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Tourist Guide for in and around Bohol |
| Overview |
With its rolling hills
and plateaus, crystal springs and beaches, Bohol is a
picturesque island-province replete with ancestral homes and centuries old
churches. Bohol is situated at the heart of Visayas, to its West is Cebu and to
the East is Leyte. Along its coastline are the numerous isles of Panglao,
Pamilacan, Cabilao, Jao, Mahanay and Lapinin, which are also excellent dive
spots. Beneath the rustic charms of Bohol lies a numerous adventures waiting to
be unfolded. It is the site of the 1565 blood compact between Boholano chieftain
Rajah Sikatuna and Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Bohol's historicity
is evident in the province's relaxed, laid-back pace. Excavation in ancient
burial grounds reveal artifacts dating back to China's Tang Dynasy. It is
evident that the province already had strong trading ties with the Chinese long
before the Spaniards set foot in the country. Every year, the compact between
the Muslim chief and the Spanish conqueror is celebrated through the Sandugo
Festival in July. All year-round, the museums and churches attest to the
province's rich heritage and culture. The Chocolate Hills in Carmen is the most
famous natural attraction. The province is home to the world's smallest monkey,
the Tarsier. Other equally exotic flora and fauna can be found amongst the
forests of Bohol. Bohol's various mountains and water formations also serve as a
natural playground for the adventurous tourist. One can cruise the rivers, hike
up the hills, swim the deep waters or just stroll down the avenues. Bohol is
just waiting to surprise you.
The City of Tagbilaran
Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol is hidden from the open sea by the island
of Panglao. It is bounded on its Western and Southwestern sides by 12.2 km. of
coastline, on its North by the town of Cortes, on its Northeast side by the town
of Corella and to its Eastern side by the town of Baclayon.
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Travelling around Bohol |
Getting There
You will most likely be approaching Bohol from Cebu but there are direct flights
to Tagbilaran from Manila that probably depart at least once a day. Check with
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air for flight rates and schedules.
From Cebu, Bohol is easily visible from any vantage point that provides view
across the 20-mile wide Bohol Strait. You can fly the short distance on Asian
Spirit or Cebu Pacific Air. If you do fly, remember to confirm your return trip
as soon as you arrive at the Tagbilaran Airport.
If you choose to go by sea, there are many ferries and fast crafts that ply the
Cebu-Bohol route throughout the day. Besides saving a few pesos, there's nothing
like an inter-island ferry for catching the beautiful vistas that the
archipelago has to offer.
Getting Around
Bohol's moderate weather allows long walks under friendly skies. As in most
parts of the country, buses, jeepneys and tricycles are the main source of
transportation. It's advisable to wear light clothing. And always, when you're
hopping about, wear a smile.
Staying In
Bohol has a number of moderately-sized hotels and resorts to suit any tourist's
needs.
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| Tourist
Attractions |
| Baclayon Church |
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The Church of Our Lady of
the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon is considered to be
one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It is one of
the best persevered churches in the region. |
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Address: |
Baclayon |
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Directions: |
| The church is around 6
kilometres east from Tagbilaran City, you may catch a
tricycle or jeepney to bring you there. |
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| Blood
Compact Site |
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This is the site that
commemorates the blood compact between Legazpi of Spain and
Bohol’s Sikatuna. This bond of friendship earned Bohol the
title of ‘City of friendship’, and it is celebrated every
June with the “Sandugo” festival. |
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Address: |
Barangay
Bool, Tagbilaran City |
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Directions: |
| Once you have arrived in
Tagbilaran City you can ask any person for directions or
have a tricycle driver or taxi take you to the location. |
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| Busay
Falls |
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Busay Falls is 12 meters wide and
4 meters deep. It's located
inland by the Loboc River past the town of Sevilla. Two
little islets in the middle of the river make the place a
favourite swimming area. |
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Address: |
Loboc,
Bohol |
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Directions: |
| You can try at the bus terminal
in Dao or ask a Taxi to drive you to Loboc. Once
there you can hire a small boat to take you up the
river! |
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| Butterfly
Conservation Center |
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A guided educational tour
on the beautiful collection of different species of
butterflies and moths. Entrance is 20 pesos each and a
well-versed tour guide is provided. The guided tour
takes around 2 hours. There's around 200 species of
butterfly in the sanctuary. |
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Address: |
Bilar,
Bohol |
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Directions: |
| You can use public transport
to get you to the town of Bilar. |
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| Chocolate
Hills |
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The Chocolate Hills is one
of the famous attractions in Bohol. Plenty of tourist guides
and tour operators will be happy to bring you to the
chocolate hills, either as a separate trip or as part of a
day tour. |
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Address: |
Nr Carmen,
Bohol |
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Directions: |
| If you want to go there on
your own, from Tagbilaran, you will have to go to the bus
terminal in Dao and catch a bus going to Carmen. Ask the
driver to drop you off at the Chocolate Hills complex. It is
