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Posts Tagged ‘Bohol Activities’
Thursday, September 27th, 2012
 The Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa in Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines Located in Pangalo Island, Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa is a haven for those seeking ultimate relaxation during their stay here in the island of Bohol. It is a perfect hideaway from the distractions of the city. The sprawling property sits on 16 hectares covered in lush tropical garden. The view is fantastic as it shows a long stretch of white sand on this side of Panglao facing Bohol Sea. The beach on this part of the island is a total of 5 kilometers and 600 meters of it belong to Eskaya. There is a variety of land formations around the area, a gradually ascending cliff, flat land, a ravine and caves.
 The name “eskaya” is the only known indigenous people of Bohol. The place is serene and very tranquil. The architecture that is common around is a true Filipino style with modern amenities. The exotic thatched villas that are called “balai” are built with sturdy construction and materials used are locally found in the island, like the bamboo, cogon and native wood. The villas also have their own swimming pools. The infinity pool is amazing and blends with the view of the sea at its bluest color. The villa’s bathrooms have a whirlpool bath and a rain shower. The shower is set outdoor and separated only by bamboo fences for privacy. The beds are huge and comfortable and the pretty mosquito net around the bed makes you feel like royalty.
Different dining set ups can be requested. You can dine under the moon and the stars, or al fresco, by the poolside or by the beach, or simply enjoy the warm ambiance of their restaurant Lantawan. They can also set up a bonfire and barbecue at the beach for casual dining. Breakfast can also be requested to be set up in the garden in the midst of beautiful birds chirping and flying by. Or in-villa setting can also be arranged for a more private and intimate dining. The staff is efficient, very friendly and super attentive. It is fast and superb service and the room service is very quick. It is like getting the contentment and convenience at your own home but with the beautiful and serene surrounding to greet you.
The resort can also arrange other activities like island hopping, sunset cruises, cruising at Loboc River, visit the man-made forest, Chocolate Hills or go scuba diving in Balicasag Island or go whale-watching at Pamilacan Island. The Handuraw Spa in Eskaya is tranquil and modern. It offers a gracious fusion of traditional therapies and modern spa technology, a melting pot of Asian healing practices and rich European spa traditions. The experience of staying at Eskaya is definitely unforgettable. Treat yourself and book with us and stay at this marvelous place in Panglao Island in Bohol. You can also click the name of the hotel in our Quick Hotel Finder button to easily jump to the resort’s page.
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Tags: Bohol, Bohol Activities, Bohol Destinations, Bohol hotel reservation, Bohol Tours, Panglao Hotels, panglao island, Things to do in Bohol
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Friday, September 14th, 2012
 A little advance planning definitely helps you make the most of your time and money in Bohol, Philippines. Research about the places you want to see and activities you want to do. Do read reviews, but do not dwell in them too much as your expectations might be set too high. Our website has a lot of good suggestions and is well worth it to check out. Do not overdo your itinerary and just leave yourself just rummaging through a crowded traffic of tourists or your basic inability to relax leaving you only with 5 hours of sleep each night. Make a back-up itinerary in case the one you have is not working out for you. Most importantly, learn how to say no to extra load from work while you are away. It is your vacation and you must enjoy it without having to be stressed out for the same reason you are on holidays to un-stress yourself.
It is also best to spend more time exploring fewer destinations, thereby creating a more intimate travel experience. The good thing is that despite all of its variety, Bohol is considerably a tiny place and it’s relatively easy to explore within half a day or less. You can easily enjoy all of the island’s main fields of interest: beach, jungle or land activities and hopping to other islands in a week.
Hire a guide. The idea that hiring a guide is for amateur tourists is really a misconception. Hiring a guide could be the best move you make. Especially it’s a good idea if you are going to be in a place for a short period of time. Be always polite, an aggravation due to an ugly exchange brought about by a little misunderstanding will totally fall under how to ruin your vacation.
Only over the Christmas-New Year’s, Chinese New Year’s and Easter holiday periods might you face any difficulties in finding a room, but it still pays to book ahead for any particular places you’re keen to stay in, and make inquiries about the necessity of booking for any activities, such as diving and dive courses. Bohol is budget travelers’ paradise and there are accommodations for every range.
