Bohol: God's Little Paradise (Bohol Travel Guide)

Photo by Mike Vargas

Bohol is the tenth largest island in the Philippines. The province is located in the middle of Visayas and is surrounded by other islands like Cebu and Siquijor, thus protecting it from typhoons and heavy rains that often hit the region. Because of Bohol’s perfect weather topped with rich natural resources and hospitable people, it’s no wonder why it has become one of the most sought after destinations in the Philippines. Below is an Itinerary guide for 4 days and 3 nights if ever you plan on a trip to Bohol.

Getting There

By air: You can go to Bohol via Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific.
Note: To see schedule of flights, please check the airline’s official websites.

By sea: Another option to visit Bohol when your starting point is not in Manila is through a fast ferry. You can ride the ferry at Cebu, Dumaguete or Siquijor.

Things You Need To Know

Alona Tropical, Panglao

Accommodation: It’s more practical to do your reservations before going to Bohol if you only have limited time, especially during peak season. However, if you feel like being adventurous and do some resort hopping, there are plenty of resorts in Panglao where you could definitely stay at a cheap price. Panglao Island is the best bet when looking for a perfect place to stay in Bohol. Price ranges from 880/night depending if it's peak season or not. Peak season is usually on December,January, April, May and October.

• Alona Tropical
• Bohol Beach Club
• Balicasag Island Dive Resort
• Alona Kew White Beach Resort
• Alona Palm Beach Resort
• Panglao Island Nature Resort
• Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa

Trivia: Did you know that the Alona Beach in Panglao Island is named after the sexy actress Alona Alegre because she was the first one who wore a swimsuit on the said beach?

Meal: Food being served in resorts are way expensive. It costs 250-300 per person for a full meal. Majority of food served is Western cuisine because almost all guests are foreigners. So, if you are on a tight budget, better pack enough food or buy at Tagbilaran City, which, by the way, is 25-30 minutes away from Panglao.


Tour: Upon arrival in Tagbilaran airport, there are lots of services and guides that are very willing to drop you off at your hotel or resort in Panglao. Rate varies on what kind of transportation you want. Tricycle is Php200.00 while an air conditioned car is Php400.00. With regard to the country tour, your hired vehicle can also serve as your tour guide in Bohol.If you want to book a tour guide before you arrive in Bohol, there are many websites that give away numbers of their recommended tour guides or you may try the following tour guides below.

• Kuya Rod: 09185914969/Rodboholtours@yahoo.com
• Kuya Jun Malisa: 09287342073
• Mang Jun: 09176905627 
• Paul Bernard Incon- 09297623614
  boholtour.incon45@gmail.com
  http://inconboholtours.webs.com/ratesservices.htm
• RJ Intano- 09173245488
  Rj.intano@gmail.com
• Kuya Ranil- 09193443365
• Kuya RJ- 09273496197
• Kuya Dodong- 09292742015 and 09166396347
  boholgrandscenery@yahoo.com

Bohol Beach Club

Important Things You Need

• Moisturizing soap and lotion (some tap water in the area is salty so you need this one)
• Sunblock (Protect your skin)
• Shades (protect your eyes)
• Insect repellent lotions

Budget

Always bring extra dough. It is better to bring more money especially on a trip where scouting the area for ATM machines is such a big hassle. Below is a rough estimate of the budget one needs to have an escapade in Bohol that's truly worth remembering.
Note: Prices are subject to change so it's still advisable to contact hotels, tour guides and airlines.

* Good for one person only

• Airfare- Php3,500 (two way)
• Accommodation- Php 900.00/night
• Food- Php 1,500 (depends on the type of food you will eat)
• Touring- Php2,800 (includes the day tour and service fee to and fro Tagbilaran airport. You can haggle though)
• Entrance Fees- Php 400.00 (lunch and tour in Loboc River included)
• Boat- P2,000 (Island tour, but you can also haggle on the price)
• Pasalubong- Php 500.00

You need to have: Php 11,000/person is the safest budget if one will follow the itinerary below. But traveling in big group will definitely save you lots of money so it's highly suggested that you go with friends.

Daily Itinerary

First Day

If you fly via Cebu Pacific, you’ll probably arrive in Bohol after lunch. If via PAL, it depends if what flight you’ll be booked. Either way, your first day in Bohol should be a time for relaxation and just

strolling along the beach. If Boracay has a problem

with green algae, Alona shoreline has lots of sea weeds especially after high tide or late afternoon. Unpack your things, check the water service, electricity, mattress and towels. If you have valuables

you can’t bring along with you whenever going out, keep it in a safe place because housekeeping is usually at 12:00 noon. Before heading outside, always lock your rooms and be sure you have the key with you.
Scout for a perfect place to dine in and just enjoy the view together with your welcome drink. (Resorts usually offer a welcome drink to their guests) Before the day ends, contact your tour guide to remind him of your touring the next day.

Second Day

Wake up real early and contact (again) your tour guide. It’s better to start early for the touring while the sun is not at its hottest and for you to have enough time to go to different places you wish to. Perfect time to start is 8:30 AM or 9:00 AM after having a sumptuous breakfast.

1st stop: Blood Compact site The site commemorates Rajah Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s friendship and peace offering when they drank from a common cup a drink

with drops of their blood. This historical event took place on March 16, 1565.

But did you know that the site where the monument now stands is not the original location of the blood compact? Few steps from the memorial, is the exact place of Legazpi and Sikatuna’s amity. On the right is the original site of the Blood Compact. A small monument was built together with a brief background of that historical event.

Photo by Mike Vargas

2nd Stop: Baclayon Church
Baclayon Church is considered to be one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. Beside the church is the Baclayon Museum where the old garments, stuff, chairs and images of the church and religious people were stored and preserved. The place was even more eerie than the church itself. By the way, entrance is Php15.00 per head and camera or even camera phones are not allowed.

3rd Stop: Tarsier at Loboc

On the way to Carmen, you will get to pass the Tarsiers, one of the world’s smallest primates, in Loboc, where you can actually touch them. However, these primates don’t want to be touched and when they’re unhappy they commit suicide by banging their heads so better shun away from touching these small little creatures. To protect them, it’s much better to visit them in Corella where the Tarsier Sanctuary is located. This is also the only place holding the Tarsiers legally.

4th Stop: Man-made Forest
The Man-made Forest comprises thousands of mahogany trees that were planted by Boholanos to prevent soil erosion. Soon enough, this lush green passageway from Loboc to Carmen became one of Bohol’s most sought after destinations.







5th Stop: Chocolate Hills (Carmen)These green and sometimes brown hills are located in Sagbayan and Carmen. However, it’s more suitable to go to Carmen because there’s one hill with steps where tourists can actually experience going up the hill sans walking plus it also have several souvenir shops up there . Approximately, there are more than a hundred steps before you reach the topmost portion of the hill and once you do, you will learn about the origin of the hills. Based on the bronze plaque, the chocolate hills were a formation of the limestones and clay.

6th Stop: Hanging Bridge

Before heading to Loboc River for a lunch, consider stopping by the Hanging Bridge first. There are lots of souvenirs and “pasalubongs” being sold in the area as well. It isn’t supposed to be a tourist attraction at first, rather just a bridge connecting two towns, but since its unique and fascinating feature attracts many people, it soon became one of the major tourist attractions in Loboc, Bohol.




7th stop: Loboc River

A trip to Bohol is not complete unless he has lunch (their singers are very good) is an experience that should not be missed. The whole trip lasts for about 1 hour and at the end of the river is the Busay Falls where all the floating restaurants will make a stop over before heading back. The songs are very well chosen and songs like “Pinoy Ako” by Orange and Lemons and “Magellan” by Yoyoy Villame will surely lift up the Filipino pride in you.
at the famed Loboc River. The cost of the buffet meal per pax is Php260.00 and it’s worth every penny. The food, the cruise along the river plus the entertainment

8th stop: Prony the Python

Prony the python is considered the largest reticulated python in captivity in the Philippines. Owners of Prony claim that they caught the snake near their house way back 1996 and from then on treated the snake as part of their family. Prony takes a bath four times a day and eats a whole 60-kilo of live pig once a month.

