Behold Bohol: Not your ordinary island
As one of the more popular destinations in Central Visayas, Bohol is one of the Philippines’ premier destinations. They are widely known for the Chocolate Hills and the smallest primate – the Tarsier. Not only that, Bohol also has a fair share of some of the country’s pristine beaches. The island province is also known to be the home of Alona Beach in Panglao, the Balicasag Island, Virgin Island, and Pamilacan Island to name a few.
Being the 2nd province I have been to in my personal quest for #Project82PH, Bohol is a package full of surprises. Little do people know that in this province, too, you will get to see some rice terraces, indigenous peoples, and endemic products alongside its vibrant culture.
When I first visited the province in 2011, I was just in 3rd-year college and it was my first time to tour outside Luzon. Now that I came back years later, I have rediscovered this island anew. Here is a quick rundown of where you can go and what you can do on this not-so-ordinary island!
Read also: Things to do in Cebu (during a layover!)
What you can see and do in Bohol!
BACLAYON
Baclayon Church
Considered to be the oldest Christian settlement in Bohol, this coral stone church is one of the more popular sites on the island. Established in 1596, La Purisima Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Parish Church also known as Baclayon Church is a unique structure. Believed to be made from coral stone and egg white, Baclayon Church was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.
The church was heavily damaged during the October 2013 earthquake and has been rebuilt since. To date, this structure is a popular site in the Municipality of Baclayon. On a clear day, you can also see Pamilacan Island on the distant shore.
BALILIHAN
Camugao Falls
Camugao Falls has come to be a surprise for me. It was not originally part of the itinerary when I revisited in 2025 but it was worth it. This hidden gem in Balilihan has the “bluest” water I have ever seen and the place is just simple, surrounded by the greens you need to relax. There are also tables available when you visit.
| Entrance Fee | ₱ 100 |
BILAR
Bilar Man-made Forest
This 2-kilometer stretch of mahogany trees is one of the booming attractions in Bohol. Though an unconventional tourist attraction, the Bilar man-made forest just got me in awe. The canopy envelops almost all of the sky, covering the area with greens. The thin, tall trunks of the trees make it more attractive as the sound of the leaves is what you will only hear when you are there.
The challenging and funny part in this area is that you get to chase running cars as the forest is between the main road. It really is a challenge because, in a matter of minutes (or even seconds), you have to snap a good photo of yourself in the middle of the highway and run immediately after when there are cars passing by. I just can’t picture myself running in panic whenever there are cars passing through the area.
Tarsier Conservation Area
Bohol will never be Bohol if you have not seen the main star of the show. Considered to be the smallest primate, the Tarsier is Bohol’s greatest attraction (aside from the Chocolate Hills). In this conservation area, though there are many tarsier sanctuaries in the province, they would first orient the visitors on what Tarsiers are, what they do, and what visitors should do and must not do whenever they see one.
As Tarsiers are nocturnal, most of them were asleep when we visited. But who would resist to see the cuteness of these little creatures?
| Entrance Fee | ₱ 170 |
| Business / Tour Hours | Daily, 0800 – 1700 H |
CARMEN
Bohol Chocolate Hills
One of the most popular attractions on the island, this National Geological Monument is one of its kind in the world. The Chocolate Hills also change colors according to the weather. It turns green when it is gloomy or rainy, and brown when it is sunny. Before seeing the majestic view, one must make his/her way to a flight of some 100 + steps before reaching the view deck where the famous thousand-hills can be evidently seen.
| Entrance Fee | ₱ 100 |
| Business / Tour Hours |
Daily, 0830 – 1700 H (*can go earlier than opening, just pay later) |
Graham ATV and Bugcar Rental
If you are into extreme activities after visiting the Chocolate Hills, there are numerous establishments that offer ATV rides but I highly recommend Graham ATV and Bugcar Rental just near the entrance of the Chocolate Hills Observation Deck. They offer different packages that will bring you in and around several chocolate hills and their guides are also good photographers.
|
Packages |
Package A (Driving) – ₱ 1400 (ATV) / ₱ 2800 (Bugcar)
Package B (Driving + Scenic Trip) – ₱ 1700 (ATV) / ₱ 3400 (Bugcar) Package C (Driving, Scenic + Swimming) – ₱ 2400 (ATV) / ₱ 4800 (Bugcar) |
| Business / Tour Hours |
Daily, 0600 – 1700 H |
DANAO
Danao Adventure Park
If you want to experience the “extreme” in Bohol, Danao Adventure Park is the perfect place to do just that. Roughly about 2 hours away from Tagbilaran City, this adventure park offers a variety of extreme activities such as the ZipBike, “SuiSlide,” Hamster Wheel, Sky Ride, Giant Swing, and the famous “DAPlunge” where you get to free fall from a 200-meter high platform, also considered as the “highest canyon swing in the world.”
