Bohol Travel Information
Gems Of An Island | Awesome
Hills | Surreal Caves | Dive
into the Deep Trek through Wild Country | A Whiff
of History | Island Flavors | Warm
Hospitality | How to get there
CAPITAL: Tagbilaran City
LAND AREA: 4,117 sq km
TEL. AREA CODE: 38
NO. OF TOWNS: 47
ZIP CODE: 6300
Scenic Bohol casts an enigmatic charm drawn from the
many archaic mementos spread throughout the oval-shaped island - from
unique rock formations to a 45-million-year-old mammal species, from massive
stone watchtowers built by the Spaniards in the 18th century. Surrounding
the mainland are 73 other smaller offshore islands and islets whose palm-fringed
coastlines are rimmed by white sand and sheltering coves. Serpentine coastal
highways wind along unsullied beaches and rustic rivers where the tourist
can stop at any point and jump in for a dip.
Bohol is the perfect arena for scuba diving, kayaking,
trekking and cave exploration. For the less adventurous, it offers leisurely
pursuits like cruising, swimming, snorkeling or, simply, collecting seashells
by the seashore.
Town visits promise exciting cultural treats that include
scheduled performances by the Teatro Bolanon, Dimiao Rondalla, Diwanag
Dance Theater and the award-winning Loboc Children's Choir.
Bohol is an anchor tourist destination and one of the
7,000 times more islands that make up the Philippine archipelago.
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GEM OF AN ISLAND
Bohol is like a jade brooch set on a velvet-blue sea.
Its fertile land has hills that roll gently around lush forests and grassy
meadows. Marine life - from schools of tiny reef fish to bigger pods of
dolphins and whales - teem in the surrounding waters.
Located east of Cebu and southwest of Leyte in the Philippines'
Central Visayas region, Bohol is bounded on the north by the Camotes Sea,
on the west by the Cebu Strait, and on the South by the Bohol Sea.
Covering an area of 4,117 square kilometers, it is essentially
an agricultural province, with rice, coconut and corn as main produce.
Fishing is a major industry.
Bohol's handicrafts are famous throughout the country.
These include mats and baskets, raffia woven cloth, fashion accessories,
woodcraft, processed food, and ceramics.
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AWESOME HILLS
Chocolate Hills is a series of 1,268 perfectly symmetrical,
haycock-shaped hills that rise some 30 meters above the ground. A National
Geologic Monument, these unique, rock formations were cast after million
years of evolution.
Spread out in the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan,
the hills are so-called because they resemble chocolate bonbons when their
grass cover turns to brown at the onset of summer. Two of the hills have
been developed and provided with facilities, including a viewdeck, a youth
hostel and a restaurant.
Other hills with a commanding view of the surrounding
islands include Banat-I and Elly in the capital city of Tagbilaran, Himontagon
in the town of Loay, Sampoangan in Calape and Ilihan in Jagna.
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SURREAL CAVES
With its limestone foundation, the province of Bohol
is also known as "Cave Country." An average of 30 caves are
found in each ofits 47 towns, many of them still unexplored. It is said
that Bohol got its name from the word boho, meaning "hole."
[ the term boho really means hole from which spring water usually gush
forth, common in many coastal areas of this island].
The Francisco Dagohoy Cave in the town of Danao is especially
noted for its historical role. It was once the headquarters of the Boholano
patriot Dagohoy who led an extended rebellion against Spain starting in
the first half of the 1700's. One of the many crystal-studded passages
within the cave's maze has an underwater route leading to dry land. Local
lore has it that every time Spaniards would enter the cave, Dagohoy would
dive under and hide in the breathing space.
The largest cave, however, is Sudlon. Nestled in a lovely
mountain environment, it hosts a huge population of bats which emerge
like vast stormy clouds at dusk.
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DIVE INTO DEEP
One of Asia's finest diving destinations, Bohol boasts
of an undersea panorama filled with impressive coral gardens teeming with
colorful marine life.
The dive sites of Bohol are noted for their deep, steep
walls - the creation of continental shifts during prehistoric times.
Just over the causeway from Tagbilaran is Panglao Island with its spectacular
drop-offs.
The crab-shaped Balicasag Island has long established
itself as a dive resort. From here, island-hopping and whale-watching
expeditions can be organized.
Pamilacan Island is yet another popular diving destination.
