Philippine Vacation and Tours: BOHOL, PHILIPPINES VACATION TOUR

HOW YOU PLAN THE TRIP MATTERS. ARE YOU GOING TO HIRE CABS OR WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE VEHICLES THAT PLY THE ROUTE?

BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

CAPITAL CITY - TAGBILARAN

REGION - CENTRAL VISAYAS

POPULATION - 1,255,128 (2010 CENSUS)

TIME ZONE - UTC +8

POLICE QUICK RESPONSE NUMBERS - 0917-305-1833 / 0912-808-9279

ARMY QUICK RESPONSE NUMBERS - 0908-268-2695

YOU CAN VISIT - http://tourism.bohol.gov.ph/

HOME PROVINCE OF HONORABLE CARLOS P. GARCIA, EIGHT PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Hills. Hills. Hills. Hills. Hills. Hills. Yes, several of them, at least 1,260 and called CHOCOLATE HILLS but there could be more spread on a vast area in a town called Carmen in Bohol, Philippines and some hills can also be found on the neighboring towns. Shaped almost the same, lush grasses on rainy season and it turns brown on dry season looking like chocolate, hence the name.

PERSONAL ADVISORY: Sleep at Chocolate Hills Hotel and enjoy watching the sunset and wake up early and enjoy sunrise.

The hotel and restaurant located on one of the hills on Chocolate Hills, Carmen, Bohol, Philippines. Contact Number +639196800492.
Just few meter fronting the hotel is the stairway leading to the topmost of the hill where you can have an unhampered view of all the Chocolate Hills on its surrounding.

MUST SEE SITES:

a) TAGBILARAN CITY CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL - This is a stone church but not as old as the one in Baclayon. It was founded by Jesuit Missionaries in 1595. (Most of Bohols' towns has stone churches.)

TAGBILARAN CITY CATHEDRAL
TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

Fronting the church is also a stone building that houses the provincial government of Bohol.

In between is Rizal Plaza where you can sit and relax and enjoy watching pigeons. You can buy popcorn or peanuts on stalls and feed the birds with your bare hands and let the birds perch on your arm. It is enjoyable.

An eatery {location: at the entrance of Tagbilaran City Wharf} several of them, situated near each other, which they call Pantalan (wharf) offers different kinds of local foods. Famous among Boholanos is the "sabaw" or any viand cooked with lots of water with the necessary condiments of course. "Kinilaw" is a raw fish simmered in vinegar with condiments. "Sinugba" or in tagalog "inihaw" varies from fish, meat, squids to shrimps or just anything that you love roasting. "Tinunu-an" is anything the is cooked using coconut milk. There are lots of other native foods that you will enjoy. It is not an air conditioned place, just open windows where the fresh air from the sea can just come in.

On a place they call Caingit, {location; about a kilometer away from Pantalan, or ask tricycle driver and ask from the driver first how much it cost to get there.} is a beach, but not full of sand that people from all walks of life enjoys sunbathing. There is no entrance fee or whatever. There are cooked foods there for sale. You can bring with you whatever foods that you have. There are tables there prepared by stall owners for visitors who purchases from them, but you can also use them for free. Just ask permission for courtesy sake or you can buy anything from them even a small amount and use their table. The area may not be as beautiful sands have, but, there are enough shade that you can count on. Shades under curved stone. Do not just wander away from the shoreline as it gets deeper further. A sea shell called "kuja" is also sold here and that can be eaten raw, just simmer it on vinegar. These are deep sea shell or shells taken from deep waters. The food here varies, from rice, to camote or the sweet potato, to ube or the unripe banana. Local wines are also available or the "tuba" which is taken from the coconut tree and colored.

The famous Peanut Kisses can be found on malls. Made of peanuts and molded looking like little Chocolate Hills.

