2 years ago, we celebrated Yuan's first birthday and wrapped up a beautiful 4-day staycation on Boracay Island. From our smooth DIY commute and our hidden gem of a hotel to a day-by-day food diary that took us from comforting local fast food to a romantic beachfront violin serenade, here is the complete look at our ultimate Boracay family experience.
DIY Caticlan Transfer
While our hotel, Altabriza Resort, actually offers a free transfer service from the Caticlan Jetty Port, we decided to handle the journey ourselves via the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) route to keep our schedule fully flexible.
If you are traveling as a family, skipping the pricey 2,000 PHP per person hotel airport packages is a massive money-saver—and honestly, the DIY process is incredibly straightforward.
Our Step-by-Step DIY Route
Airport to Jetty Port: Right outside the Caticlan Airport arrival gates, we skipped the expensive van packages and hopped straight into a tricycle headed for the Caticlan Jetty Port. The ride takes less than 10 minutes.
The Port Process: Once at the port, you enter the tourist line to verify your documents (make sure to have a printed or digital copy of your accredited hotel voucher and your valid IDs ready).
Paying the Fees: You then pay your entry fees. We settled the standard Terminal Fee (150 PHP), the Environmental Fee (150 PHP for local tourists), and grabbed our Boat Tickets (around 50 PHP).
Crossing to the Island: We filled out the boat manifest, hopped onto the ferry, and enjoyed a breezy 10-to-15-minute boat ride across the water to Boracay’s Cagban Port.
Port to Hotel: Once we landed on the island, we chartered a private e-tricycle directly to our hotel. It’s a seamless way to travel, and doing it DIY instantly saved us thousands of pesos that went straight into our food budget instead!
Watch this vlog to know more:
Altabriza Resort Boracay
Choosing the right base camp can make or break an island vacation. For this trip, we checked into Altabriza Resort Boracay, located right along the Main Road in Balabag, near Station 2.
The Price and Value
At Altabriza, we secured a spacious setup with two large beds (perfect for 4 pax) for around 5,000 PHP per night. For a clean, modern resort right in the center of the action, this price point is an absolute steal.
Our Room Highlight: The Private Dip Pool
The absolute showstopper of our room was the private dip pool right outside our door. Whenever we wanted a quiet break from the beach crowds or a quick, private wash-off after swimming in the ocean, we could just step into our own little pool.
Combined with pristine, reliable daily housekeeping that provided absolutely everything we needed, the room felt like a luxurious sanctuary.
An Unbeatable Central Location
Altabriza sits perfectly in the heart of the island’s conveniences:
White Beach (Station 2): A flat, very manageable 10 to 15-minute walk brings you right to the legendary shoreline.
D’Mall & Balabag Lake: You are just steps away from the island's primary hub for shopping, changing currency, and finding a Jollibee.
Bulabog Beach: If you want to check out the island's windsurfing side or catch an early sunrise, it’s a straightforward 20-minute walk in the opposite direction.
Island Travel: Because it is on the main highway, you can step out and flag down an e-tricycle to effortlessly whisk you away to Station 1 or anywhere else on the island.
4-Day Food Diary
You can't have an unforgettable island vacation without talking about the food. Here is exactly how we ate our way through Boracay, day by day.
Our Morning Anchor: Tangerine Restaurant
Every single full day started at Tangerine Restaurant, Altabriza’s in-house buffet located on the 2nd floor right by the main pool area. The free breakfast buffet featured a rotating spread of classic Filipino breakfast favorites (perfect garlic rice and savory meats), a live egg station, fresh fruits, and pastries.
It gave us the energy we needed for long beach days without draining our wallets first thing in the morning.
Day 1: Comfort Food & Local Hidden Gems
Lunch: After the journey to the island, we kept it classic and incredibly convenient. We walked right over to the Jollibee located directly in front of Altabriza Resort for a quick round of Chickenjoy and sweet spaghetti.
Dinner: For our first night, we wanted an authentic, budget-friendly local spot. We headed to Jasper's Tapsilog And Restaurant. It’s a legendary island staple for affordable, delicious Filipino comfort food.
Midnight Snacks: Being night owls, we wrapped up Day 1 by grabbing snacks and drinks from the groceries and the Watsons right next door to our resort.
Day 2: From the Highway to a D'Mall Fiesta
Lunch: Following a long morning of swimming, we stopped by the McDonald's along the main highway for a fast, familiar meal to refuel.
Afternoon Grazing: We dedicated our afternoon to exploring D’Mall, stopping at various small food stalls for quick bites and refreshing drinks while browsing the shops.
Dinner: Hidden within the bustling energy of D'Mall, we found Ole Boracay. Craving a big, satisfying dinner, we ordered a feast of Spanish paella, juicy beef steak, and pizza. It’s an excellent, lively spot for a hearty family meal.
Day 3: Station 1 Walks, Sunset Snacks, and a Magical Finale
Morning: We started our third day with a scenic, slow walk up to the powder-soft sands of Station 1, stopping by a beach stall for some ice-cold fresh fruit juice before relaxing at the beachfront Starbucks near Station 2.
Sunset: For the main event of the afternoon—the iconic Boracay sunset—we grabbed a front-row seat near Station 1. We ordered snacks and drinks from The Sunny Side Cafe, watching the sky shift into brilliant hues of purple and gold.
The Highlight of Our Trip: Dinner at Smooth Cafe Boracay
For our final dinner on the island, we discovered an incredibly cozy beachfront spot called Smooth Cafe Boracay, and it instantly became our favorite experience of the entire vacation.
Smooth Cafe bridges the gap between elegant casual dining and footprint-in-the-sand island culture. Specializing in authentic Italian cuisine, we spent the evening enjoying:
Perfect, comforting plates of savory, al dente Italian pasta.
Crisp, beautifully mixed Margarita drinks.
What took the night from great to unforgettable was the atmosphere. As the beach breeze picked up, a live violinist began performing right on the shore, serenading diners with smooth, romantic melodies under the stars. It was soulful, intimate, and the ultimate way to celebrate our last night on the island.
Day 4: One Last Feast
We officially wrapped up our dream family getaway where it all began: enjoying one final morning together at the Tangerine Restaurant breakfast buffet, soaking in the last bit of resort life before heading home.
Boracay is a world-class destination, but the secret to enjoying it to the fullest as a family is finding the right balance. By pairing the affordable, clean comfort of a highway-accessible gem like Altabriza Resort (and handling the transit yourself via DIY) with a mix of quick comfort eats and unforgettable beachfront experiences like Smooth Cafe, we managed to create a vacation that was stress-free, budget-conscious, and deeply memorable.
ALSO IN BORACAY
- Your complete Boracay Island DIY Travel Guide (Things to do + Budget and Itinerary)
- Travel Requirements for Boracay (All You Need To Know)
- List of Accredited Boracay Hotels, Resorts and Other Accommodation
- What Boracay looks like during community quarantine?
- Important Things You Should Know About Boracay Reopening
IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without IMFWJ's notice. Should you know the updated information, please message us on Facebook.
WHERE TO STAY IN BORACAY:
