The Philippines' most famous beach island: the 4 km powder-white White Beach (Stations 1–3), sunset paraw sailing, quieter coves like Puka and Diniwid, island-hopping boats, cliff jumping at Ariel's Point and kitesurfing on Bulabog. The sea is 26–30°C all year — great for families, couples and active travellers. No direct flights from Ulaanbaatar — connect via Seoul, Manila or Hong Kong to Caticlan (MPH) or Kalibo (KLO), then a 15-minute boat. Mongolian citizens get 30 days visa-free.
🛂 Visa: Visa-free · 30 days✈ Flight: 14h☀ Best months: January, February, March, April
Orange — daytime average, blue — night, grey bars — rainfall, green — sea temperature. Best months: January, February, March, April, May.
Things to see (12)
🧸 for kids
White Beach (Stations 1–3)★ 4.5 (721)
BeachFree24 hours
The island's 4 km west-facing beach of powder-fine white sand. Station 1 has the widest sand and upscale resorts; Station 2 is the busiest, with restaurants, bars and D'Mall; Station 3 is quieter with cheaper hotels. In the amihan season the water is calm and shallow — good for children. Spectacular sunsets.
A coarse-sand beach full of puka shells at the island's northern tip, much quieter than White Beach. Often calm even in the habagat season. 15–20 minutes by e-trike from the stations; small eateries on the beach.
Travel guide
Like a well-travelled friend for a first-timer: before you go, landing, SIM, transport, money, food, safety, manners, apps, leaving — step by step.
🧳Before you goNo visa needed, but sort out eTravel, an accredited hotel booking and your connections and getting to Boracay is easy.+
1
30 days visa-free
Mongolian citizens may stay in the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days. Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months beyond departure, with a return or onward ticket. Mongolia's consular list still shows 21 days under the old agreement, so if you stay longer than 21 days be ready to show your ticket to immigration.
Everyone arriving in or leaving the Philippines completes the free eTravel at etravel.gov.ph and gets a QR code; submissions earlier than 72 hours are not accepted. Beware of 'agent' sites that charge a fee.
Tip: Fill in the departure eTravel within 72 hours of leaving too.
Entering Boracay, a booking at a Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited hotel is checked at Caticlan jetty — make sure your hotel is on the list when you book. The best time is the amihan season (December–May); June to November brings typhoon risk.
🛬Landing and getting to your hotelLand at Caticlan (MPH) or Kalibo (KLO), then take the boat to the island from Caticlan jetty.+
1
Caticlan airport → jetty → island
From Caticlan airport to the jetty is 7–10 minutes by tricycle. At the jetty foreigners pay the environmental fee of ₱300 (once), the terminal fee of ₱150 and the boat ticket of ₱50. The boat reaches Cagban port in 10–15 minutes; from there take an e-trike to your hotel. Airport to hotel takes 45–65 minutes in all.
Tip: In the habagat season (June–October) boats may use Tabon port — ask your hotel.
Kalibo airport is 60 km from Caticlan jetty, 1.5–2 hours by shared van or bus at ₱180–250 per person. Many hotels and tour companies sell packages covering the airport transfer, boat and fees.
If your phone supports eSIM, install a Philippines eSIM before you go. Otherwise buy a Globe or Smart tourist SIM at Manila airport or in Boracay's D'Mall — by law it must be registered with your passport.
Tip: Signal can be weak on the north and east coasts and on boat trips — download the map in Google Maps for offline use.
2
Wi-Fi
Hotels, cafés and restaurants have free Wi-Fi, but speeds are patchy. Keep flight tickets and your eTravel QR code saved on your phone, and carry a printed copy.
🚇Getting around the islandThe island is small: walk along White Beach, and take an e-trike or e-jeep to the farther beaches. There is no Grab.+
1
E-trikes
The main transport is the electric tricycle: sharing along the main road is cheap, chartering costs more. Shared from Cagban port to the D'Mall area is ₱25–50 per person. Agree the price before going to Puka Beach or Mount Luho.
A sandy path runs along the beach from Station 1 to 3, with the 'Path' walkway behind it — the easiest way between restaurants and shops is on foot. Lit and busy at night.
3
Island-hopping boats
Book island hopping, paraw sailing and Ariel's Point trips through your hotel, licensed beach agents or online; shared boats are cheaper, private boats suit families. The Coast Guard stops boats from sailing when the sea is rough.
The currency is the Philippine peso (₱, PHP). Cards work at hotels and larger restaurants; e-trikes, small eateries and fees are cash. ATMs and money changers are plentiful around D'Mall and Station 2. US dollars in large notes get better rates.
