Traveling to Boracay during pandemic 2022: Travel Requirements & Protocols

COVID-19 has undoubtedly changed the face of tourism, and one of the Philippines’ tourism front liners, Boracay Island, has also adapted to the new travel normal. No worries because this 2022, traveling to Boracay is easy as it was before the pandemic – just some new requirements and a health checkpoint at the airport – then you’re good to go to enjoy the beach paradise! Easy, right? Let’s get into it!

IS BORACAY OPEN FOR TOURISTS NOW?

YES, SO START PACKING YOUR BAGS!!! 

Boracay Island opened its doors again for local and international tourists in the later part of 2020 but with stricter COVID-19 triage and requirements. Just this February 2022, after the Omicron surge in the country, the island lifted its negative RT-PCR requirement for fully-vaccinated tourists. It was the most hassle and expensive (ahem, 3,000 PHP for an RT-PCR) additional travel requirement so lifting it was the light that every traveler is looking forward to.

WHAT ARE THE TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR BORACAY?

Fully-vaccinated tourists can finally travel to Boracay by just registering their travel on the website touristboracay.  Sad to say but not (or not fully) vaccinated tourists still need to present a negative COVID19 RT-PCR test 72 hours prior to their travel. Please get vaccinated, wanderers!

STEP-BY-STEP MUST DO BEFORE TRAVELING TO BORACAY

1. Of course, you have to book a flight or a ferry to Boracay. As of the moment, there are daily flights/sails available from Manila and Cebu going to Boracay Island. Tourists from the Panay region or nearer provinces have the option to travel to Boracay by land.

2. Next is to book your DOT accredited accommodation establishment. You also have an option to say on a friend/relative’s residence in case you have one on the island. As for us, we booked Henann Prime Beach Resort in Station 1 since they lowered their prices during this pandemic season. 

3. One week (or less) before traveling to Boracay Island, you need to register all your travel details on the website www.touristboracay.com. You don’t need to create an account and just fill out the tourist arrival form. Once you clicked Submit, your QR code will be displayed that you need to save on your phone for it will be asked multiple times on your travel date. P.S. You can only register your travel 7 days prior to your travel date. Dates are disabled on more than that.

TRAVELING TO BORACAY TRAVEL PROCESS

1. Checking in on our flight in NAIA, the ground stewardess asked for our QR codes and vaccination card. She scanned our QR code before giving us our tickets. 

2. The flight is approximately 1 hour. We landed at Boracay Airport and lined up for their health declaration triage. Our temperature was measured and we were asked again about our QR codes, vaccination cards, and our flight seat number. 

3. We opted not to avail of a van transfer (700-800PHP) to save money. We headed to the tricycle booth and paid 50PHP per head. The tricycles are a few minutes walk from the airport but they are organized so we didn’t mind.

4. Five minutes after, we were dropped by the Caticlan Jetty Port where we need to ride a boat to Boracay Island. We paid 100PHP terminal fee, 150PHP environmental fee, and 50PHP boat fee per head. Everything is systematic and you’ll be done in less than ten minutes. P.S. Beware of porters who will get your luggage without consent as you go down the tricycle. They’ll forcibly ask for a 50PHP tip.

5. Board the boat that you’re assigned to. Travel time is around 15 minutes.

6. In Boracay Port, you can ride an electric multi-cab (250PHP) privately or their regular shared ones for 35PHP per head to your hotel. We settled for the latter because we can’t find another couple to share the multi-cab with.