About Bohol

HOTELS

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TAXI

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A few taxi companies operate on Bohol. If not at the pier or at one of the malls, you will have to call the company to get one. Taxis are supposed to switch on the meter, and will bring you to any destination within the city of Tagbilaran. Outside the city limits, the driver may multiply the amount on the meter with 1.5 or 2, which is fair, as he has to drive back to the city to pick up his next passenger. Most taxi drivers in Bohol are friendly, and can tell you a lot about the place. We normally use Varescon Taxi, phone 038 411 2548. When leaving from your hotel in Panglao, count on about 40 minutes before a taxi can arrive to pick you up.

TRICYCLES

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A typical Filipino mode of transport is the tricycle, a small motorbike surrounded by a metal construction that can hold up to 4 passengers, and a suprizing lot of luggage. Foreigners can also use them, but I advise two passengers maximum in that case. Since some tricycles are much under-powered, the driver may ask you to step out on particularly steep hills. You normally use these for short trips within the city, but some may be willing to bring you to neighbouring towns.

JEEPNEY

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For the somewhat longer distances, you can use either Jeepneys or Minicabs. The jeepney is the icon of Philippine transport, and is often wonderfully decorated. Inside, you will sit with your back to the "windows". Jeepneys drive a fixed route, and normally depart only when all seats are filled up. That includes the wooden benches that will be placed in the middle. Most long westerners will find they will barely fit. Luckily the ceiling is often cushioned.

When a jeepney passes, you can stick up your hand to stop it and enter. When you want to get out, shout "Para," and it will stop. You pay directly to the driver, and if he is too far, can hand some money to the person sitting next to you, who will hand it to his neighbour, and so on, until it reaches the driver. Your change will come back to you the same way.

Jeepneys will go upto about 20 kilometers from the city.

BUS

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When you want to go to towns a little bit further away, your best bet is to take a bus. Most of these depart from the Integrated Bus Terminal in Dao. Use a tricycle to get there.

When you arrive at the bus terminal, you will be greeted by people (dispatchers) who will ask you where you want to go. They will then guide you to a bus supposed to go your destination. These people are paid to bring passangers to the bus. Always double check with other people, as these dispatchers may not bring you to the fastest or most comfortable bus available.

On the bus, you will pay to the conductor, who will ask you your destination during the trip. If you only have large notes, he may not immediately have change, but you'll get it after some time.

Unlike other Philippine provinces, Bohol has a large number of small independent bus companies. Most companies consist just of one or two busses on a single route. To the major towns, regular schedules are followed. For smaller towns in the inland, there are often only a few rides per day.

V-HIRE

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More comfortable than busses are V-Hires (Short for van for hire). These are air-conditioned mini-vans, that can accommodate 12 people, and operate on routes between the bigger towns. They have designated stopping places, where you can board or leave them. They cost about double the price of a bus ticket, but are twice as fast.

HABAL-HABAL

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Habal-habal is driving on the back-seat of a motorbike. This is often the only way to reach towns in the inland when you have missed the bus, or don't want to wait. Most westerners will consider this a fairly risky mode of transport, as some drivers like to drive fast over bumpy rough roads.

CHOCOLATE HILLS

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The Chocolate Hills is a famous tourist attraction in Bohol. This island treasure is a series of undulating hills over a vast plain sometimes considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, it has been declared as National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage. The hills are considered unusual geological formations that consists of at least 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills of about the same size, that are scattered throughout the municipalities of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan. A one of a kind geological feature in the world. The hills range from 30 to 150 meters high and are covered in green grass, which turns to brown during dry season, making them look like chocolate mounds. The Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen town, and Sagbayan Peak in the town of Sagbayan are two areas where tourists can view the hills up close.

WHITE SANDY BEACHES

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ALONA BEACH is located in barangay Tawala, Panglao. This centerpiece of the island is a 1.5 kilometer stretch of glittering white sand in the southwest portion of Panglao island. It is considered the most popular beach in Panglao and is shared by different resorts that offer various cuisines and cater to different markets. There are also quite a number of establishments offering diving lessons and rent of dive equipment. The seas are exceptionally clear, and this combination of pristine sand and crystal clear seas has led some experts to label it as one of the best tropical beach in the region. The tranquil waters are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, kayaking and learning to dive. The adventurous types can also easily rent boats to go to deeper reefs in nearby islands.

