10 Best Hostels in Moalboal: Backpacker’s Paradise in The Philippines
Looking for the best hostels in Moalboal, the Philippines?
Moalboal is a wonderful beach town on the island of Cebu that attracts laid-back and younger travelers. For this reason, many hostels in the area cater to backpackers, providing a clean but fun environment. Moalboal hostels are cheap without sacrificing quality.
I adored my trip to the town last April, enjoying the world-famous sardine run, hiking, canyoneering, and relaxing on the white sand beaches.
If you don’t make it any further in this blog, let it be known that we loved our time spent at the Pig Dive Hostel and thought they did a fantastic job organizing attractions and events. However, there are so many other wonderful hostels in Moalboal, the Philippines, and we’d like to shout out 10 of those.
Generally speaking, the town of Moalboal stems from one major street, Panagsama Road, which runs perpendicular to Panagsama Beach. The main hostels, restaurants, and bars, are located along this road from the top (the bus terminal) to the bottom (the beach).
In this guide, we will showcase the top 10 best hostels in Moalboal based on reviews, location, and more. We share the best things to do in Moalboal, an ultimate bucket list, and everything so perfect about staying on the island of Cebu.
Moalboal is a perfect city to add to your Philippines itinerary.
Happy sampling!
This guide to Moalboal contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
10 Best Hotels in Moalboal, Cebu
- Pig Dive Hostel
- Chief Mau
- Ohlala Hostel
- Eskapo Verde
- Crazy Bears Hostel
- MoHo Moalboal
- Maayong Hostel
- Ananas Guesthouse
- Dreamcatcher Hostel
- Native House Resort
(1) Pig Dive Hostel
9.7 stars on Booking.com
Average Price: $15
Panagsama Rd, Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines
Top Benefits:
- Perfect for young backpackers looking for clean dorm rooms
- Feels like a five-star hotel at a one-star price
- Great tour planning services
Pig Dive is a wonderful hostel (we stayed there and loved it!).
The complex is made up of different buildings with terraces, balconies, and spaces to sit and enjoy your breakfast and a book. The rooms and bathrooms are clean, and the staff help you plan any activities you are interested in doing in Moalboal.
We highly recommend going canyoneering in Kawasan Falls via the tour organized by Pig Dive Hostel. The guests are slightly younger, although there aren’t many planned social activities.
Pig Dive is a 20-minute walk from Panagsama Beach, higher up on Panagsama Road than a lot of the restaurants, but the hostel offers a free shuttle service to the central area.
(2) Chief Mau
9.5 stars on Hostelworld
Average Price: $17
Panagsama Beach, Moalboal, 6032 Cebu, Philippines
Top Benefits:
- Great for travelers looking for a party vibe
- Located incredibly close to the beach, in the heart of Panagsama Road
- Not as quiet as Pig Dive but has great nightlife options and social activities
Chief Mau is the hostel to go to if you are a young traveler looking for great parties and nightlife. It is located incredibly close to Panagsama Beach (only a 2-minute walk!) and the hostel itself is very lively. There are daily events and opportunities to meet fellow travelers.
The hostel has a beautiful garden area which is the site of frequent social gatherings, as well as a bar and restaurant.
Chief Mau helps organize canyoneering tours and island-hopping expeditions.
(3) Ohlala Hostel
9.2 stars on Hostelworld
Average Price: $12
Panagsama Rd, Moalboal, 6032 Cebu, Philippines
Top Benefits:
- Great Wi-Fi connection for digital nomads
- Clean rooms and bathrooms
Ohlala Hostel has both private rooms and dorm beds. It is a very clean location that is only a 5-minute walk from Panagsama Beach. While it does not have an in-house restaurant or bar, it is a quick walk to the lively Panagsama Road with plentiful bar and restaurant options.
Ohlala Hostel has great Wi-Fi, making it an awesome accommodation for remote workers and digital nomads who need to get work done while in Moalboal.
(4) Eskapo Verde
- stars on Booking.com
Average Price: $26
Santander – Barili – Toledo Rd, Barangay Bugas, Badian, 6031 Cebu, Philippines
Top Benefits:
- Located between the towns of Moalboal and Badian
- Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and big groups
- Activities included and well-organized
Eskapo Verde is located a little bit further than the town of Moalboal itself, but it is wonderful for larger groups and couples as it is made up of four separate cottages with private bathrooms.
For budget travelers, it also has dormitory rooms with communal bathrooms.
The location also has a restaurant with daily buffet meals that focus on Filipino dishes.
If you are interested in paddle boarding, sea kayaking, or exploring the mangroves, there are on-site adventures that Eskapo Verde will help organize.
(5) Crazy Bears Hostel
9.0 stars on Hostelworld
Average Price: $15
Panagsama Rd, Moalboal, 6032 Cebu, Philippines
Top Benefits:
- Perfect for young travelers looking to meet other backpackers
- Hosts frequent nightly social events
- Walking distance to Moalboal’s nightlife
Like Chief Mau, the Crazy Bears Hostel has a very young atmosphere catering to backpackers who like to meet new friends and party.
Crazy Bears is located right along Panagsama Road, very much within walking distance of Moalboal’s nightlife, restaurants, and bars.
The hostel has frequent events that let you meet fellow travelers, and they host organized trips such as canyoneering in Kawasan Falls, visiting the whale sharks in Oslob, and more.
Crazy Bears is very clean, with a natural bamboo theme and a tropical garden.
(6) MoHo Moalboal
8.9 stars on Hostelworld
Average Price: $13
Brgy, Panagsama Rd, Moalboal, 6032 Cebu, Philippines
Top Benefits:
- Free drinks daily at 8 pm
- Trivia and music quizzes on Thursday
- Wonderful fun and social vibe
MoHo Moalboal is another fun hostel right in the heart of Panagsama Road where young travelers can meet new friends. The property is newly renovated with clean dorms as well as private rooms. Every bed in the shared room has a privacy curtain surrounding it.
