Top 10 Tourist Spots in Bohol Island! How to Visit from Cebu Island for a Day Trip [2024 Edition]

Bohol is an island with many tourist attractions, located just a two-hour ferry ride from Cebu.

There are many tourist attractions, such as the Chocolate Hills, which has a unique landscape, the Tarsier, one of the smallest monkeys in the world, the Baclayon Church, the oldest church in the Philippines, and the Loboc River, where you can enjoy the magnificent natural scenery. There are also plenty of activities to enjoy from the famous Alona Beach, such as island hopping, ziplining, and buggy driving, so it’s a spot that you can’t enjoy everything in one day.

This time, we will introduce Bohol Island, which has recently become especially popular as a tourist spot overflowing with charm. We will also introduce recommended tours to enjoy Bohol Island to the fullest, so please refer to it.

Rapidly gaining popularity! What is Bohol Island, the island just 2 hours from Cebu?

Bohol Island, located in the exact center of the Philippines, has become a rapidly growing resort destination in recent years.

Bohol is the 10th largest island in the Philippines, with a population of about 1.3 million. There are many beaches and tourist attractions on Bohol, and it is located about 2 hours by high-speed boat from Cebu, so you can enjoy it on a day trip.

Bohol Island is a resort spot that is sure to leave you with wonderful memories, with its magnificent natural scenery that has been preserved, the presence of tarsiers that can only be seen on Bohol, and the opportunity to enjoy acrobatic activities.

10 popular spots in Bohol! Introducing magnificent nature and activities

We will introduce you to the attractions of Bohol Island, which is becoming increasingly popular among tourists. Please take a look at the magnificent nature and activities that can only be seen on Bohol Island.

Tarsier, the world’s smallest tarsier

On Bohol Island, you can see the world’s smallest tarsier, the “Tarser”. It is only about 12 cm in size. It is so small that it can fit perfectly in the palm of a human hand. Its small palm-sized body and large eyes, which are unique to tarsier, make it a very distinctive and adorable animal.

The Tarsier, also known as the Philippine Tarsier, is a species endemic to the Philippines, but in recent years its numbers have declined and it has been designated an endangered species. For this reason, a Tarsier conservation area has been set up on the island of Bohol, and part of it is open to tourists.

Tarsiers are nocturnal by nature, so you may see them looking a little sleepy when sightseeing.

You can also purchase Tasha merchandise (a wide variety of items including figurines, key chains, stuffed animals, and pouches) at the adjacent gift shop.

*Points to note when viewing the Tarsier:
Tarsier is very sensitive to stress, so please refrain from taking flash photos or making loud noises (local staff will also advise you of this). There is no problem if you take photos with a smartphone or digital camera without using a flash.

Chocolate Hills Observation Deck

Chocolate Hills Observatory is a tourist spot representing Bohol Island. There are more than 1,200 limestone mountains about 40m high covered with vegetation, and in the dry season from April to June, the vegetation dies and turns brown. They were named “Chocolate Hills” because their color and shape are similar to those of Hershey’s chocolate from the United States, and they are also registered as a World Heritage Site candidate.

The Chocolate Hills are loved by locals, as they are depicted on the flag and coat of arms of Bohol province (island), and legendary stories have been created about them. They are also becoming increasingly popular among tourists as a spot where they can see fantastical scenery and take commemorative photos.

Baclayon Church

Baclayon Church is the oldest church in the Philippines, built in 1595. Bohol Island is a region with a strong Christian faith, with about 80% of the residents being Christians, but the charm of Baclayon Church lies in the beauty of its building.

Part of the exterior wall of the Baclayon Church is made by attaching coral with egg white, lime, etc. Most of the church was damaged in the 2013 earthquake and is currently under restoration, but you can still see the decorations inside the church (stained glass, etc.) and the adjacent museum.

This is a tourist spot where you can experience the Christian history of Bohol Island.

Blood Compact Monument

The Blood Compact Monument was built in 1565 during the time when the Philippines was under Spanish rule to commemorate the friendship between the first Philippine governor-general Legazpi and Chief Sikatuna. It is geographically close to the Baclayon Church, so you can visit them together. It is also a spot on the way from the port to the Tarsier Conservation Area.

The monument is built very close to the sea, and the view of the ocean from it is beautiful, making it a popular photo spot.

Alona Beach

There are many beaches on Bohol Island, but the most famous is Alona Beach. The most distinctive feature of Alona Beach is its long sandy beach that stretches for nearly 2 km.

