Five Weeks of Family Life in Boracay
When I posted a photo captioned with “Day 34/35” on Facebook, a friend sent me a message, “Grabe, 1 month?? Bat antagal pala? Curious lang hehe.” It’s a fair question. Who stays in Boracay for more than a week, let alone with three kids in tow? The short answer: we did. And we loved it. Our five-week long-term stay in Boracay wasn’t just a vacation. It was a slow, sandy, sometimes sweaty or wet (we went in June), always memorable season in our lives.
Why We Stayed So Long
We’ve been to Boracay several times already, but always in the rush of a long weekend or holiday trip (the longest being 11 days). This time, we wanted something different: to live there for a while and to see what life on the island is like beyond the postcard moments. Our reasons were part practical (we could work remotely, the kids were on break), part indulgent (we craved the beach every day), and part curiosity (could we actually pull off a long-term stay in Boracay without going broke or losing our minds?).
Where We Stayed
For most of our trip, Azalea Hotels & Residences (located on the main road of Station 2) was our home. I patiently waited for promos or discounts, whether from the hotel itself or through my credit cards. The moment I saw a price drop on the two-bedroom suite I’d been eyeing, I jumped on it and booked right away. That’s how we scored it for ₱4,500/night without breakfast. The suite provided us with ample space to cook, work, and let the kids run around without feeling cramped. We stayed there for four weeks. And while it wasn’t exactly cheap, the savings from cooking most of our meals made the splurge worth it.
For our last week, we decided to splurge a little at Henann Lagoon, which is just a few steps away from Azalea. Initially, I booked one Premier Room and one Premier Room with Direct Pool Access. When we checked in, I asked if they could place our rooms close to each other, but that wasn’t possible since the Premier Rooms are on the upper floors. The staff then suggested upgrading so that both rooms could be side by side, and I agreed. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip. Having the rooms right next to each other meant we could just knock on the door whenever the kids wanted to be with their lola. Additionally, the daily buffet breakfast included with the booking was a nice treat after weeks of cooking in Azalea.
How We Managed Our Budget
Was it expensive? Yes and no. Boracay can easily eat up your savings if you treat every day like a holiday, but we learned to balance splurges with savings. If you’re imagining five weeks of seafood buffets and sunset cocktails, think again. Our budget style was a mix of indulgence and thrift. We tried a good mix of restaurants. Some pricey, just for the experience, and some delightfully affordable, like our occasional litson baka at Andok’s. We also cooked most of our meals in our Azalea kitchen. When you’re staying long term, the thrill of eating out every day fades fast (and so does your funds). This balance allowed us to keep our spending under control while still enjoying both splurges and simple meals.
Getting Around
Transportation was simple. Most days, we got around on e-trikes (Php 100–150 a ride) or shared rides for the grown-ups. We walked when the weather allowed, though if you ask the kids, “walking” wasn’t exactly their favorite activity in Boracay. Let’s just say those beach strolls were short-lived.
What We Did (and Didn’t Do)
Five weeks in Boracay sounds like enough time to do everything, but that’s not what happened. Our Boracay was about light, slow, ordinary days with extraordinary backdrops.
Tatay and Lola went jogging in the mornings. We biked around the island a couple of times a week. The kids played for hours at Bright Buds indoor play space when it rained. Coffee shop hopping became my personal mission. We swam at the beach almost daily, although our dreams of a paraw sunset cruise were dashed by the habagat winds. Still, we never felt like we missed out. Boracay is generous like that.
Instead of trying to tick every box, we let the days unfold naturally. Some days were beach-perfect, some were rainy Netflix marathons, and that was okay.
Was It Worth It?
Absolutely! A long-term stay in Boracay gave us something we’ve never had in past trips: the space to slow down. Instead of cramming our days with activities, we let Boracay seep into our everyday life.
I won’t pretend it was all turquoise waters and mango shakes. We had our share of small frustrations and the occasional toddler meltdown in public. However, these moments were an integral part of the island’s rhythm of life. The ups? Waking up every day knowing that one of the most beautiful beaches in the world is just a few meters away. Watching the kids grow braver in the water. Having time to form little routines. Morning coffee with a view of the turquoise waters, evening walks on the stretch of fine sand of Boracay.
Would we do it again? Yes, in a heartbeat! Would we consider tweaking a few things (perhaps finding a place closer to the quieter part of the beach)? Definitely. But for now, I’ll always look back at those five weeks as the time Boracay stopped being just a vacation spot and became, for a little while, our home.
Living on the island for over a month taught us that a long-term stay in Boracay is more than just a holiday. It’s a community, a lifestyle, a slower heartbeat. We learned which e-trike drivers to call for a quick pickup, which markets had the freshest seafood, and which cafes would let us linger a little longer with active kids in tow. Now, whenever I think of Boracay, it’s not just the powdery sand or turquoise water I remember. It’s the Wednesday bike rides. The laying of a mat on the shore, beer in hand, while the kids built sandcastles just a few feet away. The joy of knowing you don’t have to say goodbye just yet.
