Visiting Bohol Island Philippines, Backpacking 2014

Bohol is a first income class island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of the island itself and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of 4,117.26 square kilometres (1,589.68 sq mi) and a coastline 261 kilometres (162 mi) long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines.To the west of Bohol is Cebu, to the northeast is the island of Leyte and to the south, across the Bohol Sea is Mindanao.

Ruined Roman Cathedral Church, Inabanga, Bohol

How to get there: From Manila, take a plane bound for Tagbilaran directly. If you are in Cebu, ask the taxi driver to bring you to Cebu Pier 3 for the Star Craft ticket. Ask someone from the port's security to bring you to pier 1 where the boat bound for Tubigon, Bohol is waiting. Pay 20 PhP (terminal fee) and here you go!

 You can take the fast craft ferry via Tubigon or Tagbilaran from Cebu City Pier 1( Star Craft ferry). Fare is 220 PhP, 1hr ride (Star Craft Ferry) via Tubigon and 530 PhP if you take the Cebu-Tagbilaran 2hrs route

Ive been to a lot of places in the Philippines, however, this is the first time i posted something about my beautiful country. I am proud to be a Filipino, proud to be living in this wonderful place in Asia. I would love to share it with you too... 

Top Bohol Tourist Spots

1. Chocolate Hills Natural Monument (UNESCO World Heritage)

So, the first thing on my list is to visit the famous Chocolate Hills  Natural Monument at Carmen, Bohol. This is one of the top tier destination in the Philippines, so definitely i should check it.

Entrance Fee: 50 PhP or 1.12 USD at the time of writing.

Operating Hours: 5am-6pm Daily

Chocolate Hills, Carmen, Bohol, Philippines [click to enlarge]

"Similar to the formations found in Java, the conical and almost symmetrical and same-sized hills known as the "Chocolate Hills", are more aesthetically extensive. These were the uplift of coral deposits and the result of the action of rainwater and erosion. The hills are located throughout the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan and consist of about 1,776 mounds of the same general shape. During the dry season when precipitation in inadequate, the grass-covered hills turn chocolate brown, hence the name in reference to a branded confection." - UNESCO

How to get there: 

Basically, you can take a bus from Tagbilaran City Bus Terminal located one block in front of Island City Mall(ICM). If you are staying at the city center, the cost to hire a "tricycle" or puv should no longer greater than 30 PhP to get to the Bus Terminal. You can take the bus going to Carmen, which cost 60 PhP only. You can just ask the driver to drop you at the Chocolate Hills Viewing station which is visible on the right side of the road going to Carmen. 

2. Loon, Bohol

Loon is a second class municipality of Bohol, was among the places hardly beaten by the October 15, 2013 earthquake. Although, most of the structures in the town was reduced into rubble, there are places you can visit as well that surpass the natures challenges.  Loon, is named after water, specifically “Tubig-Loon” or “Tubig nga nag-loon”, a crystal-clear spring that gushes from a crevice underneath boulders found north of the coastal village of Napo, Loon’s nucleus community. 

A Crystal Clear Spring, located at Barangay Napo, Loon, Bohol

How to get there: 

The place is 25 km away from Tagbilaran City. Approximately, bus fare would be around 20-30 PhP. If you came from Tubigon, that would approximately cost around 30-40 PhP.

Extended Beaches, Barangay Napo, Loon, Bohol

3. Baclayon Church

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception' in Baclayon is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines founded in 1596. It is one of the best preserved Jesuit-built churches in the region, although in the 19th century, the Augustinian Recollects added a modern facade and a number of stone buildings that now surround the church. 

Baclayon Church renovation, Baclayon, Bohol

 The church currently undergoes renovation after the October 15, 2013 earthquake. However, the church museum has been opened for public viewing. The museum has an impressive amount of liturgical material preserved. The church inventory books have helped in dating some pieces. Among the Baclayon cantorals (large handwritten music books) was found the Misa Baclayana
    

Entrance Fee: 50 PhP or 1.12 USD at the time of writing.

Operating Hours: 8am-5pm Daily

4. Sandugu Monument (Blood Compact Monument)

The Sandugo was a blood compact, performed in the island of Bohol in the Philippines, between the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol on March 16, 1565, to seal their friendship as part of the tribal tradition. This is considered as the first treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and Filipinos. "Sandugo" is a Visayan word which means "one blood".

Entrance Fee: No

Operating Hours: Anytime

Blood Compact Monument, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

The monument is located within Tagbilaran City approximately 3-4km, you can ask a PUV or Tricycle to bring you to the monument for less than 20 PhP or arrange a tour from Tagbilaran City, heading to the Sandugu Monument and finally to Baclayon Church for a small fee. 

5. Alona Beach, Panglao Island

Panglao was known to Chinese, Malay, Siamese and Indonesian traders. In 1803, Spanish explorers came to the shores of Panglao in search of fresh water. At the time a couple of natives on the seashore were making fishing devices called "panggaw". One of the Spaniards asked what the name of the island was. The natives—who thought the visitors were asking what they were making—then replied "panggaw". Hence, from that term, was derived the name Panglao.

Entrance Fee: No

Operating Hours: 24/7

Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol

How to get there: 

"Habal-habal" or a motorcycle could be arrange to bring you from Shopper's Mart center down to Alona Beach in Panglao which cost you around 150-200 PhP. Haggle if you can to bring down the cost as what i did where initially i was offered 200 PhP and lowered it down to 150 PhP. I didn't know also that you could commute using the regular jeep with sign boards heading to Tawala (much cheaper-regular rates) which is also located in front of the shopping center. The Tawala route will pass by at Alona, just ask the driver.

Ok! So here you go, i skip the Tarsier Sanctuary and the Loboc River since im short of time, but definitely ill visit that place when i came back anytime soon. 

Note: Eventually, there are a lot of motorcycles you can rent for a day in Tagbilaran City. The rate goes from 350 PhP - 700PhP per day excluding the fuel. 




Reference:

UNISCO
Wikipedia