How Our Group Enjoyed the Best of Bohol in One Day and How You Can Do It Even Better

“Bohol is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines.”

That’s what our elementary school teacher taught us. Back then, I wanted to really appreciate Bohol, but I was only able to when we took our five-day Central Visayas trip decades later. I realized that experience, for real, is the best teacher.

We spent only one day in Bohol during that trip, and honestly, not every spot we visited hit the mark. There was one that felt overrated. There’s another that’s ethically questionable. But, it turned out pretty awesome in the end. I mean, I really loved our lunch ‘experience’ that day. And the last part of our trip? It was truly one for the books.

Let me share how we spent our day in Bohol. Hopefully, this sparks some ideas and helps you plan your own trip. Stick around until the end for tips to make your getaway even more epic!

Our One-Day Bohol Itinerary Summary

Overall, our day in Bohol was a mix of culture, nature, history, good food, wildlife, and beautiful views. We got to see the island from a few different angles, which made the quick trip totally worth it.

Take a look at our exact itinerary below, calculated straight from the timestamps on our photos.

• 8:00 am — Flight from Manila
• 9:30 am — Panglao International Airport Arrival
• 10:15 am — Blood Compact Shrine
• 10:30 am — Baclayon Church
• 10:45 am — XZOOTIC Animal Park and Butterfly Garden
• 11:15 am — Loboc River Tourist Complex
• 1:30 pm — Bilar Man-Made Forest
• 1:45 pm — Tarsier Conservation Area
• 3:00 pm — Chocolate Hills
• 4:30 pm — Tagbilaran Sea Port
• 5:00 pm — Ferry to Cebu

Actually, we ended up doing a private guided group tour for our visit. It was mostly because traveling as a group made it way more practical and convenient, plus we wanted to see the sights and explore Bohol together.

A couple of points to consider:

• If you’re visiting Bohol with family or friends for just a single day, taking a tour like this is totally the way to go. Looking at our schedule, you can tell how much ground we covered, so no time went to waste.
• For solo travelers, couples, or small groups of three, a private tour might be too expensive. But you can always join a group tour and explore Bohol with other travelers. This is a great way to save money while skipping the hassle and confusion of trying to figure out public transportation on your own.

DIY trips are always an option when visiting Bohol. If that’s what you choose, I can still help you plan your itinerary. Check out my map of Bohol island and map of Panglao island to discover amazing attractions rarely mentioned online.

Also, I shared my top Bohol travel recommendations and things to avoid based on everything we learned during our trip in another post. Check them out!

Details of Our One Day Visit to Bohol

Among the attractions we visited, two really made our day.

Of course, the Chocolate Hills was a given. The other was the Loboc River Cruise, which completely surprised us. They are the top two spots you shouldn’t miss if you only have a single day in Bohol.

Let me share them with you, plus the other places we saw along the way.

Arrival

From Manila, we kicked off our Central Visayas trip in Bohol.

We flew out early in the morning so we could land at Panglao International Airport with enough time for our tour. We arrived in Panglao around 9:30 AM, and by the time we walked out of the airport, our tour guide was already waiting for us with a sign showing my friend’s name.

Within a few minutes, our private van pulled up and our day tour officially started.

By the way, if you’re still working on your Bohol plans, I created a travel planning page to help you out. It covers all the essentials like flights, ferries, places to stay, fun experiences, and travel insurance. Give the button below a click to check it out!

Stop #1 Blood Compact Shrine

To be honest, my friend was the one who booked the tour. I knew we were going to see the Chocolate Hills, but I didn’t know all the minor details or the quick stops along the way, like the Blood Compact Shrine.

When we pulled up to the shrine, I didn’t get the sense that we were visiting a historic landmark. To tell you the truth, I thought we were in a tourist trap surrounded by souvenir stands and local snack shops at every turn.

If it wasn’t for our guide, we wouldn’t have realized right away that we were visiting a shrine. I think we were all wondering where we were going until our guide pointed out the statue of five men drinking at a table.

To put it simply, the Blood Compact Shrine is a landmark in Tagbilaran City that honors the 1565 treaty of friendship between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel López de Legazpi. It was right at this exact spot that they mixed their blood with wine and drank it to seal a historic alliance.

Travelers usually make a quick stop at this free roadside monument to check out the bronze sculpture and snap a few pictures before heading to other Bohol attractions.

Like most tourists, we only spent a few minutes at the Blood Compact Shrine. After listening to our tour guide’s story and taking a group picture, we hopped back in our van and went to our next stop. From what we saw, there isn’t much else to do there unless you need to buy some souvenirs.

Stop #2 Baclayon Church

A few minutes’ drive from the Blood Compact Shrine, we arrived at our next stop: Baclayon Church.

