I recently contributed another Insider’s Guide article for Inflight Traveller issue 30, this time for a Bohol listicle, Top 10 Things To Do in Bohol. Again, I can’t seem to get a hold of a physical copy, so I guess a PDF will do. Inflight Traveller is the official inflight magazine for AirSWIFT Airlines Philippines, so if ever you get the chance to fly via AirSWIFT, grab me a copy, please?
Here’s my article in its original form:
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TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BOHOL
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| 10 THINGS TO DO IN BOHOL IN INFLIGHT TRAVELLER 30 |
The notion that Bohol is one of the premiere landmarks in the Philippines is deeply rooted within the Filipino psyche—the Chocolate Hills has been endlessly mentioned and illustrated in Philippine school textbooks as one of the most beautiful landmarks in the country, alongside the graceful Mayon Volcano and Maria Cristina Falls. And indeed, this deeply held Filipino creed has recently been validated by no other than the UNESCO, as it recently inscribed it as the first Global Geopark in the Philippines.
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| 10 THINGS TO DO IN BOHOL IN INFLIGHT TRAVELLER 30 |
Still, Bohol, is of course, more than the famed conical hills it possesses—it’s just the tip of the iceberg, or shall we say, the tip of the hills that playfully dot the island’s landscape. Let’s dig deeper, beyond the hills, and explore what else you can do on the province.
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| 10 THINGS TO DO IN BOHOL IN INFLIGHT TRAVELLER 30 |
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GO BEACH HOPPING IN PANGLAO
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| DOLJO BEACH IN PANGLAO |
Bohol is blessed with heaps of white sandy beaches, the most popular of these can be found on the southwestern island of Panglao—which is conveniently located thirty minutes away from Tagbilaran, the province’s city center. There are at least thirteen notable beaches within the island, ranging from secluded get-aways like Doljo Beach, to the popular establishment-filled Boracay-esque Alona Beach. A few of these stretch for more than three kilometers and is filled with extremely fine sand that can seriously rival Boracay’s White Beach.
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ISLAND HOP & RUN AFTER DOLPHINS
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| KIDS PLAYING AT VIRGIN BEACH |
One of the most popular activities in Bohol is the island-hopping tour in Panglao—three destinations for half a day of banca ride. Depending on the tides, Pontod Island, more popularly known as Virgin Island, is usually the first on the itinerary. It’s a tadpole-shaped islet with two sandbars extending out from both ends. It is quite bare, except for a copse of trees where they have erected a religious shrine. Balicasag Island marine sanctuary, on the other hand, is a snorkeler’s paradise. The kaleidoscopic colors of fishes and corals—all just a few meters from the shore—is a delight. And for non-swimmers, the entire island is surrounded by pristine white sandy beaches. On the way to these two islets, you might spot a dolphin or two tailing your outrigger boat. If not, your boatman would ensure that you get to see one or even a pod—the area is a popular hangout for bottlenose dolphins.
â–ºBOOK BOHOL ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE!
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EXPLORE BOHOL’S UNDERWATER LIFE
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| UNDER BALICASAG ISLAND |
For the more adventurous, there is more to Bohol’s beaches than meets the eye. Go beyond some meters from the shore and you’ll usually encounter colorful fishes swimming about and, on a few spots, massive beds of table corals. The most popular snorkeling spot is at Balicasag Island due to its accessibility even for non-swimmers, but divers swear that this is also the best diving spot in Bohol. The western portion of Panglao Island is dotted with more diving spots, along with the eastern portion of mainland Bohol at the town of Anda and Guindulman. Bohol’s waters are home to white-tip reef sharks, banded sea kraits, and green sea turtles swimming along soft coral gardens and hard coral walls. Another interesting town to drop by is at Lila, where responsible whaleshark tours are being held.
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KAYAK AND HAVE A MAGICAL NIGHT WITH FIREFLIES
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| KAYAKING IN BOHOL |
As twilight descends, take a ride along the rivers of Loay and Cortes—the former along Loay River, and the latter at the Abatan River—for a magical cruise aboard a traditional bandong boat to witness thousands of fireflies twinkle their way across the mangrove forest. Prior to the cruise, a curious traditional palina ritual takes place, serving as a protective shield against malevolent spirits. And after the cruise, a sumptuous dinner by the river can also be availed. As dawn breaks over the Abatan River, the fireflies retreat, leaving behind a tranquil scene—the perfect moment for a serene morning kayak adventure.
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EMBARK ON A HISTORIC CHURCH PILGRIMAGE
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| TWILIGHT AT BACLAYON CHURCH |
The Spaniards arrived in Bohol during the 1500s and with them follows the erection of massive stone churches. There are at least fifteen Spanish colonial era churches throughout the province, ten of which are inscribed as National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum and eight are built in the Baroque tradition. The 2013 Bohol earthquake has heavily damaged most of these structures, but each one has now been restored to its former glory. These churches are characterized by rough, thick, and unpainted coral stone walls quarried from the nearby reefs. One particular edifice, the Alburquerque Church, even has massive tree trunks as columns.
