Top 11 things to do in Bohol (with Exclusive Tips!)
What are the best things to do in Bohol, Philippines?
Home of cultural treasures and tropical paradise, welcome to Bohol! To travel to Bohol is to fall in love. Bohol, located in the province of Bohol, is the 10th largest island in the Philippines (there are over 7,000). You will be greeted by smiling locals within your first steps of arrival. Flaunting white beaches and novel landscapes, there is no shortcoming of activities to do around the island.
To visit Bohol is to dive deep into its opulent history, as the area preserves heavy influence from the Spanish invaders who arrived some 500 years ago. Even the Japanese had their time on the island, where the commander lived for a time during WWII. The remnants of this history are scattered all over the remarkable island.
From the Chocolate Hills to the Bohol Sea, Bohol promises to impress you with its natural beauty!
How do you get to Bohol?
The island of Bohol is located off the coast of Cebu, a mere two hour ferry ride away.
Depending on where you’re coming from, you can fly directly into Panglao International airport, located 20-30 minutes from Bohol’s mainland.
Most travelers will arrive from Cebu. Cebu International Airport is the second largest airport in the Philippines, and is easily accessible by flight from Manilla or other surrounding countries.
If arriving from Cebu City, go to Cebu Pier. There are four different terminals (make sure you go to the correct terminal if you have booked a ferry ticket online beforehand).
You can book ferry tickets through The price typically ranges from 883 PHP to 1,295 PHP ($15-$22 USD), depending on the time of day/year when you go.
There are a few ports you can enter the island through via ferry, though for tourists I recommend entering from Tagbilaran Pier. This is the capital city of Bohol, but it is also a great home base when touring around the island.
How do you get around Bohol?
Traveling around Bohol is easy! The streets are filled with Filipino style rickshaws and taxi motorbikes. You can flag them down from the side of the road by waving. Or you can opt to use public transport such as Jeepneys or the local buses. Jeepneys are also flagged down from the side of the road, but typically have their own set route that they go on, so it can be a bit confusing for tourists. The local buses can be caught from the Daong Bus Terminal or bus stops.
If you feel confident, you can rent your own motorbike to take around, as the island is best explored by motorbike! Just be careful, as the local style of driving may be different from your home country.
If you prefer to book taxis online, the Maxim App is now available on the island! This is currently the only ride hailing service available on the island of Bohol.
My list of the top 11 things to do in Bohol!
Planning to visit Bohol? I recommend staying 3-5 days on this stunning island, with an overnight stay (or two) outside of Tagbilaran in either Panglao or Carmen!
I stayed a week on the island, and here are my top 11 must-do activities you need to add to your itinerary immediately!
1. Philippines Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary
Price- 150 PHP ($2.55 USD)
This is undoubtedly my favorite thing I did in Bohol. The tarsiers remind me of the 90’s toy Furby, with small bodies and huge eyes. Simply put, tarsiers are the nocturnal, big-eyed cousin of the monkey! These pint-sized creatures are only found among the islands of South East Asia.
Only a short drive from Tagbilaran City, the Philippines Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary is a dedicated area for protecting the tarsiers. No need to book a ticket beforehand, just pay in cash whenever you arrive! This donation goes towards sustaining the sanctuary. They follow very strict guidelines for protecting the well-being and happiness of the Tarsiers.
The Tarsiers here are completely free, but often return to the same areas during the daytime to sleep. Each morning, volunteers quietly walk the woods to locate and check on the tarsiers. When visitors arrive, they can go on a guided tour to view the tarsiers located that morning, so the number of tarsiers seen will always vary day to day. You can’t speak during the tour, as the tarsiers are nocturnal, and staff are careful not to disturb their peace!
This is a very ethical tour, so you do not need to worry about supporting the captivity of animals! Go see the little aliens!
The Sanctuary – Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc.
2. Loboc River Cruise
Price- 1,000 PHP ($17 USD)
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Loboc River Cruise is perfect for those looking to eat native foods and experience local culture! This is a lunch buffet on a boat, located across the river from the massive San Pedro Church.
To go on the Loboc River Cruise, you can book in advance online or purchase a ticket upon arrival. It is important to note that the dry season (aka- tourist season) is from December to May, so it may be better to book ahead during those months. Otherwise, purchase a ticket there and walk right onto the boat!
The tour starts whenever the boat fills up with passengers and will last for one hour. Once full, the boat sets sail along the Loboc River. During the journey, many locals can be seen along the river going about their everyday lives.
The Loboc River Cruise buffet features an array of Filipino style cuisine. The dishes spotlight many types of delicious meats prepared with the local spices. If you are vegan/vegetarian, this may not be the cruise for you as my boat only had one vegetable dish.
