The island of Bohol is still behind time in many ways, but its closeness to nature is an important part of the island’s charm. In between the green rice fields and fishing villages, you’ll find some very surprising things: like the famous Chocolate Hill as far as the eye can see, but you can also find here pristine white-sand beaches too.
When you visit Bohol island, be sure to visit the following 10 great spots:
1. Panglao Island
Panglao is situated right at the southwestern tip of Bohol, and is probably most famous for the white shores of Alona Beach.
Alona Beach is a little tropical paradise. It is a beautiful white sand beach and great scuba diving spot, but it’s also a great place to sit back and relax. The white sand beach is a beautiful stretch of 1.5 km long, bordered at both ends by two rock walls. It takes only 15 minutes to walk from one side to the other. At night all the little restaurants along the beach display their seafood and you can enjoy a delicious plate of the freshest catch of the day.
2. Mag-aso Falls
Mag-aso Falls is one of Bohol’s natural treasures. The magnificent twin falls, are often obscured by fine mist that seems like smoke. That is where Mag-aso falls got its name from. “Aso”, in the local dialect means “smoke”. The falls are 8 meter high and the crystal-clear water creates a beautiful contrast against its surrounding of tall trees, deep gorges and wild plants including giant ferns.
The falls are located at 20 Km from Tabilaran City in the town of Antequera. Antequera is an inland town located in the western part of Bohol.
Apart from being blessed with hilly terrains mixed with rivers, streams and creeks, the town is also known as the capital of baskets. Sundays, Antequera’s market day, is the day when baskets of different sizes and shapes are displayed in the local market and traders from the whole island come to buy their products. The scenic drive, in the midst of verdant rice fields with hilly backdrops, and the picturesque ancestral homes make it absolutely worth a visit.
3. The Tarsier, fairy tale animal
Photo by Paul Cowell
The Philippine Tarsier is one of the smallest primates in the world and exist for almost 45 million years. You find it on several islands in the Philippines, but is most prominent in Bohol. With only about 700 tarsiers left on the island, the Philippine Tarsier foundation decided to conserve and establish a sanctuary to protect this species.
At the Tarsier Sanctuary, located in a forest between Corella and Sikatuna cities, tarsiers live in the wild. It is quite difficult to see a Tarsier as it is a shy nocturnal animal and sleeps during the day near the trunks of trees deep in the bushes and woods.
They only become active at night when their sight is better. The Tarsier is able to maneuver quickly around trees, therefore they are very able to hide from noisy humans before they are detected.
4. Cruise on Loboc River
Photo by peejterrado
Bohol’s river cruises allow you to venture deep into the countryside and see how ordinary people live in the inner towns. Cruises along the Loboc River are popular for the scenery and the floating riverside restaurants.
Enjoy being surrounded by nature: breath the special atmosphere while gliding down the river, wave to the children that are playing and bathing in the water, and join the dances of the locals in front of their huts along the river bank. It is like taking a glimpse into the lives of the Boholanos.
Alternatively you can rent a stand-up paddle board, you paddle at your own pace, meditatively as you cruise down the river paradise in Loboc.
5. The Chocolate Hills
Already the drive to Bohol’s most famous tourist attraction is worthwhile. The landscape changes with random mounds jutting out in the middle of the rice fields. Driving further, these seemingly random hills get higher and more cone-shaped. Then, after climbing up the 200 steps to the viewing deck, you get one of the most scenic views of the Philippines.
The Chocolate Hills, a geological formation of over 1,700 symmetrical dome-like hills. Spread over the central part of Bohol Island, these limestone hills are actually coral reefs that were lifted from the sea due to an earth shift. The reefs have been shaped over time by wind, water and erosion. They are covered with grass during the wet season, and turn brown during the dry season, looking like chocolate kisses. That is where these magnificent attraction got its name from 🙂
6. The old churches of Bohol
The churches of Bohol date back centuries and are cultural, historical, architectural and religious treasures of the Philippines. Unfortunately, Bohol’s 2013 earthquake severely damaged some of these beautiful churches. The front facade of Loboc Church, built in the early 17th century, has for example been destroyed.
The Baclayon Church on the other hand sustained major damage to its bell tower and entrance, but the rest of the church was spared.
Photo by Storm Crypt 
The Baclayon Church (officially called “Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception”) is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. Symbolizing Catholicism’s influence in the island, the church was built from corals bound together by mortar mixed from egg white. The walls around the sophistically designed altar are at some spots covered with green moss and peeled off paint. It shows the aging signs of this magnificent church.
The Baclayon parish museum is notably interesting, as the church has been quite active in preserving religious keepsakes. It is filled with centuries-old religious documents, and with gigantic books of church music written on sheep skin.
7. The Man-Made Forest
The “Man-Made Forest” in the town Bilar, is one of the most powerful attractions on Bohol. This beautiful dense forest extends itself over 2 kilometers between the towns Loboc and Bilar. In 1947 the government started here a project of reforestation and planted – together with the community – red and white mahogany trees.
If you are looking for some refreshment in the midst of this Mahogany forest, check out the “Logarita Swimming Pool”. The fresh waters of the pool come from the Logarita Spring that is located inside the Rajah Sikatuna National Park. The water from the spring is collected in a moss-covered pool which is also known as the“Logarita Swimming Pool”.
[picture Logarita]
8. Island Hop, Snorkel and Dive
Bohol is surrounded by marvelous islands and plenty of underwater life. Pamilacan island and Balicasag island are both popular spots and absolutely worth a visit.
Photo by Leadelmonte
Balicasag Island is a great place to snorkel, and if you are lucky you are welcomed by dolphins, what a spectacle! On the island you can swim with colored big fishes, preserved corals and float in a deep blue sea. Balicasag is famous for its underwater cliff, what makes this little island a perfect spot for diving.
Photo by Julie Zwart
Nearby Pamilacan Island invested in the past years in the growth of sustainable eco-tourism and marine preservation. Most people head here for spotting dolphins making tours to watch the whales, but the island also has beautiful white sand beaches, outstanding dive sites and even a centuries-old Spanish fort.
9. Lazy on the beach
After days of sightseeing, diving and touring around the island, you may look forward to some days of relax, the beautiful beaches of Bohol are perfect for that. Doljo Beach, for example, is located at Barangay Doljo, Panglao Island. It lies on the very end of the island’s northwest. The 3km wide beach is relatively unexplored and undeveloped. Its white sand stretches out far and the sea bed gradually moves towards the deep.
Photo by camilleskii
Tall coconut palm trees – that add much to its tropical look – border this marvelous beach, that is famous for its beautiful .
The place is noted for its beautiful seashells. With calm and clear waters, a sea bed free of grasses plus a large variety of colorful marine life, is this the favorite hang-out of the local people.
10. Local delights
One thing that Bohol can absolutely be proud of, is the native mouth-watering delights that are worldwide recognized as “Boholano Delicacies”.
The “Peanut kisses” are the signature Boholano recipe and only on Bohol Island you can find cookies shaped like miniature chocolate hills. It is basically made of high-quality peanuts and eggs, baked crisp to bring a nutty crunch in every bite.
Another must-try treat when visiting Bohol is calamay. It is made out of glutinous rice, coconut milk, sugar, and sometimes peanuts; and is sweet and sticky. Calamay is usually sold in coconut shells.
Getting there?
From Manila there are flights directly to Tagbilaran Airport, the flight takes only about 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Singapore you will need first to fly to Cebu and from there you can take a fast ferry that brings you in about 1h30 across the sea to Bohol.