RED COCONUT BEACH HOTEL BORACAY

RED COCONUT BEACH HOTEL AT BORACAY ISLAND

By Henry Libo-on 

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All photos by Henry Libo-on

On my seventh time at Boracay Island, I had the opportunity to stay in one of the most accessible hotels in almost all service areas and facilities on Boracay Island.

The Red Coconut Beach Hotel is located in the heart of Boracay Island and it is facing the world-famous White Beach.

As a travel writer, a blogger, and a solo backpacker, I was searching for a nice and affordable hotel. My contact, Johnny, helped me discover this hotel.

From the Boracay Jetty, I rode the Tricycle.  The trike can accommodate five (5) passengers. The fare is P20.00 per pax.  It took me about 10 minutes of tricycle ride from the Jetty to the entrance of D'Mall where Johnny will meet me.

At D' Mall entrance, I searched for Johnny who happened to be standing behind me. "You must be Henry,"  I remembered him asking me.  "Yes, are you Johnny?"  After a short conversation, we decided to walk to the hotel.

From D' Mall, my eyes were feasting on new developments in this part of Boracay.  During my first visit in 1992, Boracay was not as developed as the way it is in 2015. The island has undergone tremendous development because of the construction of new hotels and resorts, restaurants, business establishments, banks, golf courses, and more hotels around the island.
The scenes on the White Beach also gave me an idea that the "off-season" or low season, whatever it is, was not what I saw that day because there were many tourists on the beach, at D'Mall and along the lane to the hotel. The peak season in Boracay Island begins in October and ends in March.  Low season is the time when the  "Habagat" or Southwind Monsoon occurred that also affected the areas of the White Beach. But my stroll of the beach on that late afternoon made me think that "Habagat" or no "Habagat" the tourists still go to Boracay.

So, the moment I stepped on the entrance to the hotel, I was met by courteous and smiling hotel staff. He offered me a seat and handed me a glass of fruit shake.  The reception desk informed me that my room was ready. Johnny waited for me in the reception area while I carried my backpack to my room.
Red Coconut Beach Hotel is a four-star hotel located in the heart of the world-famous White Beach, Boracay Island.

It is a nice home away from home for your loved ones and friends.  My stay at Red Coconut Beach Hotel was a very memorable one.  Imagine, I was billeted at the center of where the actions happen.  The hotel is facing the beach, near the shopping area, and more. It is a minute walk to the main road that will lead you to many interesting places on the island.

Together with Johnny and my travel buddy Borge, we walked the long stretch of the White Beach.  I was amazed at the beauty and serenity of this island paradise.  My first visit in 1992, did not change that feeling on my 7th visit this 2015.  Boracay, for me, is paradise.  I felt a kind of joy, peace, and relaxation just walking on the beach and wondering at how beautiful this island is.

Sunset at Boracay. (TP)

As the sun was about to set, I took my camera to capture his last moment of the day.  The sunset in Boracay was awesome.  It made me think of the many sunsets I have seen elsewhere.  Sunset at Siquijor Island, sunset at Bohol, sunset at El Nido, sunset at Bermuda Island, sunset at Punta Taytay, the sunset of Manila Bay, the sunset of Sipalay, and many other sunsets I have seen in my life. Boracay, for me, is just awesome. 

After a few hours of walking the beach, we decided to go back to the hotel, the Red Coconut Beach Hotel Boracay.  I took a shower and freshen up for an evening with the local resident artist of the island, with Johnny and my nephew Borge. 

At Coco Bar with Johnny, Japs, Touristang Pobre, and Borge. (TP)

Have you tried THE BRAIN TRAIN at Red Coconut's Coco Bar?

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President Rodrigo Duterte's Order To Close Boracay for Six Months.

Some people were worried about it.  I am not.  Why? Because I know that the closure will correct the many wrongs that the Local Governments in Boracay Island and the National Government Agencies involved in the development of the Island have done for so many, many years.  

What are these wrongs?  Possibly the poor implementation of the Land Use and Development Plan, the poor implementation of the Zoning Ordinance, the poor implementation of the Environment Laws specifically on Waste and Sewerage Management,  and the biggest of all - Corruption. 

President Rodrigo Duterte's Closure Order of Boracay Island aimed at rehabilitating the island because he believed it has become a "cesspool", started on April 26, 2018, and now, talks had been circulating around the social media that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources might reopen Boracay on October 26, 2018, that is six (6) months after it has been closed to the public. 

My opinion. 

When I checked in at the Red Coconut Beach Hotel in 2015 that was my 7th and last visit to Boracay, I talked to the Manager about their waste management plan and he told me about the things that they do to help the island beat the problem of waste disposal. 

I moved around the hotel and I discovered some things that they do to help promote environment-friendly hotel establishment.  I just cannot write the details of my conversation with the manager but the fact that Red Coconut Beach Hotel is among the first 25 hotel establishments on the island of Boracay to have been given the permit to reopen on October 26, 2018, is a proof that, indeed, they have done and implemented those requirements set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Boracay Island Rehabilitation Committee.  I welcome this development for Boracay Island.  

There were so many things that the residents, workers, and business establishments have learned about this Closure Order.  I hope those "lessons learned" will stick to their system of doing things so that Boracay can reach its level of being a Sustainable Tourism Destination. 

How To Get There?

I traveled from Bacolod, so, I took the fast craft to Iloilo.  From Iloilo Port, there are Vans that wait for passengers going to Caticlan and so, I took the Van on a five-hour road trip to Caticlan Jetty. We stopped at Pengee's for lunch.

