Bohol Island Activities

Children are consistently delighted with the scope of wildlife that exists on Bohol. The Tarsiers Visitors Centre tops the list of attractions, but there is much to see beyond this. Whether exploring the diverse marine life or surveying the endless expanse of the ‘chocolate hills’, children visiting Bohol are presented with countless opportunities to experience the province's impressive natural environment first-hand.

Snorkelling
Snorkelling is a major attraction on Bohol Island with the incredible underwater scenery being what has made this place so popular with visitors. In many of the shallow swimming areas, a snorkel and a swimming mask will reveal a menagerie of marine life for children. There are thousands of distinct species offshore from Bohol. While some of these fish may venture too deep to be enjoyed by snorkellers, there's still plenty for surface-divers to see. The nice resort area on Panglao Island is one of the best places to get children outfitted for a snorkelling expedition. Pamilcan and Balicasag islands are also nice for swimming and snorkelling.

Tarsier Visitors Centre
The world's smallest primate is also one of its rarest. Named for the long tarsal bones in its feet, the tarsier leaps from one branch to the next in a similar way to a tree frog. Though tarsier once pervaded the northern hemisphere, today they can only be found in Bohol along with a handful of other islands in Southeast Asia. This visitor's centre, complete with captive-bred tarsiers and a small sanctuary with walking paths where visitors can view the saucer-eyed primates in their natural surroundings, is an ideal place for children.

Whale Watching
Historically, locals from Pamilican used a special style of boat called the canter on whale-hunting expeditions. These days, the canter has been refurbished with more comfortable seating, and is now used by cetacean spotters who bring tourists within viewing distance of dolphin and whale groups. Children and adults alike are always amazed by the sight of these magnificent sea-dwelling mammals. Ask around in town to see which tour agency is getting the best reviews. While it's possible to see select species year-round, the best whale and dolphin sightings are between March and June.

The Island of Bohol boasts a wealth of culture, much of which is owed to three centuries of Spanish colonial rule. A number of churches were begun by the Jesuit community, and then later refurbished (or outright rebuilt) by the Augustinian Recollects. The most impressive architecture dates to the early 1500s, when the Spanish first began to develop the region. Visiting religious shrines during festivals or other observances is one of the best ways to appreciate the cultural importance of these sites.

Baclayon Museum
Housed in Baclayon Church, the religious artefacts kept here include church music written in Latin on canvases made of animal skin. Portions of the music are played during church services. Visitors can also view traditional robes and other period clothing and a nice selection of religious artworks, most of which date to the 1500s. An impressive volume of liturgical manuscripts have also been preserved in the museum. The church itself is a fine example of 16^th century Jesuit architecture, though an updated façade was added in the 1800s.

Blood Compact Monument
This Bool monument was erected in honour of the famous allegiance between Legaspi, a Spanish explorer, and Sakatuna, a local tribal chief. The two sealed their friendship in 1565 by entering into a famous blood bond at this site. Blood drawn from the arms of both men was mixed into a cup of wine which each drank from. This acknowledgement of mutual respect is considered the first treaty between Spain and the Philippines. Bool is located a short distance from Tagbilaran.

Church of San Pedro
One of Bohol's oldest churches, the Church of San Pedro was built in the early 17^th century in Loboc. However, the original church burned down within the first 40 years after construction, and the church that stands today is a result of the reconstruction that followed. Highlights of the church include a nice bell tower, paintings on the ceilings and the Spanish coat of arms on the front wall of the convent-turned-museum. Abutting the river is a peculiar, unfinished bridge which lost out in preliminary planning stages to the church.

Dauis Church
Dauis town, a short distance from Tagbilaran, contains one of the region’s finest specimens of Spanish-colonial architecture. A local legend states that a raid by pirates forced townspeople to barricade themselves in this church for an extended period. As time passed, the people ran out of food and water. A gurgling well sprang from the foot of the altar, saving the townspeople from dying of thirst. The altar, well and the image of the Virgin of the Assumption remain to this day, and worshippers marvel at the freshness of the water despite its proximity to the sea.

Loon Church
The largest church in Bohol was finished by the Augustinian Recollects in the mid-18^th century. It features two eight-sided bell towers that flank the church and complete its symmetry. The architectural style is predominantly Corinthian and Ionic. The wooden planks used to build the framework of the stone church were carried through wilderness and across unfinished trails for many miles before they reached the building site. Don't miss the neoclassical altar which stretches the width of the sanctuary.

Punta Cruz
An ancient tower located at Punta Cruz was once used as a watch post for marauders and pirates approaching Maribojoc Bay in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Locals claim that the ancient, wooden cross on the tower has mystical powers that aid in guarding the coastline from attack. Visitors are still permitted to climb the tower, and the view from the highest windows includes the distant islands of Cebu and Mindanao. The tower is about nine miles west of Tagbilaran City.

