December 25, 2023

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When I first stepped into Bohol, my first question was:

Why didn’t I come here sooner???

Few places in the Philippines are as beautiful and well-developed for tourism as Bohol. 

From the Chocolate Hills and the main tourist zones, all the way to the quiet and lesser-visited towns, Bohol is through and through an amazing island. 

In this Bohol travel guide, I’ll go over: 

And I’ll also answer a bunch of FAQs people usually ask about the island. 

Let’s dive in!

Bohol Travel Facts – 3 Things You Should Know Before Visiting

Before we get into all the details you trip planners need to know, let’s start with the fun stuff. 

Here are a few things that make Bohol unique! 

Bohol Travel Facts #1 – Bohol is One of the Best Places for Solo Travelers

Me looking out at the sea

“Why are you here alone???” 

That’s something I hear a gazillion times in my travels. And it’s true… some places in the Philippines are hard for solo travelers. 

Not Bohol. 

Bohol was one of the only places where everyone understood what solo travelers were. No one gave me weird looks about it. 

Aside from that, there are also a BUNCH of travelers from all over the world here, so meeting like-minded people is super easy. There are hundreds of hostels you can stay at, and there are a bunch of group tours you can join! 

And if mingling with others isn’t your thing, their tourist spots are the types where you can just drive up on a motorbike alone and enjoy yourself. 

Bohol Travel Facts #2 – But It’s Also a Place for Everyone

Me and sister facing chocolate hills

Look…

Even if you’re not an adventurous solo backpacker, you’ll still LOVE Bohol. 

If you’re the type of person who prefers luxurious resorts and fancy restaurants, you’ll find PLENTY of that in Bohol. 

But also…

If you’re the type of person that wants to go freediving, or bungee jump off a cliff, you can do that in Bohol as well!

If you like doing private tours, or if you’d rather get on a motorbike and explore alone, both options are great in Bohol. 

There’s truly something for everyone on this majestic island! 

That’s because:

Bohol Travel Facts #3 – Bohol is One of the Best Developed Islands for Tourism

Boats waiting in Panglao

Bohol is a tourism powerhouse. 

It’s one of the most visited islands in the Philippines, and it’s very easy to see why. 

Aside from the main tourist spots, even the less visited towns have tourism officers! 

I was shocked when I visited Alicia to find a super enthusiastic officer who arranged my hike up the Panoramic Peak (more on that later)

But for now, let’s get into the planning details!

How to Get to Bohol From Anywhere

Bohol is one of the most accessible islands in the Philippines. No matter where you are, there’s bound to be a quick and easy way to get here. 

I’m going to cover how to get to Bohol from the 5 main entry points: 

  • Manila
  • Cebu City
  • Oslob / Moalboal
  • Siquijor, and
  • Camiguin

How to Get to Bohol from Manila

There are daily direct flights to Bohol from Manila courtesy of Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Air Asia. 

Travel time is 1 hour, and tickets are generally affordable if you book in advance (especially if you wait for promo fares)

If the schedule doesn’t work for you, you can also consider flying into Cebu City first. Which brings us to…

How to Get to Bohol from Cebu City

There are dozens of boats from Cebu City to Bohol. Most tourists ride the Ocean Jet fast craft from Cebu Pier 1 to Tagbilaran. Travel time is 2 hours, and tickets cost php800 – php1,000. 

This is considered the best route for tourists because it’s fast and convenient, and it docks in Tagbilaran, which is very close to the main tourist zone Panglao. 

Other options include fast and slow boats to Getafe, Tubigon, and a bunch of other ports in Bohol. If you choose these, you’ll have to get on a bus going to Tagbilaran, and then a tricycle to Panglao. 

How to Get to Bohol from Oslob or Moalboal

There’s one ferry that leaves daily from Quartel Beach in Oslob to Momo Beach in Panglao. It’s run by Apekop Travel, and travel time is around 1.5 hours. 

If you’re in Oslob or Moalboal but don’t want to go back to Cebu City to get to Bohol, this is a godsend. 

You can check updated schedules and book tickets online here. Right now, it leaves at 11:30 am and costs roughly php1,000. 

Note: this is the best way to get to Bohol from Moalboal, but you have 3 other options which I wrote about here!

