Greater Than a Tourist –
Bohol, Philippines
50 Travel Tips from a Local
Bahja L. Roasol
Copyright © 2017 CZYK Publishing
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, including
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book. The information provided herein by the author is provided "as is". Use this
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Order Information: To order this title please email lbrenenc@gmail.com or visit
GreaterThanATourist.com. A bulk discount can be provided.
Lock Haven, PA
All rights reserved.
ISBN:
Bahja L. Roasol
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BOOK DESCRIPTION
Are you excited about planning your next trip? Do you want to try
something new while traveling? Would you like some guidance
from a local? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then
this book is just for you.
Greater Than A Tourist by Bahja L. Roasol offers the inside scope
on Bohol, Philippines. Most travel books tell you how to travel
like a tourist. Although there's nothing wrong with that, as a part of
the Greater than a Tourist series, this book will give you travel tips
from someone who lives at your next travel destination.
In these pages you'll discover local advice that will help you
throughout your stay. This book will not tell you exact addresses or
store hours but instead will give you an excitement and knowledge
from a local that you may not find in other smaller print travel
books. Travel like a local. Slow down, stay in one place, and get
to know the people and the culture of a place.
By the time you finish this book, you will be eager and prepared to
travel to your next destination.
Bahja L. Roasol
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
BOOK DESCRIPTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEDICATION
FROM THE PUBLISHER
WELCOME TO > TOURIST
INTRODUCTION
1. Begin the Journey With Tagbilaran City
2. Dine At STK
3. Hike To Banat-i Hill
4. Watch A Movie In BQ Mall Cinema
5. Party At The Club Sphere
6. Have Some Balut And Tuba
7. Sizzle Your Way In Just Sizzlin'
8. Dine In Gerarda's
9. Entice Your Night In Persona Mesa
10. Pose On The Blood Compact Site
11. Marvel At The Baclayon Church
12. Chill In Baluarte
13. Visit The Loboc Church and Ride The Loboc River Cruise
14. Flutter In The Butterfly Garden
15. Try To Stand Still In The Bamboo Hanging Bridge of Sevilla
16. Get Freaky In The Xzootic Animal Park of Loay
17. Go Night Kayaking With the Fireflies in Maribojoc and Loay
Bahja L. Roasol
18. Munch On Banana Chips
19. Revel In The Punta Cruz Watch Tower
20. Be Amazed With The Man-made Forest Of Bilar
21. Go Organic In D' Buzz Cafe
22. Explore the Hinagdanan Cave
23.Stroll Along The Alona Kew Beach
24. Ride With The Dolphins
25. Have Fun In Tarsier Botanika
26. Dive In Balicasag Island
27. Discover The Virgin Island
28. Bask In The Shores Of Anda De Boracay
29. Stand With The Chocolate Hills
30. Enjoy The Sagbayan Peak
31. Have Fun In The Loboc Eco-Tourism Adventure Park
32. Do The Extreme In Danao Adventure Park
33. Be With The Tarsiers
34. Jump In The Mag-aso Falls
35. Get In The Busay Falls
36. Feel The Rush In The Chocolate Hills Adventure Park
37. Relax In The Ananyana Beach Resort And Spa
38. Buy Peanut Kisses and Kalamay-Hati
39. Visit The Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape
40. Swim Under The Can-umantad Falls
41. Go Cliff Diving At The Alexis Dive Resort
42. Get Drenched Under The Pangas Falls
43. Gobble On The Gastronomic Month Of May
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44. Chill At The Causeway
45. Frolic In The Cadapdapan Rice Terraces.
46. Find Your Way In Dao Public Market and Integrated Bus
Terminal
47. Pick All You Want In Acacia De Bubu
48. Enjoy The Stunning Shang Palace
49. Love Hennan
50. Jam At The Saulog Festival
Top Reasons to Book This Trip
WHERE WILL YOU TRAVEL TO NEXT?
Our Story
Notes
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my…
Mama – for being my rock and light of our life.
Papa – for teaching me how to be strong and compassionate.
Julius Caezar – for loving me unconditionally.
