During my 4‑day visit to Bohol, I not only had the pleasure of hiking Alicia Panoramic Park, seeing the tiny tarsiers, and enjoying great dishes at local restaurants, but I also stumbled upon a backyard-style village casino — a handmade roulette table that used ping‑pong balls instead of the usual wheel.
Since Bohol is a large island, the best way to get around is by motorbike. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, discover hidden gems, soak in the scenery, and engage with local life.
Just keep in mind: riding across the island one‑way takes about three hours, so it’s not exactly a quick trip from one spot to another. If you want to experience the best of Bohol without burning out, I recommend staying in different areas along the way rather than basing yourself in a single hotel. Trying to cover everything from one location is exhausting and will limit your experience.
In this post I’ll share the best things to do in Bohol, practical information, and a four‑day motorbike itinerary so you can experience the island’s sights in an efficient and scenic way.
How to Get to Bohol
Traveling to Bohol is very convenient, thanks to its own airport and multiple sea routes from Cebu City, Oslob and Dumaguete.
- You can fly directly from Manila to Bohol in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- From Cebu City or Dumaguete, there are numerous ferries operating daily from morning until late afternoon, with a travel time of approximately 2 hours.
- Oslob also offers a direct ferry to Bohol, but note that there’s only one departure per day. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, arriving at Loon Port on Bohol’s western side—not at the main dock in Tagbilaran—so be sure to plan your onward route accordingly.
All the ferries can be booked through the link below.
How to Get Around in Bohol
Get yourself a motorbike or a car if you are uncomfortable with motorbikes or traveling with many people. That way you can be flexible and visit places on your own schedule.
Leave your big bag in the hotel where you are staying the first night, and pack only a small backpack with the essentials for the next few days. Traveling light will make the journey so much more enjoyable.
I rented a motorbike already at the docks for PHP 300 (~$5) per day and rode to my hotel in Panglao with a 20 kg backpack on my back and a 10 kg pack in front. It was tough, but manageable.
Where to Stay in Bohol
Bohol is quite a large island, and Panglao is the most popular area for tourists. I stayed there the first night at a place called Softstone Resort for around $20 per night. It was a bit outside Panglao’s party scene, had a pool, and in hindsight was great value for the price.
I’d recommend staying the first night in Panglao and the following two or three nights along the road.
7 Worthwhile Things To Do in Bohol
Now that we’ve covered the practical stuff, let’s dive into the best sights and experiences Bohol has to offer. The motorbike route along with a map can be found at the end of the post.
1. Visit a Tarsier Monkey Sanctuary
The world’s smallest monkey—the Philippine tarsier—is an absolute must-see in Bohol. The island has two different sanctuaries dedicated to these fascinating creatures. I visited one, and from what I’ve heard, the other offers a very similar experience. Both sanctuaries keep the tarsiers in semi-wild conditions, allowing them to roam freely within protected forest areas. Visitors can walk through designated paths to observe them quietly in their natural habitat.
The price for entrance was PHP 150 (~$2.5).
2. Loboc River Cruise
Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the peaceful Loboc River, gliding between lush jungle-lined banks. As you dine on a generous buffet featuring a wide variety of Filipino dishes, you’ll be treated to cultural performances—including traditional folk dances and live music from a local band that keeps the atmosphere festive and engaging.
3. Chocolate Hills
The Chocolate Hills are Bohol’s most iconic natural landmark. According to the information sign, there are over 1,200 perfectly rounded hills that turn brown during the dry season—hence the name. If you time your visit with sunset, you might capture some truly spectacular photos.
The price for the viewing deck was PHP 100 (~$1.7).
Some say it’s the eighth wonder of the world. I wouldn’t go that far, but they are quite nice to look at. For me, they did stir some feelings—though I think it was mostly the sunset that did it.
Even though the views were stunning, I personally enjoyed Alicia Panoramic Park more—probably because the hike up made the experience feel more rewarding.
4. The Alicia Panoramic Park
Wake up early and drive to Alicia Panoramic Park for a hike with view of beautiful green hills, very much reminding of the classic Windows desktop background. The hike takes about an hour up and another hour down, especially if you stop for photos along the way (which you absolutely will). I visited in the afternoon though, started at 4 PM to catch the sunset at the summit, and it was stunning. Plus, it’s far less crowded than Chocolate Hills for example.