The best months to visit Bohol are the drier ones: November through June, the Amihan season. The rainy season, which is the Habagat Season (July to October) isn’t so wet that you can’t do anything fun. However, there would be sporadic days in a week in the Habagat Season that it just rains heavily. The biggest tourist influx is in the couple of weeks each side of Christmas and Easter.
Many accommodations, especially the more expensive ones have high and low-season prices. Please check the season specified on each Bohol hotel’s Rooms and Prices page when you book. There is also an ‘extra’ season referred to as Super Peak which is covering the Christmas, New Year’s, Chinese New Year’s and Easter periods, when prices go above normal high-season rates. If you’re using top-end or some mid-range accommodations, you’ll certainly save money by avoiding these seasons. See our hotel quick finder to see more about range in accommodations.
Though a poor country, Philippines is at least as expensive as any other South East Asian countries. High taxes, many imports and the fact that much of its tourism industry is geared to Europeans on fairly short vacations help keep the prices a bit high. For US $70 to US $150 will buy you a solidly comfortable midrange double all throughout the island. For anything above the ordinary you’re often looking at a minimum of US $200, and the top end of the market goes above US $350.
A good two- or three-course meal with a couple of drinks in a pleasant restaurant will average US $75 to US $150 (more if you eat lobster!). Furthermore, there are a lot of local cuisines that are worth the adventure at a considerable price. Budget travelers can make their money last longer by hanging out in local places. Travelling by jeepney is cheap, but car hire, taxis, boats and hotel transfers are not. Tours and excursions mostly run from $70 to $150 per person for a day (more for diving trips).
Overall, a comfortable midrange budget per person is US $350 to US $450 per day. Staying in some of the better accommodations, enjoying plenty of tours and activities, and traveling by rented car or hotel can easily add up to US $600 a day could be more. Budget travelers might get away with US $75 a day if they’re particularly frugal, but you need to spend more like US $150 to US $250 to enjoy yourself. The simplest way to cut costs is to share rooms, transport and tours with other people.
Philippine currency is the Peso (Php), which was hovered at or around a rate of Php 43 = US $1 for several years, prices in our website is converted with the current exchange each day. The accommodation prices on our website do not have any other additional rates, what you see is what you get. However, you might find in restaurants will have additional service charges, so do watch out for signs or ask accordingly.
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Tags: Bohol, Bohol Activities, Bohol Blog, Bohol Destinations, Bohol Seasons, Things to do in Bohol
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2012
 Cabilao Island, Bohol, Philippines Cabilao Island is one of the smaller islands that surround the main island of Bohol, Philippines. It is located on the west side of Bohol Island, basically facing Cebu Island. It is a 7.2 Sq. Km. triangle of an island and can be toured in one day. The boat trip from pier of Mocpoc to Cabilao Island is close to an hour. Take a bus to Tagbilaran City, and then take a jeepney to the small pier. A small boat trip will give you a chance to see nice views of the curious overhanging rock formations of Cabilao’s coastline. This island only has 3,500 in habitants only with fishing, herding goats and raising chickens as their livelihood.
Since this little island is a bit far off from the mainland, the peace and tranquility has been reserved. The only motorized transport is either a tricycle or “habal-habal” motorcycles that will bring you around for a small fee, or just reach areas on foot. The lack of roads also means that every supply is brought in via banka boats. During drought season, even fresh water for drinking and bathing is brought in via these boats, too. Since the island is not connected to the main grid, there is ration of electricity. The electricity is provided from 7:30AM to 11:30PM by a generator in Talisay Village (one of the 5 little villages in Cabilao).
In the center of the island, a solar powered internet café is located. It is amazing how the modern technology has touched this remote place. This has been an initiative project by The Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise, Cebu and the German Development Service. This little internet café is intended for locals to be connected to the internet.
