Our Ultimate Bohol Tips for Travelers Planning a One Day Trip (and Things to Avoid)

Our five-day trip to Central Visayas was amazing and truly one for the books! But it wouldn’t be the same without Bohol.

The day we spent in Bohol was when I got to discover a couple of really interesting historical sites that gave me a whole new perspective on our country. Plus, I checked tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills off my bucket list! As for the floating restaurant? It was surprisingly fun!

It seemed like we had a total blast, yes? Well, the truth is the whole trip was not completely perfect. There were things that I wished we had done differently, and if you are visiting Bohol soon, you have gotta take note of these things I will share with you.

They are my tips for you. Follow them to get the most out of your one day trip to Bohol.

1. Avoid the Mini Zoos

One reason why people visit Bohol is because of the wildlife.

We travelers want to see the tarsiers, and I think locals see this as an opportunity. Locals be like, “Let’s build zoos so tourists can see more wildlife.” And that’s what they do. That’s why in Bohol, you can find several zoos or ‘animal parks,’ as what they call them.

BUT if you’re visiting Bohol and you only have one day, I suggest skipping the zoos. If you plan to join a tour, pick the one without them as stops.

I don’t want to ruin the businesses of the locals. But when you see the situation of the animals, it’s impossible not to feel bad for them. But who knows, that’s only based on our experience. Maybe they’ve improved now.

You can always try, but yeah, I still suggest there are other attractions worth your time more.

2. More Chocolate Hills Viewpoints

During our trip, we visited the most popular viewpoint of the Chocolate Hills. It’s located inside the Chocolate Hills complex in Carmen, where you have to pay 100 or 150 pesos.

We went there around 3 in the afternoon and had a very nice experience. There was no line to the ticketing desk, and we essentially went straight to the viewpoint by the time we arrived.

However, that is not the case all the time. Sometimes, especially during weekends, based on what I read from reviews, it can get touristy and you encounter long lines.

Now, if you want to avoid the crowds, there is another viewpoint close to the complex unknown to many. It’s free, although, instead of climbing the stairs as what you’ll do in the complex, you’ll have to do a short hike to reach this viewpoint.

On Google Maps, it’s labeled ‘Chocolate Hills – Free Viewpoint.’ Let me tell you more about it in my post about our visit to the Chocolate Hills.

3. Alternatives for Bilar Man-Made Forest

There are several different day tours in Bohol out there, and most of them list Bilar Man-Made Forest as a highlight of visiting Bohol.

You might even find some describing the man-made forest as Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Forest equivalent on the island. Or, one of the most Instagrammable places in Bohol.

However, it is nowhere near that.

From my experience that day, the man-made forest is an overhyped stop in Bohol. And it is not worth a detour if you’re coming from a far away attraction. It’s only worth a stop if you’re visiting the Chocolate Hills and Loboc River Cruise. The man-made forest sits right along the main road between those spots.

Honestly, if you really want to see picture-perfect views, I believe you’ll see these places instead: Cadapdapan Rice Terraces, Lamanok Viewpoint, and the Alicia Panoramic Park.

Details are in my post about the alternatives to Bilar Man-Made Forest.

4. Rainy Day Destinations

When we visited Bohol, it was November (the rainy season), so we were pretty worried about the weather.

Thankfully, it didn’t rain, and we visited every outdoor attraction on our itinerary without any issues. But if it had rained, our trip could have been a total bummer because our main highlights were mostly outdoors.

Imagine: Chocolate Hills viewpoint? Outdoors. Tarsiers? Outdoors. Floating Restaurant? Pretty much outdoors.

So where should you go when bad weather hits your trip? The good news is, there are several museums and heritage sites in Bohol. The National Museum. Pamana. The Old Churches of Loboc, Loon, Dauis, and Baclayon. These indoor attractions can save the day!

For more information, check out my other post about the must-see heritage sites in Bohol.

5. Don’t Miss the Floating Restaurant

When you only have a day to spend, it’s always a good idea to visit a destination that checks off different experiences at once.

Obviously, it’s the floating restaurant in Loboc, or famously known as the Loboc River Cruise. It’s where we had lunch during our trip, and not only were we satisfied by the food from the Filipino buffet they served, but our eyes feasted on the river scenery, too!

It was my first time seeing a turquoise-emerald river, so I was really in awe throughout the cruise.

But do you know the best part? The traditional performances before you reach the waterfalls. You’ll see ladies in traditional dresses. Some sing, while others play the rondalla. You can also see them dancing tinikling, a folk dance where dancers step and hop between bamboo poles.