Photo taken from Bohol.ph

9th and last stop: Hinagdanan Cave
If you still have plenty of time after your pasalubong hunting at "Aproniana" (famous souvenirs shop in Bohol), you might want to check out Hinagdanan Cave in Dauis. It has a man-made spiral ladder that leads to an underground pond where both ends are open. There are lots of stalactites and stalagmites in the cavern and dipping into the pool is not encouraged as the waters there are not clean. Hinagdanan means “laddered” in the Visayan tounge.

Before the sun sets, it is expected that you’ll be back again at the
resort, not unless you want to check out the city, which, by the way, has really no night life at all.

Third Day

Tabuan, Cebu (betst place to buy danggit and dried pusit)

If you feel a little change of environment, you can have the option of having a day tour at Cebu. However, it’s highly suggested that you make the most out of your Bohol escapade by going on an island hopping. Wake up early in the morning to catch some boats for dolphin watching, say 6:00 AM. Afterwards, you can go to Balicasag Island for some snorkeling and diving then head to the tiny uninhabited island, called Virgin Island, for photo shoots and nice deep in the shallow, white sand shores. One can actually walk hundred meters away from the island with waters just above knee.
Since this tour is only half day, you can go back to the resort just in time for lunch and bask under the sun for a good tan. Cap the night off by visiting bars and restaurants along the shoreline of Alona. Mind you, bars in Alona beach is not like in Boracay so don't expect a crowded bar with lots of people dancing and bands. But if you want pure drinking, few dancing and some intimate moments, this is the perfect spot.

Fourth and last day

Photo by Mike Vargas

If you are not yet stoned due to partying last night, you can opt to wake up early and take a long walk along the shore while waiting for the sunrise. Have a hearty breakfast, and last minute sunbathing before fixing your things. Via Cebu Pacific, flight is usually at 1:00 PM so you can first take your lunch at the resort by 11:30 AM and ask your friendly driver cum tour guide to fetch you one hour before the flight schedule.



Manila Bound: Expect to be in Manila 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon if flight is not delayed, which is very rare to happen. Unpack your things, take a rest while reviewing your photos and reliving your one of a kind adventure at Bohol.




* Written for and first published on WikiPinas Travel Guide

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Marinduque Travel Guide: Holy Week Itinerary

Marinduque is a small heart-shaped island which, coincidentally, is also in the center of the Philippines. Rich in culture and wide range of unspoiled beaches, caves and forest, this tiny island in Southern Tagalog offers interesting places still waiting to be explored and discovered. Below is a special Holy Week Itinerary (itinerary is still applicable even though it's not Holy Week) to the “Lent Capital of the Philippines,” Marinduque.

Photos courtesy of Liz Reyes

Getting There

By Air: Only Zest Air travels to Marinduque and they only have one flight schedule everyday, which is usually at 7:00AM. Flight from Manila to Marinduque will only take 30 minutes.

Website: http://www.zestair.com.ph
Contact No: (02) 855-3333

Marinduque Airport in Gasan

By land-sea travel: Coming from Manila, take the bus going to Dalahican or Talao-Talao port, in Lucena, Quezon. Different bus companies travel from Manila to Dalahican so you have various options.

• Jam Transit- (2)541-4409/(2)925-1758
• JAC Liner- (2)682-5750

Dalahican or Talao-Talao Port in Lucena

Direct bus or car travel: If you feel not going on and off the bus and ferry. You have the option of riding a bus or a door to door van that will take you all the way from Manila to Marinduque. The bus or van will ride the Roll-On, Roll-Off (RO-RO) and will take you to the city capital of the province or right directly at your doorstep if you choose the door to door. This also goes if you have a car and wants to bring it with you on your trip.

