So to break it down its P1,900 (about 40 USD) for 4 days and 3 nights stay at Dormitel station 1, booked via agoda.com. There are other budget hotels you can find just ask the locals, or check out other deals in Agoda. Many can be found around Station 2-3 and beyond. Tree house is an example of a budget hotel in Station 3.
You can also find
inexpensive monthly accommodations ranging from P5,000 upwards. Pricing for
monthly rentals will be vastly cheaper than regular daily rates. The cheapest I
found is 5000 a month in Bulabog beach which is about 15 minutes walk from
station 2.
If you really want to
go all out to save as much dough as possible? You can easily find dormitory type
rooms or bed space which charge about 2000 to 3000 per person a month, air
conditioned, free Wi-Fi, electricity and water.
Your best bet at least
in off-season is to book 1 to 2 nights just to be safe, then start looking for cheap
accommodations. In general it is easier to get the best prices when you're
there in person, as not all rooms or hotels have an online presence.
Though a little risky
in peak season, what you can do is contact a hotel or inn, ask them if they
have rooms available and if they do? Say thanks and put the phone down. You can
just go to the island without a place to stay yet, and start looking for a
place to crash ASAP. That way if you are unable to find a place? You’ll still
have emergency accommodations atleast for that night. But in off peak season,
its really not that hard to find a room.
These cheap hotel rooms
are clean and reasonably well kept, but they don't have the extra amenities such as swimming pools,
Jacuzzis etc. which blows up the rates. Being close to the sea also tends to
make the rates higher.
As was said in the
video, especially for non-tagalog speakers the meals don't have to be expensive
at all. There are typical eateries or carenderias that charge about P75 or $1.5
USD, for a full meal including 12 oz soda.
For transportation,
you’ll pay on average P20 per person (Tricycles or electric Tuktuks), to get
around the island. If you want to have the vehicle all for yourself? It’s P100
or $2 USD.