You’ve got to read our full story about the Loboc River Cruise, as I have a lot more to share, including tips for your visit.

6. The Better Tarsier Experience

When you visit Bohol, seeing the tarsiers is absolute must-see, just like the Chocolate Hills. That was a non-negotiable for our trip, and we were so thrilled to spot more than five of them!

We visited the Tarsier Conservation Area in Bilar that day. Our tour brought us there since it sits right along the main road to the Chocolate Hills coming from Loboc.

I’d say it’s an okay-ish attraction to see the tarsiers. But if you want a more ethical encounter where you can actually learn much more about these tiny creatures, head to the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella instead. The sanctuary is run by a non-profit organization (Philippine Tarsier Foundation) truly dedicated to protecting them.

The only drawback? It requires a bit of a detour from major spots like the Loboc River Cruise and the Chocolate Hills.

Check out my post on our experience at the Tarsier Conservation Area, where I break down a full comparison with the Tarsier Sanctuary.

7. Group Traveler Best Pick

When you only have one day in Bohol with family or friends, booking a day tour is usually the way to go.

I mean, with such limited time, why waste it asking for directions, waiting around for public transit, or haggling over fares? That was our exact thinking, so we decided to book a tour for our trip.

Did it turn out to be the right move? Sure.

In under eight hours, we hit over five spots: Blood Compact Shrine, Baclayon Church, XZOOTIC Animal Park, Loboc River Cruise, Tarsier Conservation Area, and the Chocolate Hills viewpoint. The tour company had the schedule down to a science, so everything ran smoothly. M

The best part was experiencing it all together. We never had to worry about half our group showing up late because they caught a slow tricycle, and the van rides turned into great bonding time.

If you can, look for a customizable tour so you can include some of the extra recommendations I mentioned earlier.

You can check out my travel planning page to find a tour that fits your style.

8. Joiner Money Saver

If you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or in a trio, you don’t have to pay full price for a private tour to explore Bohol hassle-free. Joining a group tour with other travelers is a great alternative.

While I haven’t taken a joiner tour in Bohol specifically, I’ve done it plenty of times across the Philippines. Honestly? It usually turns out amazing. You get to meet new people and make friends while ticking off your bucket-list destinations.

The only real downside is that the van can be packed to keep costs low for everyone, which is actually also the biggest perk.

For a fraction of the price, you can explore all the major highlights, no problem! Check out the joiner group tours on my Travel Planning Page to find one that works for you.

9. Bohol Hidden Gems

The next time I visit Bohol with only one day, I might skip the popular tourist spots.

Well, it depends on my travel companions actually, but I could focus on off the beaten path destinations instead.

When creating my tourist map of Bohol and Panglao, I realized there is so much more to see beyond the usual beaches, Chocolate Hills, and tarsiers.

Did you know you can take a boat ride to watch fireflies at night? There are even hidden caves with crystal clear blue swimming pools! For adrenaline junkies, Bohol has incredible adventure parks waiting for you.

The park in Danao features an extreme canyon swing dropping you hundreds of feet into a ravine before swinging across the gorge. Alternatively, the park in Carmen lets you ride a bicycle on a zipline high above the Chocolate Hills.

Check out my maps of Panglao Island and Bohol Island to find these exact locations and plan your trip.

10. Plan for a Longer Stay

Looking at my maps, spending more than a day in Bohol is a no brainer. There are just so many things to experience here.

If you ask me how long to stay, I suggest at least 3 or 4 days. One day to explore the sea through island hopping or snorkeling. You need to check out the reef bursting with colors and tiny islands that appear like a piece of heaven on earth with their pure white sandbars.

Of course, you need a day for inland attractions like the Chocolate Hills, Loboc River Cruise, tarsiers, and the lesser known spots from my maps.

You can allocate one day for adventure, too. There are even amusement parks in Bohol, including one in Sikatuna.

Lastly, don’t forget to spend one whole day indulging at your beach hotel. Drink, watch stunning sunsets, get a massage because you earned it!

For places to stay where you can totally relax, I suggest hotels on Panglao Island. The list of top hotels is on my travel planning page so check it out!

Enjoy your trip!

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. Here’s our itinerary to spark some inspiration.

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.

Explore Central Visayas

There’s more to see in Central Visayas.

Give Cebu a closer look. There’s so much to discover! Check out my maps.