Budget — Boracay

Boracay is a mid-tier destination by Philippine standards. The indicative daily budget of €55 per person fits a comfortable mid-range trip: a double room in a guesthouse or hotel set back from the front line, meals in good local restaurants and one activity per day. The figure is realistic in mid and low seasons (February-November outside the holidays). In December-January, prices climb 20 to 40 percent.

Accommodation is the biggest line item. On the budget end, hostels in Station 3 or in the interior offer dorm beds from €8–12 a night, with simple private rooms between €20 and €35 (PHP 1,100–2,000). A mid-range hotel in Station 2 with air conditioning and a pool sits at €40 to €80 per night (PHP 2,200–4,500). Front-line resorts in Station 1 start at €120–200 and can clear €400 for a private-pool villa in high season. Booking two to three months ahead secures the best rates.

Meals are very affordable as long as you avoid the premium beachfront restaurants. A grilled-fish plate with rice in a carinderia (local canteen) or in Talipapa costs €3–5 (PHP 150–280). A solid seafood restaurant on Station 2 charges €10–18 per person for a full meal. Cocotails (fresh coconut with alcohol) cost €2–3, fresh-fruit shakes €1.50–2.

Activities sit in accessible ranges: paraw sunset sail €5–9 per person, organized snorkeling €12–18 per trip, kitesurfing lesson €50–70 for a 3-hour session, dive trips €35–55 for two dives. Add the environmental fee of PHP 75 (about €1.30), collected on arrival and used directly for island maintenance.

Three budget profiles stand out. The backpacker can live on Boracay for €25–35 per day: dorm, local meals, snorkeling from the shore and a paraw sunset sail. The mid-range traveler — our reference profile at €55 per day — has a decent room, good meals and one to two activities. The luxury traveler aiming at Station 1 resorts or the Shangri-La sits at €200–400 a day. For currency, €1 equals about PHP 60–62 — ATMs are plentiful on Station 2.