Bohol Trip Plan 101

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Bohol is a MUST see/go places when planning for a vacation in the Philippines.

Bohol is a province in Central Visayas composed of Bohol Island and several smaller islands including Panglao and Balicasag Islands, bounded by four (4) different bodies of water namely; Camotes Sea (N), Canigao Channel (E), Mindanao Sea (S) and Bohol Strait- also called Cebu Strait (W). The native Boholano people speaks a regional dialect "Boholano", a morph of the Cebuano language (RA 7104) and a local dialect. The Boholano culture is deeply rooted in Catholicism , proof to that are the old churches in every town in Bohol and the endless fiestas in honor of the patron saints specially during the month of May.

The province has long been famous for Chocolate Hills and the pristine beaches of Panglao but aside from these, scuba divers have discovered Balicasag Island's underwater beauty, the surrounding waters of Balicasag is now hailed as one of the best diving spots in the Philippines if not the world and I personally agree to that (water is so rich in marine life,here i saw a tornado-like formation of jacks and schools -or university (?) - of several species of fish).

The province is accessible from Manila and Cebu City, the capital city , Tagbilaran is served by several daily flights from Manila and by ship during summer months but summer or not it has several daily fast boats (oceanjet, weesam, etc.) from/to Cebu City and Dumaguete City. For those bringing their own vehicles, Tubigon (54 kms north of Tagbilaran City) has a RORO seaport that serves the Cebu City-Tubigon route.

Tips for your Bohol travel plan

1. At a regulated price,there are available 6-7 hr day-tour package offered by local travel/ tour agency that includes a van /cab with driver (driver acts as the group guide too) with stops at Sandugo shrine, Baclayon Church and Museum, photo ops at souvenir shops with Tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills in the town of Carmen. It will pass by the thick man-made mahogany forest in Loboc-Bilar boundary and on the way back, van/cab will stop near Loboc Church ( home of the world's famous Loboc Children's Choir- oh so heavenly!) for lunch on a Loboc river Cruise ( lunch is not included in the package). Another popular site is the Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan otherwise called the Sagbayan Peak, for an additional fee you can negotiate with your guide/driver to add Sagbayan Peak in your package. The van/cab will pick and drop you at your Tagbilaran Hotel at no extra cost, additional charge will be collected for pickup/drop off elsewhere.

2.Tagbilaran City is a good base if time is a constraint otherwise stay in Panglao Island where you can either bask in the pristine beaches and snorkel its waters or explore the caves and sinkholes in Panglao's karst environment.

3.Other Bohol tourist sites are scattered throughout the countryside, rent a cab or ride a bus that goes around the island and you'll be amaze with what you'll see and experience.

4.The best time to visit and enjoy Bohol is during the summer months (April and May) but over the years many came and never left.

Ultimately: Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time.