There are regular flights from Manila to Caticlan Airport.  From there, air-con buses transfer the tourists to Caticlan Jetty where the boats are waiting to take them to Boracay.

From Manila, Cebu, and Puerto Princesa, there are regular flights that go to Iloilo International Airport. From there, you can take the Van for Caticlan.

From Dumaguete, you can take the Ceres Bus going to Bacolod.  From Bacolod take the fast craft going to Iloilo. At Iloilo port, take the Van going to Caticlan.  Fare ranges from P400 to P500.  You can also take a taxi from the Iloilo port to Tagbak Bus Terminal, Iloilo City, and take the Ceres Bus to Caticlan.

From Iloilo City's Tagbak Bus Terminal, you can also take the Ceres Bus to Caticlan.

Waiting for you. 

Sailing Boracay and the White Beach. 

What to do on Boracay Island?

So, what are the things that you can do while on Boracay? Take these for example:

• Sunbathing
• Swimming
• Island hopping that includes the famous Puka Island.
• Scuba Diving.
• Snorkeling.
• Helmet Diving
• Underwater photography.
• EXTREME FUN that includes Flyboards, Hoverboards, among others.
• Banana ride.
• Jet Ski.
• Sailing the Paraw (locally constructed boats with sails).
• Helicopter Ride that will take you to an aerial view of the island.
• Board Jumping at Ariel's and lunch included, just arrange it with your hotel front desk.
• Hair Braiding.
• Tattoo, both Henna and permanent.
• Museum tour.
• Buying art pieces from local artists.
• Reading on the beach with books borrowed from a local library.
• Island tour using a rented bike or riding the Tricycle or Golf cart if you happened to be a guest of the golf club.
• Golf.
• Beach Volleyball with local boys and girls, I mean, not really locals because some ex-pats living on the island take the lead to play the volleyball with tourists.
• Play Football with locals who are avid fans of Brazilian football, a few of them have connections with Brazilian football enthusiasts.
• Play basketball in the local gym with local players
• Massage Therapy under the coconut tree.
• Shopping for locally made products at D'Mall.
• Bar and Restaurant hopping is an exciting experience for you to savor on local and international cuisine.
• Listen to live band performances.
• Watch the Fire Dancers.
• Go to the beach, in the early morning and catch the fishermen bring their catch of local fish
• Stroll the long stretch of the White Beach barefoot.  It is not good to walk the sand with flip-flops because it can cause ache on your feet and maybe, strain your muscle.
• Go hunting for souvenir items like tees, key chains, colorful malongs, and other products at D'Mall.
• Go to the local market for fresh vegetables, fish, fruits in season, and coconut, among others.
• Eat coconut under the coconut tree and drink the fresh coconut water, or shall I say coconut juice.
• If you want you can just hang around the bar and restaurants to entertain yourself in the company of local and international tourists.  The locals call it Daddy's Day Care while Mommy went shopping.
• You can also drink Philippine brewed beer and Lambanog which are served as COLD as your Ex's Heart.
• And many other things that your heart desires. 

You can coordinate with the Front Desk of Red Coconut Beach Hotel Boracay for all island activities you may desire.

From twilight to dusk, tourists from all over the world enjoy strolling on the White Beach. 

Beach Volleyball is popular in Boracay.  Football is also played by the local boys, the ex-pats and tourists.  Brazilian tourists helped popularized football on the island. 

One of the artworks of resident-artist of Red Coconut Beach Hotel, Japs Avelino. 

My three days and two nights at the Red Coconut Beach Hotel were not enough to complete my wishlist. To revisit the Puka Beach which is considered as one of the Best Beaches in the world.  To do the island tour with a Tricycle which I believe could be done in less than two (2) hours.  The helicopter tour of the island is what I also failed to do. These are the reasons that I should go back to Boracay Island someday soon. 

And the choice of my hotel?  It will be the Red Coconut Beach Hotel Boracay, where all activities are within your reach. 

If you want to know more about Red Coconut or if you want to make a reservation, visit their website at https://www.redcoconut.com.ph/

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A word of caution:

Be mindful of people who roam around the island especially on the beaches. They will give you a "ticket" or a piece of paper that invites you to a free lunch in a hotel in and around Boracay.  After lunch, they will invite you to a product presentation in a nearby hotel. They are very persuasive that you may not be able to refuse. Once in this product presentation, you will find it difficult to remove yourself from the scene at the expense of whatever schedules you have in Boracay. This invitation will also lead you to a "forced" signing up of a Contract to purchase a Share of their newly opened hotel or any property developed on the island or other parts of the Philippines.  I wish to call it "Time Share" or similar to a timeshare.  

If you show disinterest in the proposition, the Facilitators knew how to "coerce" you to show your Card (whatever card it is, ATM, or whatever) or worse, persuade you to get your money from your purse and pay the Advance Payment.  The meeting will take a half-day from 1pm to 5pm, thus, affecting your activities on the island.  The lure of a freebie is inviting but please think twice. The decision is yours.  

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All other photos by Henry Libo-on, the Touristang Pobre. 

Touristang Pobre is a travel writer and blogger.  Visit his other website at earthniversity.wordpress.com 

Have a nice day, and "Dayon Kamo Sa Boracay" - Welcome to Boracay.

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By the way, if you think this blog helped you to find a good hotel in Boracay, please LIKE my Facebook Page and SHARE this story with your friends.  Thank you.

****This trip to Boracay was done in 2015. Thanks, Red Coconut Beach Hotel. 

Updated September 2018. 

Checked again on October 25, 2018. 

Updated on May 15, 2019. 

Updated on June 14, 2020. 

Updated on March 6, 2022. 

Reviewed on May 28, 2023.