The 2013 earthquake may have caused serious damage to Bohol’s popular churches and structures, but that doesn’t stop tourists from coming as there is more to Bohol than its Chocolate Hills, cute tarsiers, and old churches.
Join us as we rediscover Bohol through Stand Up Paddling (SUP) across the Loboc River, fearlessly Bike Zipping across a picturesque view of the Chocolate Hills, Dolphin watching in Pamilacan, Snorkeling in Balicasag Reef Sanctuary, and enjoying the beautiful beaches of Anda.
Here are some of the new and familiar places we love in Bohol that will make you want to revisit…
1. SUP TOURS PHILIPPINES
Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Tour in Loboc River
Stand Up Paddling (SUP) is the latest eco-adventure in the Philippines. And if you ever find yourself down south in Bohol, don’t miss the chance to paddle for 8kms across the Loboc River, one of the biggest rivers in the island.
Here, you’ll get to experience local Boholano culture and natural sceneries from a unique vantage point–by gliding on water! You can even watch magical fireflies at night on a SUP board.
Touring Bohol by SUP is a different experience. We glided through the waters and enjoyed nature where no cars or motorbikes could take us.
Mountain Bike Tour (Trail C – 4 Hours)
Try the Mountain Bike Tour, which provides eco-touring of Loboc, Bohol from a different perspective.
We first paddled across a rice field. The up-hill and off-road tracks were very challenging, then we continued paddling all the way to Cruz Daku. It was real exercise, but the view from the top was worth it!
Note: The trail is best suited for experienced riders. If you’re a newbie, we advise you take the Trail A or B that goes around Loboc river, the city’s old churches, and an ancestral house.
Read More: SUP TOURS PHILIPPINES: WORLD CLASS STAND-UP PADDLE ECO TOURS IN LOBOC, BOHOL! @SUPPHILIPPINES
SUP TOURS PHILIPPINES
Baranggay Valladolid, 6316 Loboc, Bohol, Philippines
Mobile: +63 38 5379011, +63 947 8933022 , +63 917 7137577
Facebook: standuppaddlephilippines
E-mail: info@suptoursphilippines.com
Website: www.suptoursphilippines.com
Facebook: SUP Tours Philippines
Instagram: @suptoursphilippines
Twitter: @supphilippines
2. UNDISCOVERED ANDA
Anda is known for the best white beaches in Bohol. The public beach area in Anda is still not developed but there are exclusive cliff resorts with beautiful secluded coves.
We just visited on a day trip and got a preview of the beach, the resort, and the food and were impressed by what we saw.
We’ll definitely be back to do a full feature on Anda, Bohol.
3. DOLPHIN WATCHING, BALICASAG, AND ISOLA DI FRANCESCO TOUR
One of the must-do activities in Bohol is watching the dolphins swim in their natural habitat near Pamilacan Island.
It’s recommended to get the Bohol Island hopping tour from the resort you’re staying at, but you can also book a boat elsewhere depending on how big your group is. We prefer the island hopping speed boats used by Bellevue Resort, which are ideal for getting close to the dolphin action and are much faster than the bangkas.
The kids were so excited by the playful dolphins swimming beside our boat. If you’re lucky you’ll see them do a triple somersault.
Snorkeling in the small Balicasag Island Sanctuary off the coast of Panglao, Bohol with a healthy and preserved coral reef full of fishes and even sea turtles!
4. HENANN BOHOL ALONA BEACH EXPERIENCE
Henann Resort Bohol is the biggest luxury resort in Panglao island, with a 6.5-hectare property sitting on the shores of Bohol’s famous Alona Beach.
We love the resort because of its family-friendly vibe, multiple pools, white sand beachfront along Alona beach, and sumptuous dinner buffet.
The pools are the main attraction at Henann Bohol. They have the most number of pools on the island with three major ones, each having their own bar.
Overall, we loved our stay at Henann Resort Bohol because of:
– The convenient white sand beachfront location along Alona Beach
– The amazing Henann Pools!
– Villas with your own private pool
– It’s near different good restaurants along Alona Beach
– Good value grilled dinner buffet at Sea Breeze Restaurant
– Happy Hour and walking access to Bohol’s nightlife scene
– Family-friendly but at the same time the parents can opt to party at night
Read more: HENANN Bohol: Best Bohol Experience in Panglao’s Largest Luxury Resort @HenannBohol!
HENANN RESORT BOHOL
Alona Beach, Tawala Panglao Island, Bohol 6340, Philippines
Manila landline: +63 (2) 230-3000 to 03
Resort landline: +63 (38) 502-9141 to 44
Facebook: henannbohol
Twitter: @HenannBohol
Email: manila.hbl@henann.com
5. UNIQUELY BOHOL FOOD EXPERIENCES
Buzzz Cafe
The Buzzz Cafe is the retail store and cafe of Vicky Wallace’s Bohol Bee Farm, with 3 branches in Bohol and one in Cebu.
The Alona Beach branch is popular for its healthy breakfast, a great view of Alona Beach, and its uniquely-flavored homemade ice creams. We love their healthy breakfast choices, the use of honey in their butter and sauces, and their unique ice cream flavors. Their meats are a bit tough.
I love the prices of the dishes (just around P200-300/dish). Budget about P600/head when dining here.
Read more: THE BUZZZ CAFE: YOUR HEALTHY BREAKFAST CHOICE IN BOHOL (A REVIEW)
THE BUZZZ CAFE
Alona Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Mobile: +63 917 304-0661
Email: thebuzzzcafe@gamil.com
Website: http://www.boholbeefarm.com/
Facebook: Bohol Bee Farm
Osang’s Homemade Broas
Broas or ladyfingers are simply made of egg, sugar, and flour.
