Travel Contents:

1. How to get to Bohol from Cebu
2. Cebu-Bohol transfer
3. Things to do in Bohol
4. Where to stay in Bohol

Nothing can be better than having your travel getaway right? It says, better spend the money on the experiences rather than material things. Travel as much as you can, as long as you can. Nobody can steal your experiences and memories – these are the treasures forever that brings you happiness.

Are you planning soon for your next  holiday? Wanna visit one of these natural riches of the Philippines? Thinking to visit Bohol? Don’t forget to include this on your bucket list. Curious of the Chocolate Hills or this small primates in the country?

I hope this guide will help you a little or give some ideas to prepare for your next vacation.

Bohol is located in Central Visayas, region of the Philippines. The province is a popular tourist destinations for its white-sand beaches and resorts. These numerous mounds of brown coloured limestone formations are the prominent attraction – the Chocolate Hills. Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines, and Tagbilaran is the capital city. The main island is surrounded by 70 smaller islands.

HOW TO GET TO BOHOL

There are ways to get to Bohol either by a plane or ferry.

MANILA – TAGBILARAN 

There are airlines that fly directly from Manila to Tagbilaran (Bohol) – Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific or Air Asia. Book your ticket in advance or wait for a seat sale. This way can save you some peso. Trip takes about  one in a half hours.

CEBU – TAGBILARAN

The most convenient way to get to Bohol from the neighboring islands is by fast ferry. If you are coming from Cebu-Mactan International Airport take a taxi (be sure that the driver uses his taxi meter) it cost 250 pesos going to Pier 1 approx 20 minutes, and depends on the traffic.

There are 5 ports in Cebu, don’t get confuse. Head to Pier 1 for Ocean Jet or Supercat fast ferry. Expect for a long line when buying your ticket specially when its high season.

We booked a ticket from Oceanjet which cost  450 pesos per person for an open air. It was not a comfortable seat as its too narrow room for the legs. Business class is a little higher cost 1000 pesos perhaps spending a little extra money for a comfortable seat might be wise.

Once you have your ferry ticket you can proceed for check in and pay 25 pesos terminal fee. The departing schedule can be seen on tv monitor.

Travel time is about 2 hours. 

Finally, we have reached Tagbilaran City Port. What to do next? If you are planning directly  to Alona Beach, from there you can choose what kind of transportation you want. If you take a tricycle it would cost 400 pesos and Van is 500 pesos. Going to this pristine beach takes around 30 to 45 minutes.

THINGS TO DO IN BOHOL

1. Land Tour

There are ways to explore this alluring  island of Bohol either by hiring a motorbike or book a tour package in travel agencies or hotels.

If you are looking for a real adventure renting your own motorbike to explore the island is a better idea. Don’t be afraid to get lost. All you need is your google map and pay your own petrol for your motorbike and don’t forget to wear your helmet. Daily rental rates starts at 350 pesos a day, sometimes you can negotiate to the owner and get a little discounts also it depends how many days you want to use the motorbike.

Booking a tour package is more convenient specially if you are travelling with your kids or elderly family member. We booked a Land tour on our first day cost 450 pesos per person. These includes in our itinerary Blood compact Shrine, Baclayon Church, Tarsier Research Center, Sevilla Hanging  Bridge, Loboc River Cruise, Man-made forest, and Chocolate Hills. It was whole day tour. Starts at 9am and back to hotel around 7pm. 

2. Island Tour

On our second day we booked an island hopping tour for Dolphin watching, Balicasag Island snorkeling, and Virgin Island, and cost us 850 per person. We woke up early for the exciting island hopping tour, we headed to the beach around 6am. But of course do not expect that it would leave the boat on the exact time because it was a join group tour. First stop was the Dolphin watching. Even though it was my second time  taking the tour, still I was like over the moon seeing this extremely intelligent playful mammal. It was not that easy to spot the animals as there were many boats around. But after a few minutes of waiting, u could just hear the people in a high spirits sounds means finally  they show up. It was an amazing day tour,  Balicasag Island is also famous for diving and snorkeling. Enjoy swimming and watching huge sea turtles and other incredible  marine life. 

The Chocolate Hills  considered as one of Philippine’s natural wonders in Bohol – often referred to as the Jewel of the Philippines. There are about 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 sq km. They are covered in green grass that turns brown like chocolate during the dry season. These unique mound-shaped hills are scattered by the hundreds throughout the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan in Bohol.

The Sagbayan Peak is a mountain resort and recreation center, offering a completely another view of these cone-shaped hills aside from the Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen. This gives an alternative for tourists to see Chocolate Hills in another perspective.

Tarsier Research Center – the Philippine tarsier known locally as  mawmag (Visayan/Cebuano) mamag (Luzon). Tarsiers are small animals with enormous eyes. It measures only about 85 to 160 mm in height, making it one of the smallest primates. The small size makes it difficult to spot.

