This Bohol travel guide has all you need to know to plan your trip to one of the most diverse and adventure-packed islands in the Philippines. Things to do, how to get around, food and even a sample itinerary. In other words, a must-have for first-timers in Bohol!
I see the island of Bohol as a showcase of what you can find in the entire Philippines. Paradisiac beaches, mangroves, river cruises, jungle adventures and top-notch diving spots all in one place.
This travel guide of Bohol and Panglao is packed with the most up-to-date and reliable information (up to 2024) to start planning your journey.
Find here tips about where to go, what to do, where to eat, budget and much more.
Sections of this Bohol travel guide
Bohol Overview
There are exactly 7,641 islands (!) in the Philippines, but Bohol is surely one of the most diverse and interesting ones you can pick to visit.
If you visit Bohol alone you get a decent idea of what the entire country is all about. An eco-tourism paradise suited for adventurers. Tropical beaches (not the best ones in the country, but we’ll get to that), lush jungle, friendly people and top-notch diving spots all in the same place.
But Bohol checks all those boxes and raises the parade with some unique experiences that you can’t find anywhere else. Odd landscapes like the Chocolate Hills. Architectural heritage from Spanish colonization. Or the endangered tarsier, the smallest mammal in the world.
In other words: in case you’re still having FOMO about the itinerary for your Philippines trip, don’t. Bohol is absolutely a great choice.
How to get to Bohol island
Whether you come by air or by sea, the main point of entry to the island is Tagbilaran City. It’s less than an hour’s drive to the adjacent island of Panglao, where most visitors stay.
If your hotel doesn’t have the transfer included, you can easily arrange a van, taxi or tricycle to get to Panglao. We paired up with a group of tourists and were able to negotiate a van for five.
Here’s how you can get to Bohol from other places in the Philippines.
Manila to Bohol ✈️
The easiest way to get to Bohol from Manila is by plane (1h30). There are several airlines flying from Manila to Tagbilaran airport in Bohol:
Flights are generally inexpensive but book ahead to guarantee a good price.
Cebu to Bohol ⛴️
The best way to get from Cebu to Bohol is to use the fast ferry (a 2-hour trip).
There are mainly two main ferry companies that do the route Cebu City – Tagbilaran several times per day: SuperCat and Ocean Jet.
Ocean Jet is slightly more expensive (800-1000 pesos), but from what I’ve seen the boats seemed newer and more comfortable. Keep an eye on special promos they offer sometimes.
You can purchase tickets in advance directly from the company websites, or through third-party providers like 12Go Asia.
Alternatively, just head to the ferry terminal and get your tickets there, to be honest, it’s unlikely they’ll be sold out.
Ferry schedules between Cebu and Bohol (updated September 2018)
Bohol (Tagbilaran) – Cebu (Cebu City)
- Ocean Jet: 6:00,7:05,8:20,9:20,10:40,11:40,13:00,14:00,15:20,16:20,17:00,17:40,18:30
- Supercat: 5:50,8:15,11:00,13:15,15:35,17:45
Cebu (Cebu City) – Bohol (Tagbilaran)
- Ocean Jet: 5:10,6:00,7:00,8:00,9.20,10:40,11:40,13:00,14:00,15:20,16:20,17:40,18:40
- Supercat: 5:50,8:15,11:00,13:15,15:35,18:00
Dumaguete to Bohol ⛴️
A 2-hour ferry trip is the best way to travel from Dumaguete to Bohol (Tagbilaran). Ocean Jet makes this trip twice a day (9:50 and 14:30).
You can purchase tickets in advance directly from the company websites, or through third-party providers like 12Go Asia.
Siquijor to Bohol ⛴️
If you’re in the beautiful island of Siquijor and want to get to Bohol, Ocean Jet makes this trip once a day (12:30). It connects Larena pier in Siquijor to Tagbilaran in Bohol.
Booking.comBest time to visit Bohol
Like most of the Philippines, Bohol has a tropical climate, which means very rarely the temperatures drops below 20 degrees Celsius. This would make Bohol pleasant for a visit at any time of the year… if it wasn’t for the rainfall. This the key!
June to December is normally considered the rainy season – you can expect much less sunny days around this time. Heavy frequent showers are more common between August and October when the southwest monsoon prevails. You’ll want to avoid this time to visit. Late December is also a peak season for locals so there will likely find more crowds and inflated prices in Bohol.
Anywhere between January and June is a good time to visit Bohol. If you come right after the end of the rainy reason – January to March – the rice fields are still vivid green, everything looks more fresh, and photo ops multiply. If you decide to come between April and June, fields will be likely more brown, including the almighty Chocolate Hills.
My weather experience in Bohol
I visited Bohol in mid-December. The temperatures were warm without being unbearable. However it was still very unpredictable. The weather changed from a clear sunny day to heavy stormy showers in a short bike ride. We were struck by surprise twice when we were on the road.
The good thing is that the rain never lasted for long. 1 hour tops. And being soaked while driving just made us appreciate the warm sunny weather even more!
Weather in Bohol
To help you understand better how does weather work in Bohol, here is some more detailed info about temperature and rainfall.
Source: https://www.holiday-weather.com
Source: https://www.holiday-weather.com
What to pack
Don’t overthink your clothing options too much. As a tropical island with almost-constant temperatures all-year-round, with light summer clothes, you’ll be fine. Pick comfortable and breathable pieces.
