Bohol Survival Guide

Bohol Beach Club

Loboc River Cruise

The Chocolate Hills

Tarsier and me

Man made forest

Baclayon Church

Blood Compact Site

White Beach of Panglao Island

After seeing a lot of travel guides in the net, I was inspired to make one Recently, I just had my pre-summer vacation in Bohol. It was my first time and everything was unplanned. Good thing that we were able to survive and explore the whole Bohol Province even on a tight budget.

I hope this guide will be very helpful especially to those first time travelers in Bohol and will give you a heads up on the amount to shell out of your pockets.

How to get there:
Bohol is accessible in many ways. In our part, we took the Davao-Cebu route. Major domestic airlines like Cebu Pacific, PAL Express and Air Philippines offer direct flights to Cebu from Davao.

Once in Cebu, you have 2 options to get to Tagbilaran. One is through RORO, a bigger boat that carries more or less 300 persons a trip. The trip could take up to 4 hours but its much cheaper. Prices are usually between P200 to P300 Pesos. Since we want to maximize our time, we took the fast craft. It is a smaller boat but its much faster. Good thing it has air conditioning and you can watch a movie during the entire duration of the travel. Travel time is also faster since it will take you a maximum of 2 hours. Though its much expensive since you have to prepare P500 to P 800 per one way, depending on the carrier. A tip to travelers, much better if you leave Cebu early in the morning or take the first trip, mostly by 5 to 6 am.

When you're already in Tagbilaran, that's the adventure begins. Outside the port, a lot of people will offer you car rentals and tour services. This is very helpful to those backpackers and travelers who have not made any bookings or arrangements beforehand. Car rentals are between P2000 to P2500 ( up to 6 pax ) and for bigger groups ( up to 13 pax ), vans are available too. Price ranges are between P3000 to P4000. I advise all travelers to really rent a van or a car. It is the cheapest and convenient way in getting around Bohol. Trust me.

In need of a guide? Need not to worry. The driver himself will be your guide. So all you have to do it relax in your cars and enjoy the scenery of Bohol. And by the way, prepare your cash for the fees on spots that you're about to go.

Major Tourist Spots
Blood Compact Site - No entrance fee

Baclayon Church ( One of the oldest church in the Philippines ) - No entrance fee. Though if you want to see their museum, prepare P25.00. Bad thing is that cameras are not allowed there

Loboc Museum - No entrance fee

Loboc River Cruise - A fee of P300.00 is needed which includes buffet lunch and the boat ride

Tarsier sight seeings - No entrance fee. Its along the highway. It up to you and the driver where to stop.

Man made Forest - No entrance fee

Chocolate Hills Park - prepare P50.00 for the entrance fee

Butterfly Garden - P20.00 entrance fee

On our whole day affair in Bohol, we were able to go to all those places. We started at 830 am and ended by 4pm. Most of the time are consumed because of traveling since those destinations are apart from each other. Too bad we were not able to go to the other spots due to lack of time. But to think of, each part of Bohol is a scenery.

Your visit in Bohol wont be complete without visiting Panglao Island. Its a nearby island near Tagbilaran and travel time can take up to 30 to 45 mins by car from Tagbilaran. So if you really wanna go there, you'll have to add P500.00 one way. The stay there is worth it. So if you're not in a hurry, spend the night in Panglao.

There are many resorts that you can choose when you're in Panglao. Among are Bohol Beach Club and Alona Kew. But prices are way too high. Rates can go as high as P3000 to P6000 a night. If you want to spend less, then go straight ahead to Dumaluan Beach Resort. The resort is divided into 2 parts, the main Dumaluan Resort which is a little expensive ( the lowest rate is P1300 ) and the other Dumaluan, just beside it ( rooms can go as low as P600 ). For us, we were able to get a standard room which is good for two persons with an overnight rate of P750.00 plus additional P100.00 for the extra pax. Cheap but still a good find. The room has a fan, a queen size bed, a private cr and your own veranda.

For side trips, you can rent a banca that can take you on an island hopping and dolphin watching. Rates can go between P2500 to P4000 depending on the season and the number of passengers.

Food is quite expensive in Panglao. The cheapest we can find there are grilled goods ( chicken, pork, fish ) with prices between 60 to 100 each. Nightlife is also not so-so on Panglao. You can go ahead and gate rash to the other side of the resort which is Bohol Beach Club. That night, there were acoustic band performers that will serenade the night away.

When leaving Bohol, dont forget to bring with you pasalubongs. Some of the favorites are Peanut Kisses, Piyaya and Kalamay. A lot of novelty shops and pasalubong stores can be found in the city proper. In the port, prepare P12.00 for the terminal fee. Good thing its cheap.

So here's the rundown of the expenses for the 2 days and 1 night stay in Bohol:

Fast craft ride : P900.00 roundtrip

Car rental: P3000 ( P2000 for Bohol day tour and P1000 for Panglao round trip ) divided by 3 ( since there are 3 of us that time ) = P1000.00/ pax

Entrance fee to major tourist spots: P400.00

Panglao accomodations : P850.00 ( divided by 3 equals = P285.00 / pax )

Tagbilaran port terminal fee: P 12.00

Which means, you can explore Bohol for only P2597.00 each person. The more you are in your group, the lesser you will spend.

Going to Bohol is not that costly. If you know how to budget and look for good finds, everything will be okay. To those people who are planning to go to Bohol, I hope that this blog has help you and I also hope that you are considering in going to Bohol of one of these days because as what I always say to my friends, we need to enjoy life. Be in places you've never been to before its too late. Its not with how much you spent, its the experience that always count.

My next travel blogs: Boracay, Cebu and Palawan Survival Guides. Wahahaha

P.S.
Feel free to leave your comments and feedback. I would really appreciate it. UUU