Things To Do

Tagalog words and phrases basics

Here’s a quick list of essential Tagalog words and phrases to know before traveling to Boracay: 🧳 Basics • Hello – Kamusta? • Thank you – Salamat • You’re welcome – Walang anuman • Yes – Oo • No – Hindi • Please – Pakiusap / Paki- • Excuse me / Sorry – Paumanhin / Sorry • I don’t understand – Hindi ko naiintindihan

Tagalog words and phrases, money and shopping

💸 Money & Shopping • How much? – Magkano? • Too expensive – Mahal masyado • Can I get a discount? – Pwede bang tumawad? • Where is the ATM? – Nasaan ang ATM?

Tagalog words and phrases, food and dining

🍴 Food & Dining • Food – Pagkain • Water – Tubig • Delicious – Masarap • No spicy – Walang anghang • Bill, please – Pahingi ng bill

Tagalog words and phrases getting around

🚕 Getting Around • Where is…? – Nasaan ang…? • Left / Right / Straight – Kaliwa / Kanan / Deretso • Wait a moment – Sandali lang • I’m lost – Naliligaw ako • Beach – Dalampasigan ⸻ 🏝️ Helpful Extras • Beautiful – Maganda • Friend – Kaibigan • Let’s go! – Tara na! • I like it – Gusto ko ito • Be careful – Mag-ingat ka ⸻ Most locals speak English well, but using a few Tagalog words shows respect and earns big smiles. 😃

Must-try Filipino dishes -Meaty Mains

Boracay 🍖 Meaty Mains • Adobo – The national dish, made with chicken or pork stewed in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves. • Lechon Kawali – Deep-fried crispy pork belly served with liver sauce or vinegar. • Sisig – Sizzling chopped pork face and ears, seasoned with calamansi and chili, sometimes topped with egg. • Kare-Kare – Oxtail and veggies in a rich peanut sauce, served with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste). • Bistek Tagalog – Filipino-style beef steak marinated in soy sauce, calamansi, and onions.

Must-try Filipino dishes - Seafood Specials

🐟 Seafood Specials (Fresh from the island!) • Grilled Liempo or Inihaw na Isda – Charcoal-grilled pork belly or fish (tuna, bangus, or snapper). • Kinilaw – Filipino ceviche: raw fish cured in vinegar, often with ginger, chili, onions, and coconut milk. • Shrimp Sinigang – Sour tamarind-based soup with fresh shrimp and vegetables. • Squid Adobo – Tender squid cooked adobo-style, sometimes with ink included.

Must-try Filipino foods - Comfort rice dishes

🍛 Comfort Rice Dishes • Silog Meals – Garlic fried rice + egg combo. Try: • Tapsilog (with tapa—cured beef), • Tocilog (with tocino—sweet pork), • Longsilog (with longganisa—Filipino sausage). • Bicol Express – Spicy pork cooked in coconut milk and chili peppers.

Must-try Filipino foods -Island treats and snacks

🥥 Island Treats & Snacks • Halo-Halo – Shaved ice dessert with sweet beans, leche flan, ube, and more. • Turon – Banana and jackfruit wrapped in lumpia wrapper and fried. • Banana Q – Deep-fried caramelized bananas on a stick. • Bibingka or Puto Bumbong – Rice cakes often served warm, especially in local bakeries or during festivals.

Must-try Filipino local drinks

🍹 Local Drinks • Buko Juice – Fresh coconut water straight from the shell. • Calamansi Juice – Refreshing and tangy citrus drink. * San Miguel beer or red horse - iconic Filipino beers, perfect for beach nights

Island Hopping

Hop on a boat and explore islands like Crocodile Island and others that make up Boracay! These group tours usually include lunch and snorkeling gear. Gil and I did a couple of these back when we first visited and really enjoyed it. 1700 PHP 6600 PHP 4HRS PRIVATE

Puka Cave kayaking

1500 PHP

Boracay Sunset cruise

850 PHP

Parasailing

2500 PHP

Visit Willy’s Rock

#1 landmark to take pictures, go during low tide so you can walk through, located at station 1 of white beach

Paraw Sailing (catamaran)

Scuba Diving

ATV Tour

Day trip around Nabaoy River, jungle garden, lunch, with add-on activities like river tubing, waterfall, mountain biking. 2200 PHP

Helmet Diving (at your own risk!)

*If you are actually interested in this activity...you can join Nikki's mom (the only one interested). 1500 PHP

Zip Lining

Gil said he would do it if someone does it with him. 1700 PHP

The Fly Fish Raft

Pulled by speedboat

Cliff Diving at Ariel’s Point

day trip 30 min from Boracay with 5 diving boards, ranging from 3-15 meters

Pub Crawl

Yes, Boracay has a nightlife, 27 bars, clubs, and parties.

Get a massage on the beach for less than $10

Yes you read that right, less than 10$.

Feast on Seafood at D’Talipapa

A market where you can buy and bring it to one of many nearby restaurants that specialize in cooking your seafood.

Explore the Colorful D’Mall & City Mall

Main outdoor mall