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ENJOY A LUNCH BUFFET ON A RIVER CRUISE
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| RIVER CRUISE BUFFET AT LOBOC |
One of the most relaxing parts of touring Bohol is the river cruise along Loboc River. This is not just any river cruise, as the raft slowly bobs through the unbelievably emerald waters of the river from the Loay Bridge, a delectable buffet of Filipino dishes is served as musicians serenade guests. The raft also stops along a part of the river where Boholanos perform traditional dances along floating platforms—which you can join, if you’re game enough—before turning back as it reaches the diminutive Busay Falls.
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VISIT THE MYSTERIOUS LAMANOC ISLAND
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| BURIAL COFFINS AT LAMANOC ISLAND |
Head further east along the town of Anda and visit a mysterious side of Bohol. Named after chickens sacrificed to spirits by shamans, Lamanoc Island has five caves. In it are not the usual stuff you find on the tourist trails; lungon burial coffins and old broken earthenware jars ransacked by bandits looking for gold only to find skeletal remains, a tall wooden cross, limestone walls smeared with a mysterious red substance, and giant clams believed to be used as vessels for offerings by old Boholano baylans or shamans. One of these caves, it is said, was also home to a witch who fled to the island due to persecution. And on another cavern, the actual place where chickens were sacrificed by baylans for bountiful harvest during the olden days.
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SWIM UNDERGROUND
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| HINAGDANAN CAVE IN PANGLAO |
Another cave worth visiting without the hair at the back of your neck standing up on ends is the Hinagdanan Cave in Panglao Island. Named after the stairway built by the landowner who accidentally discovered it, this hidden gem is remarkably easy to access—definitely no spelunking experience required. It has the requisite stalactites and stalagmites formations, but what sets it apart is its crystal-clear freshwater lagoon. Imagine swimming through its depths, surrounded by ancient rock formations. Be prepared, though—as it can get quite deep, reaching up to ten to twelve meters in certain areas.
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SEARCH FOR TARSIERS
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| THE DIMINUITIVE TARSIER IN BOHOL |
There are only four countries in the world where you can find tarsiers and the Philippines is one of them. The particular tarsiers found in Bohol, locally known as mawumag, are endemic to the Philippines. These cute animals, about three to six inches in height, are one of the smallest primates in the world. They are characterized by their huge eyes, due to their nocturnal nature, and can usually be found clinging along tree branches, hiding behind leaves. There are two places where you can have a view of tarsiers in Bohol, the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary and the Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area.
â–ºBOOK BOHOL COUNTRYSIDE TOUR HERE!
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TAKE IN THE VIEW OF THE CHOCOLATE HILLS
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| BOHOL’S ICONIC CHOCOLATE HILLS |
And finally, the true highlight that draws people to Bohol, the iconic Chocolate Hills. These unique geological formations—more than a thousand in numbers—resemble mounds of chocolate, creating a landscape truly unique to the province. These hills are made from limestone pushed up above the sea, millions of years ago. During the rainy months, these are covered in grass, which turns chocolate brown as it dries during the summer season. These formations are spread across three towns of Bohol—Batuan, Carmen, and Sagbayan. Two of the most popular places to see it is at the Carmen View Deck and at the Sagbayan Peak. For a more exhilarating way to experience the hills, head to the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP). Here, you can ride bike ziplines that provide breathtaking views of Batuan’s hills. But if you want to get up close and personal with the Chocolate Hills, there are ATVs that can be rented out for a guided tour around the hills.
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DO MORE: VISIT QUINALE BEACH
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| QUINALE BEACH IN ANDA |
The school bell rang and a herd of rowdy children rushed out of its gates. Off they went, straight into the waters of the beach, uniforms and all. This is probably as normal to them as metro kids going to the convenience store and malls right after school.
Quinale Beach sits right beside a sixties-era style school and a towering Spanish colonial-era church, and it probably holds the title for having the finest and whitest beach sand this side of the Philippines. The public beach stretches for about two kilometers, with another two bending westwards where resorts can be found. Along the beach, uniquely constructed open bamboo huts wait for beach-goers to take shelter in, as mantalisay trees fringing the beach sway with the breeze. Off one side, a local beach bar, run by the government, sells drinks even school kids can afford. Being located a hundred kilometers or so away from Tagbilaran—Bohol’s city center—it’s a place not yet overrun by the tourist crowd. Quinale Beach is the epitome of small-town chill in Bohol.
Why Go: Experience Bohol’s beach in all its local charm sans the tourist horde.
Best Time To Go: Since Quinale Beach faces southwest, visit during the early part of the year—from January to May—to avoid the rains and the Habagat winds for calmer waters.
Where to Stay: There are resorts that front Quinale Beach, from simple resorts (Rose Apartments) with a price range of less than a thousand pesos to four-star resorts (Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa) that reaches the twenty thousand-peso mark per night.
How to Get There: There are buses and vans that ply the Tagbilaran-Anda route. These can be found at the Dao Integrated Bus Terminal near Island City Mall. Fare is about P100.00 to P130.00 and travel time takes about two to three hours.
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