Island in Bohol, Philippines
Panglao for solo travelers
Is Panglao good for solo travel?
Bohol's beach island, linked by bridge to Tagbilaran, with Alona Beach's bars, good diving and dolphin trips. Easy for a week or a slow month; busy in season and beaches are small.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Watch drinks at beach bars and avoid empty stretches of beach after dark. |
How to meet people in Panglao
Social hostels and bars at Alona, dive courses and shared dolphin trips, yoga classes, and island-hopping groups to Balicasag and Virgin Island.
Good things to do alone
- Dive or snorkel at Balicasag Island
- Join an early-morning dolphin trip
- Visit Virgin Island sandbar at low tide
- Swim at quiet Doljo Beach
- Sunset drinks on Alona Beach
Where to stay in Panglao
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Alona Beach | Restaurants, dive shops, bars and most hostels |
| Doljo / Danao | Quieter beach resorts away from Alona's crowds |
| Bolod | Local village with cheaper stays and fewer visitors |
| Dauis–Tawala | Cheaper long stays near Tagbilaran and the airport |
Solo travel across Philippines
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Siargao | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Moalboal | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Manila | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Boracay | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Palawan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| El Nido | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cebu | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Coron | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Bohol | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Panglao | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Makati | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Baguio | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| La Union | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Dumaguete | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Siquijor | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Puerto Galera | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Malapascua | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Port Barton | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sagada | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Banaue | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Vigan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Iloilo | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| BGC | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Bantayan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Davao | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Tagaytay | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Angeles City | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Panglao good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Bohol's beach island, linked by bridge to Tagbilaran, with Alona Beach's bars, good diving and dolphin trips.
How do you meet people in Panglao?
Social hostels and bars at Alona, dive courses and shared dolphin trips, yoga classes, and island-hopping groups to Balicasag and Virgin Island. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Panglao?
Widely spoken.
Is Panglao safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Watch drinks at beach bars and avoid empty stretches of beach after dark.
More about Panglao
Going to Panglao solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Panglao meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.