 Cabilao Island is one of the international favorites for diving destinations. The main attraction is at its western tip, the town of Pantudlan. Here, there is a lovely lighthouse and a keeper’s cottage along a magnificent stretch of white sand shore. And most of all, Cabilao has many undisturbed reefs that made it a diving paradise. There are 3 resorts that specifically cater to divers, complete with equipment, including gears for snorkeling. The diving area around Cabilao is ideal for wall diving with great chances to spot many pellagics like Barracudas, Dogtooth Tunas and Giant Trevallies. If you plan to stay in one of the resorts, plan a night dive for great underwater macro photography opportunities. From December to June, there is a great chance to spot a school of Hammerhead Sharks. The best time to spot them is just after sunrise of just before sunset.
There is also a bird sanctuary around Patudlan. It is a half-hour stroll from the resorts. You will follow a natural lake that will lead you to nipa-covered huts set up for observation. This island is so serene and with fewer inhabitants, flocks of birds are seen more than you would in Bohol Island.
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Tags: Bohol, Bohol Activities, Bohol Destinations, Bohol diving
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Friday, August 24th, 2012
 Helmut's Place in Panglao Island Helmut’s Place is a bar and restaurant in Panglao, Bohol. It is owned by Helmut Nauels and is located on the corner entrance to Alona Beach. It is a German owned establishment with a talented German chef, Oliver. The atmosphere is relaxed and the servers are young girls who are always ready to take your order with a smile. They serve German dishes well, although, they serve a good list of different international dishes. The serving is uncommonly huge for Filipino standard. Helmut’s Place only uses fresh and high quality ingredients. They play music from different decades and they stay open as late as 2 AM. You can also request your own favorite music if you wish. It is a likely hangout by locals and bikers, as Helmut, the owner is a member of Bohol Bikers Philippines. You can get to Helmut’s Place bar and restaurant by tricycle or Taxi cab and if you are a large party, you can hire a van to get there.
 The friendly atmosphere will surely make you keep going back night after night given you have a longer stay in Panglao, Bohol. Helmut has a magnetic personality and never lacks time to meet and greet everybody and thank everybody on their way out. There are bar stools by the bar and there are sofas and little tables set up like in a coffee house. You will definitely feel at home.
They have a pool table and foosball table, too. Live football games and Formula 1 races are played on flat screen on demand. Free Wi-Fi is also available for customers. Try their homemade Bratwurst, or their German-style Curry Sausage and their Cordon Bleu served with Potato Salad. They only serve San Miguel beers, although one would assume they will have German beers, too. However, if you like hard drinks, they mix very good cocktails and always a strong Rum and Coke.
 Not all the places in Bohol are always open late and a tour guide once claims it’s because Boholanos are frugal and that is why they sleep early. However, I think in most provinces around the Philippines most families retire really early to bed because their day starts very early in the morning.
This place is definitely open late and guarantees to have snacks, too. Helmut’s Place also has been dubbed to have the cleanest and most functional rest rooms in all of Alona. You will definitely enjoy the friendly atmosphere and the young attentive all-Filipina staff is not so bad either.
Additional convenience is that there is a BPI ATM next door and Helmut’s Place accepts major credit cards. Many different kinds of customers from all walks of life and from different nations have been very satisfied overall. I highly recommend Helmut’s Place for those who are seeking good food, good conversations and definitely good service.
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Tags: Bohol, Bohol Activities, Helmut Place, panglao island
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Tuesday, July 31st, 2012
 The Hanging Bridge You have tried the jeepney and the tricycle in getting around Bohol, how about getting by bridge, The Hanging Bridge, that is? It connects two barangays in Sevilla, Bohol a town north of municipality of Loboc. These two barangays are separated by the Sipatan River which also connects to the Loboc River. The Hanging Bridge is laid over 20 to 25 meters high above and spans 40 meters long of woven bamboo slats with steel cable wires as hand rails. There used to be just one bridge and recently and an additional one is built to efficiently separate ongoing and outgoing foot traffic. Before steel wires were made into hand rails, the locals had used ropes before. So you can actually imagine the thrill it has made for tourists, but safety is priority that is why steel cable wires are integrated into the design, as obviously is added for stability. The bridge tends to sway forward and backward and swings sideways too. It is advisable to hold steadfastly so you don’t get thrown off. Some parts of the bamboo slats might appear broken, but definitely sturdy enough to step on. If you have children with you, must wait until the traffic clears a little bit as the bridge swings even further out if it carries multiple passers-by. Please do use your own sound judgment on this. There is a small fee that locals ask for, so they can use the collected money for maintenance of the bridges.
