Essentials
- City
- Tagbilaran City & Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
- Population
- 1,400,000 (Province total)
- Internet Speed
- Starlink is popular (150-250 Mbps); Fiber in Tagbilaran (80 Mbps); LTE/5G in Panglao is variable.
- Currency & Banking
- Philippine Peso (PHP). 1 USD ≈ 56 PHP. ATMs are common in Tagbilaran and Alona Beach.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. 5-gallon purified water refills cost approx. 40 PHP.
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and B sockets (US style). Brownouts are common.
- SIM Card
- Globe and Smart. 30-day data plans (30GB-50GB) cost approx. 500-800 PHP.
- Banking for Expats
- BPI, BDO, and Metrobank in Tagbilaran. GCash/Maya for mobile wallets. Revolut/Wise work at most ATMs.
- Accommodation
- Apartments in Panglao (15,000-35,000 PHP/month); Luxury resorts in Alona (5,000+ PHP/night).
- Cashless Friendly
- Improving; GCash accepted at most shops. Large hotels take credit cards. Cash is king for transport.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Facebook Groups (Bohol Rent/Lease) are the primary sources.
- Budget Accommodation
- Moonlight Garden (Panglao) approx. 800 PHP/night; Abraham Bohol (Panglao) approx. 600 PHP/dorm.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Alona Beach and Danao Beach for nightlife and diving access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Panglao Village or Dauis (quieter, better value) or Tagbilaran City for maximum internet stability.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Common Ground Bohol (Panglao) - approx. 500 PHP/day; includes high-speed backup internet.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Shaka Bohol (Alona) or Mosia Cafe (Tagbilaran) - good seating and reliable Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- Monthly 'Bohol Digital Nomad' meetups often held at Bird of Paradise or local bars.
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Bohol Facebook group organizes weekly social dinners at Mist Restaurant.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Maxim (motorcycle/car) and Grab (limited availability, mostly for food).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Island Rentals (Panglao) - approx. 300-500 PHP per day for a Honda Click 125cc.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Dumaluan Beach (Panglao) - long white sand stretch with public access areas (30-50 PHP entry).
- Top Regional Airline
- Cebu Pacific (Flights to Cebu/Manila).
- Top International Airline
- Philippine Airlines (Direct flights from Panglao Airport to Seoul-Incheon).
- Highway Access
- The Circumferential Road connects the entire island perimeter; well-paved.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG) and Tagbilaran FastCat Ferry Terminal.
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; Jeepneys (13 PHP+), Tricycles (50-200 PHP), and Ceres buses.
- Regional Travel
- OceanJet Ferry to Cebu (approx. 2 hours, 800-1,200 PHP).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Ramiro Community Hospital (Tagbilaran) and Ace Medical Center.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Prana Yoga at Amorita Resort (Panglao) - classes approx. 600 PHP.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Island Fitness (Panglao) and B-Fit Center (Tagbilaran) - approx. 1,500 PHP/month.
- Laundry Services
- Quicklean (Tagbilaran) or local 'wash-and-fold' shops (35-50 PHP/kg).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- FoodPanda (widely available in Tagbilaran and Panglao).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Boholano Ubi Kinampay (purple yam) and Chicken Binakol (coconut soup).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Shaka Bohol (Smoothie bowls) and Gavroche (Fresh bread/salads).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bohol Bee Farm (Dauis) - famous for homemade organic ice cream (80 PHP/scoop).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Island City Mall (ICM) in Tagbilaran; Alturas Mall.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Lazada and Shopee (deliveries take 5-10 days from Manila).
- Grocery Delivery
- CloudCart or Metro Supermarket online services.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Alona Beach strip (Bamboo Place, Pinarella Bay).
- Local Brewery
- Bohol Craft Beer (Tawala, Panglao) - small batches, 250 PHP/pint.
- Wine Bars
- Saffron at Amorita Resort - curated selection with cliffside views.
- Street Food Stalls
- Tagbilaran Night Market (near the Plaza) - local BBQ and Balut.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Giuseppe Pizzeria (Italian) and Thai Basil (Thai) in Panglao.
Culture and Attractions
- Local Heritage
- The weaving tradition of Antequera (baskets and handicrafts).
- Historic Buildings
- Clarin Ancestral House (Loay).
- Must-See Landmarks
- Chocolate Hills (Carmen) and the Tarsier Sanctuary (Corella).
- Museums & Art Venues
- National Museum of the Philippines - Bohol Branch (Tagbilaran).
- Historical Sites
- Blood Compact Shrine (Baclayon).
- Religious Sites
- Baclayon Church (one of the oldest stone churches in PH).
- Annual Events
- Sandugo Festival (July) - month-long celebration with street dancing.
- Cultural Districts
- Poblacion, Tagbilaran - traditional Spanish-era layout.
- Theater Venues
- Bohol Cultural Center (Tagbilaran) - hosts local performing arts.
- Local Markets
- Dao Public Market (Tagbilaran) - fresh seafood and produce.
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic bands nightly at Alona Beach bars.
- Street Art
- Various murals along the Tagbilaran port area walls.
- Cooking Classes
- Bohol Bee Farm organic farming and cooking demos.
- Art Galleries
- Bohol Art Gallery (Tagbilaran City).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Loboc River (River cruises and paddleboarding).
- National Parks Nearby
- Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape (excellent for trekking).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Panglao Circumferential Road (65km loop) popular with cyclists.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Chocolate Hills Main Deck (Carmen) and Binahan Peak.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Rajah Sikatuna Forest Reserve - home to silvery kingfishers.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Hidden Beach (Panglao) - common for sunset beach fires (check local permits).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- LBC (Tagbilaran) and J&T Express.
- Tech Repair Services
- Cellfix Bohol (ICM Mall) for mobile and laptop repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Tagbilaran City Sports Complex.
- Language Classes
- Private tutors for Cebuano/Visayan (approx. 300 PHP/hour).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bohol Provincial Library (Tagbilaran).
- Community Centers
- Panglao Municipal Hall area for community sport events.
- Gaming Lounges
- E-Sports hubs found near Holy Name University in Tagbilaran.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Bohol is a drug-free/casino-free zone by local policy).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 95,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 2,850,000 PHP).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 65,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 1,950,000 PHP).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 110,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 5,500,000 PHP).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 80,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 4,000,000 PHP).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 120,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 9,600,000 PHP).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 90,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 7,200,000 PHP).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard Corporate Income Tax).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents; 25% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Territorial for foreigners (Only PH-sourced income is taxed); Worldwide for citizens.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (for income over 8M PHP).
- VAT
- 12% (Value Added Tax).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- In place since the TRAIN Law/CREATE Act; applies to foreign subsidiaries.
- Property Tax
- Real Property Tax (RPT) approx. 1% to 2% of assessed value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Capital Gains Tax (6%), Documentary Stamp Tax (1.5%), Transfer Tax (0.5%).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- SRRV (Special Resident Retiree's Visa) offers tax exemptions on pensions and some income.