How to Get to Boracay: Caticlan or Kalibo, Boats and Jetty Fees
Most students reach Boracay in one day: fly to Manila (or another big airport), take a short domestic flight to Caticlan or Kalibo, ride a tricycle or van to the Caticlan jetty port, and cross to the island by boat. From Cagban jetty port on Boracay, our school is a short ride away. Here is the whole trip, step by step, with the choices that matter.
Step 1: Fly to the Philippines
Most international flights land in Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport). From Manila there are many daily domestic flights to the two airports near Boracay. Some travellers connect through other hubs such as Cebu, and a few international routes fly straight to Kalibo. Routes and airlines change from season to season, so compare options when you book.
Tip from our FAQ: exchange rates are usually better at Manila’s airport than on the island, so it is a good place to change some money into Philippine pesos.
Step 2: Choose your airport — Caticlan or Kalibo
There are two airports on the mainland next to Boracay. Both work well; the difference is distance against choice of flights.
| Caticlan | Kalibo | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to the jetty | About 2 km, a 5-minute tricycle ride | About 90 minutes by bus or van |
| Flights | Many daily flights from Manila, smaller planes | Often more flights and sometimes cheaper fares, including some international routes |
| Best for | Arriving fresh, with no long transfer | Saving money or connecting from abroad |
| School pickup | Yes, we offer pickup and drop-off | Arrange your own bus or van |
If the price difference is small, Caticlan is the easier choice: you are on the island within the hour. If Kalibo saves you a lot, the 90-minute ride by bus or van is a simple trip. Prices and schedules change, so check both airports when you search.
Step 3: Get to the Caticlan jetty port
From Caticlan airport, the jetty port is about a 5-minute tricycle ride. From Kalibo airport, buses and vans go to the Caticlan jetty port in about 90 minutes.
The easiest option is to let us meet you. Our Caticlan airport pickup and drop-off costs $48 (2026 rate), and you can add it when you book your course. Someone is waiting for you on arrival, which helps a lot after a long journey.
Step 4: Pay the jetty fees and take the boat
At the jetty port you pay an environmental fee and a terminal fee before boarding. Together they come to a few hundred pesos, and you pay the environmental fee once for your whole stay. When you leave the island, you pay the terminal fee again. Amounts and payment options change from time to time, so keep some pesos in cash and expect the exact fees to be confirmed at the port.
The boat ride across to Cagban jetty port on Boracay is short — the island is right there in front of you.
Step 5: From Cagban to Paradise English
Our school is a short ride from Cagban jetty port. If you booked our pickup, we meet you at Caticlan airport and help you with the rest of the trip. Otherwise, e-trikes wait at the port; tell the driver you are going to Paradise English in Manoc-Manoc.
If you are staying in our student dorm, it is only a 3-minute walk from school, and our Annex Hotel is a 1-minute walk, so once you arrive, you are home.
Getting around Boracay
Boracay is small, and getting around is simple:
- E-trikes are the most popular way to travel. They carry about five passengers. The minimum fare is 10 pesos and rises with distance. Fares are usually posted inside, but some drivers charge foreigners more, so check the fare first.
- Chartered e-trike: if you want all the seats for yourself, expect to pay 100 pesos or more. An empty trike may ask for the charter rate.
- Hop-on hop-off bus: newer and convenient. If you stay a while, a monthly card is the easiest option.
- Walking: White Beach Station 3 is the closest beach to our school, and many places are within walking distance.
Practical tips for travel day
- Carry pesos in cash for tricycles, fees and snacks. There are ATMs all around Boracay that accept foreign cards, but most charge a fee.
- Buy a local SIM (Smart or Globe) if your phone is unlocked, so you can call and use maps. Our campus also has free Wi-Fi.
- Pack light. You need very few clothes on Boracay. See our list of what to pack for studying in Boracay.
- Check the weather. From around June to October there are south-west winds and more rain, which can sometimes affect boats and flights. Read the best time to study in Boracay.
- Have your documents ready. Many nationalities get a free tourist visa on arrival. If you stay longer, our office helps with the extension and your Special Study Permit — see SSP and visa extension for students.
Plan the rest of your stay
Getting here is the easy part. Before you book flights, choose your course and room: compare our General English, Intensive English and Budget English courses, see all 2026 prices, and work out your total budget with our guide to the cost of studying English in the Philippines for one month. Our complete guide to studying English in the Philippines covers everything else.
FAQ
Which airport is closest to Boracay?
Caticlan. It is about 2 km from the jetty port, a 5-minute tricycle ride. Kalibo is about 90 minutes away by bus or van.
Can the school pick me up from the airport?
Yes. Our Caticlan airport pickup and drop-off costs $48. Add it when you book your course.
How much are the fees at the jetty port?
You pay an environmental fee and a terminal fee, a few hundred pesos in total. The amounts can change, so carry some pesos in cash.
How long does the trip from Manila take?
The flight is short, and from Caticlan you can be on Boracay within the hour. Via Kalibo, add about 90 minutes by road. If your flights connect well, you can reach Boracay the same day you land in Manila.
Tell us your arrival date and we will help you plan the trip. Contact us for a free personal quote.
