We’ve already told you about the great things to do in Moalboal: snorkeling amid a huge sardine run, diving along rich coral walls, relaxing on beaches, or marveling at the gorgeous Kawasan Falls. If you’ve decided to include this corner in your trip to the Philippines, you’re probably wondering where to stay in Moalboal.
Below, we cover the best areas to stay in Moalboal and list hotels and hostels with excellent value for money.
Best areas to stay in Moalboal
There aren’t many areas to choose from for where to stay in Moalboal, as most hotels are concentrated around Panagsama Beach.
This area is located about 4 kilometers from Moalboal’s town center and, as we mentioned in How to get to Moalboal, you can reach it easily by tricycle for about 30 pesos per person or 100 pesos for the whole tricycle.
Hotels line the coast and Panagsama Road. Everything is so close that you can walk to almost all points of interest and, if you don’t feel like walking, you can always hire a tricycle. Of course, if you’re driving, you can always rent a motorbike.
Most of the places we recommend for where to stay in Moalboal are in this area, although a couple are a little farther away. Even so, because they’re special, we suggest taking a look at them.
Best backpacker hostels and places to stay in Moalboal
Traveling through the Philippines as a backpacker and want to meet other travelers to share activities? Moalboal is one of the best places to find that backpacker vibe. In recent years several very pleasant hostels have sprung up where you can spend a few days. Want to know which are the best? Here they are.
Crazy Bears Hostel
Best hostel in town hands down! Opened in late 2019, this is one of the new additions to the Moalboal hotel scene that won’t disappoint. If you’re looking for a social vibe to meet other travelers, this is your place, as it has shared dorms (8 and 10 beds) and double rooms. Dorms have beds with their own reading light and a curtain for more privacy, plus a locker for each person. The price, around $12 per bed, includes an awesome breakfast. Super recommended!
Availability and prices for this hotel in Moalboal
© Crazy Bears
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Maayong Hostel
If you’re looking for a great backpacker atmosphere in Moalboal, one of the best places to stay is Maayong Hostel. It’s a new hostel with fantastic common areas and, above all, it’s spotless. The staff are lovely and always ready to help.
They have cute huts for 2 people and 12‑bed rooms with curtained bunks and, very importantly, lockers. The Wi‑Fi works brilliantly and you can book the canyoneering excursion to Kawasan Falls from there. Without a doubt, one of the best options for where to stay in Moalboal. Prices from $12 and a very nice café/restaurant on site.
© Maayong Hostel
Pig Dive Hostel Moalboal
If the previous one is full, another great backpacker hostel to stay in Moalboal is Pig Dive Hostel. The facilities are even more modern and the staff make the difference because they’ll help you with everything. They offer shared rooms with 4 and 6 beds and good‑value doubles equipped with air conditioning. Prices start at $10 for a bunk.
It’s true that it’s farther from the sea than the others (about a 20‑minute walk), but they have a free shuttle service until 19:00 and several good food options around the hostel.
© Pig Dive Hostel
More hostel options in Moalboal
If the ones above are full or don’t convince you, here are a couple more alternatives:
- Laguno Bed and Breakfast Hostel: note that it’s not in Panagsama but in Moalboal town itself, on the main road. Even so, its homely vibe and dorm beds for $5 a night make the difference. If you want a cheap hostel in Moalboal, this is your option. Book from this link.
- Cheri Backpackers Hostel: roughly the same location as Pig Dive, but with more modest facilities and no shuttle. Still, beds here cost $6. They also have affordable double rooms. Check prices and dates here.
Best budget hotels to stay in Moalboal
If you need a private room but don’t want to spend much, Moalboal also has hostels and small hotels that offer quality accommodation. Here we’re going to recommend places between $15 and $30 per night, which is what a decent place in Moalboal usually costs.
D´Gecko Hotel
This recent addition to the list of places to stay in Moalboal will win you over. It’s a small, brand‑new hotel, modern, clean, with incredibly friendly staff who will help with everything. The simplest double rooms cost about $28, but there are deluxe and family rooms that are a bit more expensive.
More info about D´Gecko Hotel here
© D´Gecko Hotel
Babu Backpackers Inn
Rooms without much fuss, but clean and, above all, budget‑friendly. From $15 per night for two people with air conditioning (some with shared bathroom) and a small pool to cool off in after a day exploring Moalboal. It’s a very family‑run place where you’ll quickly feel at home. If you’re traveling solo, they also have dorms that didn’t look bad at all when we visited. Take a look — check the photo to see if they’re your style.
© Babu Backpackers inn
Babas Guesthouse
If location isn’t such a big deal for you because you feel like walking (it’s about 20 minutes from where all the action is) or you’ll rent motorbikes, this is, for us, one of the best cheap options to stay in Moalboal. You get spacious, modern rooms with private bathroom, air conditioning, hot water, a kettle and a fridge from $20 per night. If you’re traveling as a group or family, they also have quadruple rooms for a bit more. The place is super quiet and they rent motorbikes for 350 pesos, a pretty standard price.
