FAQ: studying English on Boracay

Our office organises visa assistance every week. The tourist visa is free on arrival and valid for 29 days. It then needs to be extended for another 29 days, and then every 60 days for up to one year. The first visa extension costs about $85 USD.

All students in the Philippines must have a Special Study Permit (SSP), which costs about $200 USD. Our office prepares the documents and helps you through the process. There is an immigration office on Boracay, so you don’t need to leave the island.

Each student is responsible for having a valid visa and documents during their stay. Rules differ by country — please check your own country’s requirements.

Yes. The whole campus has free Wi-Fi for students — ask the office for the login. You can also use mobile data with a local SIM card.

Our school cafeteria serves pre-arranged lunch and/or dinner to enrolled students. Shopping is done daily, so only fresh meat, fish, poultry, fruit and vegetables are served. Meals are optional — sign up in advance or when you arrive.

The student lounge is an open-air area with plenty of tables and chairs and a small library, where students relax between classes. Snacks are sometimes available at a reasonable price.

The island has 12 beaches. The three most popular:

• White Beach (front beach): a long stretch of white sand with restaurants, bars, resorts and hotels, divided into Stations 1, 2 and 3. Station 3 is closest to Paradise English.
• Bulabog Beach (back beach): home to most water-sport centres, like kite-boarding and windsurfing.
• Puka Shell Beach: the second-longest beach, quieter and great for picnics. Take care — the water gets deep suddenly and the current is strong.

November–March: cool nights, warm days, moderate rain. Calm, clean water; 25–32°C (77–90°F).

April–June: hot and mostly dry; 28–38°C (82–100°F).

May/June–September/October: south-west winds with moderate to heavy rain; 25–32°C (77–90°F).

There are many daily flights from Manila to Caticlan or Kalibo. Caticlan is 2 km from Boracay; Kalibo is a 90-minute bus ride away. From Caticlan, take a 5-minute tricycle to the jetty port and a short boat ride to the island.

The e-trike is the most popular transport and carries about 5 passengers. The minimum fare is 10 pesos and rises with distance. Fares are usually posted inside, but drivers sometimes charge foreigners more. A chartered trike (all seats for you) costs 100 pesos or more — be aware that an empty trike may charge the charter rate.

The newer hop-on hop-off bus is convenient too; a monthly card is the easiest option.

You need very few clothes — beachwear and towels are sold on the island. A sweatshirt helps on cooler nights. Don’t forget sunglasses, a hat, a flashlight, good sandals and your camera.

The currency is the Philippine peso (PHP). 100 centavos = 1 peso. Coins: 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, ₱1, ₱5 and ₱10. Notes: 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 pesos. Exchange rates are better at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Some places accept credit cards, and there are many ATMs, though most charge a fee.

ATMs all around the island accept foreign cards. The main banks are BPI, BDO, Metrobank and PNB.

1. D’Mall, in the centre of White Beach
2. Robinsons Mall / Station B Mall
3. City Mall
4. E-Mall at Station 3
5. D’Talipapa at Station 2
6. Boutiques along the main road

Most offices open 8 AM–5 PM on weekdays and 8 AM–noon on Saturdays. Banks open 9 AM–4 PM on weekdays — bring your passport. Restaurants, bars and spas are open every day.

English is an official language of the Philippines. Most locals understand and speak it, so you have endless chances to practise — and very few communication problems.

There are several medical clinics on the island; our office can advise you which to visit. Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is sold everywhere, and the school has water dispensers on campus and at the dorm.

If your phone is unlocked and compatible, buy a local prepaid SIM and load to call, text and use data. The two main networks are Smart and Globe.

1. No smoking on the beachfront
2. No littering
3. No fishing
4. No urinating or defecating on the beach
5. No pets on the beachfront
6. No taking sand or pebbles