Philippines
Bohol
November to May (dry season)
$30-80 USD
Cebuano and Filipino (English widely spoken)
UTC+8
About
Discover Bohol
Bohol is a landlocked island province in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines, widely known for two of the country's most recognizable natural attractions: the Chocolate Hills and the Philippine tarsier. The province covers the main island of Bohol and a cluster of smaller islands, most notably Panglao Island, which serves as the primary beach destination for visitors.
The Chocolate Hills are a geological formation of more than 1,200 conical limestone mounds spread across the interior of the island. During the dry season, the grass covering these hills turns brown, giving them their signature chocolate-colored appearance. The best views are from the observation deck in Carmen, roughly an hour's drive from the provincial capital of Tagbilaran.
The Philippine tarsier, one of the world's smallest primates, is endemic to Bohol and a few neighboring islands. The Tarsier Conservation Area in Corella provides a responsible way to observe these nocturnal animals in a semi-wild habitat. Tarsiers are highly sensitive creatures, and reputable sanctuaries follow strict no-flash photography policies.
Panglao Island is connected to the main island by two bridges and is home to Alona Beach, the most popular stretch of white sand in Bohol. The beach is lined with dive shops, budget guesthouses, restaurants, and mid-range resorts. The surrounding waters offer some of the best diving in the Philippines, with reefs, walls, and the opportunity to see thresher sharks, sea turtles, and whale sharks during migration season.
The Loboc River is another key attraction, offering scenic boat cruises through dense jungle and past riverside villages. Visitors can enjoy a buffet lunch on floating restaurants while traditional folk music is performed on board.
Tagbilaran City, the provincial capital, serves as the main entry point via Bohol-Panglao International Airport. The city itself has limited tourist attractions but provides a practical base with good transport links. The Baclayon Church, one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines, is located just east of Tagbilaran and is worth a short visit.
Bohol is also a growing destination for island hopping, with day trips to Balicasag Island renowned for snorkeling with sea turtles, and Virgin Island for its shallow sandbars. Anda, a quieter coastal municipality on the eastern side of the island, attracts independent travelers seeking pristine beaches away from Alona's more commercial atmosphere.
The best time to visit Bohol is from November to May, during the dry season. The province sits outside the main typhoon belt, making it one of the more reliably dry provinces in the Visayas.
Where to Stay
Best Hotels in Bohol
Luxury Hotels
Amorita Resort
Perched on a cliff above Bohol Sea, Amorita Resort offers dramatic panoramic views from its infinity pool and open-air common areas on Panglao Island. The property blends Filipino architectural details with contemporary comforts, and its restaurant sources ingredients from a kitchen garden on site.
Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa
Eskaya is a five-star beachfront resort on Panglao Island built around an authentic Eskaya village concept, with elevated villas connected by walkways over a coconut grove. The resort has a private beach, full-service spa, several dining venues, and is suited to couples and honeymooners seeking seclusion.
Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort
Bluewater Panglao is a well-established four-star resort fronting Danao Beach on Panglao Island, featuring spacious beachfront and garden rooms, multiple swimming pools, water sports facilities, and a dive center. The property is a reliable choice for families and couples wanting direct beach access.
Mithi Resort and Spa
Mithi Resort and Spa sits on the beachfront in Bingag, Dauis on Panglao Island, offering a blend of traditional Filipino architecture and modern resort amenities. The property has a well-regarded spa, an outdoor pool, and spacious rooms and villas set among manicured gardens just steps from the water.
Panglao Pearl Premier White Sand Resort
Panglao Pearl Premier is a beachfront resort on the island's Daorong beachfront, offering comfortable rooms and direct access to a stretch of white sand beach. The property has a pool, a restaurant, and is popular with divers given its proximity to Panglao's best dive sites.
Palms Cove Resort
Palms Cove is a mid-range beachfront resort on Danao Beach, Panglao, offering cottage-style accommodation spread across a garden compound. The property has a pool, a dive shop, and a casual beachside restaurant, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious divers.
Boutique Hotels
The Peacock Garden
Set in a lush tropical estate in Baclayon on the main island, The Peacock Garden is a boutique hillside resort with sweeping views across Bohol Sea. The property features elegant heritage-inspired villas, a free-form pool, and a fine dining restaurant serving both Filipino and international cuisine.