A light rain jacket is recommended – we never know when the occasional storm will appear – and you’ll also want to have long sleeve piece to enter churches.
Landscapes are incredible and the adventure activities are a must, so make sure you bring a good camera and consider getting a GoPro if you haven’t got one.
Other than that, don’t forget sunscreen, a snorkeling mask, and a dry bag to keep your stuff. The latter is super useful if you’re doing sea activities or to simply go to the beach.
Getting around Bohol
Bohol is one of those places I absolutely recommend getting your own wheels. Not only the public transportation is unreliable, but it gives you freedom of schedules and itineraries. It can also be cheaper, with rates ranging from 300 PHP to 600 PHP per day. All depends on the number of days you’re renting and your haggling skills.
In fact, one of my best memories and experiences of Bohol was riding a bike around the island. You get to drive next to vivid green paddy fields, forests or just stunning beaches with a view to the Pacific.
You can also get around by tricycle, a kind of moto-taxi that has a capacity for about 3 people, give or take. They usually don’t have meters and prices are haggled by destination. For a journey of about 10km, expect to pay around 400-450 PHP.
Other more local ways of transportation include jeepneys and buses.
Getting from Tagbilaran to Panglao
Most travelers arrive in Tagbilaran to then get to Alona or Dumaluan in Panglao, where most beach accommodation is located. To make this trip, you have some options:
- Hire a taxi. Most convenient but also more expensive.
- Hire a tricycle. It should be around 500 pesos.
- Go on a van. Share it with other people – just ask around – and haggle the price down.
We ended up sharing a van with other travelers to Alona. We were 5 in total paying 400 pesos, which totals a very inexpensive 80 pesos per person!
Are tours in Bohol worth it?
As I mentioned, personally I feel the best way to explore Bohol is to get your own wheels. There’s no need for tours if you’re young, active and know how to ride a motorbike – it adds to the adventurous vibe of the island after all.
However, there are some pre-defined day tours to explore the island – these will cost around 500 PHP to 1500 PHP per person. These are usually rushed, covering all the main sights of Bohol in one day.
Jeepneys and tricycles in Bohol
Jeepney is a local’s favorite and prices depend on the distance. Most jeepneys going along the south side of the island depart from Dao Terminal, including Baclayon, Carmen and Jagna. They’re mostly used by locals.
Don’t expect luxury. Jeepneys are often old and overcrowded. While the experience of a ride amongst dozens of Filipinos as well as animals like chickens (and other random creatures) might be appealing, note that distances in Bohol often mean more than 1-hour long trips.
You can also hire a tricycle driver to get you around Bohol for the day. This can cost you between 800-1000 pesos per day.
Fun fact: did you know tricycle drivers are obliged to place verses from the Bible on the back of their vehicle? Yes, it’s a mandatory law by the Government!
Vans and buses in Bohol
Air-conditioned vans with capacity for 10-11 people are also available. However, they tend to depart from the Dao terminal only when they are absolutely packed with more than 15 people.
Buses going North of the island – Loon, Calape and Tubigon for instance – start from Kogon Market in Tagbilaran.
Booking.comWhat to do in Bohol
Bohol is a perfect for for adventurers and nature enthusiasts. The island is packed with 7 outdoor experiences and unique activities.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed time, hop on a river cruise in Loboc or hit the white-sand beaches of the twin-island of Panglao await you.
To make things visual, I’ve prepared a map of all the main sights in Bohol.
In purple the main towns; in orange the main sights; in blue the main beaches.
Tarsier Sanctuary (the real one!)
When in Bohol you’ll see that are quite a few tarsier “sanctuaries” in Bohol. Make sure you go to the Tarsier Sanctuary near Corella, the only “real” one.
They have less than a dozen animals, but it’s the only place where they live in the wild and have enough space to have an acceptable quality of life. See, when they tarsiers don’t have an hectare of forest to live and are enclosed in little cages, they often attempt suicide. 😥
Corella Tarsier Sanctuary
- Ticket price: 60 pesos
- How to get there: Follow the road to Corella and Sikatuna, turn left on the fitting Tarsier Sanctuary Road. There are buses from Tagbilaran to Sikatuna where you can drop off nearby too.
- What to do: Your main task is to spot the tiny tarsiers in the middle of the trees!
Loboc River
I found Loboc to be one of the most interesting little towns in Bohol. People are friendly and the setting is beautiful, right next to the jungle-resembling Loboc River.
Next to it, the Baclayon and San Pedro churches, destroyed during the 2013 earthquake that stroke the Philippines are there to remind of the country’s Spanish colonial past.
Loboc is also popular for its cruises that take you up and down the river, and often include a fancy meal aboard.
Loboc River
- Ticket price: N/A
- How to get there: Loboc is nearly halfway between Tagbilaran and the Chocolate Hills.
- What to do: From the popular floating restaurants to mountain biking & paddleboarding tours, there’s a lot to do here. Don’t miss the iconic bamboo bridge!
Chocolate Hills
Probably the most iconic postcard of Bohol, the Chocolate Hills are a geological formation consisting of 1,776 conical-shaped hills ranging from 30 to 120 meters high. The name comes from the fact that during the dry season they change their color to a light brown color. In the rest of the year, they’re actually a lovely vivid green!
