 |
| Lovely Boracay after sunset! |
Boracay is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines. The long stretch of powdery-white sand and calm, blue-green water is picture-perfect! I can say it’s a great place to spend your vacation as a solo traveller, couples, or family with children.
When we booked our flight to Boracay, I’m both excited and anxious. Excited because based on research, the place is a paradise, but also anxious because we will bring with us our 2.5-year-old son, Kiel. And it will be his first time to ride a plane and go the beach.
Here are some things I learned and would like to share with parents who want to travel to Boracay with their toddlers.
1. Take a direct flight to Caticlan rather than Kalibo.
Flights to Caticlan might be a bit pricey compared to Kalibo, but it will take you to Boracay in a shorter time compared to Kalibo. You may reach Boracay in 30 minutes (give and take) from Caticlan while it may take you 2-2.5 hours to reach the island via Kalibo.
When travelling with a toddler, time is really our friend. The shorter time you need to travel, the less likely that your child will get bored (and tired), which also means less stress for parents.
2. Consider your child’s nap time in choosing the time of your flight.
Our son takes a nap in the afternoon. So it became an advantage when we left Manila on an afternoon flight via Cebu Pacific Air. Our son was still able to see the wonderful clouds when the plane took off. But after a while, he fell asleep and woke up when we already landed.
3. Choose your hotel/guesthouse wisely.
Consider the following when booking your hotel or guesthouse when you’re with a toddler:
• Location - Boracay is even livelier during the night. Though generally safe, it might not be good idea to stay very near the areas where parties are held. Your child’s sleep might be interrupted and you would not want a grumpy kid during your trip.
 |
| That smile says it all! |
 |
| powdery white sand, crystal clear blue-green waters |
 |
| sandcastle making at noontime |
• Choose the non-smoking floor/wing (if any) – planning a trip can be a bit overwhelming and we might overlook a lot of things. So be sure to ask (in advanced) if the hotel or guesthouse offers non-smoking areas. Our kid’s health is our priority.
• Kid’s room/Playroom/Playground – This is just an option. But during idle time when you’re not at the beach, it’s good to have a playroom or playground. It will keep your toddler busy while you rest.
 |
| Kiel enjoying the slide while we're eating our breakfast |
4. Plan your activities well
Boracay offers lots of activities but better check with your tour guide for the age restrictions for each activity.
Here are some toddler-friendly activities in Boracay:
• Paraw Sailing – Paraw is a sailboat with two outriggers. Each outrigger has a net where you can sit (or lie) as you sail through the sea. Our son very much enjoyed this activity.
 |
| Paraw sailing. Taken during our second Boracay trip. |
• Glass-Bottom Boat Tour – We did not book this tour because this activity is scheduled during the afternoon and unfortunately, it’s our son’s nap time. But it would be a good activity for kids because they will get to see fishes through the clear glass bottom of the boat without soaking themselves in water.
• Island Hopping – You can encourage your kid to pretend to be a captain, a sailor, or a pirate. Or have him/her feed the fishes (which is usually included in the tour) to make your trip extra memorable for your little one.
 |
| Fed the fishes first. |
 |
| Then, fed himself afterwards! |
Also, I suggest you buy your kid his own life vest because even if boats provide life vests, they aren’t fit for kids, especially the little ones. Though island hopping is generally safe, it wouldn’t hurt to be extra cautious.
 |
| Bought Kiel an inflatable life vest that fits just right. |
• Buggy Cart ride – We initially wanted to ride an ATV but Kiel was not allowed because of the age restriction. Our tour guide suggested the Buggy Cart ride instead and we’re glad we tried it because our son loved it so much! He still enjoys browsing through our photos every now and then.
For starters, you have to test-drive your cart to different terrains (dirt and cement). Then you'll drive uphill until you reach the top of Mt. Luho. From there you can go up the view deck and enjoy the majestic Boracay view!
 |
| Are you ready for the ride? |
 |
| we're all smiles! |
 |
| Mt. Luho Viewdeck |
• Banana Boat – On our second time at Boracay, we tried the Banana Boat with our son (who was then 3 years old). He enjoyed it at first and if only the waves were not splashing on his face, he would have enjoyed the activity all throughout! My bad, I forgot his goggles in our luggage. I’ll keep that in mind next time.
If you're going to try this activity, make sure to securely hold your child. And please have him wear a life vest for safety purposes.
 |
| banana boat |
I hope the above tips will help you in planning a safe and enjoyable trip with your toddler. Have fun!
