Boracay,Philippines: Taste Foods from Around the Globe in just 3.5 KM

Boracay,Philippines: Taste Foods from Around the Globe in just 3.5 KM

Underneath the afternoon sun, the walkway strip is buzzing with tourists and locals. An area called White beach, the west coast of Boracay Island, Philippines is a hot spot for tourists to flock to. Lined with palm trees, the 3.5 km pedestrian-only sand walkway serves as a barrier between the white-sand beach and local businesses. Tourists can stroll on the sand walkway and pass scores of hotels, vendors, boutique shops and open-air gourmet restaurants. Eating out, being one of my favourite activities as a vacationer, makes searching for places to eat a fun outing. Restaurants in this area are brimming with creative international menus giving brave diners an opportunity to taste dishes from around the globe.​

The exotic aromas of a Mexican cuisine followed by a seafood eatery can entice travellers to try it all. With various types of cuisines lining the lane, tourists are sure to fill their food cravings whether it be Italian, Japanese, Filipino, Mexican only to name a few. To add to your dining experience, ambiences also vary from modern and sleek to casual tropical, to romantic and intimate or classic and sophisticated. Staff are very apt in taking the extra step in making every guest feel at home and comfortable. The variety of dishes are sure to satisfy families with children, couples and lone travellers that have specific preferences.

For those that like to mix alcohol with their vacation, between 4-8 pm, restaurant bars have their happy hour serving certain cocktails and beers at half price. Drinks range from 40 Php (1 US dollar) to 200 Php (5 US dollars). Many choose to hop from one place to another to try different drinks or experience a different environment. Being steps away from each other, drinking and driving is definitely not a concern! Most restaurants serve distilled ice cubes so it is rather gentle on the sensitive stomachs.

Some restaurants serve complimentary breakfast buffets depending on which hotel you are staying in. For instance, if you stay at the Boracay Regency hotel, you are entitled to complimentary breakfast buffets next door. Once seated, staff will just dot down your room number to confirm your stay there. In the evening, dinner on the strip starts around 6 pm where food items generally range from 100 Php (2 US) to 600 Php (11 US) Many restaurants, especially those on hotel property also serve dinner beach buffets for 350 Php (they take only cash). ​

It is not required to be a hotel guest to enter beach buffets. You can simply walk around and pick your moment’s craving. Food items in the buffet range from: Asian cuisine such as stir-fry noodles, sweet and sour fish or Mediterranean chicken dishes to delicious French dessert crepes. For seafood lovers, there is also a seafood buffet where you can pick from a selection of fresh fish, lobsters, crabs and have them cook it right in front of you! No appointment is needed to reserve a table on the beach or in the restaurants. With so many along the strip, lineups are unusual however peak dinner hours usually occur between 7-9 pm. Also, be sure to carry cash as many diners do not take debit or credit card. There are a few currency exchange offices open during the day along the strip as well. Bon appetite!

How To Get There:

The common route to get to Boracay Island, take a flight from Philippines’ capital Manila. There are a few airlines you can take. Most common, take Cebu Pacific or Philippines Airlines to either Kalibo or Caticlan airport. Flight is about an hour and costs on average 3000 Pesos (around 100 US dollars). From Kalibo airport, you take a 2 hour drive to Caticlan Jetty Port where you will then take a 20 min motorized outrigger boat ride to Boracay. From Caticlan airport, it is a 5 min drive to Caticlan Jetty Port and then a 20 min boat ride. The journey is part of the fun!

Travelling Tip:
When travelling to Boracay from Manila, keep an eye on who exactly helps you with luggage in between transfers so you don’t end up overpaying personnel that did not assist you. 60 Php per person is ample.