Boracay Information

Information of Boracay

Boracay is a tropical island located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. The island comprises the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak (3 of the 17 barangays which make up the municipality of Malay), and is under the administrative control of the Philippine Tourism Authority in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan.

Boracay was damaged and one person was killed on December 10, 2006, when Typhoon Utor (Seniang) struck the island.

Geography

Boracay Island, approximately 7 km long (with the narrowest spot being nearly 1 km wide), is located off the northwest corner of the island of Panay, and belongs to the Western Visayas island-group, or Region 6, of the Philippins. It has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers.

Weather and Climate

Amihan and Habagat

Weather in Boracay is generally divided into two seasonal weather patterns known locally as the Amihan and Habagat seasons. In the Tagalog language, Amihan means a coolnortheast wind, and Habagat means west or southwest wind; south-west monsoon.

Amihan and Habagat seasons are generally associated respectively with the La Niña and El Niño global weather patterns. The Amihan season is characterized by moderate temperatures, little or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the east. The Habagat season is characterized by hot and humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the west.

On Boracay, the main indicator of the switch between the Amihan and Habagat seasonal patterns is the switch in wind direction. In most years this transition is abrupt and occurs overnight. In some years there is a period of perhaps a week or two where the wind will switch between Amihan and Habagat patterns several times before settling into the pattern for the new season. As a general rule of thumb, Boracay will be in the Amihan weather pattern from sometime in September or October to sometime in May or June and in the Habagat weather pattern for the remainder of the year. These dates can vary in individual years, though.

Daytime temperatures on Boracay generally range from 77-90º F (25-32º C) from the beginning of the Amihan season into February or March, increase to the 82-100º F(28-38º C) range until the onset of the Habagat season, and moderate back to the 77-90º F (25-32º C) range with the start of the Habagat season. During Tropical Storm periods, temperatures can fall below 68º F (20º C). Tropical Storms can impact Boracay at any time of year, but are most likely to be seen during the Habagat season.

Impact on Tourism Operations

Partly because of its wind and weather patterns, Boracay tourism is heaviest during the Amihan season. During Amihan, the prevailing wind blows from the east. Boracay's main tourism area, White Beach, is on the western side of the island and is sheltered from the wind. During the Amihan season, the water off White Beach is often glassy-smooth. On the eastern side of the island, hills on the northern and southern ends of the island channel the Amihan season wind from the east onshore onto Bulabog Beach in the central part of the island's eastern side, making the reef-protected waters off that beach ideal for windsurfing and kiteboarding / kitesurfing.

Most Boracay hotels and resorts have Low and High Season price levels with High Season prices generally coinciding with Amihan Season dates. Some have additional Peak Period pricing during periods of heavy tourism (usually including Christmas / New Year, Easter / Holy Week, and Chinese New Year periods).

BORACAY HISTORY

Kalibo, the capital town of the province of Aklan, is the gateway to Boracay Island – Paradise Island of the Philippines. Aklan, dubbed as “Land of the Atis,” is the oldest province in the Philippines. It was organized in 1213 by settlers from Borneo, as the Minuro it Akean to include what is now Capiz.

Aklan became an independent province when President Magsaysay signed into law on April 25, 1956, Republic Act 1414 separating Aklan from Capiz. Aklan was inaugurated as an independent province on November 8, 1956.

Boracay Island is a paradise indeed. The beach is amazing with its white sand; it is wide and stretched on for kilometres.

The small island, only seven kilometres long and one kilometre wide at its narrowest point, is located just off the northern tip of its mother Visayan island of Panay.

Philippine history began in the 13th century, when ten datus from Borneo, with hundred of his kinsmen landed in what is now known as Panay island.

Panay is one of the economically better developed islands of the archipelago. This was mainly brought about by the political events at the middle of the 19th century when the British forced Spain to open the Philippines to the world market.

Boracay is made up of three little communities: Yapak in the north, Balabag in the middle, and Manoc-Manoc in the south. Hilly elevations up to 100 meters above sea level characterize Yapak and Manoc-Manoc.

Languages

Other than Filipino, English is widely spoken in Boracay. Aklanon is also spoken, as Boracay is part of Aklan Province. Ati was spoken by the original inhabitants of the island.

Culture

Boracay has an extensive community life. Civic organizations as the Kiwanis and Rotary Club meet once a week and undertake many public activities. The Boracay Foundation, Inc. organizes also many activities.

Business Hours
Most businesses are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays and 8:00 AM till noon Saturdays.

Banks are open from 9:00 AM till 3:00 PM Mondays through Fridays. When banking in the Philippines, it is advisable to have your passport with you for identification.

The post offices are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays only. Local postage is PhP 4.00 for a standard letter and PhP 16.00 for letters to America and Europe. Stamps for postcards are frequently available from the Concierge Desk at most major hotels. The Philippines uses ZIP codes, please include them in addressing local mail.

NOTE: The Standard lunch hour is noon to 1:00 PM. Most businesses and government offices are closed.

Language
English is one of the official languages of the Philippines and there are no communication problems in English.They are the best English speakers in Asia. If your mother tongue is not English, you may have some difficulties in listening to Filipino English because of their strong accent.

Their language abilities depend on individuals and education background.Some people speak English as if they were brought up in USA.

Newspapers & Other Media
The newspapers in the Philippines have been called the freest in the world, as you will see for yourself, with more than 24 different morning papers to choose from, most of them in English. There is also a wide selection of magazines printed in English including Time, Newsweek and Asiaweek. In Metro Manila you can buy the Asian Wall Street Journal, The International Herald Tribune and USA Today.

In Boracay vendors walk around selling the Philippine Enquirer and other Filipino newspapers.

Television is "on the air" from early morning to midnight, showing American programming as well as local programming. The standard channels are 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, and 23. If you need more channels, most of the major hotels are with Cable TV bringing in TV programs from all over the world.

There is also AM and FM radio broadcasting with the pop stations primarily on AM in Filipino and the English language programs on FM.