Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Bohol Beach Guide
Bohol has been gaining more popularity these past few years. People in Bohol are warm and hospitable. The place is considered a paradise by people who have visited it. The capital is Tagbilaran city. This is the point of entry. Tagbilaran is where you can find the only airport in Bohol. People go to Bohol to enjoy the beaches and the sights to see.
Panglao Island is Bohol’s popular island where you can find the top resorts and hotels in Bohol. Alona beach is the loveliest beach in Panglao. It is where most establishments can be found. This part of the island is in the southwest end. Alona beach is one and half kilometers in length and it has several resorts offering accommodations and package tours for varying prices. Alona beach also has great diving sites offering different coral formations and filled with marine life. There are great places in Alona beach where you can eat with your family and friends. There are schools where you can learn how to dive and rent some diving equipments as well. The only setback in Alona beach are probably some big urchins which can reach the beach from time to time so it is best take precautions when you are swimming. Never forget to take your equipment for snorkeling when you are hundred meters away from the shore where you will go near the hour reef’s edge which is five meters in depth and you can observe the life underneath the waters. Most boatmen know the perfect spots to scuba dive. There are different reefs where you can see the amazing life underneath the water.
Dumaluan Beach is the beach on the southern part of Panglao. It is two and a half kilometers away from the Alona beach. There are more resorts here that can offer more privacy because most of them are exclusives like the Bohol Beach Club.
Bikini Beach is another beach eight kilometers away from the capital of Bohol. This is a popular place for families and friends who like to enjoy a picnic.
Momo Beach is another beach on the northern part of Panglao island. This is a beach with shallow waters.
Doljo Beach is situated on the northwestern side of Panglao. It is closer to Momo beach and it is a good beach as well. It is free from the common sea grass present in other beaches. There are several shells you can find when you walk along the beach.
Bohol Travel Agents
The Island of Bohol has truly been blessed by Mother Nature. Wonderful beaches and unique flora and fauna (courtesy of the Philippine Tarsiers) are some prominent marks of the Bohol Island. Nonetheless, the most famous, extraordinary and remarkable feature this blessed island has is the geological or terrain formation known as the ‘Chocolate Hills’. This wonders of nature would surely make tourists and visitors be charmed and most likely asked the question: what is the origin of the ‘Chocolate Hills’.
Once Upon a Time…
Ancient people, before the establishment of educational system, relied on myth, legends and folklores to explain the phenomena happening during those times. The ‘Chocolate Hills’ certainly have had their own share of these ‘bed time stories’. One of the legends said that there was once a certain Dano, a giant with a huge appetite and devoured everything in his way. One instance he approached to a plain and saw the alluring and beautiful girl named Eng. Dano fell in love with Eng, but before Eng said her precious ‘yes’ to Dano, he had to loose weight. For that reason, Dano expelled everything he consumed and his mounds of wastes scattered and covered the place until he gained the heart of his precious Eng. Here is another story, just to redeem the ‘not so-good theme’ of the last legend, right now it is a ‘real’ love story. There was again a giant and his name was Arogo. He was described to be very youthful and powerful. His heart was captured by a lovely Aloya, a beautiful and attractive mortal. One day, Aloya died and this had caused the strong giant much misery and pain. He started crying and he could not be stopped. His tears created the mounds and as soon they dried up they became the Chocolate Hills. These stories convey the rich literature of the ancient Boholonos.
Knowing the Real, Empirical and Scientific Story Behind the Mounds
Reading scientific and empirical explanation may give reasoning how and what Chocolate Hills is all about. Nonetheless, experiencing Bohol, is ‘knowing’ the Chocolate Hills. Enjoying Bohol Island without the time-consuming and hassle-free dealings with the technicalities of traveling and touring could be taken cared of few preparations. Travel agencies in Bohol provide traveling and touring assistance to ensure a hassle-free trip. One of Bohol Island’s premiere travel and tours agency is the Isla Grande Island Travel and Tours. They offer travel packages for reasonable prices. They are in charge from dealing with travel details up to accommodations and travel itineraries. The Isla Grande Travel and Tours is located at The Courtyard Building, Airport Road, Tagbilaran City, Bohol Island. As a final note, always check the internet for latest updates and information.
Tagbilaran Travel Guide
One of the most popular and developed cities in the southern region of the Philippines, Tagbilaran City in Bohol offers nice and attractive places for travelers and tourist. To offer comfort and convenience to everyone, the place plays home to numerous hotels or lodges that offer reasonable accommodation rates and well-maintained facilities. In addition, there are also restaurants in the city, where people can dine, unwind, and relax, with their friends and loved ones. Hence, for people who plan to visit the place, they can always take a look at Tagbilaran travel guide to avoid hassles and problems.
Tourist Attractions
One of the main features of Tagbilaran travel guides is the section wherein people can read information about the famous tourist attractions in Tagbilaran City, Philippines. For those who like to admire the beauty of manmade tourist spots in the place, most Tagbilaran travel guides offer details on how to get to the famous Blood Compact Site, President Carlos P. Garcia Memorial Park, as well as Children’s Playground and Mini Park. Hence, art and history fanatics can always visit the attractive Bohol Museum, which once serves as shelter for the family of the late President of the Philippines, Carlos P. Garcia.
Dining
Besides tourist destinations, Tagbilaran travel guides also feature dining places in the city. For tourists who crave for authentic Filipino dishes, they can always taste the delectable meals at Gerry’s Grill, Saya’s Restaurant, and Prawn Farm. Hence, for those who want to unwind and order tasty beverages, they can visit the famous Ruby Stone Music Bar and Entertainment. By referring to Tagbilaran travel guides, people can have ideas about the menu as well as price range of meals at the dining places in Tagbilaran City, Philippines.
Accommodations
In terms of accommodations, Tagbilaran travel guides feature first rate hotels in Tagbilaran City, Philippines, where people can have a wonderful and enjoyable stay. For those who like to stay in elegant and luxurious guestrooms, they can always make advance reservations at any of these famous hotels, The Metrocenter Hotel and Convention Center, Bohol Tropics Resort, and Wergent Plaza Hotel. Meanwhile, for those who are in search for hospitality service providers that offer affordable accommodations such as Chriscent Ville Pension House, East Coast Tourist Inn, and Slim Pension House. By using Tagbilaran travel guides, travelers and vacationers who plan to visit Tagbilaran City, Philippines, will surely have a worry-free, exciting, and enjoyable vacation at one of the famous cities in the country.
Dining Along the Loboc River
Bohol is located in the south-central part of the Philippines, right in the heart of the Visayas. Although Bohol is known primarily for the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier, and as an ideal spot for diving and snorkeling, there’s one other attraction that Bohol can boast about, and that every vacationer on this island should try— and that is the floating restaurants along the Loboc River.
Each floating restaurant can hold about 20-25 people each. The boat ride starts at the Loay Bridge, just 20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. A motorboat maneuvers a large bamboo raft upstream through the Loboc River, and the buffet begins.
This extensive selection of tasty, native dishes positioned in the center of the raft makes for an extremely pleasant dining experience, which one can enjoy buffet-style for approximately P250 per person. Dishes usually offered are soup, grilled seafood such as squid, prawns and fish, and barbecued chicken, pork, and vegetables. For dessert, a variety of fresh fruits are available, as well as overflowing coffee and tea. While dining, a small group of singers serenade you with everything from folk songs to local pop songs.
Another reason that makes dining along the Loboc River so enjoyable though, is the breathtaking scenery that surrounds the raft. The lush greens all around the raft are captivating against a perfectly blue sky which adds tranquility to the ride. As the boat goes further upstream, one cannot help but notice that the river is full of life.
