 beach path.
- Local Markets
- D'Mall (Tourist market) and Talipapa Bukid (Local market).
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic bands at Bom Bom Bar; EDM at Epic.
- Street Art
- Various murals near the Diniwid road and Bulabog hostels.
- Cooking Classes
- Market-to-Table classes hosted by various resorts (Discovery Shores).
- Art Galleries
- Boracay Art Center (Station 2).
- Historic Buildings
- Most architecture is modern; Casa Pilar is one of the older established resorts.
- Local Heritage
- Ati-Atihan style costumes during local fiesta celebrations.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mount Luho - Highest point on the island for 360-degree views.
- National Parks Nearby
- Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park (accessible from the mainland).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The bypass road is popular for early morning cycling/jogging.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Ocean Tower View Point or Diniview Villas for sunset.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Boracay Wetland Conservation Park (Wetland No. 4).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally prohibited on White Beach; only allowed at private events on the mainland.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- LBC Express (D'Mall) or J&T Express.
- Tech Repair Services
- Tech Hub Boracay (Station 2) for minor phone/laptop repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Boracay Sports Complex or some larger resorts in Fairways & Bluewater.
- Language Classes
- Paradise English (Boracay Language Institute).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Most nomads use cafes; the Boracay European International School has a small resource room.
- Community Centers
- Malay Municipal Hall (Boracay Sub-office) for official permits.
- Gaming Lounges
- Netopia (limited) or local 'pisonet' shops in the inland villages.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- The Lind or Newcoast Casino.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 180,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 5,400,000 PHP/~$96,000 USD).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 130,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 3,900,000 PHP/~$70,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 170,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 8,500,000 PHP/~$152,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 120,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 6,000,000 PHP/~$107,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 165,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 13,200,000 PHP/~$235,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 115,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 9,200,000 PHP/~$164,000 USD).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate under CREATE Act).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% (tax-sparing) or 25% (standard non-resident).
- Tax System
- Resident aliens are taxed only on income from Philippine sources.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% for income over 8 million PHP.
- VAT
- 12%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, managed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
- Property Tax
- Real Property Tax (RPT) is approx. 1-2% of assessed value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6% Capital Gains Tax, 1.5% Documentary Stamp Tax.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 0% tax on foreign-sourced income for Digital Nomad Visa holders (proposed/pending legislation).
Essentials
- City
- Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines
- Population
- 37,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber (Starlink/PLDT) up to 100 Mbps; 5G coverage is strong in Station 1 and 2.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 56 PHP. ATMs are concentrated in D'Mall (BPI, BDO, Metrobank).
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use mineral water dispensers (approx. 50 PHP per 5-gallon refill).
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (American style). Power outages occur; many hotels have generators.
- SIM Card
- Globe or Smart. Best coverage: Globe. Available at Caticlan Airport for approx. 1,000 PHP/30 days.
- Banking for Expats
- GCash is the primary digital wallet; Maya is also popular. Revolut works at major ATMs.
- Accommodation
- Range from luxury resorts in Station 1 to budget hostels in Station 2/3 and long-term rentals in Bulabog.
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly friendly; GCash and credit cards accepted at most restaurants and D'Mall shops.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local Facebook groups like 'Boracay House/Apartment for Rent' (25,000 - 50,000 PHP/month).
- Budget Accommodation
- Frendz Resort Boracay (Station 2) - approx. 800-1,200 PHP/night for a dorm bed.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Station 2 for central action; Station 1 for luxury and the best sand.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Bulabog Beach (East side) for quieter vibes and better monthly apartment rates.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Station X (Station 2 Main Road) - offers day passes for approx. 600 PHP including coffee.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Real Coffee & Tea Cafe (Station 2) or Little Taj (cozier, good Wi-Fi).
- Networking Events
- Digital Nomad meetups organized via 'Boracay Digital Nomads' Facebook group.
- Social Events for Expats
- Trivia nights at Exit Bar or weekend sunset sessions at Diniview.