keep up the good work.. we’ll be there!
Touring Bohol Part 3: Alona or Dumaluan Beach?
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.
Part 2: Chocolate Hills Tour
Part 3: Alona or Dumaluan Beach?
Part 4: Dolphin Watching and Boat Tour
Part 5: Panglao Tour
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
Hi Calvin. your site is great! very helpful! we’re a group of 14 (including 2 young kids) going to Bohol in August – not the most ideal, I know
– do you think 4 pax will fit comfortably in the deluxe room of dumaluan beach resort? any more tips for such a big group as ours? thanks!!
hi Diana, yup I checked their website to make sure and their deluxe room can accommodate up to 4 people. I don’t know how to give a tips to a big group, you need a fleet of boats to go dolphin watching. hehehe. just kidding. maybe 2 or 3 boats lang.
you may want to contact ritchie to help you with your trip especially transportation.
thanks Calvin. I have talked to Richie, and he seems quite a nice guy. he’ll definitely be a part of our Bohol experience. again, many thanks.
Hi Calvin,
My family and I just arrived yesterday from Bohol. And I would like to share additional budget tips for those planning to go there.
1. We stayed at Dumaluan and the place is simply awesome, food is quite pricey so go to DBR Grill (Dumaluan 1) beside the resort prices are a bit lower compared to the Dumaluan 2 resto. But the ultimate budget food package came in a form of a tip from one of the vendors at Dumaluan 1, the resort doesn’t allow outside food to be eaten at the restaurant but you could actually buy food outside and eat them at your respective room.
The contact person could be reached by text, her name is Ate Yayeng (0926-7036108) she owns a carinderia/eatery outside the resort. You could text for the current menu for breakfast/lunch/dinner. So unfortunate that we got to try her out only on our last day(breakfast) before we head off to the airport.
We got to have 6 fried rice, 4 fried eggs, 2 bistiks (beef mind you) for only Php 168.00. They would also let you borrow spoon/fork/plates just need to deposit Php 100. They would text you once the order is on the main gate, you would need to fetch it there but the guards wouldn’t mind in fact they would encourage you….
2. We went to Angel’s Basket to buy some pasalubongs. They have the lowest price in terms of Bohol delicacies(peanut kisses, peanut krinkles,etc) . But if you are fond of Tarsier inspired keychains,etc. The best price we got was in the souvenir shop of the Prony Python reserve – my kids got to have them Tarsier keychains at Php 25, Angel’s price was a whopping Php 65 for the same item.
Will post some additional tips once I remember them.
Thanks Calvin for the advance info for our trip. God Bless.
calvin: thank you Choi! this is very much appreciated. that eatery with delivery will really fit those who are in a tight budget and don’t mind eating meals inside their room. You’re right Angel’s Basket was the cheapest for delicacy and it was Ritchie who brought us there. thanks again!
Hi Calvin! Just want to ask who did you call to have your reservations specifically to Dumaluan 2? Is it the number on their website? My hubby and I are planning to go there sometime September and just wanted to make sure that we will be booked on the newer resort (I read some reviews on rooms on Dumaluan 1 being not so good). Thanks!
Hi netopzz, yung tour guide yung nagcontact sa dumaluan 2 for us. sila na rin nakipag-usap and nagbook. ganun din ginawa ng iba kong friends na pumunta doon. Try mo si ritchie: 0922-439-0950 (SUN) 0919-765-4571 (SMART)
Thanks, Calvin! =)
Hi Calvin,
BTW, we visited Cebu for a day before we set out for Bohol. Its quite nice just a day tour of the city…Nice combo tour…especially for families with kids…
Have a nice Boracay trip….
calvin: oo saglit lang to Cebu from Bohol kaya pwede rin sa itinerary yun. nice!
Weee! =) Just booked a flight for our Bohol trip in September (Seat Sale, eh. Hehe). Would definitely take note of your posts here. Haven’t made reservations for the resort, though. Sana weather will be fine by that time.
Bohol, here we come!
Nice! good luck and sana nga nice weather during your trip!
really happy to find your blog. i wanted to know what time the restaurant opens in the morning. do they serve breakfast as early as 5am? thanks!
Hi Lau, yup they serve breakfast as early as 5am. don’t expect much from their breakfast though but it’s serviceable. hehe.
I got in touch nga pala with Mang Ritchie, seems like a nice guy naman. I’m kinda hesitant pa nga lang to make reservation and deposit payment this early, hehe.. Di ba he arranged everything for you? Reservation is deposit lang din or did you pay d’un na lang sa resort?
Hi Calvin, this is very helpful for us who will visit bohol for the first time. I just would like to ask if there is a resort in Dumaluan that you know where we can just rent a cottage with a room with or without an aircon where we can just stay and rent for at least 3-4 hours of time?
Hi Michelle,
I’m not sure if there’s something like that sa Dumaluan. Maybe try mo sa resort 1. Pero there are some roofed dining tables (not rooms) there for daytrippers lang where you can eat and leave your things. kelangan lang sigurong may magbabantay.