From 2frenchinmanila: Please note that this article was written for Boracay’s reopening in 2020.
Since October 1, 2020, the Philippines reopened Boracay for tourists from all over the Philippines. Meaning that even foreigners, like us, living in the country can enjoy local tourism.
Reopening a top tourist destination amid the covid-19 pandemic is obviously accompanied by a set of guidelines and requirements that we are going to tell you about.
We went there on October 18 2020 to experience traveling in this new normal.
So, here are the things that you need to know before traveling to Boracay:
5 Steps You must Follow to Travel to Boracay Now
Please note that these steps are directly from the official website of the Department of Tourism of the Philippines (DOT). We will discuss it in detail for you. However, you might want to check their official website for future updates. We will also continue editing this blog post if new protocols come up.
Step 1: Get your Flight Tickets
First, choose your flight dates and book your flight ticket*.
Caticlan Airport (MPH) is the opened airport for tourists and the nearest one to Boracay so make sure to select that one.
*You will need to know your exact flight time and date to secure step 2.
Step 2: Get Tested before Your Trip
A negative RT-PCR result is mandatory when traveling to Boracay.
The test must have been not earlier than 72 hours prior to your trip.
Also, you must observe a strict quarantine at home between the time you took your test and your flight which will limit your potential exposure to the virus.
The last thing Boracay needs is someone who will carry the virus there.
Step 3: Book in a DOT-accredited establishment
Hotels are not the only DOT-accredited establishments, there are some Airbnb accommodations that are allowed to operate.
It is best to secure this when you are booking your accommodation by asking for a copy of their DOT accreditation. You may also check online if they’re on the accredited list.
Note that the DOT will send you the QR code you needed so you can enter Boracay.
Make sure not to miss any steps.
Step 4: Register Online to Get your Health Declaration Card (HDC)
While waiting for your results, go to the official website of the island http://aklan.gov.ph/ and fill out the health declaration card. Keep the copy with you.
Step 5: Get your QR Code and travel to Boracay freely
Once you get your negative results. You must send an email to DOT’s official email and they will provide you with a QR code that you will need to present to authorities in the borders for scanning.
Attach a copy of:
- HDC
- RT-PCR Negative Result
- Confirmed Flight
- Booking Details (in a DOT-accredited establishment)
- Valid ID
Then email everything to touristboracay@gmail.com with this subject format: OHDC – Family Name, First Name (example: OHDC – Dela Cruz, Juan).
You can send multiple documents for multiple tourists in one email so that if you are traveling as a couple you can get your QR code at the same time.
Getting a QR code from the DOT is actually very fast once you have all the documents so do not worry about this.
You can also visit: https://philippines.travel/destinations/boracay. Which is the official website of the DOT to get some information about the needed requirements for Boracay.
We are here to help you with more insights from people who experienced such a trip and to advise you with tips that you could use to facilitate your trip.
What are the Tips to Know?
Secure your RT-PCR test to avoid a very bad experience
If you follow closely everything that we discussed earlier things will go smoothly. However, you might want to make sure that you’ve done all those steps thanks to people who went to Boracay already like us. One of the most difficult parts was to secure a RT-PCR negative test prior to the flight departure’s time.
Indeed, at the beginning, the time allocated between your test and your flight was not 72 hours but only 48 hours. But hospitals or other test facilities would sometimes deliver the test after 48 hours.
This means that some people had their results after their flight’s time and didn’t make it to their flights. Resulting in bad experiences and people reluctant to travel now.
Now, things have gotten easier.
The time allocated was extended and the process is getting smoother and smoother with more people going to Boracay. We had the chance to only wait 24 hours to get our results on time.
You might want to ask from people you know who went to Boracay where they had their tests so that at least you would know who can provide the results on time.
We personally did it at St Luke’s Hospital in Bonifacio Global City. It was around P4,300.
Take advantages of the discounts
Cheap hotels!
With Boracay only open to local tourism, many establishments offered discounted prices to tourists. You can find room at P3,000 per night that costs usually 4 times more during peak season with international travelers.
We have seen some 70-80% discount and as tourists, it is very enjoyable. It allowed us to stay longer on the island. We stayed one week at the district hotel which is located in Station 1, beachfront and is a very charming hotel with an amazing staff: https://thedistrictboracay.com/.
You can book using this link to see their availability and current offers: Book your hotel here.
But cheap flights too!
We were lucky to pay around P3,000 for our two-way trip. We paid twice this amount last year when we went to Boracay in 2019. So, there are some good deals as a tourist to get now.
