Philippines

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Bohol

Chocolate Hills, tarsiers and world-class diving

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Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, Dec
Currency: PHP
Time zone: UTC+8
Country: Philippines

Photo: P199, CC BY-SA 3.0

Bohol is an island province in the Central Visayas known for the Chocolate Hills, the tiny Philippine tarsier, heritage churches and the dive sites of Panglao Island. Most visitors come for a few days of countryside tours, beaches and snorkelling or diving.

Largest cities

Quezon City
Manila
Davao City
Cebu City
Zamboanga City

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Philippines
Capital: Manila
Province population: 3.4M
Population of Philippines: 112.7M
Country area: 343,448 km²
Official language: English
Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP) · 1 USD ≈ 62.83 PHP
Time zone: UTC+8
Calling code: +63
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 218 m
Plugs: A / B / C · 220V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, Dec

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	27°	27°	28°	30°	30°	29°	29°	30°	29°	29°	29°	28°
Low	22°	22°	23°	23°	24°	23°	24°	24°	24°	23°	23°	23°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$29
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$76
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$205

Plan a trip to Bohol

Top things to do

≈ $2
Chocolate Hills Viewpoint
Climb the stairs to the deck over the cone-shaped limestone mounds, which turn brown in the dry season; go early to beat the tour buses.
- Half day
- Carmen
- Good for kids
≈ $3
Tarsier Sanctuary, Corella
Walk a short forest trail with a guide to see sleeping Philippine tarsiers in the trees; keep quiet and skip the flash.
- Half day
- Tagbilaran
- Good for kids
≈ $15
Loboc River Cruise
A buffet lunch on a raft drifting past jungle and riverside stops with local music; book the earlier departures for cooler weather.
- Half day
- Loboc and Bilar
- Good for kids
Free
Bilar Man-Made Forest
A cool stretch of roadside mahogany where most people stop for photos; stay off the road itself, as traffic passes quickly.
- Half day
- Loboc and Bilar
- Good for kids
≈ $2
Baclayon Church and Museum
One of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines, with a small museum of religious relics; shoulders and knees should be covered.
- Half day
- Tagbilaran
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Alona Beach
The busiest strip on Panglao, lined with dive shops and restaurants, good for a swim and a seafood dinner as the sun goes down.
- Half day
- Panglao Island
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $45
Balicasag Island Diving and Snorkelling
A boat day out to reef walls and a marine sanctuary with turtles and schooling fish; trips leave early and usually include gear and lunch.
- Full day
- Panglao Island
≈ $5
Anda Peninsula Beaches
A quieter, whiter stretch of sand on the south-east tip, with caves and Lamanok Point nearby; a long drive, so start early and carry cash.
- Full day
- Anda
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Many nationalities, including UK and most EU, US, Indian and Latin American visitors, can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, but rules vary by passport and some nationalities need an e-visa or a visa from a Philippine embassy. All travellers must register on the e-travel system within 72 hours before arrival and show the QR code, and passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival. Check your own nationality's rules on the official Philippine e-visa site or with the Bureau of Immigration before booking.

Official website

From the airport

Panglao Island International Airport (TAG) handles flights from Manila, Cebu, Clark, Davao and other Philippine cities, and is about 20-30 minutes by van or taxi from Alona Beach and roughly 30-40 minutes from Tagbilaran. Ferries from Cebu City also dock at Tagbilaran City Pier, a short tricycle ride from the centre.

Getting around

Tricycles and multicabs cover short hops in Tagbilaran, while buses, vans, rented scooters and cars, or a hired driver for the day, are the usual way to reach the Chocolate Hills, Loboc and Anda.

Local tips

Dress modestly when visiting churches and shrines, and keep voices low at tarsier sanctuaries, where flash and noise are not allowed.
Carry cash in small notes: tricycle fares, pier terminal fees and many small eateries do not take cards.
June and October are the wettest months, so plan outdoor days for the drier stretch from December to May.
Rent a scooter only with a valid licence and a helmet, drive slowly on the Bilar forest road, and avoid swimming alone at unpatrolled beaches.

Areas worth knowing

Anda
Carmen
Panglao Island
Tagbilaran
Loboc and Bilar

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on July 15, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK