A domestic flight is cheap enough that people budget the airfare and stop there. Then they land, and there is a counter between them and the boat. These fees are legitimate and they fund the places you came to see, but nobody puts them in the fare, and they are almost always cash.
What the main destinations charge
| Destination | Fee | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Boracay | ₱300 environmental + ₱150 terminal | The environmental fee is once for the whole stay, paid on arrival. The terminal fee is charged both entering and leaving. |
| El Nido | ₱400 eco-tourism development fee | Valid for 10 days, so one payment covers a normal trip. |
| Coron | Around ₱200 | Collected on arrival. |
Individually these are small. Across a multi-island itinerary, with a terminal fee at each end of each hop, they add up to real money for a family — and they arrive at exactly the moment you have already committed.
Who pays less
- Children aged five and under are generally exempt from the environmental and terminal fees, on proof of age. Bring the birth certificate or a copy.
- Some LGUs set reduced rates for residents of the province. If you are going home rather than going on holiday, ask.
- Senior and PWD discounts apply to many attraction and boat fees, though not always to the LGU fees themselves. Carry the ID and ask each time.
Practical notes
- Bring cash in small notes. Card acceptance at these counters is unreliable at best.
- Boracay now runs a digital pass at boracayipass.ph — paying ahead saves queueing on arrival.
- Keep the receipts. The terminal fee on the way out is sometimes checked against the one you paid coming in.
- Budget separately for island-hopping tours, which carry their own permits and are not covered by the entry fee.