Map Animation: Inset Central Visayas | Main map Panglao Island and Tagbilaran City. Images: Libaong White Beach
Living in Panglao (2026) – A Guide to Long-Term Living in Bohol, Philippines
Living in Panglao is something many people consider after visiting Bohol as a potential place to settle — but deciding whether it actually works as a place to live is a very different question. This guide looks at what day-to-day life in Panglao is really like once you move beyond holidays and short stays.
I meet a lot of people, especially on dive boats, and I almost always get asked the same question when I mention my expat life here: it’s a beautiful place, but what made you decide to settle down and live in Panglao?
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That question comes up so often because choosing where to live is about more than scenery. After making the move myself and going through the adjustments that come with living in the Philippines, Panglao has become that place for me. With its island lifestyle, international transport links, easy regional travel options, and nearby Tagbilaran City offering good malls, groceries, and private medical care, it offers a balance of comfort and opportunity that makes it well worth considering as a long-term home.
Table of Contents
Click a topic below to jump directly to that section of the guide.
1.Transport & Travel Connections
3.Healthcare & Medical Support
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Map Animation: Tagbilaran main ferry terminal servicing the Central Visayas and direct links to Cebu and Bohol Panglao Internation Airport.
Transport and Travel Connections
Since the opening of the Bohol–Panglao International Airport in late 2018, Panglao has become one of the better-connected islands in the Central Visayas. Together with frequent ferry services operating from the Tagbilaran City ferry port, the island offers reliable air and sea links to major cities and neighboring islands across the Philippines, making regional and onward travel straightforward for day-to-day life as well as longer journeys.
Flights
Panglao’s airport sits on the southern side of the island and provides daily flights to Manila, usually taking around an hour and a half, along with regular domestic services to cities such as Davao and Iloilo.
While the airport is officially international, overseas routes are currently limited, with South Korea being the most established destination. For most international travel, residents connect through Manila using frequent daily flights, or travel by fast ferry to Cebu, which offers a wider range of international connections.
Providing fast efficient connection for divers exploring the Central Visayas
Sea travel
Sea travel is a major part of daily connectivity from Panglao, with Tagbilaran City serving as the main ferry hub just a short drive over the bridge. High-speed OceanJet ferries run multiple times daily to Cebu City, usually taking around two hours, with additional regular services to Dumaguete and Siquijor, making inter-island travel within the Central Visayas straightforward and reliable.
Image: My home in San Isidro, Panglao — a furnished subdivision property at ₱32,000 per month (≈ $565 USD at ₱56.6 = $1).
Accommodation & Utilities
Accommodation: Due to the growing economy in Panglao, driven largely by the tourism industry, the island offers a wide range of long-term rental options. Expats can choose from modest apartments and duplex units to larger family homes and gated community residences.
My largest monthly expense by far is accommodation, with prices on the island steadily rising over time in line with demand and owners’ view of the market. Of course, everyone’s budget and priorities differ — you can find cheaper options here in Panglao, but they usually come with certain compromises.
If Panglao is on your short list and having a home rather than just a place to stay is your priority, then you should expect to pay a premium for this location compared to options available in Tagbilaran and the wider Bohol area.
Utilities: Service supply in Panglao, as in many provinces, can be challenging. Ongoing upgrades to the power grid and water systems often result in electrical outages, while water supply can be inconsistent and sewerage services are limited or unregulated.
Planned service outages are usually well communicated through social networks and provider websites, allowing you to plan ahead. Typical power cuts last anywhere from one to four hours, while less frequent major outages can extend up to twelve hours.
Understand brownouts from energy supply to practical ways to prepare, when the power goes off.
Over time here in Panglao, residents have become less reliant on these supplies, with many homeowners now installing, generators, solar panels, and large water tanks to ensure greater independence and security in daily life.
Healthcare and Medical Support
For expats and retirees in Bohol, Tagbilaran City is the main center for hospitals and medical services. It is where you’ll find the widest choice of facilities and doctors, making it the first stop for most medical needs.
Private hospitals in Tagbilaran generally offer newer equipment, shorter waiting times, and a higher level of comfort. One of the main private options is ACE Medical Center, which has modern facilities and caters to both local and foreign patients. Public hospitals, on the other hand, remain the more affordable choice and are widely used by local residents, though they can involve longer queues and fewer amenities.
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Many hospitals in the area work with PhilHealth, the government’s health insurance scheme. This can lower costs for in-patient and out-patient care, particularly in public hospitals, although coverage in private hospitals is usually more limited.
For major treatment or specialist services, many people travel to Cebu City, where large private hospitals and advanced facilities are located. Fast ferries and fast jets run regularly between Tagbilaran and Cebu, so reaching a higher-level hospital is possible within just a couple of hours when necessary.
Image: Island City Mall main grocery store Tagbilaran
Groceries & Shopping
Day-to-day shopping in Panglao is more varied than it first appears. Small artisan outlets provide fresh bread, imported meats, and delicatessen items that cater to both tourists and expats looking for familiar tastes. These shops can be more expensive than local markets but they do fill the gap for international products that are otherwise hard to find.
For most serious grocery shopping, Tagbilaran remains the main center. Just a short drive across the bridge, it offers the best range of supermarkets and retail outlets. The two main areas are downtown Tagbilaran and the Island City Mall, both of which carry everything from fresh produce to home goods.
Availability, Choices, and Everyday Alternatives for Expats.
