I Recommend a Tour of Bohol, Philippines
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I just came back from a visit of Bohol and I highly recommend that you join a tour or arrange your own tour of the island.
Bohol has something to offer for all kinds of visitors – young or old, adventurous or timid, historically inclined or modern.
In this hub, I will talk about the general points of interest in Bohol and will write other hubs about details of my favourite spots/activities in this island.
About Bohol
Bohol is one of the islands in the Visayas region of the Philippines. My favourite island, Boracay, also belongs to the same region.
Bohol also has several other smaller islands that serve as centers for various water related activities. There is Panglao island, Pamilacan Island, and Balicasag Island among others.
Every time one mentions Bohol, “chocholate hills and tarsiers” always come to mind. These are the things the island is famous for. So I have long wanted to see these, and finally got the chance to do that last week.
What to See/Do in Bohol
- Chocolate Hills As I mentioned earlier, the main attraction in Bohol is this unusual geological formation of limestone blocks. During dry season, they look like a bunch of Heshey’s chocolate kisses, thus the name.
- Tarsier The tarsier is one of the smallest primates in the world. It measures only about 3.35 to 6.3 inches in height and can fit right on the palm of your hand.
Dolphin Watching Pamilacan island is the place to go for dolphin watching. You have to leave for the island at the break of dawn because dolphins play and catch their food early in the morning.
In the island several motor boats converge at certain points waiting for the dolphins to come. You can see these boats rushing towards these points. The boatmen can more or less determine where the dolphins will appear.
Dolphins are playful and usually love to jump as a group. Unfortunately on the morning we were waiting for them, they did not jump as high, so we only caught sight of their backs and dorsal fins. Their movement was so fast it's hard to get photos. However, waiting for them and finally seeing their synchronize jumps was an awesome experience.
- Diving and Snorkeling
Balicasag island is the place to go if you love diving and snorkeling. This place is a sanctuary so you can play with many species of fish and other sea creatures here.
- Loboc River Cruise
How would you like to have lunch or dinner aboard a floating restaurant? This is what this cruise down a river is all about. A buffet meal is served while cruising along the Loboc River.
Each floating restaurant has its own menu, so you have to check out the menu of the various boats before you buy your ticket for this cruise.
While there is either a live show or recorded entertainment while on board, your boat also stops at one station where a group of performers will do native song and dance routines for you. You can even join the performers and try dancing the world famous “bamboo dance”or “tinikling”.
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Swim and Stroll on the Beach
Panglao island is the place to go if you are fond of swimming or just walking along the beach. This island is where all the beach resorts are located. Several of them have their own beach fronts.
Panglao has a very wide beach area especially during low tide. However you have to watch out what you are stepping on because there are many sea urchins and starfishes along the beach.
- Churches and Blood Compact Site
For the historian in you, Bohol has several old churches to visit. It is also the site for the historical “blood compact” between the natives and the Spaniards.
Bohol holds a "Sandugo" festival every July to commemorate this blood compact. "Sandugo" means "one blood". The natives and Spaniards agreed to cooperate with each other and signed this document of cooperation with their own blood. The blood compact sculpture is by national artist, Napoleon Abueva, who is a native of Bohol.
- Bee farm
If you are into healthy diet and organic products, then you should not miss a visit to Bohol Bee Farm in Panglao Island . They raise most of their own products so you can try their garden salad which consists of greens and flowers straight from their garden.
- · Danao Eco Adventure Park
For those who are more into daring adventure, then Danao Eco Park is the place to go. You can try rapelling, zipline, caving, and the plunge among other things.
- · City Tour
A visit to Bohol is not complete without touring its capital, Tagbilaran City. You can visit some of the modern malls as well as the schools in the city.
Visit Bohol
Add Bohol to your list of places to visit.You will not regret it. I will write other hubs about details of some places/activities I especially enjoyed.
If you need some more information and contact persons, write me and I can give you names of contact persons who can help make your stay in Bohol as enjoyable as our own visit.
Meanwhile, please check out my other travel hubs.
Other Travel Hubs
http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Paradise-Called-Boracay
http://hubpages.com/hub/Why-People-Love-Boracay
http://hubpages.com/hub/I-Recommend-an-Adventure-in-Corregidor
http://hubpages.com/hub/I-Recommend-a-Mangrove-Paddle-Tour-in-Puerto-Princesa
http://hubpages.com/hub/I-Recommend-a-Visit-to-the-Underground-River-of-Puerto-Princesa-Philippines
More about Bohol
If you want to know more about Bohol, you can visit the following websites:
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Hi Sam,
It's great to see you!