As a person who is afraid of open heights, this is REALLY a must-try!
| Entrance Fee | ₱ 60 |
| Parking Fee | ₱ 30 (4-wheeled vehicles) |
| Activity Fee (Packages) | ₱ 1750 (Package 1A)
₱ 1800 (Package 1B) ₱ 2600 (Package 1C) ₱ 3000 (Package 2) *activities can also be availed a la carte |
| Business / Tour Hours |
Daily, 0800 – 1700 H *with employees lunch break at 1200-1300 H |
DAUIS
Bohol Bee Farm
Other than the Tarsier and the Chocolate Hills, what’s more to visit in Bohol is its bee-autiful Bee farm in Panglao Island. Known to produce the freshest honey on the island, the Bohol Bee Farm is not just your typical bee farm. Aside from the guided Bee Farm tour around the complex, you can also savor their fresh and out-of-common ice cream flavors on a crusted cassava cone. Other than that, they also have a livelihood complex inside, a chic boutique hotel, the famous Buzzz Ice Cream, Kape Bee and Bar, and a bakery to name a few. The Bohol Bee Farm complex is your one-stop-shop in Panglao!
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (Dauis Church)
Founded by Jesuit priests in 1697, Dauis Church has been a silent witness to Bohol’s rich history and culture. The church was then dedicated to the Our Lady of the Assumption in 2004. Dauis Church was also heavily destroyed during the 2013 earthquake and was restored by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). The image of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion was granted a canonical coronation by Pope Francis in 2023.
Daday’s Sikwatehan
If you are craving for some authentic and home-made Sikwate, Daday’s Sikwatehan is the right choice. This simple yet popular store serves one of the best sikwates (native thick hot chocolate drink) in Bohol. By mixing cacao (tablea), milk, and water, this hearty drink is a must try in Dauis, Bohol. You can also pair it with pandesal, pancake, budbod, or even pancit canton!
| Sikwate / Sikwate Leche | ₱ 50 per cup |
| Business / Tour Hours | Daily, 0600 – 1800 H |
Hinagdanan Cave
One of the popular tourist spots in Panglao, the Hinagdanan Cave is a ‘short but sweet ride.’ This tour in the miniature cave will give you a glimpse of prehistoric Bohol. Before entering, you will just take small steps going down to the main attraction. You will get to see old paintings on cave walls (not to mention, being accompanied by some of Bohol’s very entertaining tour guides). The main highlight of Hinagdanan is its 10-foot freshwater lake. You can opt to swim in the lake for a minimal fee (refer to the detailed itinerary below) and take pictures of the cave itself. Several stalactites, stalagmites, and columns would welcome you, that would be perfect for your Instagram-worthy posts.
| Entrance fee | ₱ 50 (no swim)
₱ 100 (with swim) *tip for guide (depends) |
| Business / Tour Hours | Daily, 0800 – 1600 H |
INABANGA
Sua Peak Agri-Tourism Park
If Cebu has Sirao Gardens, Bohol has Sua Peak Agri-Tourism Park. Found in the municipality of Inabanga, this quaint and simple agri-tourism park offers a 360-view of the municipality atop a hill and it also has a dragonfruit farm on the side. You can see and roam around the different themes of the park and you can also see some chocolate hills from afar on a clear day.
| Entrance Fee | ₱ 80 (regular adults) |
| Business / Tour Hours | Daily, 0800 – 1700 H |
LOBOC
Loboc River Cruise
If you want to have a unique setup for riverview and cruise lunch, Loboc River Cruise is the place to experience. Located right at the heart of Loboc, this famed river is home to many motor bancas that drive ‘floating restaurants’ throughout the length of the river for approximately one (1) hour.
During the trip, you will also be entertained by local dancers and folklorists that will showcase their talents to all tourists. I recommend that you also drop by the bamboo hanging bridge in Sevilla for an added experience.
| Entrance Fee | ₱ 1000 (lunch cruise) |
| Business / Tour Hours |
Weekdays: 1000 – 1400 H Weekends: 1000 – 1430 H |
PANGLAO
Alona Beach
Named after an actress, Alona Alegre, the Alona Beach is synonymous with paradise. Its delicate white sand beach is one to look out for whenever you are in Panglao Island. It is also the jump-off point to the other major attractions in and around Panglao. This is where you get to see Balicasag and Pamilacan Islands on a clear day and see dolphins play around during sunrise. It is also where you will get to experience world-class diving as divers from different parts of the world see its underwater beauty.
Balicasag Island (snorkeling and turtle-watching)
When I had the news of having a work-related activity in Panglao, the first thing that got into my mind was that I would come and see Balicasag Island. I got giddy immediately because I would set foot on this Marine Sanctuary. Located just a few miles off the Coast of Panglao Island, Balicasag is a sanctuary to many of Bohol Sea’s sea life. It is also where you get to experience world-class scuba diving sites and get closer to different kinds of sea creatures.