Hinagdanan Cave. This is the most popular and easy to reach among the caves of Bohol province. Classified as a karst cave, it is located in the town of Dauis in Panglao Island. The cave boasts of a large number of stalactites and stalagmites and leads to an underground spring pool where visitors can take a dip. Water is icy cold where the spring gushes forth yet a bit warm at the outlet where it meets the sea.

  

Mag Aso Falls this fascinating Mag Aso falls one of Bohol’s natural treasures. This twin falls is absorbing against a backdrop of tall trees, wild plants, and deep ravines. From the distance you can hear the sounds of the stream cascading the rocky outcrops. As you get closer increasing the deafening sounds of water gives you more excitement to see this marvelous beauty of nature.

Loboc River Cruise one of the major tourists destinations for locals and foreigners. Located in Municipality of Loboc. Experience this one of a kind floating restaurant that provides great dining experience while cruising the unpolluted river of Loboc. Enjoying the vista of lush tropical vegetation such as nipa palms, coconut trees, banana groves, and bushes. Plus seeing the children climbing up the tree and then plunging towards the deep turquoise green water. These  floating vessels are made up of a covered platform on top of two large outrigger boats which are joined together. The boats can accommodate up to 50 people.

During our land tour, this was included in our itinerary but we paid additional 550 pesos per person for the lunch buffet. You would never be disappointed for this marvelous experience. The wonderful service, good local music and the delectable foods combined to make your first visits unforgettable.  

Xzootic Animal Park and Butterfly Garden this is located in Agape, Loay, Bohol this was also part of our itinerary land tour, good for a quick stop not much animals to see. Visiting your sisters and brothers in the cage (monkeys) lol… Pythons, some birds, crocodile, iguana, and sorts of butterflies.

 

Blood compact shrine  (Spanish: Pacto de sangre, Filipino: Sanduguan) was an ancient ritual in the Philippines intended to seal a friendship or treaty, or to validate an agreement. The contracting parties would cut their wrists and pour their blood into a cup filled with liquid, such as wine, and drink the mixture.

Bohol Souvenirs – don’t forget the pasalubong….. hehe! there are plenty of souvenir shops around Bohol, you can see few vendors alongside of Blood compact Monument. Cheaper price for these cute keychains purses and other souvenir items. If you go Hinagdanan Cave there are also many shops nearby especially for good quality shirts. You can find at the malls as well.

 

Baclayon Church is a Roman Catholic Church in the municipality of Baclayon. This was founded by the Jesuit priest Juan de Torres and Gabriel Sanchez in 1596, and became the oldest Christian settlement in Bohol. When magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Bohol and other parts of Central Visayas in 2013, the church building sustained major damage. Reconstruction by the National Museum of the Philippines started in 2013, and was completed in 2017.

 

Sevilla Twin Hanging Bridge – crossing the Sipatan river this bridge is made of bamboo and rope, and supported cable made of steel. Give this a try if you are scared of heights for you to overcome your fear. Afterall it was enjoyable. When I visited in 2015 it was only one, now it has two. Movement of the bridge make you feel a lil dizzy as it was swaying. But I was so happy that I could manage crossing the two bridges. yay! A nerve-racking experienced hehehe!

Bilar Man-made Forest a mahogany forest stretching in a 2km densely planted trees located in the border of Loboc and Bilar towns. Once you enter the forest you definitely feel the hasty changes of temperature. It is cooler and gives you a refreshing feeling.

Beaches Bohol has numerous white-sand beaches. Momo beach, Bikini beach, Dumaluan beach, and Alona beach. Alona is the most famous in Panglao island. Plenty of hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. You can also do some water sports activities like kayaking, snorkeling, jet skiing, or kitesurfing etc. Or be amaze of fire dancing performers at night.

WHERE TO STAY IN BOHOL

Plenty of accommodations to choose from in Panglao Island.  From backpacker hostels to luxurious hotels. I booked our hotel thru online booking site. On our first night we stayed in Innbox Bed and Bath, for less than one thousand pesos you can sleep in a comfortable air-conditioned room. Only few steps to Alona beach. Another hotel we stayed  was  in Panglao Regents Park Resort, room rate starts from one thousands five hundred pesos and above. Relax and enjoy the nice and clean room and wifi available. It has nice swimming pool as well. The resort is less than 10 minutes walk to Alona beach. We also stayed in Paragayo Resort located at the intersection of the main road and the beach access road. Just less than 5 minutes walk to the beach area. This property is very convenient and reasonable price. Wifi available only outside but you can sit and relax at the cottage in front of the room.

 

Thanks for reading…. Godbless 🙂