First impressions of Philippines Island Life

There are over 7,000 islands in the Philippines, so you're technically always on an island, but our current island, Panglao, is small enough to really feel it. We're coming here after spending a month in Manila, specifically BGC, which is the most developed and expensive district in the Philippines. It's definitely an interesting contrast to experience, although even within Manila, contrast is evident.

Panglao is smaller, slower, and depending on which part of the island you're in, quieter. But it's also one of the most popular islands for tourists. Is that a bad thing? I'd say it's a mixed thing. We're about a 10-min scooter ride from the most popular beach, Alona. That puts us in a nice goldilocks zone. Crowded areas can be tiring, but with tourism comes infrastructure, so we're nearby very nice stores, attractions, and cafes; Endless Summer Bakery & Coffee has surprisingly fast wifi (near 300mbps download and upload). We also went to a cool acrobatic show (Bohol Ocean Fantasy). Still, we're also far enough from the action to experience local sides of the island, including walking distance from Panglao Public Market (best on Sundays).

Bang for buck, we're enjoying island life. For me as a digital nomad in particular, the cost vs. the experience gained is a major consideration. BGC was a really interesting and valuable experience, but the cost was high, so a shorter stay or staying in a less costly area may be advisable. But here there are all the resources to live very affordably. That said, we did book our first month through Airbnb, which we've learned is significantly more expensive than had we explored options on the ground, but it is a very comfortable stay for $568. Meals typically range from $2-7, and our one-month bike rental from "Alona's Minimart and Motorbike rental" cost us $70 (highly recommend).

Overall loving our stay here, and although we may move to another flat, or another island, we're highly considering extending island life here in the Philippines. It’s very underrated and I strongly suggest visiting.

Wishing you well,

Naser