Biking Around Boracay from Illustrado
Vic Albornoz Lactaoen goes off the beaten track by bicycle to see a not-quite-forgotten side of Boracay
Photographs by George Cabig
Cycling around Boracay is easy to organize yourself and one of the best ways to see the island, whether you prefer the unspoiled inland or the scenic shoreline.
There is a saying among serious cyclists that the bicycle is a ‘transport of delight’. In Boracay, whether you’re easing from one resort to another or across the island, through Puka shell beach in the north all the way to Manoc-Manoc in the south, there is no better way to travel.
In all the countries where I’ve ridden a bike, I’ve been amazed at the level of trust placed in me by local people I’ve met from cities, towns and villages, simply because I’ve been on two, pedal-powered wheels. Maybe it’s a vulnerability thing, but trust leads to hospitality and is key to kinship and understanding. In these modern times, when we can be familiar with so much of the area from the comfort of our armchairs, thanks to tv google, facebook and wi-fi technology, experiencing this kinship is one of the greatest goals of travel.
Inside the Island
Boracay’s shoreline cycle path draws hordes of two-wheeled-tourists every year, during the summer and even in between the dry spells of the rainy season. There is something powerfully therapeutic about pedaling alongside this great shoreline: the section from Punta Bunga to Tambisaan beach is a strong contender for the most beautiful stretch of Boracay, and it’s so enticingly popular that the shoreline is peppered with all sorts of establishments: sand castles sit side-by-side with installation art. For most of its length, the ride follows the sea and is kept in good road condition. It passes plenty of sights worth stopping for. In between points of interest, distances are short and allow plenty of time to explore whatever catches your interest along the shores.
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