Asking, "Is Boracay a secure place to vacation?" You must be contemplating a vacation to the Philippines if you are inquiring about this beautiful island, located smack dab in the middle of the country. Well done! We have some of the best beach bars this side of Thailand, as well as pristine white sand beaches and clear blue water.

We'll be discussing the island's security in detail here. The crime statistics, the incidence of tourist fraud, and other useful information for your upcoming trip across the Sulu Sea to the Boracay resorts are all covered in this primer.

We hope you'll be relieved to know that, among the Philippine islands, Boracay is one of the safest. It's one of the most frequented spots, and most visitors enjoy carefree departures from the area's palm-studded beaches. Take a closer look with us...

What About in The Year 2023?

Yes, Boracay is generally safe to travel to in 2023. Indeed, this island is regarded as one of the Philippines' most secure destinations. Part of the reason for it is how commonplace it is. Every year, hundreds of thousands, maybe even half a million, arrive at one of the area's airports, with the vast majority leaving without a hitch.

Although the island's nightlife has died down somewhat in the last decade, anecdotal comments from past visitors underline that natural hazard, such as the risk of drowning in the water, and other tourists, often drunk, pose the greatest threats to visitors. Tourists are sometimes the target of minor theft and widespread fraud.

Boracay's Crime Rates

Official crime statistics are one of the finest methods to get a feel for the level of safety in a place. Macro crime data for the Philippines reveal that incidence rates have been down practically everywhere year on year and were down something like 16% in 2019 alone, which is wonderful news.

Boracay is rated as having a "low" risk of general crime by the travel data aggregator Number. It says that drug crime, muggings, and theft are all "moderate" risks on the island. In addition, the island has the lowest reported rates of car theft and other motor vehicle-related crimes.

By almost every measure, the paradise island of the Philippines is safer than Chicago. Compared to Chicago, where the crime and danger rating is a disturbing 78.24, our city scores 37.5.

Is It Okay to Go Out at Night in Boracay?

There's no denying that Boracay's famed nightlife is a big part of the island's appeal. Despite popular belief, this is the same as Koh Phangan in the Philippines. In 2018, the entire island was closed to visitors in a controversial move attributed largely to unchecked bar growth by local officials.

Following its reopening after the COVID outbreak, Boracay implemented stricter planning rules and regulations for nightlife venues. It reduced the number of large hotels that had previously crowded the island's shoreline. So what? The time for crazy all-nighters has passed. A more laid-back nightlife scene has emerged on Boracay, albeit it is still busier than on many other Philippine islands.

The after-hours vibe here now feels much more secure, and that's saying a lot. Before this, drunken tourists frequently attended fire performances while drinking massive buckets of drinks. Nightlife nowadays is restrained, laid-back, and usually secure compared to decades before. Notably, kerosene lamp-lit beach parties and similar events are no longer a thing. After the redesign in 2018, it became illegal to do any of those things again.

It's still wise, especially after dark, to stay clear from the island's less-developed regions outside the main tourist circuits. Occasional crime is a constant threat since many areas here lack enough public lighting.

Dangerous Environmental Factors in Boracay

It's not the people or the crime rate that pose the greatest threat to Boracay; it's the environment. Boracay is particularly vulnerable to tropical typhoons because of its location in the middle of the Philippine archipelago, which has its heaviest rainfall in June, July, and August. Strong storm systems bring intense winds and heavy rain that can last for days. Combined with outdated infrastructure, it can lead to calamities, including landslides, power outages, and building collapses.

Then there are the zoo animals. Most of the island's most dangerous animals now live in the sea rather than on land since the rainforest previously covered it was destroyed to make way for development. If you go snorkelling or scuba diving in Boracay, which you should do, you'll probably run into at least one.

Conclusion

Asking, "Is Boracay a secure place to vacation?" If you're looking for an island vacation in the Philippines, you may be certain that Boracay is one of the safest options. The island's typically strong infrastructure and hotels' familiarity with hosting everyone from families to partygoers are major contributors to its popularity. There are, of course, a few potential pitfalls to avoid. Stay away from unfamiliar areas of the island at night, don't drink to the point of losing control of your faculties, and always let someone know where you're going. Typhoons during the monsoon season and other marine predators should also be considered.