Locals go about their business on small boats and canoes, carabaos are wading and drinking the river water, while children are everywhere, swinging from tall coconut trees and jumping into the river. Sometimes, the children swim up to the boats and try to catch the tourists’ attention, performing random stunts in the water. Other tourists and locals call out to you, wave and smile at you, as their restaurant and yours cross paths.
The boat takes about 45 minutes to reach a small waterfall called Busay, where it will stop for a while in order for those aboard to enjoy the view. Afterwards, the boat turns around and makes its way downstream the river.
During the summer, the river is clean and green, while during the rainy season, the water is rather brown. It doesn’t really matter what time of the year you decide to go here though, because either way, you’re still in for fresh air, scrumptious food, and a completely unique experience.
A Taste of Bohol
The Bohol Province is considered as one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Philippines. It is an island in the Central Visayan Region of the Philippines. People in the province are called Boholanos. Many tourists from different countries go to Bohol because of its beautiful beaches and resorts. The province is known for the famous Chocolate Hills and the Philippine Tarsier, a small monkey with big eyes. Other attractive amenities that the island offers are diving shops, recreation centers and shopping malls.
Restaurants on the island province offer a variety of food. Tourists in the province can enjoy flavors from countries around the world. There are Japanese, Chinese and Singaporean as well as Filipino-American restaurants that tourists and locals can go to. Coffeehouses, bake shops, bars and music lounges are additional attractions that the province offers. Franchises of local and international fast food chains are also presents in the province. Fusion restaurants have also made their mark in the island province.
Tourists who prefer to eat the freshest food can go to restaurants located near or within wet and public markets called dampa. Seafood on sale at wet markets includes king crabs, lobsters, mussels, prawns and shrimp. It is guaranteed that seafood sold at the wet markets is the freshest catches of the day. When eating at a dampa, customers buy seafood from the market, go to the restaurant and tell the Boholano staff how they want the food to be cooked. Customers may also leave the decision on how the food will be cooked to the staff of the dampa that they will be eating at. Eating at a dampa has become famous not only with locals but also with tourists because it brings an enjoyable and one-of-a-kind experience.
Bohol also offers cruises along Cambuhat River that will surely delight tourists not only because of the sights that they will be able see but also because of the oyster feast that they can enjoy at the end of the river cruise. Slipper oysters can be bought from oyster farms in the province.
The island province of Bohol is very accessible to foreign and local tourists. Once in the Philippines, there are daily airplane flights offered by a number of airline carriers available for them to take. Estimated travel time from Manila to Bohol is one and a half hours. For those more adventurous, they can opt to take a ship that goes to different provinces within the region where the province is located.
Bohol Personal Blogs
I grew and was oriented in a family that believed in the usual process of ‘go to school, finished college and get a good job’ in order to survive in this so-called life. We have more than the average family has in terms of financial and educational opportunity. Nonetheless, even in my younger years, I knew that surviving was not my type of game. Surviving would not do for me, I wanted something more. Fulfillment has something to do with challenge and that was my game.
Given Equal Opportunity
Though we were not really that financially overflowing, but we were blessed that our parents gave us equal opportunity in terms of our needs. As the youngest amongst siblings, I witnessed how my elder brothers and sisters were being aided by my parents regarding their ventures until they decided to settle down and raise their own families. As the ‘bunso’ (youngest among siblings) I was in a way ‘spoiled brat’, but in a good way though. My siblings were very supportive of me as they ‘vented’ their frustrations on me. My brothers taught me how to play basketball and they were so proud of me since I was the only one in the family that had achieved the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award in our school. My sisters help me appreciate music as they taught me how to play the piano. After my recital, I decided to learn the guitar and created a four-piece band that represented the schools in various ‘battle of the bands’ competition. I retained this ‘rock star-all-star baller’ until I finished my college degree. Honestly, after my formal schooling, I still not sure of what I really wanted. One of my best friends suggested why not put up a business. The idea had me almost jumping because I had not ventured in to ‘money-making’ deals my whole life. Of course, I would like it to be challenging.
