Things to see and do Visayas

On more than 10 hectares, this superb park owes the passion of its two creators: Patricia and Nicolas (we will also admire the superb collection of art in the park). Today, open to the public at a low price, it is a pleasure to walk along the further of this huge botanical garden where some animals live in freedom, and where life seems to have regained all its rights. So you say we are under the charm, because of the quiet side (it is no coincidence that Prana gives his yoga lessons in the park…) than because of the beauty of this realization. One day, rooms should be a day to add a little magic to your stay in the Philippines. We love.

The Chocolate Hills are one of the Philippines' most popular tourist attractions. In fact, there are 1,268 hills, ranging in height from 60 to 120 m, whose vegetation suffers from the dry months of December to April, giving a chocolate hue to these geological curiosities, hence their name. In reality, the dry season is not quite dry, and rains are not uncommon in Bohol between December and April (sorry to break it to you). Legend has it that these hills are the tears that fell from the eyes of a giant. And it's true that there's something mythological about these domes - you can imagine Hobbits living there...

Getting there. Follow the road towards Carmen. The journey through winding roads, rice paddies and forests is very picturesque. The 2 km passage through the Bilar Man-Made Forest is particularly beautiful. This is a forest of mahogany trees planted by the locals as part of a reforestation project over 50 years ago, the lanky trees reaching dizzying heights. Once you arrive, you have to park in the parking lot on the main road and pay the parking and environmental fees. Shuttles then take visitors to the viewpoint, 5 minutes away. You have to climb 214 steps to reach the 360-degree panoramic viewpoint and embrace these hundreds of small hills. The view is far more impressive in fine weather, of course. It's a quick tour. Combine your visit with that of the tarsiers and the Loboc River.

Opposite City Hall. This famous tree was planted by Magellan on April 4, 1521, to mark the spot where the first Christian Filipinos, Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana, were baptized by Brother Pedro Valderama. Some 400 of their descendants followed in their footsteps. The cross is protected by a basilica dating from 1565, which some believe to be the first Christian church in the Philippines. All Southern jeepneys, direction Banawa, Guadalupe, Basak, Labangon, Pardo, etc., lead to the Santo Niño church and the Magellan cross.

This is the only place to observe tarsiers without harming them. Accompanied by a guide, you can observe them in their natural habitat, from a distance and in silence. This small primate is very fragile, and noise or flashbulbs can cause it great stress and even death. It's an endangered species, so it's important to protect it, especially as it's endemic to Bohol, Samar and Leyte. The world's smallest primate has disproportionately large eyes and the amazing ability to turn its head 360°. Be discreet and responsible!

The Malatapay market is a big market, agricultural among others, which takes place every Wednesday. It is close to the boat landing for Apo Island. Roosters and carabaos pose for potential buyers, and sometimes you can even attend auctions. Handicrafts, very popular in Dauin, are obviously king here: rattan bags and mats galore, as well as every fresh product, fruit or vegetable imaginable. Perfect to take the pulse of the local life and why not to taste new flavors.

On the main road, at one end of San Juan, the Tubod Marine Sanctuary is an area of more than seven hectares that has been protected for more than thirty years and where you can dive, swim or snorkel. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful spot to admire the corals and fishes in Siquijor. It is possible to rent snorkeling equipment (at the entrance, on the beach) or diving equipment (at the diving center of Coco Grove Beach Resort on the beach). The white sandy beach is beautiful and the sea is calm and crystal clear. Be careful, it is important to check the tides to go there when the tide is high otherwise swimming is not very pleasant. On the way there, a small hut offers fruit juices and other drinks. The seabed is very nice because it is protected, i.e. fishing is forbidden as well as the degradation of corals or the collection of shells. Among the hundreds of fish you can see, the famous clown fish (Nemo) playing in its anemone, the parrot fish, the grouper, the lion fish... all more colorful than the others. And what about the corals? It is quite exceptional to be able to access such a rich and bright coral garden only twenty meters from the beach. The Tubod sanctuary is also known to be home to giant clams, mollusks that can grow up to one meter. If you are lucky, you may even see sea turtles. A must-see in Siquijor!

