BOHOL

1 Visit Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary

Thanks to the work of the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, the Philippine Tarsier went from endangered to “near threatened”. At the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, the tarsier has free reign to roam, unlike other so-called sanctuaries which keep the tarsiers is enclosures. The tarsiers at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary are completely wild. Visiting is a way to support them in their tireless work to save this unique, little primate, known for their big, expressive eyes, long legs, and alien-like fingers. Since tarsiers are nocturnal, the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary offers silent nature walks to observe the tarsiers sleeping in their natural habitat.

2 The Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are one of Bohol’s most famous sights. They are over 1,200 conical hills that spread out across the landscape like giant, uniform mounds. During the dry season, they turn a rich brown color, resembling chocolate, which is how they got their name. These naturally formed hills are the result of coral deposits and erosion, making them a unique natural wonder. Climb the observation deck at the Chocolate Hills Complex for panoramic views, with sunrise and sunset being the best times to visit.

3 Camugao Falls

At Camugao Falls, a 30-meter-tall waterfall spills into a turquoise pool. Jumping into the pool, floating in the turquoise water, or relaxing at the water’s edge under the shade with a fresh coconut is one of the best things to do in Bohol. There’s a twenty-five pesos fee to enter the pool, twenty pesos for parking, and a tip to a local guide who walks with you to the pool. It might seem odd to have to pay to see natural beauty like a waterfall, but locals built the path and stairs leading down to the waterfall, making visiting it possible. A few pesos is a nice thank you.

5 Learn about Filipino history at Baclayon Church

Baclayon Church, one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines, offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the country. Built in 1595 by Spanish missionaries, this historic church features a well-preserved facade and a fascinating museum that showcases religious artifacts and colonial-era relics. The church’s coral stone construction and intricate interiors reflect the historical and architectural significance of Spanish influence in the Philippines. Visiting Baclayon Church provides insight into Filipino heritage and the enduring impact of Spanish colonization, making it a valuable stop on your Bohol tour.

6 DON’T swim with whale sharks in Lila (or Oslob)

Swimming side-by-side with a majestic creature, the whale shark, ten-meters-long—it’s an experience we all want to have. But there’s an ethical and a non-ethical way to do it. Ethical whale shark experiences don’t feed whale sharks. Whale shark tourism operators in Lila on Bohol (and Oslob) feed whale sharks, despite the harm it does to an endangered species.

Here’s why feeding whale sharks is bad for them:Feeding whale sharks conditioned them to stay in Lila and other areas of the Philippines like Oslob all year round. Instead of spending only a couple of months a year in the Philippines and migrating the rest of the year, the whale sharks stay in the Philippines. In Lila and Oslob, the whale sharks are fed only one kind of food instead of their varied diet found in their natural habitat, leading to poor nutrition. The whale sharks also learn to associate any boat with food, so they are more vulnerable to poachers and injure themselves from approaching other boats looking for food.

How to Plan Your Trip to Bohol

Best Time to Go to Bohol

The best time to visit Bohol is during the dry season from January to June. The rainy season lasts from July to December with November and December being the wettest months. The shoulder season, August to September, might have less tourists and better prices. We visited Bohol in August and had perfectly sunny, dry days.

Where to Stay in Bohol

To discover the island, the best place to stay is Panglao Island or Loboc. From Loboc, it’s a twenty minute drive to the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, forty-five minutes to Camugao Falls, and an hour to the Chocolate Hills. For budget stays, we stayed at Michelina Princess Guesthouse in Loboc for just 770 pesos (about 14 USD) for two people!

How to Get to Bohol

The fastest way to get to Bohol is by plane, but this is also the most expensive. Most people visiting Bohol get there by ferry from Cebu or Oslob. Ferries depart from Cebu to Bohol at Cebu Pier 1. Book tickets online from 12Go, online directly through Ocean Jet, or in-person at Cebu Pier 1. For the best things to do in Bohol, take the ferry to Tagbilaran, not Tubigon. Ferry tickets for tourists cost 800 pesos (about 14 USD) and include 10kgs of baggage, and take 2 hours to reach Tagbilaran. Arrive at least 30 minutes early in order to enter the ferry terminal, pay the terminal fee (25 pesos), go through security, check in and hand over your luggage at the Ocean Jet counter.

How to Get Around Bohol

The best way to get around Bohol is by renting a scooter. The roads are fairly well-maintained, and there is little to no traffic. Scooter rentals cost from 400 pesos to as little as 250 pesos a day. If you can’t ride a scooter, you can hire a tuk-tuk for the day for around 2,000 pesos (about 35 USD) to take you to top sights in Bohol like the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, Camugao Falls, and the Chocolate Hills.
 
To get from Tagbilaran to Loboc or Loboc to Tagbilaran, try taking a local jeepney! They’re super cheap and an insight into how locals get around. A trip from Loboc to Tagbilaran should only cost 50 pesos per person and take you to the National Museum in Bohol.

Safety in Bohol

Bohol is very safe for travelers. The most you have to worry about is staying safe on a motorbike. Make sure to wear a helmet. Don’t ride motorbikes yourself in Bohol (or anywhere else!) if you’re not an experienced rider.

Health in Bohol

Only drink filtered water, not tap. Avoid eating out at unpopular restaurants or street food stalls that are not vetted by other tourists. Avoid eating vegetables and fruits that are cut, not peeled. Brush your teeth with filtered water, not tap.
 
Malaria is not a risk in Bohol but dengue fever still is, especially during and just after the wet season. So make sure to use mosquito repellent in the mornings and evenings.

Travel Insurance for the Philippines

Whatever you do, don’t travel without travel insurance. Whether it’s sickness, theft, or lost luggage, something WILL go wrong, and travel insurance is your only way of lessening costs!