Ultimate Bohol Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Bohol, Philippines, is an island located about 85km southeast of Cebu. Its waters are so beautiful that it's an excellent place for snorkeling and scuba diving. With diverse tourist attractions like the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers, as well as affordable prices, it's one of the best destinations for a vacation and sightseeing trip for families or couples. Let's find out everything you need to know before your trip to enjoy Bohol's beautiful nature and clear waters to the fullest.
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| Bohol travel guide |
Essential Information for Your Bohol Trip
- Language: Boholano, Tagalog, English
- Time Zone: UTC+8 (Same as China and Singapore)
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Currency Exchange Tip: It is more advantageous to exchange USD for PHP in Bohol.
- Visa: A passport valid for at least 6 months is required. A 30-day free tourist visa is provided.
- Voltage: 220V/60Hz. Some resorts use 110V, so it is recommended to bring a multi-adapter.
- Airport Tax: A cash payment of 560 PHP (approx. 10 USD) is required for departure.
- Tipping: While there is no official tipping culture, a tip of around 50 PHP (approx. 1 USD) for massage therapists or room cleaners and 100 PHP (approx. 2 USD) for tour drivers is appropriate.
- Cost of Living: Generally affordable.
Best Time to Visit Bohol
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| Alona Beach |
- Wet Season
- Bohol's wet season is generally from June to November. During this period, rainfall is high and typhoons may occur. Short, intense showers are frequent, and while the temperature is warm, the humidity is high.
- Dry Season
- Bohol's dry season is from December to May. The weather is clear and sunny with little rainfall. The period between December and February is particularly pleasant, and it is when most tourists visit. Temperatures are warm but humidity is low, making it a great time for travel.
How to Get to Bohol
There are two ways to get to Bohol from South Korea. The first is to take a direct flight, and the second is to travel via Cebu and take a fast ferry to Bohol. You can choose the method that best suits your travel plan, whether you want to go directly to Bohol or stop in Cebu for some sightseeing first.
Incheon Airport → Bohol Direct Flights
| Airline | Flight Time |
|---|---|
| Jin Air | 22:02 ~ 01:35 (4 hours 30 minutes) |
| Air Busan | 22:15 ~ 01:55 (4 hours 40 minutes) |
| Jeju Air | 09:10 ~ 13:00 / 21:10 ~ 01:00 / 07:20 ~ 11:10 (4 hours 50 minutes) |
| Philippine Airlines | 20:20 ~ 00:10 (4 hours 50 minutes) |
| Air Seoul | 19:15 ~ 23:05 (4 hours 50 minutes) |
Flight prices typically start from around 300 USD, but can increase up to 800 USD during peak seasons or school holidays due to English camp participants. During the high season, foreign airlines may cost from 400 to 500 USD, while Korean airlines can range from 600 to 800 USD.
How to Get from Cebu to Bohol
The way to get from Cebu to Bohol is by using the OceanJet ferry. The journey takes about 2 hours, and you can purchase tickets both at the terminal and online through websites like Klook or travel agencies. If you are prone to seasickness, it's a good idea to bring motion sickness medicine with you.
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| OceanJet ferry |
OceanJet Departure Schedule
| Cebu → Bohol (Tagbilaran) | Bohol (Tagbilaran) → Cebu |
|---|---|
| 06:00 | 06:00 |
| 08:20 | 08:20 |
| 10:40 | 10:40 |
| 15:20 | 15:20 |
| 17:40 | 17:40 |
Top 5 Recommended Bohol Tours
Land Tour
Land tours to various Bohol attractions can be booked through local travel agencies for 2,500 to 3,000 PHP (approx. 45-55 USD) for a group of 4 people. While entrance fees and activity costs are separate, a group of 4 can enjoy a fulfilling land tour for around 200 USD in total.
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| Bohol Land Tour |
Tour programs vary by agency, but generally include the following itinerary: resort pickup, lunch on a floating restaurant on the Loboc River, butterfly sanctuary visit, exploration of the Man-made Forest, tarsier viewing, Chocolate Hills sightseeing, and shopping at ICM Mall. Some tours may also include visits to the Blood Compact Shrine and Baclayon Church.
Land Tour Tips
- If you want a private tour, you can book a private vehicle and choose only the places you wish to visit.
