Modala Beach Resort: Sustainable Resort in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines

Looking for the best beachfront resort in Bohol? From the best places to eat, things to see and do – I got you covered with this blog post featuring Modala Beach Resort!

Since the beginning of this pandemic, I spent majority of my time in our home including the hours I would normally spend in the office. I’m really thankful that I don’t have to commute daily to get to work and risk exposure to COVID-19. However, that doesn’t mean my situation hasn’t come with struggles. I needed to get a change of scenery and to escape to a place where I can work remotely, even for just a short time.

I have been to the usual touristy places in Panglao, Bohol. So this time, I wanted a place away from most people but still get a chance to hang out with my freediving buddies. A quick Google search led me to Modala Beach Resort, the newest tropical escape in the island.

About Modala Beach Resort

Modala Beach Resort is located in the northwest tip of Panglao, Bohol. I learned that the resort just opened in 2020, making it the newest resort in the island. Aside from the resort, this development has its own mall, called Moadto Strip Mall, and a leisure village, called Tumoy Leisure Village. The whole property is vast but it felt like a secluded private world of its own that brought me closer to nature. 

Hayahay Room – My Home Away From Home

Hayahay Room, my home away from home, is one of the ocean-view rooms in Modala Beach Resort. The island-inspired room is beautifully appointed with big sliding glass doors that provide a lot of natural light. I love the bathroom, which is super spacious but cozy. It has a bathtub, which is one of my absolute favorite features of the room. I also love the veranda where I worked during the early morning and late evening. It has an ocean view, pool view and a koi pond right outside. What more could I ask for?

At Modala Beach Resort, you can have your free breakfast at the in-house restaurant or have it delivered in your room instead. Because I got this amazing view in my private veranda, I asked them to set up the breakfast table here.  

Top 5 things to do while staying in Modala Beach Resort

Modala Beach Resort sprawls over Barangay Doljo so it’s away from touristy areas but still close enough to the island’s beautiful attractions. The resort offers plenty of activities, including scuba diving, dolphin watching, horseback riding, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), fishing, kayaking, and many more. These were some of the activities I did while I was staying in the resort.

Island-Hopping in Balicasag Island and Virgin Island

Bohol is known for its dolphin-watching and island-hopping tours. I’ve done these tours many years ago, but I decided to join my freediving buddies with their arranged tour as well.

Our island-hopping started early in the morning so we could watch the dolphins play in the ocean. The dolphins appeared several times. I wasn’t able to take photos, though. Our next stop was Balicasag Island, where our group spent most of the morning freediving. Afterwards, we went to Virgin Island for a quick snack.

Kayaking in Tumoy Leisure Village

I enjoy kayaking through mangroves, so when I learned that Modala Beach Resort has its own mangrove forest, I had to see it. One of the guides from the resort took me on a 2-hour mangrove tour exploring Tumoy Leisure Village. I think it’s supposed to be a 1-hour only but since I had a few stops, it took longer. Lol! I got a bird-eye-view of the mangrove forest and surrounding areas through my drone. The view was absolutely breathtaking! I recommend this activity to anyone who loves nature and adventure.

Sunset Watching in Doljo Beach and Tumoy Leisure Village

One of the staff told me that Tumoy Leisure Village offers the best sunset view. I wasn’t really expecting anything because I’ve been to a lot of places with beautiful sunsets. But oh boy! I found myself at the very tip of the island with one of the best sunset views I have ever seen!

Here’s a quick tip if you’re looking for the best place to ask someone to spend the rest of their life with you. Book your stay in Modala Beach Resort and get in touch with the reception. Request for a romantic set up at Tumoy Leisure Village. I guarantee that you will get that “yes” you’re after.

Bohol Land Tours

If this is your first time in Bohol, then I recommend going on a day tour to its most popular tourist spots. Most tours in the island offer visit to the Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, Tarsier Sanctuary, Baclayon Church, Hinagdanan Cave, Bohol Bee Farm, etc. I enjoyed Loboc River when I first visited Bohol so I decided to go back so I could admire it with my own eyes and through my drone.

Modala Beach Resort provides access to the best destinations in Bohol. However, one of the true joys I found in this resort is by simply lounging by the beach and pool. There are plenty of day beds or sun loungers where you can just enjoy the view while sipping some fruit juices and cocktails. 

Where to eat while staying in Modala Beach Resort

The resort has an in-house restaurant, called Mangaon Ta Bar and Al Fresco Restaurant, where local, Asian and International flavors are served all day long. Think a breakfast buffet (choice of Continental, Filipino, American or Wellness), and later, flavorful seafood mixed grill and slow cooked US beef shortplate. I loved everything I tried on their menu. My only problem was there’s not enough mealtimes to try out all the dishes on the menu! 

During my short stay, I also got to explore various food options in Moadto Strip Mall, which is the first ever open air mall built right in front of the longest shoreline in Panglao, Bohol.

I went to Imperial Dragon Chinese Restaurant and ordered deep-fried squid with salted egg, pan-fried bean curd with shrimp, steamed siomai and deep-fried coconut milk toast. I wasn’t able to try their other dishes but the ones I got didn’t disappoint.

At Onami Japanese Restaurant, I tried their Tantanmen, which is really good! It has springy noodles, nutty sesame broth and spicy pork mince. It would have been perfect with an Ajitsuke Tamago (soy egg). I also ordered a plate of Salmon Sashimi, which is fresh and delicious! If you are in Panglao and you are craving for some Japanese food, this is where you should go.

Is Modala Beach Resort Digital Nomad friendly?

My trip to Bohol was a combination of work and play. I needed a place where I can work-from-the-beach (WFB) and enjoy activities. Thankfully, Modala Beach Resort offers enticing leisure facilities, lots of outdoor spaces, and of course, high-speed WIFI. One of my favorite hangout spots was the Promenade Deck at the top foor of the resort. This is where I spent an hour or two working while waiting for the the sun to set.

How Sustainable is Modala Beach Resort?

Modala Beach Resort continues to raise the bar when it comes to sustainability. One of their major milestones was the launch of their very own Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), which was officially turned over to the resort on May 12, 2022. Located on an island where freshwater is a precious resource, this move highlights the resort’s commitment to responsible water management.

By investing in water conservation practices like the STP, Modala not only secures a more sustainable water supply for the resort itself but also helps support nearby communities who share the island’s limited resources.

In addition, the resort has embraced other eco-friendly initiatives. They’ve invested in ECOBOT to automatically convert organic food and garden waste into soil enricher. Plastic use has been cut down as well. Glass bottles have replaced single-use plastics, and guests receive eco-friendly hygiene kits along with refillable toiletries in the bathrooms.

Note: Sustainability updates and initiatives mentioned above were referenced from the One Planet Network official documentation on Modala Beach Resort.

Overall Experience

Modala Beach Resort is hands down the best resort I’ve ever stayed at in Bohol. It has everything you need for a comfortable and relaxing stay. But the best part for me? Definitely the exceptional customer service. I was traveling solo, but I never once felt alone. From the reception and restaurant staff to the team by the pool, everyone made me feel genuinely welcomed and valued as a guest.

Modala Beach Resort
Address: Tumoy Leisure Village 888 Purok 5 Barangay Doljo, Panglao, Bohol
Contact Number:+63 38 4110808 or +63 919 082 3622