How to Get to Bohol from Siquijor

There’s a daily direct fast ferry from Siquijor Port to Tagbilaran Port. It’s run by Ocean Jet, costs php800 – php1,000, and travel time is 2 hours. 

You can check the latest schedule and book online here

Alternatively, there’s also a fast boat that leaves daily from Larena Port to Tagbilaran. It’s run by Apekop.

How to Get to Bohol from Camiguin

There’s a daily ferry from Mambajao, Camiguin to Jagna, Bohol. It runs once a day costs php760, travel time is 4 hours, and you can book at the port or online. 

This route is run by Super Shuttle, and the ferry currently leaves at 9:30 am. However, schedules are bound to change. You can Super Shuttle’s Facebook page for updates. 

Bohol Travel Requirements 2024

Bohol currently has no travel requirements! Everyone is free to enter Bohol with or without vaccinations, and no pre-booked accommodation is needed. 

How to Get Around Bohol

Alright…

So now that you’ve arrived at Bohol, the next big question is:

How do you get around???

There are plenty of options, so I’ll go over them one by one. 

Renting a Motorbike (Best Option)

Motorbike parked at the end of the Holy Mountain trail

Remember what I said about Bohol being great for backpackers?

Well, this is one of the reasons why. 

It’s super easy to rent a motorbike here and just travel wherever you want, whenever you want. The freedom you get from driving a motorbike is unmatched.

There are a bunch of motorbikes for rent right outside the Tagbilaran Pier for php400/day, so you can pick up and drop off the bike as you enter and exit Bohol. 

There are also motorbike rentals all over Panglao, Tagbilaran, and Anda; pretty much anywhere there are tourists.

Motorbike rentals range from php300 – php500 a day. You typically have to leave a security deposit or an ID (note for foreigners: never leave your passport!). 

Ride Tricycles or Habal-Habal (Motorcycle Taxi)

If you can’t / don’t want to rent a motorbike, you can opt for tricycles or habal-habals instead. 

You can find them all over Tagbilaran and Panglao. 

However, prices are mostly unregulated, so prepare your haggling skills! 

For short distances, expect to pay around php20 – 50, medium distances will cost you php100 – 400. And long distances (like Tagbilaran Pier to Panglao) usually start at around php500. 

Some tricycles also offer land tours. These usually go for around php1,500 – php2,000. 

Buses

Bus in Carmen, Bohol

In Bohol, buses are primarily used for long-distance travel. And in Bohol, you never pre-book these.

If you’re heading to Jagna to catch the ferry to Camiguin, or if you’re going to spend some time in Anda, or if you’re going to Carmen to DIY your Chocolate Hills visit – buses are the way to go. 

There are also buses every hour from the Dao Terminal in Tagbilaran to the Alona area in Panglao. If your timing is right, you can hop on one instead of taking a tricycle. 

Bus fares are typically cheap. Tagbilaran to Panglao only costs around php100, while Tagbilaran to Anda will cost around php150. 

Vans

Like buses, vans are often used for longer-distance travel. Most organized tours also use vans. 

Unlike buses, it’s easy to get a private van to take you around. These usually cost around php3,200 for 8 hours. 

Bohol Travel Map

A fun, Bohol travel map coming soon! For now, here’s a map by Bohol Philippines. 

When you’re traveling Bohol, there are really 6 areas that tourists should be aware of:

  1. Tagbilaran
  2. Panglao
  3. Carmen – Loboc (and central Bohol)
  4. Anda (and East Bohol)
  5. San Isidro (and West Bohol)
  6. Danao (and North Bohol)

Let’s take a closer look! 

Tagbilaran – The Main City

I love Tagbilaran sign

Tagbilaran is the main city and entry point into Bohol. 

It’s bustling, full of buildings and stores, and can also get quite traffic. 

For travelers, it’s here you’ll find:

  1. The Tagbilaran Pier
  2. Motorbike rental (right outside the pier)
  3. Dao Bus Terminal (for getting around Bohol)
  4. Shopping centers for any needs you have

Other than that, there’s not much you can do or see around the city except for the Blood Compact Shrine (which is just a shrine)

Panglao – Main Tourist Zone

Dumaluan Beach in Panglao

This is where you’ll find all the accommodations – from hotels and resorts to homestays and hostels. You’ll also find the airport here.

