BoracayTravel Tips

Typical weather seasons by month.

When the city is peak, balanced, or quieter.

Typical monthly AQI index trends.

What to know before drinking water, eating street food, or dining out.

• Drink sealed bottled water or resort filtered water; tap water is not worth testing on a short stay.
• Seafood is best ordered where turnover is visible, especially along D Mall and Station 2.
• After heavy rain, choose cooked dishes over raw salads from beach stalls.
• Ice is generally fine in established hotels and restaurants; be selective with informal carts.

Common scams and safety precautions during your stay.

• Agree on e trike fares before boarding, especially late at night between stations.
• Do not book sea activities from beach touts without a registered operator and clear weather policy.
• Keep phones and wallets off dining tables; Station 2 gets crowded after sunset.
• ATMs can run low on busy weekends, so carry enough cash for small vendors.

Respectful behavior for temples, neighborhoods, and restaurants.

• Beachwear belongs on the beach; cover up before entering shops, restaurants, and public offices.
• Keep voices low in resort corridors and residential lanes after 10 PM.
• Ask before photographing staff, children, or ceremonies.
• Respect roped marine areas and lifeguard flags; fines are taken seriously.

Plugs, voltage, and electrical charging standards.

Tipping customs for dining, taxis, and services.

• Tipping is appreciated, not demanded; check first for a service charge.
• Restaurants: leave 5 to 10 percent for attentive service when no service charge appears.
• Hotel porters and housekeeping: small peso notes are more useful than coins.
• Boat crews and guides value direct tips after safe, well handled trips.

Essential local laws and regulations to respect.

• Smoking and drinking alcohol are restricted on the beach; use designated areas.
• Do not take sand, shells, or coral from the island.
• Single use plastics are restricted, so carry a refillable bottle where practical.
• Drones require local clearance; do not fly near crowds, resorts, or the airport corridor.

Health advice for climate, insects, and well-being.

• Use reef safe sunscreen and reapply after swimming; the sun is sharp even under cloud.
• Bring mosquito repellent for garden restaurants and inland lanes after rain.
• Book licensed dive and water sport operators; cheap shortcuts are poor value here.
• During Habagat, respect red flags and avoid swimming alone on exposed water.

Simple local phrases that help with greetings and polite conversation.

Useful phrases for shopping, bills, and price negotiations.

Phrases for dietary preferences, vegetarian choices, and water.

Polite ways to decline offers, transport, or street vendors.

Directions for finding toilets, basic shopping, and asking help.

Emergency calls, hospitals, and help phrases in the local language.