5 Days in Boracay 🇵🇭 (7 Things We Wish We Knew Before Going)

Lloyd & Mandy

Want to try the WIse Travel Money Card? Click the link for your first transfer fee FREE up to $1000 OR a FREE Travel Card - https://wise.com/invite/ihpc/amandar1452/?utm_digital=youtubemarch26  Boracay looks like paradise… but most people visit it completely wrong.  In this video, we’re showing you how to spend 5 perfect days in Boracay, Philippines 🇵🇭 — balancing luxury, adventure, hidden beaches, and authentic local food.  From the famous White Beach to quieter spots like Puka Beach and Dinwid Beach, we break down exactly where to stay, what to do, and how to experience Boracay properly without falling into the usual tourist traps.  We also share our full experience staying in Station 1 (the best area in our opinion), trying local Filipino food like inasal and a traditional boodle fight, and exploring both the lively and peaceful sides of the island.  Whether you&#039;re planning your first trip or looking to do Boracay differently, this guide will help you make the most of your time.  🎥 In this video: • How to get to Boracay (Caticlan vs Kalibo) • Where to stay (Station 1 vs 2 vs 3) • White Beach, Willy’s Rock &amp; sunset sailing • Private fishing experience • Puka Beach &amp; hidden spots

Transcript

00:00There are beach destinations, and then there's Boracay. An island that somehow feels polished and wild at the same time.

00:08Powder white sand, water so clear it looks filtered, sunsets that make an entire beach go silent.

00:16But here's the thing most people don't realize. Boracay is incredibly easy to do wrong.

00:22Too rushed, too central, too party focused.

00:25In this video, we're showing you exactly how to spend five perfect days here.

00:32Balancing luxury, adventure, hidden beaches, and authentic local food.

00:37And by the end, you'll know how to experience Boracay properly.

00:47Arrival, entering island mode.

00:49The easiest way to reach Boracay is by flying into Katiklan Airport.

00:54It's small and efficient, and within minutes of landing, you're on your way to the port.

01:00From there, you board a boat and cross shallow turquoise water toward the island.

01:05Okay, we're on the boat out to Boracay.

01:10Astoria organized all our transfers and there was a guy waiting for us at the airport.

01:14We got to jump on a little bus instead of having to grab one of the public tricycles.

01:19And he, like, whisked us through the ticket counter and everything to get on the boat.

01:23We got, like, basically a private boat.

01:25And it's about a ten-minute boat ride, I believe, to Boracay Island from Katiklan.

01:30And this moment, when the white beach first comes into view, is when you feel it.

01:36That shift.

01:37Within about an hour of landing, your feet are in the sand.

01:41Quick tip.

01:42When leaving, check your departure airport carefully.

01:46We flew out of Calibo, which is about a 90-minute drive from Katiklan.

01:50That transfer time matters when booking early flights.

01:54Small detail.

01:55Big difference in your experience.

01:58Where to stay.

01:59Station strategy.

02:01Boracay is divided into three stations along White Beach.

02:05And choosing the wrong one can completely change your experience.

02:10Station 2 is busy and energetic.

02:12Station 3 is quieter and more budget-friendly.

02:16But Station 1, in our opinion, is the sweet spot.

02:19We stayed at Astoria Boracay, located right in Station 1.

02:24Station 1 is steps from the famous Willy's Rock.

02:27And walking distance to many restaurants and tour pickups.

02:31Astoria Boracay also included complimentary airport transfers,

02:35which immediately makes the experience feel seamless.

02:39There's something about waking up, walking downstairs barefoot,

02:42and being 20 seconds from the ocean.

02:45That's when Boracay starts to feel different.

02:49Breakfast at Astoria became part of our ritual.

02:52Tropical fruit, Filipino dishes, slow coffee before the sun climbs higher.

02:57If you want even quieter, Astoria Current on Station 3 offers a softer, more relaxed atmosphere.

03:06Day 1.

03:07Don't rush Boracay.

03:09The biggest mistake people make?

03:11They overplan day 1.

03:13Don't.

03:14Boracay is best absorbed slowly.

03:17White Beach is often ranked among the best beaches in the world.

03:21And when you step onto it, you will understand why.

03:24Okay, we're just on White Beach here in Boracay.

03:28And it's just about sunset.

03:30We're in between Station 1 and Station 2.

03:32This may be the busiest beach I have ever seen in my life.

03:38I'm not exaggerating when I say there's probably a hundred thousand people on this beach.

03:44And all these boats.

03:46There's maybe a hundred boats going out for a sunset cruise all at the same time.

