Bohol has lured explorers for centuries—from Spanish galleons to modern-day divers—thanks to its coral-fringed coasts and storybook interior. The island’s star attractions, the Chocolate Hills and the tiny, wide-eyed tarsiers, sit alongside living riverside traditions in Loboc and bustling market life in Tagbilaran.

Today, Bohol balances eco-adventure with heritage. Ride river cruises beneath jungle canopies, zip over valleys, and snorkel among bright reefs off Balicasag. Evenings bring a different kind of magic: constellations of fireflies sparkling above quiet waterways.

Practical notes: Dry season typically runs November–May; June–October brings rain with occasional storms. ATMs are clustered in Tagbilaran and Alona; carry cash for rural stops. Local specialties to try include peanut kisses, calamay, squid ink adobo, and farm-fresh ice cream from Bohol Bee Farm.

Panglao Island

Panglao is Bohol’s beach hub—clear shallows, powdery stretches like Alona and Dumaluan, and easy boat access to snorkeling havens. Mornings begin with coffee and sea breezes; afternoons drift by with reef swims and coconut shakes; golden hours linger at breezy beach bars.

Dive boats head for Balicasag’s marine sanctuary, where turtles glide over coral gardens. On land, Dauis hides a photogenic limestone pool at Hinagdanan Cave. By night, head north to Abatan River for ethereal firefly shows that feel like nature’s own lantern festival.

Eat your way across Alona: smoothie bowls at Shaka; wood-fired pies at Giuseppe Pizzeria; farm-to-table spreads and malunggay ice cream at Bohol Bee Farm’s The Buzzz; smoky ribs at Smoque Bistro in Tagbilaran; and Filipino family recipes (pancit, crispy pata) at Gerarda’s.

Where to stay (mid-range picks across Alona, Danao Beach, and Doljo):

• Find beachfront condos, villas, and family-friendly stays on VRBO Panglao Island.
• Compare resorts and boutique hotels on Hotels.com Panglao Island.

Getting to Bohol (for Panglao start): Fly into Bohol–Panglao International Airport (codes vary by carrier). From Manila, flights are ~1.5 hours (~$40–$120); from Cebu, ~30–45 minutes. Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Ferries from Cebu to Tagbilaran take ~2 hours; then it’s ~40 minutes by car to Alona.

Day 1: Arrival, Alona Stroll, and Firefly Finale

Morning: Travel day. Aim for a late-morning or midday flight so you’re beachside by afternoon.

Afternoon: Check in, then shake off jet lag with an easy Alona Beach walk and a dip. Coffee and a light bite at Shaka (try the Bom Dia bowl) or The Buzzz Café for calamansi sorbet and cassava chips.

Evening: Early dinner at Giuseppe Pizzeria (Sicilian roast chicken or quattro formaggi). Cap the night with a firefly cruise on the Abatan River—otherworldly and gentle on your first night. Book the Bohol: Firefly Watching Cruise or Kayaking to float under shimmering mangroves.

Day 2: Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers, and Loboc River Lunch

Morning: Fuel up at The Buzzz Café (homemade bread, mango jam) before heading inland. Stop at the Tarsier Conservation Area to meet the world’s smallest primates—observe quietly, no flash. Continue through the mahogany Man-Made Forest.

Afternoon: Board a floating restaurant for a Loboc River lunch—buffet of grilled fish, pancit, and seasonal fruit while a guitarist strums Visayan classics. Then ascend the Chocolate Hills view deck in Carmen for 360° vistas; on the way back, drop by historic Baclayon Church and museum.

Evening: Back in Panglao, recover with a hilot massage at a local spa (Nuat Thai branches are reliable). Dinner at Smoque Bistro (barbecue platter, smoked tuna belly) or Gerarda’s for heritage Filipino dishes. If you prefer a packaged experience, this full circuit is covered by the Private Bohol and Chocolate Hills with Loboc River Cruise.

Day 3: Balicasag Island Hopping and Panglao Beach Day

Morning: Pre-dawn pick-up for a dolphin-spotting run, then snorkel Balicasag’s marine sanctuary where turtles browse seagrass meadows. Mask, fins, and a guide are included when you book the Bohol Province Balicasag Island Day Tour.

Afternoon: Sandbar time at Virgin Island, then return for a late lunch: try The Buzzz at Bohol Bee Farm (pesto pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, organic greens) overlooking the sea. Nap and beach at Dumaluan, a quieter stretch than Alona.

Evening: Sunset cocktails at a beach bar. Dinner at Tarsier Paprika (grilled seafood, tropical garden setting) for a treat-night option, or budget-friendly Payag Restaurant in Tagbilaran for chicken inasal and kinilaw.

