Living in Panglao
Panglao is a small, flat island joined to Bohol by two bridges, with Tagbilaran City on the other side. Expats live along the Dauis side, around Tawala and Danao behind Alona Beach, in Bolod and Libaong, and in Tagbilaran itself. This page is the hub for practical life here: costs, safety, where to live, and the services you will need, with links to the detailed pages.
EXPATS PH is built by people who live here for people who live here or are about to. The pages below are updated as prices and rules change; each one says when it was last checked.
Cost of living in short
Typical range in Bohol, October 2026; your offers may differ.
- Rent: long-term houses and apartments in Panglao and Dauis are advertised from under ₱10,000 a month for a simple apartment to ₱50,000 and more for a villa with a pool; a comfortable house for a couple often lands in the ₱20,000–35,000 range. Deposits are typically one month in advance plus two months deposit.
- Transport: a 125 cc scooter by the month is roughly ₱5,000–9,000; a small car self-drive around ₱1,500–1,800 per day (see car rental).
- Household: aircon cleaning ₱800–1,500 per unit a few times a year; a house cleaner about ₱500–750 per day; a nanny roughly ₱12,000–13,000 per month.
- Electricity from BOHECO is the bill people complain about; aircon all night in a two-bedroom house can be the single largest monthly cost after rent.
Is it safe to live in Bohol?
Bohol is one of the quieter provinces of the Philippines, and Panglao is a resort island with a visible police presence. Petty theft happens, mostly unlocked scooters and phones on the beach; violent crime against foreigners is rare. The everyday risks are traffic (see Renting a scooter in Bohol), brownouts, and typhoon season from July to October. Private hospitals are in Tagbilaran, 30–40 minutes from Alona.
Where expats live
- Dauis (Totolan, Dao, Biking, Songculan): quiet, close to Tagbilaran, most long-term houses; the first choice for families.
- Tawala and Danao: behind Alona Beach, walking distance to restaurants and the sea, higher rents and more noise in season.
- Bolod, Libaong, Doljo, Lourdes: beaches and villages along the south and west coast, more space, a scooter is a must.
- Tagbilaran: apartments and condos, malls, hospitals, the pier; cheaper and busier, no beach.
Getting things done
Most of what a household needs here is arranged person to person. EXPATS PH turns that into one request and a chat with local specialists: aircon cleaning and repair, home service massage, scooter rental by the day or month, cars and vans, and other jobs through the "Other" category. The guide Who to call in Panglao goes through it trade by trade.
If you have skills or a vehicle to offer, see Become a pro and Rent out your motorbike.
Seasons
- December to April: dry, busy, the best weather; book scooters and houses early.
- May to June: hot and humid; aircon season, highest electricity bills.
- July to October: rainy season and typhoons, fewer tourists, lower prices, time for repairs.
- November: the island fills up again; Europeans and winter residents arrive.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Bohol per month?
Rent is the largest variable: long-term houses and apartments are advertised from under ₱10,000 to over ₱50,000 a month. Add a scooter by the month (roughly ₱5,000–9,000), electricity (often the biggest bill after rent if you run aircon at night), food and household help, and you have your number (typical ranges, October 2026; your costs may differ).
Is it safe to live in Bohol?
Yes by Philippine standards: quiet province, visible police on Panglao, rare violent crime. Lock your scooter, watch the traffic, prepare for brownouts and the July–October typhoon season.
Where do expats live in Bohol?
Mostly in Dauis, in Tawala and Danao behind Alona Beach, along the south coast (Bolod, Libaong, Doljo) and in Tagbilaran City. Dauis is the usual choice for families; Tawala for people who want the beach on foot.
What is the rainy season in Panglao?
Roughly July to October, with typhoons possible in that window. December to April is dry and busy; May and June are the hottest months.