Note: JAC Liner plies a direct Manila-Marinduque route. The bus usually leaves at 8:00 p.m. daily or you may call (02) 404-2073 for more inquiries and reservation. Their new Wi-Fi inside the bus service is actually appealing enough and worth the try =)

Things You Need To Know

Marinduque Hot Spring Resort

Accommodation: There are no posh hotels or big resorts in Marinduque unlike major provinces like Cebu, Davao and Palawan, unless of course if you will be staying at the Mediterranean-inspired Bellarocca, which is actually a separate island from the province's capital. Below is a list of inns, hotels and resorts you might want to try, though it’s highly suggested to check in at the capital city Boac, or near it, so watching the Senakulo and going to Boac Cathedral is easy.

• Club Marinduque
• 3E's Love Bay Beach- (42) 3321440
• A and A Beach Resort- (42) 3322817
• East Point Hotel
• Blue Sea Beach Resort- (42) 3321334
• Boac Hotel- (42) 3321121/3111096 (located in front of the Boac Cathedral)
• Pyramid Beach Resort- (42) 3321328
• Seaview Hotel- (42) 3322840
• Tahanan Sa Isok- (42) 3321231 (located near Boacmarket)
• Casa de Azul Hotel and Resort(42) 3337173
• Villa Carlos- (42) 3321882
• El Mannuel Beach Resort- (42) 3321305
• Cely's Lodging House- (42) 3321519
• Katala Becah Resort
• Rendezvous Beach Resort - 0919-5150560
• Marinduque Hot Spring Resort- 09108484947 and 09052931814

Marinduque Hot Spring Resort

For those who don't mind their budgets, the Santorini, Greece clone Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa is definitely a must see and try. It was said that this resort and spa in Marinduque is almost at par with Palawan's Amanpulo in terms of service and facilities.

Meal: There’s no fast food chain in any town of Marinduque even in its capital city Boac. However, one can have variation of choices among the restaurants and eateries at the town proper of Boac, Mogpog, Sta. Cruz or Gasan. One of the famous eateries in the town of Boac is Kusina sa Plaza, which is located beside Boac Plaza.

Touring: You don’t need a pre-arranged tour to visit the different places in Marinduque. As long as you know how to ask directions from the locals, then you will be perfectly okay. However, sites like Mt. Malindig and Bathala Caves would really require tour guides so better ask hotel and resort administrations if they know a person who can tour you. If you want a tried and tested guide, you can also inquire at the Marinduque Provincial Capital, Tourism Department, to ask for their recommended tour guides. Some tricycle drivers in the town of Boac can also serve as tour guides since most of them are familiar with the province's tourist spots. Upon reaching the starting point of the Bathala Caves, there's already an available guide there so checking out the caves won't really be a problem.

Buy pasalubong at the Expo (located near the
Senakulo site every Holy Week)

Budget. There are several ATM machines in the town of Marinduque so withdrawing cash is not a problem but still bring extra cash with you always because banks are limited there. Only PNB, Landbank and Allied Bank are available.

• Good for one person only (the costing below is just a rough estimate)

• Fare: Php 1,500 (fast craft only. This price will vary when you'll take an airplane)
• Accommodation: Php 3,000
• Food: Php 1,500
• Tour: Php1,500
• Pasalubong: Php 100

You need to have: Php 8,500/person is the safest budget one can have in order for him/her to travel the towns of Marinduque. If you want to save up, you can opt not to visit Mt. Malindig and Bathala Caves or better yet, travel in big groups.

Holy Week Itinerary

Holy Thursday

Balanacan Port in Marinduque

Catch the last day of trip to Marinduque on Holy Thursday or better yet try to catch the Holy Wednesday trip. Earliest trip to Lucena is 12:30 a.m. so it is expected that you will arrive at the town of Lucena by 3:30-4:00 am. Ride a jeepney or tricycle to Dalahican or Talao-Talao port. Other buses also drop passengers directly at Talao-Talao Port.

Secure your tickets right away and wait for the ferry or the RO-RO. The two crafts usually let the passengers in by 6:00-7:00 a.m or even earlier. It is highly recommended to be at the port very early during peak seasons like Holy Week so you won’t be stranded and forced to celebrate the Lenten season at the port. While waiting for the boarding, you can take your breakfast first at a nearby canteen, restaurant or waiting area that’s already open during that wee hour of the morning. If the craft will depart on time, your estimated time of arrival in the island of Marinduque is around 10:00-10:30 am.

