Introduction: A New Luxury Destination Is Rising in the Philippines
Bohol and Panglao may be famous for their white beaches and diving, but a growing number of European-style delicatessen and gourmet shops are now serving the island’s expat community, long-term visitors, and luxury travelers.
If you’re staying in a Villa in Panglao or Villa in Bohol, you don’t need to settle for supermarket cheese or processed ham — there are now several places where you can find authentic French baguettes, Italian cold cuts, Spanish Manchego, and good wine to enjoy from the comfort of your villa terrace.
Here’s the 2025 updated list of the best delicatessen and gourmet shops in Bohol and Panglao, handpicked for villa guests who appreciate quality, freshness, and imported flavors.
For more than a decade, Bali has dominated conversations around luxury travel in Southeast Asia. But in recent years, another island has quietly been gaining the attention of discerning travelers, honeymooners, digital nomads, and property investors: Bohol.
Located in the heart of the Philippines, Bohol offers:
• untouched white-sand beaches
• diverse marine lifedramatic landscapes
• sustainable, design-forward private villas
• a calmer, more exclusive version of luxury island living
Unlike Bali — where tourism saturation has impacted the atmosphere, beaches, and traffic — Bohol delivers something rare today: authentic tropical luxury without the crowds.
This is why high-end travelers are calling Bohol “the new Bali.”
If you’re staying in a Villa in Panglao or Villa in Bohol, you don’t need to settle for supermarket cheese or processed ham — there are now several places where you can find authentic French baguettes, Italian cold cuts, Spanish Manchego, and good wine to enjoy from the comfort of your villa terrace.
Here’s the 2025 updated list of the best delicatessen and gourmet shops in Bohol and Panglao, handpicked for villa guests who appreciate quality, freshness, and imported flavors.
For more than a decade, Bali has dominated conversations around luxury travel in Southeast Asia. But in recent years, another island has quietly been gaining the attention of discerning travelers, honeymooners, digital nomads, and property investors: Bohol.
Located in the heart of the Philippines, Bohol offers:
• untouched white-sand beaches
• diverse marine lifedramatic landscapes
• sustainable, design-forward private villas
• a calmer, more exclusive version of luxury island living
Unlike Bali — where tourism saturation has impacted the atmosphere, beaches, and traffic — Bohol delivers something rare today: authentic tropical luxury without the crowds.
This is why high-end travelers are calling Bohol “the new Bali.”
Beaches That Rival Bali — Without the Crowds
Bohol’s coastline is incredibly diverse, from postcard-perfect white sands to untouched hidden coves. But what makes it special is crowd density: even peak season feels peaceful compared to Bali’s packed beaches.
Top beaches in Panglao & Bohol for luxury travelers:
• Alona Beach – Vibrant but still relaxed
Think of Bali’s Seminyak, but cleaner, calmer, and far less commercialized. Fine dining restaurants, beach bars, and boutique hotels line the shore without overwhelming it.
• Doljo Beach – Tranquility and privacy
The “luxury strip” of Panglao, known for high-end resorts and private villas. It offers wide stretches of sand, clear waters, and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for couples and families.
• Danao Beach – Scenic, quiet, and ideal for snorkeling
A serene alternative to Alona with dramatic sunsets and excellent access to water activities.
• Anda – Bohol’s hidden gem
If Bali had Uluwatu before development — that’s Anda today. White sand, limestone cliffs, turquoise gradients, and zero crowds.
Top beaches in Panglao & Bohol for luxury travelers:
• Alona Beach – Vibrant but still relaxed
Think of Bali’s Seminyak, but cleaner, calmer, and far less commercialized. Fine dining restaurants, beach bars, and boutique hotels line the shore without overwhelming it.
• Doljo Beach – Tranquility and privacy
The “luxury strip” of Panglao, known for high-end resorts and private villas. It offers wide stretches of sand, clear waters, and a peaceful atmosphere perfect for couples and families.
• Danao Beach – Scenic, quiet, and ideal for snorkeling
A serene alternative to Alona with dramatic sunsets and excellent access to water activities.
• Anda – Bohol’s hidden gem
If Bali had Uluwatu before development — that’s Anda today. White sand, limestone cliffs, turquoise gradients, and zero crowds.
World-Class Marine Life & Diving — Better Than Many Bali Spots
Bohol is home to some of the richest marine ecosystems in Asia.
