Balay Hayahay

Balay Hayahay is the hostel where you book five nights and leave a month later, and half the guests seem to be repeat offenders for that exact reason. It’s family-run by Lea and Nelson, and they don’t just hand you a key, they cook you local food, crack coconuts, hand-write you a guide to the island, and check on you when you’re sick. Solo travelers, couples, honeymooners, families, it doesn’t matter, everyone gets folded into the household. Dorms have fans and proper beds but no aircon and no curtains, so if you need privacy or climate control, ask about the private rooms instead – those come air-conditioned with hot showers and properly comfortable beds. There’s a shared kitchen and fridge if you want to cook and save your pesos for waves instead of restaurants, and you can rent a scooter straight through them for around 350 pesos a day. It’s a 15-20 minute walk or a 5-10 minute scooter ride to General Luna’s restaurants and the beach, quiet enough at night to actually sleep. This beats most party hostels for anyone who wants a real connection to the place rather than a bunk and a bar crawl, but it’s not the spot if you want to be pampered – the dorm showers can smell a bit musty and mosquitoes get into rooms, so pack a net and repellent. Go for the family, stay for how hard it is to leave.