Business in an Island
When I was a young kid, I dreamt of being ‘trapped’ in an island and eventually surviving the harsh and unpredictable forces of nature and in the end emerged as the victor and developed the place into a state-of-art island. Then the island of Bohol just popped out of my mind as the best venue for my business endeavor. I was too young then to appreciate Bohol Island but my cousins never failed to give me a ‘blow by blow’ account how beautiful the island was. The next question was what would be my line of business. My girlfriend’s dad, for the longest time, had been a supervisor of a bus company that caters visitors going to Baguio. He asserted that car for rent business in Bohol would be in. The ‘gig’ may not be the first but, who does not need transportation anyway. Business was all about networking. It was a matter of knowing who your potential patrons or customers to keep the business alive.
First Customers
After taking care of the business technicalities, I was now ready to start my business in Bohol. I was a hands-on guy who really loved to get involved of the situation. My first customers were actually distant relatives based outside the Philippines. Since they had been gone for quite sometime, I was able to practiced professionalism throughout their stay. My cute ‘pamangkin’ (niece) always asked questions like why the tarsiers were so little but they have bulging eyes, why the famous Chocolate Hills looked like inverted chocolate kisses, etc. One of the best question she threw was where is the place where chocolate kisses where made. I answered in a chocolate factory, she immediately quipped, ‘No, they were made inside the Chocolate Hills!’ This kid made us laugh as we drove around Bohol Island.
Doing business in Bohol was really a wonderful idea after all. Practically speaking living in the island is so simple. Locals are really great! Bohol Island is definitely one of the best tourist spots in the world because of its natural beauty. I do really hope that everything stays this way forever.
Bohol Hotels and Resorts
Overview
Found in Central Visayas and surrounded by beautiful beaches and mountains, Bohol has been a favorite destination of tourists and locals alike. There are several Bohol hotels that can provide that once in a lifetime experience that will make sure we have the best vacation when we go there.
Amorita Resort
This 4 star Bohol hotel has a magnificent view since it has been built on top of a cliff overlooking Tagbilaran, Alona Beach and the Bohol Sea. The facilities of Amorita Resort are world class and their infinity pool is just spectacular. The other facilities of this infamous Bohol hotel are KTV room, leisure area, spa and a boutique. It’s hard to find a hotel that can offer both a beach side location and the tranquility of gardens but Amorita Resort is one of the exceptions to the rule. The paved pathways that lead to the different areas of this Bohol hotel are lined with trees and bushes are that constantly maintained.
The Amorita Resort has an excellent restaurant that has a view of the infinity pool. The Saffron Restaurant of this Bohol hotel has a relaxed atmosphere and is very cozy, with tables and chairs made out of local materials. Saffron Restaurant serves International and Filipino dishes and the added benefit provided by Amorita Resort is the free WIFI access. The rooms at this Bohol hotel are also elegantly furnished. The best room though is the Ocean View Villa which is spacious and provides a great view of the islands and the sea. The Ocean View Villa at Amorita Resort has a king sized bed, LCD cable television, mini-bar, in-room safe, air conditioning and a large bathroom containing necessities such as a blow dryer.
Amarela Resort
Another Bohol hotel that comes highly recommended is the Amarela Resort. This Bohol hotel is also nestled on top of a cliff and commands an excellent view of the beach. Amarela Resort places importance in culture and arts, and management made sure that the common areas of this Bohol hotel are lined with artwork and the furnishings are all made from native materials. The facilities of the Amarela Resort are restaurant and bar, business center, infinity pool and a health spa. Massage services are offered at the guest’s room for that total pampering during one’s vacation. The rooms at Amarela Resort exude warmth, each one is fully air conditioned with cable television, mini bar, IDD telephone and hot and cold shower. There is even a small receiving area for guests and there is more than enough space to accommodate two people. The rooms at Amarela Resort have a balcony that looks out to the splendor of Bohol.