Nami, Yuri, Hope, Classified, and Rocco – for constantly
healing me.
Bahja L. Roasol
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Just a local who loves travel and eat and sleep then binge watch on
Netflix but apparently loves her dogs more because it keeps her
sane – for most of the time. Bohol is my mother’s birth place so I
have grown visiting Bohol always. Then found a job in the city and
have been constantly exploring its beauty since.
Magically-insane and in a relationship with potato fries, this potato
loves werewolf stories. I live for Star Wars, Lord of The Rings,
and Game of Thrones.
Bahja L. Roasol
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HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
This book was written by someone who has lived in an area
for over three months. The author has made the best suggestions
based on their own experiences in the area. Please check that these
places are still available before traveling to the area. The goal of
this book is to help travelers either dream or experience different
locations by providing opinions from a local.
Bahja L. Roasol
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
Traveling can be one of the most important moments in a person’s
life. The memories that you have of anticipating going somewhere
new or getting to travel are some of the best. As a publisher of the
Greater Than a Tourist book series, as well as the popular 50
Things to Know book series, we strive to help you learn about new
places, spark your imagination, and inspire you.
Thought this book you will find something for every traveler.
Wherever you are and whatever you do I wish you safe fun, and
inspiring travel.
Lisa Rusczyk Ed. D.
CZYK Publishing
Bahja L. Roasol
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WELCOME TO > TOURIST
Bahja L. Roasol
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INTRODUCTION
The tenth largest island in the Philippines, Bohol, is a
testament of beauty and splendor waiting to be experienced by
peoples all around the world. It is located in the Central Visayas
region and is an hour and fifteen minutes away from the
Philippines’ capital, Metro Manila. From its white sand beaches to
the rich marine and wildlife sanctuaries down to its magnificent
and unique limestone formations – it remains to be one of the most
visited destinations in the country.
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1. Begin The Journey With Tagbilaran City
Tagbilaran City is the capital city of the province and is the
start-off point to the province’s different attractions.
From the airport or seaport, you can ride a tricycle that will
take you to your next destination. In Tagbilaran, you can stroll
around the city or visit the malls in the area or buy pasalubongs
(a Filipino tradition of bringing home souvenirs or gifts) from
the local market and stalls.
Tagbilaran maybe a small city but it gives off that homey
feeling that sets the tone for a warm and happy adventure in the
province of Bohol.
Bahja L. Roasol
2. Dine At STK
Just a walk away from the Tagbilaran sea port is the STK
Foodhouse. STK stands for Sugba (Grill), Tula (Tinola/Stew),
Kilaw (Kilawin/Ceviche). You may choose from their fresh
catch of the day and have different combinations of seafoods
like squids, shrimps, crabs etc. and have it cooked by the local
chef. If you are unsure of what to have, you may opt for an
STK or i-sutukil which means portioning your meal to a
grilled dish, soup, and cooked with vinegar for kilawin.
Pork and beef are also available options for you to choose
from. My personal favorite is grilled pork with a side of lemon
and fish sauce which you can pair with a cold bottle of beer to
spice the night up.
The ambiance is great for relaxation and a hot soup helps in
invigorating one’s body after a day of traveling. Desserts are
available and one should try their fruit salad served in a
coconut.
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3. Hike To Banat-I Hill
If you are up for a morning hike then Banat-i is the place for you.
It is a hill in Bool, Tagbilaran City that gives you a scenic view of
the Bohol Sea and its neighboring islands in the Visayas Region.
Mountain bikers frequently visit this route as well those fitness
buffs. I usually hike with my dogs here and wait for the sun to rise.
The place is breathtaking and refreshing and it is just within the
city.
Bahja L. Roasol
4. Watch A Movie In BQ Mall Cinema
The reason why this is included in this list is that in all of the
cinemas in Bohol, this is where I truly enjoy every movie
experience. For one, they have the most affordable price range for
movies – local and international. The BQ Mall is located in the
heart of the city so it is very accessible. The design of the cinema
gives you that homey feeling which makes the experience very
enjoyable and pleasing. For those wearing glasses, we all know
how difficult it is to enjoy a 3D film. But I highly commend BQ
Cinema for offering clip-on 3D glasses thus I can now fully enjoy
my 3D film more.
