Top Things to Do and See in Bohol

Bohol is an island located in the Visayas province, in the southern part of the Philippine archipelago. It’s a fairly laid-back, underdeveloped area, especially compared to Manila. The locals speak Visayan, a regional dialect.

Here is my personal take to help inspire your own trip to this region.

Getting There and Where to Stay

There are a few ways to get to Bohol: flying is the most common way to travel between the islands (via Tagbilaran domestic airport), or you can take a ferry from Cebu (which has an international airport).

The most tourist-friendly area is Panglao Island, which is connected to Bohol by two bridges. From Tagbilaran, the provincial capital, you can reach it by bus in about 25 minutes.

There is no shortage of hotels on Panglao to suit every budget. You can compare prices here.

Local authorities have been busy developing infrastructure on the island, clearly recognizing its massive tourism potential.

If you’re coming to Bohol, your best bet is to find a hotel near White Beach (Alona Beach). It attracts a diverse crowd (Russians, Germans, Italians, French, and more), and the vibe is super chill, likely thanks to the many scuba divers and dive shops in the area.

Things to Do in Bohol

Alona Beach is the perfect spot to kick back and relax. You can listen to music and grab a few drinks at one of the many beachside bars. Once evening rolls around, be sure to try some local grilled fish and a glass of local rum.

Scuba Diving

As I mentioned, there are tons of dive shops here. You can head into any of them to book a discovery dive or a boat excursion. The Philippines is world-renowned for its underwater life, and Panglao is a top-tier spot.

If you want to see more of the island, Bohol has plenty of attractions. You'll find plenty of touts along Alona Beach offering tours and activities; don't be afraid to negotiate prices and shop around. You can easily tour the whole island in a day by hiring a van and driver.

Hinagdanan Cave

Excursions from Panglao usually kick off with a visit to Hinagdanan.

Exploring the cave only takes a few minutes; there’s a crystal-clear pool inside and some bats. It’s nothing mind-blowing, but it’s a nice little appetizer for the day.

The Bohol Python and Wildlife Park

This farm used to be home to the world's largest python, but the snake passed away in 2013. The owners are currently raising new pythons that might just break the record again in a few years. You can actually step into their enclosure for a photo op if you're feeling brave.

You’ll also get to see a ladyboy show, dancing, singing, and the chance to see a few other animals in captivity.

Can-olin Butterfly Sanctuary

Here you can learn about the butterfly life cycle and snap photos with dozens of colorful specimens.

The butterflies roam free in this space and flutter right around visitors' heads. It’s a pretty fun experience.

The visit is quick, 15 to 20 minutes is plenty.

The Bamboo Hanging Bridge

This bridge crosses the Loboc River. It’s a blast to walk across a bridge made entirely of bamboo and rope. Despite how it looks, it’s actually very sturdy, even though it sways quite a bit as you cross.

The best part? Once you reach the other side, you can grab a fresh coconut for just 1 euro.

Loboc River Boat Cruise

This trip takes place on a floating restaurant. You can enjoy Filipino specialties while cruising along and admiring the scenery lining the river.

The boat travels upstream to an area inhabited by an ancient tribe. The descendants of this tribe now make their living from tourism, offering demonstrations of their traditional life while dressed in period costumes.

Tarsier Sanctuary

Tarsiers are tiny primates with massive eyes. They’re the symbol of the island.

You can spot them clinging to branches or resting. Much like their sloth cousins, they don't do much. Tarsiers are a protected species, so you’re asked to keep quiet and avoid using flash photography.

The Mahogany Forest

This forest was "built" by students about forty years ago. They planted thousands of mahogany trees over a 2-kilometer stretch.

The trees have grown tall, and there’s something really aesthetic about seeing them perfectly aligned along the road. Plus, the air is lovely and cool here.

Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are arguably the most famous hills in the Philippines. There are no fewer than 1,268 mounds formed by erosion after the sea receded. They’re covered in lush green grass during the rainy season, but turn a rich brown during the dry season, hence the name "Chocolate Hills."

You can climb some of the hills that have stairs to get a great view of the surrounding landscape.

Island Hopping by Boat

Right in front of Alona Beach, you'll see dozens of "bankas", traditional bamboo outrigger boats. You can hire these boats and their crew for a few hours to tour the nearby islands.

Virgin Island

Virgin Island is a pristine sandbar located about 25 minutes from Panglao.

Depending on when you arrive, you can walk across the sandbar with the water only reaching your knees. It’s an incredible feeling to be in the middle of the ocean but still be able to stand on solid ground for hundreds of meters. You can swim around the edges of the sandbar or go snorkeling, the marine life is truly beautiful.

Balicasag Island

After Virgin Island, you can continue your boat trip to Balicasag Island for lunch. It’s about 45 minutes from Panglao. The reefs here are protected, so you’ll need to pay an entry fee to swim among the fish and coral.

As I suggested, you can grab a bite to eat there, either by buying food on the island or by arranging it with your boat captain before you leave.

On Balicasag, you might even spot dolphins or turtles, depending on the season, but you have to leave Panglao early (around 5 a.m.).

Conclusion

Bohol offers plenty of activities for every type of traveler. This small island in the Visayas is slowly climbing the ranks as a top destination in the Philippines. The construction of the new international airport in Panglao, which opens in 2017, is proof of that, it’s going to make the island much more accessible for tourists from Korea, China, and Japan.