Bohol, Philippines

Man Made Forest

Island Hopping

Chocolate Hills

Bohol has so much to offer! The Philippines has so many islands its a tough decision where to go but we are so glad we decided to stop in Bohol. There are a couple ways to get to Bohol. If your travel plans allow it, take a flight into Tagbilaran and then catch a cab or a shuttle to your accommodations. If thats not available, you can fly into Cebu and then take a ferry from Cebu to Tagbilaran. Flying is overall easier but the ferry option may be more budget affective.  We used the Ocean Jet ferry since it had a wider selection of departure times.

Where to Stay:

We found this perfect Airbnb in Panglao but the island isn’t short of killer places to stay! If you want $40 off your first Airbnb stay click here!

When traveling in Southeast Asia we usually use Agoda or booking.com to find hotels if airbnb isn’t your thing!

We decided to stay in Panglao instead of the heart of Bohol. We recommend staying in Panglao near the beaches and nightlife.

Where to Eat:

Sadly we didn’t run into many great places to eat but we did find a few gems!

Bar Woo: The favorite of the trip! The Pepper Chicken was perfectly cooked with the right amount of spice and the menu has something for everyone. It’s a small space so get there at 6 to beat the crowds or make a reservation!

Shaka Bohol: Tasty acai bowls and a vegan/vegetarian menu.

Bohol Bee Farm: A must if you are in Bohol! There is a smaller cafe version right on Alona Beach as well! It’s labeled as a Filipino/Asian resturant but the menu is super diverse with healthy and organic options.

What to Do/See:

Panglao Island Hopping/Snorkeling: You can find this tour offered at every hotel as well as walking along Alona beach. Don’t take the first price offered as it is usually too high. Scout out your options and find what price works for you! You can join a group tour or rent a private boat.

The Island tour visits both Balicasag & Virgin Islands and offers the option to snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the Balicasag Island Marine Sanctuary, where there is a variety of coral reefs and even sea turtles!

Chocolate Hills: The famous Chocolate Hills were the number one reason we decided to visit Bohol. I’m not sure if there is another spot on earth that looks the same. I’m really looking foward to editing the drone footage we got of this area because its bound to be stunning!

Tarsier Sanctuary: The Tarsiers live in trees, and are entirely nocturnal. They are the only primates which are wholly carnivorous. The sanctuary itself is pretty small and will only take you about 30 mins (at most) to walk through it, but they are super cute!

Man Made Forest: The manmade forest is a 2-kilometer stretch of mahogany trees that immediately transports you to another world. There is no designated parking so BE CAREFUL taking pictures as it is a regularly used highway.

All three of those can be done in one tour offered from many tour groups. The only downside is that the tour also includes some other “tourist trap” stops that we didn’t want get stuck in. We decided to rent a driver for a few hours and hired him to take us to those three spots. It worked out perfectly for our schedule and we had the freedom to move as we pleased.

Final Tips:

The Philippines is known to get hit often with tropical storms. Even during the dry season. Be prepared for unexpected weather and go with the flow.

Bring cash! The hotels will accept credit card but the local businesses and drivers won’t. Exchange some money at a major airport or keep your eyes peeled for a good rate while wandering the shops.

Pack bug spray, sun screen, and water shoes. We suggest an underwater camera as well for snorkeling and turtle spotting!

Be flexible! It’s the island lifestyle after all!

xoxo

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