Pamilacan, which means "resting place of the mantas," is also
noted for its big whales called "balilan" and the highly prized
rare seashell Gloria Maris.
Pantudlan in Cabilao Island is frequented by many foreign diving enthusiasts.
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TREK THROUGH WILD COUNTRY
The Tarsier Trail is a pathway from where one may become
acquainted with a wide variety of local flora and fauna, including the
tiniest primate on Earth.
Covering a distance of roughly 15 kilometers, the trail
meanders through the gently rolling terrain of the interior towns of Corella,
Sikatuna and Loboc. It traverses the natural habitat of the Philippine
tarsier, one of Earth's oldest mammal inhabitants. A 45-million-year old
prosimian species, it is popularly known as "the world's smallest
monkey."
Going deeper into the trail, one gets the chance to see
some endemic birds like the serpent eagle, brahmini kite, woodpecker,
rocky-tailed blue-headed parrot, grass owl, bubock pigeon and water cock.
There are jungle animals like the monkey, python, cobra, macock and palm
civet cat. It also teems with insects, the staple diet of the tarsier.
From the forest, the trail crosses over into Loboc River.
Here, bamboo rafts are for rent, from where one may glide down the placid,
green river to the seaport of Loay. One can also partake of a native seafood
buffet or a hearty snack in any of the floating restaurants that cruise
on the river.
Trained volunteer guides, mostly college students from
Tagbilaran, bring trekkers through the 134-hectare forested area that
has been set aside as the Tarsier Sanctuary.
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A WHIFF OF HISTORY
During the 16th century, a "Treaty of Friendship"
was forged between the brown and white races, sealed by the blood compact
of the Boholano chieftain Datu Sikatuna and the Spanish Captain Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi.
Some 302 years of Spanish rule followed after the treaty.
It was a rule bathed with sweat and tears, as native sons plodded in hard
labor building massive fortresses and grand colonial churches. More blood
was also shed in the many attempts to free the motherland from the shackles
of Spanish domination. To this day, there still stands in Bohol many structures
that serve as mute testimonials to its rich historic past.
Baclayon Church, is the best preserved Jesuit-built church
in the region, although its facade and most of the stone structures surrounding
it were built by the Augustininan Recollects in the late 19th century.
The Christian community organized by the Jesuits on November 17, 1596
and thereafter a visita was erected on the site. Baclayon was canonically
raised to the status of a parish only in 1717, the present stone church
was completed in 1727. The Casa parroquial was built by the Augustinian
recollects in 1872. An ecclesiastical museum was established in 1969/70.
Its narthex has the cuadro paintings of the historically acllaimed Filipino
painter Liberato Gatchalian. Paintings were executed in 1859. Declared
a national historical landmark in 1995 by the National Historical Institute.
Its convent has been transformed into a museum and houses priceless religious
artifacts.
Other mission churches of architectural distinction include
Dauis Church with its beautiful frescoes, Loboc Church with its three-story
convent, Panglao Church with its ornate antiquities and ceiling murals,
Loon Church, the most stunning church built by the Recollect Friars, and
the 19th century Maribojoc Church.
Also found in the town of Maribojoc is the ancient Punta
Cruz watchtower which used to serve as a look-out for marauding pirates.
It now serves as a view deck and offers a picturesque vista of the Mindanao
Sea and the provinces of Cebu and Siquijor.
Other watchtowers of note can be found in the towns of
Loay, Balilihan and Pamilacan Island.
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ISLAND FLAVORS
At the market, one can have a pick of the day's fresh
sea catch and have them cooked homestyle at any of the food stalls.
There are also fishermen whose bancas coast along the
resort row, selling Neptune's bounty for instant grills. A river cruise
through pastoral Cambuhat River in Buenavista leads one to the oyster
farms from where one can indulge in real fresh "slipper oysters."
The hotels and resorts have their own dining outlets
which can also prepare picnic baskets upon request.
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WARM HOSPITALITY
Filipinos do not simply provide the guest with a place
to rest or park their luggage, they also share the best of what they have.
This warm, effusive brand of hospitality is what distinguishes Philippine
hotels from the others.
In Bohol, the traveler has a pick of accommodations to
choose from, depending on one's budget and needs. There are accommodations
ranging from plush hotels to cozy pensions, from luxurious resorts to
the more tailored "SIR" (special interest resorts), which cater
to specific sporting needs.
source: Department of Tourism
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