An hour's drive from Dumaguete, this unique natural park offers great hiking around the two lakes(Twin Lakes): Balinsasayao and Danao. Formed more than 10,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption, these lakes are in fact craters, 90 meters deep, which have filled with water. Here, the vegetation is flamboyant and the fauna varied. Remember to bring binoculars to try to see deer and wild boar as well as a multitude of birds. It is possible to visit the park with or without a guide and also to paddle.

A dreamy beach with golden sand and coconut trees, it is the ideal place to play the Robinsons, the perfect place to withdraw from the world for a few days, bask in the sun during the day or do some diving and have a drink to admire the beautiful sunsets. Some resorts occupy the beach without altering it too much for the moment, but since 2021, a bridge has been built, making access to the beach much easier (before it was only accessible by boat). No doubt that things will change soon. Enjoy it before...

To the northeast of Ormoc, Lake Danao offers a beautiful excursion in the surrounding area. The lake was placed under state protection in 1972 and named after the wife of dictator Marcos, Imelda Lake, before becoming Danao Lake in 1998. Danao simply means "lake" in Tagalog, which explains why other lakes, such as Camotes Island, are so named. You can kayak or picnic on one of the floating huts. A breath of fresh air.

We've fallen in love with the waterfall also known as Zodiac Falls! Nestled among rocks and lush vegetation, the 7-metre waterfall is magnificent, with caves hidden beneath trickles of water and rounded, polished rocks. It's very pleasant to swim in, and the more adventurous can climb over the side to jump off (the rocks are not slippery, surprisingly). For the rest of us, it's just as exhilarating to watch the adventurers (often the locals) perform impressive pirouettes. Great atmosphere. We recommend it!

Don't miss this sublime seashell-filled beach, known as Puka Shell, where there's no accommodation whatsoever. There are, however, a few small restaurants and cold drink vendors. The site is truly magnificent: turquoise water, no seaweed, white sand... a real postcard! Ideal for a day of total idleness and a quiet picnic (remember to bring everything with you). You can get there by banca along the coast of Boracay, or by tricycle from White Beach (the road ends at Puka Beach).

The Cambugahay waterfalls are one of the major attractions of the island, below the road between San Juan and Lazi. To avoid the crowds, try to go early in the morning, before 10am. The water is of an unreal color, the place of an enchanting beauty. Staircase pools, arcs of waterfalls, warm turquoise water, it is pleasant to stay there for an hour or two, to swim, picnic and why not spend a few extra pesos and try one of the liana jumps (1, 6 or 11 meters). It's wonderful!

No one can pass through Siquijor without hearing about the legendary sunsets on Paliton Beach, and with good reason. Two kilometers northwest of San Juan, this beach is splendid, bathed in crystal-clear waters. Deserted during the day and with no accommodations to disturb the peacefulness of the place, Paliton Beach takes on another dimension in the late afternoons, and especially on weekends when many locals come to enjoy the view and the atmosphere, with passing travelers mingling with the merrymakers. An alley of street-food stalls unfolds, providing an opportunity to try out all these local delicacies: try dynamite, for example, chillies coated in cheese and deep-fried, or mango turon, bitter mango chunks in soy sauce, accompanied by fresh fruit juice or beer. You can sit on the big tables or on the giant swings (to take your Instagram photo!). And then, of course, the beach fills up from 4pm with small groups of people meeting up with friends, playing music, splashing around in the water and waiting impatiently for the highlight of the show: slowly, the sun descends into the sky, before disappearing behind the mountains of Negros Oriental and beginning to color the sky and sea in a thousand and one shades of blue, pink and orange. Siquijor in general and Paliton Beach in particular have not stolen their reputation as the most beautiful sunsets in the Philippines. A must-see spot on the island!

White Beach is Boracay's main attraction. The beach stretches for four kilometers along the west coast, between the villages of Angol and Balabag. Considered one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the world, it is a national geological treasure. The dazzling white sand has an incredibly soft, powdery texture; it seems to have been sifted over and over again. The water is warm, ideal for swimming. The sunsets here are unrivalled in their beauty - among the most beautiful in the Philippines, without a doubt!