Bohol Sightseeing and Activities
Bohol is one of the most interesting places to visit in the Philippines. Natural wonders, dive spots, historic landmarks offer different kinds of activities to a tourist. Whether it is sightseeing, adventure or just beach combing, vacationing in Bohol is certainly a very interesting experience.
Bohol is known for its Chocolate Hills. This natural wonder consists of more than 1,000 hills varying in height from 30 meters to 120 meters. Spread over an area of 50 square kilometers, there are many destinations for a sightseeing visitor. Chocolate Hills Complex in the town of Carmen offers tourists an excellent view of the cone-shaped hills. The Sagbayan Peak Park not only offers spectacular views of the hills but also has a butterfly dome, restaurant, caf’ and a souvenir shop.
Exploring natural waterfalls, winding rivers and caves are also popular activities for tourists in Bohol. The Mag-aso Falls and Inambacan Falls in Antequera, Camagao Falls in Balilihan, Can-umantad Falls, Busay Falls in Sevilla and Tontonan Falls in Loboc are some of the popular waterfalls in the area. One can also do a river cruise in Loboc River or swim in Badiang Spring in Valencia. The caves of Francisco Dagohoy Cave in Danao, Hinagdanan Cave in Panglao Island and Kamira Cave in Danao are the popular sightseeing destinations for cave exploration.
For nature lovers who want to see the diverse beauty of the flora and fauna of Bohol, there are destinations for dolphin and whale watching, tarsier conservation site, zoos and man-made forest. The waters off Pamilican Island are teeming with different kinds of whales and dolphins. Local banca operators offer boat rides to tourists for a chance to see these marine mammals. The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, on the other hand, showcases Bohol’s conservation effort to protect the endemic Tarsier from extinction. Other destinations are the Mahogany Man-Made Forest in Loboc and Bilar, Bohol Butterfly Sanctuary and Albuquerque Zoo.
For the beachcombers, Panglao Island’s white sand beaches and clear waters are the attractions. Alona Beach is the most popular destination in Panglao. Resorts and establishments offer several services so that tourist can engage in diving, snorkeling. Scuba diving is a popular activity in Balicasag, Pamilacan Island and Danajon Bank (Double Barrier Reef).
For those who want a sightseeing of the history and culture of Bohol, there are several destinations for this activity. History buffs should visit the Blood Compact Site, Bohol Museum and Carlos P. Garcia Memorial Park in Tagbilaran, Mt. Carmel Hill in Balilihan and Behind the Clouds in Catigbian. The Baclayon Church and Dauis Church are places to visit for religious sightseeing tours.
Bohol Government Sites
The Island of Bohol: A Paradise on Earth
Many individuals are dreaming of total relaxation in a warm tropical island, sipping a refreshing fruit juice while enjoying a lovely view of the blue horizon. This dream becomes a reality by visiting the wonderful island of Bohol. Bohol Island is a popular tourist spot because of the resorts and white sand beaches. Not only that, Bohol province is being flocked by a lot of tourists to see the Philippine Tarsier and the enigmatic mounds called the Chocolate Hills. A blast from the past would be able to give ample information about this magnificent.
Once upon a time in Bohol…
The people of Bohol are said to be the progenies of the last group of settlers who stayed in the Philippines called the ‘tattooed ones’ (pintados). Boholanos (local of Bohol) had already a culture and customs of their own based on the artifacts burrowed at Panglao, Dauis, Tagbilaran and Mansasa. Bo-ho or Bo-ol had been the root words of the term ‘Bohol’. Datu Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi made the first international pact or treaty in the Philippines through a ‘Sandugo’ or Blood Compact in the 1500’s. Since then on, Boholanos had been recognized as very hospitable.
Bohol during the Spanish Regime
The initial momentous encounter of the island with the Spaniards happened around mid-1500. It was highlighted by the famous ‘Blood Compact’ or ‘Sandugo’ or ‘one blood’ between the Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna. To commemorate this significant historical event, Boholanos celebrate the ‘Sandugo Festival’ annually. It is a festival indicating Filipino, more so, Boholano Hospitality. Nonetheless, it does not really mean that Boholanos would take their guard down against abuses and suppressions of their conquerors. There were two noted revolts or uprising against the Spanish regime in Bohol Island.
