A few years back we went a cruise that included a stop at Grand Cayman. If you have never been there I highly recommend it. It was absolutely beautiful there and the local people that we ran into were extremely friendly, kind and courteous.

During our stop on Grand Cayman we booked Don Foster's Dive Cayman “Swim with the Stingrays” excursion. This is a day trip where they take you out to a place in the middle of the Caribbean called Stingray City and you dawn some snorkel gear and swim with real live stingrays. This is not a closed off or secluded sanctuary for these animals but an actual area in the ocean where the stingrays come to be around people. As you can imagine, it his highly illegal to go fishing anywhere near Stingray City. I am not sure of what the fine would be, nor would I want to know, but we were told it was pretty significant.

Along with swimming with the stingrays you also get to feed and pet them. That alone would have made it a great experience. However, unlike the other boats that came and went, Don Foster's took the extra time to not only allow you to have fun but educate you as well.

We learned a number of things about the stingray's habitat, the sizing, the color of the species, how Stingray City got started, and of course a complete tutorial on how to feed them. What I noticed about the other boats that were there was they brought people in to mingle with the stingrays but that was about it, which is fine, but adding the education factor to the trip was an added bonus and one that I highly recommend.

If you are going to Grand Cayman anytime soon, look up Don Foster's Dive Cayman. For our particular excursion they did a real nice job, making you feel right at home, in the middle of the Caribbean surrounded by these gracious sea creatures known as stingrays.

So here's my very own version of Boracay Survival Guide:

Transportation

No need to arrange for one. If you are landing in Kalibo, there are a number of vans right outside the airport that will take you directly to the Caticlan Jetty Port. Fare is around P175/pax without boat ride, which I suggest you take because it's a LITTLE cheaper than getting the one that includes the boat ride. And you have to pay some more fees at the port anyway.

I also discourage vacationers from availing of the transfers that most resorts and hotels offer because I think it's unreasonably expensive! If not mistaken, it costs around P650 for a transfer from the Caticlan Jetty Port to hotel when total actual cost is only about P150 or less:

Boat fare = 20.00

Environmental Fees, etc. = 20.00 (or less)

Tricycle Ride from Boracay Is. to hotel = 100.00

There are a lot of tricycles for you to take from the port going to your hotel. There are also multicabs (tiny vans for bigger groups) that go for a higher rate (between P200 and P300).

Do not forget to bring loose change to give to the porters who helped you carry your luggage(s).

Apart from walking, tricycles are the main mode of going around the island, or from one station to the other. Boracay is segmented into three stations:

Station 1 - where most of the bars and clubs are.

Station 2 - the “center” of the island; where most of the restaurants and boutiques are. D'mall is also in Station 2.

Station 3 - where the main market is. D'talipapa (aka flea market) is also in Station 3.

Fare is around P7/pax.

Accommodation

For backpackers or those who are travelling on a budget, Eriko's or Tan's guest house is a good choice. Both guest houses are owned by the same person: Net Sacapaño.

The guest houses are located in station 2, near D'mall. To get there, you may ask the tricycle or multicab driver to drop you off at "Crafts of Boracay", it's a big grocery store that is still part of D'mall. From there, take a one to two minute walk towards the beachfront area. Once you're along the beach walkway…turn left, walk a few steps, and then take another left at Shenna's - there's an alley sandwiched between a small grocery store and a diving shop.

You'll notice a couple of guest houses lining the alley as well, but I've always stayed at Eriko's and Tan's because the price is reasonable - if I remember correctly, I only paid about P1,800/night for an airconditioned unit with kitchen (separated by a sliding glass door). It also comes with cable TV and your own verandah.*

Apart from that, Eriko's/Tan's is very accessible to almost anything. Situated in Station 2, it's in the middle of everything - from flea market to restaurants to bars!