This short tour is normally overlooked because it is a bit off the way from the usual Bohol trips. It could be requested or just choose a tour that already include swinging by the Hanging Bridge, no pun intended. It is a quick dose of excitement for the day, but the view of the emerald Sipatan River from the bridge is worth it. At one end of the bridge there are little souvenir shops, snacks and beverages shops, too. Furthermore, you can get your fresh Buko (coconut) juice fix here to quench your thirst after that thrilling trip (or maybe not). Enjoy a day of fun and a little excitement at The Hanging Bridge in Sevilla, Bohol. Don’t forget your camera.
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Tags: Bohol, Bohol Activities, Bohol Tours, The Hanging Bridge, Things to do in Bohol
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Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012
 Mag-aso Falls in Antequera, Bohol Mag-aso Falls is one of the natural treasures of Bohol, Philippines. Behold for yourself the magnificent twin falls, often obscured by fine mist that appears smoke-like. Thus, Mag-aso falls got its name. “Aso”, in the local dialect means “smoke”. With a height of 25 feet, the twin falls is picturesque against a backdrop of tall trees, wild plants including giant ferns, and deep ravines. It is located 20 Km from Tabilaran City in the town of Antequera and roughly a half an hour ride away. Antequera is an inland town located in the western part of Bohol, Philippines and consists of 21 Barangays (district). Aside from being blessed with rolling & rugged terrains interspersed with rivers, streams and brooks, the town is also known as the basket capital of Bohol, Philippines. Sundays, Antequera’s market day, is the day when baskets of different sizes and shapes are displayed in the local market and traders from out of town, hailing from Cebu and far-off Manila come to buy their products for export to other countries throughout the world. The town may be so out of the way, yet travelers who make the trip find it worthwhile. Intermittent verdant rice fields with hilly backdrops are stunning to look at aside from the picturesque ancestral homes that dot the way.
Mag-aso Falls is one of the main attractions of Bohol, Philippines but rarely included in day tour itineraries since it is relatively out of the way. Situated inland, it does not lie in the pathway towards Loboc town, the Loboc river cruise, tarsier viewing, and on towards Bilar’s mahogany man-made forest and the Chocolate Hills, Bohol’s main attraction. In Mag-aso Falls there are approximately 197 steps with metal guardrails which direct towards the scenery. There are seats made up of stones where one can take a rest after the long travel down to the falls. Trekkers, who love a rough and challenging terrain can avoid the steps, enjoy a slippery descent and do an exhilarating climb with the use of shrubs and stones as foothold and vines and other plants to pull one up. But rainy season will surely make this feat an ordeal in itself. With the effort needed to reach the falls, it is highly recommended that a separate day be set aside to visiting Mag-Aso Falls. That will definitely give you more time to explore and appreciate the worthwhile trip. It is especially amazing to take the visit to Mag-Aso Falls when the weather is humid. The cool waters and green canopy will help neutralize the scorching heat from the sun. You will surely feel refreshed after a nice slow and long dip into the cascading cool waters of Mag-Aso Falls.
Book with us now and include your trip to Mag-aso Falls in your itinerary to visiting Bohol, Philippines. This would be an adventure surely not to be missed.
