Things to Do in Bohol

GalaTayo PickPark · Buenos Aires, CarmenChocolate Hills Complex1 hr·₱100/head

Bohol's most famous view, at kailangang makita in person! At least 1,260 cone-shaped limestone hills, possibly over 1,700, roll across more than 50 square kilometers of the Bohol countryside. In the dry season the grass turns cocoa-brown, which gave them their name; in the rainy months they're lush green. Climb the stairs to the viewing deck at the Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen for the classic 360-degree panorama, then listen to the local legends of feuding giants. It's the centerpiece of any Bohol countryside tour, alongside the tarsiers and the Loboc River. Best moment: early morning or late afternoon in the dry months, when the hills are brown and the light is soft.

GalaTayo PickActivity · Balicasag IslandBalicasag Island (and Pamilacan Dolphin Watching)Half day·₱1,000/head

The highlight of any Panglao island hopping trip. Boats leave around dawn to look for dolphins near Pamilacan, then head to Balicasag, a marine sanctuary about 8 km off Alona Beach and Bohol's most famous dive spot. Its reef is narrow and shallow before plunging into a dramatic underwater wall, so snorkelers float over corals, schools of fish and often sea turtles while divers explore the drop-offs. Many tours end at Virgin Island's sandbar. Go early in the dry season for calm seas and the best dolphin chances. Sulit na half day for the whole family.

GalaTayo PickActivity · Canapnapan, CorellaPhilippine Tarsier Sanctuary (Corella)30–45 min·₱100/head

Meet the tiny primate with the giant eyes! The Philippine Tarsier Foundation's sanctuary in Corella keeps tarsiers in natural forest, where guides point them out clinging to branches. Tarsiers are among the world's smallest primates, about the size of an adult fist, and their huge eyes are fixed in their skulls, so they turn their heads instead. They are shy and nocturnal and stress easily, so talk softly, no flash and no touching. Choosing this sanctuary over roadside cages helps keep Bohol's mascot safe. Go in the morning on your countryside tour.

GalaTayo PickActivity · TawalaAlona BeachHalf day to several days·Free entry

Powdery white sand, clear water, and a full strip of restaurants, dive shops and bars – Alona Beach is the easy, buhay na buhay base of most Bohol trips. The beach is less than a kilometer long, but it packs everything in: swim and snorkel by day, book island hopping to Balicasag and Pamilacan, and get certified at one of the many dive shops. At sunset, grab a table on the sand for grilled seafood and a cold drink, then catch some live acoustic music. It can get crowded, but the convenience is hard to beat. Best from November to May, when the sea is calm and the skies are clear.

GalaTayo PickActivity · Poblacion, LobocLoboc River Cruise1–1.5 hrs·₱650/head

Lunch on a floating restaurant while emerald water and coconut palms drift by – the Loboc River cruise is the chill, kain-muna break of every Bohol countryside tour. You board a covered raft with a Filipino buffet and live acoustic music, then glide upriver toward the small falls, stopping at a floating village stage where locals sing and dance. Loboc is also home to the award-winning Loboc Children's Choir, and the town's centuries-old church sits right by the river. It's swak for families with lolo and lola, or anyone who wants a relaxed, scenic lunch between the Chocolate Hills and the tarsiers. Time it for lunch so the cruise doubles as your meal stop.

GalaTayo PickFood · Dao, DauisBohol Bee Farm1–2 hrs·₱400/head

A farm-to-table lunch on a cliff overlooking the Bohol Sea. Bohol Bee Farm in Dao, Dauis is an organic farm-resort known for its edible flower salad, homemade breads with spreads like pesto and honey, and homemade ice cream in local flavors. Take the farm tour to see their beekeeping and organic gardens, then eat with the sea view. Before you leave, raid the Buzzz Shop for honey products and spreads as pasalubong. Go for lunch or merienda, about 15 minutes from Alona Beach. A healthy, chill stop on any Panglao itinerary with the family.

GalaTayo PickActivity · MagtangtangDanao Adventure Park (EAT Danao)Half day (plus about 2 hrs' drive each way from Panglao)·₱700/head

Ready to scream with the barkada? Danao Adventure Park, better known as EAT Danao, is Bohol's extreme playground, set on a 144-hectare spread of gorges, river and forest. The headline ride is The Plunge, a canyon swing that drops you over the Wahig River gorge, but there's plenty more: ziplines, the sky ride, river kayaking, caving and wall and cliff climbing. It's run by the local government of Danao and sits far inland, so plan a full day and pair it with the Chocolate Hills on the way. Go on a dry morning, when the trails and rides are at their best and you beat the afternoon heat.

Heritage · Poblacion, BaclayonBaclayon Church45 min to 1 hr·₱50/head

This is where Christianity took root in Bohol: Baclayon was founded by Jesuit missionaries in 1596, and its coral-stone church has stood since 1727. The 2013 earthquake brought down its portico and bell tower, but after a careful restoration it reopened in 2018, and now it's a must-see stop for history lovers. Walk inside to see the old retablos, then visit the convent museum with centuries-old vestments and religious art. It's just a short ride from Tagbilaran, so it fits perfectly as the first stop of a countryside tour. Go in the morning when it's cooler and before tour groups arrive.

Activity · Bingag, DauisHinagdanan Cave30–45 min·₱75/head

Isang kuweba na may sariling lagoon! Hinagdanan Cave on Panglao was found by accident when the landowner dropped a stone into a hole and heard a splash, then built a ladder to climb down, hence the name, which means 'laddered'. Today, cement steps lead into a cavern about 100 meters long, where sunlight streams through holes in the ceiling onto a green lagoon framed by stalactites and stalagmites. It's quick to visit and close to Alona Beach, an easy add-on to any Panglao day. Swimming in the lagoon is discouraged because the water tests high for pollutants, so enjoy it with your eyes and camera.

Park · Loboc-Bilar RoadBilar Man-Made Forest15–20 min photo stop·Free entry

Ang green tunnel ng Bohol! Between Loboc and Bilar, rows of tall mahogany trees close over the highway into a shady, cinematic tunnel, and the air feels noticeably cooler. The Bilar Man-Made Mahogany Forest is part of the Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape and sits right on the road to the Chocolate Hills, so it's a quick photo stop on the classic countryside tour. Pull over at a safe spot, snap your shots of the canopy, and breathe in the forest air for a few minutes. Fifteen to twenty minutes is enough; just keep off the road and watch for passing vehicles.