It is also home to some of the endangered pawikans (sea turtles) where you can get the chance to swim with them. (You can coordinate with local guides strolling around Alona Beach to get the best tour package to Balicasag Island.)
Bohol-Panglao International Airport
The Bohol-Panglao International Airport (IATA: TAG) is now the main gateway of Bohol replacing the old Tagbilaran Airport in the city proper. Its unique design mimics that of the famous Chocolate Hills donned in earthy colors. The airport mainly serves flights to and from Manila and South Korea.
Bohol Virgin Island
Just about 30 minutes from Balicasag, the Virgin Island of Bohol is, I think, the most famous sandbar in the province. This sandbar is also known as the “Hidden Oasis” because this uninhabited island is just extraordinary.
The turquoise waters surrounding the sandbar makes the place more interesting to explore and there are several food stalls where you can have some refreshments (I have tasted the sweetest pineapple yet, I recommend that you try it!) This one hectare-wide sandbar is visited best during low tide as more of the sandbar can be seen. You can also opt to visit nearby Pamilacan Island. (Again, you can coordinate this with local guides on the beach front.)
St. Augustine Parish Church (Panglao Church) and Panglao Watchtower
Located some 18 kilometers southwest of Tagbilaran City, the St. Augustine Parish Church aka Panglao Church is one of the must-see sights in Panglao, Bohol. Though it was closed when I visited last May 2025, it is popular because of its ceiling murals – similar to that of the Bantayan Church in Bantayan, Cebu.
The Chocolate Chamber (Moadto Strip Mall)
If you are looking for another take to the famous Sikwate, The Chocolate Chamber in Moadto Strip Mall is a must-go. Serving hearty pastries and varieties of sikwate, this cafe is a Cebuano-grown brand which highlights its use of tablea and employs traditional methods on how to use this in making that rich flavored sikwate. When I visited the Moadto Strip Mall, I tried their Spanish Hot Chocolate (sweetened version).
| Hot Chocolate (Spanish, good for 2) | ₱ 385 |
| Business Hours | Daily, 1000 – 2100 H |
SEVILLA
Sevilla Twin Hanging Bridge
This 40-meter twin bamboo hanging bridge connects Sitio Sipatan and Sitio Ilawod in the municipality of Sevilla. Being 36 kilometers away from Tagbilaran City, the place became a popular resting area for tourists. These bridges cross along the famous Loboc river.
| Entrance Fee | ₱ 50 |
SIKATUNA
Sikatuna Mirror of the World
If you want to go around the world in one setting, the Sikatuna Mirror of the World is the nearest place you can go to when visiting Bohol. It features some of the famous tourist destinations in the world, namely: the Eiffel Tower (France), Cristo Redentor (Brazil), Golden Gate Bridge (USA), Dutch Windmills (Netherlands), the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Italy), Hollywood Sign (USA), The Little Mermaid (Denmark), Statue of Liberty (USA), Merlion (Singapore), and the Elizabeth Tower aka “Big Ben” (United Kingdom) to name a few. The park is also better at night and see the different landmarks lit up!
| Entrance Fee | ₱ 150 (day tour)
₱ 170 (night tour) ₱ 20 (environmental fee) |
| Business / Tour Hours |
Open daily 0700 – 1800 H (day tour) 1800 – 2100 H (night tour) *last entry at 2000 H |
TAGBILARAN CITY
Blood Compact Shrine
This shrine depicts the sandugo (meaning “one blood” in Visayan) between then chieftain, Rajah Sikatuna and Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi. This symbolizes the very first treaty of friendship between the Filipinos and the Spaniards dated 16 March 1565. The sculpture-monument was made by National Artist for Sculpture, Napoleon Abueva, who is also a native Boholano. The shrine also has a generous share of the Bohol Sea as its background.
Bohol Provincial Capitol
This is the seat of Government of the island province. This new building replaces the Old Capitol which now houses the National Museum of the Philippines.
National Museum of the Philippines – Bohol
This branch of the National Museum is unique as it is housed inside the old City Library of Tagbilaran. Artifacts found in this museum are archaeological findings in the municipality of Anda. The artifacts here give insights about Prehistoric Bohol.
| Business / Tour Hours | Daily, 0900 – 1700 H |
Plaza Rizal
Just adjacent to the National Museum and Provincial Capitol is Plaza Rizal. A tribute to the National Hero – Dr. Jose P. Rizal, this place is a simple promenade of flora where you can just give a time off and take a photo at Rizal’s monument. Little do people know that Jose Rizal once set foot in Bohol (particularly in Bilar) when he was exiled to Dapitan in search of an agricultural colony.
