Calvin’s Hub

If you’re going to stay at the beaches of Bohol, you will have to make a decision between its two beach strips, Alona or Dumaluan. The two strips are about 30 minutes apart by car so you’re gonna be stuck with your decision.

Here are the pros and cons between the two according to my observations:

ALONA

If you want the party scene then Alona Beach is for you. Resorts and restos line up the beach so you can expect a huge crowd especially during peak seasons. One of the affordable resorts by the beachfront is the Alona Tropical. For classier accommodations, you might want to check out Amorita.

There are also some inns for hardcore backpackers which is just a minute-walk away from the beach.

Pros:

• Lots of places to eat to choose from so it’s good for the budget
• Inns can provide the cheapest accommodation
• Motorcycles/Scooters rental is available if you want to tour the island
• There’s an ATM (BPI) machine nearby

Cons:

• The beach is not well maintained compared to Dumaluan
• Lots of boats are parked by the beach so it can easily get crowded if you go for a swim. The sandbar is also  smaller (weeds nearer to shore).
• Not really ideal for relaxation during peak season

DUMALUAN

If you want a peaceful vacation in Bohol then head to Dumaluan beach. There are only a few resorts in Dumaluan. Affordable and decent would be Dumaluan Beach Resort. Pricier yet better looking is the nearby Bohol Beach Club. Finally there’s also the resort for celebrities and the elites, Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa.

Pros:

• Did I already mention that it is more peaceful here?
• Beach is better in my opinion and well-maintained. The sandy area stretches far to the sea.

Cons:

• The food! It’s a bit expensive since there’s only a few establishments.
• Not much activities going on

Dumaluan Beach Resort

We stayed at Dumaluan Beach Resort (the newer one) for our vacation. We paid P2,150 for our air-conditioned room with a hot and cold shower and cable TV. Breakfast is also included by the way.

You can’t choose the type of breakfast per day so if you’re picky, choose the rates without it. You can have cheaper breakfast at the older Dumaluan Resort if you want more choices for about P100 per meal.

Our cottage which is by the pool has no view of the beach but it’s just a short walk away. The reception / dining area has free WiFi and there’s also a lounge band performing in the evenings.

Save money on food

The food at the resort is pricey for its quality and serving but there’s a cheaper alternative. Head to the old Dumaluan Resort (just beside it) and you’ll see a grill station (cheaper than grill station at the new resort).

They can grill pork, chicken, squid and fish but you can also request for different way of cooking like adobong pusit or calamares. They also serve breakfast by the way and rice is only P15 compared to P22 in the new resort.

I highly recommend the fruit shake here. There fresh fruit shake is cheap and the serving is big (P40 only compared to P90 in the new resort).

If you want to save more on food and don’t mind eating inside your room, you might want to try Ate Yayeng for some home-cooked meals delivered to you. Text her at 0926-7036108 for the current menu and it will be delivered at the gate in Dumaluan Beach Resort. Thank you Choi for this tip.

I’ll be writing about our boat trip to see the dolphins on my next post. Please leave a comment if I miss any useful information that you might know.

You might also be interested in:

• Touring Bohol Part 1: The Plan
• Touring Bohol Part 5: Panglao Tour
• Touring Bohol Part 2: Chocolate Hills Tour
• Touring Bohol Part 4: Dolphin Watching and Boat Tour

Filed under: Travel