Thank you very much for being the first here and for the rate up. I really appreciate your kind gesture.
See you around and in redgage.
God bless!
Wow, I wish I was on the tour too! Jill, you look scared with the cute tarsier on your shoulder--how precious. You've covered every aspect of this lovely island with lots of great pictures to help us visualize. Thanks for sharing and rated it beautiful!
beautiful! makes me regret not having visited bohol before. got lots of seminarian and priest friends from there. soon as i can go home, bohol will be one must-see place. thanks. your photographs are lovely!
Jill
You are awesome. As usualy your photos are excellent. I am ready to come back to PI for a visit. Love the pic of your daughter. All your pics are of exceptional quality. I think the dolphins would have made my day. good to see you here
Many blessings.
Carol
Hi anglnwu,
Yes, I'm sure you would have enjoyed the tour. I enjoyed it even more because friends of friends facilitated the tour.
You are right, I was a little scared. Wow, you figured that out even if I did not include my face in the picture? I have another picture trying to make my eyes as big as that of the tarsier's. Guess who won? Hahaha.
Thanks very much for rating this beautiful. You always make me feel special!
God bless you my friend!
Hi Edna,
It's great to see you here!
Thank you very much for dropping by and leaving a wonderful comment.
You know what, an svd priest facilitated our visit there. So I'm sure your friends will just be to happy to facilitate your visit when you do decide to come home.
Thanks again for the visit and comment.
God bless!
Hello coffesnob,
You always make me happy with your visit and comment. You never fail to inspire me with your kind and appreciative words.
Yes, the dolphins would have surely made your day. Seeing them so close as they jumped together gave me goosebumps. Really awesome! It's quite different seeing them in their natural habitat from seeing them doing tricks in a show.
I'm looking forward to your visit here in the Philippines. I do hope you will really be able to come soon.
God bless!
Hello jill of alltrades I really liked the description and all the photographs, specially the ones of trasier,zipline and chocolate hills.Thanks for sharing
You look like you are flying in your pic. Did your daughter take this?
When you speak of the Philippines, then you are sure to have at least one admirer and that's me. I love the country and I love the kind, generous, wonderful people there.
A very well written, interesting and nicely illustrated hub. You have promoted Bohol well. I have visited previously and agree with what you say.
One thing though. It is best not to promote Tarsier tourism. Anywhere reputable would never let you handle these little nocturnal creatures. The Loboc Riverside has a number of disreputable (and illegal) holders. The Tarsiers they have live for just a few weeks in the poor conditions. They then just go and catch a replacement. They are driving the Tarsier towards extinction. Corruptions leads local authorities to turn a blind eye towards these activities. It really should be stopped.
What a wonderful sight indeed. Like you before, that is one place I would like to visit. I will find a time sometime soon to visit the place. Sayang nga, I have visited Cagayan de Oro, I should have proceeded to Bohol. Nonetheless, your story and your picture suffices for the moment. I am living through Bohol vicariously. Congrats on your lovely pictures.
Hello Suny,
I'm glad that you liked the photos!
Thank you very much for the visit and wonderful comment!
God bless!
Hi coffeesnob,
Thank you for coming back!
Yes, that's as close to flying as I can get. After I overcame my fear of heights (not totally!), I enjoyed the exhilarating feeling of flying in that zipline.
Somebody else took the picture. My daughter followed me on that line. We were a tandem going to one end and on the return trip, we did it one by one.
It's worth the try. Now I can say I did it! Hahaha!
All the best!
Hello De Greek,
That's very nice to know. Thank you very much! When did you visit the Philippines?
If you decide to come back, try Bohol for the other things and try Boracay for the water sports and swimming.
Thanks for the visit and wonderful comment!
God bless!
Hi Peter,
That's wonderful to know! Thank you very much!
I agree with you about the tarsiers. They should really be protected because they are now in the endangered list. I actually was not prepared to handle the tarsiers because I know how stressed they can get. So I just allowed the caretaker to put one on my shoulder.
Thank you very much for your concern.
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a wonderful comment.
God bless!
Hello Angcorics,
It's nice to see you again!
Yes, you should indeed put Bohol in your list of places to visit. I assure you you will not regret it!
Thanks very much for your visit and wonderful comment!
Jill wow........ i'm fell in love with the scenic beauty of Bohol......Thank you very much for letting us know about this beautiful place........
Hello meheshpatwal,
Thank you very much! If you ever get the chance, then come and visit Bohol. You will not regret it, promise!
Thanks again for dropping by and leaving a wonderful comment.
God bless!
Wow! Thanks for featuring this wonderful place on your hub. I am also a Filipino and truly proud of the great places we have in our country. Keep it up!