Loboc

Loboc is Bohol’s green heart: a music-loving river town wrapped in jungle, bamboo, and birdsong. Its centuries-old church speaks to a deep choral tradition, while its glassy river begs for paddleboards at sunrise and firefly floats after dark.

Adventurers zip across the Loboc gorge in a couple of heartbeats; culture-seekers linger on floating restos as local performers dance tinikling. Nearby bridges, caves, and waterfalls make for easy day loops with plenty of roadside fruit stands.

Where to stay: Riverside cottages and eco-lodges feel worlds away yet are under an hour from Tagbilaran. Browse VRBO Loboc and Hotels.com Loboc for cabins with hammocks, garden bungalows, and poolside rooms.

Getting from Panglao to Loboc: By car or van it’s ~1–1.5 hours (PHP 2,000–2,800 private transfer, negotiable). Public options include jeepney/van via Tagbilaran (~PHP 120–200 plus a tricycle to the terminal). No trains in Bohol.

Day 4: Transfer to Loboc + Danao Adventure Park

Morning: Check out of Panglao and set out early for Danao Adventure Park (about 2 hours from Loboc; 2.5–3 hours from Panglao). Grab roadside snacks—suman (sticky rice) and fresh bukó juice.

Afternoon: Go full-adventure: the zipline rockets across a canyon; the famous “Plunge” is a controlled freefall/canyon swing; options also include caving and river kayaking (weather-dependent). Expect entrance ~PHP 200; activities from ~PHP 500–1,500 each. Simple park canteens serve grilled meats and noodles for lunch.

Evening: Drive back to Loboc, check in, and unwind with a riverside dinner. Try grilled fish with calamansi, adobong kangkong, and cold San Miguel. If energy remains, a gentle night stroll under firefly-lit trees seals the adventure vibe.

Day 5: Loboc Riverlife, Hanging Bridges, and Waterfalls

Morning: Sunrise stand-up paddle or kayak on mirror-calm sections of the Loboc River—ideal for birdwatching and photographs. Coffee and banana pancakes at your lodge or a local café.

Afternoon: Visit the Sipatan Twin Hanging Bridge in Sevilla, then cool off at Pangas Falls or Dimiao’s twin cascades (refreshing swim spots; modest entrance fees). For adrenaline close to town, try the Loboc Eco Adventure Park zipline over the river gorge.

Evening: Dinner at a floating restaurant (go early for riverside seats) or a homestyle eatery in town. Craving variety? Head to Tagbilaran’s Tamper Coffee & Brunch for excellent brews and a modern Filipino menu, then back to Loboc for a quiet night.

Day 6: Markets, Museums, and Departure

Morning: Pack up and roll toward Tagbilaran City. Stop at the National Museum Bohol (regional history, geology of the Chocolate Hills) and the Blood Compact Shrine for photos.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Gerarda’s (chicken pastel, kare-kare, ube halaya for dessert) or Prawn Farm for seafood, then head to the airport or seaport. For flights, compare times and fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you have spare minutes, grab pasalubong: peanut kisses, tablea (cacao), and calamay in woven husks.

Optional Add-On: Adventure Upgrade near Chocolate Hills

If you want more off-road thrills around the hills, consider this half-day experience with ATV trails, a falls stop, and zipline: Chocolatehills Adventure Tour with Pangas Falls, ATV AND Zipline.

Alternative Ocean Day (if you skip Day 3): Turtle Sanctuary Focus

Shorter on time? Book a half-day snorkel with lunch and a guaranteed turtle stop: Bohol: Turtle Sanctuary Snorkeling and Boat Tour with Lunch.

Food and drink cheat sheet (save for later):

• Breakfast/coffee: Shaka (smoothie bowls), Tamper Coffee & Brunch (third-wave coffee, chorizo tapa), The Buzzz Café (homemade breads, organic spreads).
• Lunch: Loboc River floating restos (buffet), Prawn Farm (seafood), The Buzzz by Bohol Bee Farm (farm-to-table).
• Dinner: Giuseppe Pizzeria (Italian classics), Smoque Bistro (smoked meats), Tarsier Paprika (seafood in garden setting), Gerarda’s (heritage Filipino).
• Spas: Nuat Thai branches (budget-friendly massages), resort spas in Panglao for hilot treatments.

Local know-how: Rent a scooter (PHP 450–650/day) only if you’re confident; otherwise hire tricycles or a driver for rural roads at night. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a dry bag for island trips. Firefly tours and boat trips are weather- and tide-dependent; keep one flexible evening.

With beaches, jungled rivers, and crumpled karst hills, Bohol rewards the curious. Across six days you’ll sample its best—reef swims, river cruises, zip lines, and starlit mangroves—spiced with homestyle Filipino cooking.

It’s the kind of trip that balances thrill and stillness: mornings chasing new horizons, nights sharing stories over grilled fish and calamansi. Keep your camera handy—and your sense of wonder closer.