Travel Guide // Destination // Bohol
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Aside from being a popular tourist destination for its white sand beaches and resorts, Bohol is also a haven for snorkelers and a hub for divers from around the world. Bohol is also a wonder of eco tourism owing to its numerous waterfalls and caves scattered across the island, rainforest and hills, several untouched beaches dotting the coastline and winding rivers to name a few.
A visit to Bohol is not complete without visiting the Chocolate Hills, the most popular Bohol landmark more often seen in postcards, magazines and media ads. The island is also the sanctuary of the Philippine Tarsier, the second-smallest primate in the world. At the foundation-run sanctuary, visitors can observe the Philippine Tarsier in their natural habitat. Listed as one of the top ten diving locations in the world, Panglao Island is not to be missed. This small island southwest of Tabilaran City is not only a popular diving spot but also features world class beaches resorts as well.
Getting In
Bohol is connected by regular daily flights from Manila as well as high speed crafts and ferries from the neighboring island of Cebu. Ships coming from Manila and from Mindanao ports also call to Tagbilaran City regularly.
Eating out and bar hopping is an all time Filipino thing from all walks of life, young and old alike. Bohol has scores of restaurants and bars each offering a variety of atmosphere to cater ones choice but share the same sumptuous popular Filipino dishes on their menu. International cuisine is offered in some restaurants but Filipino dishes are customary in most restaurants.
Restaurants are everywhere in Bohol but I highly recommend eating out on open air seafront restaurants with more comfy and relaxed setting to take pleasure in while having a meal. The menu is wide-ranging everything from fresh sea foods, vegetables, meat, you name it. Chicken barbecue, grilled fish, “kinilaw” or fresh fish salad, roasted pork, lechon and sisig are just few of the most popular dishes offered in restaurants.
Live bands, KTV, karaoke bars and discotheque are nightly scene in Tagbilaran not to be under rated. Check it out.
Shopping in Bohol is comfy, chic, wide-ranging and a blend of both modern and old-fashion style. You an either opt for the air-conditioned modern shopping malls and supermarkets or simply go for the open air dry and wet markets around the city center of Tagbilaran and everywhere else around the island.
Best buys in Bohol are hand-woven items made from bamboo, wicker, nito, buri, rattan, sig-id and other native materials. The most popular ones are the baskets at Sunday Market in Antequera. Other items include wooden furniture, wall decors, hampers and handcrafted souvenirs, fashion accessories and decors made from shells.
Don’t leave Bohol without a “kalamay” in tow. Made from grounded coconut milk, sticky rice or 'malagkit' and dark sugar, “kalamay” is a popular Filipino delicacy stuffed in coconut shell tethered with a red paper in the middle. The best place to buy “kalamay” is at the municipal market in Jagna.
