Guide to Great Activities You Can Do in Boracay for the Holy Week Here are some things to include in your Boracay itinerary this Holy Week.
As a Catholic nation, Holy Week is a widely commemorated holiday in the Philippines. Apart from the religiosity of the event, most people anticipate it for the opportunity to take a long break. Those who are tied to their jobs finally get a chance to spend time in their hometown or travel to new places. This year’s weeklong holiday falls on the third week of March, the start of the summer season. When it’s summertime, Boracay will surely be a destination to go. Here’s what you can do this Holy Week on the island.
Go beach-hopping.
One can see the green forest of Yapak when in Puka Beach. Image: Writer If you’re a beach person like me, you will surely find one that will suit your preference in Boracay. The most famous one is White Beach, which is known for its powdery white sand. This is the main area where you can find hotels, bars, restaurants, and various pop-up stores. If you’re the sporty type, Bulabog Beach is the place to go, which is a popular spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Diniwid Beach is also a good place to chill during sunset time. I prefer less crowded areas, so I head to Puka Beach and Ilig-Iligan Beach, both located in the northernmost portion of the island. At these places, you can buy a refreshing drink and relax in a bamboo beach bed.
Enjoy some water activities.
Helmet diving lets you get up close with the fishes. Image: Writer Since it is surrounded by water, trying some water activities is a recommended thing to do while in Boracay. You can spare one day in your itinerary to check out the activities the island has to offer. You can try helmet diving (PhP500) in the morning when it’s not too hot yet. It can be pretty scary if you can’t swim but walking underwater and seeing colorful fishes would ease your fears. The activity lasts for about 30 minutes, including the speedboat ride. Afterwards, you can go island-hopping, which usually lasts for four to six hours. Instead of joining a group, booking a private tour is more convenient since it allows you to go snorkeling, swimming, and do other activities at your own pace. You can then cap off your day by sailing a paraw (outrigger boat). Each paraw can be rented at PhP1,000 for up to five persons.
Go for an inland adventure.
A kart racing track can be found in Barangay Yapak. Image: Affordable Boracay Activities Apart from water activities, there are also a number of inland adventures to try on the island. You can tour the island with a mountain bike, which can be rented for PhP200 per hour. If you prefer racing, you can also go to Barangay Yapak where go-kart racking tracks can be found. A race cart session with five 900-meter laps costs PhP1,000. You can also ride a horse while on vacation here for PhP1,200, inclusive of guide fee.
Satisfy your palate.
A smoothie bowl made of fresh fruits from Nonie's Image: Nonie’s My favorite part of each trip is eating delicious food. Going meatless as part of the Holy Week tradition is not a problem at all while on the island. A number of restaurants here specialize in healthy meal options including vegetarian and vegan dishes. One of these is Nonie’slocated in Station X. They have a selection of healthy grains, rice meals, and other Filipino food with a healthy twist. For non-Catholics, there’s no need to worry as it is business as usual for most Boracay restaurants. That means you can still eat your favorite meat dishes throughout the week.
Visit the mainland.
You can explore the wonders of Pangihan Cave in mainland Malay. Image: Writer Since Holy Week is one of the busiest holidays on the island, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the island and spend a day exploring the mainland of Malay. From waterfalls, rivers, caves, and eco-farms, Malay has it all. Start your day exploring the Malay Ecological Center, and then make a short stopover at Agnaga Mini Falls. Visiting the Pangihan Cave is also something worth experiencing. Allocate an hour for the spelunking activity to have some time to explore the stalactite formations inside the cave. Lastly, you can go to Nabaoy River where you can go swimming and have a sumptuous lunch of native dishes at the restaurants near the area.
Take some time to relax or reflect.
Pamper yourself with a relaxing spa. Image: Mandala Spa and Resort Villas The Holy Week season is also the perfect time to take a retreat and wash away negative energy. If you are a religious Catholic, you can attend masses at Holy Rosary Parish in Barangay Balabag and join the traditional procession on Black Friday. For non-Catholics, one way to relax is by pampering yourself. My favorite pampering activity is going to one of many spas in the island. You can have a spa session at your hotel or book a massage package at a wellness center like Mandala Spa Resort and Villas. You can also take yoga classes or enjoy vegan dishes from their own restaurant. Holy Week is one of the busiest times in Boracay, but with these activities, you’ll surely have some time to reflect and take a pause. * Prices may change without prior notice.