Bohol is one of the most beautiful provinces in the Bissai region. In addition to the main island, this captivating archipelago includes 61 small islands. The capital of Bohol, Tagbilaran, is located on the southwest coast. More than a million people live in the province, speaking mainly Tagalog, English and the Boholano dialect. Bohols are an exceptionally peaceful, open people, an integral part of whose culture is hospitality and friendliness.
General information
Bohol is one of the most beautiful provinces in the Bissai region. In addition to the main island, this captivating archipelago includes 61 small islands. The capital of Bohol, Tagbilaran, is located on the southwest coast. More than a million people live in the province, speaking mainly Tagalog, English and the Boholano dialect. Bohols are an exceptionally peaceful, open people, an integral part of whose culture is hospitality and friendliness.
The first thing that comes to mind when mentioning the island of Bohol is a unique natural monument in the heart of the island – the famous “Chocolate Hills”. But they represent only a small fraction of what this province has to offer to the traveler.
The local flora and fauna are replete with rare species. The Filipino tarsier alone is worth a trip here: tiny, with huge eyes – an unknown little animal, whose appearance will delight both children and adults. This is a real treasure island for nature lovers: the pristine river landscapes of the Loboc and Inabanga rivers, valuable mangrove forests, numerous waterfalls and mysterious caves make Bohol a paradise for hikers. The beaches of Bohol are rightfully called paradise, with which the island of Panglao abounds, attracting sun worshipers, snorkelers and swimmers from all over the world. Divers will also find the promised land here: the impressive dive routes in the west and south of the island are among the most beautiful in all of Asia! Sharks – whale and hammerhead sharks,
Mountains of Chocolate
The famous “Chocolate Hills”, which look like truffle candies, each 30 to 50 meters high, are located in the heart of Bohol and form a landscape unlike any other in the world. The regular cone-shaped hills located on the plateau seem to be the fruit of the designer’s imagination, but they, all 1268, are a creation of nature. The Chocolate Hills appear to have emerged from the sea: the eroded limestone rock they are made of was formed thousands of years ago from coral and calcareous algae. According to legend, these hills are nothing but the petrified tears of the giant Argo, shed over the grave of his beloved, the beautiful Aloy. There are two observation platforms on the island, from which the view of this fabulous landscape is especially good. The first is located in the city of Carmen on the eastern side of the plateau, the second is on the western side, in the city of Sagbayan. A whole complex of several observation platforms was built in Carmen, to which 214 steps lead. By the way, the name “Chocolate Hills” is due to the characteristic color of the vegetation on them during the dry period. The faded grass that carpets the hills is vaguely chocolate-colored.
Unknown little animal
Arriving in Bohol, do not forget to visit one of the most wonderful and popular inhabitants of the Philippines – the Philippine tarsier or sirihta, as the locals call it. Barely the size of a human palm, the tarsier looks at you with eyes 150 times larger than our eyes relative to the size of a human body. Such huge eyes allow this small nocturnal predator to hunt insects, amphibians, small birds and reptiles. If a chance meeting with a tarsier fails, then you can always see enough of them in a special reserve near the town of Korella. Experienced guides conduct excursions around the vast territory of the reserve, where tarsiers are located in small groups along the branches in the expanses of the secondary forest.
River Tours: Inabanga and Loboc
Traveling along the river in the tropics is always an event, primarily due to the riot of vegetation and the diversity of its inhabitants. And if these rivers, like the Philippine Loboc and Inabanga, carry their waters through colorful landscapes, past picturesque towns and villages, then a tour along them cannot be missed! The Inabanga is the largest river in the province of Bohol. With a length of 25 km and a depth of up to 10 meters, it winds like a snake through the northwestern part of the island. Along its banks there are reserves, fishing villages, ancient churches, as well as the Makaban cave, the entrance to which is visible from the river. Traveling along the Loboc River, along with visiting the Chocolate Hills, is the most popular tourist route in Bohol. A floating restaurant or a motorized version of the traditional local banka boat starts at the Loai Bridge, 20km east of Tagbilaran, and heads upriver to the Busai Falls. Tropical vegetation – coconut palms and mantras – rages along the entire 20 km long river. The jungle around the Loboc River is also very popular with cyclists and hikers.
Forest on stilts
Bohol is one of the few provinces in the country that boasts vast mangrove forests along the coast and along rivers. Mangroves are a very special ecosystem, different from other forests. A distinctive feature of these trees is the so-called. stilted roots, allowing them to gain a foothold in the mud and improve the supply of oxygen to the tree. The mangrove is a lullaby for many fish species and is a barrier that keeps silt in and protects the coast from erosion, thus protecting fragile coral reefs. Of particular note are the mangrove forests of the coastal island of Banacón, north of the main island. This once completely cleared forest has been revived in the last 50 years. Now through this area, very interesting both from a natural and from a cultural and historical point of view, numerous paths have been laid. Also worth visiting is the Kandijai mangrove on the east coast of Bohol. Eco-tourism is thriving in this region, revived by a local mangrove conservation association. Members of the association – local fishermen and farmers – offer educational excursions, canoe trips and ornithological tours.