Famous for its white-powder
beaches and crystal-blue waters, Boracay is a butterfly-shaped island 315
kilometres (195 miles) south of the Philippine capital, Manila.
Shangri-La's Boracay Resort
and Spa is located on the hilly and verdant northwestern tip of the island. A
balance of urban comforts and natural wonders, the island offers colourful
shops and restaurants, a wide variety of beach activities and water sports as
well as pristine beaches, scenic nature trails and diverse flora and fauna.
Visas
Most foreign
visitors do not require visas for stays of less than 21 days. Three-month visas
can be obtained in advance and cost around USD 35. Hong Kong and Macau
residents holding SAR or BNO passports are permitted to enter the Philippines
without a visa for a stay of not more than seven days.
The official website of Bureau of Immigration, Philippines
Currency
The
national currency of the Philippines is the Philippine peso (PHP).
Coins
come in denominations of 5, 10, and 25 centavos,
1, 5, and 10 pesos. Notes are in
denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 pesos.
Cash
and travellers cheques can be exchanged in licensed exchange offices and at
international hotels.
Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies.
PHP 1.00
equals:
|
Exchange Rates
|
Currency
|
|
0.02
|
Australian Dollar
(AUD)
|
|
0.02
|
Euro
(EUR)
|
|
0.02
|
British Pound
(GBP)
|
|
0.19
|
Hong Kong Dollar
(HKD)
|
|
1.33
|
Indian Rupee
(INR)
|
|
2.48
|
Japanese Yen
(JPY)
|
|
0.15
|
Chinese Yuan Renminbi
(RMB)
|
|
0.03
|
Singapore Dollar
(SGD)
|
|
0.02
|
US Dollar
(USD)
|
Taxes
Hotel
and resort establishments apply 12% EVAT plus .5% local tax for Rooms, 2% local
tax for Food and Beverage.
Items
sold at the shops are inclusive of EVAT.
Tipping
A service
charge of 10% is usually added to hotel and restaurant bills. Otherwise,
a 10% tip is appropriate for waiters.
Business Hours
Bank Hours
9am - 4pm, Monday through Friday
Office Hours
9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday
Shop Hours
10am - 10pm, Monday through Sunday
Public Health
A health certificate is not
required for entry into the Philippines.
We recommend drinking bottled water during your stay, and complimentary
drinking water is provided daily by Shangri-La's Boracay Resort and Spa for
guests' convenience.
Dress
Lightweight and comfortable
clothing are ideal for daily wear during the summer. As tropical weather can be
unpredictable, it is advisable to have a light jacket or windbreaker on hand.
For formal occasions, men
wear short sleeved polo shirt with slacks or dress shorts while women wear
summer dresses.
Weather
There are two season in
Boracay: Amihan and Habagat. Amihan, which means "northeast monsoon"
in the local language, generally lasts from November to February.
During Amihan, the skies
are generally clear with cool breezes and calm seas. From March till June, the weather
becomes hotter with little rain.
Habagat, or southwest monsoon, from July to
October, sees more rain and stronger winds.
Today
Cloudy, Thunder Showers
A couple of thunderstorms this afternoon
|
High:
|
34°C /
93°F
|
|
Low:
|
27°C /
80°F
|
Tomorrow
Cloudy, Thunder Showers
Variable clouds with a shower or t-storm
|
High:
|
34°C /
93°F
|
|
Low:
|
26°C /
78°F
|
|
Friday:
|
|
Thunderstorms
|
High:
33°C /
91°F
|
Low:
27°C /
80°F
|
|
Saturday:
|
|
Thunderstorms
|
High:
33°C /
91°F
|
Low:
27°C /
80°F
|
|
Sunday:
|
|
Thunderstorms
|
High:
32°C /
89°F
|
Low:
26°C /
78°F
|