Boracay Island Philippines

Boracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately 315 km (196 mi) south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Boracay Island and its beaches have received awards numerous times. Boracay was awarded in the "Travelers' Choice 2011" by TripAdvisor as the second best beach (out of 25) in the world. Boracay made a debut appearance on the Top 10 Islands list in the Travel + Leisure travel magazine World's Best Awards 2011, ranking fourth.

The island comprises the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak (3 of the 17 barangays which make up the municipality of Malay), and is under the administrative control of the Philippine Tourism Authority in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan.

Boracay Island Philippines History

Boracay was originally home to the Ati tribe. Boracay is part of Aklan Province, which became an independent province on April 25, 1956.

In the late 1800s the island was "discovered" by Sofia Gonzales Tirol. She and her husband Lamberto Hontiveros Tirol, a town judge on nearby Panay island, took ownership of substantial properties and began to clear and develop the island.

Boracay Island was relatively unknown until tourism began to develop in the 1970s, after the movie Too Late the Hero was filmed on locations in Boracay and Caticlan. In the 1980s, the island became popular as a budget destination for backpackers,an by the 21st century, had grown to become one of the major tourist destinations in the Philippines.

When you visit Philippines, don't forget to include Boracay in your iterinary. Read more info about Boracay