Bohol

Your trip to Bohol wouldn’t be complete without a visit at the Chocolate Hills, Bohol’s famous tourist attraction, and is one of the UNESCO tentative list of world heritage sites. While it’s a mystery how this extraordinary landscape formed more than 1,700 hills scattered within a 50-kilometre are, it reminds us that truly, nature can surprise us with its beauty and surreal geographical formations, as they retain a uniform look.You can visit the place all year ‘round and marvel at the scenery from the viewing deck accessible via stairs. Meanwhile, you can book the ATV rides to get a view from the foothills.

Pristine turquoise waters – might be a bit of exaggeration for some. But that’s a fact for locals and discerning travellers who have dived (up to 20-30 meters below for visibility) and were captivated by the colourful coral reefs. Anda peninsula is home to one of the healthiest fringing reefs in the world and offers you pleasurable experiences in paradisiacal conditions.

Morphing into one of the best Great Outdoors in the Philippines, this is where sand meets the sun and fun. Bohol is fast becoming the adventure playground for the adrenaline junkies, wanderlusts, and daredevils alike. With its green mountains, valleys, virgin caves, stunning waterfalls, beautiful rice terraces, mangroves, and tall mahogany forests, nature itself is calling thrill-seekers for the most awaited treat they will never forget.There are endless recreational activities for you – mountain biking, hiking, cave exploration, stand up paddle boarding in wild rivers as if you’re transported into the Amazon world, ATV, buggy tours, ziplining the Chocolate Hills or above the Loboc River – along with a host of other “heart in your mouth” adventures to finally cross off experiences on your bucket list.

Travel back in time and explore the 20th century Spanish homes and some of the best-preserved coral stone churches of the Philippines dating back as far as the 16th century. On the shores of Tagbilaran City, the Blood Compact Site represents the first ever friendship treaty between Asia and Europe. The tower in Mt. Carmel Hill is like a sentinel that guards the town and is made up of adobe and limestone.There are a lot of things to do in Bohol and a list of historical sites could go on. The authenticity of its diversity proves that you have a complete island destination choice in the Philippines.

Who can forget Bohol’s tourism trademark? At the Tarsier Conservation Area, you get to see in flesh the world’s smallest primate and if you’re lucky enough, take a photo quietly for a sweet remembrance of this adorable, nocturnal creature. Tarsiers sleep during daytime and they hide in hollows or blend in the colours of the branches. When you visit the conservation area, it’s also an opportunity for children to learn more about it. Locals believe these creatures eat charcoal but science says they eat maggots or insects found inside burnt wood.

Bohol is always on the bucket list of nature lovers, whether they’re looking for land tours or water activities. There are hidden and unadulterated places yet to be explored. The powder white sand beaches only to be found around the Anda Peninsular and Panglao Island are as good (if not better) as those in the “World’s Top 10 Beaches” headlines (but let’s keep that our secret). If you want to escape the usual tourist spots and visit secluded onshore and offshore in the know local hotspots and stunning secluded powder white sandy beaches, this really is the place to stay and relax.