Karlo Pacana
Exploring Bohol in Less Than 15 Hours
Are you in Cebu but want to visit Bohol to see the Tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills for just a day? Then this article is exactly what you need.
For a Cebuano like me, a day trip to a neighboring province like Bohol is always a good idea. Nothing beats a change of scenery and a day away from the chaos that is Cebu City.
Add to that, Bohol is a jewel in itself. You’re guaranteed a holistic experience in terms of food, culture, arts, history, and adventure without the added pressure of bumper-to-bumper traffic.
We personally experienced this on our recent visit to the province famous for its Calamay.
Without further ado, let me share with you the details of our less-than-a-day trip to Bohol:
Tubigon Loomweavers Cooperative
Here we were able to witness first-hand the ever-thriving handicraft industry of Tubigon. Support these talented local artisans by buying their world-class products like bags and wallets when you decide to visit.
Cuisina ni Tisay at Chocolate Hills Adventure Park
We had a sumptuous lunch buffet that took inspiration from traditional Boholano cuisine at Chocolate Hills Adventure Park’s in-house restaurant. There are also tons of activities to do here, like zip lines, obstacle courses, and hanging bridges, to name a few.
Chocolate Hills
Climbing up more than a hundred steps, the spectacular panoramic view sure at the top was truly worth the tiring ascent. I guess I should’ve brought some chocolates with me to reward myself with the effort.
Bilar Man-Made Forest
We stopped at this man-made wonder to take a death-defying photo in the middle of the road. These trees have lived for more than seven decades and is proof that there’s still hope for forest conservation.
Tarsier Sanctuary
These cute and furry mammals looked like they were hungover from a crazy party last night. According to the guides, they’re nocturnal little monkeys, so there’s probably a little truth behind what I said.
Bohol National Museum
If there was one thing I picked up from this visit, it’s that Boholanos worship their Ubi. They have relied on this sweet root crop during harsh periods in history. And a sexy ritual behind it is performed during a full moon. Learn more about it by attending the annual Ubi Festival.
Blood Compact Shrine
Most people don’t realize that this shrine’s conceptualization had its biases toward the Spanish conquistadors. Why? Because the only Boholano depicted here is facing sideways on the left.
Chicha-Worm and Souvenir Shopping
Aside from getting Calamay and some souvenirs, I could also taste the exotic Chicha-Worm. It was deep fried and tasted salty like the skin of green peas, a perfect appetizer for our next stop.
Gerarda’s Family Restaurant
One of Bohol’s signature restaurants and also highly recommended by TripAdvisor, we were able to try their sisig, pancit, tortang talong, adobo squid, and lemon chicken.
Bohol Bee Farm Ice Cream
Who would say no to homemade Dragon fruit ice cream on crispy cassava cones? Other flavors include Malunggay, Durian and Guyabano, to name a few. Book your stay at Bohol Bee Farm via Agoda.
Getting to Bohol from Cebu
There are several fast craft ferries plying the Cebu to Tubigon route, and the trip takes only one and a half hours. We took the 7:30AM trip from Pier 3 in Cebu City to Tubigon Port aboard the FastCat Ferry. Their economy ticket is priced at PHP240, while their business class is at PHP300. From Tubigon Port, you may then hire a van to take you around Bohol. After checking off our full-day itinerary, we then headed back to Tubigon Port to hop on the 10:30PM trip back to Pier 3 in Cebu City.
Also Read:
- Travel Guide: Top 10 things to do while in Bohol
- DIY Trip: Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to Bohol
- Ultimate List of Best Hotels and Resorts in Panglao Island, Bohol
