Att göra på Bohol i Filippinerna - 15 tips

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated August 2026 | What to see and do in Bohol, Philippines? Bohol is both an island and a province in the Philippines, known for its special ”chocolate hills”, its Philippine ghosts and for sunbathing. Here are our best tips on what to see and do in Bohol.

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Bohol in the Philippines

Bohol is a large and lush island as well as a province that includes several other islands, such as the popular holiday island of Panglao. We were here in early spring and have already told you about our exciting experiences, but we thought it would be good to gather all our tips for Bohol in one place.

Bohol east of Cebu Island, in Central Visayas, Philippines.

What can you do in Bohol?

So, what can you see and do in Bohol? Most people don't want to miss the Chocolate Hills and the ghost animals, but there is also more to see and experience. We have gathered our best tips here in a list.

1. Visit the Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are an odd geological phenomenon, with over a thousand spiky hills. The hills can be seen from several locations, and the main attraction is found just outside the town of Carmen. Here you can take stairs up one of the hills, from where you have a wide-ranging view of the area.

Att göra på Bohol i Filippinerna - chokladkullarna

2. Make a stop at Sagbayan Peak

Another place to visit within the chocolate hills area is Sagbayan Peak. There is an ambitiously built tourist complex, albeit a little worn, with a restaurant and several viewing platforms.

3. Strolling at Captain's Peak Garden

Captain's Peak Garden, or Captain's Peak Resort, is a large garden with flowers and fantastic sculptures located on one of the Chocolate Hills. It's a great place to stroll around, and the area also offers great views and a small café with drinks.

4. See ghost animals at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary

The Philippine tarsier is a tiny animal with huge eyes that lives in the Philippines. These shy and sensitive animals can be seen at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, where you can see them in the wild with a guide. There is also a small exhibition where you can learn more about these special animals.

5. See ghost animals on Tarsier Conservation Area

There is another place to see Philippine ghost animals, the Tarsier Conservation Area, which is a much more touristy destination. Here you walk on your own along a loop where you can see the animals. Even here you should be quiet so as not to disturb the sensitive animals, but unfortunately we did not feel that this was respected in the same way as at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary.

6. Cruising on the Loboc River

A slightly different thing to do in Bohol is to experience a cruise on the Loboc River. There is a wide range of cruise boats, all of which serve as floating restaurants, which take tourists along the river while they enjoy buffets and other entertainment. The cruise boats start at the Clarin Bridge in Loay, or higher up the river, and the trips take about an hour.

Att göra på Bohol i Filippinerna - Loboc river tour

7. Rent a scooter and go on an adventure

Renting a moped is a great way to get around Bohol on your own, and mops are available for hire pretty much everywhere. The island is large, so it's best to plan a reasonable route for a day trip with one or two stops along the way.

8. Experience Cars Man-Made Forest

Bilar Man-Made Forest is a dense forest that stretches for two kilometres near the towns of Loboc and Bilar. The forest consists mainly of white and red mahogany trees, and is part of a reforestation project that started over 50 years ago. Nearby, you can also make a stop at the Bilar Eco Park, which includes a small cave.

Att göra på Bohol i Filippinerna - Bilar Man Made forest

9. See Sikatuna's Mirror of the World

Sikatuna's Mirror of the World and Botanical Garden is a theme park where you can see famous buildings from all over the world, including Europe, as well as plants, flowers and Japanese fish. There is also a restaurant on site.

10. Discover Tagbilaran City

Tagbilaran City is the main town on Bohol, and is quite a busy and bustling place. If you want, you can go shopping for clothes, for example in Alturas Mall. You can also visit the National Museum Bohol and see the Blood Pact Shrine monument, which aims to honour the first international treaty between the Philippines and Spain. In Tagbilaran you will also find buses to various destinations around Bohol and a ferry to Cebu.

Att göra på Bohol i Filippinerna - Tagbilaran

11. Experience the beaches of Panglao

Panglao is a tourist paradise with plenty of beaches. The most popular beach is Alona Beach, where you'll find not only sunbathing and swimming, but also restaurants, shops and opportunities for snorkelling, diving and other excursions. If you're looking for a smaller and quieter beach, you can check out Dumaluan Beach.

12. enjoying holiday fun at Point Bay Resort

There are many nice hotels and resorts in Bohol, mainly on the island of Panglao, but also for example at Anda Beach and other places. We stayed a period at Point Bay Resort on Panglao, which really offered wonderful relaxation. There are nice rooms with terraces, a lovely pool area and a nice restaurant.

13. Eat cinnamon buns at Zara's Café.

On the island of Panglao there is something as unexpected as a Swedish café. At Zara's Café you can eat cinnamon buns, almond cake, Toast Skagen or a sandwich on sourdough bread. Not only does the coffee taste great and remind you of the Swedish homeland, but the café also offers a breathtaking view.

