Bohol is the 10th largest island in the Philippines, and one of the premier tourist destinations. It is loaded with stunning white sandy beaches, lush tropical jungles, and adventure attractions, so it’s easy to see why Bohol is becoming so popular. Before your Bohol trip check out this Quick Travel Guide to Bohol Philippines.
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What To Do in Bohol Philippines
Bohol has a distinct advantage because it is so loaded with natural beauty. Because it is still a developing tourist destination, there are new attractions being created every year, and it is well known as a destination for thrill seekers.
Chocolate Hills
This is the most popular of all Bohol attractions, a peculiar geological formation of over 1,700 hills which look like a box of chocolates. No kidding! Normally these hills are green, but in the dry season they turn chocolate brown and take on the appearance of a box of your favorite chocolates.
If you ask any Filipino if they’ve been to Bohol they will invariably say ‘ah yes, chocolate hills’. The chocolate hills are the symbol of Bohol and the one attraction which is not to be missed.
Alona Beach
This is the most popular of all beaches in Panglao Island, the most popular Bohol tourist destination. Alona Beach is a long white sandy beach, lined with cafes, resorts, and SCUBA dive shops. And it’s a great place to take the kids for a safe swim.
Tarsiers
A tarsier is a small primate which measures only 3 to 6 inches long, making it the tiniest primate in the world. They are an endangered species due to the destruction of their forest habitat. Tarsiers are only found on this island, making them one of the most popular Bohol tourist attractions.
Luckily for tourists, there are some tarsier sanctuaries where you can see these cute little fellows. You should visit the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary in Corella. Here you can see tarsiers in a cage, or walk along the Tarsier Trail to see them in their natural habitat.
Anda
Anda is a small town with stunning white beaches, about 2 hours drive from the capital city of Tagbilaran City. Anda is not so well developed, and you can still find bungalow style absolute beachfront accommodation. It’s the best place to visit in Bohol for a few days if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the main tourist areas.
Loboc River
About 40 minutes drive from the capital Tagbilaran City is the Loboc River. This is the biggest river on the island of Bohol and has lots of different river tour options available. One of the most interesting activities is firefly spotting at night. Stand up paddle boarding along the river is also popular.
Other Bohol Activities
Here are a few more interesting Bohol tourist spots you can visit:
Day Trips from Bohol
With a well-developed tourist industry, there are loads of options for Bohol travel and tours. You can actually drive all the way around the island of Bohol in a single day. Here are some of the more interesting tours that actually leave the island.
Cebu City
Tagbilaran City in Bohol is serviced by many ferry operators, also known as a
Scuba Diving
Balicasag Island is just a few minutes boat ride from Alona Beach. Balicasag is the best SCUBA diving Bohol has to offer. Being a marine sanctuary it is full of huge turtles and diverse marine life. It is also quite shallow, with most dives around the 18m mark.
Swim With Whale Sharks at Oslob
It’s a very big day, but it is possible to travel all the way to Oslob on the northern tip of Cebu Island for a day trip. Many of the SCUBA dive operators along Alona Beach offer this as a day trip, but you generally need to book in advance.
Where to Stay in Bohol
There are so many options, with new places springing virtually up every month. There are hundreds of very cheap guest houses, ranging up to the exclusive Eskaya Resort which is a known destination for Hollywood movie stars. Here are our recommendations for the places we have stayed in.
Cheap Accommodation
Lost Horizon Dive Resort is right in the heart of Alona Beach. For absolute beachfront hotels in Panglao Bohol, this is the best you will find.
You will be treated to a relaxing live music in the beach front restaurant, and SCUBA diving available right there at the resort.
Mid Range
Right in the heart of central Tagbilaran City is the Metro Centre Hotel. This hotel was hit quite hard by the 7.3
Affordable Luxury
If you’re after the number 1 (affordable) Panglao Island beachfront resort, this is it. It is the Henann Resort Alona Beach, with its incredible white sand beach and unbeatable swimming pools. Henann occasionally offers some heavily discounted promotional offers. This hotel is Paradise with a capital P.
Find a Great Deal
We recommend you shop around for a great deal on the best resort in Bohol to suit your budget. This Booking.com deals finder is a great place to start.
Booking.comQuick Travel Guide to Bohol
Plan Your Trip to Bohol
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Your Southeast Asia Itinerary
If you’d like some more help planning your Southeast Asia holiday itinerary then check out this blog post, with several different itineraries to choose from.
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