The Philippines is a country consisting of countless islands with beautiful beaches that rival the best beaches in neighboring countries. One such place is the small island of Boracay. It is one of the most visited places in the Philippines thanks to its wonderful beaches with fine sand and crystal clear waters. It is ideal for a relaxing beach holiday and offers numerous dive shops, restaurants, hotels and bars. Although it is an island, Boracay is very accessible from the neighboring island of Panay where the Caticlan barangay (district) offers a good connection to the area. Here’s how you can get from Caticlan to Boracay to plan the perfect vacation.
Travel options from Caticlan to Boracay
Caticlan is located on the northern tip of Panay Island, which is only a mile off the coast of Boracay at its closest point. Therefore, crossing from Caticlan to Boracay is quick and easy, although it can only be reached by a small stretch of water. Caticlan is one of the main connecting points with Boracay. Caticlan Airport, officially known as Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, connects Boracay with Manila, the country’s capital, by air, making it easy to get to Boracay via this airport. Van transfers can be booked from the airport, including ferry crossings and even transfers to your hotel on Boracay Island.
From Caticlan to Boracay by ferry
Bangka waiting for passengers from Caticlan Pier in Boracay © photopixel / Shutterstock.com
Although there is only a small stretch of water between Caticlan and Boracay, you have to cross it by boat as there are no bridges or other means to get there. You can travel on your own and buy boat tickets at Caticlan pier. There are two ferry options. The first is a small boat known as a bangka in the Philippines, which saves you some money. The downside is that due to its small size, the tour can be a bit bumpy for people who are afraid of water. Bangkas usually run from 5am to 9pm, so it’s not hard to find a free one if you don’t mind traveling that way.
The second option is a larger ship, similar to what you might expect when thinking of a passenger ship. Boracay Express is more comfortable and more stable than bangki, which makes it more expensive. The crossing only takes about 15 minutes, so whichever boat you choose, the journey won’t be long.
Boracay Express Ferry
The good thing is that you can buy a combined ticket for the entire journey. If you are arriving at Caticlan Airport, you can book your transfer package in advance via the website 12Go.asia. You can buy a ticket that includes a van from the airport to the pier, a boat transfer and a transfer from Cagban Pier to your hotel in Boracay. These combo tickets are a good option and avoid the hassle of buying tickets separately. If you book your entire trip with 12Go, you only pay once to get to your destination and you won’t have to worry about a thing.
These combo tickets come from My Boracay Guide travel agency and are very affordable considering it is a door-to-door service. Traveling this route can add a bit of extra time as the van picks up other passengers at the airport and has to go to other hotels in Boracay, but all in all it shouldn’t take much more than an hour.
Departures from the airport are every two hours, from 9:00 to 19:00. You may have to wait a bit from landing to pickup, but as we say, you’ll save yourself the time and hassle of finding your way to the pier.
Another advantage of booking a combined ticket is that in the event of a flight delay, the agency will take the necessary steps to offer you an alternative means of transport or will wait for you if the delay is not very long.
Choosing a combined van, ferry and taxi ticket to get from Caticlan to Boracay is very convenient. This is a good value option, can be easily booked in advance, and offers guaranteed pick-up and door-to-door service.