The main strip in Panglao is along Alona Beach. 

Alona area gets extremely lively, with bright lights, live shows, and countless food options. But it can also get overcrowded, especially during peak hours. 

There are plenty of accommodations and restaurants scattered all over Panglao. But the further you go from Alona, the more spread out they become. 

Panglao does have a few tourist spots worth visiting (which I’ll get to in a bit). And it’s also the main hub for scuba and freediving! 

Carmen, Loboc, and Central Bohol – Main Sightseeing Area

Loboc River

Before heading to Bohol, I thought the Chocolate Hills would be near my hostel (in Panglao)

Boy was I wrong! 

It turns out most of the sightseeing spots are in Central Bohol, which is a full 1.5 hours away from Panglao! 

But I’ll say this, the spots here are well worth the long drive. From the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers to the manmade forests and the green Loboc River, these are some of the most unique spots I’ve been to (more about them in a bit)

Plus, they’re all relatively close to each other, so you can visit them all in one go. 

Anda and East Bohol – SUPER Underrated Destination

Beach in Anda

Listen up…

Easta Bohol is SO beautiful…

And SO underrated…

I’m going to write a full travel guide just for this place. 

Let me just give you a quick summary here! 

Anda is a full 2 hours away from Panglao, which is why it doesn’t get nearly as much attention. 

But the beaches and the spots here are just as beautiful – and arguably even better since they’re not as crowded. 

From the cave pools of Anda to the stunning hills of Alicia, I can’t express how much I love this place. 

A MUST visit for backpackers! 

San Isidro and West Bohol – Waterfalls and Off-The-Beaten-Path

Kawasan Falls in Bohol

I’m going to be honest…

I don’t know a lot about West Bohol, and I doubt many travelers do too. 

There are some ports to Cebu here like Tubigon and Loon. 

And you’ll also find waterfalls like Camugao and Kawasan here (worth a visit btw)

But other than those, it’s very much off-the-beaten-path. 

If you’re the type of traveler who likes that kind of stuff, this might be a good place to start. I remember seeing another bright green river here that isn’t as well known as Loboc (I didn’t even know the name)

Danao and the North – Bungee Jump and Off-The-Beaten-Path

Last, there’s North Bohol, which, aside from the Danao Adventure Park, has no famous spots. 

So head up here if you’re up for some thrills – like the highest canyon swing in the world (75 meters)

Or maybe head up here if you want to escape the crowd. 

There’s also a port to Cebu in Jetafe, which is one of the closest ones to Cebu City. 

Where to Stay in Bohol

Instead of giving you exact hotels to stay at (there are so many of them)

I’m instead going to give you a general idea of what the areas are like, and where I stayed.

Then you can head to your favorite booking site and look for hotels near that area. How does that sound?

Where to Stay in Bohol – Alona (duh)

Sunrise Huts near Alona Beach, Panglao

For travelers, the default area to stay is around Alona Beach in Panglao. 

There are countless options in this area, from dirt-cheap hostels to luxurious resorts like Hennan, The Bellevue, and South Palms. 

If you don’t like big crowds, you can always stay a few minutes away from the main strip. There are plenty of tricycles all over Panglao that can take you to the main zone anytime (or you can rent a motorbike). 

However, keep in mind that Alona Beach is mediocre. 

If you’re looking for cleaner, whiter sand, less crowded, and bigger beaches, you can stay in the Dumaluan Beach area (which is right beside Alona)

When I visited, I stayed a full week in Sunrise Huts, a quiet, secluded hostel that’s right beside Dumaluan. 

Inside Sunrise Huts hostel

It’s not a social hostel by any means, and there’s nothing that’s walking distance from it. But it was a cozy and quiet place which I loved. 

Finally, you’ll find lots of quieter places to stay all along Panglao. Just double-check how far away they are from Alona (because that’s really where all the action is!)

Where to Stay in Bohol – Central Bohol Resorts

If you want a quiet escape, then you should probably look around Central Bohol. 

All along the majestic green Loboc River, you’ll find resorts that allow you to get away from it all. 

For backpackers looking to take public transport, you’ll also find a couple of cheap inns around the Carmen area. 

