One of the blessings of being in an archipelago is the many ways of going around. You can choose land, water or air travel. In the Philippines, you can drive a car, or ride in trains, buses, taxi cabs, motorized bikes, tricycles, and vans. You can also take a boat, ferry or a ship. For air travel, you may fly through commercial plane or chartered plane. As Boracay reopens this October, choose the travel option that suits your budget and thirst for adventure.

Here's your guide on how to get to Boracay.

From Manila by plane

white beach

How to go to Boracay from Manila? You can fly from NAIA or travel through ferry from Batangas Port. The former is preferred because it saves a lot of time. How far is Boracay from Manila by plane? You can expect to be in Kalibo International Airport within 45 minutes after departure from NAIA via direct flight.

It may be luck that Boracay will reopen in October, which is an off-peak month. You can also book a seat on any of the long weekends in the last quarter. What about spending your All Saints' Day weekend in Alta Vista de Boracay? As of the writing of this article, a round-trip ticket (Cebu Pacific) from Manila to Kalibo on October 31 to November 4, 2018 is about Php3,800.00 per passenger. Book a trip for December or the next summer season and get more discounts.

From Manila by land and water

happy friends jumping beach

If you and your barkada want a road trip, go to Boracay by land and water. These travel options may take half a day, but that's where the fun is. Take a bus from anywhere in Metro Manila to Batangas Port. These buses, which ply EDSA either from Cubao or Makati, include those operated by Tritan Bus, JAM Transit and BLTB.

In Batangas Port, book a ticket in a RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off) ship to Calapan in Mindoro. This ride typically takes 2 to 3 hours. From Calapan, take a van to Roxas Port for a 3-hour land travel, then a 4- to 5-hour boat ride to Caticlan Jetty Port. Some tourists drive their car to Caticlan Port and use the pay parking services there. Cars are not allowed in Boracay.

You have another option: take a 2GO vessel from Batangas to Caticlan Jetty Port for about Php600 to Php700 each. You can save money if you're traveling in a group. A cabin for 4 is for less than Php1,300.

From Clark to Boracay

Are you traveling from Northern Luzon? You can skip the notorious traffic in Metro Manila and take a plane from Clark International Airport. A round-trip ticket to Kalibo for the All Saints' Day long weekend is for about Php9,000 via Philippine Airlines. What about celebrating Christmas 2018 in Boracay with the entire family? A round-trip ticket is only less than Php10,500 if you're booking in August.

Another option is to fly to Cebu first, then travel by sea to Iloilo. From Iloilo, you can travel by land to Caticlan, the gateway to Boracay. This is a longer route, but preferred by those who want to visit various places in one vacation.

From Cebu to Kalibo

father daughter beach

Are you coming from the South? You can take a plane from Cebu to Boracay. This is the fastest way to travel, which is only about an hour. A round-trip ticket for the upcoming November long weekend is less than Php2,000.

Another option is through a ferry to Iloilo. Cokaliong Shipping offers economy class tickets for Php930 each. Want a suite for two? That will be for Php2,760. From Iloilo, you can take a bus to Kalibo via Ceres Liner for about Php500. This ride typically takes 4.5 hours. Aside from buses, there are also shuttle vans that can take you to Kalibo. This Boracay budget travel option is for those who prefer a longer yet more exciting journey to the white sand beaches.

From Kalibo/Caticlan to Boracay

If you're arriving at Kalibo, you need to take a bus to Caticlan Jetty Port and ride a boat to Boracay. The bus ride will take about 90 minutes. Most tourists opt for an airconditioned bus, though you can also take a shuttle.

There are flights from Manila or Cebu directly to Caticlan for those who want to arrive earlier in Boracay. From Caticlan Jetty Port, take a 20 to 25 minute boat ride to your destination. Remember to ask the nearest boat station to your hotel. The boat fare is about Php25, depending on how many passengers are taking the trip. Travel by group and save more.

To get to Alta Vista De Boracay, you can arrive at any of the stations. The tricycle ride from Station 1 takes about 20 minutes for Php100. Don't hesitate to haggle for a cheaper fare. You can also share the fare with other passengers, saving you as much as Php80.

Exploring Boracay

There are no cars in Boracay. If you're bringing your own vehicle, you will need to leave it in Caticlan Port. To get around the island, you can walk, cycle or ride tricycle taxis or e-Trikes. You may also rent motorcycles especially if you're exploring challenging terrains.

Plan your 2018 Boracay expenses well. Check the schedule of rates posted inside tricycle taxis and in the Tourism Office. Currently, tricycle taxis and e-Trikes charge Php10 per person. If you're traveling in a group, you can rent a ride for Php60 for five passengers. It's recommended that you rent a tricycle taxi for a day tour to save money and maximize your time. The fee is charged by the hour, which starts at Php300 per hour. Feel free to negotiate with your driver.

Boracay will be cleaner and better when it reopens in October. It's time to plan your next beach getaway with family and friends before the year ends. Take note that there are long weekends coming up – the perfect excuse to hit the road to unwind.

How To Get To Boracay? Here's Your Guide For Your Next Vacation