Boracay Island, Aklan: Majestic : BOOKING DIY FLIGHTS + BUDGET

a gloomy yet glorious parasail during sunset

Boracay has been a famous tourist destination here in the Philippines. Not only tourists fall in love with it but also us Filipinos. Who can resist this pristine beauty?  God is truly majestic with His creations.  I think He loves the beach too. Imagine the earth is 75% water.  (just thinking)

Boracay is a SMALL ISLAND only. It's located approximatey 315 km (196 mi) south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. 

It has been awarded from numerous travel publications and agencies.  In 2012, it was awarded as the best island in the world from the international travel magazine Travel + Leisure.  

The island comprises the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak in the municipality of Malay in Aklan Province.  The island is administered by the Philippine Tourism Authority and the provincial government of Aklan.

Once is not enough.  Yes, that is how I felt after the first visit last 2012.  So, I decided to go back this year 2014 November 26-29 ~ this time with my mom, Sis. Merle, Sis. Del and her siblings and of course Chesca ~ my daughter.  You bet, nothing has changed with the excitement.  The only difference was I knew the stores and places we should go so I was like their tourist guide. hahaha.

Here's how Boracay beach looks like after the last visit I had. To be honest, I don't think there are some changes.  Although there are more food stalls by the shore now. I guess more businessmen are investing.  Speaking of Boracay, sands are still fine and white.  The water clean and air was so fresh...it still is a perfect 10 for me. So with this second visit, I will share with you this secret to utilize your travel expense aside from spending, you also enjoy freebies from it. 

BOOKING D-I-Y FLIGHTS WISELY

1.  Keep a PLANNER. Always have your pen ready. You may also take advantage of your planner in your phone.

2. Be on the look-out for airline companies. Book a PROMO flight.  How to do this?

3.  Subscribe to airline pages either in fb or via email.  

"I signed-up for Get-go of Cebu Pacific. Exciting promos and discounts are flooding. Wherever I am,I get notifications from them."

4. Download their app for easy and faster booking. If your data is slow, just look for a wifi spot.

5.  When booking promo, future-dated travels are best. So plan ahead when you want that trip. Check for the weather forecast too via PAG-ASA.  Promos by Cebu Pacific usually happens during Philippine holidays. 

6.  Log-in to sites that offer you the rates with COMPARISON from other airlines so you don't need to open many browsers.

You may go to this link :  www.wego.com.ph/flights

7.  Usual booking hours is 12 MN.  Fastest Fingers first.  

8.  If you go the traditional booking, open up other browsers to do multiple bookings.  

9.  When booking for an adult, do it PER head to avoid high tax. When booking minor, book with one adult.  Minors can't fly alone. When they do, there's an extra fee almost the same as with adult. 

10.  For Group Payment using Credit Cards. 

This is wise to do especially if you don't have the cash yet. While waiting for the bill to come, you would have time to save-up.  Payments from 3k onwards can be requested to be divided into 3 or 6 months.  The additional usually interest usually rounds-up to 200. Please contact your cc company for more accurate info. But if you don't want to pay for the 200 extra, you may settle the entire amount since it is divided per head of your group.

11.  Use a credit card that has mileage rewards. Almost all credit cards offer this fly rewards now.

12.  If you don't have a credit card, apply and get the visa/mastercard prepaid cards from banks or the PAY MAYA.  It's a reloadable prepaid card but you can definitely book. Just fund the prepaid card to work. 

"I have BPI's prepaid - It's More Fun in the Philippines & Amore"

13.  If you opt for the 24 hours payment via payment center or 711, you can still think over the decision to go ahead or not.  

"I prefer this especially that I can go back to my planner and study-out the vacation."

Sample Airfare

Example our trip was a group of 7 adults, 1 child: (cebupac)

Airfare and others   - 18,004.16

DPSC                    - 1,600.00

Total                     - 19,604.16

Vatable Sale           - 17,289.44

Vat-Exempt           -      240.00

Vat-Zero-Rated      -         0.00

Sub-total                - 17,529.44

VAT Amount         -   2,074.72

TOTAL                 - 19,604.16/ 8

PER HEAD           -   2,450.52 R/T php

Note: DPSC stands for Domestic Passengers Service Charge

BUDGET

Cebu Pac Flight R/T 2,450.52 x 3                 :   7,351.56 php

Perfect Vacation Travel & Tours 

(4D3N + buffet breakfast + R/T hotel and airport transfer)
2,815 x 2 + 400 child                                     :   6,030.00 php

Deposit La Carmela (refundable)                  :   2,000.00 php

Miscellaneous

Jollibee @ NAIA                                           :     300.00 php

Surf Board Rent / 30 minutes                        :     100.00 php
Dried Mango                                                 :     100.00 php

Souvenir for boss                                          :     100.00 php

@ First Day 
Lunch 450 + Dinner 99 x 3 + 60                  :     807.00 php

@ Second Day 
Brunch & snack 400 + dinner 200                :     600.00 php

@ Third day 
Lunch 100 x 2 + snack 80                             :      280.00 php
Swimming Stuffs                                           :   1,864.25 php
Sunblock 364.25 
Swimsuits & shades 1000 
slippers 500                

FEES

Terminal & Boat Fee              :   455.00 php
child  105
adult  185

senior165

TOTAL                                  :  17,987.81/3 = 5,996 per head