03:51Every restaurant is packed.

03:53Every bar is packed.

03:54This is like insane.

03:56The most lively beach I've ever been on.

04:00The sand is almost flower soft.

04:03The water is calm, shallow, and impossibly clear.

04:07Walk north to Willy's Rock, the island's most iconic landmark.

04:12All right, we're at Willy's Rock.

04:15I don't know why it's called Willy's Rock, but it's basically just a coral reef that comes

04:21up really high above the ocean, right on the shore here.

04:25And it's probably about a kilometre from Station 1.

04:29It's one of the most iconic places in Boracay because there's a sculpture of the Virgin Mary

04:35on top of it.

04:37And when the sun's setting, it comes down and looks absolutely epic.

04:41We're here in the middle of the day.

04:42We might come back for sunset, but we're going to check it out.

04:45By late afternoon, everything changes.

04:48The light softens, fenders quiet down, sailboats drift out across the horizon.

04:55You can watch from the shore or charter your own for around 6,000 pesos per group, some holding

05:01up to 12 people.

05:02No engine, just wind.

05:04And this was the moment we realized Boracay isn't just beautiful.

05:09It's atmospheric.

05:11Dinner at LU Innacell brings you back to something grounded.

05:15Okay, this is our first time trying Innacell.

05:20Basically, you can get unlimited rice.

05:22It comes with a soup, chicken.

05:25I believe all of this was around, was less than 300 pesos.

05:32I think it was around each, which is very decent for how much food you get.

05:37It was unlimited rice for an extra 30 pesos, which is awesome.

05:43Yeah, we're going to be here for a while eating.

05:46Smoky grilled chicken, rice, cold drinks, local, affordable, no frills.

05:54Exactly what you want after a sunset like that.

05:58Halfway through our Boracay adventure, one tool has made everything so seamless.

06:03The WISE travel money card.

06:05From the start, we booked our hotel and flights using WISE.

06:09So everything was in one place and at the real exchange rate.

06:13The same rate you see on Google with no hidden fees.

06:16When we went out for our private fishing charter, we paid the local captain by transferring money straight to his

06:22PHP account through WISE.

06:24Super quick and secure.

06:26And for the smaller spots around the island that don't accept cards, we were able to withdraw cash from ATMs

06:32with WISE, which offers free withdrawals up to a certain limit.

06:36And at the mid-market exchange rate.

06:38Everything is controlled from the app.

06:41So if the card is ever lost or stolen, we can freeze it instantly and even order a replacement, giving

06:47total peace of mind when traveling abroad.

06:50Whether it's online bookings, local payments, or just making sure you have cash on hand without paying extra bank fees,

06:57The WISE travel money card keeps travel simple, safe, and stress free.

07:02Which means we can focus on enjoying Boracay instead of worrying about conversions and hidden charges.

07:08If you want to simplify your spending while traveling overseas, check out WISE by using the link down below to

07:15get your first transfer fee free up to $1,000 or a free WISE travel money card.

07:22Day 2. Sunrise and the island before it wakes.

07:26Day 3.

07:27Wake up early.

07:28Earlier than you think.

07:30Day 3.

07:31Boracay before 7am feels like a different island.

07:35We booked a private fishing charter with Boracay with Andre, and this ended up being one of the most memorable

07:42experiences of the trip.

07:44You can choose between deep sea fishing or something more adventurous, or a shallow reef trip for calmer water.

07:51That we catch here.

07:53Little reef fish?

07:55Yeah.

07:57That'd be easy.

08:00Not big enough.

08:02Yeah, yeah.

08:04And we have also here the trigger fish.

08:06This is called trigger fish?

08:08The trigger fish.

08:09Oh yeah?

08:10Yeah.

08:11Yeah.

08:11You can do.

08:13We call it Hawaiian humo humo fish.

08:15In Hawaii?

08:16Humo humo?

08:17Yeah.

08:17They call it humo humo.

08:18Humo humo.

08:19Yeah.

08:20I thought I had something.

08:21It was just the weight on it.

08:26We're trying to catch something big enough that we can take you to a restaurant to eat,

08:29but I don't know.

08:30We're on the reef, and it's mostly reef fish here, so we're going to see how we go.

08:34Charters leave at 6.30 a.m. or 2 p.m.

08:38They last for three to three and a half hours, and cost between 2,500 and 4,500 pesos per

08:45person,

08:46depending on the experience.

08:47But what surprised us wasn't the fishing.

08:50It was how peaceful the island felt offshore.

08:54Just open water and silence.