At first glance, it looked like just another old church in the Philippines. But once we parked and walked closer, I started to notice its rustic look, especially the bell tower, which is clearly made from unusual materials. (Spoiler alert: it’s actually made out of coral stones)

What surprised me was how nice it actually looked on the inside, though it didn’t completely blow me away compared to other churches I’ve seen. I marveled at the murals and the detailed baroque altars. The sunlight streaming through the stained glass gave the whole place an ethereal, peaceful feel.

What’s super cool about Baclayon Church is that it’s one of the oldest coral stone buildings in the Philippines!

Spanish Jesuits started it back in the late 1500s, using actual coral blocks held together with egg whites as mortar. It took over a hundred years to build, with the last piece going in back in 1727.

After checking out the church and saying a quick prayer though, we walked back to our van to get moving.

We actually had no idea there was a museum inside, so we missed out on it entirely. But honestly, even if we had known, we still would’ve passed on it. We were in a full adventurous mood and wanted to get out and explore nature rather than appreciate at centuries-old church relics, vestments, and old songbooks.

That said, now that I’m past that super adventurous age, I’d totally add the museum to my itinerary if I went back to Bohol. I’ve got a lot of tips to share about the museum and other historic spots around the island. Be sure to check them out because they’re great backup plans if the weather turns sour.

Stop #3 XZOOTIC Animal Park and Butterfly Garden

While I really wanted to see a tarsier on our trip, I’m not big on seeing animals caged up away from their natural home. Because of that, I wasn’t super excited when we pulled up to our next stop, XZOOTIC Animal Park and Butterfly Garden.

In summary, XZOOTIC Animal Park and Butterfly Garden is a quick roadside stop in Loay with a butterfly garden and a small zoo. Visitors come here to get a close look at native butterflies and snap photos with exotic creatures like pythons, iguanas, and tropical birds.

Located right on the main highway, this park stays open every day and costs very little for a fast photo session.

I felt meh visiting XZOOTIC Animal Park, BUT my friends seemed to have a blast. The girls were super excited to see the butterflies, and they totally lit up when one perched right on their hands.

What made our visit to the animal park memorable, at least for me, was watching our snake-phobic friend face a massive Albino Burmese Python.

We teased her into taking a selfie with the huge reptile, cracking jokes as she tried to stay brave. Her priceless reactions and heavy Batangueño accent had us all dying of laughter. Amazingly, she faced her fear and pulled it off, turning an intimidating challenge into the funniest part of our trip.

Stop #4 Loboc River Cruise

After visiting the animal park, we got back in our ride and hit the road again. But after passing a few restaurants, my stomach started ‘talking.’ LOL.

So I politely asked, “aren’t we eating soon?” Our guide smiled and said, “yes, lunch is in Loboc, but just hang tight for a bit… you’re gonna love it.”

Several minutes passed and we pulled up to the Loboc River Tourist Complex. Our guide headed straight to the front desk and came back with tickets for a floating restaurant cruise. The second I looked at those tickets, I knew we were in for an incredible experience.

The thing is, our experience even surpassed my expectations after receiving the tickets. I thought the cruise would only be one fancy lunch and beautiful river scenery. I did not expect that it would include an amazing cultural performance in the middle of the cruise.

Locals performed Tinikling, a Folk Dance with two clapping Bamboo poles, and it was lively and fascinating. Fascinating? Yes! There were a couple of moments when I watched the tourists instead, and I could tell from their faces how much they were enjoying the show.

There’s a lot more I want to share about the Loboc River Cruise, including photos and what to expect, so I put together another post for it. Check it out if you want a helpful guide for your own visit.

Stop #5 Bilar Man-Made Forest

As we ate lunch on the floating restaurant in Loboc, our guide mentioned that we only had two quick stops left before the Chocolate Hills, and both were right on our route.

The first one was the Bilar Man-Made Forest, which is a two-kilometer stretch of mahogany trees you pass through right as you hit the border of Loboc and Bilar. Most people come to the Man-Made Forest to grab a selfie under the amazing tree canopy that feels like a big green tunnel over the road.

And just like everyone else, we pulled over and snapped that classic photo. We stayed in the area for about 10 minutes, and once we got our pictures, we headed off to our next stop, the Tarsier Conservation Area.

Anyway, I honestly found the Bilar Man-Made Forest way overhyped online. Other travelers make it sound online like visiting this forest is on par with the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto, but nope.

If you’re visiting the Bilar Man-Made Forest just for the forest itself, I suggest checking out other attractions instead. I have three alternative suggestions that you’ll love if you enjoy nature and stunning scenery!

Stop #6 Tarsier Conservation Area

One thing I realized as we got to the last part of our trip was… the more you head inland in Bohol, the more interesting the island gets. Our arrival at the Tarsier Conservation Area (TCA) really made me realize it.

There, I spotted 3 or 4 tarsiers, which was pretty cool, though the staff said visitors can usually see around 8.

The tarsiers were so cute, and honestly, finding them perched on branches under those big leaves was half the fun.