Carmen is where the Chocolate Hills are, so you can see why this is a popular place to spend the night! 

Where to Stay in Bohol – Tagbilaran

Or rather, where to NOT stay in Bohol. 

Tagbilaran is a city. 

So unless you have business to do, I really don’t recommend staying here. 

Even though it’s a small city, its roads are tiny, so it still jams up with traffic. 

There’s absolutely no reason for travelers to base themselves here (unless it’s for a luxury resort on the city outskirts)

Where to Stay in Bohol – Anda

Beach resort in Anda

When visiting East Bohol, Anda is the automatic place to stay. 

It’s a beautiful and secluded beach town, and has plenty of resorts to stay at too. 

When I visited, I stayed at One Peace Beach Resort, which was a little bit isolated, but not a worry because I had a motorbike. 

One Peace Beach Resort in Anda

The resort was super peaceful, it had its own beachfront, and I got a bed in a dorm for just php500/night (pretty sweet)

The Belgian owner, Boris, is also very friendly. He even offered to draw me a hiking route map of Anda if I wanted. 

What To Do in Bohol – 7 Things To Do and See

Now for the fun part! 

There are a gazillion things you can see and do in Bohol. 

I’ll get more in-depth into everything in my Bohol Tourist Spots post (coming soon), but for now, here are some ideas on what you can do! 

Things to do in Bohol – Visit the Chocolate Hills

The chocolate hills

The most famous landmark on the entire island is the Chocolate Hills.

A UNESCO Global Geopark, the landscape of these hills is unlike anything you’ll ever see. 

The hills themselves are limestone karsts. There are over a thousand of them, but the main one is where you’ll find the Chocolate Hills Complex. 

stairs going up chocolate hills

There’s a paved road hugging the hill, and there are stairs that’ll take you to the very top, where the best views of the hills are. 

Entrance here is php100, but it’s very much worth it. 

You can always go crazy and just try to climb a random chocolate hill you find for free. But I don’t recommend doing this! 

You can get to the Chocolate Hills by renting a motorbike and driving here, or you can also join the popular Bohol Countryside Tour. 

Speaking of which…

Things to do in Bohol – Go on the Countryside Tour

Bilar manmade forest

The Countryside Tour is by far the most popular tour in Bohol. 

You can go with a tour agency or, if you’re like me, just rent a motorbike and do it yourself. 

The reason it’s so popular is because even though the spots are far away from Panglao, they’re all close to each other, making it super easy to visit them all in one day. 

The Countryside Tour includes: 

  • Chocolate Hills
  • Tarsier Sanctuary
  • Bilar Manmade Forest
  • Xzootic Animal Park (don’t recommend)
  • Loboc River
  • Baclayon Church

All of the spots are worth a visit, except maybe Xzootic (which is a bit of a sad zoo)

The Tarsier Sanctuary is one of the only places in the world where you can come face-to-face with the tiny primates. 

Tarsier sleeping

The manmade forest is just a road surrounded by trees, but it’s picturesque. 

Bilar manmade forest road

Loboc River is glowing green, and going on their lunch buffet cruise is a wonderful experience (php850). Loboc is so beautiful and has a lot to do, many people come all the way just for it. 

Cruise boat in Loboc River

Finally, Baclayon Church is a nice old church. It’s not too different if you’ve seen Philippine churches before, but still a nice stopover before heading back. 

Things to do in Bohol – Go Island Hopping!

Man rowing boat

Like almost every other province, Bohol has its own version of island hopping as well. 

But here’s the thing:

Bohol’s island hopping is one of the better ones. 

It’s a half-day tour, and stops include:

  • The dolphin-watching area
  • Virgin Island sandbar
  • Balicasag reef
  • Balicasag island

The dolphins only show up early in the morning, so try to leave as early as possible. If you’re not traveling alone, you can also get a private boat to take you out so you can leave at 6 am and beat the crowd. 

The Virgin Island sandbar is a cool bunch of sand in the middle of the sea. It’s great for a quick swim, but there isn’t much else to do around here. Also, there’s usually a long line of people taking pictures with the Virgin Island sign. 