The Chocolate Hills Complex is located in Carmen, in the very center of Bohol. The road there wanders across beautiful paddy field sceneries but nothing prepared me for the moment I got to the viewpoint. The hundreds of identical hills going as far as your eyes can see are dazzling. Don’t miss this.
Chocolate Hills
- Ticket price: 50 PHP
- How to get there: Follow the road to Carmen. After you pass the Man-Made forest, it’s a fairly straight ride. If you’re on a a bus, take one at Tagbilaran bus station heading to Carmen. You can ask the driver to drop you off at the Chocolate Hills.
- What to do: On a clear day, you can spend hours admiring the landscape.
Balicasag Island
The Marine Sanctuary of Balicasag is a world-class diving spot. Featuring rich wildlife of fish, dolphins, turtles, and corals it’s a must if you’re into the underwater world.
That said, there have been rising environmental concerns regarding snorkeling. The high number of boats with careless tourists touching starfishes and turtles (they’re sensitive to human bacteria) and swimming with sunscreen on (whose chemicals can literally destroy the corals). Please be aware of this when going there.
To get away from it all, you can also spend the night in Balicasag Island Dive Resort.
Balicasag
- Ticket price: Don’t pay more than 300 PHP if you’re going on a organized tour
- How to get there: Join an organized tour or haggle with a boatmen to take you there on a outrigger
- What to do: Snorkeling and diving are the main highlights here.
Beaches of Bohol & Panglao
To be completely honest, I was expecting more from the beaches in Panglao. My biggest disappointment was the infamous Alona Beach. What once was a tropical paradise, now it’s a dirty overcrowded beach, full of restaurants, bars and dodgy stalls oriented for mass tourism.
I’ve toured across other beaches and whether was the trash, the algae or the total absence of sand to lay in, they all seemed they needed some kind of maintenance.
While Bohol has Anda Beach, a rising eco-tourism hotspot, most beaches are actually located in the twin island of Panglao. On the map it looks like an appendix, but this place boasts a different vibe from Bohol.
Panglao is packed with at least a dozen white-sand beaches to choose from. Some of them boast beautiful palm trees, clean sand, and crystal clear beaches, especially if they are maintained by resorts or hotels. In this category, Dumaluan Beach was my favorite.
If you’re a beach bum and mostly want beach time, there are better islands in the Philippines.
Beaches in Panglao and Bohol
- Alona Beach: don’t matter what Google images tell you, skip it. What it used to be a picture-perfect beach in Panglao, today is a mega-touristy and rather depressing stretch of sand full of boats, trash and restaurants.
- Anda Beach: unspoiled stretches of sand in the southeast tip of Bohol. A great choice if you’re looking for the off the beaten track.
- White Beach: packed at first, but pretty secluded after a 10-minute walk. I still found some plastic and trash on the sand, but nothing dramatic.
- Dumaluan Beach: awesome. You need to pay an entrance fee to the STUNNING Bohol Beach Club, but it’s worth it. This the kind of beach you see in travel magazines.
- Doljo Beach: the scenery here is stunning. The sand is so white it creates a natural mirror during low-tide. Lots of starfish. I didn’t find it amazing for swimming though.
- San Isidro Beach: super disappointed with the level of trash and low level of sand. The way I’d describe it: a dirty rocky bay.
- Danao Beach: another one not inviting enough to lay around for long.
Sample Bohol Itinerary
Find below a suggested itinerary to explore Bohol and Panglao. Even though I’ve created a list of sights up until 5 full days available in Bohol, I’d say 2 full days is the absolute minimum to have a well-rounded experience of the island.
This itinerary is in order. If you only have 3 days available on the island, my suggestion is that you do the things on the first 3 rows.
| Days | What to see |
|---|---|
| 1 | - Chocolate Hills - Tarsier Sanctuary - Man-Made Forest |
| 2 | - Dumaluan Beach - Bohol Bee Farm - White Beach |
| 3 | - Loboc River Cruise - Hanging Bridge - Baclayon Church - Mag-aso Falls |
| 4 | - Balicasag Island - Doljo Beach - Hinagndanan Cave |
| 5 | - Anda Beach - Cabagnow Cave Pool - Candijay Rice Terraces |
Where to stay in Bohol
My first suggestion is to skip beach-front accommodation in Alona Beach. Firstly, all the prices are inflated. And then from what I’ve seen, I can hardly call it a “beach” anymore.
Basing yourself in Panglao is a good idea, specially if you’re looking for some beach-bum time. But instead, base yourself near Alona Beach. If your budget allows, don’t even think twice. Stay in Bohol Beach Club:
You might never want to leave this place. The setting is fantastic and right next to the best beach I’ve seen in the entire Philippines. Book now >>
I understand if you can’t spend that much. Here’s another suggestion of good value:
Comfy hotel, cose to a private beach. The breakfast is rated as excellent.
Find your accommodation in Bohol
If you want to find your own hotel, start with this shortlist of the top-rated hotels and resorts in Bohol, with WiFi and breakfast included.
Or make your own research:
Booking.comFood in Bohol
Compared to other places in Southeast Asia like in Vietnam, the food in Philippines can be somewhat disappointing.
Or maybe I was biased because I came to the Philippines coming from Ninh Binh in Vietnam which has some of the most delicious food I’ve tasted.
In any case, I had some pretty nice meals in Bohol.
What to eat in Bohol 🍳
- Chicken Adobo: chicken marineted in a delicious rich sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, peppercorns and bay leaves
- Kare-Kare: traditional Filipino stew complimented with a thick savory peanut sauce. Beef, pork, ox or chicken meats can be used.
