Question 1

What is the "Street Jewelry & Shell Games" scam in Boracay?

Accepted Answer

Con artists near White Beach offer to "appraise" or sell valuable shells and jewelry at allegedly discounted prices. The items are worthless costume pieces, but the seller pressures you to buy immediately before "the deal expires." This is a classic street scam targeting tourists walking the beach promenade. Decline all unsolicited offers. Do not let strangers appraise items or create urgency around purchases. If interested in jewelry, buy from established shops in D'Talipapa market.

Question 2

What is the "Inflated Arrival Fee Collection" scam in Boracay?

Accepted Answer

At the Caticlan Jetty Port and Tambisaan Port, unofficial collectors approach tourists before the accredited cashier windows and offer to process the mandatory environmental fee (300 PHP) and terminal fee (150 PHP) on their behalf. They collect 600-900 PHP, pocket the difference, and hand over a legitimate-looking but manually written receipt. Tourists are then forced to pay the real fees again at the island entrance gate or risk being turned away. Pay all fees only at the official LezzGo app or the marked government cashier booths at the jetty port. Never hand cash to anyone who approaches you outside the official queue. Official receipts have a QR code — handwritten ones are fake.

Street Scams in Boracay

Street Jewelry & Shell Games

Inflated Arrival Fee Collection

Experienced a scam here?