where to stay in apo island

There are only a handful of resorts and homestays in Apo Island. To be exact, there are 2 resorts and 3 homestays as of February 2015. So if you are visiting during the peak season, especially weekends, you need to book your accommodation in advance. Good thing is the number of homestays are increasing due to the number of tourists flocking to the island.
Please like our Facebook Page:
Picture
Noontime sky in Apo Island

resort #1: apo island beach resort

This beach resort is the most expensive in the island and secluded with their own private docking space seemingly unaccessible to other travellers not checked in their resort. The resort is separated from the main portion of Apo Island by a large boulder of rock. Usually, a private chauffeur will pick you up from the resort and you'll have your own boat on standby in Malatapay port to bring you to the island. If you are looking for a more comfortable and more upscale resort-type of service, then this would be the best option for you. As of early 2015, they have a total of 9 cottages for their guests. The rates for the private rooms range from P2,700 to P3,400 per room good for 2 pax. If you don't mind sharing the room with others, their dormitories cost P800 per person per night. To check their updated room rates, you can visit their website at http://www.apoislandresort.com.

You may also contact the resort through here:
Landline #1: +63 (35) 226 3716
Landline #2: +63 (35) 422 9820
Smart Mobile: +63 (939) 915 5122
Globe Mobile: +63 (917) 701 7150

resort #2: Liberty's Lodge

Picture
View from the restaurant
Liberty's Lodge is a budget resort and usually caters to backpackers and budget travellers. If you would not opt to spend the night in homestays but still on a tight budget, then this would be the best option for you. The best thing about Liberty's Lodge is that they have their own restaurant so you don't need to go too far to get something to eat. The restaurant has a nice view of the sea and the sunset. Food is a bit expensive but there are no other restaurants in the area so I guess there's no choice. Their shakes (at least the ones I've tried -- mango and papaya) are very delicious and cost only P100 per tall glass, which is very much worth the value. The resort is also at the beach front so it's very accessible. 

You can check their rates in their website. The website also details their scuba diving packages for those interested. For more updated photos of their rooms, you can visit their Facebook page. If money is no issue, most recommended are their seaview rooms.

The resort also has their own boats to bring their guests to and fro Malatapay port, the gateway to the island. The boat also do accommodate visitors to the island who are not checked-in their lodge. The boat can carry more than 10 pax per trip for a very reasonable price of P300 per person per way. 

You can contact the resort through their mobile number: 
0920-238-5704

Homestay #1: Mario's homestay

Since we are travelling on a really tight budget, Kuya Mario was our first option. Unfortunately, his rooms were fully booked at that time and he recommended us to contact another homestay owner, Ate Mary. Aside from budget, we chose Kuya Mario's homestay as it had very good reviews in Tripadvisor, plus the rooms look very decent and very clean from the photos I've seen online and he seems to be very helpful and accommodating. Without having to ask for another contact person, he immediately gave us another person to contact since we were going on a busy weekend.

Here are the rates we've got from him (as of February 2015):
  • Big Room (for 2) - P1,000 per night
  • Medium Room (for 2) - P800 per night
  • Small Room (for 2) - P500 per night
  • Dormitory: P300 per person per night

Kuya Mario also has a website for his homestay and scuba diving services. For those who would like to book a room in Mario's Homestay, this is his contact number: 0906-361-7254.

homestay #2: mary's homestay

This was the homestay recommended to us by Kuya Mario. Unfortunately, I was unable to contact her so I opted to look for another homestay. I was also unable to visit her house when I went there so I don't have any photos of the homestay. Here is Ate Mary's number, instead: 0906-823-4932. She charges P500 per room per night, good for 2 pax (as of Feb 2015).

homestay #3: ronor's lodging

This is where we stayed during our one night in Apo Island. The owner's name is Ate Nor. She's an all-around attendant in her homestay together with her daughter. She's also very accommodating (I guess everyone in the island is) and would assist you with anything you need. Here is my full review of Ate Nor's lodging and some tips to make your stay comfortable --> Ronor's Lodging: A Homestay Review.

Her rooms are priced at P500 per room (as of Feb 2015), good for 2 pax with free breakfast of egg and rice and a cup of instant coffee. I guess the breakfast is not standard and would depend on what's available in her kitchen. 

Bathrooms are shared per floor. One the second floor, where our room was, there were 2 bathrooms/toilet.

Here is her contact number, in case you would like to stay at Ronor's Lodging: 0915-775-2422
Picture
This is our room at Ate Nor's. Sorry for the messy bed. :) I forgot to take a photo before I unpacked.
Picture
Outside Ate Nor's lodging.

destinations near Apo island

  • Apo Island Lighthouse
  • Oslob Whale Watching
  • Sumilon Island
  • Manjuyod Sandbar
  • Bais Dolphin Watching

If you are planning to visit other places near Apo Island or around Dumaguete, please check out my suggested itinerary of Oslob-Bais-Apo Island in 6 days.
If you have any comments or questions, feel free to post them here: