Bohol Travel Guide: Discover the Wonders of the Island

Bohol

If Bohol is in your bucket list, then this Bohol travel guide will come in handy. Provided in this guide are latest information that will make it easier for your to plan your trip to the island paradise. Know the latest travel requirements, information on getting there, where to stay, activities, sample itinerary, budget and more.

Behold Bohol!

Behold Bohol, an island of limitless possibilities! From sea to summit and everything in between, the island offers an unforgettable experience with history and heritage, unparalleled encounter with nature and exhilarating adventures.

Nested in the middle of the Visayan archipelago and surrounded with the rich waters of Bohol and Camotes Seas, the island province of Bohol is gifted with nature’s best offerings – the vivid depths of Balicasag, Cabilao and Danajon; the fine white sand of Panglao; the thousand hills of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan; the tarsiers of Loboc; the cave pools of Anda; the the rice terraces and waterfalls of Candijay and more! Bohol definitely has it all!

Panglao
Panglao Island

Aside from its natural wonders, Bohol also serves as an open air museum that features the province’s rich heritage and deep Catholic faith. Almost every town has centuries-old stone church with fresco paintings, carvings and bell tower made of crushed corals. Some were severely damaged by the 2013 earthquake including those in Loboc, Loon, Maribojoc and the newly restored Baclayon. Others survived and still standing such as the ones in Jagna, Talibon, Tagbilaran and Dimiao.

Behold Bohol, an island of limitless possibilities! Its wealth of natural and other attractions, rich delicacy and lovely people… all these comprise the charm that will make you fall in love with Bohol!

Panglao
San Agustin Church of Panglao

How to Get to Bohol

By Plane from Manila, Davao and Clark

The new Panglao International Airport in Panglao Island is the gateway to the province of Bohol. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia have daily flights from Manila, Davao and Clark to Tagbilaran City. From Panglao International Airport flag a taxi, tricycle or a multicab at the highway to take you to your resort in Panglao Island or to the city center. At the city center, you can take a ride to anywhere in the province.

By Fast Craft or Ferry

From Cebu City to Tagbilaran

Supercat and Ocean Jet Fast Craft have multiple departures daily from Cebu City to Tagbilaran City, travel time is around two hours. Meanwhile, Cokaliong, Lite Shipping, Trans-Asia Shipping and F.J. Palacio Lines also have regular ferry or RoRo departures with varying frequencies daily or weekly, travel time for slow ferry takes four hours. From Tagbilaran Port, flag a tricycle to take you to Dao Terminal and catch a bus (P100) or van (P120) to Anda at Dao Terminal, travel time is two to three hours.

Book your ticket from Cebu to Tagbilaran City below:

From Cebu City to Tubigon

The town of Tubigon, north of Tagbilaran, is the cheaper alternative from Cebu City. Fastcrafts and slow ferries depart from the port of Cebu to Tubigon everyday from 530AM to 5PM daily. It only takes one hour of voyage for fast craft with fare starting at P250. Meanwhile, slow ferry takes two hours and fare start at P170.

From Tubigon Port, there are vans and buses to Talibon, Sagbayan, Carmen and Tagbilaran. Sagbayan is just an hour ride while Carmen and Tagbilaran is almost two hours travel.

Book your ticket from Cebu to Tubigon below:

From Larena, Siquijor to Tagbilaran

Lite Shipping Corporation has multiple departures weekly from Larena, Siquijor to Tagbilaran City, travel time takes at least four hours.

Book your ticket from Siquijor to Tagbilaran City below:

From Nasipit, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin and Dumaguete to Jagna

Ocean Jet has daily fast craft from Dumaguete City and Cagayan de Oro City (via Camiguin) to Jagna, Bohol, travel time from Cagayan de Oro is three hours, and two hours from Camiguin or Dumaguete. Trans-Asia Shipping Lines have mulltiple departures weekly from Cagayan de Oro City for nine-hour journey while Cokaliong Shipping Lines serves Nasipit to Jagna route once a week for a travel time of five hours. From Jagna, Tagbilaran is at least two hours away by bus.

Bohol
Pangahug Twin Falls of Dimiao

Going Around and Away

Tricycle, multicab and single motorcycle are the primary mode of transportation in Tagbilaran and almost everywhere in the province.

Transportation around Tagbilaran City and for short distanced destinations such as Lila, Baclayon, Cortes, Corella and Loboc are stationed in City Square Mall. Buses to interior and other towns such as Anda, Jagna, Ubay, Carmen, Danao, Candijay, Cabilao and Talibon, among others, are located in Dao Integrated Bus Terminal beside Island City Mall. Meanwhile, multicabs and local buses to Panglao originate in Dao Bus Terminal and pick-up passengers at Rocha-Hontanosas Jeepney Stop.

You can take a flight out of Bohol from Panglao Airport to Manila or a ferry from Tagbilaran, Jagna or Tubigon to Cebu, Nasipit, Cagayan de Oro, Siquijor and Dumaguete. You can book your ferry ticket from anywhere in Bohol to Nasipit, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin and Dumaguete below.

Anda
Quinale Beach of Anda

Where to Stay in Bohol

Tourists in Bohol usually stay in Tagbilaran City or in nearby Panglao Island where numerous hotels and resorts that cater to every type of traveler are available to choose from.

Accommodations in Tagbilaran City

Top-Rated / Highly Recommended Accommodations in Tagbilaran, Bohol

Metrocentre Hotel & Convention Center

Metrocentre Hotel & Convention Center
Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Starts at 2,000 PHP

Ocean Suites Bohol

 Ocean Suites Bohol Boutique Hotel
Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Starts at 2,500 PHP

Recommended Budget Accommodations in Tagbilaran, Bohol

Tr3ats Guesthouse

Tr3ats Guest House
Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Starts at 300 PHP (Shared Dormitory)

Aliria Bed & Breakfast

 Aliria Bed & Breakfast
Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Starts at 1,000 PHP

Accommodations in Panglao

Top-Rated / Highly Recommended Accommodations in Panglao, Bohol

South Palms Resort

South Palms Resort
Dumaluan, Panglao
Starts at 10,00 PHP

 Bohol Beach Club

 Bohol Beach Club
Dumaluan, Panglao
Starts at 5,000 PHP

Recommended Budget Accommodations in Panglao, Bohol

Paragayo Resort

Paragayo Resort
Alona Beach, Panglao
Starts at 1,000 PHP

 Chiisai Natsu Resort

 Chiisai Natsu Resort
Dumaluan, Panglao
Starts at 1,000 PHP

Activities in Bohol

  • Go on an island tour and visit the usual attractions: Hinagdanan Cave, Blood Compact Site, Baclayon Church, Man-Made Forest, Loboc River Cruise, Loboc Church, Hanging Bridge, Tarsier Conservation Site and Chocolate Hills
  • Bask in Alona Beach and Dumaluan Beach of Panglao
  • Go island hopping and visit Balicasag Island and Virgin Island
  • Scuba Diving, Free Diving and Snorkeling in Panglao, Balicasag, Cabilao, Anda and Danajon
  • Spend a day or two in Anda: Swim in the cave pools, laze in Quinale Beach, and more
  • Visit Can-Umantad Falls and Cadapdapan Rice Terraces of Candijay
  • Climb the Sagbayan Peak and Carmen Peak (Chocolate Hills Adventure Park) to see the famed Chocolate Hills
  • Try the other activities in Chocolate Hills Adventure Park: Bicycle, zip line, etc.
  • Chase waterfalls: Mag-Aso Falls of Antequera, Ingkumhan Falls and Pangahug Twin Falls of Dimiao, Kinahugan Falls of Jagna, Camugao Falls and Kawasan Falls of Balilihan, Kilab-Kilab Falls of San Isidro, among others
  • Experience the exhilirating adventures offered by Danao Adventure Park
  • Witness the sea of clouds at the highlands of Danao
  • Trek the summits and mountains ridges of Alicia
  • Dive the double barrier Danajon Reef
Candijay
Cadapdapan Rice Terraces of Candijay

