Caity & Jade
Explore Bohol
There are several ways to reach Bohol:
- Fly into Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) and take a connecting flight to Tagbilaran Airport in Bohol.
- Fly into Cebu (Mactan Airport) and take a 2-hour ferry ride to Bohol.
- Fly directly to Bohol via domestic flights from various cities across the Philippines.
- Qantas
- Philippine Airlines
- Cebu Pacific
*There many other airlines that fly into Manila, but contain a stopover including; Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines, China Southern and China Air.
The domestic airlines within the Philippines include:
- Philippine Airlines
- Cebu Pacific
- Air Asia
Chocolate Hils
Undeniably the island’s top attraction, the 1,200 cone-shaped hills turn brown in the dry season, hence "Chocolate."
Tarsiers Sanctuary
The Tarsier, native to Bohol, is the world’s smallest primate. These tiny creatures are also among the oldest primates.
Loboc River Cruise
Cruise down the jade-green Loboc River, which winds through lush mountains before emptying into the Bohol Sea.
Alona Beach is the most famous public beach in Bohol, surrounded by numerous shops and restaurants, which can make it feel a bit chaotic at times. For a more tranquil experience, we recommend exploring quieter spots like Dumaluan Beach or White Beach.
All the attractions above can be enjoyed on a one-day tour without feeling rushed. We booked ours through Klook in 2022, and it included transport and lunch.
There is one activity that we recommend skipping - the Butterfly Farm (but we will leave that to you).
Explore the Philippines
If you have some extra days and are eager to explore more of what the Philippines has to offer, we highly recommend venturing beyond Bohol.
With over 7,000 islands scattered across the archipelago, the country boasts an incredible variety of landscapes, cultures, and experiences. From the limestone cliffs and emerald lagoons of Palawan, to the powdery white sands of Boracay, the vibrant marine life in Cebu and the raw natural beauty of Siargao - each island has its own unique charm.
Cebu
Cebu holds a special place in our hearts, as it is where Jade’s Lolo and Lola (Grandpa and Grandma) and family live. We both love Cebu and highly recommend the following activities.
Visit Kawasan Falls
Just know you have to ride a 1KM flying fox to get to the start of the waterfall. Something Caity didn’t know until it was too late.
Swim with Whale Sharks
You can swim alongside whale sharks, just off the coastline of Oslob at the southern tip of Cebu. This was one of the most unforgettable experiences that Jade and I have had. We recommended getting there at sunrise.
Moalboal
Moalboal is a coastal town on Cebu’s southwest coast. It's famous for the breathtaking sardine run. You can also swim alongside sea turtles in the crystal-clear waters just offshore.
Bantayan Island
Bantayan is a peaceful getaway off Cebu’s north coast, with day trips to Malapascua for thresher shark dives.
Other Islands
Outside of Cebu there are many other islands where you can relax and enjoy the beuatiful scenery, or do some acitivies. Here are some that we recommend:
Boracay
Boracay is probably the most well know tourist spot in the Philippines. We visited there over New Years in 2022 and had a lot of fun! Boracay is beautiful, with its pristine white sand beaches and stunning sunsets.
You can go island hopping, snorkelling and sunset cruising.
If you do visit Boracay, we recommend visiting Jonah’s fruit shake. We both became addicted to their watermelon and mango shakes.
Palawan
Palawan is a hidden gem in the Philippines. It has some of the most breathtaking landscapes you’ll ever see. There is a lot to visit in Palawan, so we recommend:
* El Nido & Coron - renowned for their turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and dive sites.
* Puerto Princesa Underground River - A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
* San Vicente - known for its long stretch of beach - a more relaxing site in Palawan.
Siargao
If you're an adventure lover, especially a surfer, Siargao is the place for you. Known as the "Surfing Capital of the Philippines," it’s also home to stunning lagoons, waterfalls, and caves. Popular activities include:
* Surfing at Cloud 9
* Island hopping to Naked, Daku
* Sugba Lagoon in Del Carmen
Siquijor
Siquijor, also known as Isla de Fuegos or Island of Fire, during the Spanish times, is a small, tranquil island that’s perfect for those looking for peace, nature, and a bit of adventure. It is one of the least known islands to non-Filipinos.
You can visit multiple water falls, cliff jump and snorkel.
Useful Things to Know
Planning Your Trip to the Philippines
While planes and boats connect the islands, island hopping can take time, so we recommend factoring in travel days if you plan to explore beyond the wedding.
Language
Tagalog is the national language, but don’t worry - English is widely spoken, making it easy to get around and connect with the locals.
Cash Matters
The local currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP).
ATMs can be unreliable in some areas, so it’s wise to carry enough cash - especially if you're heading to more remote islands.
Must Try Eats
When it comes to Filipino food, a good place to start is lechon (roast pig), a dish Cebu is especially famous for. You also can’t go wrong with classics like adobo, lumpia, pancit, caldereta, and humba - Jade’s favorite, but only when it’s made by his Lola.
For a taste of popular local fast food, Jade recommends Jollibee and Mang Inasal.
And of course, all of this pairs perfectly with a cold Red Horse or San Miguel (Filipino beer), or a glass of Tanduay (Filipino rum).
Speak Like the Locals
Here are a few friendly Filipino phrases to help you feel right at home:
- Kumusta (koo-mus-ta) - How are you?
- Salamat Po (sa-laah-mart po) - Thank you
- Po/Opo - A polite way to say yes
- Palihug (pa-lee-hoog) - Please
- Sige (see-geh) - Okay
- Mabuhay (mah-boo-hai) - A traditional greeting, meaning "long live"
- Mahal Kita (mah-hal ki-ta) - I love you
- Babay (buh-bye) - Good bye