PHILIPPINES · CENTRAL VISAYAS
Beaches, countryside and easy island connections
Bohol combines relaxed coastal stays with green countryside and well-known inland sights. This guide is designed to make the practical side easier — from choosing a base to planning transport and onward connections.
Plan your Bohol trip
Start with the three decisions that shape most Bohol itineraries: how you will arrive, how you want to get around and which area suits your stay.
Getting there
Bohol can be reached by air or by ferry from nearby islands. Compare the arrival point, total travel time and your onward route before booking.
Getting around
Private drivers, scooters and organised day trips suit different travel styles. Choose according to your confidence, schedule and the places you want to combine.
Where to stay
Panglao is convenient for beaches, restaurants and many tours, while quieter areas can work better for a slower stay or an inland-focused route.
How to get to Bohol
Most visitors arrive either at Bohol–Panglao International Airport or by ferry at Tagbilaran. The best option depends on where you are coming from, where you plan to stay and how Bohol fits into the rest of your route.
By ferry from Cebu
Fast ferries to Tagbilaran can fit naturally into a Central Visayas itinerary. Check the departure terminal, luggage rules and your transfer on arrival before booking, and leave extra time when connecting from another flight or ferry.
By air
Flights arrive at Bohol–Panglao International Airport. This is usually the simplest choice when Bohol is your first stop, but compare the full journey rather than the flight alone, including airport transfers and the location of your accommodation.
Where to stay in Bohol
For most first-time visitors, Panglao is the easiest base: it offers the widest choice of accommodation, restaurants and organised tours. Travellers looking for a quieter coastal stay can also consider Anda on Bohol’s eastern side.
Panglao
The most practical choice for a first stay. Panglao combines beach access with a broad range of hotels, restaurants and tour options. It is especially convenient if you want an easy arrival and do not plan to rent your own vehicle immediately.
Our stay: We stayed at TipTop Hotel, Resto and Delishop and can also recommend Alona Pawikan as another Panglao option.
Anda
A quieter alternative for travellers who value a slower pace and less developed beaches. Anda is farther from the airport and Tagbilaran, so it works best when the longer transfer fits comfortably into your itinerary.
Things to do from Panglao
Panglao works well as a base for both island trips and Bohol’s best-known inland sights. These four experiences can be planned as separate days or combined with a wider route across the island.
Balicasag Island
A popular day trip from Panglao for clear water, snorkelling and time offshore. Check the weather, departure point and what is included before booking, especially equipment, environmental fees and transfers.
Loboc River
The river and its green surroundings offer a different side of Bohol from the beaches. We visited Loboc ourselves and would include it in an inland day rather than rushing it between too many stops.
Chocolate Hills
One of Bohol’s defining landscapes and a worthwhile stop on an inland route. We visited the Chocolate Hills ourselves; allow enough time for the journey so the day does not become only a sequence of transfers.
Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary
We visited the sanctuary in Corella, where Philippine tarsiers can be observed in a quiet forest setting. Keep your voice low, avoid flash and follow the sanctuary’s instructions to minimise stress for the animals.
Continue to Anda
Travelling from Panglao to Anda usually means first reaching the bus terminal in Tagbilaran. From Panglao or the airport area, you can take a tuk-tuk or shuttle connection to the terminal and continue east by bus or van. Confirm current departure times locally and leave enough buffer for the transfer.
Route idea: Instead of treating the journey only as a transfer, use it as a route day. Loboc River and the Chocolate Hills can be included between Panglao and Anda, provided you arrange suitable transport and keep the day realistic.
Getting around Bohol
Choose your transport according to distance, confidence and the kind of route you are planning. We used tuk-tuks frequently on Panglao, while scooters and cars offer more flexibility for longer journeys.
Tuk-tuk
Practical for short journeys around Panglao and the option we used most often. Agree on the fare before longer rides and ask your accommodation for a realistic local price when unsure.
Scooter
A flexible option for independent travellers who are confident riding in local traffic. Check the vehicle, helmet and rental terms before leaving, and avoid choosing a scooter only to save money.
Car or private driver
More comfortable for longer routes, luggage and inland stops. A rental car offers independence, while a private driver removes the navigation and parking stress on a full sightseeing day.