One of the best parts of a holiday is finding all the destination-specific snacks and souvenir items to stuff your suitcase. Each time you mention you’re going somewhere, whether it’s a nearby province or a trip abroad, there will always be that someone who will say: “Pasalubong ha!” (Bring a souvenir!). There’s still something to bring home to your family, friends, and officemates that you can only get in that specific place or area.

Pro tip when shopping for the perfect Boracay pasalubong: research! Search for unique gift shops recommended restaurants or hit the shops that sell authentic souvenirs in Boracay. Doing some research before you get to Boracay can save you time and money when shopping for souvenirs especially if you have limited vacation time.

But what can you take home from Boracay exactly? Here's your guide in choosing, hunting, and shopping for charming souvenirs from Boracay.

Buy the iconic “I <3 BORACAY” shirt.

The common yet iconic I <3 BORACAY shirt that almost every Boracay visitor has to have in their closet, it’s usually a plain colored shirt, with the words I <3 Boracay on the front of the shirt to commemorate and remember their Boracay trip.

Locals who sell these generic t-shirts have started to customize the shirts by printing the customer’s names on the spot as you buy them. The I <3 BORACAY shirt is a simple yet useful Boracay souvenir you can even buy for your friends and family. One shirt costs about 170 to 250 Php, depending on the type of shirt and the design you want it customized. Plus, the more you buy, the more you can haggle to make the price of each shirt cheaper!

Buy a pair of bamboo sunglasses

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When in Boracay, you can’t help but spend a lot of time by the beach or out on the water. To protect your eyes from the harsh sunlight, stop by D’Mall Boracay station before your trip and look for this Boracay must-buy sustainable yet fashionable glasses. There’s a wide range of styles and colors to choose from so don’t worry about these not matching your island OOTD. Get ready to have fun in the sun, strut at the beach or stroll through the new establishments at Boracay.

These type of sunglasses are polarized and have a glare-blocking feature to protect your eyes. Grab a pair of your own Boracay bamboo glasses and a few more for your family. They are a little much with a price of 1,000 to 1,750 Php depending on the style you want. Bamboo sunglasses is one of the best pasalubong from Boracay as you can use these on any occasion, whether on the beach or a sunny day in the city.

Accessorize with Puka Shells

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Forget what the naysayers say when it comes to choosing your Boracay souvenirs for your family, friends, and officemates. Grab your squad a couple of accessories, from necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and even a combo of all of them. The price of these accessories may vary from each seller, but you can expect to grab these for as low as 125 Php to the 250 Php.

The main source of Boracay’s shiny puka shells is from—you guessed it—the famous Puka Beach. As the name suggests, the beach has an abundance of puka shells. But no matter how many are lying around, don’t go out and pick your puka shells! That’s against the rules and regulations of the beach, and you will have to pay a hefty fine for such committing that offense.

Bring home fresh seafood

fresh seafood Photo courtesy of Chait Goli via Pexels

You’re visiting one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines; there’s no way you can leave without bringing home some fresh Caticlan pasalubong for the fam! They’re not exactly souvenirs, but they are part of the Boracay must-buy list for a seafood lover.

A day before you leave the island, spend some time in D’Talipapa market and shop for fresh seafood items like crabs, shrimp, shellfish, and fish to bring home. Price may vary on the seafood you want as it depends on the catch of the day, but surely you’ll get a reasonable price on these items in Boracay. Seafood is a coveted product in the city, especially in places like Manila. With the rapid increase in the prices of seafood in the metro, it’s best to buy them from the source itself. You have to pay an additional fee for the extra luggage once you get to the airport.

Share some calamansi muffins

calamansi muffin Photo courtesy of Lain De Macias via Pexels

Speaking of what food to buy in Boracay, head on over to Real Coffee and Tea Cafe for a taste of its famous calamansi muffins. For 360 Php per box, this Boracay gem is copied and re-created many times, but nothing beats the original calamansi muffins from Boracay. Baked until golden brown and slightly toasted, calamansi muffins have a fresh and zesty flavor that your family and friends will surely enjoy.

More than just gifts and objects, the best thing you’re bringing home from Boracay is the unforgettable experiences you’ve made. The reason you buy these gifts and presents is to let them know you were thinking about them and how you wish they were there to enjoy the trip as well. As the famous saying goes: it’s the thought that counts.

Unique and Cheap Bora Finds as Perfect Pasalubong