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Tags: Bohol, Bohol Activities, Bohol Destinations, Bohol Tours, Things to do in Bohol
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Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
 Simply Butterfly Conservation Center Bilar is a municipality of central Bohol with about 20,000 people and is located 40 Km from Tagbilaran, over an hour drive from scenic rural countryside. This area of Bohol, Philippines has always been dedicated to conservation of nature and resources. One of the projects is the Simply Butterflies Conservation Center that is home to about 150 species of butterflies. The tropical Philippines have diversity of butterflies and in Bohol alone, there are about 300 species. There is a clear evidence of decline on the population of these exotic creatures and the Simply Butterflies Conservation Center at Bilar, Bohol in Philippines has just done a marvelous job in keeping the butterfly population as stable as possible. This butterfly garden’s principle is to strengthen natural environment for the butterflies, plant research, breed and release into the wild. Without learning the rare butterfly’s host plants and catching them continuously, the end result will be a tremendous loss of its species in the area. Illegal poaching and deforestation are sadly, still expected.
By educating the people and sharing knowledge of how to breed butterflies, the center has built a community of paid breeders in an area with serious lack of employment and income. These breeders work together with the center to ensure butterflies used at the center or the butterfly products that are exported from the island are made from sustainable hand bred sources, not captured from the wild causing damage to the butterfly population. The center also increases the Bilar, Bohol area’s butterfly population by releasing a calculated large number of hand bred butterflies into the wild, only using the surplus for making products to sell.
Visit and come face-to-face with hundreds of exotic beautiful butterflies fluttering around tropical foliage and flowers. Sit and relax, or take a stroll in this garden at Simply Butterflies Conservation Center in Bilar, Bohol Philippines. There will be knowledgeable guides to amuse everyone. Book with us now and do not miss this wonderful activity for the whole family while you are here in Bohol, Philippines.
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Tags: Bohol, Bohol Activities, Things to do in Bohol
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Monday, March 5th, 2012
 Extreme Adventure Tours Danao is a 2-Hour drive, 92 km north-east of Tagbilaran City. It is located amidst a large expanse of mountain ranges cut by the majestic river, Wahig River. The local government of Danao has launched this Tourism project called the Extreme Adventure Tour or E.A.T. Danao Adventure Park. This park is now a place for extreme activities while preserving nature promoting all the eco sports. For those seeking a thrilling experience, this is the place to go in Bohol.
 View from Danao Park's Highest Point The most thrilling activity in the Danao Adventure Park is the canyon swing which is called the Plunge. It’s a 50-meter free fall from the top of the 200-meter high cliff. Then as you hit the end of the rope, you’ll be swinging over the canyon for about 5 minutes until they are able to haul you back up again; while the Sui-slide is the local version for Zipline, a sky ride or a slide for life. Sui-slide is coined from the word, “suis,” the swoosh sound that the cable makes while sliding to the other side. It could also mean for some, a suicidal slide due to their fear of heights. The riders traverse into the edge and slides through the cable for a half kilometer from one mountain to another, just about a minute ride. There is also wall climbing, a bracing climbing adventure using a 7.20m x 2.40m artificial wall with fiber glass holds or grips for hands and feet. With three (3) different boards, one can choose to climb on an Easy, Moderate and Extreme wall. With a climbing gear, a belayer and a master jumper, climbers have all the convenience to hit the highest point. Some other common activities to do in the river are tubing and kayaking. And around the river, one can do some cliff rappelling, root climbing, bouldering and spelunking. Trekking, mountain biking, visiting an organic farm, riding the cable car, buggy rides, swimming, fishing and camping are some of the activities that are more family friendly.
Enjoy nature here at Danao, Bohol. Plan your trip for this exciting and extreme eco-adventure. Book with us now.
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Tags: Bohol, Bohol Activities, Danao Extreme Adventure Tours
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Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
 Sights along Loboc River For those who sometimes prefer the peaceful scenic surroundings of the river rather than the majestic allure of the sea, Loboc River is an amazing alternative. The town of Loboc was established on 1602 before the arrival of the Spaniards on the area, where the early inhabitants made homes along the river. It was in early 1980’s that the idea to promote the Loboc River as a tourist destination came about. The water of the river is green during the hot season and turns brown during the rainy season. The floating restaurants that are most famous cruise along the river and were envisioned to provide tourists first class dining experience while -on board. These floating vessels are made up of a covered platform on top of two large outrigger boats that are joined together and can hold a maximum of 50 people. The starting points are Loay Bridge, or at the Poblacion; about 20 Km and 25 Km from Tagbilaran City respectively. Filipino cuisine buffet and local delicacies are served here. Boholano songs are played by in-boat bands during the cruise, but classic and popular jazz music can also be requested and being played at the other boats. The trip winds up the river and ends at the Busay Falls, about less than 2 Meters high. Here at Busay Falls, the boat stops and the guests are treated to a rondalla (ensemble of stringed instruments played with the plectrum or pick) music. Local folks usually dip in the waters and enjoy bathing under the falls. Guests who have brought their swimwear could also have the same refreshing experience. Along Loboc River there is a spectacle of daring children diving into the river near the boats from large leaning coconut trees overhanging about 10 Feet high. The trip back from Busay Falls is downstream so the cruise is shorter to the starting point.
