Culture and Attractions
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic bands at Be My Guest (BMG) or Prawn Farm
- Street Art
- Murals around the National Museum local artist initiatives
- Cooking Classes
- Bohol Bee Farm offers organic farm-to-table workshops
- Art Galleries
- Bohol Art Lumber (Local woodworking and galleries)
- Historic Buildings
- President Carlos P. Garcia Heritage House
- Local Heritage
- The Ubi (Purple Yam) - cultural crop celebrated in festivals
- Must-See Landmarks
- Chocolate Hills (Carmen), Tarsier Sanctuary (Corella)
- Museums & Art Venues
- National Museum of the Philippines - Bohol (Old Capitol Building)
- Historical Sites
- Blood Compact Shrine (Baclayon), Blood Compact Site (Tagbilaran)
- Religious Sites
- St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral (City Center), Baclayon Church (Oldest stone church)
- Annual Events
- Sandugo Festival (July) - street dancing and parades
- Cultural Districts
- Sitio Ubos (Heritage houses district)
- Theater Venues
- Bohol Cultural Center (Government-hosted performances)
- Local Markets
- Tagbilaran City Central Market (Dao) for fresh seafood
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Bilar Man-Made Forest (Mahogany trees stretch for 2km)
- National Parks Nearby
- Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape (Bird watching/hiking)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Causeway (connecting city to Panglao) for sunset walks
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Banat-i Hill - highest point in the city with sea views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangrove forests in Maribojoc (20 mins away)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Public beach areas in Libaong (Panglao) with permission
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- LBC Express, J&T Express (Multiple branches on CPG Ave)
- Tech Repair Services
- SST Laptop Repair (ICM Mall level 3)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Bohol Wisdom School Sports Complex
- Language Classes
- Bohol Language School (primarily for ESL, but offer Visayan/Cebuano)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bohol Provincial Library (near the Plaza)
- Community Centers
- Tagbilaran City Hall multipurpose rooms
- Gaming Lounges
- TNC Cyber Cafe (Dao) for high-end PC gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Pagcor Club Bohol (limited electronic gaming)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 85,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 2,550,000 PHP)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 60,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 1,800,000 PHP)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 80,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 4,000,000 PHP)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 55,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 2,750,000 PHP)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 75,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 6,000,000 PHP)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 50,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 4,000,000 PHP)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard Corporate Income Tax)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% to 25% depending on tax treaties
- Tax System
- Territorial for non-residents; Global for resident citizens
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (over 8 Million PHP annual income)
- VAT
- 12%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Limited/Developing regulations
- Property Tax
- Real Property Tax (Amillar) approx 1-2% of assessed value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6% Capital Gains Tax + 1.5% Documentary Stamp Tax
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa yet, but Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) offers tax exemptions on pensions
Essentials
- City
- Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
- Population
- 105,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber (PLDT/Globe) up to 100 Mbps; 5G available in city center via Smart
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 56 PHP. Major banks: BDO, Metrobank, BPI on CPG Avenue
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use 5-gallon purified water deliveries (approx. 35 PHP)
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz. 🔌 Type A and B sockets (US style). Frequent brownouts occur.
- SIM Card
- Globe or Smart. Recommended: Smart Rocket SIM for unlimited data promos (699 PHP/mo)
- Banking for Expats
- GCash (digital wallet) is essential. BPI for local accounts; Wise works at most ATMs
- Accommodation
- Airbnb for short stays, local Facebook groups (Bohol Rent/Lease) for long-term
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. GCash accepted at malls/marts; cash required for markets and tricycles
- Short Term Rentals
- 717 Cesar Place Hotel (approx. 25,000 PHP/mo), Sweet Home Boutique
- Budget Accommodation
- Nisa Travelers Inn (approx. 600 PHP/night) on CPG Avenue
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Panglao Island (30 mins from city) for beaches and nightlife
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Mansasa or Dao District for proximity to malls and stable internet
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Common Ground Bohol (Dao District). Daily rates approx. 400 PHP
- Best Cafe for Work
- Bo's Coffee (ICM Mall) - Good Wi-Fi and outlets; Mosia Cafe for a quieter vibe
- Networking Events
- Bohol ICT Council meetups (occasional tech/startup events at hotels)
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night mixers at various bars in Panglao (e.g., Alona Beach area)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Maxim (cheaper) or Grab (limited service). Tricycles are the primary transit (15-50 PHP)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bohol Scooter Rentals near the pier (approx. 350-500 PHP per day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Alona Beach (18km away) or Dumaluan Beach (White sand, 20km)
- Top Regional Airline
- Cebu Pacific (Flights to Cebu and Manila from Bohol-Panglao International Airport)
- Top International Airline
- Asiana Airlines (Seasonal flights to South Korea)
- Highway Access
- Circumferential Road connects Tagbilaran to all coastal towns
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Tagbilaran FastCraft Terminal (Ferries to Cebu - 2 hours via OceanJet)
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital passes; Pay cash on Jeepneys (13 PHP base fare)
- Regional Travel
- Bus from Dao Integrated Bus Terminal to Chocolate Hills/Carmen
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Ramiro Community Hospital (Gallares St) or ACE Medical Center Bohol
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Natura Vista (Panglao) or occasional classes at Kew Hotel
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Body Fit Gym (CPG North Ave) - approx. 1,000 PHP per month
- Laundry Services
- Quick Clean Self-Service Laundry (Dao District) - approx. 150 PHP per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- FoodPanda (widely available) and Maxim Delivery
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Chicken Inasal at Jo's Chicken Inato or local Peanut Kisses for snacks
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Shaka Bohol (Panglao) for smoothie bowls; Garden Cafe (City Center)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bohol Bee Farm (The Buzz Cafe) for organic ice cream at Alturas Mall
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Island City Mall (ICM) or Alturas Mall for groceries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Lazada and Shopee (Expect 5-10 days shipping from Manila)
- Grocery Delivery
- Alturas Online or FoodPanda Shops
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Graham Avenue in the city; Alona Beach in Panglao for beach bars
- Local Brewery
- Bohol Craft Beer (Tawala, Panglao) - locally brewed IPAs
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Shop Bohol (Panglao) for imported selections
- Street Food Stalls
- Tagbilaran Night Market near the Plaza (Grilled seafood, Balut)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Gerarda's Family Restaurant (Filipino-Spanish fusion, Torralba St)