K of C or the Knight of Columbus wharf {location: just near the Tagbilaran City Wharf or ask tricycle driver and ask from the driver first how much it cost to get there} - is a reclaimed area where you can enjoy bathing by day or night and take a stroll at night besides the sea. There are no life guard here, so just be cautious in swimming. During high tide the water is deep but at low tide it is just above the knee. There is an entrance fee of around PHP2.00. Other than that nothing. If you would like to swim, it is free and you can bring with you your own food. There might be little stalls but at times don’t open at daytime. At night if you intend to stay a little longer take with you your coat as it will be cold as night gets deeper. There are stalls that also sell something to eat but only a few of them operates at nighttime too.

b) SITE OF THE BLOOD COMPACT - {location: Bo-ol, Tagbilaran City about four (4) kilometers from the City proper, going to the next town Baclayon. There are jeepneys that ply the route and usually stationed in front of the Cathedral}

SITE OF THE BLOOD COMPACT

It is the site where the drinking of blood of two leaders, cut from their forearm mixed together, between Boholano Chief Datu Sikatuna and Spanish General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was made. It was a way of showing that they will be friends forever. This is being considered as the first recorded treaty of friendship, the whole world.

c) BACLAYON CHURCH - {location: Baclayon, first town from the capital city going east, there are jeepneys or buses that ply the route. I prefer you take jeepneys and are usually stationed at the front of the Cathedral}

BACLAYON CHURCH
BACLAYON, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

The second oldest church in the Philippines. It is located at the heart of Baclayon town about seven (7) kilometers from the city. There are rare artifacts housed on their museum. One was a cross that only four of them were built and one found its way here. It could had been built by Spain. Sad to note that it was stolen sometime in 1990 as per verification with the museum attendant. On these place also started the "broas" a locally baked crunchy snack that is baked using the white of the egg. It started in the Spanish era as according to them the yolk of the egg was used in construction of the church and the white was used for some other purpose - so the broa or lady finger as people updated its Spanish name now, was created.

d) LOBOC RIVER CRUISE - {location: Loboc, fourth town from the city going east and turn left from Loay, the third town. There are buses and jeepneys that ply the route}

LOBOC RIVER CRUISE
LOBOC, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

Enjoy the boat ride for a fee of around PHP400.00, this includes buffet at the boat. While cruising enjoy your meal on board with a local entertainer to while your time away. Down further you will be entertained by folk dances using the ukelele or the small guitar. As you unwind your trip you can walk and go up to the unfinished bridge and see the view. The completion of the bridge never materialized as it will hit the centuries old Catholic Church. In a distance is the Loboc Catholic Church and fronting is the plaza where you can sit and relax. Just few minute ride you can also see the tarsier, (just ask anyone for the direction) the smallest monkey that Bohol has.

e) MAN MADE FOREST - {location: Bilar, fifth town from the city or the town after Loboc. Buses ply the route}

MAN MADE FOREST
BILAR, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

Enjoy the cool weather on the town named Bilar. You need not venture into the heart of the forest, just enjoy yourself on the road. That particular area is covered with trees and the road cuts across the middle of the forest.

f) BUTTERFLY FARM - {location: Bilar, the fifth town from the city of the town after Loboc. Buses ply the route}

On Bilar town a little bit further going north is the butterfly farm. You can see all kinds of butterfly and you will be toured on the farm and informed on the metamorphosis. There is a fee here but I forgot how much it was. They do not kill insects there, so if you find other than butterflies, they just leave them alone.

g) BOAT HOUSE - {location: Batuan, the sixth town from the city or the town after Bilar. Buses ply the route}

SHIP HOUSE
BATUAN, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

On this town Batuan, there is a residential house that the façade is built in the form of a ship. It is cute. According to information the owner is a seaman. Latest advise is that you can also get inside for a fee and get a glimpse of life inside a boat. I was not able to get inside of the house.

h) CHOCOLATE HILLS - {location: Carmen, the seventh town from the city or the town after Batuan. Buses ply the route}

CHOCOLATE HILLS
CARMEN, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

CHOCOLATE HILLS
STAIRWAY TO THE TOPMOST OF THE HIGHEST HILL
TO BE ABLE TO VIEW THE SURROUNDING
HILLS

Situated in the middle of the province in a town called Carmen. Here lies these hills, so many of them, that you will enjoy looking while on top of the highest hill. There is no fee in going uphill. For those who do not have personal vehicles, there are motorcycles at the entrance for rent at PHP20.00 per person per trip. The need to take a ride is a must as you will be going up a hill. You can also request them to fetch you back at the designated time. They can also take you to places of interest for a fee.

Upon arrival at Tagbilaran City, you can go directly to the Chocolate Hills stay overnight and enjoy watching the sunset and sunrise. A hotel is located on the Chocolate Hill and it cost PHP1,200.00 per night. Then take the motorcycles in going to places like, Loboc, Bilar or Batuan. Verify with the drivers the cost, where you would like to go. These drivers are tested and they have an organization which I believed is under guidance of the municipal government of Carmen.

