Travel Guide: Bohol on a Budget

Let's enjoy what Bohol can offer on a tight budget!

Planning the Itinerary:

*Do your research about your planned trip.

What is with that place that you couldn't find in other places?

As a newbie budget traveler, maximizing everything on the trip is my number one Agenda. (Travelling is expensive so better have your itinerary planned.)

How to get there:

Via Plane: Bohol is accessible by  plane.

Via Fast Craft:  From Cebu, Bohol is accessible in two routes.

1) Fast crafts bound to Tubigon, Bohol  is located in Pier 1 or Pier 3 in Cebu.

-It will take you one hour and a half via Starcraft, the fare is Php. 220.00

2) Fast Ferries from Cebu to Tagbilaran will take two hours.  Ocean Jet (http://oceanjet.net/) is located in Pier 1 (Estimated Fare-Php. 800.00) and Weesam (http://www.weesamexpress.net/)  in Pier 4 (Estimated Fare-Php. 400.00)

                      Starcraft waiting for passengers bound to Tubigon.

Transportation Around Bohol:

On either ports, buses, vans and jeepneys are available.

*If you are travelling in big groups, I suggest that you hire a private van that will drop you to any destination you like. (You can manage your time from hopping from one destination to another and it would be more comfortable.)

*You can also commute, since Ceres Liner in now available around Bohol with regular schedule, commuting around Bohol could be a little bit less hassle free, but you must take note that some spots you might want to visit is not accessible via public utility vehicles.

There are also habal-habal (single motorcycle) drivers that could drop you to that certain tourist place but it could be expensive so you must negotiate with the price and always ask for discount so that you could maximize your trip (transportation expenses in this place could damage your budget).

          Our rented car. It is ideal to rent a private car for group tour.

When we first visit Bohol, we chose to commute and since way back in 2012, Ceres Liner is not yet available and bus schedules are irregular, we really spent big in travel expenses, we even experienced ridding in the last step of an old bus's ladder (but was a very memorable experience).

                  My first photo of a Tarsier- Sagbayan Peak, 2012.

Bohol Itinerary:

You can start you tour from north to south, east or west, it depends on you-- or your starting point. Since we took the fast craft bound to Tubigon, I will start this itinerary from Tubigon.

                            Sagbayan Peak Entrance

SAGBAYAN PEAK

Sagbayan Peak is a mountain resort and recreation center which offers a 360-degree view of Chocolate Hills and the blue sea that separates Bohol and Cebu.

It is just a few minutes ride from Tubigon Port, you can ride a jeepney or bus bound to Carmen, Bohol and ask the driver to drop you to Sagbayan Peak or you can ask the dispatcher in the terminal. (Estimated Fare- Php. 25.00)

Entrance Fee- Php. 20.00

                  Photo Source: http://boholgateway.com

DANAO ECO ADVENTURE PARK

If you are an Adventure type, you shouldn't miss Danao Eco Adventure Park. It is also the place for newbie adventure seeker to test their diaphragms and conquer their fear of heights.

"The park’s extreme attractions are enough to satisfy even the most foolhardy adrenaline junkie." 

"For starters, you can try outdoorsy fare such as trekking, rappelling, ATV rides, caving and kayaking down the Wahig River. Pluckier souls can try scaling giant tree roots (root climbing), bouncing down the river in a massive inner tube (river tubing) or going up, up and away in a motor-powered paraglider (paramotoring).

But there are three must-dos before you can claim to have truly experienced the park — and they all take place a breath-taking 200 meters above ground.

The Sky Ride, The Plunge, a canyon swing that sends adventurers on a 45-meter free fall before swinging them back and forth like a pendulum, is a little higher on the adrenaline scale. And then there’s the Suislide — a zipline that traverses a half-kilometer gap between mountains; one of the longest zip lines in the Philippines."

Fees: Dependent on your adventure choice.

                Photo Source: http://farm6.static.flickr.com

Dagohoy Marker

It is along the way from Danao Eco Park so you can stop by to pay respects and take photos.

                  214 steps going up to the viewing deck.

CHOCOLATE HILLS

Hills could be seen like Chocolate Kisses covered with soil and green grass especially when you are nearing the town of Carmen. With Php. 50.00 entrance fee, and 214 steps of ladder up to the viewing deck to surpass without stopping, the Chocolate Hills are all yours to take jump shots, videos, group/family photos, and selfies.

*Long trip under the blazing heat of the sun could be exhausting. There is a restaurant below the viewing deck where you can order food and refreshment. 

Entrance Fee- Php. 50.00

You can request the caretakers to take a photo of you. :)

TARSIER SANCTUARY/TARSIER CONSERVATION AREA:

You shouldn't miss seeing the tarsier up close and personal. When we visit in 2012, there are like 16 tarsiers open for public viewing but when we come back in 2013, there were only about 12 (correct me if I am wrong). 

*There is a short lecture so please follow the rules to help conserve the species of tarsier. I really felt bad when I saw some tourist touching the tarsier's tale and making loud noises despite of big signage in front of them. 

Entrance Fee- Php. 50.00

MAN MADE FOREST

It is a 2-kilometer expanse of verdant vegetation mostly of Mahogany trees, added with ferns, some wild bushes and flowers. You can ask the driver to have a short stop to take photos (if you are renting a private car) if not, try asking the bus driver, some buses stops here for the passengers to take care of their personal necessities, you might be lucky.

Entrance Fee- FREE

One of the Falls, the end part of the river cruise. Above are the zipline cables of Loboc Adventure Park.

           The view of River cruise boat above the 'bridge'.

The locals singing Boholano folk songs while some are dancing.

                                           Loboc Plaza.

LOBOC FLOATING RESTAURANT

 It is situated in front of Loboc Church, one of the old churches of Bohol. You cant take enjoy the view of the Municipality of Loboc on the bridge going to the Floating Restaurant.

For a minimum price of  450 pesos, that includes a river cruise plus a buffet meal of native foods, Loboc River Cruise offers a different sight seeing and plates of delicious foods while being serenade by Boholanos local singers and entertained by short cultural shows by the locals. 

River Cruise Free- Php. 450.00

EX-ZOOTIC ANIMAL FARM

Are you afraid of snake? What about taking a picture with a python?

There are also several animal in the farm such as  leopards, squirrels, civet cats, crocodiles, ostrich etc. 

Entrance Fee: Php. 30.00

                   The three butterflies in the butterfly farm.

BUTTERFLY FARM

 We are excited to see many butterfly just like in the movies but it seems that we are not on timing. There are only four butterflies, the only good thing there is that our guide who entertained us as the replacement for the missing butterflies. 

Estimated Entrance fee: (Php. 30.00)

                       Front view of the Baclayon Church.

                    Side View of the Baclayon Church.

BACLAYON CHURCH

 You should miss visiting second oldest church in the Philippines, the Baclayon Church. Also visit the Museum beside the church. Light a candle and make a wish.

"Constructed in 1595 by the Jesuit priests, it is still intact and houses important relics and images reminiscent of the historic Roman Catholic religion in the country. Among those displayed in the church museum are: crystal chandelier, silver tabernacle, altar with carvings inlaid with gold, life-size statues and more."

*Look at the right wall of the church.

Entrance Fee (Museum): Php. 30.00

                                   Sanduguan Shrine.

SANDUGUAN SHRINE

 Philippine History review. Sanduguan Shrine is a commemorative site of the blood compact (Sanduguan)  between the chieftain of Bohol, Datu Sikatuna and the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi  on March 16, 1565 as a symbol of alliance and friendship. The two leaders made a cut in their arms and mixed drops of their blood with wine then drank it. 

Entrance Fee: Free

                                  Inside the Hinagdanan Cave.

                          The water is a mixture of salt and fresh water.

HINAGDANAN CAVE

"It is a naturally lighted cavern with a deep lagoon and many large stalactites and stalagmites.

The cave is lit by sunlight which filters through holes in the ceiling. The underground lake is a popular swimming spot, but it has been known to test for high levels of various pollutants, since it is fed by ground runoff.

Hinagdanan Cave is made of limestone. The cave is within easy reach. You'll have to walk through dense vegetation of just about one kilometre. The entrance of the cave is a hole of about 1 metre wide in diameter, visible from a limestone hill."

*There are plenty of bats so watch out for bat dings.

 Entrance Fee: Php. 25.00

                              Inquiring for Panglao Island ride.

*Since Hinagdanan Cave is located in Panglao Island, you can hire a tricycle that will bring you back and forth for Php. 220.00 or even lesser.

*You can also talk to your driver and tell him to bring you to Dauis Church.

                The wall painting is simply breath taking!

                                 Dauis Church's Altar.

DAUIS CHURCH

 "This church is characterized with a ceiling that displays lifelike murals depicting religious figures from the Holy Bible, a traditional pulpit, tombstones of the church’s benefactors, a choir loft and a lifelike centuries-old image of the Virgin of the Assumptions at the altar. But what makes this church uniquely different from the rest of the churches in the island of Panglao and mainland Bohol is an existing well at the foot of the altar."

*Water from Dauis Church was believed to be miraculous. 

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*All the spots I indicated above can be visited in just one day. Time management.

*Indicated above are the places I was able to visit. You can also add these spots in your itinerary:

PANGLAO BEACH

Loboc-Loay River Cruise

Loay River Firefly Cruise

Bohol Bee Farm

Punta Watch Tower

Pamilacan Island Tour

Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling at Balicasag Island 

ACCOMODATION:

I recommend NISA TRAVELLER's INN for buget accomodation. It is the most affordable accommodation I found.

SOUVENIRS:

*Souvenirs are cheaper in Hinagdanan Cave.

You can buy some shirts at Php. 99.99. Key chains are at the range of 4-6 pcs for Php. 100.00.

*It is also cheaper in the Tarsier Sanctuary.

***If you have comments, questions, suggestions or corrections please comment below. Thank you for reading my blog. :)

What do you think?