Bohol and Panglao

When you’re a budding traveler and you’re thinking of traveling locally, Bohol is probably one of the first things you’d put in your bucket list. It’s in everyone’s radar, travel is relatively easy and affordable, and yet, there are so many sights and activities packed in a small area. I’d always wanted to go to Bohol, but it took me three years after writing my 30 before 30 list before I actually got the chance.

Also, it sounded like a place where my family could go! I am all for walking all day, but this time around, I just wanted my parents to rest and enjoy, even if it meant being in an aircon van between attractions. Boring and too touristy? Well, I certainly wasn’t complaining. :) So we waited for an AirAsia seat sale and booked us a tour package at Bohol Rent a Car (P3000/head — more on this later). Since we were not going to do heavy physical activities, we packed in small, light backpacks, which we filled with lots of Peanut Kisses later on. :) My trusty five-year-old Jansport went with me. (I found a good collection of Jansport backpacks in nice colors and prints at Zalora!)

When I went to Bohol in December 2014, the province was still recovering from the effects of the 2013 earthquake.  We saw how the Baclayon and Loboc churches were being rebuilt. My mother, who had been to Bohol before, also saw a Panglao shoreline that is steeper than before. Still, I should say that Bohol was worth visiting in spite of these damages. You might even find the restoration quite fascinating.

Here’s our itinerary:

Bohol and Panglao for Three Days and Two Nights

Day 1: day tour of Bohol

• met our driver at the Tagbilaran Airport
• Blood Compact site
• Baclayon Church
• Loboc Church
• Loboc River Cruise and Floating Restaurant
• Tarsier Conservation Area in Loboc
• Man-Made Forest in Bilar
• Butterfly Garden
• Chocolate Hills

• Hanging Bridge
• pasalubong shopping at Aproniana Souvenir Shop
• Travel to Panglao, rest at Alona Grove Resort
• Dinner along Alona Beach

Day 2: Island Hopping around Panglao

• Dolphin watching (but there were no dolphins that morning :( )
• Balicasag Island
• Naked Island
• Dinner along Alona Beach

Day 3: Panglao Land Tour

• Bohol Bee Farm
• Hinagdanan Cave

Going Around

Before you balk at Bohol Rent a Car‘s P3000/head tour package, let me show you the inclusions:

• accommodations — our family of five had a room with TV and aircon at Alona Groove Resort
• daily breakfast
• land transfers from airport to resort and back
• transportation with driver/tour guide
• Bohol land tour (see Day 1 of our itinerary)
• entrance fees
• buffet at the floating restaurant during the Loboc River Cruise
• Island hopping tour

I should also say — and this is not an ad — that I highly recommend them. I was in contact with Sir Ramil Palileo, who was able to find us a car to accommodate us for a short Panglao land tour. Sir Nilo, our driver for the countryside tour, was also very entertaining! Check out their packages here. You may contact them at (0917)6689074.

More stories about Bohol to come later!