It’s best to hike very early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat. By 8 AM, it’s already getting warm, so if you want a cooler climb, start around 5 AM. You don’t really need a guide—the trail is clear—but guides often double as photographers, which can be a nice bonus.
Information:
- Entrance: PHP 150 (foreigners), PHP 100 (Filipinos)
- Parking: PHP 20
- Guide: PHP 300 (optional)
- Open from 4 AM – 8 PM
5. Can-Umantad Falls & Cadapdapan Rice terraces
Can-Umantad Falls is the tallest waterfall in Bohol located on the eastern side of the island. It’s around 110m (360 feet) tall and is surrounded by tropical forest and rice terraces nearby. The perfect place to cool off with a refreshing swim after working up a sweat under the sun. I can’t remember the exact entrance fee, but it’s typically around PHP 20–50 ($0.35–$0.85).
The rice terraces are located near the waterfalls and are well worth a visit—especially if you haven’t yet experienced the stunning views they offer.
6. Countryside Roulette Table
One of the most unexpected highlights of my time in Bohol was stumbling upon a pop-up roulette table in the countryside. It was more like a village party than a gambling setup—people getting drunk, laughing, and cheering each other on. The energy was high, and the whole thing felt like a celebration of chance and community.
These gatherings seem to happen on weekends or during local festivities. If you ever come across one, don’t hesitate to join in—it’s a unique way to connect with the local vibe. You just slam a bill on the card and hope for the best.
7. Anda Beach & Cliff Jumping
Anda Beach is located on the eastern side of Bohol, offering soft white sand and clear turquoise waters—the perfect place to wind down and enjoy the view. Staying overnight lets you experience quiet beaches, swim at sunrise, and soak in the laid-back vibe without the crowds. If you’re into cliff jumping, head to nearby Cabagnow Cave Pool for an adrenaline fix.
4-day Itinerary for Bohol
This itinerary is for exploring the best things in Bohol with your own wheels.
Map Overview of Bohol: 4-day Motorbike Itinerary.
How to Use the Map: Click the top-left corner to view and select map layers. Learn more about each point by clicking its pin or sidebar entry. To save the map, click the star next to the title. Access it later via Google Maps → Saved → Maps.
Day 1: Panglao — beaches & rent a motorbike
Stay around Panglao your first night; check out nearby beaches and rent a motorbike or car.
Pack a light bag with essentials for the next 2–3 days.
Note: Many of the best beaches are private resort beaches. Public options like Alona Beach exist but are often crowded and commercialized. If you prefer quieter sand and clearer water, consider heading toward Anda Beach on the island’s east side.
Day 2: Main sights — tarsiers, loboc river cruise, chocolate Hills
Follow the blue circles on the map.
Morning: visit a tarsier sanctuary to see the tiny, wide‑eyed tarsiers.
Midday: have lunch on a Loboc River cruise.
Afternoon: head to the Chocolate Hills for afternoon light and viewpoints.
Overnight: stay near Alicia Panoramic Park to shorten the next morning’s hike.
Day 3: Hiking, waterfalls and rice terraces
Follow the green circles on the map.
Early morning: hike Alicia Panoramic Park for sunrise views.
Late morning/afternoon: visit Can‑Umantad Falls and nearby rice terraces.
Evening: finish the day and stay overnight in or near Anda for a quieter beach vibe and optional cliff jumping at Cabagnow Cave Pool.
Day 4: Ride back to Panglao — coastal route
Ride back toward Panglao along the southern coastline for scenic views. This coastal route is a bit faster too than the inland route.
Wrap-up
Four days in Bohol works best when you travel light, move deliberately, and switch hotels to stay closer to the sights you want to explore. Start relaxed in Panglao, spend two focused days riding the island interior for tarsiers, the Loboc river cruise, Chocolate Hills and Alicia Panoramic Park, then slow down on the east coast at Anda before an easy coastal ride back to Panglao. A motorbike is the simplest way to stitch those highlights together without wasting time on long round trips or spending a lot on organized tours.
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