Bohol offers:
• Turtles everywhere
• Pristine coral walls
• Large schools of fish
• Regular dolphin sightings
• World-class dive sites (many better preserved than Bali’s)
Top dive & snorkel spots near Panglao:
• Balicasag Island — one of the best dive sites in the Philippines
• Pamilacan Island — dolphins & marine sanctuary
• Napaling Reef — Sardine Run experience
• Virgin Island reef — ultra-clear snorkel waters
Compared to Bali:
• Bohol has less coral damage
• Fewer boats
• Greater wildlife density
• More consistent visibility
This positions Bohol as a marine paradise for luxury travelers wanting premium underwater experiences.
Bohol offers:
• Turtles everywhere
• Pristine coral walls
• Large schools of fish
• Regular dolphin sightings
• World-class dive sites (many better preserved than Bali’s)
Top dive & snorkel spots near Panglao:
• Balicasag Island — one of the best dive sites in the Philippines
• Pamilacan Island — dolphins & marine sanctuary
• Napaling Reef — Sardine Run experience
• Virgin Island reef — ultra-clear snorkel waters
Compared to Bali:
• Bohol has less coral damage
• Fewer boats
• Greater wildlife density
• More consistent visibility
This positions Bohol as a marine paradise for luxury travelers wanting premium underwater experiences.
Sustainable Luxury Villas: The Future of Travel
The biggest shift in luxury tourism is the rise of private villas and eco-luxury experiences.
Bohol is leading this movement.
Why Bohol’s villas feel more “exclusive” than Bali’s:
• Modern tropical architecture
• Large private pools
• High privacy
• Off-grid living (solar + rainwater)
• Personalized service
• Quiet surroundings
• Direct connection to nature
Compared to Bali — where “villa neighborhoods” can feel dense — Bohol villas often sit on spacious lots surrounded by greenery, coconut trees, and sea views.
Villa Tawala – Luxury pool villa in Panglao
Villa Sima– Modern tropical villa with off-grid sustainability
These properties perfectly match the global trend of eco-conscious luxury.
Bohol is leading this movement.
Why Bohol’s villas feel more “exclusive” than Bali’s:
• Modern tropical architecture
• Large private pools
• High privacy
• Off-grid living (solar + rainwater)
• Personalized service
• Quiet surroundings
• Direct connection to nature
Compared to Bali — where “villa neighborhoods” can feel dense — Bohol villas often sit on spacious lots surrounded by greenery, coconut trees, and sea views.
Villa Tawala – Luxury pool villa in Panglao
Villa Sima– Modern tropical villa with off-grid sustainability
These properties perfectly match the global trend of eco-conscious luxury.
A More Exclusive Atmosphere — Without Mass Tourism Pressure
Bali welcomes more than 6 million tourists a year.
Bohol: under 1 million.
This difference transforms the whole experience:
Bali today:
• Traffic congestion
• Crowded beaches
• Very commercialized
• Noise and nightlife intensity
Bohol today:
• Quieter, calmer roads
• Cleaner beaches
• More genuine local culture
• Less chaotic tourism footprint
• A relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere
Luxury travelers today want privacy, space, and authenticity, and Bohol delivers this effortlessly.
Bohol: under 1 million.
This difference transforms the whole experience:
Bali today:
• Traffic congestion
• Crowded beaches
• Very commercialized
• Noise and nightlife intensity
Bohol today:
• Quieter, calmer roads
• Cleaner beaches
• More genuine local culture
• Less chaotic tourism footprint
• A relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere
Luxury travelers today want privacy, space, and authenticity, and Bohol delivers this effortlessly.
Culinary Experiences Growing Rapidly
Bohol’s dining scene has evolved dramatically.
Luxury travelers enjoy:
• Farm-to-table restaurants
• High-quality seafood
• Trendy coffee shops
• Beachfront fine dining
• Chef-driven tasting menus
• Vegan & health-conscious options
The food scene is less saturated than Bali’s, but it is growing fast — and increasingly influenced by international chefs.
Luxury travelers enjoy:
• Farm-to-table restaurants
• High-quality seafood
• Trendy coffee shops
• Beachfront fine dining
• Chef-driven tasting menus
• Vegan & health-conscious options
The food scene is less saturated than Bali’s, but it is growing fast — and increasingly influenced by international chefs.
Adventure & Culture — A More Balanced Experience
Luxury travelers often want:
• Nature
• Culture
• Adventure
• Relaxation
…in one destination.