Take an FX taxi or jeepney to the place of your destination. There are lots of dispatchers there so you won’t go wrong in riding the right jeepney. Just be sure to ask so you won’t end up in Sta. Cruz instead of Boac. During holy week, tourists are welcomed at the port by the Morions, or the masked Roman Soldiers, to give an instant feel of the Moriones Festival of the province.

Upon arrival to you resort or hotel, unpack your things, take your lunch and have along rest because night of  Holy Thursday is going to be a busy one

Night of Holy Thursday

Senakulo in Boac

Leave your hotel or resort at around 6:00 pm to go to the town of Boac through a jeepney or tricycle. If your  hotel is located within the city proper, then you're in luck because you can just walk up to the Senakulo site. While waiting for the 2nd day of the Senakulo, (first day is Holy Wednesday) take your dinner first at a small canteen or restaurant in the town proper or at the expo (being set up only during Holy Week) few steps away from the actual theater site. You may also kill time first by taking a walk in the park and visiting some bazaars in the town plaza. The Senakulo presentation during Holy Thursday is one of the most awaited ones since it’ll be the night when Judas Iscariote will hang himself. The show usually starts at 8:00 p.m.

Good Friday

Via Crucis in the town of Boac

Wake up early on Good Friday to take your breakfast and rev yourself for a rather long walk around the town of Boac, this time, you will go with or watch the “Via Crucis” or the way of the cross. You have the option to go along with Christs and the other penitents and morions or just watch, though it is highly recommended that you go with the "Way of the Cross" so you can also internalize Christ's suffering, and just consider it as another form of penitent. The penitent usually starts at 7:00-8:00 in the morning and ends before lunch.

After viewing the crucifixion, head to the bazaar, usually near the place, where the Senakulo and crucifixion is being held. If there’s one, you may opt to join the “Paint a Morion Mask” that’s usually being held in the town plaza.

Boac Cathedral

In the afternoon, after taking a rest in your hotel or resort, prepare again your feet for a long walk for the Good Friday procession at 5:00 pm. This time, you will be able to visit Boac Cathedral and actually attend the mass there. Boac Cathedral was built in the late 18th century in honor of the province patroness Blessed Virgin of Biglang-awa. This church also served as a fortress and refuge from pirate attacks during the Spanish colonization years. To catch the mass, be at the church as early as 3:00 p.m. There’s no Senakulo during Good Fridays so you can buy more pasalubongs and head home early for a rest.

Black Saturday

Bathala Caves (Simbahan Cave)

There are less happening at the town plaza during Black Saturday so it’s the perfect time to explore the other towns of the province. Start as early as 8:00 a.m. to be able to visit more places.


1st stop: Jumpstart the tour by visiting the Bathala Caves in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque, 1.5-2hrs. away from the town of Boac. Bathala Caves is a complex network of seven caves, however only four of which have so far been explored. One of the biggest is called "Simbahan." "Kay Coke" cave, on the other hand, is occasionally guarded by pythons. The third cave has an underground river and the fourth one houses human bones believed to be the remains of World War II soldiers. Exploring one cave, which of course includes the hike, would eat up at least 1-1.5 hours so decide first whether you want to check out all the caves or even visit Bathala Caves. You may opt to visit the four caves or just tell the tour guide which caves you only prefer to visit. Cave touring fee is Php200.00 per head and this comes with a guide already. One word of advise, wear comfortable clothes and shoes because you need to climb rocks and enter narrow cave entrances for the exploration. Also, when going down the Simbahan Cave (one of the caves of Bathala Caves), you NEED, yes you REALLY NEED to hold on to the big rocks with bat wastes or poop all over it. If you are not okay with it, prepare to fall. ^_^

Mt. Malindig from afar

2nd stop: Before trekking, you should have eaten your lunch already and of course, rested. You can request a special tour guide at the Municipal Hall of Buenavista to take you to the summit of Buenavista’s Mt. Malindig. From Boac, the town of Buenavista will approximately eat up 30 minutes to 1 hour of your travel time. To be sure, make advance arrangements and secure a permit to climb the mountain. Trek usually takes 1.5- 2 hours only depending on your speed and pace and if the weather is okay.