- Lechón: roasted suckling pig. I don’t eat babies so I didn’t try this, but I got to say it looked good!
- Halo-halo: the most famous dessert in the Philippines. It’s a rather odd and indulging mix of shaved ice, jelly, sweet beans, coconut and fruits.
Places to eat in Bohol 🍽️
Bohol Bee Farm Restaurant (Panglao)
This restaurant in Panglao is part of a hotel with the same name and serves healthy, organic food.
The ingredients come from the owner’s farm and the view of the sea brings up the experience by a notch. They also have a smaller café right in Alona Beach – The Buzz Café – where I went religiously every evening for their organic ice creams.
Gerarda’s Place (Tagbilaran)
Located in Tagbilaran, this family-owned restaurant serves unpretentious, delicious and inexpensive food. Good for trying local flavors. Try the buttered chicken, actually served on butter!
The Wine Cellar (Panglao)
It’s on the higher end of the price spectrum but when you’re on vacations, sometimes you need a treat. Boasting a wide choice of Asian and European dishes and wines from Germany and Austria, you can rest assured to have a neat meal here.
Sunset Grill Authentic Mexican Food (Panglao)
Well, the name says it all! When you’re traveling through Asia, mixing things up with different flavors is a breath of fresh air. This authentic Mexican place with great food and big servings is the place to go.
Coco Loco (Anda)
One of those beach bars serving delicious food all-day-long. Come for the breakfast menus, stay for craft beers. Perfect spot to unwind, with the beach just a few steps away.
Cost of things in Bohol
To give you a good idea of the budget you can expect, I’ll give you some examples of what things can cost. The prices are up-to-date at the date of writing of this article.
Bohol budget and daily costs
- Transportation: The ferry from Cebu on Ocean Jet was 500 pesos (plus extra 100 for the luggage). We haggled down the price of a van from Tagbilaran to Alona for 400 pesos.
- Vehicle rentals: motorbikes can be rented from 350 pesos per day next to Alona Beach. I’m sure you can find for less in other more remote areas.
- Gasoline: if you go to the petrol station, filling your tank can be as low as 100 pesos
- Food: Local restaurants serve main dishes starting at 60 pesos, but on average a lunch would cost around 150-200 pesos. Some restaurants in Alona can be slightly more expensive during dinner: a full meal for 2 people starts at around 300 pesos. A beer starts at 40 pesos.
- Water: don’t forget to hydrate! A big water bottle (1,5L) was around 15-25 pesos.
- Accommodation: I’d say you can expect to pay somewhere between 1000 and 1600 pesos per day for a medium-quality double room in most places in Bohol. Even in Alona Beach. Of course there are backpacker dorms cheaper and resort rooms more expensive than this.
- Entrance fees: everywhere you go in the Philippines you need to pay a small entrance fee (even in airport terminals!). See below the entrance fees for the main sights in Bohol.
| Attraction | Entrance fee (in pesos) |
|---|---|
| Tarsier Sanctuary | 60 PHP |
| Chocolate Hills | 50 PHP |
| Loboc River Cruise | From 450 PHP |
| Python Sanctuary | 10 PHP |
| Bohol Bee Farm | 30 PHP |
| Man-Made Forest | Free |
| Butterfly Sanctuary | 30 PHP |
| Hinagdanan Cave | 30 PHP |
| Baclayon Church | 25 PHP |
| Mag-Aso Falls | 40 PHP |
I found the prices in Bohol to be in line as compared to other places in the Philippines and a bit lower than in touristy hotspots like El Nido.
If you’re traveling with more people, you can easily get around with less than 1000PHP or 50EUR/USD per day.
Bohol Travel Tips
- Bring sunscreen.
You can get burned easily if you’re not careful. Read other stuff to pack while traveling in Southeast Asia. - Always have some change and small money with you.
In the Philippines (too) many places ask for a minimal entrance fee (even churches and airport terminals). They might just change their name to FEE-lipphines. - Don’t stay right in Alona Beach.
Biased by Google Images results and promises of a tropical paradise, I almost made this mistake.
Bohol Review
Bohol stroke me as the most diverse place in the Philippines. While other islands excel in beaches or jungle landscapes, this one seems to have a bit of everything. Sort of a mini-showcase of the Philippines.
While the Chocolate Hills and Dumaluan Beach were definitely an highlight, my fondest memories were actually small things on the day-to-day. Like driving through the island. The winding roads through paddy fields and lush forests are beautiful to look at. The school kids waving at you and older people smiling every time you enter a restaurant or a shop.
The level of infrastructure is just right and it is suited for all kinds of people, from the budget backpacker to the most luxurious traveler. However, some places are starting to lose its charm and yes I’m speaking again of Alona Beach. What a disappointment!
In any case, Bohol is safe, friendly and the definition of adventure. If it’s your first time in the Philippines I highly recommend you stay for a few days.
Booking.com
27 Reasons To Visit The Philippines
Continue reading more about this stunning country with 27 reasons why it should be on your immediate travel plans.
Bohol Travel Guide – Other Useful Links
- Ocean Jet: reliable ferry company in the Philippines
- Weather in Bohol: detailed data about weather in Bohol
- Travel Guide to Bohol, Philippines – Budget & Itinerary
- Siquijor Guide – Itinerary, Tourist Spots and Budget
- 7 Awesome Experiences In Bohol And Panglao, Philippines
- My Top 10 Places To Visit in Siquijor Island
- 27 Reasons To Visit The Philippines ASAP
How was Bohol for you? Which island is your favorite in Philippines?
Let me know your experience in Bohol and other places in the Philippines!
jame i interesuar te di me shum per ishullin bogol ?………
You’re interested in knowing more? There’s a full blog post right here 😀
Very informative and comprehensive post. I am from Metro Manila but Bohol is one of my favorite provinces to visit. I also share your thought in Alona Beach. Before it was one of the most tourist-visited beaches in Bohol, but according to what you said in one of your blogs, “tourism hits hard Thailand”, I guess that’s what happened in Alona Beach.
By the way, the number of islands in your article is not updated though. The Philippines now has 7,641 islands according to the latest data from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.
If you can go back soon, I recommend Romblon province for you to visit next time. Visit all of its three islands. It has every nature lover must “visit places.” There are diving sites (even a blue hole), great beaches, waterfalls, mountains to trek, landscapes. It is one of the most underrated places here. And there’s not a lot of tourists there! I’m not sure about you but it’s plus factor for me.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your blog posts.
Thanks for the insider comment, I appreciate it. Updated the number of islands.
And I’ve added Romblon to my bucket list – looks amazing and the sight of few tourists is great. Thank you!!
Wonderful article. I am planning to travel to Bohol next week. Wish me luck. Thanks for sharing this amazing blog post 🙂
How did it go Stella?
I would like to see more of Bohol island before I go
Plenty of pictures here!
What an amazing and comprehensive post on Bohol!! I have visited Bohol twice and I agree with quite a lot of things you have mentioned here (people, food, alona beach, etc.). We at Travel Gentlemen have a soft spot for Bohol because we have several wonderful memories at our stay in Amarela Resort and the people we have met on our trips there. Thank you for featuring your trip in Bohol. Job well done!!
Thanks for your kind words Billy.
Thanks for this very helpful guide. I got a clearer picture on what to do and where to go on my few days stay when I travel there in a couple of weeks. Safe travels & more travel helpful blogs! =)
Thank you, hope you did manage to go in the end.
Thanks for the awesome and informative guide! My friends and I were thinking of having a little food trip in cebu before going to Bohol because we’ll be using the ferry from cebu going there.
That’s a good idea! I spent very little time in Cebu though, so can’t really help there…
Great blog article here. Really informative. Do you think we will be able to visit all or maybe the majority of the spots you mentioned, skipping the island hopping trips and beach activities, through motorcycle in just 2 days? My husband and I are planning to bring along our 2 kids. We have a personal motorcycle that we will be using during the tour. We have no idea how far the spots are from each other.
That is a lot of driving time, but I think it’s possible, yes. Good luck with the weather!
First, extremely informative blog. I ended up doing most of the things written here. For a first timer like me in BOHOL this helps me tremendously. Anyhow my favorite part is the multiple mention of DO NOT STAY IN ALANA i dont know why but everytime i read it i pictured you being so salty BUT i do understand why. Alana is crawling with locals trying to make some $$ out of tourists. It kindah reminds me of old Boracay, crowded and dirty. It has good spots for food tho. But for stays? Definitely a hard pass. Anyway great job on the blog man! And appreciate doing all the research for us 🙂
Thank you so much Airah – it seems we had a similar experience. And I am definitely salty when I say DO NOT STAY IN ALANA! 😀
Hi. An almost perfect blog indeed! Very informative and useful. I’m excited to do a DIY after reading this blog. Thank you for promoting our tourist spots here in PH. More power!
Thank you Meeky, I feel validated
The article is very informative. Thank you for all the tips! I really noted a lot from your personal journey and advice. Have some more travels in the Philippines!
Thanks for passing by Lee. Safe travels!
Glad that i saw this one. We’re going to Cebu-Bohol next week and searching for information that can help us all throughout our journey. Thank you for sharing this, very informative. I’m also looking for Cebu Itinerary. Thank you
Have a wonderful trip Sweety 🙂
Hi
I am going to do a travel to the Philippines on July. My idea is visit all the main places. I was thinking on travell by bus but i have seen that sometimes gives problem to the travelers even more if you are foreign. That is why I was thinking on rent a motorbike from people from ther but I am not sure if its risky or not. I heard about different companies the one that gives me more confidence is one called Book2wheel.com does any one know it? Is it safe this option or would you recommendme other one ?
Thanks !
I have never heard of this company.
I advise you to book your vehicle once you arrive to the island.
Rented scooter using Book2wheel.com in Manila it was fun. The guy delivered the scooter to the airport. I paid him a 500 pesos delivery fee even though scooter rental was about 300 pesos a day. Rented a scooter for 1 month went everywhere and then return the scooter at the airport it was fun. I would for sure recommend it. Now just check the website you can even rent for 200 pesos a day in manila. This might be due to covid the scooter rental in Manila has become really cheap since no tourists is coming
Hi, super nice, informative blog. We will be going to Panglao this coming April and I am really reading blogs to guide us. Can not find anymore hotels near Dumaluan beach but will surely visit it just to see the difference with Alona. With that, can we just ride a tricycle going there? We will be staying on a hotel near Alona. Do we have to pay something? Thanks a lot in advance.
Of course, tricycles are like taxis, you’ll need to find a driver that takes you there.
Hi! Do you by any chance know when the cabagnow cave pool will open again? I heard they closed it around end of January
I don’t April, I’m sorry!
Thanks for this highly informative blog Bruno! We are a family of 4 and we will be vacationing in Bohol this coming June 2019. It will be some sort of a homecoming for me. My mom is from Bohol and never been there for 30 years! We are currently living in San Francisco CA.
We’ll definitely refer this blog as our guide as we rediscover the beauty of the island. Thanks again!
That will be a special trip Henry 🙂 Enjoy!
Hi Bruno
your little guide to Bohol is fantastic, very informative. we are going there at Easter time this year and have found that a lot of the accommodation is already booked out. I guess it is peak holiday time for locals and tourists.
It is indeed, need to book earlier!
Thank you for the information… I will be using this since i was already booked for Bohol this coming holyweek.
Sounds great. Let me know what you think of Bohol!
Hello, I would like to ask if do you have a best place to recommend where we can stay overnight, but we’re on a tight budget. We are going to Bohol this coming Feb 24, our arrival will be on the afternoon. We’d like to stay overnight in Panglao, so that the next morning we can easily get a boat which offers island hopping going to Balicasag and Virgin Island. Please give me some tips and advices. Thank you so much.
If you want something really budget, try Moon Fools Hostel.
It is really helpful to me as I am going Bohol on 27th feb
Let me know how it goes 🙂
very informative and helpful 🙂
Thank you Jasmin, I’m glad it was useful.
I am surfing about Bohol since we’re going there next week. Your blog is VERY helpful. Hopefully you’ll continue with your honest reviews.
Thank you Rowie, let me know what did you think of Bohol!
Hi we are planning on going to bohol next month were family of 8 including 1 month old baby and 7y/o kid. I just want to know is it more cheaper if we will go on our own than taking package tours? Because its too expensive. And do you think we will be able to catch up easily the transportation that we are going to in each destination? Thank you
If there’s anything I learned in my travels is that going on your own is ALWAYS cheaper (and more fun).
Not sure what you mean by “catch up easily the transportation” though?
Thank you for the information…learned a lot…quick question though…since we’re a family of five and only one of us has license to drive (motorcycle), and our young ones are 6&8, is it safer than for us to avail of the package tours??? thank you in advance…your response is highly anticipated…thanks again…
I’d look for a private guide with a van or something.
Very informative! Will be coming back to Bohol on November. I was there last year, December. But we only stayed in Henann. It was awesome. And now, be back again but will be staying in another place. Wanna do a DIY trip instead of getting a tour package cause I will be travelling solo. I am considering the motorbike. It is okay to tour around Chocolate hills, tarsier sanctuary, etc.? What are the difficulties you have encountered while touring the place in a motorbike aside from the rain? Thank you for your help!
Hi. I hope you could help me.This is my first time to travel away from Manila with my boyfriend as my birthday gift po. Baka po May pwede kaming masabayan. sobrang mahal po kasi ng tour na inoofer po sa amin. I hope may makatulong din po. Thanks po.
Apart from the tropical weather, the biggest difficulty was the distances involved. Taking a motorbike from Alona area all the way to Chocolate Hills took longer than expected and at the end of the day, my butt was hurt like hell. But that’s us, complete newbies to driving motorbikes, and we still think it was worth it.
Hi, I love this information. I’m planning on going to bohol next year in may. My dad lives there. Do you think three weeks would be too long to stay there? Also I’ve only met my dad once a few years ago so was wondering if you know of any cheap accommodation in case we don’t get along ? I’ll be staying with him. I was planning on only going for two weeks but thought seen I’m going I maybe should stay an extra week. Thanks.
First of all, your dad is very lucky! 🙂
Then, regarding cheap accommodation, take a look at this list and sort by price. Plenty of cheap hostels and guesthouses to choose from.
Is 10 nights too long? Bohol looks amazing and the ease of accessibility from Cebu makes it a no brainier. My husband and I want beaches, a few beach bars, wildlife, and relaxation without jumping all over timbukto. I was in Thailand last spring and wasn’t a fan of travel time to get places.
I don’t think any time is “too long” when you’re talking about a tropical island.
All depends on your travel goals and what you are expecting to see and do.
Hi. Is tricycle accessible in Bohol?
It is accessible, yes.
Most useful blog I’ve read so far. Great job!
Awesome! Thank you!
Absolutely fantastic blog. I am planning my vacation around the Philippines now and Bohol is worth a week, however your honest and informed appraisal has reminded me that everything in life is not as it seems in a postcard ! ok I cannot afford the luxury resorts so I am staying at “Nora’s place” with a free scooter ! your guide is an absolute diamond and thank you for your efforts.
Even if you’re not staying at a luxury resort, you’re going to have a gem of a trip. Enjoy!
Hello,
Blog listing is so well, this blog very useful and you have mentioned the blog so well.
Thank You for sharing us.
Thank you for passing by!
Really useful blog, I’ve recently traveled in the Philippines around Bohol area, used book2wheel, it’s a platform for renting motorbikes from local people, easy access, affordable prices! I’d recommend it to everyone!
Thanks!
Your blog is very informative. It helps tourists and travelers planning to visit bohol. Keep it up!
Thank you jahdiel, that’s the goal anyway!
can I drive a motorbike there without a driver’s license?
Yes. But it’s useful if you know how to ride one 🙂
Good eve..ask lang po..my all in package po ba kayo this april 4-5 days po?
I’m sorry, I don’t understand you. Can you speak in English?
I spent so many days in Bohol – Panglao, to be exact. The vibes there are so rich, I enjoyed each and every day and could rest there after so many weeks of travel and flights. I had tried different accomodations – bunkbeds, normal hotel with private room, higher-end resort and 5* BE Grand, it was fun to see the difference in these places 😀
I only did one further trip. I booked motorbike and went around Pangalo, beuatiful! The other one was typically Chocolate Hills, Tarsier sanctuary, Man Made Forest. If you can, go to Bohol, it is iconic and stunning place 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience, looks like you had a great time!
Thank you for your description of the beaches. That info is valuable to me as I like to walk. Safe travels!
Happy travels to you too!
Sir, may rent a car din ba?
Salamat!
I’m sorry?
The writer is not a Filipino. If you read his blog, the writer is from Vietnam.
To answer your question – there are rent a car’s available in Tagbilaran port. Or you can just google them. =)
been to bohol with couple of friends. one of my friend’s son acted as our tour guide and we had a van rented. Now my daugther and husband are planning to go to Bohol and they thought because i’ve been there it would be easy for us to go around haha but honestly i can’t be their guide. Thinking of getting a tour package but after reading your blog i felt like a package tour is way too expensive when we could just actually take local rides and book cheap and nice hotels and because we are travelling on a budget. About Dumaluan Island, you mean we had to go through bohol beach club to be able to swim there?
It’s not an island, it’s a beach. You’ll need to pay a fee to the hotel.
Hello,
I read your review and I found it very informative. My husband and I are going to bohol next month and unfortunately we found a hotel in alona beach. Why did you say it’s a disappointment? I want to know although I would be able to change my date 🙁
Thanks
Well all the postcards, blogs and images I’ve seen about Alona were of a dreamy unspoilt beach and it was very disappointing to get there to see there was hardly any beach – the sea is occupied by boats (and LOADS of seaweed) and the sand by restaurants. It might have been unlucky or had my expectations not in touch with reality, but it was kind of surreal to be standing in the real sad Alona looking at postcards in souvenir shops of a completely different Alona.
Hi Bruno,
Thanks for this. I’ll be visiting next yr and I will keep your notes in mind. God bless!
Let me know how it goes 🙂
Have you tried to stay at Hennan Bohol?
No I haven’t, although I’ve heard good things from a couple there!
Hello, do you think I can go to Bohol on a one day trip from Cebu and be able to do the chocolate hills? Will I have time to do something else? Thanks
Yes it’s possible, just be ready to spend a lot of time traveling!
Planning to visit Bohol in January. Do you recommend visiting the Adventure Park? Is it feasible to visit Chocolate hills, tarsier sanctuary, loboc river, hinagdanan cave, and butterfly sanctuary in a day?
I haven’t been to Adventure Park, so can’t comment on that. It depends if you have your own wheels. With a jeep/car it might be possible, but with bike it will be a rushed and tiring day I reckon.
You just got me super excited planning my trip to Cebu! !!
Thanks for sharing!
Mick
I’m excited for you 😀
This blog answers my most questions except for 1.. how much for the entrance fees for children at what age?
TIA!
That’s a great question and you’ve caught me off guard. I have no idea, I’m sorry.
Hi!
Love your blog! Am planning to travel in Bohol next year around November 2018 and was wondering if you can suggest any local tour guides directly. As we all know, tour agency are way too pricey. Hoping for a prompt response! Thanks in advance!!
Thanks Janna.
Sadly I didn’t use any local guides, but I’m sure if you ask around there will be a friendly local willing to give you a tour!
Hello Janna,
As we just returned from 8 days Bohol I can tell you; Ask any hotel staff member if they have a family or friend that can take you around, rent you a scooter or do a boat tour with you! And it is so easy to get around with your own transportation that I highly recommend to rent something for the time that you are there. Hope you enjoy!
I found your blog of Bohol to be absolutely brilliant. My wife and I will be going for 1 week in early January 2018. The only piece of information that I am struggling to find is approximately how long would it take to travel right around the island on a motorbike? I would like to plan an itinerary but it’s hard when I don’t know the travel times.
Keep up the great work.
Thank you John. I can say that from Alona to Chocolate Hills we took 1h30 on a bike. We’re not slugs but we were definitely not speeding either. Personally distances were larger than I imagined, so I assume going around the entire island can take a full (and long) day.
How much is the entrance fee to Bohol Beach Club?
I don’t want to lie, but I think the entry fee to that area was around 300 php/person.
Yay! Unbelievable . So excited to visit Bohol this weekend. Great job. Indeed 🙂
You’re going to have a blast!
Finally came across a detailed & an updated blog! Been searching this past few days coz our family will go to Bohol this October & im the travel planner… Thanks a lot for your story, such a big help for doing our itinerary!
Thank you for your feedback and good luck with your planning! 🙂
Hello Sir do you have any idea about Little Paris in Bohol is there any place like that?
Sorry I’ve never even heard of that!
Easily the most helpful blog I’ve read about Bohol, yet. Well written, easy to follow, and informative. Thank you!
Yay, thank you!
A very nice article. I wish I had read your article before going to Bohol.
Thank you! You can always share to friends or family going 🙂
Very informative job! I am a solo female traveller to Bohol, and I plan to go around through a bicycle. IS it doable? Time is not really an issue. Thanks heaps!
Well I guess it really depends on your fitness level. From Alona to Chocolate Hills we took almost 1:30-2 hours on a motorcycle, with some hilly parts.
Personally can’t imagine doing it on a bicycle; but if you plan accordingly and staying in places as you go (as opposed to going and coming back every day), it is doable!
We are two adult with two 5yr kids planning to visit bohol for 3 nights. I have been through travelbuddy & bohol life tour packages. They are doing the country side tour in one day. My question is that a whole day is enough for a country side tour? Such tours include Blood Compact Shrine, Baclayon Church, Man made forest ,Choco Hills, Loboc River Cruise (lunch at the floating Restaurant), Tarsier Interaction
Hanging Bridge
Python snake- biggest snake in captivity
Butterfly park
Aproniana Gift Shoppe
Alot more than what you covered in one day. Above tour includes 20-30minutes stay at choclate hills. Do you think its enough? What would you recommend?
Well for me it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. If you want to rush your holidays, spend the day squeezed in a van with more people and rallying across these sights, go ahead.
Plus, I don’t see the appeal of Butterfly Park and Python Snakes.
I always recommend a DIY plan, allowing you enough time to be where you want when you want, but hey, each to its own.
Hi! I would like to ask about the vans in Tagbilaran port. Are there ready available vans that would go to Panglao? Since i’ll be travelling solo, is it advisable to join on tour groups?
Basically there are loads of people who will try to sell you a spot on their vans. We joined 3 more people who were just standing there and negotiated as a group – highly recommend as the price went down significantly.
Thanks for the informative post! Do check out our coverage on Travelling from Cebu to Bohol by Ferry as well!
Happy Travels Everyone!
Tom,
2bearbear.com
Thanks for your suggestion. Links in comments are not allowed though, so had to remove it from yours.
how much the cost if form Cebu to 3 destinations of Bohol like Chocolate Hills,Tarsier Sanctuary,Hinagndanan Cave?
Regards,
Can you be more specific?
We got to Bohol by ferry from Cebu and then rented a bike to visit those places. We didn’t hire any tour. All the prices are listed above.
cebu to tagbilaran Php 400 via 2GO or ferry available at the pier and then you can rent a tricycle Php 300 going to chocolate hills, tarsier sanctuary, hinagdanan cave or rent a van or join in a tour its your own choice
Was there in Bohol last March. Sad to say, lots of scammers in there. From Tagbilaran port to Alona Beach and even to Balicasag island. Be careful with those guys selling the island hopping tours at the beach side, what u paid for is only for the boat rental, once you arrived in Balicasag Island, you will be handed over to their contact whose gonna lead you for snorkeling , charges you 250php for entrance only for that area, charges 100php for the snorkel gear, charge another 100 for water shoes and additional charge 250php if you want to go to another corner they called turtle area. and WORST, the boatman will take you to that shore where their contact for small eatery is located which offers highly overpriced breakfast (300php for a plate of corned beef, rice & 2 small sausages and a cup of coffee) You wont have a choice but to order from them or otherwise, you cant use their table on the shore to lay your bags and they wont guarantee the safety of your belongings while youre off snorkeling. Bruh! the beach is superb though.Very clear water. Countryside tour is also not worthy. It was only the trip to Chocolate Hills & Tarsier Sanctuary thats interesting. Butterfly Garden & Phyton Sanctuary? Really? whats special bout it? Loboc Lunch Cruise, looks like amateur homemade cooking that’s poorly presented. Hey, raise the standard even if it means raising the price. Tourist went there of course armed with some amount to spend, at least show them the best of your dishes.
One thing is true though, Balicasag and Virgin Islands are really great but if locals will keep on ripping tourist the way they do, many will in no doubt take this place off in their bucket list in the future.
Thanks very much for sharing your experience I’m sorry you didn’t have the best time in Bohol.
Yes, I’m aware that many tours in Bohol are scams and full hawkers, that’s why I created this DIY travel guide to the island. In my opinion, exploring Bohol on your own provides a far superior experience than going with any tours. Like I mentioned, the best of the island is to get on a bike/car and immerse yourself in the culture and in the landscape.
I’d never go to Python Sanctuary or Butterfly Garden, I just included them on the article for reference.
As for Balicasag, we ended up not going either. I’ve heard the same form online reviews but all I heard was good things from people there. In any case I can’t really comment.
It’s a shame that such beautiful places are getting destroyed by the greed of some people. Nothing against charging fees or raising prices, but you need to increase a service of quality in return. That’s why I prefer to do almost everything on my own and leave tours to when it’s strictly needed.
Awesome advise. Will visit this april and your guide is a good help. 🙂
Great to hear! enjoy!
I’m planning a trip to the Philippines in April and this blog post is so honest and helpful! Thanks for the tips. I’ll avoid Alona!
Thanks Mimi, honest policy around here! 🙂
Have a great time in Bohol!
It’s a Lovely place i think it is located in the Central Visayas region and consisting of the island itself and 75 minor surrounding. Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines.
thanks for this trivia! 🙂
After reading this guide, I must say that Bohol is really a worth seeing the place. Especially I would love to visit Chocolate Hills, Camamen the Islan of Chocolate.
Thanks for passing by. It’s a lovely place, such a diverse island!