Melo Villareal
Why You Should Visit Bohol Soon?
When compared to its bigger Visayan neighbors Negros and Cebu, Bohol is like a little brother that is still trying to keep its head above the water. That said, Bohol has its own appeal that indicates this quaint island is on its way to the tourism big leagues.
Here are some reasons why you should hop on the next plane to Tagbilaran:
Chocolate Hills
Without a doubt, Chocolate Hills was the tourist spot that put Bohol on the map. These 1,000 hills are located in a stretch of land that belongs mostly to the jurisdiction of the town of Carmen. Famous for the chocolate-like color the grass exhibits during the dry seasons (hence the name), it has become a symbol for the island as a whole. A visit to Bohol is never complete without a stop in these geological formations.
Panglao Island
Panglao is an emerging tourist destination in the island group as it is noted for its Boracay-esque white sand and growing beach party culture. In a recent study, it has also been found out that Panglao has more marine biodiversity than the whole Mediterranean sea and the country of Japan.
Spanish-era Churches
For enthusiasts of old architecuture, Bohol is heaven, as many Romantic Catholic churches built during the Spanish era continue to stand there up to now. Take a pick of the churches (now mostly renovated due to the strong earthquake that hit the area in 2013 but still retaining the original architecture) to visit, but on the highly-recommended list are the ones in Dauis, Baclayon and Loboc.
Tarsiers!
These cute creatures are endangered and though they can be observed in their natural habitats in various pockets of forest in Bohol by tourists, actually interacting with them and taking them in as pets has been advised against by environmental groups because it can cause the little primate to commit suicide.
Bee Honey Ice Cream
Visit the Bohol Bee Farm in Panglao to taste multiple ice cream flavors ranging from the common (chocolate, rum, mint, ube) to the bizarre (avocado, durian, spicy ginger). Made from honey from the farm and coconut milk, this is a Bohol must-try!
Loboc Floating Restaurants
The concept of floating restaurants is not exactly unique to Bohol but what makes the restaurants in Loboc River a must-visit destination is its distinctive Filipino sensibilities. Wash your hands and indulge in the culinary heaven of roasted fish, freshly-cooked crabs, pancit and rice served on banana leaves.