The appeal of Alona Beach is that you can relax on the sand and enjoy the many restaurants and dive shops where you can drink alcohol and buy diving equipment. It is also famous as a starting point for island hopping, as there are diving spots nearby. Balicasag Island is particularly popular as a spot where you can see sea turtles.

Alona Beach is particularly popular with Western tourists, and you’re likely to encounter many Western tourists there.

Stairway Cave

Hinagdanan Cave is a fantastic cave located not far from Alona Beach.

Going down the stairs at the entrance to the cave, you will come to a pool-like pond filled with a mixture of fresh water and seawater. The inside of the cave has become a limestone cavern due to years of rainwater, and the sunlight shining through a small hole in the dimly lit cave creates a fantastic atmosphere. You can even swim in the pond.

Loboc River

Loboc River is a river where you can enjoy the natural surroundings with palm trees and other trees lining both banks. Loboc River cruises are popular tours on Bohol Island. You can see local people fishing from the boat and children playing in the river.

There are also tours where you can enjoy a lunch buffet on the Loboc River cruise. Enjoying Filipino cuisine buffet-style while enjoying the great outdoors is a very luxurious experience.

There is also a theme park at the turnaround point of the Loboc River cruise, where you can enjoy activities such as archery, interacting with monitor lizards, and javelin throwing.

Zipline (over Loboc River)

Ziplining is an activity where you slide down a wire (approximately 420m long) suspended above the Loboc River at high speed using a pulley.

Zip lines are becoming increasingly popular in Japan as a “walk in the sky” or a “flesh and blood roller coaster.” On the zip line in Bohol, you can see the natural scenery of the Loboc River directly below you from a height of 100 meters in the air.

This is an activity that allows you to experience the majesty of nature and acrobatic fun at the same time.

Piloting the Buggy

You can also enjoy buggy driving activities near Loboc River or at Carmen which is near to Chocolate Hills

The fun of driving off-road in the forest offers a thrill and excitement that is completely different from driving an everyday car or go-kart. Driving a buggy also allows you to experience the thrill that is unique to Bohol, as you can drive through the mountains where the natural scenery remains.

Dolphin watching

You can also enjoy dolphin watching in Bohol.

You can see dolphins swimming in groups in the early morning hours near the remote island of Balicasag. Since the time slots are limited, you have to stay overnight on Bohol to go dolphin watching, but seeing dolphins swimming in the ocean illuminated by the morning sun will make you feel very lucky.

Most people plan to see the dolphins and then move on to a snorkeling spot to swim with sea turtles.

Man Made Forest

The Man-Made Forest in Bohol, Philippines, is a popular and intriguing destination for visitors to the province. The forest was planted in the 1950s during the administration of then-President Carlos P. Garcia, as part of a reforestation project. The project aimed to address severe deforestation in the area, which had led to soil erosion and environmental degradation.

The Man-Made Forest has become an integral part of local identity and pride. It is a symbol of how communal efforts can lead to successful environmental conservation. The forest also supports local businesses, including those that offer guided tours and souvenir shops. The Man-Made Forest is situated in the town of Bilar in Bohol, along the highway that connects the towns of Loboc and Carmen. It is nestled between the picturesque Chocolate Hills and the Loboc River.

If you are planning to visit Bohol Island, we recommend the “cheapest private tour limited to one group”!

If you are planning a trip to Bohol, we recommend taking a tour. Furthermore, we recommend a private tour for one group only, rather than a group tour.

Here we will introduce why we recommend a private tour for your trip to Bohol Island.

セブ島観光オプショナルツアー専門｜セブ島現地旅行会社セブプレ

Bohol has a lot of tourist attractions.

As we have introduced, there are many tourist spots on Bohol Island. There are 10 major spots, so if you want to visit many tourist spots in 1-2 days, you will not be able to do it in time unless you can complete the transportation and procedures smoothly.

Especially for tourists, it is important to pay attention to the time of the return ferry. If you miss the ferry, you will not be able to return to Cebu and will have to stay overnight on Bohol Island. It is very difficult to arrange accommodation for the day in an unfamiliar place.

In the case of a private tour, a private vehicle with a driver will be arranged, so you can enjoy sightseeing smoothly without having to arrange a bus or taxi locally or adjust to other tourists like in a group tour. The guide and driver will also check the schedule, so you can concentrate on sightseeing and activities.

There are plenty of memorable photo spots

There are many photo spots in Bohol.

It’s a treasure trove of opportunities to take lots of memorable photos, with the Chocolate Hills in the background, The wonderful and greenery Man Made Forest, the hustle and bustle of Alona Beach, and the natural beauty of Hinagdanan Cave Rock looming close by .