Virgin Island in Bohol

Balicasag Reef is one of the most amazing reefs I’ve seen. Found about 50 – 100 meters from shore, this reef is BURSTING with life. It’s a deep drop, and the wall is home to all kinds of colorful fish and corals. I didn’t know where to look because there were too many fish (the picture doesn’t do this justice)

Fishes in Balicasag Reef

Balicasag Island is a small island with a few eateries. The beach isn’t extraordinary, but there are a few turtles that hang out on the shallows which you can check out. After checking out the turtles, you’re pretty much forced to buy and eat lunch on the island (lunch is not included on most tours)

Turtle in Balicasag

Overall, the dolphins and the Balicasag Reef make it worth it. 

Prices when it comes to island hopping are all over the place. I went with GoPanglao’s joiner tour for php999, but you can find joiner tours anywhere along Alona Beach. 

If you want a private boat (which I recommend for bigger groups to avoid the crowd), you can also book online here

Things to do in Bohol – Explore Panglao

Panglao Church

I’ll be honest, Panglao’s spots aren’t the most spectacular. 

Nonetheless, since most of you are going to be staying there already, why not explore it? 

There are some organized tours you can join, but renting a motorbike and seeing the spots on your own is the way to go. 

Panglao’s spots include:

  • Hinagdanan Cave
  • Dauis Church
  • Bohol Bee Farm
  • Shell Museum

Hinagdanan Cave is the main event of the Panglao land tour, and for good reason. It’s a very unique cave, with a lovely swimming pool. It would’ve been one of my top spots of all time if it wasn’t for the crowd! The cave is relatively small, and on busy times, there are about 30 people jam-packed in the cave. 

Hinagdanan Cave

Panglao Church is a cozy place. Nothing spectacular, but it’s a nice place to sit down and watch people go about their business.

Bohol Bee Farm lost all its bees during Typhoon Odette. That said, they still serve their famous ice cream in a casava cone for php80. The Bee Farm also has a pasalubong store, a cafe, and a restaurant. Not a must-visit, but a cool place to go if you have time. 

Bohol Bee Farm entrance

Finally, the Shell Museum is exactly what it sounds like. I didn’t get to visit, so I can’t say much. But if this is your type of thing, definitely go check it out! 

Things to do in Bohol – Try Freediving

Bohol is one of the freediving hot spots in the Philippines.

There are a bunch of instructors and schools based in Panglao, so it’s very easy to get into it here. And there are great spots to go freediving too. 

I tried freediving in the Napaling Reef, which is home to the famous orange Napaling crack. 

You can try freediving by yourself. Or, if you want to learn how to do it properly, enroll in one of the many freediving schools around Panglao! 

Things to do in Bohol – Chase Waterfalls

Kawasan Falls in Balilihan

Bohol isn’t as well-known for waterfalls as Siquijor or South Cebu, but they do have their fair share of beautiful ones! 

And here’s a little secret: 

Bohol’s Camugao Falls is one of my favorites of all time. 

Camugao Falls

The tall falls, the green water, and the lovely swimming area were something I would go back for over and over again (even though it was out of the way)

Aside from Camugao, Bohol also has Kawasan (not the same as the one in Cebu), Pahangog (not too far away from Bilar), and Can Umantad Falls (found in the Anda area). All of which are worth a visit!

Things to do in Bohol – Visit Anda

Waves in a beach

Again, I’m going to write an entire blog post about the East side of Bohol because it’s almost a completely different destination. 

But if ever you’ve explored the main spots in Bohol, and you still have a few days left, a quick trip to Anda is a great way to spend your time! 

Anda is one of the most laid-back beach towns I’ve ever been to. 

Plus, the towns beside it are full of exciting spots to visit like:

  • Cabagnow and other cave pools
  • Quinale Beach
  • The Alicia Panoramic Hills
  • Can-Umantad Falls, the tallest in Bohol
  • Cadapdapan Rice Terraces
  • Canawa Cold Spring
Cabagnow Cave Pool in Anda

And many other lesser-known spots!

Bohol Sample Itineraries (and Budgets)

Bohol is an island you can stay in for weeks and weeks and never run out of things to do. 

I stayed on the island for 10 days, and that didn’t feel nearly enough. 

That said, if you’re short on time, here’s how you can make the most out of it. 