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5. Party at the Club Sphere
The MetroCentre Hotel is in the heart of the busiest street in
Tagbilaran City. It is known for its excellent services and
amenities for guests wishing to stay in the city and for those who
wants to have meetings, conventions, and wedding receptions. But
if you want to rave and party all night, then the Club Sphere
located on the ground floor of this hotel is just right for you. You
can have a drink with your friends and even play pool. They have
videoke rooms for singing enthusiasts, ehem. But the highlight in
the Club Sphere is when they bring out local and international DJs
and emcees and rave with the entire club. So bring out your
singing and dancing skills with you when you go clubbing at the
Sphere.
Bahja L. Roasol
6. Have Some Balut and Tuba
As you stroll under the city lights, you’ll notice vendors selling
balut and tuba. Balut is a street-food in the Philippines that is made
up of a developing bird embryo that is boiled and eaten from the
shell with salt, vinegar and/ or soy sauce. Street vendors usually
sell these with (and because they complement each other) tuba
which is a palm or coconut wine. It is an alcoholic drink made
from the sap of coconuts or palm trees. These vendors position
themselves in the corners of the main streets of the city so it is
pretty much easy to spot them. They say that your stay in the
Philippines is never complete if you haven’t tried any of these two.
Enjoy!
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7 . Sizzle Your Way In Just Sizzlin’
Just Sizzlin’ is quite a new restaurant in the city but since its debut,
it has already captured the hearts of the Boholanos as well as the
guests visiting Bohol because of their unique take on the different
dishes in their menu as well as the ambience in their newlyrenovated restaurant. They are known for their signature dish
which is the Flamin’ Chicken. It is a whole chicken served in a
sizzling platter then flambéed on your table then garnished with
gravy
and
salad
on
the
side.
Bahja L. Roasol
8. Dine In Gerarda’s
Gerarda’s is a family restaurant with a quaint design that embodies
the Filipino architecture and design. This is an elegantly designed
place that just screams expensive but in actuality serves delicious
and affordable Filipino cuisines with a twist. I love all of their
dishes especially their pinaupong manok (sitting chicken),
dinakdakan and capping it with their fried ice cream.
.
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9. Entice Your Night In Persona Mesa
For a relaxing fine dining experience, try out the Persona Mesa
located in Dampas, Tagbilaran City. They have an open area if you
want to dine and smoke outside. The restaurant caters to all food
lovers with prices that are reasonable. Try out their Sisig Triangles
because I found it really delicious and tasty. Sisig is a Filipino dish
made up of pig’s head and liver minced to small pieces and mixed
with calamansi and chili peppers.
Bahja L. Roasol
10. Pose On The Blood Compact Site
The Blood Compact or Sandugo was a tradition done by the leader
of the Spanish conquistadores (conquerors) and the local chieftain
of Bohol to signify that they are coming in peace and friendship.
This tradition is immortalized by life-size statues depicting the
famous blood compact. You can take a short tricycle ride to Bool
which is just part of Tagbilaran City and pose with the monument
whilst having a scenic background of the Bohol shoreline. On this
site are local vendors selling seashell necklaces, sunhats, well as
other native products and novelties made by the local for you to
purchase and enjoy.
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The best and most beautiful things in the world
cannot be seen or even touched – they must be
felt with the heart. – Hellen Keller
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11. Marvel At The Baclayon Church
Part of the Day Tour is a stop at the Baclayon Church in Baclayon,
Bohol. The church, regarded as a National Culture Treasure, is
made of coral stones and is cross-shaped in form. The whole
façade of the church brings soliloquy and its interior has reddish
paintings on wooden panels that brings about an amber atmosphere
as you enter. Quick Tip: Before you leave, find the image(s) on the
coral stone walls of the church.
Bahja L. Roasol
12. Chill In Baluarte
Aside from the Baclayon Church, another sight that will relax your
mind will be the Baluarte (citadel or fort) which has now become
a boulevard. It is facing the beachfront and has the best view of the
sunset. Along the area are local restaurants serving barbecues,
soups, and puso (form of serving rice bound in coconut leaves,
sometimes mixed with pandan leaves for added aroma). You can
grab a local brand of cola or beer as you enjoy your meal with the
sun setting or the night in its peak.