08:57Returning to White Beach as it wakes up feels surreal.

09:00Back at Astoria Boracay, breakfast hits different after hours at sea.

09:05Cut to Seoul Marina Beach Club.

09:07Seoul Marina Beach Club is located at Punta Banga Cove in Barangay Yapak on the quieter north-western side of

09:15the island.

09:16It is surrounded by luxury hotels with private beaches.

09:21Afternoon energy builds from 4 to 6 p.m.

09:252 for 1 happy hour with a live DJ.

09:28At 6 p.m. a live musician takes over.

09:31This might be the best sunset atmosphere in Boracay.

09:35If you want higher energy, sunset party boats around 700 pesos per person.

09:41Some include water slides, DJs, and free flow drinks.

09:44Boracay adapts to your mood.

09:47Day 3.

09:49The side most tourists miss.

09:51Most visitors never leave Central White Beach.

09:55And that's a mistake.

09:57Hop on an e-trike.

09:58The easiest way to explore.

10:00Okay, so in Boracay you can get these tricycles that are kind of like a mini version of the jeepneys

10:06that we rode in Cebu.

10:08And you just jump on with other people.

10:11It was 15 pesos to get from station 2 to back to our hotel in station 1.

10:17Which is like nothing.

10:18Head north to Puka Beach.

10:21Unlike White Beach, Puka feels untamed.

10:23The shoreline is crushed shells, not powder sand.

10:28The waves are stronger.

10:30The vibe is raw.

10:31You can rent a glass bottom kayak and drift across the crystal clear water.

10:36And even get your photos taken directly from locals on the beach.

10:40Then visit the keyhole near New Coast Beach.

10:44Natural rock formations carved over time.

10:47It feels cinematic and almost hidden.

10:50What do you think a keyhole?

10:52I mean that must have taken hundreds or thousands of years to get to that shape.

10:56How did that even happen?

10:58It's pretty amazing.

10:59Yeah.

11:00It's like a perfect archway.

11:02It's massive.

11:02It's probably 50 feet high.

11:06I'd say.

11:06If you want something even quieter, visit Dinuid Beach.

11:10Small, secluded.

11:12There's even a Virgin Mary statue tucked inside a cave.

11:16Or Sinapa Beach.

11:18Peaceful and less crowded.

11:20This is when Boracay feels expansive.

11:23Not just a resort island.

11:25But layered.

11:26Dinner at Cafe Muraha shifts the tone again.

11:30Hookah, live music, dim lighting.

11:33A completely different rhythm from White Beach.

11:37Day 4.

11:38Energy and Culture

11:40Boracay isn't just sunsets.

11:42It's wind.

11:43Bolabog Beach, just five minutes away, is the island's kite surfing hub.

11:49Colorful kites scatter across the sky.

11:52Even watching feels dynamic.

11:55If you've ever wanted to learn, this is one of the best places in Southeast Asia to try.

12:00Lessons are widely available and instructors here are experienced with beginners.

12:04You'll also often find locals and tourists playing beach volleyball here.

12:09Then for dinner, something deeply Filipino.

12:12A boodle fight at Astoria Current.

12:14Food spread across banana leaves.

12:17Barbecue seafood.

12:18Grilled meats.

12:19Rice.

12:20You eat with your hands.

12:22Communal.

12:23Interactive.

12:24And messy in the best way.

12:25This is where travel becomes shared.

12:28Okay, we're doing a boodle fight.

12:30It's a traditional Filipino way of eating.

12:35So much food, I cannot believe how big this platter is.

12:38Let me just walk you through what we have here.

12:40I think this could probably feed about 10 to 12 people.

12:43But here we've got a Filipino local fish.

12:49It looks like it is stuffed with some veggies and things.

12:52This is eggplant with egg wrapped around it.

12:56We've got barbecue pork and inesa which is barbecue chicken.

13:01A bunch of rice and all the same barbecue on the side as well as salad.

13:07This is traditionally eaten with your hands.

13:10We'll probably use cutlery because we're in kind of a nicer place.

13:13But this looks incredible.

13:19Day 5.

13:21The Quiet Goodbye.

13:23The last morning is always different.

13:26Slower, more observant.

13:28Breakfast at Astoria Boracay one final time.

13:32A last swim at White Beach.

13:33A quiet walk past Willy's Rock.

13:36Boracay has a reputation.

13:38But if you slow down, explore beyond Station 2.

13:41Balance adventure with stillness.

13:43It becomes something else entirely.

13:46Five days feels complete but never quite enough.

13:49It is.

13:51so that happens it would not be true.

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