You can see all the highlights in 2 days, but I’d say the minimum to enjoy the island is 3 days. 

Sample 3-Day Bohol Itinerary and Budget = php5,785

Here’s how I would explore Bohol if I had only 3 days and wanted to go as cheaply as possible! 

Day 1 – Arrival and Countryside Tour

TimeActivityPrice
8:00 amArrive in Bohol
Rent a Motorbike (3 days)php1,200
Gas (full tank)php250
9:30 amChocolate Hillsphp100
11:00 amTarsier Sanctuaryphp180
11:30 amManmade Forest
12:30 pm Loboc River Cruise (lunch)php850
2:30 pmBaclayon Church
2:45 pmBlood Compact Shrine
3:30 pmCheck-in at Sunrise Huts (2 nights)php600
5:00 pmCheck out Alona Beach 
6:00 pmDinnerphp150
8:00 pmSleep

Notes: if you don’t want to rent a motorcycle and explore on your own, there are several countryside tour providers. You can book online or when you arrive in Bohol. 

Day 2 – Island Hopping / Explore Panglao

TimeActivityPrice
5:30 amBreakfastphp100
6:00 am Meetup for Island HoppingPhp999 (price varies between providers)
8:00 amJump off
8:30 amDolphin watching
9:30 amVirgin Island
10:15 am Balicasag Reef
11:00 amTurtle watching
12:00 pmLunch in Balicasag php250
1:30 pmBack in Panglao
2:30 pmHinagdanan Cavephp125
3:30 pmBohol Bee Farm ice creamphp80
4:30 pmPanglao Church
6:00 pm Dinnerphp150
8:00 pmZzzz

Notes: If you’re traveling with more than 3 people, I highly recommend getting a private boat instead of doing joiner tours. We almost missed the dolphins because of our late start! You can book island hopping tours online or anywhere along Alona Beach (there are LOTS of them). 

You can also book private Panglao tours, but I recommend renting a motorbike and going to see the spots yourself. 

Day 3 – Waterfalls and Chill

TimeActivityPrice
7:00 amBreakfastphp100
8:00 am Gas upphp250
9:00 amKawasan Falls
10:00 am Camugao Fallsphp250
12:00 pmLunch and checkoutphp150
1:00 pmChill in Dumaluan Beachphp100
Ferry or flight out
Total Spend for 3-daysphp5,785

Notes: On the third and last day, there’s a bunch of different things you can go for. I personally recommend checking out some waterfalls (since they’re super underrated), but you can just as easily go see the Whale Sharks, or visit the Danao Adventure Park for a bungee jump. 

Sample 4-Day Bohol Itinerary 

If you’re staying for four days, I’d do most of what’s listed above, but I’d also throw in a day for either scuba diving or freediving!

Here’s how I’d do it: 

Day 1 – Countryside Tour 

Day 2 – Island Hopping and Explore Panglao

Day 3 – Scuba Dive or Freedive, Chill in Dumaluan

Day 4 – Chasing Waterfalls and Exit

If you’re not into trying diving, you can also head to Lila Bohol and go whale shark watching, which is similar to the one they have in Oslob Cebu. You can also book this tour online here. 

Sample 5-Day Bohol Itinerary 

If you’re staying for five days, you can either add an extra day to completely relax. Or, you can split your trip into 3 days in the Panglao area, and 2 days in the Anda area. 

Here’s what that’d look like:

Day 1 – Countryside Tour

Day 2 – Island Hopping and Explore Panglao

Day 3 – Chase Waterfalls, transfer to Anda

Day 4 – Cave pools, waterfalls, rice terraces

Day 5 – Hike Alicia Panoramic Hills, swim in Canawa Cold Spring, exit Bohol

As always… I’ll write a detailed guide on Anda soon, so stay tuned! (I’ll link it here if it’s done)

Where to Go After Bohol

That’s almost everything you need to know about Bohol. 

The last question (before the FAQs) to answer is where should you go after Bohol??? 

Bohol is quite a hub, and there are 3 really cool destinations that you can easily get to from Bohol. 

These are:

  1. Siquijor
  2. Camiguin
  3. South Cebu

Siquijor

Cambugahay Falls

Siquijor is my favorite island in the entire Philippines! 