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13. Visit The Loboc Church and Ride The Loboc
River Cruise
The Loboc Church is the second oldest church in the province that
is adjacent the Loboc River. It has a beautiful façade and its
heritage features include the designs inspired by the neoclassical
and baroque era. You can also visit the bell tower and the museum
on the third floor.
The Loboc River Cruise is both a ferry ride by the Loboc River
and a succulent buffet while cruising. Tip: Make sure to be by the
registration booth before eleven o’clock in the morning so you
don’t get crowded with too much people lining up. This way you’ll
also have a more pleasant experience while eating your lunch.
Bahja L. Roasol
14. Get In The Busay Falls
At the end of the Loboc River Cruise is a rather small inland
waterfall composed of two falls or islets. Some locals take a bath
here and some visitors taking the Loboc River Cruise go for a short
plunge in the water. It is quite scenic and peaceful. The rest of the
falls are beyond the river which are trekked by professional
mountaineers. This is located between Loboc and Sevilla which is
about 34km from the city by bus or a rented car.
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15. Flutter In The Butterfly Garden
The Habitat Butterlies Conservation Center in Bilar is a netstructured complex that allows butterflies and to safely live and
survive. The enclosure has variations of species of butterflies and
garden insects, both alive and preserved, that you may enjoy taking
photos with. The guides are quite witty and humorous that you
can’t help but tear up for joy throughout the entire tour. They also
turn you into butterflies in your photos with their tricks during the
shoot. Couples and families would surely enjoy walking around
with at least sixty different local species of butterflies present in
the center. The plants were carefully chosen to attract and feed the
butterflies. Before you leave, make sure to try their barbecue buko
(coconut). You’ll love how amazing, tasty and unique it is!
Bahja L. Roasol
16. Try To Stand Still In The Bamboo Hanging
Bridge of Sevilla
This hanging bridge in Sevilla, not ideal for those with a
paralyzing fear of heights, is a common tourist destination as most
would like the thrill of crossing the Bamboo Hanging Bridge. In
previous years, it was just bamboo posts and ropes holding the
bridge but currently there are steel plates holding the bridge
together. As you cross the bridge, you’ll feel the adrenaline surge
as the bridge will start to sway and bounce. If you are traveling
with a group of friends, you can create symmetrical poses and
illusions in the middle of the bridge. A camera with a 360 degreeangle capacity or a GoPro can capture the scenery best.
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17. Get Freaky In The Xzootic Animal Park in Loay
In Agape, Loay is this animal park that houses a number of
exotic species ranging from ostriches, Asian leopards, civet cats, a
bear cat, macaque monkey, porcupine, iguanas, owls, and others.
The highlight of this trip are the large pythons in captivity. You
may hold it around your arms and shoulders while posing for a
quick snap or you may lie down in the center of the curled python
(that weighs over 200 kilograms!) as you pet it and smile for a
photo. Herpetophobes (fear of reptiles) and ophidiophobes (fear of
snakes) may find it difficult to enjoy this particular tourist spot.
Bahja L. Roasol
18. Go Night Kayaking With Fireflies in Maribojoc
and Loay
When you’re up for a romantic night much like the scene in
Tangled, the Firefly Watching in Abatan, Maribojoc and Loay will
surely be up to par, except for floating lanterns, you’ll be
mesmerized with the fireflies seemingly dancing and coloring the
night’s sky. You may dine as the you bask in the view of the night
and it is advised, however, to be calm during the trip so as not to
drive away the fireflies and for all the viewers to enjoy a serene
night.
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19. Munch On Banana Chips
While you are in Maribojoc, please do buy packs of banana chips.
These are dehydrated bananas that are deep-fried and coated with
caramel or sugar made by the locals of Bohol. You may find this
delicacy in other towns of Bohol but I have yet to taste one that can
be up to par with Maribojoc’s – they are just heavenly!