DIVE SITE

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BALICASAG is a small island south of Panglao. There is a resort on the island and there are a lot of beautiful dive sites surrounding the island. Considered as one of the best dive sites in the region, it is famous among divers for its overhangs, crevices, downslope walls, a vast abundance of the most colorful and exotic displays of marine life.

Balicasag Island has a total land area of 25 has., 1.5 has., of which has been developed into a resort. This " Special Interest Resort" has been operational since October, 1989. PTA together with the Philippine Navy promote underwater sports and protects a marine life sanctuary showcasing a model for marine environmental conservation, ecological preservation and tourism.

LOBOC RIVER

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Local and foreign tourists who visit the town of Loboc must always include a cruise along the scenic and winding Loboc River, wherein lunch could only be on board on one of the town’s native floating restaurants that serves fresh seafood and native dishes. A cruise along the emerald green Loboc River starts either from the Loay Bridge or at the town’s Poblacion. The motorized bancas and the floating restaurants take cruisers upstream passing by nipa trees, coconuts and other tropical flora. The town of Loboc is about 24 kilometers from the city.

TARSIER

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The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta), estimated to be 45 million years old and known to be the smallest primate. It’s home is in Bohol. It has gray fur and nearly gray tail. Tarsiers are named as such because of their special elongated tarsal bones, which form their ankles and enable them to leap to almost 10 feet from tree to tree. Their long, partly hairless tail arcs over their back when they hop on the ground. Tarsiers are small and weigh only about 110 to 145 grams or 4 to 5 ounces. The most notable feature of tarsiers is their eyes, which are each bigger than its entire brain. Like owls, tarsiers can rotate their head almost 180 degrees in each direction. They hunt at night exclusively for animal prey and their diet includes insects such as cockroaches, crickets and small lizards.

BACLAYON CHURCH

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Baclayon Church is the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon town. The Baclayon Church is considered to be the oldest stone church in the Philippines. It is one of the best preserved Jesuit build churches in the region, although in the 19th century, the Augustinian Recollects added a modern facade and a number of stone buildings that now surround the church. The first Spanish missionaries or doctrineros in the region, Fr. Juan de Torres and Fr. Gabriel Sanchez, first settled in Baclayon in 1595. Shortly after their arrival, a visita was erected on the spot. Although Baclayon was the first seat of the Spanish Jesuit missionaries, fear of Moro mauraders soon forced them to move their headquarters more inland, to Loboc. Only in 1717, Baclayon became a parish, and construction of a new church commenced. The church was constructed from coral stones. The laborers used bamboo to move and lift the stones in position, and used the white of a million eggs as to cement the stones together. The current building was completed in 1727. The church obtained a large bell in 1835. Beside the church is the Baclayon Museum that holds remarkable collection of religious art, ecclesiastical vestments and other priceless 16th century relics and artifacts. The Baclayon Church is about 7 kilometers from Tagbilaran City.

BLOOD COMPACT SITE

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A marker which identifies the spot where Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain, forged a Blood Compact with Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi representing the King of Spain, for the purpose of fostering friendly relations between the countries. The Blood Compact Commemorative Shrine is located in Barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City. The sculpture depicting this historical promise of friendship is made by National Artist, Napoleon Abueva, a Boholano himself. This historical event happened on March 16, 1565 is commemorated every year in Bohol as the Sandugo Festival in July.

PUNTA CRUZ WATCHTOWER

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The watchtower in Punta Cruz, Maribojoc town is located 14 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. The tower is made of stone wherein a wooden cross is planted in a slightly indented area in front of the tower. According to legend, the cross has been enchanted with a mysterious spell that had saved many people from the ravages of pirates. The cross is said to extend its arms to the sea, preventing marauders. The tower, which has windows that overlook nearby islands Cebu and Siquijor and the Mindanao Sea, served as a lookout for pirates.

MAN-MADE FOREST IN BILAR

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Commune with Mother nature and explore this unique and exciting wilderness in the heart of Bohol. The Rajah Sikatuna National Park, a man-made forest, experience begins at the Magsaysay Park in the town of Bilar. The town of Bilar is about 41 kilometers from Tagbilaran City.