Osang’s Broas are traditionally baked in a pugon (charcoal) oven and still use the original recipe. Make sure to order in advance as they only make enough batches per day as to not waste ingredients.
It’s a big hit with the kids. We finished three packs on our Bohol trip.
The broas (P100 per bag) are a perfect pasalubong alternative to the usual peanut kisses.
Osang’s Homemade Pastries
Poblacyon, Baclayon Bohol
Landline: (+63 38) 540-9072
Mobile: +63 920 368-9970, +63 926 693-7322
Watch out for more food and restaurant features in Bohol this 2016 and beyond…
6. CHOCOLATE HILLS & TARSIERS (A NEW PERSPECTIVE)
A trip to Bohol isn’t complete without having to see the iconic Chocolate Hills, one of the natural wonders of the world.
Chocolate Hills has over 1,247 hills spread out in Carmen Valley and neighboring towns.
Tip: The Chocolate Hills are brown during summer time, which make them look like Chocolate Kisses.
Carmen View Point
The best place to see the Chocolate Hills is at Carmen view point where we had to walk 214 steps to reach the topmost deck.
Too bad construction was still ongoing and blocking the view.
Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP)
Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP) is an adventure park with ziplines, tree-top rope courses, and eco-trails.
Conquer your fear with the 550-meter long Bike Zip featuring the picturesque Chocolate Hills as your backdrop.
Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP)
Camanayon, Barangay Buenos Aires, Carmen Bohol
Website: www.chocolatehillsadventurepark.com
Mobile: +63932 667 7098, +63928 256 5984
Facebook:Chocolate Hills Adveture Park
Email: chocolatehills_adventurepark@yahoo.com
Open daily from 8:30am to 5:30pm (Including Holidays)
Chocolate Hills ATV
Take a closer look at the Chocolate Hills and the towns with an ATV ride. The unpaved road and rough terrain make the ride more exciting.
We took the 1-hour tour that includes a guide. Our First stop was the three sisters, where you’ll get the best close up shot of the hill.
The next stop was the eight sisters where you’ll get a big panoramic view. Package B gets you a free ride until the mini terraces. The view was just OK.
Barangay Fee: P50
ATV Package B (1hr): P850 (Three sisters hill, 8 sisters hill, mini terraces)
Bugcar B (1hr): P1650 (Three sisters hill, 8 sisters hill, mini terraces)
GRAHAM ATV RENTAL
Buenos Aires Carmen Bohol
Mobile: +639464860542
Cute Tarsiers
Tarsier came from the word Tarsidaee meaning long legs. It is the oldest primate on earth, believed to have existed 45 million years ago before the dinosaurs became extinct.
It has five characteristics :
– Owl-like eyes and nocturnal nature
– Ears as sharp as a bat’s
– A body like a monkey’s
– Tail like a mouse’s
– Legs like a frog’s that enable it to jump 3 meters from one branch to another.
They are considered endangered species because they are only able to produce one baby a year. They are very sensitive and have suicidal tendencies when caged by humans or brought to other places where they are not used to the weather.
The tarsiers we saw were kept in a mini-forest where they are able to stay in their natural habitat.
Tarsier Conservation Area
Loay Interior Road, Loboc, Bohol, Philippines
7. BELLEVUE RESORT BOHOL EXPERIENCE
The Bellevue Resort is a luxurious 5-star resort situated on the peaceful shorelines of Doljo Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol. It’s perfect for families both looking for quiet leisure time and fun-filled activities on their Bohol vacation.
Our family escaped to Bellevue Resort during the Labor Day weekend, and here are the 10 things we love about our experience…
Read More: BELLEVUE RESORT: 10 Things We Love About our Family Bohol Escape @BellevueResort!
Overall, we loved our stay at The Bellevue Resort because of:
– The peaceful location
– Infinity pool and Doljo Beach family fun
– Spacious resort rooms
– Awesome sunrise ocean view
– Bellevue Suite with jacuzzi
– Lamian breakfast
– Bellevue Kids Playroom
– Lunch at Marea Restaurant
– Bellevue’s dolphin watching and island hopping day tour
– Themed dinner buffet
THE BELLEVUE BOHOL RESORT
Barangay Doljo, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Website: http://www.thebellevuebohol.com/
Landline: +63 (38) 422-2222
Facebook: thebellevueresortbohol
Twitter: @bellevueresort
Instagram: @bellevueresort
Check out low rates and availability from Agoda: The Bellevue Resort
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Email me your recommendations for new experiences in Bohol this 2016 and beyond. We’ll be back to feature more of Bohol.
How to Get There (Manila-Tagbilaran)
By plane, we arrived from Manila to Tagbilaran (Bohol) in one hour and 25 minutes. A one-way ticket from Manila to Tagbilaran is usually around Php 3,000.
Travel tip: We booked our flights with Skiddoo, which offered us a cheap and easy way to book our flights online. That’s right. The fastest growing online travel agency out of Australia is now in the Philippines! It’s the cheapest place for you to compare and book airfare.
If you find cheaper flights on another website, Skiddoo is ready to match that price. Just take a screenshot of the cheaper flight’s price, call+632 770-5380 and email the picture to contactus@skiddoo.com.ph so Skiddoo can verify it. Where else can you find travel agents online who would lower their price for you? For more info, just visit their website at https://www.skiddoo.com.ph/
Wow amazing!! Bohol looks beautiful and worth visiting. Bellevue Resort is so Beautiful. Thanks for Sharing Info…
We had no idea the Chocolate Hill Adventure Park existed! Thanks so much, looks like you had lots of fun, and a bicycle zip line? Wow! Can’t wait to explore Bohol, thanks for the tips.
Thank you for appreciating the post!