Bahja L. Roasol
20. Revel In The Punta Cruz Watch Tower
In Maribojoc is a National Historic Landmark that has been now
rebuilt due to the 2013 earthquake that devastated Bohol. The
Punta Cruz Watchtower is the only fort in the Philippines that has
the “perfect isosceles triangle” tower. Beside this is a small church
where my parents got married and they held the reception at the
watchtower grounds. The veranda by the bay provides a scenic
view of the sea and you can also cliff-dive when the tide is high.
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Bahja L. Roasol
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“Sometimes our light goes out, but it is
blown again into instant flame by an
encounter with another human being.” –
Albert Schweitzer
Bahja L. Roasol
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21. Marvel at the Man-made Forest of Bilar
In the border of Loboc and Bilar is the magnificent man-made
forest that stretches for about 2 km long. You can take a picture in
the forest itself or take a jumpshot in the middle of the road. The
technique here is to place your camera on the road and point it
about 15° upwards towards you or your group as you so your
poses. You’ll have that Twilight-ish background and feel in your
photos.
Bahja L. Roasol
22. Go Organic In D’ Buzz Cafe
The Bohol Buzz Café has branches in Tagbilaran City as well as in
Panglao. It is famed for their wide-array of organic dishes and
delicacies. If you are a vegetarian or a health buff then you surely
can enjoy dining in this place. My mom loves their organic salad
with edible flowers. Yes, you read it right – flowers! You can have
mustard or any condiment with it. They have seafood pizza, honeyglazed chicken, awesome babyback ribs, and a whole lot of choices
for all food groupies. But what brings me time and time again in
this place is their organic ice cream served in a cassava cone. If
you want to be a little playful with your choices, you can have the
Rum Ice Cream which is spiked with a local rum drink
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23. Explore The Hinagdanan Cave
The Hinagdanan Cave from the name itself means laddered. It was
discovered by a local using a ladder to reach the bottom of the cave
itself with an underground lake. At present, the cave has stairways
and rails that leads you to the green lake lighted by the sunlight
peering through a hole on top of the lake – pretty majestic and
terrifying at the same time. There are stalactites and stalagmites
growing within the cave. You can take a plunge in the green lake
but do take caution as the rocks and paths are pretty slippery. The
green color of the water is because of the limestones that make up
the cave.
Bahja L. Roasol
24. Stroll Along The Alona Kew Beach
The powdery white shoreline of the Alona Kew Beach in Panglao
draws almost all visiting guests in the province. It is the start-off
point for the island hopping and dolphin watching in the nearby
islets. You can enjoy the beach, hang out with friends or with other
guests in the bars lined up along the beachline, have a massage on
the beach or on your hotel room, party with the firedancers and
jam with the local indie bands performing at night. There are
multiple shops and grocery stores available for any essentials you
might need. Restaurants – serving Asian to European cuisine – are
also available nearby the beach.
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25. Ride With The Dolphins
The island hopping tour begins around five in the morning to catch
up with the dolphins in a certain portion of the ocean off the island
of Panglao. As you reach the place, you’ll see pods of dolphins
swimming and even breaching the water. It is such a mesmerizing
sight to behold! They thrive on cheers and claps and some even
swim near your boats. Tip: Start your island hopping early so you
don’t miss out these majestic creatures.
Bahja L. Roasol
26. Have Fun In Tarsier Botanika
The Tarsire Botanika is located in Tawala, Panglao. It is a
beautiful and sophisticated resort with a wellness spa, a beautiful
veranda on a cliff that fronts the majestic sea and shoreline of
Panglao, unique diving packages, and the most exceptional feature
in their resort is the Tarsier Equestria. The Tarsier Equestria is
found inside the resort and has about 15 different breeds and sizes
of horses. They have an Olympic arena for horseback riding as
well as a covered court are for when it rains. To me this is an Xfactor if you want to have a full outdoor experience.