Tres Reyes Islands from afar

At the summit, you can actually see the nearby provinces and islands of Tres Reyes Island, named

after Melchor, Gaspar and Balthazar, Elephant Island, Mindoro, Verde Island,Southern Luzon all the way to Bicol, Romblon, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and Burias Island. It was said that on a clear day, Mt. Mayon is also visible from Mt. Malindig’s summit although this claim has yet to be verified. Speaking of the Tres Reyes Island, you can also visit the three islands but you need to hire an outrigger boat (fee is approximately Php1,500) to take you there. Since it entails visiting other islands, you may be pressed for time already so you may do this in another other day if you still have time and for you to fully enjoy it. Travel time from the mainland to the island is about 30 minutes. The only inhabited island among the three is the largest one, which is Gaspar.

Malbog Hot Spring

3rd stop: After the trek, you can pass by at the therapeutic Malbog Sulfuric Springs where it is believed that the water from the spring can cure, skin diseases like acne. The relaxing effect of the spring is a must visit in the town of old Buenavista. Entrance fee is Php20.00.

4th stop: Head to Gasan to see the “Butterfly Capital of the Philippines.” The town contributes 85% of the country’s butterfly and pupa exports. Aside from preserved butterfly souvenirs, shirts and live butterflies for sale, WHS Butterfly Farm also offers a farm tour where you can learn more about butterflies and its habitat. If you want to experience releasing butterflies in the wild, you can fulfill that fantasy at the Butterfly farm while contributing to their preservation at the same time.

5th and last stop: Head back to Boac and take your early dinner because you wouldn’t want to miss the last day of the Senakulo, would you? The last day is the highlight of the reenactment since it’s the night when the crucifixion, death, resurrection of Christ and beheading of Longinus will be staged. There's also a midnight mass being held at the Boac Cathedral right after the play so after watching the last night of the Senakulo, you might want to proceed to the church to attend the mass, which is actually the "salubong" already for the risen Christ.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is the day when almost all the town folks and tourists of Marinduque go to the beach for a swim since it’s a belief that it’s also a form of celebration that Christ has finally resurrected. Also, the repeat reenactment of the beheading of Longinus or the “pugutan” is being held early morning of Sunday. Several Morions will be seen roaming around looking for the centurion Longinus.

Longinus, on the other hand, can be seen running, acting as if he’s hiding from someone. The chasing will be held in the city proper of Boac.

Poctoy Beach

You can opt to watch the pugutan or just buy some food at the town market for the swimming. Before going in Torrijos for a swim, you might want to stop by first at the Battle of Pulang Lupa, also located at the said town. The Battle of Pulang Lupa shrine is the place where the battle of the Filipinos against the well-armed Americans was won in 1901. The memorial marker stands on top of the hill. (Battle of Pulang Lupa is actually a long trek up the mountain so this is just optional)

After visiting the shrine, head at the 1-km long, fine white sand white beach of Poctoy, probably one of the best and frequented beaches in Marinduque. It has a magnificent view of Mt. Malindig and the coral reefs and clear water makes it an ideal spot for snorkeling. If you weren't able to bring some food with you, Poctoy White Beach has  a long strip of carinderias where you can make paluto at a very affordable price. They also have picnic tables and beach huts for rent, pricing starts at Php250.

Bask under the sun all day and wait for the sunset which is definitely a sight to behold at the said beach. If you can even stay a little late, late night parties are also being held at the beach. Entrance fee  to the white beach is more or less Php20.00.

Monday after Holy Week

Wake up early, take your breakfast and ride the jeepney or tricycle to take you to the terminal of the jeepneys that will go to the Balanacan port. Tickets can be secured at the port itself so it’s better to leave the town of Boac as early as 6:30-7:00 a.m so you will be at the port at around 8:00 a.m.

It is expected that you will arrive at the city of Manila before or after lunch depending on the traffic. Before heading home, you might want to eat first and reminisce again your spiritual, cultural and historical tour at "The Heart."




*Written for and first published on WikiPinas Travel Guide

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