 Floating Restaurants The Loboc River cruise is about 45 minutes one way to Busay Falls and less than that time on the way back to starting point. Food is served as soon as the boat leaves in the beginning. The cruise along the river is exhilarating as the lush tropical forests and landscapes welcomes passengers along the way. One of the highlights to see on Loboc is the San Pedro church, which is built in 1608, rebuilt in 1670 after being destroyed by fire and survivor of many floods because it is situated near the riverbank; this church has a convent that has beautiful murals from centuries old. Expect an exhilarating chance to hear voices of the Children’s choir while the boat passes by the church. The Loboc children’s choir in 2003 had represented the country in an international folksongs festival in Barcelona and promptly bagged the gold medal in the Children/Youth category, and was awarded the Festival Cup for garnering the highest point average.
Book now in one of the hotels in Tagbilaran and experience this one of a kind cruise in Loboc River.
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Tags: Bohol, Bohol Activities, Loboc River, Tagbilaran
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Sunday, February 19th, 2012
 The Baclayon Church The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon is one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines and is located in Bohol. This is a nice stop to check out if you are visiting Bohol, especially for the history buffs who want to see how old Spanish Philippines used to be. The first Spanish missionaries, Fr. Juan de Torres and Fr. Gabriel Sanchez, first settled in Baclayon in 1595. Shortly after their arrival, a visita (church) was erected on the spot. Although Baclayon was the first seat of the Spanish Jesuit missionaries, fear of Moro mauraders soon forced them to move their headquarters more inland, to Loboc. Only in 1717, Baclayon became a parish, and construction of a new church commenced. Some 200 native forced laborers constructed the church from coral stones, which they took from the sea, cut into square blocks, and piled on to each other. They used bamboo to move and lift the stones in position, and used the white of a million eggs as to cement them together. The current building was completed in 1727. The church obtained a large bell in 1835. In the Baclayon church is a dungeon, which was used to punish natives who violated the rules of the Roman Catholic Church.
 Baclayon Church Interior Despite claims that the present stone church in Baclayon is the oldest in the Philippines, evidence places the construction of the church to 1727. The belief that the church was built in 1595 may have come because of a 19th century report by the Recollects that the mission was founded in 1595; but the same report lists two other dates 1593 and 1594. The date 1595 inscribed on the church façade is a later addition. The green and gilded altars are the focal point of the interior. They are exuberant versions of Baroque popular during the 18th century. Although the main retablo (laminated stone) displays saints of Recollect devotion, the retablo itself traces to the Jesuits whose emblem and motto “Ad majorem Dei gloriam” surmounts the main altar. In the nave are found two benches carved in low relief. One features genre scenes: a goat tied to a tree, a coconut, nipa grove, and a man in stocks. A painting of the Ascension, Church Fathers and San Vicente Ferrer are found in the nave. These date back to the 19th century. Baclayon started the trend in Bohol of establishing parish museums. The amount of liturgical material preserved in Baclayon is impressive. The church inventory books have helped in dating some pieces. In Baclayon cantorals (large handwritten music books) was found the Misa Baclayana, a musical setting for the Mass which has been revived and is part of the repertoire of the Loboc Children’s choir. Permission from the parish is needed to see the museum, which is generally locked for security reasons.
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Tags: Bohol, Bohol Activities, Tagbilaran
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