© Babas Guesthouse Moalboal
More budget stays in Moalboal
Here are some more ideas to check out:
- Dolce Vita Resort: if you find a room here, don’t hesitate! For under $30 in this location and with a pool, it’s a real bargain. See if you get lucky at this link.
- RNA Guesthouse: located in town (i.e., not in Panagsama), this is a place in Moalboal that’s around $20 for a double with private bathroom and air conditioning. They rent motorbikes at a good price. Take a look here.
- Garden Village Resort: very close to the previous one, in Moalboal Town, and if you’re willing to sacrifice location to have a clean, comfortable room and a hotel with a pool, this is a solid choice. From just $22 per night for a double. Book now from this link.
Mid‑range hotels to stay in Moalboal
Now we’re talking about places in Moalboal between $30 and $60, amounts with which you can get slightly better facilities and locations. Here are some recommendations based on our experience and on feedback travelers have given us over the last few years.
Beyond Island
Opened in 2019, this is the small hotel where we spent a week during our last visit to Moalboal. Located in the heart of Moalboal, close to all the restaurants and snorkeling spots but away from the “buzz,” it’s owned by a lovely Italian‑Filipino couple.
Rooms are simple but spotless. Some are larger than others or have a small terrace, but all have air conditioning and hot water. Breakfast (sometimes included) is served in a very pleasant common area, where you have a tank to refill your bottle and tea or coffee available all day. They also rent motorbikes at a good price and help with excursions in the area. You can’t ask for much more! You can read our impressions in Sleeping at Beyond Island, Moalboal, but if you’re after price, figure around $30–35 depending on the season.
Herbs Guest House
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, this guesthouse in Moalboal is a great option. It’s true that it’s away from the restaurant area, but the friendliness and good vibes are what win every traveler over. There’s also a great on‑site restaurant with homemade food—ideal if you don’t want to go out at night.
Rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the price (from $43) includes an excellent breakfast. Best of all: there’s a fabulous snorkeling spot right in front of the hotel.
© Herbs Guest House
Tongo Hill Cottages
Dreaming of your own little bamboo hut? These bungalows are super cute and Instagrammable. They have an open‑air bathroom so you can shower under the stars! They’re on a hill just 5 minutes by tricycle from all the Panagsama buzz and they rent motorbikes, too. The owners, Charlie and Caroline, are dive instructors, so they can help you organize your dives and other excursions in the area. The room price (around $55) includes to‑die‑for breakfasts. Seriously—highly recommended!
Discover Tongo Hill’s little cabins here
©Tongo Hill Cottages
Sunset Paradise Moalboal
If you don’t want much fuss but are looking for a hotel in Moalboal around $30—clean, with comfy beds, modern, and well located—we highly recommend Sunset Paradise Moalboal. It’s literally a 5‑minute walk from the sea and is impeccable. You can choose between double rooms with or without private bathroom, but all have air conditioning. Although breakfast isn’t offered, you get a 10% discount at the adjacent restaurant.
© Sunset Paradise Moalboal
More mid‑range stays in Moalboal
If the above are full or not your style, we recommend considering the following places:
- Tauig Beach Resort: for about $40 you can sleep in a spacious cabin by the sea (great snorkeling area) with absolutely everything you need. It’s 20 minutes from all the buzz, but the value for money really is excellent. Book here.
- Bernis Hostel: modern rooms with everything (air conditioning, fridge, TV, kettle, etc.), right in Panagsama and with a pool. Around $43, but you can check prices from this link.
- Palmera Palma Garden Level: if you’re looking for a place “with soul,” where you feel at home, choose this one. Rowena is a sweetheart and will make you feel wonderful, providing everything you need during your stay in Moalboal, including excursions and motorbike rental. From $45 per night. You can book here.
Best resorts to stay in Moalboal
If you don’t mind paying a little more, your money will go a long way and you’ll be able to choose from the following resorts in Moalboal.
Sedona Resort
Right in the “heart” of Panagsama and with a pool, for us this is one of the best resorts in Moalboal if you’re after something a bit nicer with a boho aesthetic. Rooms are spacious and come with air conditioning, a kettle, a work desk, and a cute little balcony. From $70 per night and they offer transfer service to the beach in case you don’t feel like walking.
© Sedona Resort Moalboal
Quo Vadis Dive Resort
The resort’s dive shop is one of the best in Moalboal, so if you’re looking for a good place to stay with diving professionals, we recommend it! Set by the sea, with a lovely pool and a restaurant with views, the hotel has modest rooms and slightly more refined bungalows. Prices start at $55 per night.
© Quo Vadis Resort
Other resorts in Moalboal you might like
Here are other alternatives that we think will interest you if you want resort‑style hotels in Moalboal:
- Secret paradise Moalboal: almost on the seafront and possibly with the nicest pool in the area. It’s no wonder travelers give it over 9 on Booking.
- Treeshade Resort & Spa Moalboal: one of the newest places to stay in Moalboal, with a huge pool, huge rooms and beautiful décor. From $100 for a double and ideal if you’re traveling as a couple or with family. Take a look here.
Moalboal hotel map
Here you’ll find the location of all these places to stay in Moalboal:
Traveling to Moalboal soon? Take a look at our Moalboal Guide.
