Boracay Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| ✈️ 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. |
| ✈️ 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. |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING BORACAY