March 28, 2020Bohol - A picturesque island just a few miles southeast of Cebu brimming with lush greenery and stunning landscapes. No island of note is complete with beautiful white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and some of the most colorfully bustling marine life perfect for a fun day of snorkeling and diving.
Cebu was our primary Philippine destination for 2020. You can check out some of our guides and posts here:
a. Top Things To Do In Cebu Philippines
b. Awesome Places to Go When Visiting Cebu Philippines
c. Fun Facts about the Philippines before you Travel
Bohol is Cebu’s nearby cousin just a 2 hour ferry ride departing from Cebu’s Pier 1 and arriving at the Tagbilaran City Port Terminal. She’s also home to the world renowned Chocolate Hills and the smallest primates in the world, Tarsiers.
We procured our ticket from a booking website called Bookaway.com. Roundtrip tickets cost $30 per person, which was pretty reasonable. For tours and transportation, check out Amazing Bohol for various selections of private tours for your group to some of Bohol’s most scenic spots and tourist destinations. They will pick you up at the airport so everything is seamless and hassle free. The level of service is downright commendable and our driver speaks good English (and bisaya), friendly and extremely accommodating to our needs.
Are ready for a one-day Bohol adventure? Join us as we take you to some of Bohol’s best destinations that you can fit in a day.
#1 Loboc River Lunch Cruise
A little over an hour drive from the Tagbilaran City Port Terminal, Loboc River runs from a small town of Carmen right at the center of Bohol Province. The river itself is gorgeous! The water has a clear greenish hue and a stunning overhang of palm trees making it a picture perfect visual indulgence for your senses.
You will be cruising in a boat with around 30 people onboard. At the center is a nice spread of buffet-style lunch featuring local delicacies of authentic Filipino fare, fresh fruits and of course, desserts. To elevate your dining experience, the cruise also has live music to keep you entertained while you dine.
The cruise and buffet lunch cost around $13 or 650 pesos which includes a short cultural dance show by local performers in vibrant ensembles. One of the dances is called the Tinikling, a traditional Philippine folk dance which involves two people sliding and tapping bamboo poles on the ground in rhythmic succession while coordinating with dancers stepping over the poles. Willing guests are invited to showcase their Tinikling dance skills in what looked like a whole lot of fun and laughter.
#2 Bohol Tarsier at Bilar Bohol
Tarsiers are some of the world’s smallest primates with their distinct large round eyes and sizes small enough to be cupped with one hand. They are nocturnal creatures spending most of the day sleeping on tree branches under a shade.
According to the locals, only a few of them exists in the world and are considered endangered. Part of the reason is that when they get stressed out, they have the tendency to kill themselves. Hence when visiting these Tarsier conservation places in Bohol, noise has to be kept at a minimum as to not disturb these magnificent creatures. Guides are present to point out where they are and to remind guests of the rules. They can also help you with questions you might have on these little wonders. Flash photography is not allowed but you are free to take as many pictures as you want without disturbing them.
I remember as a kid when my family took me and my brothers to Bohol and we had our first Tarsier encounter. They were plentiful back then. We used to be able to hold them and place them on our shoulders while having our picture taken. It was a lot of fun for us but to them, I bet it was extremely stressful. Imagine having that experience with hundreds of tourists while you’re trying to sleep. So remember, please be mindful of these one of a kind creatures and respect their boundaries if you want them to be around in the next decade.
Entrance fee at Bohol Tarsier Bilar Bohol is $1.75 or 80 pesos. The tour was brief but well worth the experience.
#3 Visit Bohol’s Chocolate Hills
A world renowned tourist attraction in Bohol, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol is a geographical wonder and a collection of over 1250 hills spanning across 20 square miles of land. During the dry season, the heat dries up the green grass giving it its distinct chocolate color, hence its name. During the wet season, the grass thrives atop the hills making the hills look green in color. Some locals would refer to them as the Pandan Hills of Bohol.
The Chocolate Hills Main Viewpoint is built on top of the tallest hill. It is a bit too highly commercialized and touristy but the view is simply breathtaking. The drive to the carpark is pretty steep. Once there, there’s a steep 5 minute walk up several flights of stairs. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and put on some sunscreen. There are a few rest points to help you catch your breath during your ascent. Once you reach the top, take as many pictures as you want as the view will certainly wow you! On a bright sunny day, the blue skies create a beautiful backdrop for the truly magnificent landscape.
There is an entrance fee of $1 or 50 pesos. This is a must-see experiences when visiting Bohol Philippines.
#4 Stay at the Luxurious Hennan Resort near Alona Beach
Located on Panglao Island in Bohol, Alona Beach is a spectacular destination with white sands, crystal clear turquoise water and a postcard-worthy backdrop of coconut trees. It’s the relaxing island life that we’re all wanting to experience. At night, the beach comes alive with live entertainment, ultra casual restaurants with outdoor seatings, and massage services offered beachside. The sensational aroma of freshly grilled seafood saturates the air as restaurants quickly fill with hungry tourists wanting a taste of the freshest catch.
Hennan Resort is a 5 star luxury resort with exceptional customer service, spacious rooms, modern accommodations, and possibly the most extravagant hotel buffet dining experience we’ve ever had. Breakfast goes far beyond the staples with delicious congee, sotanghon, traditional Filipino breakfast favorites with puto made with sticky rice and some local hot chocolate, and other mouth-watering options you won’t expect to find at a breakfast buffet.
Alona Beach is just a few steps away from the property. So if the beach gets a little bit crowded, you can always take a swim and cool off in one of their several decent-sized swimming pools throughout the resort. Our experience at this resort is nothing less of amazing. Definitely recommending this resort to all our readers who are planning to stay in Bohol.
#5 Check out Extraordinary Ice Cream Flavors at the Bohol Bee Farm
On our ride to catch the ferry back to Cebu, our driver recommended a restaurant called Bohol Bee Farm. This restaurant, also located in Panglao Island in Bohol, takes pride in serving fresh organic farm grown foods, fresh salad, fruits and signature ice cream flavors.
Unfortunately because of time constraint, we were unable to stop at their restaurant but instead stopped at a Bohol Bee Farm ice cream stall located in a strip mall.
We picked the weirdest ice cream flavors we can find, Charcoal ice cream and Malunggay ice cream. I grill with charcoal so I never thought it would be a delightful ice cream flavor. Both flavors were surprisingly delicious. For those who don’t know what malunggay is, it is a small tree with edible and highly nutritious leaves that you can usually find in countries with a tropical climate. Not a usual ice cream flavor but I bet Bohol Bee Farm can make anything taste great! Be sure to check out their different ice cream flavors made from various locally grown fruits and even vegetables.