St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Shrine (Tagbilaran Cathedral)
This is the main church in Tagbilaran City and has a nice view of the Panglao Channel on a clear day. It was also established by Jesuit Priests and it became a cathedral on November 8, 1941. Its ceiling frescoes are also a masterpiece on its own.
Sample Bohol Itinerary and Expenses
***For Danao-Sikatuna Tours and Countryside Tours, I highly recommend kuya Efren Simodlan Amolo (click here for his Facebook Profile) or you can contact him at +63 948 743 6567 or +63 991 269 7046. Tell him you were recommended by Aldrick from Baguio.
***For Panglao Island Tours, I recommend kuya Jonald Quiño. You can contact him at +63 965 186 2967 or +63 910 881 5080. Tell him you were recommended by Aldrick from Baguio.
Day 1 (Danao-Sikatuna Tour)
| 0600 – 0830 H | Tagbilaran to Danao Adventure Park (travel time) | |
| 0830 – 1200 H | Danao Adventure Park |
₱ 60 (entrance) ₱ 30 (parking, 4 wheels) *Activity fees depend on package availed |
| 1300 – 1330 H | Sua Peak Agri-Tourism Park | ₱ 80 (entrance) |
| 1430 – 1530 H | Camugao Falls |
₱ 100 (entrance) *Tip for guide |
| 1630 – 1800 H | Sikatuna Mirror of the World
Day tour: 0700 – 1800 H Night tour: 1800 – 2100 H |
₱ 150 (day tour)
₱ 170 (night tour) ₱ 20 (environmental fee) |
| 1900 – 2000 H | Gerarda’s Place (Dinner) | depends |
Day 2 (Countryside Tour)
| 0400 – 0600 H | Tagbilaran City to Chocolate Hills Park (travel time) | |
| 0600 – 0700 H | Chocolate Hills Park | ₱ 100 (entrance) |
| 0715 – 0830 H | Graham ATV and Bugcar Rental (1 hour) | ₱ 1400 (Package A) |
| 0900 – 0930 H | Tarsier Conservation Area | ₱ 170 (entrance) |
| 0945 – 1015 H | Bilar man-made forest | |
| 1030 – 1100 H | Sevilla Hanging Bridge | ₱ 50 (entrance) |
| 1130 – 1300 H | Loboc River Cruise (1 hour) | ₱ 1000 (lunch cruise) |
| 1330 – 1400 H | Baclayon Church | |
| 1415 – 1445 H | Blood Compact Shrine | |
| 1515 – 1530 H | Bohol Provincial Capitol | |
| 1545 – 1700 H | St. Joseph Church + Plaza Jose Rizal + National Museum – Bohol |
Day 3 (Panglao Island Tour)
| 0600 – 0615 H | Tagbilaran City to Dauis Church (travel time) | |
| 0615 – 0645 H | Dauis Church | |
| 0700 – 0800 H | Daday’s Sikwatehan | ₱ 50 (sikwate) |
| 0815 – 0915 H | Hinagdanan Cave (no swim) |
₱ 50 (entrance) *Tip for guide |
| 0945 – 1045 H | Bohol Bee Farm | ₱ 90 (malunggay ice cream) |
| 1115 – 1200 H | Alona Beach (free time / beach bum) | |
| 1215 – 1315 H | MIST (lunch) | depends |
| 1330 – 1400 H | Panglao Church + Watchtower | |
| 1415 – 1515 H | Moadto Strip Mall (The Chocolate Chamber) | ₱ 385 (Spanish Hot Chocolate) |
| 1545 – 1645 H | Oceanica (day tour) | ₱ 500 (consumable entrance) |
| 1715 – 1900 H | MOSA or Guitarwoodhouse (Dinner) | depends |
Day 4 (Island Hopping Tour)
| 0800 – 1300 H | Balicasag Island and Virgin Island | depends on tour |
| 1400 – 1700 H | Pamilacan Island (if time permits) |
Other Places to Visit
| Tagbilaran City | Cathedral of San Jose |
| Carlos P. Garcia Memorial Park | |
| Danao | Dagohoy Marker |
| Anda | Quinale Beach |
| Lamanoc Island and Caves | |
| Kaligoon Cave Pool | |
| Batuan | ShipHaus |
| Cambuyo | Cambuyo Rice Terraces |
| Candijay | Cadapdapan Rice Terraces |
| Can-umantad Falls | |
| Antequera | Mag-aso Falls |
| Maribojoc | Punta Cruz Watchtower |
| Jagna | Canuba Beach |
| Lonoy Cold Spring | |
| Kinahugan Falls | |
| Balilihan | Mount Carmel Hill |
| Pilar | Jardin Necitas |
| Talibon | Jao Island |
| Nocnocan Island | |
| Tubigon | Mundong Sandbar |
| Alicia | Alicia Panoramic Park |
| Bien Unido | Santo Niño Diving Site |
We’re born to travel!
About Aldrick 'chiki' Agpaoa
