Previous Post: Revisiting Bohol: PHILTOA Bohol Famtour Day 1

Discovering the Beautiful Town of Anda in Bohol

On our second day in Bohol, we left Bohol Beach Club (book online) early in the morning and headed to our next destination: the beautiful town of Anda. Located on the eastern part of the oval-shaped island, it’s an enchanting and fresh destination that’s currently getting more praise from its new and returning visitors.

Mr. Cesar Cruz delivers his words of appreciation

A Warm Welcome

After a two-hour bus ride from the capital city of Tagbilaran, we finally reached the quiet but promising town. Upon arriving at the seaside plaza, we were warmly welcomed by the local tourism officials, headed by the town’s Municipal Mayor Metodio “Dodong” Amper.

The welcome ceremony grew more lively as local festival dancers performed street-dance routines. After the Mayor’s welcome remarks, PHILTOA President Cesar Cruz also expressed his appreciation to the local government for inviting us and for the very warm welcome.

Anda (Bohol) Festival Dancers

Mangrove Area at Lamanok Island

“You should be proud of your town. Anda is beautiful and promising. Let us not forget that aside from promoting tourism, we should also plan and implement ways on how we can protect our beautiful environment,” said Mr. Cruz – PHILTOA President.

White Sand Beach in Anda, Bohol

While listening to a couple of welcome remarks from tourism stakeholders, I can’t avoid looking at the beautiful seaside. It’s probably one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen in the Philippines so far.

Lamanoc Island Bamboo Footbridge

Lamanoc Island

After the short ceremony, we headed to Lamanoc Island in Barangay Badiang. From the roadside registration area, we walked for almost 20 minutes on a footbridge made of bamboo stilts. This was until we reached the waiting shed, where several small bancas that would bring us up to Lamanoc Point were docked.

Small Boats transporting us to Lamanoc Point

Tour Guide in Lamanoc Island Bohol

After a 10-minute boat ride, crossing calm waters surrounded by mangroves, we finally reached Lamanoc Point. Our tour guide gave us a short briefing before we started the tour. The rule of thumb is to say “Tabi po,” as we walked towards several areas in the mystic Lamanoc Point.

Tour Guide showing some wooden boat coffins discovered in one of the caves

Our first stop was at the Burial Cave, where several remains of wooden boat coffins can be found. Apart from the wooden coffins, some pieces believed to be part of burial jars are also found in the cave.

Prehistoric graffiti in Lamanoc Island

We also visited another cave with prehistoric graffiti on its wall. Old inhabitants on the island used hematite (red iron oxide) pigments to paint on the walls with their fingers. There are also beautiful formations of stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave. One of the interesting artifacts found inside a rock is an embedded clamshell. It only proves that the area was once underwater in the prehistoric period.

Wooden Boat Coffin in Lamanoc Island

The most enchanting cave we visited is a dark one believed to be the hiding place of a local witch named Francisca, or Ka Iska. According to local folklore, Ka Iska lived inside the cave until she totally vanished from the island. Some people believe that a skeleton found inside the cave belongs to her, while others believe that her spirit still stays in the mystical cave.

Broken pieces from Burial Jars found in the island

Our tour was followed by a sumptuous lunch at the floating hut where the boats are stationed. It was a massive Boholano feast. We enjoyed many kinds of grilled seafood, lechon, and other local dishes.

Tour Guide showing a potion found inside the Mystical Cave

Accommodation in Anda, Bohol

After having lunch, we headed back to the town center to inspect some resorts in Anda. The Anda Accommodation Association has a total of 23 resorts on its roster, but we only visited three of them. Our first stop was at Anda de Boracay Beach Resort (hotel info). It offers top-notch amenities, including a coffee shop, outdoor pool, car park, concierge, and room service, for those who want total relaxation.

The rooms at Anda de Boracay Beach Resort are tastefully furnished, with amenities such as a television, wireless Internet access (charges apply), and a private bath. The hotel also offers beachfront huts, a garden, massage service, and a poolside bar.

Infinity Pool at Anda White Beach Resort

Meanwhile, Anda White Beach Resort (hotel info) is a private resort with a secluded beachfronting the beautiful Bohol Sea. The resort is an ideal place for honeymooners who want a peaceful and quiet place to stay. Aside from the breezy spot, beautiful landscape, and well-appointed rooms, the resort is a perfect place to watch the sunset.

If you are looking for a private, comfortable, and convenient place to stay in Anda, I recommend Anda White Beach Resort.

