THE ISLAND OF BOHOL

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Bohol is the main island of Bohol Province together with 75 minor surrounding islands. The island lies southeast from Cebu Island and southwest of Leyte Island inCentral Visayas region. This oval-shaped island is the tenth largest of the Philippine archipelago. Another gem of the Visayas, Bohol is a tropical haven of natural beauty. The coastline of the island is skimmed by gentle coves and white sand beaches. Bohol is not as internationally famous as nearby Boracay, but is well-known locally as a paradise for divers and snorkelers. Dolphin watching and whale watching tours are popular with both residents and visiting tourists. The best season is from March to June, but dolphins can be seen year-round. In addition to white sand beaches and dive spots, Bohol is famous among others, for its Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier – arguably the world’s smallest primate, heritage sites and old stone churches.



GET IN



By plane



One of the fast ferry that serve Cebu to Bohol and vice-versa

At the moment, Bohol’s city airport in Tagbilaran services daily Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airline flights from Manila. It is undergoing renovation to accommodate the B-737s of Philippine Airlines. Ramp area improvement and the construction of a modernized airport building will soon ensure bigger aircraft will allow direct flight into Bohol. Most guests to Bohol enter the island either by land or sea via its island neighbor, Cebu.



By boat



The Tagbilaran City Tourist Pier handles more than 4,000 travelers on a daily basis. Nine daily ship calls from Cebu are processed efficiently, with other ships from Manila, Cagayan de Oro City, Dumaguete, Dipolog, Iligan City, Larena, Plaridel and Ozamiz City also welcomed on a regular basis. Another four port terminals cater specifically to Cebu and northern Mindanao routes. Additional berthing space for fastcraft ferries is currently under construction.



However these boats have scheduled timings and are run by more than one operator – hence tourists would be well advised to check timings before planning the trip. The first Cebu – Tagbilaran ferry leaves Cebu at 9 am (journey time 2 hours) and the last ferry departs Tagbilaran at 7 pm. It is easy to get a taxi or a trike at the ferry station.



Sunday ferries from Tagbilaran to Cebu are often fully booked, so book ahead or use the port in Tubigon if travelling on a Sunday.



Roros from Maasin leave every night at 7:30 to northern area of Bohol to the port town of Ubay.



GET AROUND



Bohol Island is easily accessible by bus, private cars, taxi and rental cars. Many of the towns in Bohol have a bus terminal where one can get a ride to other towns. The most common way to travel in Bohol is by “Trike” (Motorised tricycle)



Tagbilaran City, the capital city of Bohol has an integrated bus terminal located in Dao, where you can get a bus ride to get in most towns in Bohol. Most bus lines operate follows daily schedules. To go the the Chocolate Hills, one had to take the interior-route like Carmen-Sierra Bullones.



Other ways, to get to different places in Bohol is to rent a car. There are several different transportation companies in Tagbilaran City where you can make arrangements to rent a car or van or jeepney. Taxis are also available, but usually you have to pay in pre-negotiated fare called Pakyaw.

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