In the case of a private tour, a dedicated guide will support you in taking photos, so you can take photos at the spots you want without having to ask local people or other tourists. Local guides also know photo spots that are not listed on travel sites or guidebooks, so it is a chance to take photos that are a little different from others.

Safety and security measures

Bohol is known as a relatively safe spot in the Philippines, but it is still not as safe as Japan. There is a risk of pickpocketing and baggage snatching, so those who are not used to traveling abroad may be at risk of becoming a victim of these crimes.

In the case of private tours, a local guide will be in charge, so safety measures are perfect. In addition, tourist staff will check your luggage when you change clothes or go to the toilet, so you can enjoy Bohol Island with peace of mind.

Easily customizable plans

Another feature of Bohol is the variety of tourist attractions, such as world heritage sites, beach activities, and tarsiers. Since everyone has different interests, a private tour where you can discuss your wishes and requests will definitely increase your satisfaction, rather than a group tour with a set time and course.

Alternatively, if you enjoy a day trip from Cebu to Bohol, you can return to Cebu City in the evening and enjoy shopping at the city’s shopping centers, or visit a beauty salon or nail salon.

Bohol Island tour plan for the cheapest private tour “Cebupre” limited to one group

If you want to enjoy a private tour plan in Cebu, we recommend that you consider the tour plans of our website, “Cebupre.”

セブ島観光オプショナルツアー専門｜セブ島現地旅行会社セブプレ

Our company, “Cebupre”, is a tour company that offers tour plans specialized for Cebu Island as a tour company that offers only one group of private tours on Cebu Island. Since we offer tours at local prices directly on Cebu Island without going through a travel agency, we can offer Cebu Island travel plans at a lower price than other companies, even though we offer only one group of private tours.

<Cebupre’s Bohol Island plan>
“Bohol Island Day Tour Zip Line & Buggy Driving” (approx. 10,900 yen)

As mentioned above, Cebupre offers a one-day trip from Cebu City to Bohol Island. A private driver will pick you up at your hotel, so you can be sure to enjoy spots such as Tarsiers and Loboc River. At Loboc River, you can also enjoy Filipino cuisine on board.

Zip lines and buggies are also available as options, so you can enjoy them according to your wishes and physical condition.

<Points of “Cebu Pre”>
・One Japanese-speaking guide (female guides available) for each group
・A dedicated driver will take you to your hotel
・Photography support service available
・The lowest price for a private tour of Cebu Island
・Customization of tours is possible, such as stopping off at nearby tourist spots or shopping after the tour
・Reservations can be made in advance on the website

Things to note when visiting Bohol

Here are some things to keep in mind when traveling from Cebu to Bohol.

Plan accordingly and pay attention to ferry times

You don’t need to pay any special attention when using a tour, but when planning a trip to Bohol, be sure to plan your trip backwards from the ferry times.

To avoid missing your ferry, try to arrive at the port about an hour before.

Blankets and cold weather clothing

Bohol is a tropical island with high temperatures, just like Cebu, but the air conditioning on the ferry is very strong, so it can be cold if you are not wearing much clothing. Some people even wear down jackets.

The ferry takes about two hours each way, so be sure to bring some cold weather gear to keep you warm.

Beware of stray dogs

There are a lot of stray dogs in Bohol.

They are very cute, but stray dogs are not protected against rabies, so if you are bitten and infected, it could be serious. Be careful not to get too close.

Pay attention to crime prevention measures

This is true not only in Bohol but throughout the Philippines, but you should be careful to manage your valuables carefully. Pickpockets and bag snatchers are particularly prevalent, so you need to be extremely careful.

Also, many people leave their valuables at the hotel when they go to Bohol. At this time, be sure to leave your valuables at the front desk. Even if you lock the safe, there is a chance that it may be stolen, so be sure not to put valuables such as money in it.

Summary

Bohol Island, located a two-hour ferry ride from Cebu, has many attractions that can only be found there.

Bohol is home to the Chocolate Hills, a candidate for World Heritage status, the endemic and endangered tarsier “Tarsier,” and activities such as ziplining while looking down on the majestic Loboc River. This is a must-visit spot on your trip to Cebu, and a spot where you can fully experience the charm of Bohol while you are there.

Cebupre, a tour company that offers private tours limited to one group, is the perfect tour company for enjoying Bohol Island to the fullest. A dedicated driver and guide will support you in making your trip memorable, so if you are interested in Bohol Island, please check out their website. They also support customizing plans according to your wishes and requests, so please feel free to contact us.