Bohol may be a small dot in the Philippine archipelago, but it packs in more charm than provinces twice its size. With 47 towns and one lively city (Tagbilaran), it’s a place where beaches, forests, wildlife, and geological wonders all seem to compete for your attention. Even its name comes from bo‑ol, a tree that once blanketed the island — fitting for a place so lush and alive.
What We Needed as U.S. Travelers
Simple and painless:
Passport valid for at least 6 months
Proof of onward or return travel
E‑Travel Registration
What did we do in Bohol?
Alona Beach
Our first stop: Alona Beach — the kind of place where time slows down, the water glows turquoise, and you immediately wonder why you don’t live here permanently.
ATV Adventure
We laughed. We bounced. We inhaled dust. We lived.
 |
| Squash that bug |
 |
| Awww he's so tiny |
 |
| Does this broom zoom |
 |
| I'm Flying |
Bilar Man‑Made Forest
Imagine driving through a two‑kilometer tunnel of towering mahogany trees — cool, shadowy, and impossibly photogenic. That’s the Bilar Man‑Made Forest.
We stopped for photos. We jumped. We posed. We came back later… and it was absolutely packed.
 |
| Ready, set |
 |
| Jump |
 |
| It was packed when we drove back through |
Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area
Next up: the tiniest, most wide‑eyed primates on Earth. Tarsiers are nocturnal, shy, and about the size of your palm — but their eyes? MASSIVE. Like “I’ve seen things” massive.
They were adorable. They were sleepy. We were obsessed.
The Chocolate Hills
Bohol’s crown jewel: 1,260+ perfectly shaped limestone hills stretching across the landscape like giant Hershey’s Kisses.
They turn brown in the dry season — hence the name — but they’re stunning year‑round.
 |
| OMG I don't think I can make it. |
 |
| I made it, but had to use my inhaler |
 |
| The Chocolate Hills |
Happy Hour at Amorita Resort
Cocktails. Ocean breeze. Zero responsibilities.
Pool Time & Sunsets
Bohol sunsets hit different — warm, slow, golden. The kind that makes you stop mid‑sentence and just stare.
Village Floating Resto & Cruise
We drifted down the Loboc River while enjoying a buffet lunch and a cultural performance. Peaceful, scenic, and surprisingly filling.
A Few Random Pictures
(You know the ones — the “this doesn’t fit anywhere but it’s too good not to share” photos.)
Where We Ate
La Tavola -- Italian comfort food in paradise.
 |
| Tuna & a coke |
 |
| Ceviche Royale Yellow fin tuna marinated in signature Saffron sauce with sea grapes and cherry tomatoes |
 |
| Seafood Tom Yum Shrimp, mussels, scallops, and clams in spicy and sour soup |
 |
| San Miguel - Rob's nastalgic beer from the PI in the 80s |
 |
| Spicy Ocean Bake Baked spiced shrimps and scallops with melted mozzarella |
 |
| Asian Green Salad Sea grapes, sliced tomatoes, and mixed greens served with house-made sesame ponzu sauce |
Breakfast Buffet at Saffron
 |
| Udang Gulai Nanas Prawns simmered in a rich, spiced coconut curry with sweet pineapple served with braised young jack fruit and turmeric flavoured rice |
 |
| Roast Duck Noodle Traditional Chinese-style roast duck served with springy egg noodles and sweet and savoury hoisin sauce, and fresh leafy greens |
 |
| Mediterranean Prawn Salad Fcta cheese, Japanesc cucumber, sesame Tarator dressing |
 |
| Nasi Kerabu, Ayam Gulai, Tempeh Kering, Urap Sayur, Bergedil Malay-style coconut curry chicken, blue pea flower rice, fried tempeh, vegetables with grated coconut, fried potato cake |
 |
| Beef Noodle Braised Ee-Fu noodles infused with a soya sauce base broth, topped with tender braised beef in Chu Hou sauce - a fragrant blend of fermented soybean paste and Chinese five spices. Finished with seasonal local vegetables |
 |
| Chip & dip starter |
 |
| The Spread |
 |
| Chorizo Fundido Baked cheese & chorizo dip |
 |
| Gambas al Ajillo Sautéed Fresh Shrimps in Garlic Olive Oil |
 |
| Crema de Almejas Ocean Clams in Garlic and White Wine Reduction |
 |
| Pulpo con Papas Charred Fork-Tender Octopus with Basil-Mint Potato Puree |
 |
 |
| Our backyard pool |
 |
| We were greeted with champagne, snacks & sodas |
 |
| The stairs lead to the beach |
 |
| Pumpkin Soup |
 |
| Great spot overlooking the airport |
 |
| Our own little pods with a divider between us |
 |
| One of us watched a movie |
 |
| One of us slept |
I am chuckling as I write this but trust me it was not a good morning and sorry but I have to explain the morning of Hell travel in detail.
It's time to leave the Sheraton and Rob fires up his Grab ('Uber') app to order us a ride to the airport. His card got rejected. He added another card. That too got rejected. Rob is calm -- NOT! The young man working the entrance tried helping Rob with the app and the same results. We didn't have any Philippine pesos. (Rob always gets currency as soon as we arrive at an airport in a new country but decided to wait for whatever reason.) He also suggested that Rob go inside to the Casino and exchange money (we don't have time for that.) Finally the young man offered to book us a ride with his Grab app and use the cash option. Rob was so grateful but didn't have any small bills to pay for the .84 cent ride. He offered a $20 and the guy said, "Too much!" and didn't want any money in return. Rob insisted on paying him and they both started their day very grateful for each others' generosity. There is a lot of kindness in this world. In hindsight, as much time that was tried on booking the Grab ride, he probably could have went into the casino and exchanged money, lol. Although we discovered later in our travel in the Philippins, exchanging currency takes a lot of time: passport, forms and perfect crisp bills.
We get to the airport and just as we pull up they put cones to close off the inner access lane, well Mr. Calm starts with the expletives. The lane closure caused us an additional maybe 10 steps. He was in such a foul mood (IYKRYK).
We finally make a choice for breakfast and it is the worst ham & cheese sandwich I ever had. As we are eating, I look up and our flight is boarding 🙃 like a 1/2 hour early. Full panic, we rush to the gate and now we have to stand in line. Then we finally make it to our seats and low and behold there is this guy sitting in the aisle seat, who barely gets out of the way and there's also a mob behind us rushing to get to their seats. Rob is annoyed with me because I can't get out of the way to allow him to have the window seat. We finally get in our seats: him in the window, me in the middle. Now I'm stewing, "Why would Rob book himself a center seat?" (I'm always window). We think Philippine Airlines did not allow booking a window and aisle seat.
When did we visit? March 18 - 23, 2026