Bohol delivers all of these without the “tourist fatigue” sometimes felt in Bali.
Signature Bohol experiences include:
• Chocolate Hills
• Loboc River
• Tarsier Sanctuaries
• Waterfalls & caves
• Island hopping
• Dolphin watching
• Pristine mangroves
• Ziplining & eco-adventures
This balance of culture, adventure, and relaxation feels more “authentic” than Bali’s busier tourist circuits.
• Nature
• Culture
• Adventure
• Relaxation
…in one destination.
Bohol delivers all of these without the “tourist fatigue” sometimes felt in Bali.
Signature Bohol experiences include:
• Chocolate Hills
• Loboc River
• Tarsier Sanctuaries
• Waterfalls & caves
• Island hopping
• Dolphin watching
• Pristine mangroves
• Ziplining & eco-adventures
This balance of culture, adventure, and relaxation feels more “authentic” than Bali’s busier tourist circuits.
Safety, Cleanliness & Hospitality
Bohol is consistently praised for:
• Clean streets and beaches
• Safe environment for families and couples
• Warm Filipino hospitality ("the friendliest people in Asia")
• Strong tourism management compared to other Philippine islands
The experience feels warm, personal, and genuine, similar to Bali in its early years.
• Clean streets and beaches
• Safe environment for families and couples
• Warm Filipino hospitality ("the friendliest people in Asia")
• Strong tourism management compared to other Philippine islands
The experience feels warm, personal, and genuine, similar to Bali in its early years.
Luxury Without the Overpriced Premium
In Bali, villa rates in Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu have surged dramatically.
Bohol offers equal or higher luxury at a more attractive value.
Price comparison (average):
• Bali luxury villa: ₱18,000–₱35,000 per night
• Bohol private villa: ₱12,000–₱25,000 per night
Travelers get:
• More privacy
• Larger spaces
• Newer architecture
• Better connection to nature
This is why Bohol is gaining traction with:
• European couples
• Digital nomads
• Families
• Divers
• Luxury Indonesian travelers (!)
Bohol offers equal or higher luxury at a more attractive value.
Price comparison (average):
• Bali luxury villa: ₱18,000–₱35,000 per night
• Bohol private villa: ₱12,000–₱25,000 per night
Travelers get:
• More privacy
• Larger spaces
• Newer architecture
• Better connection to nature
This is why Bohol is gaining traction with:
• European couples
• Digital nomads
• Families
• Divers
• Luxury Indonesian travelers (!)
Sustainable Off-Grid Living — Bohol Leads the Trend
One of Bohol’s strongest advantages is the rise of eco-conscious resorts and villas.
Villas Tawala and Sima are a perfect example:
• Solar powered
• Rainwater filtration
• Smart systems
• Modern tropical design
• Reduced environmental footprint
Luxury travelers increasingly look for positive impact experiences, and Bohol’s sustainable accommodations give it a major competitive edge.
Villas Tawala and Sima are a perfect example:
• Solar powered
• Rainwater filtration
• Smart systems
• Modern tropical design
• Reduced environmental footprint
Luxury travelers increasingly look for positive impact experiences, and Bohol’s sustainable accommodations give it a major competitive edge.
Perfect for Private Celebrations & Long Stays
Compared to Bali’s dense villa clusters, Bohol’s luxury accommodations offer more space — perfect for:
• Honeymoons
• Destination birthdays
• Small weddings
• ntimate celebrations
• Remote work retreats
• Long-term stays
The “live in tropical luxury” feeling is much stronger in Bohol.
• Honeymoons
• Destination birthdays
• Small weddings
• ntimate celebrations
• Remote work retreats
• Long-term stays
The “live in tropical luxury” feeling is much stronger in Bohol.
Conclusion: Bohol Is Not “The Next Bali” — It Is the Future of Luxury Travel
Bohol isn’t trying to copy Bali — it is redefining luxury travel in its own way.
With:
• uncrowded beaches
• world-class diving
• sustainable villas
• warm hospitality
• emerging culinary and cultural experiences
…it offers something rare: authentic, modern, nature-connected luxury.
For travelers looking for beauty, privacy, and peace — Bohol is the new Bali.
With:
• uncrowded beaches
• world-class diving
• sustainable villas
• warm hospitality
• emerging culinary and cultural experiences
…it offers something rare: authentic, modern, nature-connected luxury.
For travelers looking for beauty, privacy, and peace — Bohol is the new Bali.