Bohol is one of the most attractive tourist spots in the Philippines. It is the tenth largest island with a land area of 4117.3 square kilometers.
It is located in the Central Visayas region. Tagbilaran City is the capital city of Bohol. This island has a land area of 4,117.26 square kilometers and 261 kilometers coastline long.
One of the most visited tourist spots in Bohol is the Chocolate Hills. It has also numerous beaches and one of the popular beaches is Panglao Island – a very beautiful beach and one of the top ten diving locations in the world. You will also find here the second smallest primate in the world, the Philippine Tarsier.
BOHOL BASIC INFORMATION
| Country: | Philippines |
| Region: | Central Visayas (Region VII) |
| Demonym: | Boholanos |
| Languages: | English,Boholano,Tagalog |
| Time Zone: | PHT UTC+8 |
| Zip Code: | 6300-6346 |
| Website: | www.bohol.gov.ph |
Chocolate Hills are unusual geological formation in Bohol. There are more than 1,700 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers. The Chocolate Hills are famous attraction of Bohol. These hills are covered of green grass and it turns brown during dry season, hence it was called Chocolate Hills.
Loboc River is one of the major tourist destinations of Bohol. Local and foreign tourists visit this place because it host floating restaurants while cruising the river. Floating restaurants offers Filipino cuisine. You can also rent small bancas to cruise the river. A cruise along the river starts either from Poblacion of Loboc either from Loay Bridge.
The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary is less than a half-hour drive from Tagbilaran City. You can reached this place either public or private transport. You may encounter a closer look to a tasier with a tour guide and there are several activities that can be done inside the sanctuary like ecological tour in the 167 hectares of the sanctuary,bird watching,camping, and having a picnic.
Panglao Island is located southwest of the Island of Bohol and east of Cebu. It is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines for its beautiful diving spots and coral reefs.It has beautiful beaches like the islets of Gak-ang, Pontod. One famous beach that can be found in Panglao Island is Alona Beach – a white sandy beach.
Dolphin and whale watching in Bohol is an exciting experience for both local and foreign tourists. The sea around Pamilacan Island is frequented by whales and dolphins.
Bohol diving is one of the activities that you shouldn’t missed in this island. There are lots of diving spots in Bohol that offers excellent and exciting diving spots. The seas surrounding Panglao Island, Balicasag Island,Pamilacan Island and Cabilao Island have excellent diving spots that will make you WOW.
Simply Butterflies Conservation Center is the first butterfly conservation in Bohol. There are about 300 butterfly species in Bohol and half of them are found in this place. A nice place to visit to learn about butterflies.
Blood Compact Site is located at Barangay Bool,Tagbilaran City. This location marks the Sandugo or blood compact between the Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain of Bohol.This is considered the first treaty of friendship between the Filipinos and Spaniards.
Bohol Old Churches are among the most visited historical landmarks in Bohol. These are old churches dating back to the early Colonization of the island. Some of the famous old churches are Loboc Church, Baclayon Church, Loay Church,Marijoboc Church, and Loon Church.
Bohol Caves. Don’t you know that the name Bohol came from the word “boho” which means hole? The reason it was name after the word “boho” is because of various caves that has been explored and needs to be explored in Bohol. Many people called Bohol as “Cave Country. There are almost 1400 caves in this Island. The famous and most visited caves are Francisco Dagohoy Cave,Hinagdanan Cave,Bingag Cave,and Kamira Cave.
Bohol Ancestral Houses can be seen everywhere. Most of these ancestral houses are preserved and were built during the Spanish colonial period. The most visited is the Clarin Ancestral House that was built during the 1840’s. Another is Sofia Ancestral House, Villamor Ancestral House,Malon Ancestral House,and many more.
BOHOL FESTIVALS
Below are the major festivals in Bohol. You can read here the details of each festivals.
| Sandugo Festival | July 1 -31 |
| Tagbilaran City Fiesta | May 1 |
| Bolibong Kingking Festival | May 23 - 24 |
| Pana-ad sa Loboc | Holy Thursday and Good Friday |
| Sidlakasilak (Festival of Lights) | August 30 – September 8 |
| Sambat Mascarra y Regatta | 1st Saturday of December |
| Suroy sa Musikero | December 25 – February 2 |
| Bohol Fiesta | month of May |
| Ubi Festival | January |
| Tibuok Kalibutan | TBA |
| Hudyako sa Panglao | August 27 - 28 |