Sample Bohol Itineraries

Basic Bohol Itinerary (3D/2N in Tagbilaran and Panglao)

Day 1:
1100H: Arrival in Tagbilaran / Lunch
1230H: Proceed to Panglao’s Dumaluan or Alona Beach / Check-in at Hotel
1400H: Free time / Beach / Snorkeling / Balicasag or Virgin Island / Sunset
1800H: Dinner

Day 2:
0700H: Call Time / Breakfast / Check-out
0800H: Bohol Island Tour: Hinagdanan Cave, Blood Compact Site, Baclayon Church, Man-Made Forest, Lunch at Loboc River Cruise, Loboc Church, Hanging Bridge, Tarsier Conservation Site and Chocolate Hills
1800H: Back in Tagbilaran City / Check-in at Hotel
1900H: Dinner

Day 3:
0700H: Call Time / Breakfast
0800H: Free time / Shop for Souvenirs / Visit Tagbilaran Church
1000H: Check-out / Proceed to Airport

Antequera
Mandahugan Cave Spring of Antequera

Offbeat Bohol Itinerary (3D/2N in Anda and Candijay)

Day 1:
1000H: Arrival in Tagbilaran / Tricycle to Marcelina’s Guesthouse (P10/person)
1030H: Check-in at Marcelina’s Guesthouse (P1300/night for 5 guests)
1130H: Lunch
1230H: Jeep from Cogon Market to Antequera (P25/person)
1300H: Antequera Tour (P200/motorbike for two pax): Mag-Aso Falls (Entrance P20/person), Mandahugan Cave Spring and Inambacan Cave Spring
1630H: Bus to Tagbilaran (P25/person)
1730H: Back in Tagbilaran / Free time / Dinner / Socials

Day 2:
0400H: Call time
0500H: Van from Tagbilaran to Lungsodaan (P130/person, one-way)
0700H: Arrival in Candijay Market / Breakfast
0800H: Habal-habal (P160/person, round-trip) to Cadapdapan Rice Terraces and Can-Umantad Falls (Entrance Fee: P25/person – motorbike parking share included)
1100H: Return to Lungsodaan / Bus to Guindulman (P10/person) / Tricycle to Anda (P30/person)
1300H: Arrival in Anda / Check-in at R&S Seaside Unit (P1900 per room per night, good for five)/ Rest / Lunch
1430H: Cabagnow Cave Pools
1730H: Quinale Beach / Dinner / Socials

Day 3:
0530H: Call time / Breakfast / Sunrise at Quinale Beach
0900H: Check out / Photo-op at Quinale Beach / Tricycle to Guindulman (P30/person)
0930H: Van to Jagna (P40/person) / Habal-habal to Kinahugan Falls (P60/person, round-trip)
1000H: Kinahugan Falls
1100H: Back to Jagna Poblacion / Bus to Dimiao (P27/person)
1130H: Lunch at Dimiao
1230H: Habal-habal to Barangay Guingoyuran (P100/person, round trip) / Trek to Pangahug Twin Falls
1300H: Pangahug Twin Falls
1430H: Trek back to Barangay Guingoyuran
1500H: Travel back to Dimiao
1530H: Back at Dimiao proper / Bus to Tagbilaran (P30/person)
1800H: Back at Tagbilaran City / Tricycle to Tagbilaran Port (P20/person)
1830H: Depart Tagbilaran to Cebu by Oceanjet Fastcraft

Balicasag
Underwater Balicasag

Other Tips

  • Best months to go are during dry months or from April to July
  • Every day in the month of May, at least one village celebrates fiesta
  • There are ATM and banks in Tagbilaran City and town centers
  • Major establishments accept debit and credit card
  • Mobile signal is present almost everywhere
  • Tubigon is the cheaper alternative if you are coming from Cebu

*Originally Posted: 16-Feb-2013 | Updates: 29-Sep-2017; 22-Apr-2018; 7-May-2020

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