Salamat sa Department of Tourism (DOT) under Bongbong Marcos and the tourism industry is naghihingalo. That’s what happens when we see more the photographically-documented DOT secretary… instead of the tourist sites in the country.
@outragemag #LGBT traveling to #Boracay? Here are quick tips for #DIY ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Marketing is but part of the issue, of course. Traveling local is still more expensive than heading out of the country, and yeah… our local destinations have a handful of issues, even if we don’t hear as much about these issues.
Like those we faced when heading to Boracay.
And here are some (consider these as tips na rin)…
Una, if you flew to Kalibo to head to Boracay, you’d still need to travel by land for approximately two hours before reaching the port that is your gateway to the island (from Iloilo, it’s around five hours). If you have a big group, take a van. If not, these vans wait for passengers pa, and they take time. We waited for other passengers for over two hours; if we took a bus na lang, we’d have arrived in the port already. So choose your mode of transpo well…
Ikalawa, when reaching the port, do not engage with (or at least avoid) the “tourism people” in front of the port, or those manning the tables when you enter the port. These are NOT from the government. They are private individuals representing private businesses that were accredited by the local government and government agncies to do what they should actually be doing – i.e. collect the necessary fees. Of course, they jack up the prices to pretend to help the tourists.
As FYI, tourists are mandated to pay: Terminal fee (₱150), environmental fee (₱150 for locals, ₱300 for foreigners), and the boat fare (around ₱50).
If you have the money to waste, yeah… tap them. But for DIY travelers, the recommendation is to NOT engage with everyone blocking your way when you reach Caticlan Port, and just to head directly inside the building to the actual government desk.
Ikatlo, have cash ready. There’s an ATM machine, yes, but cash is king… or queen… when heading to Boracay.
We’re checking the island pa… but here are some tips to consider when traveling to Boracay DIY.
Join us for more LGBTQIA+ rampa…
The best time to visit Boracay is from May to early June, after the dry season and outside the algae/lumot season of February to April. Of course, at times, the lumot arrive early (e.g January).
