Kalibo Airport to Boracay

After our wedding in Mindanao, we decided to have our honeymoon in Boracay since we plan to just sit down more or walk on the beach and just do very few activities.

Note: We started our day at 3:00 AM because we have to travel to Laguindingan Airport for our 6:15AM-7:50AM Cagayan de Oro to Manila flight which would then connect to Manila to Kalibo flight from 10:55AM to 12:00NN.

12:15 PM We finally arrived at Kalibo Airport!

We had to walk around 200 meters for us to get inside the arrival area as there were already some airplanes parked nearer the airport building.

Booking a bus ride to Caticlan Jetty Port

While waiting for the baggage carousel to start delivering our check-in baggage we decided to take this time to head to the Comfort Room and explore the airport premises to get more details on how to get from here (Kalibo Airport) to Boracay. We got the current standard Transportation Rates near the Tourist Information booth. Unfortunately, the booth had no staff.

When we got our bags, we headed to the section of the Arrival Area where different transportation companies offer their services.

We chose to avail of Southwest Bus + Boat for 325 Pesos/person which does NOT include the Terminal Fee (100 Pesos/person) and Environmental Fee (75 Pesos/person) in Caticlan Jetty Port. I’m not really a fan of vans as I usually find vans in the Philippines to be cramped so we chose a bus. For choosing the boat, I’m not really sure why we chose this, we just made the decision on a whim.

The only disadvantage of the bus from a van is its travel time. From Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port the estimated time of travel was 2 hours for the bus and maybe around 1.5 hours only for the van. I prefer comfort to speed since we were not really in a hurry.

Once we have paid for our fare, we waited for a while for us to be given our receipt and we were given stickers for their staff to easily identify us when we walk out of the Arrival Area of the airport.

When we got out we were then guided to where their buses were. It was a bit raining so we hurried walking to get inside their bus.

The bus was clean and definitely spacious compared to a van.

I do have issues with how small the leg space was, luckily the passenger in front did not recline his seat or else I would have to find another seat.

Before the bus left I decided to buy some water and snacks on the convenience store where the bus was parked and since I had cough during that time, I also bought Strepsils.

12:52 PM Bus left from Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Jetty Port

The bus started to move. All we had to do was sit, talk and enjoy the ride.

1:53 PM We had a stop over where we can buy some water and snacks, and if we wanted to head over to the toilet for some moment on my own. Some of the passengers went out to smoke.

It was a short stop-over maybe around 10-15 minutes only.

2:44 PM Arrival at Caticlan Jetty Port (1 hour 52 minutes bus travel time)

We arrived at Caticlan Jetty Port. Once we got out of the bus we were guided by the staff of SouthWest to head over first to the counter where we need to pay for the Terminal Fee (100 Pesos/person) and Environmental Fee (75 Pesos/person) or a total fee of 175 Pesos/person.

Then we were guided inside the Jetty Port and where we passed by their security inspection (metal detector and x-ray machines) then signed a form/manifest.

Then we were guided to where we will need to go to get to our boat.

When we got past the gates we were then asked to wait for other passengers so that we could all be guided at the same time. No problem with that for us.

After a few minutes of waiting we were then told that we can now be guided outside of the building to the ports where our boat will be located.

We were then met by one of the staff of SouthWest where they inspected our tickets.

After that we boarded our boat. I was very happy that we were riding a big banca as I wanted to take pictures outside.

3:01 PM The boat left going to Cagban Jetty Port in Boracay Island (17 minutes going through the Caticlan Jetty Port)

Luckily the sea was calm during our sea travel and the boatmen placed a transparent plastic sheet on where they estimate much of the waves will be coming from so we did not get wet even if there were splashes of waves.

3:09 PM Arrival at Cagban Jetty Port in Boracay Island (8 minutes boat ride)

Upon arrival the boatmen secured the boat first for us to alight safely then they moved the transparent plastic covering to the other side of the boat.

Since we only availed SouthWest’s Bus + Boat service we were now on our own to travel to our hotel.

We first looked for a Tourist Information Center inside the Jetty Port which we happily found and asked information on how we could get to Astoria Boracay in Station 1. The staff told us that we should ride a tricycle going there. The fare was 25 Pesos/person if you are riding with other groups but if you want to ride the tricycle without waiting for other passengers you may do so by paying 150 Pesos/ride. We opted for not waiting for other passengers as we were tired and sleepy already.

3:16 PM We left Cagban Jetty Port going to Astoria Boracay in Station 1

Since this was my first time in Boracay I was surprised that it was already this progressive. There were a lot of restaurants, convenience stores, banks and many more establishments even the ones that are well known throughout the Philippines. Somehow I was happy that the tourism in Boracay is booming and a part of me is sad knowing that there are consequences to these progress.

3:39 PM Arrived at Astoria Boracay (23 minutes)

Finally! Checked-in, ordered pizza from their restaurant and slept.

Total Travel Time from Kalibo Airport to Astoria Boracay: 3 hours and 24 minutes

Total Fare: 

325	Bus + Boat	SouthWest
100	Terminal Fee	Caticlan Jetty Port
75	Environmental Fee	Caticlan Jetty Port
75	Tricycle (150 Pesos/tricycle)	Driver
575	Total/person (2 persons)

Was it worth it?

Moneywise, comparing the airfare from Manila to Kalibo versus Manila to Caticlan traveling from Kalibo Airport is definitely cheaper as the Manila to Caticlan are more expensive. I’m not sure though in the future. So Moneywise it was worth it.

Time-wise, arriving in Kalibo Airport then traveling to Boracay is way way longer compared when we go there via Caticlan Airport.

Overall, I would definitely book a Caticlan flight next time if I have more funds. If not, then I’m going to fly via Kalibo Airport.