*Note: I was able to negotiate an all-year round 20% discount to readers of this post! Just bring a copy of this article and show it to Net ;-)

Restaurants and Bars

Just some of my recommended establishments:

• Cocomangas - famous for their “still standing after 15” challenge
• Shenna's - cheap tequila shots
• Jonah's - famous for their shakes, located in Station 1
  
• Hey Jude! - best to go here during happy hour as you get a discount on your drinks
  
• Crepes St. Michel's or Crazy Crepes - for dessert
  
• Andok's - known for their roast chicken; cheap but filling meal
  
• Binalot - serves Filipino dishes wrapped in banana leaves; cheap but filling meal
  
• D'Talipapa - you can buy seafood from the wet market and have it cooked in one of the eateries here. Or, simply avail of their meal packages that go for about P100-P150 per head (best for large groups).
  
• Barbecue stands - don't miss the chori (short for chorizo = native sausage) burger!

Water Sports/Activities

Banana boat ride is around P250/pax during peak season. However, you should be able to get it for only P80-P100/pax during low season. Jet Ski rentals are around P2,500 for 30mins during peak and P1,000 during off-peak.

If you want to visit the islets surrounding the island, your best option is to hire a boat. It would set you back by P1,500-P1,800, depending on how many you are. When you do get one, leave early so you have enough time to visit three to four islets. A must-visit is Crystal Cave. It's a huge cave that has a wonderful lagoon inside. It's very hard to get in, as you need to go down some steep slopes and crawl thru a narrow opening. It's slippery and has lots of sharp stones on the ceiling (so watch your head!), but the beauty of the place make it all well worth it! Remember to bring knee pads and helmets if you have any. Otherwise, make sure you have alcohol and band-aid handy…just in case.

As much as I like Puka Beach, because of its very clear and calm water that's best for swimming, I would not recommend for you to include it in this trip. Puka Beach, also a great place to buy pasalubongs from (accessories made out of Puka Shells selling for as low as P10!), is accessible via tricycle. So ask the boatmen to bring you somewhere else instead (e.g. Crocodile Island, Bat Cave, etc.)

Snorkeling is usually included in the itinerary, so bring some biscuits to feed to the fishes. Beware though, boatmen usually charge for the gears separately (around P100 for the goggles and the snorkel). Also, be prepared with some loose change as there's someone going around collecting about P20/pax for “environmental fees”.

Though boatmen usually approach you with flyers (prices included) on hand, always remember to haggle. And make sure that both parties are clear on whatever was agreed upon.

Others

Everything is more expensive in Boracay. If you could, bring staple food like canned goods, instant noodles, and bread. A loaf of Gardenia bread costs around P80 when it's just P35-P40 in Manila.

Toothbrushes are expensive too - I had to learn that the hard way. So do not forget to bring yours (see related article here.)

Anyway, there's a big wet and dry market at D'Talipapa but you would need to catch a tricycle ride going there. So if you don't really need much, you can just walk to the smaller one near Eriko's/Tan's guest house (also one of the reasons why I like to stay here). You can buy staples here like vegetables, meat, poultry and other grocery items. This flea market is in D'mall, near Crafts of Boracay. You would have passed by this one going to Eriko's/Tan's (see item#2 on how to get to the said guest houses).

Water is also very expensive. I suggest you contact Agua Vida (288-3754) to have water delivered to your doorstep. You can use the guest house's landline. What I usually do is rent their 5-gal container with faucet. You pay P500 upfront, but it's actually only P80 per 5-gal water plus P70 for the container rental. So you get P350 back when you return the jug. I really think it's cheaper that way than having to buy a bottle of water (costs P20 minimum) each time.

For pasalubongs (gifts), there are a few establishments in D'Mall where you can get key chains or magnets for P15-P20 a piece. But, I prefer to walk early in the morning along the beach to Station 3. There are a lot of vendors lining up the beach walkway as early as 6AM (i.e. if it's not raining). Women's accessories (earrings, bracelets, etc.) go for as low as P10! Or, you can always take a tricycle ride to D'Talipapa, where you can get native snacks like piyaya or caramelized banana chips with sesame seeds, etc. You can also buy t-shirts here for around P100-P150 a piece.

Just remember to always haggle. If you don't feel that you are getting your money's worth, leave and look in another stall.