Hi Dennis,
Nice to meet you here!
Thank you very much for your visit and upbeat comment.
Yes we need to feature things/places that are beautiful in our country. I'm slowly doing this through my travelogues.
All the best!
My gosh, what a beautiful place. The hills in your pictures were amazing and so was that little guy--the tarsier. The little thing looked so relaxed and at ease sitting in the palm of that woman's hand.
Your photographs, as always, were brilliant. You have a keen eye for beauty.
Thanks for sharing your view of this special place!
Mike
Hi Mike,
It's good to see you here!
Thank you very much. You make me happy with your heartwarming comment!
You are most welcome. It's really my pleasure to share with everybody the beauty of our country.
Thanks again and hope to see you around.
God bless!
Beautiful photos, jill. Thanks so much for sharing them!
Hi RedElf,
Nice to see you!
Thank you very much for the visit and wonderful comment!
You are very welcome! My pleasure really!
God bless!
You give to us something beautiful. I believe Bohol is great place for traveling. I really enjoy this hub and all the picture also.
Prasetio
Hello Prasetio,
Thank you very much for dropping by and leaving a beautiful comment! Yes, if you have a chance, visit Bohol. You will enjoy it.
Hope to see you again!
All the best!
I want a tarsier as a pet! The Philippines looks so beautiful. Wonderful hub.
Hi Sandy,
Nice to see you here!
Sorry, you can't have tarsier for a pet. They are in the endangered list.
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment. You make me happy!
God bless!
Jill of alltrades, Beautiful! Wonderful informative hub! The tiny primate is amazing! I learned something new an endangered tarsier! Thank you for sharing this well presented mini virtual treat! Great photography as usual! In HIS Love, Peace & Blessings!
Hi DeBorrah,
Nice to see you!
Thank you very much for your kind words. You have made me very happy!
You are most welcome. My pleasure really.
Thanks again for the visit and inspiring comment!
God bless!
It truly is a beautiful hub, if I decide to visit it will you be my tour guide ; )
Hello TG,
It's nice to see you! I am happy you are still around.
Sure, I'll be happy to guide you around our beautiful country!
God bless!
What a beautiful place!! And as always your photographs are exquisite. I love the Tarsier!
Hi James,
It's great to see you!
Thanks very much for your heartwarming comment!
Yes, it truly is a beautiful place and I'd love to go back there another time. I'd love to get a photo of the chocolate hills at sunrise and sunset.
Unfortunately, the tarsiers now belong to the endangered list. I truly hope the conservation efforts will succeed.
Thanks for the visit James!
See you around!
God bless!
Hope I could visit Bohol sometimes! Nice pictures!
Hi Tisha,
Well, the best way is plan for it. Then convince a friend to come along. It's always best if there is someone you can share stories with.
Thanks very much for dropping by and leaving a lovely comment.
God bless!
Hi Jill! My first to view your hub, and glad to know Bohol has eco adventure sites too like here in cdo. Would love to visit Bohol soon! http://www.cdokay.com/
Hi ilovecdo.
Thanks for your visit and lovely comment. It's been a while since I last visited cdo. I hope I will be able to visit again soon.
God bless!
thumbs up. great pics.i was in bohol a few times but work never allowed me to take a tour of these place. your photos inspired me to visit it again. thanks for sharing.
Hi Jessie,
Nice to see you!
Well, the next time you have a chance, take the tour. It's really worth it!
Thanks very much for your upbeat comment!
God bless!
Bohol is really a great place to spend vacation Jill. The beautiful beaches, natural splendors, historical sites and of course the people. Great work about Bohol Jill. 1 vote up, useful and interesting.=)
Hello Admiral,
Nice to see you!
Yes, Bohol is really nice and interesting. I wouldn't mind going back there.
Thanks very much for the visit,lovely comment, vote up, useful and interesting!
God bless!
Jill, the photos are sensational! I lived on the beautiful islands for five years and always meant to get to Bohol but never did; now I regret so much. But hey, next time huh? And since Bohol can be seen from Bogo, Cebu are there ferries to take one back and forth?
Hello Philippinewanderer,
Thanks for dropping by and leaving an inspiring comment. I strongly recommend a visit to Bohol the next time you have a chance to visit. Yes, there is a ferry between Cebu and Bohol, so it is very accessible from Cebu. I have another hub about Bohol. You can check it out!
God bless!
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samsons1 Level 5 Commenter 22 months ago
what a beautiful hub jill of alltrades- rated up & beautiful! Reminds me of the time I spent in Guam in the late '60's...