Amarela Resort
Amarela Resort is a four-star boutique property on Panglao Island's Libaong beachfront, featuring individually designed bungalows surrounded by a mature tropical garden. The resort has an attractive pool area, a beachside bar, and an emphasis on a peaceful atmosphere that appeals to couples and small groups.
Bohol Bee Farm Hotel
Bohol Bee Farm Hotel is an eco-friendly farm-resort in Dao, Panglao, famous for its organic garden, honey products, and healthful Filipino cuisine. The property offers cottage-style accommodation and guided farm tours, appealing to travelers interested in sustainable agriculture and local food culture.
Mid-Range Hotels
Metrocentre Hotel & Convention Center
Metrocentre Hotel is a well-located three-star city hotel on C.P.G. Avenue in Tagbilaran City, offering clean, air-conditioned rooms at budget-friendly rates. The hotel is convenient for early-morning departures from Tagbilaran Airport or the port and has a restaurant and meeting facilities on site.
Experiences
Things to Do in Bohol
Bohol Hidden Waterfalls Guided Excursion
A guided trek through secondary jungle to reach Bohol's lesser-known waterfalls, away from the main tourist circuit. The excursion typically includes a swim in natural pools and passes through local farming communities, offering a more authentic look at rural Bohol.
Chocolate Hills Day Tour
A guided day trip to the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, featuring the main observation deck with views over more than 1,200 conical limestone mounds. Tours typically depart from Tagbilaran or Panglao and often combine the viewpoint with a visit to the nearby ATV trail.
Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary Visit
A visit to the Philippine Tarsier Foundation's conservation area in Corella, home to one of the world's smallest primates in a semi-wild forest habitat. The sanctuary limits visitor numbers, prohibits flash photography, and allows tarsiers to move freely among the trees.
Loboc River Lunch Cruise
A floating buffet cruise along the Loboc River through dense riverside jungle, accompanied by live folk music and cultural dance performances. The cruise departs from Loboc town and typically runs for about an hour, passing stilted fishing villages and dense mangrove banks.
Balicasag Island Snorkeling & Diving
A boat trip to Balicasag Island, one of the Philippines' marine protected areas, renowned for sea turtle encounters, healthy coral gardens, and dramatic wall dives. Day trips depart from Panglao and include multiple snorkeling and diving stops around the island.
Alona Beach Scuba Diving
Introductory and certified dive trips from Alona Beach covering the varied underwater terrain around Panglao Island, including shallow reef slopes, vertical walls, and sandy channels where banded sea snakes and reef sharks are regularly spotted.
Panglao Island Hopping Tour
A morning or full-day boat tour visiting multiple beaches and snorkeling sites around Panglao and neighboring islets, typically including Virgin Island with its famous sandbar, Doljo Beach, and Arco Point. A popular activity for first-time visitors to Bohol.
Baclayon Church and Heritage Museum
A visit to one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines, built by Jesuit missionaries in the late 16th century. The adjoining heritage museum houses religious artifacts, antique vestments, and historical records documenting early Spanish colonial history in the Visayas.
ATV Chocolate Hills Adventure
An all-terrain vehicle ride across the rolling terrain surrounding the Chocolate Hills, offering a more active way to explore the landscape beyond the standard observation deck visit. Routes pass through local barangays and farmland on trails suited to both beginners and experienced riders.
Zip Line at Chocolate Hills Adventure Park
A series of zip lines at the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park in Carmen, spanning across the iconic hills with views over the landscape. The park also has a suspended walkway and viewing platform, making it a good stop for active travelers visiting the main Chocolate Hills area.
Bohol Countryside Full-Day Tour
A classic guided full-day tour combining the most popular inland attractions: Chocolate Hills viewpoint, the Tarsier Sanctuary, Baclayon Church, Loboc River cruise, and a stop at a local market for fresh produce. Most tours depart from Tagbilaran or Panglao.
Whale Shark Watching in Oslob
A day trip across to Cebu's Oslob for a snorkeling encounter with whale sharks in sheltered waters. While controversial due to feeding practices, many tours offer an ethical encounter combined with Kawasan Falls canyoneering and a return ferry to Bohol.
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