Situated along the main road leading into Moalboal's Panagsama Village, Babu Backpackers Inn offers an affordable accommodation option for budget-conscious travelers. While it provides a convenient base for exploring local attractions and activities, it comes with its fair share of quirks that may not suit all preferences. Here’s an account of our 10-night stay, booked well in advance to coincide with our plans to complete both Open Water and Advanced Open Water PADI certifications.
Booking and Room Details
We reserved a private double room with free Wi-Fi through Agoda for a total of 195.88 CAD, roughly five months in advance. Upon arrival, our first impression of the room was underwhelming. The space measured approximately 2x3 meters, with a double bed flush against the wall. The room featured no furnishings except a side table and shared bathroom facilities on the first floor. However, the most concerning aspect was the poorly hung door, which left large gaps around the edges, secured only by a sliding latch and padlock for when we were away. These gaps allowed ants, beetles, lizards and even a mouse to enter.
On discovering the mouse late at night, we approached the front desk. The attendant was apologetic and promptly moved us to another private room. This room, thankfully, had an appropriately fitted door with a proper lock, an en-suite bathroom, and an overall improvement in comfort. Despite being closer to the road and noisier, the provided free earplugs helped mitigate the issue for lighter sleepers like Jess, while I managed fine without them.
Unfortunately we didn't take any photos inside our first room but below are a couple shots of the hallways as well as the exterior of the door.
Wi-Fi Performance
Wi-Fi was included and worked reliably, though speed varied significantly depending on the time of day. Late at night, speeds reached 63 Mbps download and 69 Mbps upload, but during peak hours, they dropped to 19.9 Mbps download and 13.1 Mbps upload when checked through an app. When downloading content from our personal server back in Canada, real-world speeds hovered around 200-300 kbps, with occasional interruptions.
If your intention is to access Instagram or YouTube, you should have no issues.
Atmosphere and Location
The inn is well-located for exploring Panagsama Beach and nearby eateries. Our first room, set further back from the road, was quieter but came with the aforementioned issues. The second room, located closer to the main road, brought more noise from passing traffic and crowing roosters but compensated with better amenities. Traffic noise diminished significantly after midnight.
Facilities and Maintenance
The accommodation shows signs of wear and tear. Even in the improved room, mold was present, a common issue in tropical and rural locations. While this didn’t deter us, it’s worth noting that the property is in a state of disrepair, and guests should set realistic expectations when staying here. That said, this is one of the cheapest options in the area, which reflects its condition. For context, our nightly rate was approximately 17.53 CAD (around 725 PHP).
The shared bathrooms, however, were particularly concerning. The toilet stalls were unclean and poorly maintained, creating an unpleasant experience. At night, these areas became magnets for mosquitoes and flies, adding to the discomfort. The shared wash basin was neither stocked with soap nor properly cleaned, making basic hygiene challenging. The shower stalls were similarly disappointing, with grimy surfaces, cold water only, and almost no water pressure, which made showering uncomfortable at best.
Interior of new room.
Final Thoughts
Babu Backpackers Inn is best suited for shoestring travelers who prioritize cost savings over luxury. While our experience was mixed, the staff’s responsiveness helped resolve issues promptly, making our extended stay more manageable. If you’re planning a visit, prepare for very basic accommodations and consider this property only if budget is your primary concern. We still have five more nights to stay and will update this blog post with more information if anything else new occurs.
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