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27. Dive in Balicasag Island
Balicasag is an island off the coast of Panglao. It is one of the stops
during the regular island hopping tour. The Balicasag Island is an
awesome diving site. You can snorkel and swim with the fishes
and other marine life. The Turtle’s Point is a sea turtle haven
where you can get a close encounter with the turtles and swim with
them. The corals are beautiful and untouched. Other diving sites in
the island is The Diver’s Haven, Balicasag Marine Sanctuary,
Cathedral Wall, and Royal Haven.
Bahja L. Roasol
28. Discover The Virgin Island
Another stop in the island hopping tour is the Virgin Island. It is a
hectare-long of white sand beach and pacific blue waters. It has
been coined as the Virgin Island because of its pure white powdery
sand. Currently, they have built an attraction site in the middle of
the area. Take as much time to enjoy the view and take lots of
pictures in the island or you can just laze under the sun and swim
in the ocean.
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29. Bask In The Shores Of Anda De Boracay
The Anda de Boracay is the place to go if you want a laid-back and
chill time with your friends and families. They offer great
amenities and good accommodation facilities. They have a pool,
both for the kids and adults, fronting the white shores of the beach.
The best thing about Anda is it less crowded compared to other
beach resorts but you still get the best experience.
Bahja L. Roasol
30. Stand With The Chocolate Hills
Bohol, when mentioned, is always linked to The Chocolate Hills.
This natural geologic formation has gained international fame
because of its beauty and splendor that never fails to excite anyone
visiting the place. It is located in Carmen, about an hour and fifteen
minutes from the city. When you reach the viewing hill, you have
to climb 214 steps to reach the peak and marvel at the view at
hand. You can take jumpshot photos as if you were jumping over a
hill or you can ask the guides to angle the photo as if you were
pinching or patting one of the hills. In summer, the grass turn
chocolate brown thus gaining the name The Chocolate Hills.
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Bahja L. Roasol
“The bravest sight in the world is to see a
great man struggling against adversity.” Seneca
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31. Enjoy The Sagbayan Peak
The Sagbayan Peak is located in Sagbayan, Bohol. It is a mountain
resort that provides you with a scenic and enhanced view of the
Chocolate Hills and is more utterly breathtaking, when you make
this your last stop for the day, during the setting of the sun. Kids
can enjoy here as they these large sculptures of superheroes and
cartoon characters. They have a swimming pool and a great foliage
of cone trees.
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32. Have Fun In Loboc Eco-Tourism Adventure Park
Aside from the Loboc River Cruise, you can enjoy the Loboc EcoAdventure Park. They have a rather short zipline but the thrill is
absolutely there. You’ll be ziplining over the Loboc River which is
a rather picturesque sight. The thing to remember is to relax and
enjoy the sight since it lasts for about a minute or two. Also, try to
bring all your stuff as you zipline so you won’t have to climb back
again to retrieve them.
Bahja L. Roasol
33. Do The Extreme In Danao Adventure Park
For the extreme adventurers and thrill-seekers, this is another
destination you may want to experience. The Danao Adventure
Park caters to a vast number of activities for you to enjoy. They
have The Plunge which is a swing type of bungee jumping where
they suspend you and slowly lower you down then you make that
long and stomach-twisting, but definitely worth it, plunge which
can probably wet some people’s pants – kidding. Or not. But
surely, the experience is one for the books. You may book a room
there so you can try the other activities they offer such as the river
kayaking, rappelling, hard caving, sky ride and more.
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34. Be With The Tarsiers
In this conservatory is where the tarsiers are housed and taken
cared of. Tarsiers are small primates that are locally found in the
forests of Corella, Bohol. They are nocturnal creatures so at day
when the sanctuary is open, they are mostly asleep and inactive.
When visiting the sanctuary, please keep your voices low and
avoid using any flash photography as these primates are very
sensitive and territorial. The guides will help you position yourself
for an Instagram-worthy photo with these primates so don’t be
afraid to ask for assistance. Before you leave the place, you may
purchase locally-made gift items as a token for friends and
relatives.
Bahja L. Roasol
35. Jump In The Mag-aso Falls
The word “mag-aso” means “smoky” which these falls emanate.