That's all well and good, but the other side of the coin is a little less sexy: during the hottest months, from February to around May, green algae invade and ruin White Beach. What's more, during the off-season, the wind forces the hotels to "barricade" themselves to avoid getting sanded up: huge tarpaulins line the beach and, although it's easy to walk from the hotels to the beach, it loses some of its legendary charm. Finally, as the most beautiful beach on the island, which is perhaps the most touristy in the archipelago, it's crowded. Nevertheless, White Beach is well worth a visit, if only to sip a juice as the sun sets.

In practice, the beach is divided into three sectors: Station 1 is home to the largest hotels (and therefore the widest beach); Station 2 is the heart of the resort, with hotels, bars and restaurants; Station 3 is more peaceful (small hotels, much less crowded).

The Loboc River is one of the jewels of the island of Bohol. Surrounded by dense, lush tropical vegetation, it has been dubbed the Amazon of the Philippines. It crosses the island for almost 60 km before joining the ocean at the mouth of Loay in the north. Depending on the weather, its peaceful waters are sometimes a luminous emerald blue, sometimes green with hints of jade. Always magnificent. Along its shores, a number of ecolodges have sprung up, remaining fairly discreet and in harmony with their surroundings, to welcome travellers in search of tranquillity. Most of them offer the same activities, i.e. an evening ride on a banca to watch the fireflies, massages, Filipino cooking lessons (sometimes) and stand-up paddle trips on the river (500 PHP). This is the nicest way to discover the river, going at your own pace, with no engine noise, alone with a guide who tells stories, it's slow and you take your time to soak up the scenery, a great experience! If you prefer to sit back, you can kayak up the river (400 PHP). Finally, you can embark on a 1-hour boat cruise along the Loboc River, accompanied by a Filipino buffet lunch. On some boats, you'll be treated to more or less authentic music and dance (tips welcome: 20-50 PHP). It's a tourist experience that's sure to please. In any case, the Loboc River is one of Bohol's natural wonders.

Located in the center of the island, this cave was discovered in 1985. It is about 300 meters long and 10 meters wide and has an impressive underground river where you can take a dip. The visit is a bit acrobatic but fortunately one or two guides accompany each visitor. One thing is sure: you have to like adventure and not be claustrophobic but it's worth it! Remember to take good shoes (with water) and be careful, we come out a little dirty from this little escapade.

On this beautiful beach, you will be able to taste culinary specialties such as sutukil which combines the three ways of cooking fish: sugba (grilled fish), tula (fish soup) and kinelaw (fish marinated in vinegar sauce). It is also the only place where you can taste sinakol, a corn cake cooked in a bamboo tube. The hearty plate will not cost you more than 50 PHP. From the shore, you can see the island of Apo just in front. However, many resorts have taken up residence on this beach.

Baclayon Church, or Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church by its real name, is the second oldest stone Catholic church in the country. It was built by Jesuit priests in 1595, although some historians say it was actually built in 1717. For the record, it was built from coral rock that was cemented with the white of thousands (or even millions) of eggs! Severely damaged by the 2013 earthquake, it was only five years later that it was able to reopen.

A Dumaguete legend often refers to the famous Bell Tower, built in 1811. This tower was used as a belfry to warn the inhabitants of the city of the arrival of pirates and Muslims. According to this legend, the attacks of the latter were carried out to kidnap the most beautiful women of the country who were in Dumaguete. Today, the place still has a strong religious connotation, the inhabitants come there to pray and light candles.

Mount Bandilaan, in the center of the island is the highest point of Siquijor at 628 meters. The park office is located in Cantabon near the caves of the same name. The 360-degree view from the watchtower and the surrounding landscape are worth the trip on a clear day. This mountain is home to the mystical village of San Antonio, famous for hosting during the holy week many healers who exchange their knowledge to prepare various potions and concoctions (for a fee of course, count on about 500 PHP). The Good Friday ceremony is worth seeing.