18 Amazing Things to Do in Bohol for a Memorable Vacation
I first visited Bohol in 2012. And after experiencing some amazing things to do in Bohol, like meeting the Eskaya tribe in Duero, watching the sunset from the curious Chocolate Hills, meeting the adorable Philippine tarsiers in person, and swimming in the beautiful beaches of Panglao, I can definitely say that Bohol is worth visiting.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Bohol and looking for things to do while you’re on vacation in this gorgeous province of the Philippines, you’ve come to the right place! Below, you will find my curated lists of top things to do in Bohol. Read on. 🙂
Planning your trip? Use my favorite resources.
✈️ Flights: I recommend Trip.com
🚂 Buses and Trains: I recommend 12go
🚗 Car Rental: I recommend Klook
🛌 Accommodation: I recommend Agoda.com
🏞️ Tours and Experiences: I recommend Klook
🛡️ Travel Insurance: I recommend SafetyWing
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Things to do in Bohol for first-time visitors
You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie or a beach lover to fall in love with Bohol. This popular and tourist-friendly destination in the Philippines has something to offer everyone, regardless of age, interest, or activity level.
But if you’re a first-time visitor, I recommend visiting these famous Bohol tourist spots in your itinerary.
1. Visit the famous Chocolate Hills in Bohol.
The Chocolate Hills, composed of about 1,776 mounds of almost same-sized conical formations, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bohol, and even the Philippines.
During the dry season, the green grass that adorns these hills dries up because of the scorching heat, transforming the landscape into what resembles the color of chocolate. Thus, the name Chocolate Hills.
I first visited the Chocolate Hills in 2012. After meeting the Eskaya tribe in Duero, we raced with time and headed to the Chocolate Hills viewing point in Carmen (with only 10 minutes to spare)! In 2019, I returned to this place with my partner and was gifted the chance to view the Chocolate Hills with a rainbow over it!
the boho travels’ tip
If you’re looking for an adventure, you can explore Chocolate Hills while riding an all-terrain vehicle. You can also enjoy the view of Chocolate Hills while riding the rush bike zip, wave runner, or tony hawk at Chocolate Hills Adventure Park.
2. Meet the endangered Philippine tarsiers.
📍 Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary
At the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary in Corella, Bohol, you can find one of the smallest known primates – just about as big as the palm of your hand – the adorable Philippine tarsiers.
Seeing the Philippine tarsiers in their natural habitat at the sanctuary was fascinating. While I learned about them at school as a kid, seeing how tiny and adorable they are in person was quite an experience.
a gentle reminder
Be respectful of the Philippine tarsiers. Yes, taking pictures is allowed. But make sure that you turn off your camera flash and be as quiet as possible, lest you will stress them out.
3. Say a prayer at one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, the Baclayon Church.
While it had been reconstructed following a huge earthquake in Bohol in 2013, Baclayon Church is still considered one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.
Visit the Baclayon Church, declared a National Cultural Treasure and National Historic Landmark, and say a prayer or two.
4. Dine at a floating restaurant as you cruise down the stunning Loboc River.
My partner and I did this when we visited Bohol in 2019. While it was a bit of a touristy thing to do, I immensely enjoyed the picturesque scenery while we had our lunch buffet cruising the jade-green Loboc River. I especially loved the part when the boat slowed down so we could watch a short cultural show by the local folk dancers and singers.
It’s about an hour’s drive from Panglao International Airport to the departure point of the Loboc River Cruise. The cruise lasts about 45 minutes to an hour.
Many tour packages include the Loboc River Cruise in their itinerary, so you can easily experience this for yourself if you want to.
5. Enjoy a meditative stroll through the mahogany forest, the Bilar Man-made Forest.
The Bilar Man-Made Forest is a 2-kilometer stretch of mahogany trees planted as part of the reforestation project in the mid-20th century. It is one of the many popular tourist destinations in Bohol, especially for first-time visitors of the province.
Because of the canopy of leaves covering the roads, you would notice a drop in temperature when you enter this seemingly magical forest.