There are free daily drinks at 8:00 pm as well as trivia and music quizzes every Thursday. MoHo Moalboal prides itself on providing a safe environment for young backpackers who have come to the town for a fun time.
(7) Maayong Hostel
9.4 stars on Hostelworld
Average Price: $20
Panagsama beach, Moalboal, 6032 Cebu, Philippines
Top Benefits:
- Close to Panagsama Road but offering peace and quiet
- Jungle bungalow vibe
- Great breakfast included
Maayong Hostel is a quieter hostel along Panagsama Road while still giving travelers direct access to Panagsama Beach and the bars and restaurants.
It is a great option for guests who want a bit of peace and quiet during their stay, avoiding the high energy of party hostels.
The complex is comprised of 3 bungalows that have private balconies and hammocks. There are private rooms available as well as 12-bed dormitories. Maayong has a great shared lounge for relaxing after a long day.
Unlike most other hostels in the Philippines, Maayong Hostel has A/C, which runs throughout the night and is turned off between 9 am and 5 pm.
(8) Ananas Guesthouse
9.0 stars on Hostelworld
Average Price: $23
Tubli Rd, Moalboal, 6032 Cebu, Philippines
Top Benefits:
- Close to the restaurants and bars, but quiet at night
- Beautiful outdoor lounge spot for guests to enjoy
- Each room has a terrace and garden views
The last hostel on this list is Ananas Guesthouse, perfect for backpackers, couples, and big groups. Ananas has private and dorm rooms, including breakfast and a cocktail bar.
Ananas Guesthouse is close to Panagsama Road while remaining tucked away so that it stays quiet at night. The friendly staff helps arrange all types of activities in Moalboal.
The property has a beautiful lounge area with hammocks, bean bags, and sun cover.
(9) Dreamcatcher Hostel
9.4 stars on Booking.com
Average Price: $40
X929+675, Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines
Top Benefits:
- Filipino breakfast included
- Perfect for travelers who want a quieter hostel
- Beautiful complex with an in-house bar
The Dreamcatcher Hostel is a quiet and laid-back location only 4 minutes from Panagsama Beach. It is perfect for older travelers and couples who want to be close to the restaurants of Panagsama Road but not in the heart of the craziness.
The Dreamcatcher Hostel has a lovely garden, a lounge, and a bar. The rooms are clean, and the hostel provides a great Filipino breakfast in the morning, complete with eggs, toast, and fresh fruit.
(10) Native House Resort
9.1 stars on Hostelworld
Average Price: $23
Panagsama Beach, Moalboal, 6032 Cebu, Philippines
Top Benefits:
- Massive swimming pool with lounge chairs
- Further away from Panagsama Road, leading to a quieter atmosphere
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
Native House Resort is a large complex made up of both private and communal rooms with traditional Filipino design. The biggest draw of the hostel is its massive swimming pool, surrounded by loungers and hammocks.
The three types of rooms available are: private rooms with private bathrooms, private rooms with communal bathrooms, and dorm rooms with communal bathrooms. Regardless of the room type, all come with free Wi-Fi.
Native House Resort is a great place to hang out for a relaxing vacation. It is located on the Southern end of Panagsama Beach, a bit further from the busy area of Panagsama Road. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the bustling restaurants and nightlife area.
Ultimate Things to Do in Moalboal
- Grab a snorkel and do the sardine run, the most famous activity in town. It also happens to be completely free! All you have to do is swim 20 meters off the coast to snorkel with thousands of sardines.
- Get your adventure on and go canyoneering in Kawasan Falls. Get fitted with a helmet, life jacket, and some water shoes to traverse through a river via jumps, swims, and more. If you are afraid of heights, a lot of the jumps are optional and can be skipped.
- Take a boat ride to Pescador Island, a must-do for all snorkeling and diving lovers. It is only a 10-minute ride from central Moalboal. Head out early for the best chance of seeing tons of marine animals.
- Relax on Basdaku White Beach, a beautiful narrow strip of soft sand, perfect for reading a book, sun tanning, and splashing around in warm water. The 25 peso entrance fee goes towards conservation, and crowds are rarely present.
- Drive 1.5 hours south to the city of Oslob and swim with the whale sharks. Make sure to do your research – a lot of travelers have mentioned wishy-washy conservation efforts. While it is one of the most popular activities on the island of Cebu, we chose not to go for this reason.
- Hike up Osmeña Peak, a quick walk only taking 20 to 30 minutes. Plan your trip in the afternoon as fog tends to be heavy in the morning, and be rewarded with stunning views of Cebu Island.
Our Top Pick: Do the sardine run! Not only is it a free activity, but it is truly mesmerizing. If you have an underwater camera, you will want to bring it with you as you swim with thousands of fish surrounding you.
The coolest thing is that it occurs right off the coast of Panagsama Beach, and there is no fee other than a snorkel rental.
Other Destinations to Check Out in the Philippines
| Bohol | Perfect for couples, families, and jungle explorers |
| Coron | Perfect for island hopping lovers |
| El Nido | Perfect for young travelers, beach lovers, and social butterflies |
| Manila | Perfect for city dwellers and shopaholics |
Top Experiences in Moalboal
Final Thoughts
Moalboal is a beautiful city to visit in Cebu, complete with adventurous activities and beach relaxation opportunities. With lively nightlife and restaurants along Panagsama Road, there is something for everyone in this charming beach town. We hope you enjoyed this guide on the best hostels in Moalboal.
Happy sampling!