The above places can take you on a one way trip. It will be from Tagbilaran City, to Baclayon, to Alburquerque, Loay, Loboc, Bilar, Batuan and Carmen.

i) TARSIER SANCTUARY - located at Corella, mini buses ply the route

This is the place where these smallest primate enjoys life. They are captive in the sense that they are fenced. But they are free to move around as the fence is big. These small monkeys moves by night and to be able to see them where they are the next day, the guides spends an hour or two locating them in the morning. The ones in Loboc, they are captive in the sense that they can not roam around of their choice.

TARSIER
CORELLA, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

j) HINAGDANAN CAVE - located in Dauis, mini buses ply the route

Inside it is a pond that connects to the sea. But you can not see the connection of the salt water and the fresh water. It is cool inside but you had to watch your step in going down.

In this town Dauis, please verify on the deep well located inside their Catholic Church. According to folks, this water cure any ailments. They say that there are no contaminants on this water. This well, also has history on its side. People hide inside the church for weeks, when pirates come and to survive they need water, so they dug one inside the church. I had not properly verified this one.

k) PANGLAO BEACH - This area is now heavily commercialized. In going there you need to be booked early and have private transportation. That is if you would like to lodge. It is situated along beaches. The beach here is so fine. Cottages are for rent and you can enjoy and while away your time. There are also places here that is still for free. For further information you may visit Bohol website noted above or get in touch with local executives.

l) ABATAN BRIDGE - located about eight (8) kilometers from the city going west on a town called Cortes, buses and jeepney ply the route.

ABATAN BRIDGE
MARIBOJOC, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

It is a river and the area is full of mangroves or trees that grow along the seashore. Palm trees called "nipa" are also abundant. This is the one being used to cover houses. A boardwalk is being constructed for you to take a walk and enjoy its beauty. This one is new and there could be fee here, but I believe it will just be minimal.

m) PHYTON - located at Dipatlong, Maribojoc about sixteen (16) kilometers from the city, buses ply the route.

MARIBOJOC, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

Is a place where an entrepreneur housed some rare species. Just like a big snake called python, some birds, animals. It also worth looking at and it could be a little zoo. There was no fee in looking at these animals but if you take pictures they ask for a fee for around PHP50.00 per picture. The purpose of it to have something for the animals to feed. The python alone can consume 30 kilos of meat once a month. The parking space may cost you somewhere around PHP20.00 per parking. If you don’t want to pay the parking fee, the side of the road will be available.

n) WATCH TOWER - Further at Punta Cruz, Maribojoc at about twenty one (21) kilometers from the city, buses ply the route.

PUNTA CRUZ WATCHTOWER
PUNTA CRUZ, MARIBOJOC, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

Is a tower that used to be Spaniards watch place for invaders. It's beside the sea and you can enjoy swimming almost for free. The entrance is PHP5.00 and to use a cottage is PHP10.00. Cottages may not be needed as there are abundant of shades everywhere. You need to have a vehicle here as this place is a little bit far from the highway. The water is so very clean, pristine as I may say . The place usually if full during Saturday and Sunday. You can come to this place on these days and enjoy talking to Boholanos and enjoy their hospitality.

o) LOON CATHOLIC CHURCH - about twenty four (24) kilometers from the city, buses ply the route.

After Maribojoc is centuries old church, is made of stone. Here, you can find also the not used anymore Bamboo Organ. There was a plan to revive the bamboo organ, hopefully it already materialized. To its right is a high school building also made of stone and to its left is stairway going to the sea and also made o f stone.

CATHOLIC CHURCH
LOON, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

p) CABILAO BEACH - This is an island in the town of Loon, take a bus and drop at Catagbacan take a kilometer walk to the seashore, then take a banca.

To go there you need to plan the trip. The beach there is so fine, very pristine. You need to take a boat in going there. I have no idea now how much it cost now. If you love to enjoy the beach, this is the place for you. I will update this once I had the information.

q) ROUND TRIPPING - Just take a bus and enjoy the beauty around Bohol. You can take a bus from Tagbilaran City and ends in Talibon. Your route takes you to the towns of Maribojoc, Loon, Calape, Tubigon and so on. You can see nature and see old churches along its way. From Talibon take a ride back to the city taking the opposite route. The route takes you along the sea. The whole trip takes you a day to do it.

PICTURES OF TARSIERS - BOHOL, PHILIPPINES