Rizal Park
Also referred to as Plaza Principe, this is the cultural centre of Tagbilaran City. The two primary landmarks here are Bohol's provincial capital and St Joseph's Cathedral, which face each other across the plaza. The library here in Rizal Park has an interesting relief map of Bohol Island along with reference materials, photographs and portraits that chronicle the province's political scene since independence.

Most tourists don't come to Bohol with shopping in mind. Even so, there’s a nice variety of shopping outlets across the province. Prices are a bit higher here compared to elsewhere in the Philippines, and polite haggling is expected at smaller shops.

While Bohol is not well-known for its handicrafts, there’s a fine variety of goods available here. Colourful buntal hats are a popular souvenir. Beyond this, tourists will find handmade woven baskets and mats. Slippers and handmade sandals are popular as well, as are trinkets and souvenirs made from shells in coastal areas. Beyond items like these, shoppers may find that product selection is better in other parts of the Philippines.

Hand-carved woodwork is another fine product that you'll find throughout Bohol. Jewellery boxes make for fine gifts, and the meticulous attention to detail on these pieces is remarkable. The most unique memorabilia capitalises on the region's unique attractions. Peanut kisses, shaped like the mammoth ‘chocolate hills’, can be found across Bohol—not just in Carmen where the hills are found. Toy tarsiers come in all sizes and are favourite buys among visitors.

Bohol's large-scale shopping centres are all located in Tagbilaran City. The three biggest contenders are the Bohol Quality Mall on Carlos P Garcia avenue, Plaza Marcela on Barangay Cogon and the newly opened Island City Mall, which can be found near the bus terminal. In these shopping centres, shoppers will find grocery and department stores, specialty boutiques and bookstores.

The large shopping malls also have dining options for hungry shoppers, ranging from food courts to full-service restaurants. Of course, eating options aren't limited to commercial zones in Bohol; there are plenty of places across the island to enjoy an authentic meal or a Western favourite. In more remote parts of Bohol, eating options may be limited to street side vendors and your hotel or guesthouse.

Local cuisine features a spicy fusion of many regional favourites. The sheer volume of cultural flux taking place over the centuries has led to an exciting blend of tastes that draw upon Malay, Chinese, Spanish, American and Japanese influences. The fast food outlets around Tagbilaran's shopping centres are vestiges of the former American presence.

Culinary techniques that sprang up during the Spanish colonial period still retain their Spanish names. Menudo (a tasty meat and potato soup) is popular with locals and tourists alike. Pochero is another delicious dish made from pork, cabbage and other vegetables. Coconut milk (gata) is featured in dishes borne out of Malaysian influence. The presence of Chinese immigrants in the Philippines has contributed to noodle dishes like pancit, which features a variety of vegetables along with shrimp.

Bohol and the surrounding islets are a nature lover's paradise. The bulk of the outdoor activities capitalise on the long stretches of white-sand beaches, and the beautiful coral reefs that are just offshore. However, there's equally as much to explore inland, with hiking trails into the volcanic highlands and numerous caves to explore. Check with travel agencies in individual towns to get a feel for the sort of outdoor activities offered in specific areas.

Diving
Some of Bohol's most impressive scenery is found below sea level. Fine-grain white sand beaches are the perfect staging grounds for excursions into these azure waters, and one the best places for scuba diving is Balicasag Island. This island's reputation makes it one of the most popular diving stops for visitors to the Philippines. The waters offshore from Pamilacan Island host a variety of snapper, surgeonfish, mackerel and tuna, presenting an ideal opportunity for an up-close perspective on the marine life. For an all-inclusive diving vacation, head to Panglao Island where several first-class resorts provide luxurious accommodation, scuba diving lessons and equipment hire.

Fishing
The idyllic waters off Bohol host an incredible assortment of warm-water marine life. More than 2,400 distinct species of fish populate the reefs and surrounding seas. Many big game varieties such as marlin, barracuda, mackerel, giant tuna and swordfish are well established here, and a fishing excursion is a wonderful way to enjoy this environment. Touring agencies on Bohol can arrange boat and equipment hire and put you in touch with competent guides who know where to find the best fishing depending on the type of game you're looking for. Generally, the best time for fishing is between December and August.

Hiking
With so many attractive beaches and ideal swimming spots, visitors to Bohol are often surprised to discover the montage of hiking and cycling trails that criss-cross the region. Bohol's landscape is characterised by rolling hills and intermittent plateaus, with trails spanning several levels of difficulty. The cities of Sierra Bullones, Carmen and Batuan enjoy a cooler climate that makes them perfect for leisurely nature walks as well as more challenging hikes. Bilar is also an interesting place to hike or explore by bicycle. The manmade forest here is home to a few of Bohol's endangered species, headlined by the inquisitive tarsier primates.