Top 5 Things To Do in Bohol, Philippines!
Looking to maximize your time in Bohol? Want to take your Instagram feed to the next level? In this post we will give you all the details about our favourite—and most Instagram worthy—spots in Bohol!
1. Chocolate Hills
Read almost any list of the top things to do in Bohol and it’s practically a given that you’ll find the Chocolate Hills on there somewhere. As one of the islands top tourist attractions this impressive geological formation takes the top spot on our list based on uniqueness alone! It is uncertain exactly how these hills were formed (and remain) in near perfect Hershey Kiss formation but scientists believe they are a remnant of marine limestone that has been eroded by water and wind over time. While they are actually named for the brown-tinged colour of the grass that covers the hills at the end of the dry season—we won’t judge if you want to take a bite and determine if they’re actually made of chocolate!
Admission: 50 pesos or approximately $1 USD.
Best Time to Visit: Sunrise. For the photographers you’ll want to get there as early as possible. The Chocolate Hills are best when viewed with some golden hour light—plus you will have less crowds to deal with! Drones are only permitted until 9 AM. If you don’t have a drone and plan on adding this spot to a busier day of sightseeing then sunset is also a great time to stay clear of the crowds and still have great lighting for your photos!
Location: Near the town of Carmen. Search ‘Chocolate Hills Complex’ on Google Maps.
2. Tarsier Sanctuary
A tarsier is a small primate that can be found hanging out in the rainforests of the Philippines. While they can be found in four different regions of the Philippines—Bohol is by far the most popular destination. Tarsiers are considered to be endangered due to the destruction of natural resources. Coupled with the tarsiers’ monogamous mating habits and 6-month gestation period, this destruction is leading to a rapid decline in the overall population. While you might be enticed to choose the Tarsier Conservation Area due to it being geographically closer to other sights on this list—we strongly urge you to choose the Tarsier Sanctuary instead! If you’re interested in learning more about tarsiers and why we think the Tarsier Sanctuary is the better choice—head to our blog post Tarsier Sanctuary vs. Tarsier Conservation Area: Which Should You Choose?
Admission: 60 pesos
Best Time to Visit: Early morning. If your goal is to try and capture these interesting (and sleepy) creatures with their eyes open then you will want to get there for when they open! You’ll beat the tour buses and have the best chance to look these nocturnal animals in the eyes.
Location: Near the town of Corella in between Tagbilaran and Loboc.
3. Pahangog Falls
If you only have time to visit one waterfall on your trip—then you might as well make it one that has two! Getting to Pahangog Falls, which is located near the town of Dimiao, is definitely part of the reason why it makes it into the third spot on our list. Also known as the Twin Falls, this location can be a bit difficult to find—but some helpful locals will be able to point you in the right direction. After paying for your entry fee and traversing a narrow, unpaved road you will reach the top of a tall staircase. As you descend the staircase you’ll begin to hear the sounds of the water cascading into the turqouise blue basin below the falls. If you’re as lucky as we were—when you get to the bottom of the stairs you’ll find yourself all alone in a jungle paradise!
Admission: 50 pesos
Best Time to Visit: Mid-Day. Really any time of day is a good time but jumping in to cool off during the mid-day heat just can’t be beat!
Location: Near the town of Dimiao. If using Google Maps search ‘Guingoyuran Santa Cruz Chapel’. This landmark is where you will pay your entrance fee and the locals there can direct you the rest of the way!
4. Ingkumhan Falls
If you have time to visit more than one waterfall then we definitely recommend pairing a visit to Pahangog Falls with a visit to Ingkumhan Falls. Since these falls are only about 10 minutes away from each other by vehicle—they can easily be enjoyed in the same day! Ingkumhan Falls may be even more difficult to find than the last but we recommend using Google Maps and asking a local for directions when you think you’re close. If you enjoy seeking thrills—the rope swing and the 20 foot cliff jump into the plunge pool at the bottom might just make this spot number one on your list!
Admission: 10 pesos (Plus tip for the guide who will show you where to climb the waterfall for the rope swing—and when to let go—as well as where to climb and jump for the cliff jump!)
Best Time to Visit: Before noon! Unlike Pahangog, you’ll want to get to these falls somewhat early to beat any potential crowds and reduce the chance of having to wait in line for the rope swing!
Location: Near the town of Dimiao. About 10 minutes south of Pahangog Falls. Your best bet is to search ‘Ingkumhan Falls’ and ask locals for directions when you think you’re close!
5. Fox & The Firefly Cottages
If you have read our post about where to stay in the Philippines you will know all about Fox & The Firefly. If you haven’t read that yet—well, what are you waiting for? Go read it! We’ll wait here…
Ok, now that you’re back and know all about the best accommodations in the Philippines let’s talk more about Fox & The Firefly! You may be wondering how an accommodation made it onto our list of the Top 5 Things to Do in Bohol. Well, we mentioned at the beginning of this post that these locations were some of the most Instagram worthy places we found, and to be honest, if we based this list solely on this criteria—Fox & The Firefly probably would have been #1. Whether you book a room or not, we strongly suggest that you make your way to Loboc to check out this spot! C’mon, don’t do it for us… Do it for the ‘Gram!
Admission: Free! Unless you decide to book a room, eat every meal here and book a SUP tour of the Loboc River.
Best Time to Visit: Literally any time of day! Show up early and have breakfast, spend the day relaxing by the Loboc River, sign up for a sunset stand-up paddleboard tour with the fireflies and finish the day with a delicious dinner!
Location: In the town of Loboc. If coming from the south, turn left when you see the Petron gas station—if you go through town you have gone too far. If using Google Maps just search for it by name!
Honourable Mentions
Panglao Island: If we had one more day in Bohol our top 5 list probably would have been a top 10 list including all the incredible spots located on Panglao Island such as Alona Beach, Balicasag Island, Dumaluan Beach, and Hinagdanan Cave
Bilar Man-Made Forest: This two kilometre long mahogany tree tunnel (pictured above) barely missed out on making our top 5 list! We still think it’s worth a stop on your way to or from the Chocolate Hills but make sure you watch for traffic when taking your photos!
Anda White Beach: Another spot we would have visited if we had a little more time! This beautiful white sand beach is located on the east side of the island and would be a great spot if you’re looking for some peace and quiet. If you decide to visit Anda, be sure to check out some of the cave pools such as Cabagnow and Tibaw!
Final Thoughts
Have you been to Bohol? What were your favourite spots? Let us know in the comments below!
We hope you enjoyed reading about our favourite spots in Bohol, Philippines! If you are planning a trip to the Philippines be sure to check out our 15-Day Travel Itinerary where we outline everything we did and everywhere we went during our trip! If you have any questions for us feel free to leave a comment below or send us a DM on Instagram.
We want to see your adventures! Use our hashtag #wanderlikeus on Instagram and we will share our favourite photos in our story!