Many tourists, Filipinos and foreigners alike, stop by the Bilar Man-Made Forest, especially to take pictures with this gorgeous backdrop.
the boho travels’ tip
I understand that getting your pictures taken with the gorgeous Bilar Man-Made Forest as a backdrop can get you preoccupied. Simple as it may have been, we enjoyed doing this thoroughly! Just a gentle reminder that while you do this, make sure to lock your cars and take care of your belongings to avoid any untoward incident.
6. Being at the exact place where sandugo happened.
Be at the exact place where a poignant point in Philippine history happened – where the Spanish explorer, Captain General Miguel López de Legazpi, and Chieftain Datu Sikatuna performed a blood compact (sandugo) to symbolize their friendship.
Only have a day to explore Bohol?
👉🏼 Book this Bohol Countryside Tour to see the top tourist attractions of Bohol (Chocolate Hills, Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, Baclayon Church, Blood Compact Shrine, Bilar Man-Made Forest, and Loboc River Cruise) in one day!
Things to do in Bohol for the beach-lovers
The Philippines is a tropical country with many gorgeous beaches, and I have been fortunate to visit many of them throughout the years. But Bohol beaches, especially in Panglao, hit differently. If you are a beach-lover, Bohol is a must-visit province in the Philippines.
7. Sunbathe, swim, and enjoy Bohol’s beautiful and famous white-sand beaches.
Bohol is home to many stunning beaches where you can bask in the sun, take a dip, or have a fresh coconut. Whether you’re looking for a quiet ambiance, an unspoiled white sand beach (like Virgin Island), or a beach with a vibe similar to Boracay (like Alona Beach), there is a Panglao beach accessible to you.
8. Indulge in luxury and relax on a private beach in Panglao, Bohol.
We stayed at The Bellevue Resort in Panglao during our last visit, and we were fortunate that it had a private beach, so we didn’t need to leave the resort to experience Panglao’s gorgeous white-sand beaches minus the crowd.
But even if you’re not staying in a beachfront accommodation in Panglao, you can still indulge in luxury and enjoy a relaxing day on a private beach resort in Panglao, like North Zen Villas, South Palms Resort, and Bluewater Panglao, with a day pass!
9. Walk barefoot on the long sandbar and enjoy the turquoise-colored sea water of the Virgin Islands.
The Virgin Island is a sandbar that appears only during low tide. If you’re looking to just chill, read a book, drink fresh coconut, and bathe in the sun, this is a perfect spot for you.
Things to do in Bohol for the underwater explorers
Do you love snorkeling or diving? According to PADI, there are currently 41 dive sites around Bohol, so it is an excellent destination for underwater explorers, like you!
10. Swim with the sardines, or go scuba diving and marvel at the beauty of Napaling Reef.
Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Napaling Reef, the most famous dive spot in Bohol. Its abundant and colorful marine life and relatively easy access from shore make it a freediver’s paradise.
If you love exploring the underwater world, consider including this in your Bohol itinerary.
11. Go dolphin watching and snorkel at Pamilacan Island.
Start your day early to swim with the sea turtles and enjoy the white sand beach of Pamilacan Island. On your way, you might see dolphins swimming, too!
12. Snorkel, swim with the turtles, or scuba dive at Balicasag Island.
See the marine species of Balicasag Island Marine Sanctuary up close and create an unforgettable experience.
Unique things to do in Bohol (for the off-the-beaten-path travelers)
If you’re looking for what you can do in Bohol if you aren’t a fan of touristy places, here are some ideas for your Bohol trip.
13. Swim at the beautiful waterfalls of Bohol.
Go on captivating hikes to enjoy the picturesque scenery while dipping at some of Bohol’s spectacular waterfalls: Can-Umantad Falls in Candijay, Pahangog Falls, Ingkumhan Falls, and Dimiao Twin Falls.
14. Watch the sunrise from Alicia Panoramic Park.
Trek your way to one of the most Instagrammable places in Bohol and enjoy the breathtaking landscape of Binabaje Hills from Alicia Panoramic Park.
