| I was captivated by several respected travel | | | | beach resorts, hotels, restaurants and shops catering |
| magazines claiming that Boracay island resort in the | | | | to the needs of tourists staying in the area. |
| Philippines has one of the best beaches in the world, | | | | Incidentally, Borocay has more than 300 beach |
| I wasted no time in traveling to this island resort to | | | | resorts with more than 2,000 rooms ranging from |
| experience what many claimed is a tropical island | | | | stylish five-star hotels and resorts to budget |
| paradise. | | | | accommodations for backpackers. Golfers will be |
| Boracay is a lush tropical tourist resort island about | | | | delighted to know that Boracay is home to a |
| 200 miles south of Philippine's capital Manila and is | | | | world-class 18-hole par 72 golf course. |
| about slightly more than a mile off the northwest of | | | | Bulabog Beach, across the island from White Beach is |
| Panay in the West Visayas province. Because of its | | | | a secondary tourism beach. This beach is a favorite |
| acclaimed publicity of being home to some of the | | | | location for windsurfing and kiteboarding because of |
| best beaches in the world, Boracay island resort is | | | | its seasonal strong winds for these activities. |
| naturally one of the Philippine's most popular tourist | | | | When is the best time to visit Boracay? Well, you |
| attraction. | | | | can visit Boracay anytime, however some visitors |
| The island is made up by the barangays of | | | | may wish to visit the island resort for different |
| Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak and is under the | | | | purposes. |
| administration of the Philippine Tourism Authority. A | | | | Catch the spectacular world-famous Kalibo Ati-Atihan |
| barangay is also known by its former name, the | | | | Festival in January. This festival is Philippine's version |
| barrio and is the smallest local government unit in | | | | of the Mardi Gras which is celebrated on the third |
| Philippines. The word is a Tagalog term for a village or | | | | week of every January. |
| constituency. | | | | If you just want to enjoy the beaches and the sea, |
| Boracay island was originally the home of the Ati | | | | then visit Boracay during the 'Amihan' season. This is |
| tribe before it became a major tourist attraction. Not | | | | during northeast monsoon season in the months of |
| surprisingly, the word Boracay is derived from words | | | | March to May when trade wind is at its strongest |
| Bora which means 'bubble' and Bukay means 'white | | | | which is very suitable for activities like sailing, big |
| sand'. However, the sand on the main island is not as | | | | game fishing, scuba diving, wind surfing and |
| white as I have expected due to too many tourists | | | | kite-boarding. |
| and pollutions. Then again, if you visit some of the | | | | The months of June to September are considered |
| nearby islands and you will be fascinated by how | | | | off-peak season, however budget conscious tourists |
| white the sands on the beaches can be. | | | | and backpackers consider this as the best time to |
| Boracay is part of Aklan Province and it was only in | | | | visit Boracay as prices for everything are at its |
| the 1970s that tourism industry started to develop. | | | | lowest and there are few competition for that |
| The main tourism beaches on the island are the | | | | precious white sand beach turf to plonk yourself on |
| White Beach and the Bulabog Beach both of which | | | | to enjoy the sun. |
| are located on diametrically opposite sides of the | | | | October marks the beginning of another peak |
| island's central area with the White Beach facing | | | | season. As from October to December, the weather |
| towards the west and Bulabog Beach facing east. Of | | | | is cool and major sports events are usually held at |
| course, Boracay also have several other beaches as | | | | this time of the year. |
| well. | | | | If you are thinking of taking a vacation holiday in the |
| White Beach is well known for its white powdery | | | | Philippines, do head for the tropical paradise island of |
| sand and hence its name. The beach is slightly over 4 | | | | Boracay. |
| km long (2 miles) and is populated with numerous | | | | |