The Tamblot Uprising was one of the significant insurgency initiated by a babaylan or a native priest in the early 1600′s. The next rebellion took place in 1744 until 1829 (when it was officially suppressed). The famous Dagohoy Rebellion led by the charismatic Francisco Dagohoy (also known as Franscisco Sendrijas). It was considered to be the longest upheaval against Spain in the history of the Philippines. Bohol was politically considered under the administration of Cebu until it was finally and officially considered as an independent municipality in 1854.
Eco-Tourism in Bohol Island and its Promulgation
The beauty and wonders of Bohol Island is definitely can be compared to picture-perfect postcards: very attractive and very enticing. Going and staying in the island of Bohol would certainly make those gorgeous images into reality. The island is a favorite tourist destination all over the world for years and the local government would like to maintain the status. With the help of their official website (http://www.bohol.gov.ph/) accessing vital facts or information regarding Bohol Island is just a few clicks away. The official website is very useful and easy to navigate. This would greatly help potential visitors to have a glimpse of what the island of Bohol is all about.
Bohol Restaurants
Bohol is a topnotch tourist hotspot. It has so many things to offer local and foreign tourists. Bohol has a rich culture, a rich background, and a rich stable of sights that are showcased in a tourist-friendly manner. What’s more, you could never possibly go hungry for the duration of your stay in Bohol.
Bohol restaurants are aplenty and they are as varied as the cuisine they represent. Choosing among Bohol restaurants could be difficult if you are only to choose one but easy for every kind of food adventurer. Food lovers will find the ultimate gastronomic pleasure from among Bohol restaurants.
Loboc River Cruise Restaurant – No Bohol exploration is complete without a cruise to Loboc River. Aside from the stunning views, there are the delicious platters of food offered on buffet, eat-all-you-can setting. Grilled seafood, squid, and fish are common fares. But there are also a variety of meat and vegetable dishes that guests would not want to miss. Then there’s the dessert, which is mostly composed of fresh fruits. [Loboc River, Bohol]
Mira Villa Restaurant – Prawns are the most popular order gotten from Mira Villa’s patrons. You get to pick which of the live seafood you like and have it cooked the way you like. You can have your seafood grilled or sautéed depending on what you like according to your mood for the day. Having that number of options to have your meal, there’s no reason for you not to enjoy. [F.V. Harrison ext, Booy, Tagbilaran City, Bohol; (6338) 235 4761]
Pyramid Restaurant Bar and Cottages – If you like to dine on the seaside, this is the perfect place to go. Aside from the spectacular view, there’s a hefty serving of fresh seafood. Then there’s a variety of Western dishes peppering the menu. At night, Pyramid is the place to go with lulling sounds that drown the night away. [www.alona-pyramid.com; Alona Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol; (6338) 502 9168]
Trudi’s Place – If budget meal is what you seek, Trudi’s Place is where you should be. This is one of the restaurants in Alona Beach that is sought by tourists, locals and foreign alike, for its good food, great ambience, and outstanding service. The beginning of Trudi’s Place is humble. That’s probably why it does not charge as much as the other restaurants of the same caliber. [Alona Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol]
Narcosis Bar – The Alona beachfront houses some of the most notable Bohol restaurants and Narcosis Bar is one of them. Seafood and vegetable are a common fix for bar guests. [www.losthorizonresort.net; Alona Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol]
Bohol Bee Farm – This is a refreshing option among the Bohol restaurants. It showcases lots of unique dishes that are notable for the ingredients used and the manner of which they were cooked. The organic salad is a must-try. [http://www.boholbeefarm.com/; vickywallace@boholbeefarm.com; Dao, Dauis, Panglao Island, Bohol; (6338) 502 2288, (639)17 304 1491]