On arrival: environmental fee ₱300 (once per stay), terminal fee ₱150 and boat ₱50; leaving, you pay the ₱150 terminal fee again. The ₱200 Caticlan airport fee is usually included in your ticket. Prepay through Boracay iPass or pay cash at the jetty windows.
🍜FoodFresh seafood and plenty of international restaurants; Station 2 has the most choice.+
1
D'Talipapa — market plus cooking
At the D'Talipapa market near D'Mall, pick seafood by weight and have a neighbouring restaurant cook it 'paluto' style — grilled or stewed. Agree prices with both the seller and the restaurant beforehand.
Tip: Crab and lobster are priced by weight — stay nearby while they are weighed.
2
What to eat
Adobo, sinigang (sour soup), lechon, grilled seafood, calamari, mango shakes and Boracay's famous calamansi muffins. White Beach also has plenty of pizza, burgers, Korean and Japanese food, so children are easy to feed.
Tip: Drink only bottled water; get iced drinks from reliable places.
🛡️Safety and health+
1
Emergency number
Police, ambulance and fire share one number — 911, free and 24 hours. White Beach has tourist police posts and lifeguard towers.
Don't swim when red flags are up — in the habagat season White Beach has strong waves and currents. Wear reef shoes against coral and sea urchins. In typhoon season follow PAGASA forecasts and wait it out if boat trips are cancelled. Drink plenty of water and use sunscreen.
3
Laws and clinics
Smoking, drinking and littering on Boracay's beaches are banned and fined. Drug laws are extremely strict. The island's clinics handle minor problems; serious cases go to Kalibo or Iloilo, so call your insurer's assistance line first.
🙏Manners+
1
Friendly and polite
Filipinos are very friendly; saying 'po' and 'salamat' (thank you) goes down well. Don't wear swimwear into town or churches. Avoid loud arguments and criticising anyone in public.
2
Respect nature
Don't touch coral or sea life, and don't take sand or shells away. Tipping isn't required but a little is left for good service; restaurants often add a service charge.
📱Useful apps+
1
Official
eTravel — the digital border registration (arrival and departure). Boracay iPass — prepay island fees. Your airline's app — domestic schedules change often, so turn on notifications.
Google Maps — beaches, restaurants, offline maps. GCash — QR payments (check whether you can top up with a foreign card). Download Filipino in Google Translate for offline use, though English gets you almost everywhere.
Pay the ₱150 departure terminal fee at Cagban port and take the boat to Caticlan. Queues form at the port, boat and airport, so leave your hotel at least 3 hours before a domestic flight; flying from Kalibo, add the 1.5–2 hour road transfer.
Fill in the departure eTravel before leaving the Philippines. Connecting from a domestic to an international flight in Manila may mean changing terminals, so check whether your bags are checked through and leave plenty of time.
A small, tucked-away cove north of Station 1, reached on foot along a rocky path. Few people, clear water and a calm place to watch the sunset; cafés and hotels on the hillside.
A volcanic rock on Station 1's beach topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary — Boracay's most photographed spot. Walk out at low tide; fewer people early in the morning.
A viewing deck on the island's highest point: the north and east coasts, Bulabog and the nearby islands all in one view. Reach it by e-trike or ATV; easy for children.
ShoppingFreeUsually morning to late night, varies by shop
Station 2's open-air shopping street: souvenirs, swimwear, restaurants, cafés, money changers, a pharmacy and SIMs. Busiest in the evening; the D'Talipapa seafood market is nearby.
A half-day boat trip to Crystal Cove's two sea caves and gardens, snorkelling at Crocodile Island's reef and a stop at Puka Beach. With children, take a private boat and wear reef shoes on the rocks.
Nature≈₱250Daylight hours (on island-hopping tours)
A small rocky islet next to Crystal Cove with platforms of 3, 5 and about 8 m for jumping into the sea, plus snorkelling. Usually a stop on island-hopping tours; for confident swimmers.
A 30-minute sunset ride along White Beach on a traditional double-outrigger paraw — Boracay's signature experience. Life jackets provided; sunset slots are first come, first served, so book early.
The island's east coast — one of Asia's main kitesurfing and windsurfing hubs. Steady wind in the amihan season (Nov–Apr); plenty of schools and rentals. Better for watching and learning than swimming.
Nature≈₱2,500–3,500 per person (boat, lunch and drinks included)Leaves Station 1 at 11:30, back ≈16:00
A rocky headland in Buruanga about an hour by boat from Boracay: five platforms from 3 to 15 m for jumping into the sea, kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling. A day trip that sells out early in peak season.
A quiet cove on the northeast coast with rock formations, small caves and snorkelling close to shore. Reached down a rocky path; the caves are easier to enter at low tide. Few people.