Resort inspection at Amun Ini Beach Resort and Spa

Among the resorts we visited in Anda, Amun Ini Beach Resort and Spa (hotel info) is the most beautiful. This resort is set on a 30,000 square meter property. It was built to offer a breathtaking view of the crystal-clear blue sea and a private white-sand beach.

Each of the 16 rooms in the resort offers modern comforts that you will only find in five-star resorts. The hotel offers a car park, airport transfers, a bar, room service, and safe deposit boxes to ensure guests experience the utmost comfort. The resort also offers recreational facilities, including a massage area, a garden, a private beach, a spa, a swimming pool, a dive shop, and an in-house restaurant.

Bathroom Essentials at Amun Ini Beach Resort and Spa

Going to Panglao

After visiting three resorts in Anda, we were back on the bus heading to Panglao Island. Instead of sleeping inside the bus, the group decided to try out the videoke system as we headed to Panglao.

Filipinos are known to be very musical; we don’t care how good or bad our singing voice is, we just love to sing. But, to be honest, our bus is full of good singers, and each of us (yeah, including me, haha) has our own prepared repertoire.

After the resort inspections, we hopped on the bus again and travelled back to Panglao in videoke style. Yes, our party bus also had a built-in videoke system. As if we weren’t tired yet, microphones and songbooks were scattered all around the bus.

After two hours on a musical bus ride, we finally reached Amorita Resort (Check Rates) in Panglao. We inspected some of the rooms in the newly developed area of the resort, then we headed to the restaurant for dinner. I enjoyed the dinner as usual; Chef Paeng of Amorita Resort never failed to amaze me with his choice of food for the buffet spread. I’m obviously a huge fan.

Our dinner was followed by a hotel check-in at Bellevue Resort Panglao (Check Rates), where we spent our second night in Bohol. After leaving our bags inside our respective rooms, Bellevue Resort Panglao prepared a midnight cocktail party for us. That was an awesome way to cap the night.

White Sand Beach in Anda Bohol

How to Get to Anda, Bohol

Anda is approximately 100 kilometers from Tagbilaran, and it takes two hours to reach by bus or private vehicle. Several buses and V-hire vans available at Dao District also have several scheduled trips to Anda.

Many thanks to Aproniana Gift Shop for providing us Whatsup Bohol official shirt. For Bohol souvenirs, visit Taguihon in Baclayon, Bohol. Their telephone number is (038) 540-9411 or email apronianagiftshoppe@yahoo.com.

The official Whatsup Bohol Bus was provided by Ramyer Travel and Tours. For bus and van rentals in Bohol, please contact 0917-8399921 / 09209496524 or email ramyertravel.tours@yahoo.com.

Anda Bohol Tourism Contacts

Municipality of Anda
Anda Tourism Office
Poblacion Anda, Bohol
c/o Ms. Kimberly Lim-Adams
Mobile: 0908-793-6643
Email: lgu@andabohol.gov.ph / toiurism@andabohol.gov.ph
Website: http://www.andabohol.gov.ph/

Lamanoc Island Tours
Operating Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tour cost: 300 pesos (inclusive of entrance, guided tour, and boat trip)
Contact Numbers: (038) 510 8094 or 0917 3245917

Anda de Boracay Beach Resort (online reservation)
Poblacion, Anda, Bohol, Philippines Contact
Numbers: (+63) 917.528.0734 | (+63) 918.963.1759
Email: anda.deboracay@gmail.com
Website: http://andadeboracay.com/

Anda White Beach Resort (online reservation)
Sitio Dagohoy, Barangay Bacong, Anda, Bohol, Philippines
Contact Numbers: (+63) 917.700.0507 | (+63) 920.946.8127
Email Address: cornelis@andabeachresort.com
Website: http://www.andabeachresort.com/

Amun Ini Beach Resort and Spa (online reservation)
Sitio Bas Dako, Barangay Candabong, Anda, Bohol, Philippines
Contact Numbers: Mobile + 63 939 90 34 536 Mobile + 63 917 79 65 412t.
Landline: + 63 38 510 6230
Email Address: info@amun-ini.com
Website: http://amunini.com/

Amorita Resort (online reservation)
Barangay Tawala, Alona Beach, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Manila Telephone Number: +632 553-9549 to 856-1443
Bohol Contact Number: +63 38 502 9002 to 03
Email Address: inquiries@amoritaresort.com
Website: http://www.amoritaresort.com/

Also Read:

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• Resort Review: Le Soleil de Boracay Resort
• Best Beach Resorts in Anilao, Batangas
• Cebu Beach Resorts with the Highest Traveler Ratings
• ANDA TRAVEL GUIDE: Best Beaches, Resorts, Diving & Hidden Gems