Bohol is just 79 kilometres southeast of Cebu, oval-shaped Bohol province, is a treasure trove of ecological and historical wonders including the popular Chocolate Hills. The capital, Tagbilaran remains a sleepy laid-back city with its share of ubiquitous malls and fastfood chains. Not much action to be found here but in the isles at the tip of Bohol, pristine beaches line Panglao Island while the best and most popular divesites in the country temptingly lie around Balicasag Island.

 

A few years ago, only divers and locals were privy to these white sand beaches and dive sites but soon word did spread thus Bohol is now largely popular as a world-class diving destination. Bohol has other sights to offer the traveller seeking to explore more of the island. Apart from being a cradle for caves, waterfalls and mangrove forests, it is also home to the bright-eyed tarsier, one of the world's smallest primates.

 

The province also served as the site of the Blood Compact, a historic treaty of friendship between a local chieftain and a Spaniard drawn in a contract signed with blood from their veins. The Spanish occupation thus left behind a number of centuries-old churches and watchtowers. Visitors to the island have increased in recent years as Bohol continues to promote its own brand of eco-tourism, but this beautiful island remains largely quaint, unexplored, and unaffected by the modern trappings that it currently enjoys. 

 

 

Unlike Luzon and the northern part of Visayas, Bohol is mostly unaffected by the numerous typhoons that hit the country. The weather is mostly mild all year round. When typhoons do hit the island, they usually cross quickly and are no longer powerful, their energy dissipated by the mountains in Leyte and Samar. From November to April, the northeast monsoon (amihan) prevails.

 

Except for a rare shower, this is the mildest time of the year. Daytime temperatures average 28°C, cooling down at night to around 25°C. The summer season from May to July brings higher temperatures and very humid days. From August to October is the southwest monsoon (habagat). The weather during this season is not very predictable, with weeks of calm weather alternating with rainy days. It can rain any day of the year, but you will have more chance for a heavy shower from November to January.

 

 

Bohol is an island province in the Visayas. It lies southeast from Cebu across Bohol Strait and southwest from Leyte, separated by the Camotes Sea and Canigao Channel. Bohol is also located north of Mindanao with Bohol Sea between them. With a land area of 4117.3 km² and a coastline 261 km long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines.

 

The main island is surrounded by about 70 smaller islands, the largest of which are Panglao Island facing Tagbilaran City in the southwest and Lapinig Island in the northeast. The terrain of Bohol is basically rolling and hilly and about half the island is covered in limestone. Near the outer areas of the island are low mountain ranges. The interior is a large plateau with irregular landforms.

 

 

Bohol is located in the middle of the Philippines, and can be comfortably reached by air and boat. If coming from abroad, you have two options: you can fly to Manila or Cebu. Cebu is the most convenient, but only limited number of international flights will arrive there. Coming from Europe, you'll got to have a stop-over in either Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong, however, it will save you the hassle of going through Manila. These airlines fly international routes to Cebu: SilkAir, Malaysia Airlines, and Cathay Pacific.

If you come via Manila, you'll probably want to take a connecting flight to Tagbilaran, which is  about 1 hour and 15 minutes travel time. You can  also take a boat to Bohol, but it  will take 25 hours, and is only advisable if you have plenty of time and enjoy a trip on sea, or have to travel on a rock-bottom budget. When coming from Manila, you can also go to Cebu by air, and then continue by boat. There are many daily flights from Manila to Cebu.

 

The flying time is around 50 minutes. The transfer using  taxi from the airport to the pier takes about 30 minutes in normal traffic conditions, and should cost 165 pesos. The following airlines fly on the from Manila to Cebu: PAL, CEbu Pacific, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Astro Air, and Grand Air.
 
If you come via Cebu, you can also take a short 25 minute flight, but you'll probably choose to take the one and a half hour trip with a fast boat to Tagbilaran. The regular boat to Tagbilaran will take about four hours. You can also take a boat to Tubigon and Talibon, which may be more comfortable if you want to be on the west or north coast of the island. The most economical way to get from Cebu to Tagbilaran by boat is to catch a ferry to Tubigon, and continue by bus from Tubigon to Tagbilaran.

 

This is sometimes both faster and cheaper than taking a boat directly to Tagbilaran. Please note that security regulations on domestic flights in the Philippines does not allow bringing liquids (such as perfumes and bottles of wine) as carry-on items into the cabin. Even if you had those liquids sealed by duty-free shops on the airport of origin, you may be forced to throw them away if you are not able to place them in your checked-in luggage.