This twin falls in Antequera produce this smoky appearance. It is
not often visited by tourists so you’ll enjoy the place. There are
about 200 descending stairs that you have to take before reaching
the falls. They maybe slippery when it’s raining so please take
precaution. You may go cliff jumping but again be wary of the
slippery rocks as you go. Nonetheless, the waters are very pristine
and the place is quiet and peaceful.
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36. Get Active In The Chocolate Hills Adventure
Park
Located one hour and fifteen minutes away from the city is Buenos
Aires, Carmen where the well-known Chocolate Hills are located.
Aside from this, they now have an eco-adventure park with over
thirty (30) activities to revel in while having the Chocolate Hills as
your background. Most people come here to do The Rush Bike Zip
which is basically ziplining while riding a bicycle. Pretty scary for
a non-biker like me but it was fun and exhilarating. Do not fret as
there will be a photographer who’ll take your photo while biking
above the famed Chocolate Hills. Totally worth it!
Bahja L. Roasol
37. Relax In The Ananyana Beach Resort and Spa
This beautiful beach resort is located in Panglao. It has a dreamy,
elegant, and relaxing vibe after a day of travel or activity. Their
resort is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. Their beachfront gives
you a panoramic view of the white sand beaches that stretch the
island. They have a pool and a spa for rejuvenation and relaxation.
They have an awesome menu that serves numerous dishes – both
local and international. You can laze away on the beach front or in
their verandas for a tan. It is a bit pricey but the stay in the place is
worth remembering.
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38. Buy Peanut Kisses and Kalamay-Hati
When in Bohol, never forget to taste their peanut kisses and
kalamay-hati. The peanut kisses are kisses-shaped cookies made
up of peanuts, sugar, and egg-whites that are designed from the
shape of the Chocolate Hills. The kalamay-hati is a concoction of
sticky rice flour, moscovado sugar, and coconut milk. This is
served in a polished coconut husk that is opened at the half thus
earning the name kalamay (sugar) hati (half).
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39. Visit The Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape
This is the largest remaining virgin forest land in Bohol and is one
of the top bird-watching site. It is located in Bilar via the Loay
Interior Road. It is home to endangered species of birds, bats,
monkeys as well as Philippine wild animals. You can climb the
observation tower or the Bilar Peak if you want to experience the
thrill and beauty of the panoramic view of the beautiful landscape.
You can also take the tunnel that leads to the Magsaysay Park.
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40. Swim Under The Can-umantad Falls
The Can-umantad Falls waters the rice paddies of Cadapdapan. It
has a height of 60 feet which makes it the tallest in the province.
The waters descend into a more shallow circular pool where you
can jump and go frolicking in the natural green pool. The greenish
color is due to the limestones around in the area. Do take care as
you walk in the slippery stones.
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“Even if happiness forgets you a little bit,
never completely forget about it.” –
Jacques Prevert
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41. Go Cliff-Diving At The Alexis Cliff Dive Resort
The Alexis Cliff Dive Resort is a place for budget junkies, group
travelers, or a family escapade. The place has the complete
standard amenities and has a beautiful view of that crisp blue
ocean. It is located in the heart of Panglao and is very accessible.
The ultimate thing to do is to jump on that cliff and enjoy the cool
waters awaiting you below. Make sure to document that jump!
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42. Get Drenched Under Pangas Falls
This trip away from the regular tour routes and destinations is
located in Dagohoy, Bilar, about an hour and four minutes away
from the city. I love the simplicity of the area and it is quite
secluded so you can enjoy the place to yourself. It is ideal if you
want to go for a dip since the falls are not too high. There are also
bamboo
bridges
to
guide
your
way
around
the
area.
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43. Gobble on the Gastronomic Month of May
May is the most festive month of the year for the province. For
every day in the month, there is a town celebrating their patron’s
feast or fiesta. Almost every household is celebrating and they
practically accommodate all guests so you may crash-and-eat and
meet new people along the way. There are also a lot of festivities
organized by the local government like food exhibits in the plaza,
dragonboat racing, paint parties, fluvial parades, and street dancing
showdowns.
