Essentials
- City
- Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
- Population
- Approximately 39,000
- Internet Speed
- 30-100 Mbps; Fiber is common in Alona, but Starlink is the nomad standard here.
- Currency & Banking
- Philippine Peso (PHP). 1 USD ≈ 56 PHP. ATMs are mostly at Alona Beach (BPI, Metrobank).
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 5-gallon purified water jugs cost approx. 40 PHP.
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. Frequent brownouts occur; many nomads use UPS or power banks.
- SIM Card
- Globe and Smart. Go for 'Smart' as it generally has better 5G coverage in Panglao.
- Banking for Expats
- GCash (digital wallet) is essential. Maya or Revolut (for ATMs) are widely used.
- Accommodation
- Mixture of luxury resorts (Henann) and boutique guesthouses (Zula).
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; GCash is accepted at many shops, but cash is king for trikes and local markets.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Facebook Marketplace groups (Panglao For Rent) are the best sources.
- Budget Accommodation
- Moon Fools Hostel (approx. 600 PHP/night for a dorm).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Alona Beach; the main hub for restaurants, bars, and diving.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Danao or Libaong; quieter, cheaper long-term rentals (15,000 - 25,000 PHP/month).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Common Ground Panglao (Danao) - approx. 500 PHP/day with stable back-up power.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Shaka Boho (Alona) or Gavroche (French bakery with good Wi-Fi and power outlets).
- Networking Events
- Panglao Digital Nomads Facebook Group meetups; check 'The Buzzz Cafe' for social events.
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night mixers at Bird of Paradise or weekend sunset sessions at South Palms.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Grab is NOT available. Use 'Maxim' or 'Pikas' for bike/car booking.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Island Rentals (Alona); approx. 350-500 PHP per day for a Honda Click.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Dumaluan Beach (Public side); wider and cleaner sand than Alona.
- Top Regional Airline
- Cebu Pacific (Flying into Bohol-Panglao International Airport - TAG).
- Top International Airline
- Philippine Airlines (Connecting via Manila or Seoul).
- Highway Access
- Panglao Island Circumferential Road; well-paved, circles the entire island.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- None (No trains). Main ferry terminal is Tagbilaran FastCraft Terminal (20 mins away).
- Public Transport Passes
- None. Flat-rate Jeepneys to Tagbilaran cost roughly 25 PHP.
- Regional Travel
- OceanJet Ferry to Cebu (approx. 2 hours, 800 PHP) is the most popular route.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Ramiro Community Hospital (Tagbilaran) or ACE Medical Center (Tagbilaran).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Natura Vista (Eco-sanctuary) or studio classes at Qi Palawan (approx. 400 PHP/class).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Panglao Gym (Near the municipal hall); basic but functional (approx. 100 PHP/day).
- Laundry Services
- Clean & Go Laundry (Danao); approx. 40 PHP/kg for wash-dry-fold.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda is the primary operator in Panglao/Tagbilaran.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Boholano 'Ubi' (Purple yam) desserts and grilled 'Liampo' (Pork belly).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Mist (Danao) - incredible interiors with extensive plant-based options.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bohol Bee Farm (The Buzzz Cafe) for their famous organic ice cream (80 PHP/scoop).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Panglao Public Market for fresh produce; ICM Mall in Tagbilaran for everything else.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Lazada and Shopee (deliveries can take 7-14 days to the island).
- Grocery Delivery
- GrabGifts/Foodpanda Mart (limited) or local grocery 'Alturas' in Tagbilaran.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Alona Beach front; Panglao Pub Crawl starts near the Alona intersection.
- Local Brewery
- Bohol Island Brewery (near Tawala); craft beers starting at 150 PHP.
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Cellar at Henann Resort; high-end selection.
- Street Food Stalls
- Tawala street vendors; look for 'Isaw' (grilled chicken skin) and 'Balut'.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Giuseppe Pizzeria (Italian) and Toto e Peppino for authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Chocolate Hills (Mainland Bohol, 1.5 hr drive from Panglao).
- Museums & Art Venues
- National Museum Bohol (Tagbilaran City) housed in an old provincial capitol.
- Historical Sites
- Panglao Watchtower and San Agustin Parish Church (built 1894).
- Religious Sites
- Baclayon Church (one of the oldest in the Philippines, made of coral stone).
- Annual Events
- Sandugo Festival (July) - commemorates the Blood Compact between Spanish and Filipinos.
- Cultural Districts
- Tagbilaran City center for local heritage shops and markets.
- Theater Venues
- Bohol Cultural Center (Tagbilaran) for local performing arts and choir concerts.
- Local Markets
- Panglao Poblacion Market (Sunday mornings for the freshest catch).
- Music Scene
- Bamboo Place (Alona) for live acoustic bands and reggae nights.
- Street Art
- Limited; some murals can be found near the 'Mist' restaurant area.
- Cooking Classes
- Bohol Bee Farm offers organic farming and traditional cooking tours.
- Art Galleries
- Bohol Art Society exhibitions (often held at Island City Mall).
- Historic Buildings
- The Dauis Church (famous for the 'miraculous' well at the altar).
- Local Heritage
- The Tarsier sanctuary (Corella) is the symbol of Bohol's unique fauna.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Hinagdanan Cave (Dauis) - an underground lake inside a limestone cave.
- National Parks Nearby
- Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape (Wetland/Forest for trekking).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Panglao Airport Loop' is popular for morning runs and cycling.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Barangay Bingag cliffside for sunset views over the Cebu Strait.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Man-made Forest (Bilar) or the mangroves near the Getafe border.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Doljo Beach (North-west side); much more secluded for small evening gatherings.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- LBC Express (Alona branch or Tagbilaran).
- Tech Repair Services
- Phone Fix Bohol (Tagbilaran) or the tech floor at Island City Mall (ICM).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local Barangay halls often have tables; ask at the Panglao Sports Complex.
- Language Classes
- Private tutors via 'Boholano/Cebuano language exchange' on Facebook.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Library Cafe (Tagbilaran); Tagbilaran City Library is the only public option.
- Community Centers
- Panglao Municipal Hall (Center for local community inquiries).
- Gaming Lounges
- Netopia (Tagbilaran) for PC gaming and reliable internet.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- No legal casinos on the island; small e-bingo halls exist in Tagbilaran.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 150,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² Condo = 4,500,000 PHP).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 90,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 2,700,000 PHP in residential lots).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 140,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 7,000,000 PHP).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 85,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 4,250,000 PHP).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 130,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 10,400,000 PHP).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 80,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 6,400,000 PHP).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate for corporations in the Philippines).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% (For residents) or 25% (For non-resident aliens).
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents; local source income only for foreigners.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (For income over 8M PHP).
- VAT
- 12% (Value Added Tax).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC legislation currently in force.
- Property Tax
- Real Property Tax (Amilyar) - approx. 1-2% of assessed value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6% Capital Gains Tax + 1.5% Documentary Stamp Tax.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- SRRV Visa or Digital Nomad Visa (in progress) offers perks, but generally no 0% tax.