Bohol is a delightful island in the Philippines with one of the world’s most unique landscapes, the Chocolate Hills. Also, here lives the world’s smallest primate, the tarsier. But Bohol has even more beautiful sights such as white sandy beaches, endless rice fields, and floating restaurants. Bohol has a rich history and is one of the first Spanish settlements in the Philippines.
Exploring Bohol is a unique experience. In terms of attractions, there isn’t a lot to do, but what there is to do and see is unique. Hop on a scooter or in a taxi and explore the beautiful landscapes while visiting the lovely viewpoints and the tarsier along the way!
How to Get to Bohol?
Bohol is easily accessible from Cebu. There are several companies that sail from Cebu to Bohol every hour in about 2.5 hours. Here you can reserve your ferry ticket online. From Manila, fly to Cebu, then go to Pier 4 by taxi and take a boat to Bohol. There are also three airlines that fly directly to Bohol: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Zest Airways. They fly from Manila to Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol. From the port in Tagbilaran, travel to Alona Beach for $600 for a van, $500 for a taxi, and $250 for a tricycle. The journey takes about an hour.
Attractions on Bohol
Most of the attractions on Bohol are found in the center of the island, which you can easily reach by scooter or taxi. You can rent a scooter at many different places. From Alona Beach to Central Bohol is about 2 hours by scooter. Along the road in the south, you’ll pass many beautiful views of the sea, and towards the inland, you’ll find idyllic rice fields and can already see the first hills of the Chocolate Hills.
Alona Beach
- Location: southwest of Panglao Island (peninsula near Bohol)
- Biggest white sand beach in Bohol
- Great for swimming. Snorkeling and diving at the smaller islands off Alona Beach
- Lots of nice hotels and restaurants
Alona Beach is a stretch of white sandy beach on the Panglao peninsula, where most travelers stay. The town has small shopping centers, hotels, and many restaurants offering a good view of the sea. Nightlife is lively along the beach with bars open until morning. Many vendors offer daytime boat trips to nearby islands. Panglao offers good diving and snorkeling, and dolphins are also regularly spotted. Definitely take a trip to the paradisiacal Virgin Island for a truly heavenly experience.
Chocolate Hills
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- Location: Mainly around Carmen, Batuan, and Sagbayan
- Most famous viewpoint: Chocolate Hills Complex near Carmen
- Entrance fee: $56 per person
- Another viewpoint: Sagbayan Peak in Sagbayan city
- Entrance fee: $56 per person
- Carmen is 2 hours from Alona Beach by motorbike, Sagbayan is 2.5 hours
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The Chocolate Hills are a unique geological formation found nowhere else in the world. They form a rolling terrain of hills, mostly cone-shaped. The hills are made of limestone (once coral reefs) topped with grass and date back to the Ice Age. Their shape is a result of erosion. The average height varies from about 98 to 164 feet, but the highest one reaches 394 feet. There are approximately 1268-1776 hills that turn brown during the summer when the grass covering them dries up, transforming them into dark brown hills. Hence the name Chocolate Hills. The best time to see them is from March to June; outside of this time, the grass turns green again due to rain. Even then, it’s still a very special sight!
The Chocolate Hills are scattered across the cities of Sagbayan, Batuan, and Carmen; where the most famous Chocolate Hills viewpoint is. This viewpoint offers a stunning 360-degree view of the hills. The other viewpoint is in Sagbayan city, north of Carmen. Sagbayan Peak offers more activities with their butterfly and tarsier sanctuary, restaurant, children’s playground, and a swimming pool.
Bohol Tarsier Sanctuary
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- Location: Corella, Bohol
- Entrance fee: $56 per person
- With souvenir shops and a restaurant
- Travel time from Alona Beach to the Sanctuary: about 2 hours
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Tarsiers are the world’s smallest primates; they are about the size of a fist. They have huge eyes on their relatively large heads. They are nocturnal, usually feeding at night and moving from tree to tree. During the day, they hang on a branch and sometimes rotate their head almost 360 degrees. They mainly eat insects and are considered one of the most endangered primates in the world.
Baclayon Church
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- Location: Baclayon
- Entrance fee: None
- With souvenir shops
- Travel time from Alona Beach: 1 hour
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One of the oldest churches in the country. On your way to the center of the island, you’ll pass through Baclayon where you’ll find the old church, unfortunately ruined by the 2013 earthquake, which also devastated the most famous viewpoint of the Chocolate Hills as well as much of the island’s infrastructure. Only the bell tower remains as the original part of the church. Across from the church, there’s a museum and souvenir shop.
Food and Drink in Bohol
Restaurants abound in Bohol. In the capital, but especially in Panglao, there’s a plethora of dining options. But also in the center of the island around the Chocolate Hills and viewpoints. Alona Beach is filled with restaurants, many with stunning ocean views. Along the road, you’ll also find many restaurants and shops.
Some recommendations include Gerarda’s (pricey but excellent, reservation recommended), Guiseppe (cozy with good pizza and lasagna). Also, the Chocolate Hills Viewpoint Restaurant at the famous viewpoint serves delicious food at a good price and is a nice spot for a break after your long drive and climb towards the top.
ATMs, Safety, and Overall Experience
ATMs are plentiful in Alona Beach and Tagbilaran City. It is generally very safe to travel in Bohol. Crime is low compared to other larger islands. The people are friendly, as in many places in the Philippines. The roads to the center of the island can be somewhat challenging, especially at night when large buses and trucks speed through the dark narrow, winding roads. If you’re exploring Bohol by scooter, wear a helmet, especially around the Chocolate Hills area as police enforce this regulation.
Our Favorite Places to Stay in Bohol and Panglao
Many of the hotels are located on Panglao Island, a small island connected by a bridge from the mainland of Bohol. Many of these hotels are around Alona Beach, the popular bounty beach of Panglao. You can also stay beautifully on Bohol itself. For example, in the exceptional Fox & The Firefly Cottages. This hotel is nestled in nature by the river. Here, you stay in a super beautiful bungalow with stunning views of the river or the garden. This hotel offers multiple activities such as stand-up paddling and mountain biking. Prefer to stay on Panglao? Then Island World is a good hotel. The rooms are super spacious, there’s a nice pool, and they offer delightful massages. This is a perfect place to relax and unwind!
  Fox & The Firefly Cottages |
  Island World |