Midway through the cruise, the boat stopped at a floating stage for us to watch residents perform local songs and dance! They even did the bamboo pole dance, where you try not to let your feet get caught between the moving poles. If you are lucky, you may be briefly called on stage to dance with them!
3. Chocolate Hills
Price- 100 PHP ($1.70 USD)
This is bucket list worthy. You can’t visit Bohol without observing the striking Chocolate Hills. Spanning 50 kilometers across multiple towns, the 1,268 hills are a sight to be seen!
The Chocolate Hills get their name from Hershey’s Kisses. During the dry season all of the grass dries up and turns brown, making it appear as chocolates dotting the landscape. Although geologists are not sure exactly how the hills were formed, the popular theory is that it is the result of thousands of years of weathering of marine limestone.
Today, the Chocolate Hills are recognized as a National Treasure in the Philippines! They are preserved under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) and have been declared a UNESCO geological sight!
There are two main viewing points to see the Chocolate Hills: Carmen town and Sagbayan Peak. I first opted for the Carmen viewing point, as it is deemed the more picturesque of the two and is easily reachable by local bus.
I took the local bus one and a half hours to Carmen and walked to the viewpoint. You buy your ticket at the base, with free van shuttles to take you up and down from the viewpoint. Upon arrival to the top, you climb up maybe 100 additional steps to the actual viewpoint!
The Carmen Chocolate Hills viewpoint is 360-degree views and is absolutely jaw dropping. From my observations, I developed a theory that the hills may actually be man-made, as it reminds me of ancient Aztec Burial mounds. This is mere speculation though, so you should go view it for yourself and let me know what you think!
However, I later realized Sagbayan Peak has a butterfly dome, so I ended up visiting both peaks. Sagbayan Peak actually offers many activities all in one place! There, you can visit a Tarsier Sanctuary, butterfly dome, and view the Chocolate Hills! Both peaks are dazzling, so if you have time make the trip and visit both!
4. Butterfly Sanctuary Dome
Price- 20 PHP ($0.34 USD)
Small but mighty, the island of Bohol is home to 300 native species of butterflies. For this reason, Bohol has a number of Butterfly sanctuaries you can choose from during your visit to the island! I opted for the Butterfly Dome at Sagbayan Peak. There, you can learn about the life cycle of a butterfly as they flutter around you!
The butterflies are well cared for, with many plants and flowers to hide amidst, and deserts of banana slices and honey arranged for them to snack on. One of the staff volunteers walked around with a “grandma” butterfly relaxing in some flowers. I was told the butterfly was three weeks old, which is old is butterfly-time as the butterflies have a life cycle of only 3-4 weeks!
When choosing a sanctuary to visit, always do your research. I heard complaints of some “sanctuaries” on the island keeping exotic animals in small cages. I recommend supporting only sanctuaries with ethical practices.
5. Alicia Panoramic Hike
Price- 300 (PHP) for guide ($5.09 USD), and 30 PHP entrance fee ($0.50 USD)
If you are looking for an off the beaten path activity, a hike at Alicia Panoramic Hills will blow you away! Lush grasses as far as the eye can see, Alicia Panoramic Park is absolutely magnificent. It’s a very private and peaceful experience. I only found out about Alicia Panoramic Park because I mentioned to a local barista working at the cafe that I “love going on walks.”
But do not be naive like me, the hike is not a simple one. It can be quite steep at points, and in typical Filipino fashion, it is quite hot. It is grassy, so there are no areas to hide under shade. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. I recommend to start this hike early in the morning so that you are not under the sun in the hottest hours of the day.
It takes around an hour and a half to reach the top, and an hour back down. In total, plan to spend around 3 hours to complete this hike.
You can reach the Alicia Panoramic Hills by bus from Tagbilaran bus station to Alicia Municipal Hall, taking around 2 and a half hours. The bus stops right outside the Alicia Municipal Town Hall, where you can book your guide for 300 PHP.
I recommend booking your guide the day before, and staying at a homestay nearby overnight so that you can start your hike early in the morning the next day.
Unfortunately, I did not do that. I was overly confident in myself to get the bus there, go on the hike, and get the bus back to Tagbilaran City. I did this walk in the middle of the day, which resulted in a sunburn and absolute sweat-out. I do not recommend doing this at all.
6. Firefly Watching
Price- Depends on Group Size (1,000 PHP 1 person) ($17 USD)
Skip out on the nightclubs in Panglao and go on a nighttime firefly watching tour instead! This was the most magical experience of all in Bohol. You can explore the lush mangroves by kayak as you spot thousands of fireflies in their natural habitats. Every evening, the fireflies light up the trees like it’s Christmas.
You can go on a firefly watching tour in either the Abatan or Maribojoc River. I went on the Abatan River Tour because that’s where my rickshaw driver, Joel, felt like taking me. The tour lasted an hour, starting around 6 pm. Upon arrival, I had a local tour guide. Robert helped navigate the mangroves and point out the fireflies basking in all of their beauty!
