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Boracay the first to bring back the fun in the Philippines!

Boracay the first to bring back the fun in the Philippines!

What does visiting a paradise island feel like during Covid-19?

Philippe Estiot & Iva Agüero
@philandiva

It has been a long time since we thought about making travel plans. Recent world events could be mistaken for the plot of a zombie movie but the New Normal is now upon us and it is time for every country to adjust.

There’s one country we know well and hold close to our heart. It’s a place we have sailed around for more than a year and where our sailboat Dali is currently berthed, a country who’s economy strongly relies on tourism: The Philippines.

Luckily, as we are slowly returning to more conventional way of living, this dream destination for travellers from all over the world has been hard at work to prepare a safe return for visitors. From air and land travel to hotel accommodation and beachside activities, comprehensive guidelines have been carefully thought to protect everyone from beginning to end. In this way, we will now be able to marvel again at its pristine beaches, incredible rock formations and stunning mountains, or simply to drink an ice cold beer while watching the sun set on another day in one of our favourite countries in the world.

So what does visiting one of its most stunning beaches during the New Normal look like? We were curious to find out what traveling to world famous Boracay now feels like.

For starters, the journey is a lot less crowded. No more elbowing your neighbours for a few inches more of space on the plane from Manila! Travel operators must obtain special certifications and respect social distancing practices that include physical barriers between passengers, drivers and regular disinfecting.

When packing your bags, just make sure don’t forget the New Normal Essentials! With a strict no mask, no boarding policy, you should come prepared with your own mask. Hand sanitiser is readily available wherever you go, along with paper towels and first-aid kits.

The tough few months we’ve lived through did not change what we like most about the Philippines: the Filipino hospitality. Rarely have we travelled to a country where we felt more welcome, and this has not changed a bit.

Upon arrival at the hotel, you’ll hear a friendly and familiar “Mabuhay” and although the masks keep mouths hidden, it’s impossible not to notice the big smiles in the twinkling eyes of the hotel staff. Check-in is smooth, with contactless forms of payment for hotel bookings are preferred, or even paying online when you make your booking.

After filling a Health Declaration Form and having your temperature taken, it’s time to go to your room. Only single or double occupancy rooms are allowed and a meter between you and your neighbour’s bed is recommended. It all seems a bit like a scene out of a sci-fi movie, but all the precautions are worth it once you step out onto the blinding white sand of Boracay.

With less tourists, you’ll have the stunning beaches all to yourself! There will definitely not be anyone to photobomb your selfies so if there was ever a time for perfect beach photos – this is it!

We are always sailing to remote islands on the hunt for empty beaches. Realising we can now find this in the famous destination of Boracay makes us look at this whole situation in a new way. The surreal situation we have lived through did have a positive impact on our planet and now is the time to enjoy it! It’s been years since the water was so clear here.

Feet in the sand and looking out at the bright turquoise water on the shore to the dark blue hues in the horizon brings profound sense of freedom, even if wearing a mask on the beach is a stark reminder of this New Normal world. Once you take off your mask for a swim and you’re floating in the crystal clear water, the troubles of the last few months quickly slip away.

It’s the dawn of a new era and being able move freely has become a new type of luxury for us all. As Boracay reopens, a wave of optimism washes over the Philippines. It feels like the start of a new chapter, with more good news just around the corner.

Below is a summary of the guidelines to follow in order to have hassle-free fun in Boracay when it reopens

 

Test before you travel

  • A negative RT-PCR result not earlier than forty-eight (48) hours prior to travelling to Boracay is mandatory.

 

Book in DOT-accredited establishments only

  • To ensure safety and the quality of service, all travellers are required to pre-book in DOT-accredited hotels and resorts issued with a Certificate of Authority to Open. You can find the list of these accommodation establishments here.

 

Register your visit online

  • Access http://aklan.gov.ph and click the Online Health Declaration Card button then choose Boracay in the “Where To?” page.
  • Fill out the required fields and submit. A confirmation with instructions will be displayed. 
  • Save a copy of the Health Declaration Card (HDC) on your smartphone or have it printed. 
  • Attach a copy of the HDC together with a copy of your RT-PCR Negative Result, confirmed flight and booking details, and your valid ID, then email it to touristboracay@gmail.com with this subject format: OHDC – Family Name, First Name (example: OHDC – Dela Cruz, Juan). Registration for multiple tourists and their documents can be sent in one email. 
  • Wait for the email response within the day. If approved, a copy of your HDC and Tourist QR Code will be sent back to you. Present these to authorities in the borders for scanning.

 

Follow port of entry guidelines

  • Airlines are advised that the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Municipality of Malay will be the only port of entry for tourists traveling by air. A central point shall be established to screen tourists travelling by land, air, or sea.

 

Familiarize yourself with local health and safety facilities and guidelines

  • Stringent health and safety guidelines, emergency response protocols, and a COVID-19 Laboratory are in place as you enter Boracay.
For up to date travel information, please visit philippines.travel/safeph and DOT’s official Facebook page.

*Disclaimer: The photos used in this article were taken prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

*Disclaimer: Test before you travel
A negative RT-PCR result not earlier than forty-eight (48) hours prior to travelling to Boracay is mandatory. Travellers are strongly advised to observe strict quarantine immediately after undergoing the test until the date of travel to the island.

Get ready to pack your bags!

Get ready to pack your bags!

Philippines sets the wheels in motion with Certificate of Authority to Operate for hotels and resorts

It’s no secret Phil and I love to travel and with our boat waiting for us out of the water in Subic Bay, we often find our minds wandering to the Philippines. Who hasn’t sat at home during these long weeks and clicked past hundreds of old holiday photos or scrolled through #travelinspo?

What we wouldn’t do for a dip in the crystal waters of Bacuit Bay, a breath of fresh air in Batanes or a hike through the rice terraces of Batad. The Philippines has something for every traveler, with  a vast variety of landscapes and adventures at every turn.

With the pandemic still present in our everyday lives, most of us can only sit back and daydream about travel. Confinement and movement control orders have made memories of sunny beaches and exotic destinations all the sweeter in our minds… Not to mention that our bucket list of dream destinations grows longer with each week that sit at home.

Luckily, there are good news just around the corner! The Philippines is stepping up to the plate and has been hard at work behind the scenes to ensure that safe domestic travel can resume.

What does this mean? It means that not long from now hotels, resorts and restaurants can begin to reopen! Tourism based business can apply for free to secure a DOT Certificate of Authority to Operate so that they can be sure to welcome their guests in compliance with safety regulations.

A little extra planning will go a long way on both sides. Guests will be asked to fill out a Health Declaration Form upon check-in, while hotels and resorts must commit to providing up to date information on Covid-19 as well as informing the guests of all the safety measures in place at the establishment. Make a little extra room in your luggage for face-masks but don’t worry if you forgot your hand-sanitiser as hotels and resorts will be providing sanitation kits for each guest.

With tourism starting during the pandemic, you can rest assured that hotel rooms have never been this clean! Rigorous disinfecting of linens, surfaces and spaces – combined with physical distancing – will give you a less crowded and sparkling clean hotel experience.

If the community quarantine is starting to weigh on you, think of this as a ray of sunlight peeking through the clouds. Soon the wonders of the archipelago of the Philippines will be open again for us to come marvel at.

A hike to Kagayan Lake or a snorkel in Apo Reef, the question on everyone’s mind right now is, where will we go first?

For up to date travel information, please visit philippines.travel/safeph and DOT’s official Facebook page.

*Disclaimer: The photos used in this article were taken prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.