On Bohol, the scenery ranges from almost symmetrical limestone hills to caves and coastlines. The Chocolate Hills lie at the center of the Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark. In Alicia Panoramic Park, the Binabaje Hills rise up to 400 meters above sea level; they are mostly covered with Cogon grass. You can hike along their ridge trails. Before your trip, check on guided tours and trail conditions.
Karst, Hills and Caves
The Princess Manan-aw Cave can also be described by its dimensions: it is 195 meters long; at the entrance, it is 5.6 meters high and 3.7 meters wide. Inside are stalactite and stalagmite formations. Hinagdanan Cave also has an underground pool, striking rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites. The caves thus feature different characteristics: dimensions and formations in one, and a pool and rock structure in the other.
In Anda, Cabagnow, Combento, Kaligoon Cave Pool, East Coast Cave Pool and Kalorenzo Cave Pool are among the cave pools. Quinale Beach, also in Anda, is a white-sand beach. Another contrast in the landscape awaits at Lake Lanao: it is Bohol’s only natural lake and is frequently visited by migratory birds. Loon Coastal Geomorphic Conservation Park covers 417 hectares and is known locally as Coral Garden.
River Cruises and Island Experiences
The Loboc River has long been a major attraction for river tourism on Bohol. A river cruise offers views of lush greenery and waterfalls, as well as floating restaurants and performances by local artists. If you are looking for other activities, Loboc Eco-Tourism Adventure Park offers ziplining, cable cars and rope courses.
A two-hour tour around Pamilacan Island involves looking for dolphins at their preferred hunting grounds. You can also swim and snorkel on the island. Check departure times and availability in advance. Boat tours from Panglao go to places including Balicasag Island and Virgin Island. There, you can swim, snorkel and dive; possible sightings include marine life, coral reefs and sea turtles. Island-hopping to Puntod Island near Panglao is also possible from Balicasag. Snorkeling gear, fins and other swimming equipment can be rented. Check water conditions and availability before your trip.
History and Local Tastes
Baclayon Church was founded by Jesuits in 1596. It is considered the oldest Christian settlement on Bohol and the second-oldest church in the Philippines. The Baclayon Museum, located right next to the church, features religious artifacts and historical objects that illustrate the area’s culture and history. Lamanok Island also tells the story of earlier settlers: a section of the Anda Peninsula is located there, considered the cradle of Bohol’s civilization, where archaeological artifacts and burial sites of early settlers have been preserved.
For a farm tour and organic dishes, consider Bohol Bee Farm, which also serves ice cream made with local ingredients. In Loboc, balut, fried crickets and banana blossoms are among the foods you can try at food stalls and restaurants. These culinary experiences offer a different focus from caves, coastlines and river cruises.
Central Visayas also has its own cultural highlight: in Cebu, Magellan’s Cross and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño are considered important symbols of faith and history.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Loay, Tagbilaran, Panglao, Candijay, Loon, Batuan, Cebu, Siquijor.
For the broader travel overview: Central Visayas.
