Compiled by FatPassport's travel experts

Travelers come to Boracay for the beautiful beach, and to take advantage of spas and water sports when they’re not basking in the sun.

Boracay is the one destination in the Philippines that most people have heard of – and there’s a good reason for that. Just five miles at its longest point and a couple miles wide, Boracay ticks most of the boxes when it comes to tropical island paradise. White Beach is the jewel in Boracay’s crown – a stunning stretch of fine dazzling-white sand that extends for over two miles; a blissfully wide beach, lined with palms.

As one would expect from such a famous resort, there is an abundance of facilities. A boardwalk stretches along most of the two miles of heavenly sand with restaurants, a mall, hotels and private residences (for rent), dive shops, water activity centers and curio and clothing shops. In spite of this entire action, you can still relax because the beach is very wide. Most of the hotels are on the “sunset side” of the island making cocktail hour very popular and quite spectacular.

In the town just behind this strip you can rent bikes, 3-wheelers or mopeds to tour the rest of the island. The other side of the island is famous for both windsurfing and solitude. New high-end hotels are opening in more secluded areas for those looking for rest, relaxation and a total escape. It should be noted though that even the midrange hotels offer indulgently spectacular spa services and are worth every penny.

There are a number of dive sites around Boracay, with Yapak probably being the highest rated – here you can see sharks, dogtooth tuna and Napoleon wrasse if you are lucky. The diving doesn’t compare to other Philippine destinations though, so unless Boracay is the only place you will visit in the Philippines, hang-up your dive gear for a while.

A number of water sports are available, including banana boats, waterskiing, windsurfing and paragliding. For most visitors the aim of the game is relaxation. Get a massage on the beach; paddle in the warm water; watch the sun set sublimely, then head to a restaurant for a nice meal to round off your day.

If you are searching for a secluded paradise then Boracay is definitely not for you. With over 300 resorts/hotels, 200 restaurants, hawkers selling wooden models of boats and masseuses plying their trade, this is not the place for solitude. However if you want to see what paradise looks like, enjoy facilities that are lacking elsewhere in the Philippines, and can afford the slightly higher (yet still cheap) prices here, then Boracay is a great choice.

If you are visiting out of season you can get a real bargain, and have relatively few people to share the delightful beach with. Turn up when the season is in full swing, and you will get lost in the crowd. If you have specific accommodation requirements you may prefer to book in advance.

Note that there have been some land issues that have resulted in violence and even expulsion of tourists at one hotel. The land the resorts sit on is not owned by the operators, it is leased. Apparently some locals are not pleased with foreign “invasion” and are flexing their rights. It bears watching before investing in a non-refundable trip.

Easter week is terribly crowded, so avoid this time if you can. Many people from other locales in the Philippines, along with people from Hong Kong, flock to this area as often as possible.

The Philippine Islands are not for everybody. Roads are often bad, and travel can be long and uncomfortable. Boats between islands can be overcrowded, and safety is not as high a priority as at home. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and typhoons occur yearly. The sex industry is very visible in the Philippine Islands, with numerous girlie bars aimed at Western men in most of the major tourist spots. All the various tropical diseases are around in the Philippines, so ensure your travel vaccinations are up to date and take pills to prevent malaria if required. Avoid drinking tap water, and only eat foods that have been freshly cooked or peeled.