- If your return flight is in the evening, taking a land tour after checking out from your resort on the last day is a great option.
Balicasag Island Hopping Tour
This tour allows you to spot dolphins, snorkel at Balicasag Island to see turtles and various fish, and visit Virgin Island with its picturesque white sand beach and clear waters.
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| Island Hopping Tour |
Balicasag Island Hopping Tour Tips
- Dolphin Watching: A tour to observe dolphins.
- Balicasag Snorkeling: An experience to enjoy snorkeling. You can find turtles at a specific spot and see a variety of beautiful fish.
- Virgin Island: Famous for its incredibly clear and transparent water. The entrance fee for foreigners is 100 PHP (approx. 2 USD).
Whale Shark and Napaling Tour
This tour offers a snorkeling experience to observe whale sharks in the Lila area. After a quick shower, you move on to the Napaling Tour to see a school of sardines. The cost for this tour is around 100 USD. To ensure the safety of the whale sharks, maintain a safe distance. It is also recommended to wear a long-sleeved rash guard to protect your skin from the sun.
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| Whale Shark Tour |
Firefly Tour
You can enjoy this tour with a round-trip minivan for two people for 900 PHP (approx. 16 USD) at a local travel agency near Alona Beach. The pickup starts around sunset, and you are taken to a mangrove forest where you can watch the magical sight of fireflies twinkling in the dark.
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| Mangrove Forest |
Local Cuisine
- Adobo: A representative Filipino dish made by stewing beef, pork, chicken, or seafood with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and pepper.
- Sinigang: A sour soup primarily made with pork, shrimp, or fish and various vegetables.
- Lechon: A whole roasted pig, often served at special events and festivals. It is characterized by its crispy skin and tender meat.
- Bulalo: A beef shank soup with a deep flavor, made by boiling beef leg bones and meat.
- Calamari: Soft and delicious fried squid.
- Inasal: A restaurant specializing in chicken and pork barbecue.
- Potato Corner: A dish of freshly fried, crispy french fries served with various seasonings.
- Jollibee: A popular Filipino fast-food chain worth visiting.
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| Bohol local food |
Bohol Recommended Shopping List
- Davis Jam: A healthy jam made with an 8:2 ratio of coconut and sugarcane extract.
- Dried Mangoes: Cebu and Fresco brands are recommended.
- Mango Cubes: Chewy mango jelly.
- Banana Chips: Jovy's and Oishi brands are popular.
- Natural Sea Sponge: Excellent for removing impurities without skin irritation due to its soft texture.
- Noni Soap: Known for its excellent cleansing properties.
- Peanut Kisses: A cookie that tastes like a peanut brittle.
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| Bohol shopping |
Transportation
The main modes of transportation used in Bohol are taxis and tricycles. Taxis are the most convenient option, but you need to negotiate the fare to your destination as they do not use a meter. Tricycles are a common sight in Bohol and are best for short-distance travel.
Philippine Currency
The highest denomination in the Philippines is the 1,000-peso note. Currently, two types of 1,000-peso notes are in circulation: the traditional "New Generation Currency Series" note and the newly issued polymer note. Other denominations include 500, 200, 100, 50, and 20-peso notes. Please note that old series banknotes not shown in the photo below are no longer valid for use.
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| Philippine currency (Source: Philippine Department of Tourism) |
Both old and new series coins are still valid for use.
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| Philippine coins - old and new series (Source: Philippine Department of Tourism) |
Philippine Currency Conversion Table
Quick conversion tip: 20 PHP is roughly equal to 0.35 USD. Use this to quickly estimate costs.
| Philippine Peso - PHP(₱) | US Dollar - USD($) |
|---|---|
| 1,000 PHP | 18 USD |
| 500 PHP | 9 USD |
| 200 PHP | 3.5 USD |
| 100 PHP | 1.8 USD |
| 50 PHP | 0.9 USD |
| 20 PHP | 0.35 USD |
We've now covered the essential information you need to know before traveling to Bohol. The island is famous for its clean nature and sea, known for having some of the most stunning beaches in Southeast Asia. For ocean lovers, it is an ideal destination. Additionally, there are many diverse attractions to witness the wonders of nature, so be sure to plan a fulfilling trip and create wonderful memories.
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