It’s a magical place with beautiful waterfalls, lovely beaches, unique spots, and great diving too. 

There are direct ferries from Bohol to Siquijor that only take 2 hours. The most popular one is run by OceanJet. 

You can book tickets online here, head to any booking office in Panglao, or book directly in the Tagbilaran pier. 

I highly, HIGHLY recommend visiting Siquijor. You won’t regret it!

You can read my full Siquijor travel guide here!

Camiguin

White Island during sunrise

One crazily underrated island is Camiguin. 

With some of the most beautiful forests and white-sand beaches I’ve ever seen, Camiguin is another must-visit island.

A lot of people don’t know that there’s a direct ferry from Bohol to Camiguin. 

It leaves from the town of Jagna, which is about 1.5 hours away from Tagbilaran. To get there, you can ride a bus from the Dao Terminal in Tagbilaran. 

The ferry only runs once a day. You can check schedules and book online here, or you can book directly at the port. 

Check out my Camiguin travel guide to help with your planning! 

South Cebu (Oslob & Moalboal)

Sunset in Moalboal

Finally, there’s South Cebu. 

In Oslob, you can swim with the whale sharks and check out Tumalog Falls, while Moalboal is famous for its sardine run. 

South Cebu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines, so it makes a lot of sense to combine visiting Bohol and South Cebu in one go. 

The great news?

There’s a direct ferry from Momo Beach in Panglao to Quartel Beach in Oslob! 

That’s right.

No need to travel all the way to Tagbilaran and Cebu City anymore. 

The ferry is run by Apekop Travel, and it currently leaves back and forth once a day. You can check updated schedules and book online, find a travel agency, or book at the port (there are limited seats so I recommend booking ahead).

Check out my Moalboal travel guide here!

Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling Bohol

Last but not least!

Let’s get to some frequently asked questions about traveling Bohol.

If you can’t find the answer to your question here, do leave a comment down below and I’ll get right back to you. 

Let’s go. 

What’s the Best Time to Visit Bohol?

The best time to visit Bohol is around January to March. The dry season runs from December to May, while the wet season runs from June to November. 

Keep in mind that Philippine weather is very unpredictable, so there can be storms during the dry season, and there can be long, sunny weeks during the rainy season! 

January to March is the best time to visit because not only is it dry, but December, April, and May are peak seasons, so there can be a LOAD of tourists. 

However, no matter what your schedule is, my advice is to just go! You’re never going to time the weather perfectly, so don’t stress too much about it. 

How Long Should You Stay in Bohol?

You should stay in Bohol for at least 3 – 4 days. 2 days is passable, but super rushed, while 5 days may be too slow for some people. 

That said, you can stay in Bohol for 10 days like I did, or you can stay for months. You’ll find out very quickly once you’re here that there are a gazillion things to do and see!

What is Bohol Famous For?

Bohol is famous for the Chocolate Hills! If there’s only one thing you can do in Bohol, it should be to go and see these hills. 

They’re super unique and iconic. 

Can You Drive Around the Whole Bohol?

Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Bohol is a HUGE island, and it’d take you almost a whole day of nonstop driving to get around the whole island (not to mention the interior)

If ever you plan to do this, make sure to stop by and stay in some popular towns like Carmen and Anda. 

What is Bohol’s Pasalubong Item?

Bohol’s most famous pasalubong, or gift, item is Kalamay. Made from coconut, sugar, and glutinous rice, it’s popularly sold inside coconut shells. 

If you’ve never tried it, you have to! It’s sweet, delicious, and super unique. 

Ready to Travel Bohol?

And there you have it!

Thank you for reading my Bohol travel guide! This took a lot of work to create, and my wish is that it’ll be useful for your trip. 

Bohol is one of my favorite islands of all time, and I’m so excited that you’re going to visit. 

So go and start planning away!

I’m SO excited for you!

– Manoling

P.S. If you have any more questions, leave a comment down below. I love helping people plan their trips! 

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About the author 

Manoling Martinez

Hi! I'm Manoling, a 24-year-old backpacker from Cebu City. I'm on a mission to visit ALL 82 provinces of the Philippines. You can follow my adventures on my Instagram, or plan your trips here on my website!

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