Bohol Travel Guide

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Bohol is an island province of the Philippines that is situated in the Central Visayas region and is home to several historical churches, natural wonders, splendid beaches and the buggy-eyed tarsiers.

HOW TO GET THERE BY AIR

Take a direct flight from Manila, Cebu or Davao to Tagbilaran with Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or AirAsia. You can check the flight schedules here. Please note that the schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

HOW TO GET THERE BY SEA
Another way to go to Bohol is to travel by boat from either Manila, Cebu, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Dipolog and Iligan. For ferry schedules and rates, check out Ocean Jet, Kinswell Shipping Lines, Starcraft, Cokaliong, F.J. Palacio Lines, Weesam Express and 2GO.

WHERE TO STAY
There are numerous hotels and resorts to choose from in Bohol – particularly in Tagbilaran and Panglao. However, most of them cater to affluent tourists and the options for backpackers and “glampackers” are very limited.

Luckily, I found a good place for those of us traveling on a tight budget. My personal recommendation would be Moon Fools Hostel. You can read about it here.

There are many easy-to-use and secure websites that can help you choose your accommodation based on your personal preferences and budget.

Agoda
I’ve booked hotels through Agoda a couple of times and I love it. They have a great network of hotels to choose from at competitive prices.

AirBNB
I’ve also booked through AirBNB and this is a personal favorite. AirBNB offers the most unique travel experiences that can perfectly suit your budget and needs.

Booking, Trivago & Hostelworld
I personally haven’t used Booking, Trivago, and Hostelworld before but they also have good deals and a wide selection of hotels to choose from.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
There are a number of travel agencies in Bohol that offer affordable package tours and I’ve seen a lot of them scattered in Panglao. Getting package tours is the best way to enjoy Bohol in the most efficient way possible. However, I love to make my own itinerary and be the boss of my own adventure. So here are my must-see’s and must-do’s in no particular order:

Ride an ATV to Chocolate Hills
Bike on a zipline at Chocolate Hills Adventure Park
Firefly watching under Loay Bridge
Cruise along Loboc River

Spelunking in Danao
Visit historical churches and sites
Scuba diving at Balicasag Island
Rent a motorcyle to get around Bohol
Eat fresh, raw sea urchin at Alona Beach

WHERE TO EAT
To all my foodie readers, here are my top picks:

Giuseppe Pizzeria and Sicilian Roast Gastronomia and Wines
The Buzzz Cafe by Bohol Bee Farm
Gerarda’s Family Restaurant
Swiss Restaurant
Payag Restaurant

EXPENSES FROM ILIGAN VIA DIPOLOG TO BOHOL
Port of Iligan Terminal Fee – 25 PHP
2GO Tatami Class –  1089 PHP
Upgrade to Tourist – 350 PHP

Keep in mind that rates are subject to change without prior notice.