Top 10 Funtastic Places and Activities in Bohol

In 2013, the devastating earthquake bruised Bohol’s booming tourism industry. Five months later, the province has bounced back!  

“Ang Pinaka” hopes to do its share in the ongoing rehabilitation by featuring a definitive list of the most ‘fun’ places to go and ‘fun’ activities to do in Bohol.

Water sports and extreme adventure

Aqua Sports
The Bellevue Resort, Barangay Doljo, Panglao Island, Bohol
 

For extreme watersports, head on over to Bellevue Resort. The resort offers our favorite aqua sports like wind surfing. But if you’re into novelty, better go inside the “rolling ball,” a huge plastic hamster which you can use to float and run across the ocean.

Check out Bellevue Resort’s rates here: http://www.thebellevue.com/bohol/

Danao Adventure Park
Magtangtang, Danao, Bohol
 

Danao Adventure Park is perfect for the outdoorsy types looking for extreme adventure while in Bohol. Activities in the park include ziplining, ATV, and rock climbing. Go caving, too, in Ka-Mira Cave and Baliho Cave. For water adventures, the park also offers river kayaking and river trekking.

For rates of the activities, check out Danao Adventure Park’s website.

Balicasag Island diving
 

Balicasag Island is famous for its rich marine biodiversity that can rival that of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. During “Ang Pinaka’s” diving session, host Rovilson Fernandez was able to see huge turtles and “amazing fish with Googable names!”

From Alona Beach, you can reach Balicasag Island in 35 minutes. Depending on your choice of resort, a round trip boat fare costs P1,600 to P2,000 for 10 people.

Chocolate Hills Adventure Park
Chocolate Hills Adventure Park Buenos Aires 6319 Carmen, Bohol
 

On October 15, 2013, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake destroyed the original viewing deck of the chocolate hills. A new viewing deck was installed at Chocolate Hills Adventure Park for those who still want to see Bohol’s iconic landmark.

At Chocolate Hills Adventure Park, tourists can enjoy outdoor recreational activities after their sightseeing. Activities in the park include ziplining, canopy walk monkey bridge, and a 275 meter bike zip where you can cross from one chocolate hill to another.

For rates, check out Chocolate Hills Adventure Park’s Facebook page.

Nature and culture

Mangrove Tour
 

Bohol is known for its extensive mangrove forest. Mangroves are tropical trees that grow in swampy areas.

There are two mangrove forests in Bohol: Banacon Island Mangrove Forest and Candijay Mangrove Forest.

Banacon Island is located at the north of the municipality of Getafe, Bohol. The forest houses 410 hectares of mangrove plantation. Candijay Mangrove Forest, meanwhile, is located at Brgy. Panadtaran, Candijan and is famous for its 600-hectare mangrove plantation.

Loboc River Cruise
 

At Loboc River Cruise, you can enjoy a sumptuous  lunch or dinner buffet while your eyes feast on the lush vegetation and clear waters of the Loboc River.

In between your meals, have fun in a show prepared by locals, where they sing and dance to traditional Filipino music. Depending on which river cruise you choose, price per person for the Loboc River Cruise normally costs P450, inclusive of the lunch or dinner buffet.

Virgin Island
 

The Virgin Island of Bohol is famous for its rugged beauty and impressive moon-shaped sandbar. Getting there would take you about 20 minutes from Alona Beach. Renting a boat good for 10 people would cost around P1,500 to P2,750.

Tarsier Botanika
KM 16, Brgy Hoyohoy, Tawala, Panglao
 

Tarsier Botanika is a 10-hectare property housing a botanical garden, spa, horse ranch and a museum. The park also houses a mini-zoo where they take care of animals rescued from illegal animal vendors. If you want nature and culture in one go, Tarsier Botanika is the place to be.

Dolphin Watching
 

If you want to witness a lot of Flippers jumping about the ocean, better wake up at 5:30 a.m.  Dolphin sightings in the waters of Panglao and Balicasag Islands are not consistent though, so you need to patient.

Resorts offer boat rides to the spot for a price that normally costs P2,850 for 10 people.

Church tour and Family Mission
 

The October 2013 earthquake destroyed and severely damaged the heritage churches of Bohol, but it didn’t bring down with it the Boholanos’ spirit and resilience. Boholanos are rebuilding their churches with both old and new materials.

For those who are planning the church ruins, it is advised that you do not take pieces of stones or rubbles. Travel responsibly in this area.

If you want to see other rehabilitation efforts, visit the Family Mission of Bellevue Resort, where women belonging to families displaced by the earthquake are taught how to make crochet products. These products are sold at the lobby of Bellevue Resort.

— Bernice Sibucao/CM, GMA News