Yes, when you visit the Tarsier Conservation Area, you will see the tarsiers in their natural habitat: the forest. Although, I wouldn’t call it completely natural, since, it is a popular tourist destination, obviously.

Visitors stay on a designated hiking trail to view them. I’m not totally sure how long the trail is, but we wrapped up the walk in under 20 minutes. Time really depends on your pace and if you want to hunt down all 8 tarsiers or just hang out with each one longer.

The trail ends at a massive souvenir shop, where we decided not to buy anything. You can find almost identical souvenirs elsewhere for nearly half the price.

There’s more to know about visiting the Tarsier Conservation Area, so make sure to read my blog post, which also serves as a guide. There, I discuss important topics like ethical concerns and tips to help you get the most out of your trip if you’re traveling DIY in Bohol.

Stop #7 Chocolate Hills

They say save the best for last, and our tour organizer totally nailed that for our Bohol Day Tour. Wrapping up our trip at the Chocolate Hills was awesome, and I couldn’t imagine a better ending.

The Chocolate Hills viewing deck in the Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen is roughly 30 minutes from the Tarsier Conservation Area. The ride flew by for me since I was glued to the window trying to spot the hills. I’m not sure if I missed them, but I didn’t see any close-up views of a Chocolate Hill from the drive.

Anyway, we rolled up to the Chocolate Hills Complex around 3 PM.

We were super surprised there were no long lines to buy tickets. What we didn’t know was that everyone was already up at the observation deck, which takes a 214-step climb to get to.

Honestly, the stairs can be a challenge for some people, and unfortunately, there are no elevators.

But I can assure you that the climb is completely worth it. You can see dozens of Chocolate Hills from the observation deck, ranging from perfect cones to smooth, rounded domes. You would not believe how many photos my friends took up there!

Even though we had an awesome time at the Chocolate Hills viewing deck, I really wish we had more time to hang out. We overheard some other tourists talking about how there’s an adventure park right nearby, and we realized that would have made the visit way more fun, adventurous, and memorable.

I will discuss the details in a separate blog post about the Chocolate Hills. In it, you can also find some essential tips we learned from experience that will definitely make your visit even better than ours.

Tips For Your One Day Bohol Trip

As we headed to the Tagbilaran seaport to catch our ferry to Cebu after seeing the Chocolate Hills, I couldn’t help but think about how short a one-day trip to Bohol really is.

But, the things is, I have to admit, I didn’t feel too sad leaving Bohol that afternoon. The reason is mostly because we were so excited for the new adventures waiting for us in Cebu. Think about canyoneering at Kawasan Falls, swimming with the sardine run in Moalboal, and whale shark watching in Oslob.

That said, if I ever head back to Bohol for a quick one-day trip, I’d definitely tweak a few parts of our plan. I wrote down these notes for myself, but they make great tips for you, too. Let’s start:

1. First of all, I’d book a private driver or a custom tour. This way, I can stick to my new schedule using the tips I’m about to give you. Then, rather than starting near noon, I’d get an early start around 8 AM to see the tarsiers first thing. It’s a great way to skip the crowds and enjoy a quiet moment with these tiny animals.
2. More importantly, instead of visiting the Tarsier Conservation Area, I’ll go to the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary. It’s a more ethical spot in Bohol to see tarsiers. The sanctuary is run by a non-profit organization backed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).
3. Of course, it’s impossible to miss the Chocolate Hills. If the weather is good, I want to make sure I get there before sunset. Here’s an important note: the sun sets around 6:00 PM, but you’ll want to arrive before 5:00 PM to make sure the ticket counter is still open.
4. If bad weather hits, which I hope it doesn’t, I’ll head over to the National Museum in Tagbilaran City instead. The Pagbanhaw Gallery looks really interesting to me. It highlights the resilience of local heritage, focusing on recovery, restoration, and the deep roots of Catholic faith after the devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake in October 2013. By the way, “Pagbanhaw” translates from Cebuano to “resurrection”.
5. I think I’ll also add St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Shrine to my plans if the weather turns bad. I discovered that it has incredible murals
6. Lastly, I’m skipping the animal parks. It’s not that I don’t love animals, but seeing them stuck in cages far from their natural home is just sad.

That’s all! Thank you for reading and I hope you make the most of your one-day trip to Bohol.

Planning a Trip to Bohol?

Bohol is one of the highlights of the Philippines. Don’t miss out on what makes this island so special.

If it’s your first time visiting Bohol, you’ll definitely find everything we discovered and learned on our trip helpful. Learn what to avoid, what not to miss, when to visit, how long to stay, and so much more. Read all my tips so you can have a truly wonderful time in Bohol. Hit the button below.

View my maps for a visual guide to discovering attractions.

Important: Organizing your trip, like booking tours, ferry tickets, places to stay, or vehicle rentals, shouldn’t feel overwhelming. That’s why I created my Bohol Travel Planning Page to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure. It serves as your complete guide to remove the stress so you can focus on getting excited.

Hit the button below to start planning.

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