Panglao is one of the many islands in the Philippines that you can’t get enough of. The photos I will share in this post will never do justice to the beauty of this island. It offers a budget-friendly Panglao experience for a short stay. We spent some time at Alona Beach on our first day, half a day after island hopping, and a whole morning on our 3rd day. Waste no time in paradise! 😉

My Family’s Alona Beach escapade, a budget-friendly Panglao experience.

We started our day early at 4 AM when the ferry docked at Tagbilaran port. After a short nap from our family Bohol day tour, we immediately indulged ourselves in the sea breeze. It was a little crowded and the tide was low. It was short but worthwhile.

On our second day, after enjoying the popular Bohol Island hopping tour, Kevin still wanted and asked for more swimming time. He can’t get enough, I bet no one else can either. We gave him more time while deciding where we will have our lunch.

The Buzz Cafe by Bohol Bee Farm

If you are in Alona Beach, dining in a restaurant with a great sea view must be one of the things to do for a good budget-friendly Panglao experience. I wanted my family to experience that. 😊 The restaurant has a breezy ambiance, and the food was good. A tip though, Tinolang Manok (Native Chicken Soup) is already good for two; just add extra rice.

We didn’t do anything else after that, we just relaxed, slept, dine at Lost Horizon for dinner then just waited for the next day – our last day to savor the paradise.

Day 3: Morning walk along Alona Beach

The simplest yet worthwhile thing to do when you are staying for a luxury or a budget-friendly Panglao experience is to enjoy its beauty. For me, a morning walk truly feels just right!

If you are on a budget-friendly Panglao experience stay, Shop Me – Mini Mart in Tawala, Alona Beach area would probably your all-in-one shop to go. It’s a self-service store in which you can choose and make your own coffee or hot chocolate, they sell it in sachet + cup + hot water set, they also make Silog Meals. Perfect for backpackers.

After we reached the Henann Resort, which is almost at the end of the Tawala area, we decided to return and have breakfast at Isis Bungalows – Isis Thai Restaurant. I didn’t regret choosing this restaurant for our last day; good food and a beachfront view, which was an advantage as we still had time to swim while waiting. We ordered the Filipino Breakfast. I just wish they served the small dried Danggit instead of the big ones. It would have been perfect.

After we were all done eating, and they could say that they had enough for a morning swim, we headed back to our accommodation to wash up and pack our things. It was time to go home!

And before we leave Panglao Island, I really wanted to buy one scoop of organic/homemade ice cream by Bee Farm. Would be my third since day 1 and I can go for more. Php 60.00 per one scoop.

Kevin had avocado, Dad had dragonfruit, Mom had durian, and I had spicy ginger. I tried their buko first, then malunggay, but the last one is something I wish I could undo. Haha. It’s good, really good, but the spiciness is too much for me. You can taste the ginger and feel the spiciness in your throat. Lol. Ice cream is meant to be enjoyed, not a cause for concern every time you take a lick. Haha.

Affordable Panglao Experience

We stayed at Alona Grove Tourist Inn. Their family room is Php 1,800 which is good for 4 people, the rate is excluded breakfast. Wifi is slow indoor, 3-5 minutes walk to the beach. If you’re looking for other cheap Hostel, try Moon Fools Hostel. I heard they have stable and decent wifi, it’s 5-8 minutes walk to the beach. I chose AGTI because their tour package is cheaper and getting a family room is way more practical than getting 4 beds, Moon Fools has a private room-accommodation though but only good for 3. So, just click the links and will go through their Facebook Page.

That wraps up our budget-friendly Panglao experience. How about you? Have you ever been to Panglao too? Or when was your last paradise experience?

Check our Family Bohol Day Tour here

See the Popular Island Hopping Tour here