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44. Chill At The Causeway
The causeway is the bridge that leads you from the city towards
Panglao. I recommend you visit this place at night; visit the
seafood market nearby, have a balut or bring with you chips, and
have a cold bottle of beer while enjoying the cold breeze of the
night and the beautiful scenery of the city lights to your left and
Panglao on the other. You’ll also notice some motorists would stop
and just have a chill time by the bridge.
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45. Frolic In The Cadapdapan Rice Terraces
Aside from the iconic Chocolate Hills, limestone churches, and
white beaches, Bohol also has these majestic rice terraces in
Candijay, Bohol. It is about two hours from the city and this town
has been slowly etching its name as a place one has to visit when
in Bohol. The rice paddies are maintained by the locals and
according to them these where passed down to them by their
ancestors who most probably made it. You can have a perfect
photo shoot with the grandiose rice terraces and the sunflowers
growing in the area. There are other rice paddies all over Bohol but
the most beautiful is the Cadapdapan Rice Terraces.
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.
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46. Find Your Way In The Dao Public Market and
Integrated Bus Terminal
Across the Island City Mall (ICM) is the Dao Public Market and
beside it is the Integrated Bus Terminal. You can go bargain
hunting in the central public market for local goods, delicacies, and
tokens. The Integrated Bus Terminal is where all the buses and
public utility vehicles are found. Check the signage and boards to
locate the vehicle traveling to your desired destination. The price
here is quite cheaper compared to renting a car. Please be careful,
though, of hagglers asking for a fixed price for a certain
destination.
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47. Pick All You Want In Acacia de Bubu
Over the years, the Acacia de Bubu has grown to be loved by the
locals and even visiting guests. They have delicious barbecue
meals with a very affordable price. It is just located in the city so it
is very accessible. You can choose what part of chicken or pork to
grill and will be served in a few minutes. You can have it with
plain rice or puso. Trust me, you’ll be craving for more barbecue
once you’ve tasted this.
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48. Enjoy The Stunning Shang Palace
If you are up for a Chinese and seafood trip then Shang Palace in
Taloto, Tagbilaran City is the place for you. It is an eight to ten
minute-ride to the place where it serves the best Chinese cuisines
and dishes for you. The ambiance is great and the staff are
hospitable. Try their Black Soup even if it seems daunting enough
but it really tastes great. Don’t worry, the black doesn’t stick on
your teeth.
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49. Love Hennan
The Hennan Beach Resort is located in Tawala, Panglao, about 20
minutes away from the city. You may ride a tricycle, jeep, or rent a
car / motorcycle. It has a modern ambiance mixed with oriental
architecture that totally screams elegance and sophistication. Their
infinity pool fronting the beach has truly captivated the guests –
both local and international, as well as celebrities. They have an
amazing buffet showcasing both local and international cuisines
which you can choose from and truly enjoy. You can avail of the
buffet even if you are not a guest in the hotel which to me is one of
the best things about Hennan.
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50. Jam At The Saulog Festival
The Saulog Festival is a city-wide celebration to honor the Blood
Compact between the Spaniards and the locals of Bohol. You can
really feel the vibe as you walk in the city as colorful banderitas
(flags or buntings) fly along the streets and in between the
buildings. Dance with the street partiers on the street dancing
parade and showdown. Take photos with the beautiful candidates
for Miss Saulog and discover more food in the local food exhibits
in the park across the St. Joseph Cathedral.
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Top Reasons to Book This Trip

Beaches: The beaches here are the best.

Food: The food is savory and amazing.

Island Culture: A rich heritage of tradition.

Churches: Centuries-old churches are a must to visit.

Resorts: Offers a complete vacation experience

People: Passionate, kind, and respectful.
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Our Story
Traveling is a passion of this series creator. She studied abroad in
college, and for their honeymoon Lisa and her husband toured
Europe. During her travels to Malta, an older man tried to give
her some advice based on his own experience living on the island
since he was a young boy. She thought he was just trying to sell
her something. When traveling to some places she was wary to
talk to locals because she was afraid that they weren’t being
genuine. She created this book series to give you as a tourist an inside
view on the place you are exploring
and the ability to learn what locals
would like to tell tourist. A topic that they are very passionate
about.
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Notes