But more and more people are now coming to Boracay so those discounts might stop soon (well, hotels need to make some money and airlines as well…).
Enjoy a Boracay like you’ve never seen it before
Boracay is a marvelous place due to its long white sand beach. We’ve rarely seen something that beautiful and especially at sunset. With less international travelers, Boracay becomes more intimate and is more charming than ever.
Especially for travelers who don’t really enjoy touristic destinations, superficial trips, or crowded places. Boracay is becoming a top spot to go to in 2020 if you have the chance to live in the Philippines.
Everybody going there now is completely enjoying this New Boracay: clean, not crowded, peaceful and closer to nature.
This was a wonderful experience for someone like me, who has been locked in his apartment in Metro Manila to enjoy the beautiful nature of the Philippines for a week.
But enough of ourselves, we got some testimonials from friends (later) who followed right after and went to Boracay as well this month.
Maybe this will convince you to travel to Boracay and enjoy local tourism.
What People Want to Know about This New Boracay
Many asked us on social media similar questions about traveling to Boracay. We answered most of them previously but some questions amongst all comes back often and we haven’t answered them yet:
Is Boracay safe now?
Yes, it is.
Boracay has been free of covid19 for months.. Travelers going there have shown negative results to covid-19 tests. People are following healthy protocols to ensure our safety and the island is not crowded like it used to be. So, it is very easy to practice social distancing.
We felt safe there.
Do you have to wear a mask?
According to the authorities, if you must go from point A to point B, you must wear your mask.
But not while swimming on the beach. The statement from the DOT was “wear a mask when it makes sense.” Wearing a mask sometimes did not really affect our travel experience if that is what you want to know.
Is it worth it to go to Boracay now?
If you are expecting an old Boracay with parties, that is not the place to go.
But if you are looking for an escape and to see Boracay like you’ve never seen it before with less crowds, and more natural scenery. Well, that’s a really good time to go.
Plus, the discounts are appreciated.
Some people might get bored if they stay a week but there are still some activities to do there. I was able to pass the PADI exam to become a certified diver.
With less people there, I clearly enjoyed my training and experience there and it occupied me the whole week.
You know, I just wanted to run on the beach every morning and breathe the fresh air, that was enough for me and I wasn’t expecting more.
That is why I truly did not regret going to Boracay and found it worth it to go through those travel requirements.
What Do Other People Who Went to Boracay Think of Their Experience?
Enough of ourselves, we got some friends who went to Boracay right after us and got their testimonials. We obviously did not modify their words as we wanted genuine testimonials about their experience.
Here is what they think of the trip:
From Liz
“Visiting Boracay during the pandemic made me see it in a whole different light. I’ve heard stories from my auntie, what it was like in the 80s & 90s, but I could never really imagine it. Empty beaches with barely any tourists?
Didn’t sound like the Boracay I’ve known at all. I was amazed to see Boracay’s true beauty. The vibe completely changed from party island to serene hideaway.
However, after talking to a few locals, I found out that they had a hard time recovering because the local tourism isn’t enough for them.
I really hope we can find a way for the future to preserve the current state and beauty of Boracay without harming the locals’ livelihood in the long run.”
Liz, November 2020
From Patrick Martin
“I’ve never seen Boracay this pristine, and I honestly think that now is the best time to visit the island.
Health and safety protocols were properly observed around the island, and I felt very safe all throughout my stay.
Add to that the fact that there’s not much foot traffic on the beach – meaning, you can fully enjoy Boracay’s fine white sand and clear waters without the crowd!”
Patrick, November 2020
From Tiago
“Things are definitely different. Not sure if for the best, but definitely something I didn’t expect.
Boracay is known for the never ending parties and fun activities that will keep you busy all day and all night, but now there is this calmness that somehow brings peace and a better island experience.
There are limited options for accommodation and food, and even for activities. Boracay became an introverted paradise in what used to be an extrovert dreamland.
I found the island to be a lot cleaner than the previous time I visited, which is a great positive side to the current situation. The longer stretch of white sand was also such a refreshing thing to see.
As for the requirements, that is the biggest inconvenience, which will be a little bit costly and time consuming, but for your peace of mind and the safety of everyone, it’s something that every guest should really go through.
Flights are also limited, making the adjustment for a better schedule a bit challenging, but I think it is also good knowing how limited the number of people you get exposed to.”
Tiago, November 2020
Feel free to comment in the section below if you have any questions about this article or if you need more advice before your trip to Boracay 🙂