The price depends on the group size. The smaller the group, the more expensive it will be per person. However, solo travelers should not skip out on this tour for that reason! Round up a few friends from your accommodation and invite them to go with you to watch the fireflies!
7. Alona Beach- Panglao
Let’s go to the beach! Just a 40-minute drive from Tagbilaran City, take a day trip to Alona Beach in Panglao. Panglao is a small island connected to Bohol by bridge and can be easily accessed via local transportation. Alona Beach is the nightlife of Bohol, as there is heavy tourism and many nightclubs in this area. Alona Beach is famous for its one-and-a-half-kilometer white sand beach that ends with rocky cliffs on both ends.
Alona Beach is also an anchor to a variety of foreign cuisines. I spent the day here sunbathing and ate at a local Thai restaurant (I’ve been missing Thailand). It was tranquil to spend a day doing nothing but relaxing and eating savory food.
There are also many diving tours operating from this beach, if you wish to spend a day island hopping to nearby red dot islands and swimming with exotic fish.
8. Tagbilaran City
Price- Free
You don’t need to go anywhere to find something to do. Stay in Tagbilaran City, and learn about its abundant history! Tagbilaran City alone is a full day city tour and offers a vivid glimpse into the past. A few locations all within walking distance of each other include:
- Bohol National Museum (Free)
- Plaza Jose P. Rizal (Free)
- St. Joseph the worker Cathedral (Free)
- Carlos P. Garcia Heritage Museum (Free)
- Oasis Balili Heritage Lodge (Free to visit)
Fun fact- I got to stay at the Oasis Balili Heritage Lodge for a few nights! It is now a functioning hostel, also offering private rooms. The owners are still the original family who built the house over 100 years ago! The owner (Hi Mrs. Gloria!) told me stories of how the house was taken from her family during WWII by the Japanese, and that the Japanese commander actually lived there for a period of time. The house was eventually given back to the family when the Americans finally arrived in 1945.
Other artifacts in Tagbilaran City that are not walking distance but still worth visiting include:
- Baclayon Church (Free)
- Blood Compact Shrine (Free)
9. Rice Terraces
Price- 30-50 PHP ($0.50-0.85 USD)
Relax in nature and go for a morning walk through the rice terraces of Bohol! There are a few rice terraces to choose from located in the center of the island, such as Cadapdan and Cambuyo. The terraces are not touristy, if you are looking for a peaceful and quiet walk to enjoy some views. They remind me much of the rice terraces in Bali, but without the crowds. The rice terraces can be reached via motorbike around one hour from Tagbilaran City. If you are driving yourself to the Chocolate Hills, I recommend making a detour here along the way! There are also other natural beauties in the area, including some falls and springs.
To buy a ticket for the rice terraces, there will be a small hut on the side of the road just before you reach the rice terrace. Do not just blow past it! The entrance fee is 50 PHP. You do not need a tour guide.
10. Hinagdanan Cave- Panglao
Price- 100 PHP ($1.70 USD)
Go for an underground swim in Hinagdanan Cave! This Cave is something you should absolutely not miss, due to its unique history and grandness. It was first discovered by a farmer who found two holes in the ground and heard a splash when he dropped a rock in. Later, the cave would be used as a hideout during WWII when the local people hid here from the Japanese Army.
Today at Hinagdanan Cave, you can swim in the 10-12-meter-deep freshwater pool while viewing the stalactite and stalagmite. I felt like a mermaid from the show H2O. Once you see the cave, you will understand why. It is truly a mystical scene. No need for wearing a headlamp, as there is natural light flowing in from outside (and a few light bulbs).
11. Cathedrals
Price- Free
Bohol is home to dozens, if not hundreds, of stunning cathedrals! Do not just let the tourism articles convince you to go to the historic Baclayon Church and call it quits.
I saw substantially more majestic churches! While riding through the small villages and towns, I was in awe of the grand cathedrals. They flashed detailed sculptures of Christ and colorful stained-glass windows with biblical scenes. Often, the cathedral was the largest and nicest building of all in the villages.
If you have the opportunity, I recommend you stop at some of these churches and check them out! Depending on what time you visit, you may even hear local people singing hymns. It is a beautiful glimpse into the life of the Filipino people!
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoy your visit to Bohol! The smiling locals and scenic landscape make it a destination that is easily enjoyable. From rural nature lovers to those who just want to relax on a beach, Bohol has something for everyone.
Try out some of my recommendations and let me know how you enjoy them! If there is anything I left out in Bohol that you would like to recommend to other tourists, feel free to comment below! As always, stay safe and stay happy.
Good luck, friends!
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