Bohol Island, a unique Philippine gem, boasts peculiar landscapes like the Chocolate Hills and is also home to the tarsier, the world's smallest primate. While it may not be as popular as Coron Island or Palawan's El Nido, Bohol remains a destination well worth visiting.

Bohol offers a myriad of activities. You can embark on an island-hopping adventure, bask in its pristine white sand beaches, and enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving. Alternatively, you can explore the countryside by car, admiring waterfalls, terraced fields, churches, and, of course, the Philippine tarsier.

Reaching Bohol Island is relatively straightforward, whether you're flying in from Cebu or Manila. You can even embark on a day trip from Cebu, returning to the mainland on the same day. However, if you have the time to stay longer, there are plenty of activities on the island to keep you busy for days.

This comprehensive travel guide to Bohol Island in the Philippines will cover how to get there, where to stay, what to do on the island, and everything else you need to know before you depart!

Location of Bohol Island

Bohol Island is situated in the Visayas archipelago, south of Cebu Island, approximately 30 kilometers away from Cebu City by air.

You can reach Bohol via flights from major cities or by ferry from nearby islands.

How to Get to Bohol Island, Philippines

• From Manila to Bohol

You can fly to Bohol from Manila via AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, or Philippine Airlines. Flights are direct and take about 1.5 hours.

Bohol International Airport is located on Panglao Island (TAG), a favorite among tourists. There are numerous flights daily on this route, and ticket prices are quite reasonable—sometimes as low as PHP 1,700 (USD 30) for a one-way ticket!

If given a choice, I'd opt for Philippine Airlines due to their superior service, but the other airlines are also decent.

• From Cebu to Bohol

From Cebu, you can take the Oceanjet or Supercat fast ferries to Bohol. These boats are safe and relatively comfortable, with the journey taking around 2 hours. Please note that ferries may be canceled during stormy weather.

The Cebu ferry terminal is easily accessible from the city center by taxi. Many ferries depart daily, so you can choose the date and time that best suit your schedule.

One-way tickets are very affordable, costing only PHP 900 (USD 16), plus a small terminal fee. However, it's a good idea to book your ferry tickets in advance to save time at the ferry terminal and guarantee your spot on the boat.

There are even day trips from Cebu to Bohol, including hotel transfers, ferry tickets, and visits to many of Bohol's main attractions. If you're pressed for time and want to easily explore some of Bohol's highlights, this could be a great option.

• From Other Locations

You can also reach Bohol by ferry from nearby Philippine islands such as Siquijor, Dumaguete, or Camiguin.

Lastly, but not least importantly, there are direct flights to Bohol from Davao (DVO) or El Nido (ENI) in the Philippines, or from Incheon (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea.

Getting Around Bohol Island

The best ways to explore Bohol are by car, motorcycle, or tuk-tuk (motorized tricycle).

Motorcycles are the cheapest transport option. You can easily rent one from your Bohol hotel or a motorcycle rental shop on the island.

Tuk-tuks are a middle-ground option. They're safer and more comfortable than motorcycles but still quite affordable. You can hail one on the road or ask your hotel to call one for you.

Cars are the most expensive way to get around Bohol, but they're still economical if you're traveling with a group of friends. They're also the safest and most comfortable way to explore the island. For long-distance trips, this is the best option.

Klook offers private car rental services in Bohol, where you can hire a local driver to take you around the island in a car or van for up to 8 hours. They also provide airport transfers to and from Panglao Island and other parts of Bohol.

Lastly, but importantly, another way to explore Bohol is by joining a group tour. Klook offers Bohol countryside tours and island-hopping tours at very reasonable prices, especially for solo travelers. I once joined a countryside tour for only USD 10!

One thing to remember is that, while tours are great, you won't get to see the true countryside of Bohol; you'll only visit the most popular tourist spots.

I still think these tours are worth it, but if you really want to see the beauty of Bohol, you should rent a motorcycle or hire a private driver to go to more remote places like the Danapadan Rice Terraces and the Kanumantad Falls. Even the drive there is scenic and worth the trip!

Best Things to Do in Bohol Island, Philippines

• Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are one of the most iconic landscapes of Bohol Island! With over 1,000 conical hills, they're considered one of the strangest landscapes in Southeast Asia.

During the dry season (January to May), you can see the hills in their brown hue, but I prefer them in their greenery during the wet season (June to December). Regardless, this is one of the best experiences on Bohol.

There are platforms to climb for panoramic views of the hills, and various activities such as ATV rides and zip-lining are available. The Chocolate Hills are located in the central part of Bohol, about 1.5 hours by car from Panglao Island.

• Philippine Tarsier

Bohol is renowned for being the habitat of the Philippine tarsier. These small creatures with bulging eyes are the smallest primates in the world.

There are two main attractions on Bohol where you can observe tarsiers: the Philippine Tarsier Foundation or the Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area. The Philippine Tarsier Foundation has higher reviews, but you must visit it independently since tour groups usually go to the other conservation area.

It's disappointing to see large crowds of noisy tourists disrespecting the environment and ignoring signs to keep quiet at the conservation area. Tarsiers are nocturnal, so please try not to disturb them and remember to turn off the flash on your camera.

• Loboc River

The Loboc River is another popular attraction on Bohol's countryside tours. You can take a cruise along the river, enjoying the scenery, a buffet meal, and Filipino cultural dances.

When I saw the crowded area and long queues for the boats, I feared it might be a meaningless tourist trap, but the cruise was actually quite enjoyable. The meal is a bit pricey at PHP 850, but all the food was fresh and delicious, and I ended up coming back for seconds and thirds.

The tropical scenery along the river becomes more beautiful as you go along, with steep mountains and palm trees lining the riverbanks. Overall, it was a great experience and a fun memory from my trip to Bohol Island in the Philippines!

• Alona Beach

Alona Beach is Bohol's main tourist beach, with many hotels, bars, restaurants, massage parlors, and souvenir shops.

You can relax on the beach or engage in water sports, and it's also a great spot to watch the sunrise or sunset. Vendors can be a bit annoying, but if you ignore them, they'll go away.

Compared to some other beautiful beaches in the Philippines, I wouldn't say that Alona Beach is very special, but it's definitely worth a visit!

• Dumaluan Beach

Dumaluan Beach is prettier and quieter than Alona Beach. It's cleaner, less developed, and less known. An entrance fee is required to visit the beach, which helps keep it away from crowded crowds.

For nice accommodation options in Dumaluan, consider South Palms Resort or Bohol Beach Club. These resorts are really beautiful, although a bit pricey.

• Balicasag Island

Balicasag Island is a popular destination for island-hopping tours in Bohol. It's a circular island located not far southwest of Bohol.

We spent 2.5 hours on the island, soaking up the sun on the beach, snorkeling in the coral reefs, and swimming with sea turtles. A day trip to this island from Bohol is a lot of fun!

Balicasag Island is a busy island with many boats parked on the beach, but if you look around, you can also find some quiet spots. There are also restaurants, bathrooms, and other basic accommodation facilities on the island. It's a 1-hour boat ride from Alona Beach to Balicasag Island.

• Virgin Island

Virgin Island is a natural sandbar, usually the second stop on Bohol's island-hopping tours. It's only a 30-minute boat ride from Alona Beach or Balicasag Island, so it's easily accessible, although you can only see the sandbar during low tide.

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