Visiting Bohol: Chocolate Hills, tarsiers and beaches

Hundreds of rounded hills turning brown in the dry season, a palm-sized primate sleeping by day in the forest, coral stone churches and reefs twenty minutes from the beach: Bohol is explored in three or four days, between land and sea.

Why visit Bohol?

Bohol brings together, on one compact island, the Chocolate Hills, one of the best-known landscapes in the Philippines, protected tarsiers and the beaches of Panglao Island. The island has been a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2023. It is reached in about two hours by fast boat from Cebu or by plane to Panglao.

What to see in Bohol, area by area?

Panglao Island

Linked to Bohol by two bridges, Panglao holds most of the accommodation and the international airport opened in 2018. Alona Beach, the liveliest, lines up dive centres, restaurants and bars on fine sand, while Dumaluan and the island's north-east are quieter. Allow twenty to thirty minutes by road to Tagbilaran. Panglao makes a practical base for four nights: you come back each evening after trips inland. The freshwater Hinagdanan cave, a few minutes' drive away, offers a cool swim out of the sun.

Tagbilaran and the south-west coast

The island's capital and the arrival port for fast boats from Cebu, Tagbilaran is passed through more than visited. To the east, the coastal road leads in about twenty minutes to the Blood Compact monument, commemorating the 1565 alliance between chief Sikatuna and Legazpi, then to Baclayon Church, one of the oldest in the country, built of coral stone. Damaged by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake of October 2013, it has been restored. Half a day is enough for this area, often combined with the inland tour.

The interior: hills and the Loboc River

The big inland circuit takes a day by car with driver from Panglao. It stops at the Corella tarsier sanctuary, the lunch cruise on the Loboc River, the planted mahogany forest of Bilar and finally the Chocolate Hills, about an hour and a half by road from Tagbilaran. The hills are at their brownest from February to May, greener the rest of the year. Leave around 8 am to reach the viewpoint before the midday heat and the day-trip groups from Cebu.

Anda and the east coast

About three hours by road from Panglao, the Anda peninsula offers far quieter white sand beaches, limestone cliffs and natural pools hollowed out of caves, such as Cabagnow. The area suits two or three calm nights, far from the bustle of Alona Beach. On the way, Danao has an adventure park above the Wahig River gorge, with a zipline and water activities. Renting a scooter or a car with driver is still necessary, as public transport is slow.

Balicasag, Pamilacan and the underwater world

Off Panglao, Balicasag Island is surrounded by a marine sanctuary where turtles and schools of jacks are regularly seen, twenty to thirty minutes away by boat. Pamilacan, further east, is known for dolphin watching at dawn: leave around 6 am to maximise your chances. These trips combine in a single morning with the Virgin Island sandbar. The sea is calmest from March to May. To carry on, Bohol fits naturally into a route through the Philippines.

Cities to visit in Bohol

Featured destinations appear first.

Coming soon.

Bohol in pictures

Bohol's must-sees

Landscapes, wildlife and colonial heritage, to combine over two days of trips from Panglao.

Chocolate Hills

Over a thousand grass-covered conical hills that turn brown in the dry season. A viewpoint in Carmen offers the widest view over the landscape.

Corella sanctuary

A protected forest where tarsiers, tiny nocturnal primates with huge eyes, are watched in silence. No flash, no noise, a short supervised visit.

Loboc River cruise

A slow trip up the Loboc River on a floating restaurant, between palm trees and villages, with local music. About an hour, often at lunchtime.

Baclayon Church

A coral stone church founded by the Jesuits, among the oldest in the Philippines. Restored after the 2013 earthquake, with a small museum of sacred art.

Bilar forest

A tunnel of mahogany trees planted along about two kilometres of road, much photographed. A quick stop between Loboc and the Chocolate Hills.

Alona Beach

Panglao's liveliest white sand beach, base for dive centres and seafront restaurants. Sunsets over the strait.

Balicasag Island

A small island surrounded by a marine sanctuary, renowned for its turtles and coral wall. Accessible by snorkelling or diving from Panglao.

Hinagdanan Cave

A limestone cave on Panglao holding a freshwater pool lit by openings in the roof. Swimming is allowed, best visited in the morning.

Frequently asked questions about Bohol

Can you do Bohol as a day trip from Cebu?

It is possible, with the dawn fast boat and the inland tour, but the day is very long and you see nothing of Panglao. Two nights at least are better: one day for the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers, one for the sea.

When are the Chocolate Hills actually brown?

At the end of the dry season, from February to May, when the grass dries out. The rest of the year, the hills are rather green, still beautiful but less like the photos. The Carmen viewpoint is the busiest, come early in the morning.

Where to see tarsiers in Bohol ethically?

At the Corella sanctuary, run by a conservation foundation, where the animals live freely in the forest and visits are quiet and supervised. Avoid small roadside enclosures, where tarsiers are stressed by noise and handling.

Alona Beach or Anda: where to stay in Bohol?

Alona Beach for proximity to the airport, dive centres and inland trips. Anda for calm and near-empty beaches, but about three hours away by road. With four nights or more, split your stay between the two.

Do you need to book the Loboc River cruise?

Generally not, it is sold on site and included in most inland tours. The rafts leave regularly at lunchtime. If you travel independently, arrive before noon to avoid the wait when the groups from Cebu arrive.

Did the 2013 earthquake damage Bohol's churches?

Yes, the magnitude 7.2 earthquake of October 2013 severely affected several historic churches, including Baclayon and Loboc. Several have since been restored and reopened. Some are still under works: check locally before planning a specific visit.

Plan your trip to Bohol

Day-by-day itinerary, budget, bookings and packing in a single app.