15. Visit the Eskaya Tribe in Duero Bohol.
My first visit to Bohol was to meet the Eskaya tribe. We were intrigued by the scripts we found online and thought that we should take the time to meet them. They live atop a beautiful mountain in Duero, and back then, even finding our way to them was an adventure.
the boho travels’ tip
Interested to visit the Eskaya tribe? Get in touch with the National Commission on Indigenous People – Bohol to arrange your visit.
Things to do at the Loboc River
16. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Loboc River.
Ride the 120-m high zipline or the chairlift and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Loboc River at the Loboc Eco-Tourism Adventure Park.
17. Stand-up paddleboarding at Loboc River.
Enjoy the picturesque scenery as you ride the paddle board at Loboc River.
18. Go on a scenic mountain bike ride across Bohol’s countryside.
Take in the beautiful scenery as you bike through Bohol’s countryside, which will take you across the rustic villages near the Loboc River.
Where to stay in Bohol Island Philippines
Here are the top-rated accommodations in Bohol:
🏨 Hotel: Amorita Resort
🏠 B&B: Bohol Bee Farm
🛌 Hostel: Canna Boutique Hostel
Top-rated Bohol tours
While you can navigate the commute in Bohol on your own or charter a private ride to follow your own itinerary, I also get the convenience of joining tours or booking private tour packages when visiting a new place.
So, I dug around and found some of the top-rated Bohol tour packages for you.
🚗 Countryside Tours in Bohol
The following are very similar and cover almost the same places: Chocolate Hills, Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, and Loboc River Cruise.
Since I get that each one of us has varying preferences, I listed these top-rated Bohol Countryside Tours below so you can have a look at the reviews (I usually look for the 3-star and below ratings and see if the reviews would dissuade me from booking the tour) and see which tour suits yours preference best.
- Bohol Countryside Tour
- Chocolate Hills Tour with Tarsier & Loboc River Buffet Lunch
- Bohol Highlights Tour
the boho travels’ tip
You can book tours and activities when you get to Bohol. Simply ask your hotel or accommodation host, and they will refer you to their local contacts or partner tour organizers.
But, if, like me, you prefer pre-booking activities to ensure that you have an available spot, I highly recommend that you book with trusted OTAs like Klook, Viator, and Get Your Guide. Pay attention to the ratings and reviews from other travelers, too, so you’ll know what you can expect.
🪸 Snorkeling Tours in Bohol
If you love snorkeling, here are some of the top-rated snorkeling tours I found for you.
- Private Balicasag Island Tour
- Pamilacan Island Dolphin & Turtle Watching Tour
- Full-Day Pamilacan Island Tour
🤿 Scuba Diving and Freediving in Bohol
Want to try scuba diving or freediving? Bohol is a great destination for you! As home to some of the best diving spots in the Philippines, Bohol is a great place to start learning scuba diving and freediving.
Island Tours and Island Hopping Tours in Bohol
From Panglao, you can go on boat tours to visit some of the gorgeous islands in Bohol.
- Private Balicasag Island Tour and Dolphin Watching
- Virgin Island Sunset Tour
- Bohol Island Hopping (Balicasag & Virgin Island)
- Full-Day Pamilacan Island Tour
Food Tours in Bohol
In the evening, have a drink or two at your hotel bar, if your accommodation has one. Or, you can join this Alona Beach Pub Crawl and have a taste of Panglao’s night life!
Other High-Rated Tours in Bohol
the boho travels’ tip
Planning a trip to Bohol? Check out my Bohol Travel Guide and get your FAQs answered. If you need further help, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d be happy to hear from you!
FAQs on things to do in Bohol
That’s it!
If you’ve reached this far, THANK YOU! It means a lot to me that you’ve taken the time to read my post. And I hope it helped you see some of the awesome things to do in Bohol that you can include in your itinerary. If you have any questions or if there’s anything I can help you with, please feel free to contact me. Happy planning!
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