This is a new feature of my blog. Short and sweet made possible by my fellow travel bloggers.
Its very simple, we describe and give travel tips about a destination we both love. So, here’s another one:
Bohol Travel Guide Collab with Grasya of This Grasya on the Road of Life.
1. Describe Bohol.
Grasya says: Bohol almost have it all as a tropical tourist destination. White beach, chocolate hills formation, waterfalls, tarsiers, ziplines, very friendly locals and the most beautiful churches. Transportation is a challenge, so you’ll see females that are toploading or hanging for their dear life at jeepneys. You’ll see foreigners riding the cranky old non aircon bus to Panglao too!
I just notice almost all tourist businesses are owned by foreigners. That’s very sad and should challenge the entrepreneurial spirit of Filipinos.
One of the cute buses plying the Tagbilaran-Panglao route
James says: Bohol is a gift to travelers. It’s more than the iconic tarsier and the chocolate hills, it is a full package in the tourism market- natural, historical, adventure, food, everything! More places are yet to be explored!
2. What we like most about Bohol?
Grasya says: Bohol is a developed tourist destination. But its more than the place, its the people that makes the experience of staying there worthwhile.
James say: Its a tie between the cute Tarsier and the unbelievable Chocolate hills.
3. Is there anything the local government can do (or stop doing) in order to make Bohol more tourist-friendly.
Grasya says: I do hope public transportation increase, not just the habal-habal, but jeepneys and buses too so people can still go around even at midnight, that will be great. Because you cant go around at night if you dont have your own vehicle. Also, there is a need to increase backpacker accommodations and coffee shops in town for digital nomads like us. Although I dont know if these are tasks of LGUs
James says: I saw that Panglao is slowly disintegrating. Some resorts have encroached the sea and I hope it will be addressed soon. And ohhh, did you know that the Bilar Man-Made Forrest is practically a dead eco-system? I hope the government start to replace the Mahoganies with endemic trees like Narra, Ipil, Balete, etc.
Panglao island circa 2007. Its not like this anymore. 🙁
4. Don’t go home without seeing/visiting/experiencing.
Grasya says: Chocolate Hills and tarsier, white beaches are everywhere in the Philippines so this can be skipped.
James says: Find a different angle, go to Sagbayan Peak for a different perspective of the Chocolate Hills.
5. Don’t go home without trying/eating ________.
Grasya says: Coffee at Cafe Lawis beside Our Lady of Assumption Church. A cup of coffee starts at Php45.
James says: Bahalina-Pepsi/Coke. Ask the locals about it. 😉
6. Traveler’s Tip:
Grasya says:
- Unless you’re in a group, it is always cheaper to use public transportation than hiring private cars/vans.
- It is better if you know how to ride a motorbike so you can go anywhere without a tight schedule.
James says:
- Don’t cram all the destinations in 3days/2nights stay.
- Go to Balicasag island for snorkeling/diving.
- Be on a lookout for dolphins and whale sightings if you are coming to and from Cebu.
7. Recommendation Hotel, Inn?
Grasya says: Philippines Homestay for authentic local experience, Nissa Travelers Inn if you are in Tagbilaran, Coco Farm (starts at Php350) and Casa Nova (starts at Php800) if you are in Panglao.
James says: Philippines Homestay (starts at Php600 and you get to help locals directly). The owner, Anna, is a friend of mine.
— — — end — — —
Thanks Grasya for collaborating with JourneyingJames for this Bohol post.
You can check Grasya’s blog- This Grasya on the Road of Life; connect with her on Facebook- grasya.com; and follow her on Twitter: @gracebangoy
Have you been to Bohol? How did you find the island?
You can read my past articles about Bohol below:
If you want to join the Travel Bloggers Collab, please do email me at journeyingjames(AT)gmail(DOT)com together with the place you want to talk about. I want to learn from you and see from your perspective. 🙂
Hello James, thanks for featuring my Province here.:) I haven´t been home for 6 years now and hope to explore Bohol more when I come home. God bless you more.
i remember you said, you are from bohol nga. nice province and more places to explore there
Hi James! Wow, ibang-iba pala talaga ang Panglao before. When I went there last year, puro foreigners ang mga tourists. Onti lang ang pinoy (maybe bec it wasn’t summer), I recommend Jahzs Bar & Restaurant for lodging, 1,500/night lang, AC room, good for 2.=)
thanks for adding your insights joni!
yep, i was surprised when i saw panglao last year
Hi James! Your blog helped me a lot with my past travels.. This time, I’d like to hear your opinion as I am torn deciding which destination to choose between Panglao & Tagbilaran. I badly want to visit the Alona beach and Chocolate Hills but they are in different tour packages which I cant afford to purchase both.. Please please! My Bohol trip is in December, btw. Hope to hear from you! Thanks 🙂
Tagbilaran since there are lots of beaches like Panglao in the Philippines. Chocolate Hills is the highlight of Bohol.
Could u please post coco farm’s contact number? I can’t find a direct number on the internet other than reservation agencies or sites. Thanks!
Available na ba yung book mo