The city’s traditional public market is also worth noting. Here you’ll find the widest selection of fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, and meat at local prices. It is busy, sometimes chaotic, but gives you a direct connection to how Boholano families shop day to day.
Looking ahead, retail options are set to expand further. The SM Group has already broken ground on a new mall complex in Tagbilaran, scheduled to open in 2027. Once complete, it will bring another modern shopping destination to the city and add to the convenience for Panglao residents.
For a closer look at prices, availability, and what to expect in local stores and markets, you’ll find my detailed article on grocery shopping in the Philippines below.
Image: Island life of Panglao - Momo Beach, White Island and Alona night scene
Lifestyle
Panglao is well centered for local travel within the Central Visayas. From here it is easy to reach Bohol’s interior, cross to Cebu or Negros by ferry, or explore nearby islands such as Siquijor. There are also ferry connections heading east toward Camiguin and Southern Leyte, opening up even more travel possibilities. This makes the island a practical base for those who want both the calm of a smaller community and access to wider travel options.
The beaches remain one of Panglao’s strongest draws. White sand stretches run along much of the southern coast, with areas like Dumaluan and Doljo offering a quieter pace, while Alona Beach carries the buzz of restaurants, bars, and the island’s main tourist strip.
Alona is also the heart of Panglao’s nightlife. While the scene is not on the scale of larger cities, you will still find live music, open-air bars, and a steady flow of both tourists and residents. For many expats it offers enough variety to be social without feeling overwhelming.
Diving is another major part of the lifestyle here. Panglao sits within the Bohol Marine Triangle, with easy access to Balicasag, Pamilacan, and other well-known sites. Whether you dive regularly or just enjoy being close to the sea, this connection to the water shapes much of daily life on the island.
Cost of Living
Panglao continues to develop, with more infrastructure, new businesses, and steady growth in tourism. Alongside these changes, the cost of living has also moved upward, with housing costs in particular rising year by year as demand increases.
Compared to Tagbilaran and wider Bohol, living on Panglao is generally more expensive. Rentals close to the beach command a clear premium, and even basic apartments inland often cost more than similar places on the mainland. Everyday items are also a little higher in price, reflecting both demand and the island location.
For a full breakdown of expenses — covering housing, food, and utilities — I’ve prepared a detailed guide. You’ll find my Cost of Living in the Philippines article below.
How much do you realy need to live long term in the Philippines, find out the truth
Final Thoughts
Panglao offers a lifestyle that blends the calm of island living with the convenience of being close to a provincial capital. It is well connected by air and sea, making travel across the Central Visayas and beyond straightforward, while still keeping the day-to-day pace more relaxed than the mainland.
Costs are higher here than in Tagbilaran or elsewhere in Bohol, especially when it comes to long-term accommodation. For many expats, the trade-off is worth it, as the setting, beaches, and access to diving all form part of what makes Panglao a desirable place to live.
Like anywhere in the Philippines, daily life comes with adjustments. Utilities can be unpredictable, shopping requires a trip into Tagbilaran for the best choice, and tourist areas like Alona are busier than most small towns. Yet for those who value both community and connection to the sea, Panglao provides a balance that can make it a rewarding long-term destination.
Highlighted Guides & Articles
A selection of dive guides and articles covering dive travel, Central Visayas dive sites, and underwater photography and videography. Each one offers clear, practical insight built from real diving across the Central Philippines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panglao more expensive to live in than Tagbilaran?
Yes, overall Panglao is more expensive than Tagbilaran and the wider Bohol area. Housing costs in particular are higher, especially near Alona Beach or along the coast. Inland rentals can be more affordable, but still usually cost more than equivalent homes on the mainland. Day-to-day groceries and utilities are similar, but expect to pay a premium for the convenience of living directly on the island.
What are the main challenges of living in Panglao?
The main challenges include higher accommodation costs, occasional power and water supply issues, and needing to travel into Tagbilaran for major shopping. Alona Beach can also feel crowded during peak season. These are common adjustments for expats, but most find the lifestyle benefits — such as access to the sea and a calmer pace of life — make the trade-offs worthwhile.
How is the transport connectivity from Panglao?
Panglao is well connected. The international airport offers daily flights to Manila and regular domestic links to other Philippine cities, with ferry routes from Tagbilaran reaching Cebu, Dumaguete, Camiguin, and Southern Leyte. This makes it easy to explore the Central Visayas and beyond while still enjoying the slower pace of island living.
What kind of lifestyle can I expect in Panglao?
The lifestyle in Panglao is shaped by beaches, diving, and community life. Alona Beach offers nightlife and restaurants, while quieter areas of the island provide a slower pace. Many expats enjoy the mix of convenience — with Tagbilaran nearby — and the opportunity to live close to the sea with access to some of the best dive sites in the Philippines.
Is Panglao a good long-term destination for expats?
For many expats, Panglao makes an excellent long-term base. It combines island living with good travel links, offers a growing range of services, and provides access to both local culture and international communities. While costs are higher than in other parts of Bohol, those who value the balance of lifestyle, beaches, and connectivity often find Panglao to be a rewarding choice for long-term living.
What hospital options do expats in Tagbilaran usually use?
Expats in Tagbilaran often choose ACE Medical Center for private care, since it offers modern facilities and shorter waiting times. For lower-cost treatment, many turn to Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center, the main public hospital in the city. The choice usually depends on whether you value comfort and speed, or affordability and wider PhilHealth coverage.
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