about 4 kilometres before the town of Carmen. |
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| Dolphin
and Whale
Watching |
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Dolphin and Whale watching is one of
the attractions in Bohol waters. You can take a boat
straight from the beach and within a little time you
will be there watching them! |
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Address: |
Panglao
Island Area |
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Directions: |
| Ask around the Panglao Island
area to find out where you can find a boat to take you. |
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Governor Clarin’s Ancestral house |
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This house was owned by
former governor Aniceto Clarin, the house was preserved and
so was the things inside. You will be fascinated by the old
furniture, books, and photos inside the house and you will
get a feel for what it must of been like to of lived during
those times. Also you will find a restaurant in the basement
of the house. |
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Address: |
Loay, Bohol |
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Directions: |
| You can use public transport
to get you to the town of Loay. |
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| Hinagdanan
Cave |
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Hinagdanan Cave is a natural
underworld cave with fresh clean natural water. The
cave is lit by sunlight which filters through holes
in the ceiling. The deep lagoon will welcome you
into the waters for a fresh swim. To enter into the
cave you will need to go down a short man-made
stairs. |
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Address: |
Dauis,
Panglao Island |
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Directions: |
| You can ask a tricycle driver
or taxi to take you there on Panglao island. |
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| Loboc
River Cruise |
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You can cruise along the
Loboc River which includes a lunch buffet and a musician
playing the guitar and singing to the crowd. At the end of
the river before turning around to return you will
see Busay Falls. |
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Address: |
Loboc,
Bohol |
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Directions: |
| You can try at the bus
terminal in Dao or ask a Taxi to drive you to Loboc. |
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| Mag-aso
Falls |
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The twin falls are 25 feet in
height with a photogenic backdrop of tall trees,
wild plants and giant ferns. Once there you will
feel immersed in a middle of a jungle with the sound
of the interminable chirping of the birds and the
rush of flowing waters playing music to your ears. |
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Address: |
Antequera,
Bohol |
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Directions: |
| There are buses and jeepneys
that will take you to Antequera from Tagbilaran City. Then a
tricycle or motorcycles are available to bring tourists near
the falls. |
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| Man-made
forest |
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On your way to Carmen to
view the Chocolate Hills, you’ll pass by what they call the
“man-made forest”. What this is, is a result of a nationwide
reforestation program by the government during the 1960’s.
Thousands of mahogany seedlings where planted on almost a
thousand hectares of land. And they grew up to form this
wonderful place where you can feel the freshness of air and
the coolness of the breeze. |
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Address: |
Bilar,
Bohol |
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Directions: |
| After Loboc, you will pass by
this area if you are going to carmen to see the Chocolate
hills. |
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| Punta
Cruz Watchtower |
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14 kilometres West of
Tagbilaran City, an amazing triangular watch tower which
oversees the seas South of Bohol. From its windows at the
top, you can see Cebu, Siquijor and Mindanao. The Spanish
had it build in 1796 as a look-out post against
pirates and Muslim marauders. |
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Address: |
Punta Cruz,
Bohol |
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Directions: |
| Take a bus at the Tagbilaran
Bus Station in Dao. Buses going in to Tubigon will pass
along Punta Cruz. Ask the driver to drop you off at Punta
Cruz and walk down for about 500 meters to the watch tower. |
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| Sipatan
Hanging Bamboo Bridge |
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This is a long, narrow bridge
which is made of the flexible and tough bamboo. The
bridge crosses over a part of the emerald waters of
the Sipatan river. At the other side of the bridge,
you’ll find several souvenirs shops. |
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Address: |
Sipatan
River |
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Directions: |
| You can go on one of many
tours that will take you to the Sipatan Hanging Bridge or
you can try and use public transport to take you there. |
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| Tarsiers |
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The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius
syrichta), known locally as the Maumag in Cebuano/Visayan,
is an endangered tarsier species endemic to the
Philippines. It is found in the southeastern part of
the archipelago, particularly in the islands of
Bohol, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. Its name is
derived from its elongated "tarsus" or ankle bone.
Its geographic range also includes Maripipi Island,
Siargao Island, Basilan Island and Dinagat Island.
Tarsiers have also been reported in Sarangani,
although they may be different subspecies. Being a
member of a family that is about 45 million years
old, it was only introduced to western biologists in
the 18th century. |
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Address: |
near
Corella |
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Directions: |
| You can use public transport
to get you to the town of Corella. |
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