Top Attractions to Visit on a Boracay Land Tour

Boracay could very well be, without question, one of the top places every Filipino dreams of visiting in the Philippines. It didn’t become one of the most sought-after destinations not just locally but globally for no reason at all. People say Boracay has the finest white sand ever. I also heard it has beautiful sunsets and clear blue waters. Sometimes, there are algae, but that’s just seasonal. Other than that, Boracay has everything you could ever want in a beach.

I remember a time when a Korean friend asked me what place I would recommend visiting in the Philippines. Without hesitation, I immediately said, “Boracay.” I clearly remember how I boasted about how beautiful it was and how proud I was of it. But what took me aback was when he asked if I had already been there. I was silent for a few seconds because how could I describe and recommend a place I hadn’t even visited yet? In the back of my mind, I even questioned myself. Can I even afford to go there? Boracay felt like a luxury, an international tourist destination.

I had to respond, so I confidently said, “Not yet, but someday, I will.” Still, it felt embarrassing. I felt like one of those fake endorsers on TV hyping a product they don’t actually use. Since then, I became more careful whenever someone asked the same question. I stopped recommending Boracay. But deep down, I still hoped the day would come when I could say it with full honesty.

Fast forward to this year. Yes, it took a while, but I finally made my dream vacation to Boracay come true. I joined a travel group and visited Boracay on a budget. I used to think it was expensive, but it actually isn’t. It really depends on your travel lifestyle, but for me, it was surprisingly affordable.

Here’s what we did during our land tour around Boracay

1. Lugutan Mangrove Park

Our first stop was Lugutan Mangrove Park, a quiet little spot where they protect the mangroves that shield Boracay’s coasts. As a nature lover, I appreciated the peaceful shade it offered, especially since we went there at noon. It was a breath of fresh air. It’s good for biodiversity. Biodiversity? Since when did I start talking like that? LOL. But honestly, I loved the calm and relaxing vibe, well, until we arrived and stirred up the peace a little. It was fun walking through the wooden bridges amid the mangrove trees, which felt like they were welcoming us with their shade and the breeze they brought.

2. Bulabog Beach

Next, we headed to Bulabog Beach. This is where you’ll find the famous leaning coconut tree. It felt surreal to finally see something I’d only seen on social media. There was also a huge “Boracay” signage. It was quiet when we arrived, probably because of the scorching heat. Some water sports equipment like kayaks were ready, but nobody seemed to be using them. Maybe it gets busy during certain times of the day. And I don’t know if it was just me, but the wind here was strong.

3. White Beach

Then we visited White Beach, not the super famous Station 2 beach, but another one also named White Beach. When we went, it was almost empty, except for a foreign couple being extra affectionate in the water despite the heat. If you’re looking for privacy and serenity, this is the spot. The sand here is just as white and fine as anywhere else in Boracay. Kudos to them for giving it such a literal name.

4. Keyhole

One head-turner in the Newcoast area is the Keyhole, a giant rock formation that looks like an entrance to a cave, though there’s no actual cave. It’s a naturally formed attraction. To get there, we had to walk almost a kilometer under the blazing sun. The area is secured, and you can’t go too close to the hole itself for safety reasons. There's a designated photo spot. Not much to do there really, except marvel at the formation and take pictures.

5. Puka Beach

Next stop is Puka Beach. It’s one of Boracay’s more popular beaches with its own unique vibe. It was quite crowded, probably because of the many souvenir shops nearby. Here you’ll meet the “braiders” who’ll try to convince you to get your hair braided. They also have a famous sandcastle here, and the whole area gave off a really good energy. The only downside is that everything here is extra expensive, from water to snacks to souvenirs.

6. Sunset Viewing at the Grotto (Station 3)

Our final stop was at Station 3, where you can see a grotto on a small islet. Sadly, the tide was too high, so we couldn’t cross over to see it up close. But the highlight wasn’t the grotto. It was the sunset. As the sun began to set, Paraws or traditional sailboats started filling the horizon. It was such a magical moment. What a perfect way to end the land tour.

So if someone asks me again what place I’d recommend in the Philippines, I can now proudly and confidently say Boracay. And why? Because I’ve been there and I’ve experienced its beauty and magic for myself.