14. Trying out restaurants in Panglao

Panglao is a mecca for tourists, so there are plenty of restaurants here. You'll find everything from Italian to Japanese restaurants on the island. Our favourites include the Neapolitan restaurant A Tavola and the Japanese restaurant Udzuki.

15. Climb down into Hinagdanan Cave

In the northern part of Panglao, Hinagdanan Cave is a limestone cave that is naturally lit through small holes in the ceiling. The cave is filled with stalagtites and stalagmites and you can also see small birds circling the ceiling. In the centre of the cave is a shimmering green lagoon where you can swim if you buy a special ticket.

More to see and do in Bohol

There is of course more to see and do in Bohol than our suggestions. Below you will find some more tips.

Anda Beach is an area of beaches, hotels and resorts, on the eastern side of the island of Bohol.
Baclayon Church is a Catholic church in Baclayon, on the south side of the island, which has been designated a National Cultural Treasure.
Cadapdapan Rice Terraces are green and beautiful rice terraces in the eastern part of the island.
Chocolate Hills Adventure Park is an adventure park with a bike zipline, treetop course and more.
Loboc Ecotourism Adventure Park is an adventure park with a cable car and zipline.
Vattenfall are some on Bohol, such as Can-umantad Falls, Dimiao Twin-falls, Kinahugan Falls, Camugao Falls and Ingkumhan Falls.

Where to stay in Bohol?

There are lots of different hotels on Bohol, in different parts of the island and in different price ranges. We stayed most of the time at the lovely Marina Point Bay Resort, located on Panglao.

We also stayed for a number of days at Hotel Seeya in Tubigon. This was a stop on the way for us, and even though this is not a tourist resort, we made some moped excursions starting here.

Seeya i Tubigon — Hotel Seeya in Tubigon, West Bohol

Getting to and from Bohol

A common way to get to Bohol is to fly to Cebu, and then travel from Cebu to Tagbilaran by ferry. It is also possible to fly from Manila, for example, to Bohol-Panglao Airport.

Färja mellan Cebu och Tagbilaran — Ferry that runs between Cebu and Tagbilaran

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Starting from Bohol, you can continue your journey by checking out nearby islands and places:

Our top tips for the Philippines. Click on the image!

More tips for things to do in Bohol?

Have you been to Bohol? How was your experience? Do you have any other good tips on what to see and do in Bohol?

FAQ – frequently asked questions about Bohol in the Philippines

Where is Bohol located?

Bohol is an island in the central Philippines in the Central Visayas region. It is located southeast of Cebu and is surrounded by several smaller islands, with Panglao being the most well-known among visitors.

What is Bohol famous for?

Bohol is best known for the strange Chocolate Hills, the world's smallest primate – the tarsier – and its white sandy beaches. The island also attracts with crystal clear waters, coral reefs and a calmer atmosphere than many other Philippine destinations.

How to get to Bohol?

You can fly directly to Bohol-Panglao International Airport from Manila and Cebu, among others. Many people also choose to travel by fast ferry from Cebu City to Tagbilaran.

How many days do you need in Bohol?

Three to five days is enough to experience the island's main attractions. If you have plenty of time, you can stay longer and combine nature experiences with beach life and diving.

What is there to do in Bohol?

Visit the Chocolate Hills, see tarsiers in their natural habitat, go river cruising on the Loboc River, and relax on the beaches of Panglao. The island also offers snorkeling, diving, waterfalls, caves, and scenic viewpoints.

What are Chocolate Hills?

The Chocolate Hills are Bohol's most famous attraction and consist of over 1,200 near-perfect limestone hills. During the dry season, the grass turns brown, giving the hills their name.

Can you see tarsiers in Bohol?

Yes, Bohol is one of the best places in the world to see Philippine tarsiers. The small, nocturnal primates are endangered and can be seen in special nature reserves where the focus is on the animals' well-being.

Is Bohol good for snorkeling and diving?

Yes, Bohol is a popular destination for both snorkeling and diving. There are several beautiful coral reefs around Panglao, and boat trips from the island go to Balicasag Island, which is famous for its marine life with sea turtles and colorful fish.

Is Bohol child-friendly?

Yes, Bohol is great for families with children. The beaches are quiet, distances are relatively short, and attractions like the Chocolate Hills and tarsier reserves are usually appreciated by both children and adults.

Do you need to rent a car or scooter on Bohol?

No, it's not a must. Many people choose to rent a scooter or car to explore the island at their own pace, but it's also possible to book organized day trips or use taxis and three-wheeled motor vehicles, so-called tricycles.

When is the best time to visit Bohol?

The dry season from December to May is the most popular time to visit Bohol, as the weather is usually sunny and perfect for beach life, snorkeling, and excursions.

Can you combine Bohol with other destinations in the Philippines?

Yes, Bohol is often combined with Cebu thanks to the fast ferry connections. Many also continue on to Siquijor, Dumaguete or Palawan to experience more of the Philippines' paradise islands.

Things to do in Bohol in the Philippines - 15 tips