Things to see and do Tagbilaran

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.

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!

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.

This site is full of useful information (particularly on ferry schedules and updated aircraft); he is in English.

In the municipality of Maribojoc, 14 kilometers from the capital, stands the Punta Cruz watchtower, overlooking the seas of Cebu, Siquijor and Mindanao. Its construction was completed in 1796. During the Spanish colonial era, it was used to monitor the seas and warn of pirates. Legend has it that whenever Moro pirates try to approach, a powerful light emanates from the cross beside the tower to dazzle them.

The area also offers beautiful views of the Chocolate Hills, rice paddies and, in fine weather, the sea. The road leading to it from Carmen is very beautiful (public transport links the area). You have to fixate on the view to forget the atrocious constructions that include restaurants and a discotheque here. On weekends, it can get very crowded as Filipinos flock here for picnics. However, the area has not yet fully recovered from typhoon Odette at the end of 2021, and the damage is still visible.

20 km from Tagbilaran, the Camugao waterfalls are among the most beautiful in Bohol. Access is via a road that winds through jungle, forest and rice paddies. Guides are available on site, but this is neither compulsory nor necessary. After a 15-minute walk up a steep, slippery slope, you're presented with a spectacle of pure beauty as only nature can produce: a magisterial waterfall cascades from a huge, curving cliff, amidst wild, lush vegetation. Swimming, jumping and taking photos!

Six kilometers from Tagbilaran, this is a completely different side of the island, far from the tourist crowds. This small coastal town was founded in 1595 by two Spanish Jesuit priests. These same priests built the famous Baclayon church, the oldest church on the island. In addition to the church, Baclayon boasts a typical market and has preserved a number of ancestral homes combining colonial and Filipino styles, with wooden facades that add real charm to the place. So it's a Bohol of local colors that we discover.