| Bohol, a small island in central Philippines, is known for | | | | encounter with some of the country's rare bird |
| the world famous and unique Chocolate Hills. It is one | | | | species. |
| of the country's most popular tourist spots. It's true | | | | Bohol is also a place rich with culture and history. |
| though that when most people think of Bohol, almost | | | | Century-old churches in Baclayon, Loboc, Loay, |
| nothing else comes to mind. It might surprise you that it | | | | Maribojoc, Loon and Dauis are a few of the standing |
| is more than the usual tourist spot and that there's | | | | monuments. And there are old Spanish watchtowers |
| more to explore and to see in this island than those | | | | in Punta Cruz, Dauis, Panglao and Pamilacan. |
| limestone hill formations. | | | | If you want to keep away from the province's usual |
| Bohol is home to pristine beach shores. Panglao Island, | | | | tourist trail, you can travel along the less popular |
| just minutes away from the capital Tagbilaran, is | | | | eastern side of the island. It has some of the most |
| increasingly gaining more popularity among local and | | | | amazing coastlines, and secluded beaches, from the |
| foreign tourists as a more laid-back and tranquil beach | | | | town of Anda in the southeast to the town of Talibon |
| destination alternative to Boracay. | | | | in the north. |
| But if you're the kind who's not satisfied with having a | | | | Some of the towns in Bohol also offer |
| few dips in the water and taking in spectacular | | | | community-based tours. Calape, Maribojoc and |
| beachfront views, Bohol will certainly not disappoint. | | | | Candijay are among such towns. It is a great option to |
| Scuba divers have more than enough choices of | | | | visit these towns' protected mangrove areas and |
| world class diving spots surrounding the island. Colorful | | | | experience the quaint rural life in this part of the |
| coral reefs and rich marine life will surely satisfy all | | | | country. These tours showcase how resolute the |
| types of explorers, from novice snorkelers to expert | | | | locals are in preserving the island's natural environment. |
| divers. | | | | But to really experience Bohol is to experience the |
| Another popular attraction is dolphin and whale | | | | people's hospitality. Try visiting the island in May when |
| watching. Pamilacan Island is headquarters to the best | | | | town fiestas are celebrated almost everyday. You |
| spotters that arrange these tours. Most were former | | | | can hop from town to town without having to bring |
| hunters who joined the dolphin and whale watching | | | | money other than for transportation. You'd surely be |
| program after the Philippine government banned the | | | | invited to residents' homes and enjoy feasts of lechon |
| killing of these marine mammals. | | | | baboy (roasted pig) and kinilaw (raw fish). |
| Bohol's exotic wildlife is not limited underwater. The | | | | Bohol is an island blessed with so much bounty and |
| island's last remaining forests protect unique fauna. It is | | | | natural beauty. There's no argument about that. What |
| home to one of the world's smallest primates, the | | | | sets it apart from other tourist spots is that there's so |
| tarsier. You can visit the Philippine Tarsier Foundation in | | | | much to explore and so much to do that it's actually |
| Corella and see the timid and peculiar animal in its | | | | pretty difficult to decide which one to do first. Of |
| natural habitat. | | | | course, you can't pass up a visit to the impressive |
| The Rajah Sikatuna National Park, a large forest | | | | Chocolate Hills. But staying overnight at this famous |
| reserve near Bilar, is a bird-watcher's paradise. Treks | | | | spot just to see stunning sunrise and sunset over the |
| along the trails throughout the park can lead you to an | | | | surreal landscape will be well worth it. |