Flights now connect Bohol with Manila daily, so you can now easily fly to Manila, then transfer to the domestic terminal for a connecting flight (1 or 2 hours, depending on aircraft type) to Tagbilaran. Alternatively, you can fly to Cebu (directly from abroad via Singapore, or via Manila), and then use a fast ferry (1.5 hours) to Tagbilaran. You can also take a flight from Cebu to Tagbilaran (half an hour), but given the time it takes to get to the airport, this hardly gains you anything, except some nice sights of Bohol from the air. From Tagbilaran, it is about 25 minutes to Alona Beach, and 15 to Baclayon.

How to get to Bohol

Bohol Island is loaded with attractions and wholesome activities that a single person or groups of persons can enjoy together! You can go caving, mountain climbing, swimming, dolphin & whale watching, and more! Too many sites to see and so many activities to join often put one in a quandary. Which is which?

So to make things easier for the first timers, we have here tour packages that you can choose from. Other tours may be set up if you want to visit a specific place not mentioned in the packages. Feel free to browse over our Attractions page and let us know of your choices. We can gear up a special trip for you!

Select Your Bohol Hotel-Tour Packages!

Chocolate Hills & Countryside Tour

Experience climbing one of the world famous chocolate hills and view the rest of the 1,268 cone-shaped hills spread out on a plain surrounded by golden rice paddies. This whole day tour includes visits to major Bohol attractions packaged with a 3D/2N stay at the resort of your choice. Package covers daily breakfast, all transfers (RTT port and tour), tour guide, river cruise lunch, all entrance fees, other charges and government tax included for only P4,750.00/head.

Countryside and Musical Extravaganza Tour

(3D/2N) for as low as P5,300.00 for 3pax This package is entirely different from the Chocolate Hills & Countryside Tour we are offering yet you will still get to see the famed chocolate hills! Yes, from a different perspective and from a resort that has more to offer – Sagbayan Peak!
Plus: a romantic dinner while plying the Loboc River and then a chance to hear the angelic voices of the world acclaimed Loboc Children’s Choir in concert!
This 8-hr tour is packaged at P5,300.00 (for a minimum of 3pax) with a 3D/2N stay at Tierra Azul or at a resort of your choice that have the same hotel rate. Package covers daily breakfast, all transfers to and from airport/seaport, van for the tour, tour guide, river cruise romantic dinner, all entrance fees, other charges and government tax included.

Dolphin & Whale Watching with Pamilacan Island Side Trip (3D/2N)

Watch dolphins at play and get close to friendly whales near Pamilacan Island guided by former whale and dolphin hunters whose boats have been refitted for tourists. Best season is from March to June and early in the morning for positive results although one can see resident dolphins and whales the whole year round.
Breakfast & local lunch at Pamilacan Island excluding drinks.Transfers: Boat Transfers, Spotter & Entrance Fees included for only P4,700.00.

Special Dolphin/Whale Watching with Balicasag Island Hopping

A special experience of Bohol’s major attractions: dolphin & whale watching with the added bonus of a village tour on Pamilacan Island and then hop on to Balicasag Island for swimming and snorkeling.
For only P4,200.00/head,this special package comes with a 3D/2N stay at the resort of your choice, 2 breakfasts and one time lunch by the beach. All transfers (port, tour, boat), all entrance fees, charges and government tax are included.

Bohol Escapade

An all-in-one package! For a 4D/3N stay in the resort of your choice, visit Bohol’s major countryside attractions and experience the thrilling pursuit of dolphins and whales plus island hopping!
This includes FREE daily breakfast. 1 river cruise lunch and 1 lunch by the beach; transfers (port, tour, boat) and entrance fees are covered including charges and government tax for 7,100.00/head.

Bohol Hotel-Tour Packages

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Bohol Tours Philippines

A beautiful, enticing, fascinating and popular Philippine province, Bohol has resorts, inns and hotels where travelers can relax, unwind, enjoy and have fun. Many foreigners like to visit Bohol because most of the hotels and inns in the province have comfortable and relaxing rooms. In addition, many hotels in Bohol have unique services like babysitting, laundry and massage services that allow travelers to enjoy their stay at the province at the most.

A famous and elegant inn in Bohol, Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn & Restaurant, has affordable room  rates and attractive facilities. Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn & Restaurant is a renovated mansion established in a quiet area of the province. The facilities at the inn are well maintained so travelers have nothing to worry about the architecture and design of the place. It has a beautiful garden where travelers can enjoy viewing the island of Panglao.

The hotel has an alluring pool that is near to Tagbilaran Bay’s seaside. Its visitors can also have fun at its bar and restaurant that offers mouth-watering seafood dishes. The hotel also has function halls where it holds cocktail parties. Before leaving the hotel, guests can buy some souvenirs at the souvenir shop of Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn & Restaurant to remember their stay in Bohol.
Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn & Restaurant has 12 well-lighted rooms. The hotel rooms are fully air-conditioned, have private bath and toilet, telephones and cable televisions. The room rates vary on the type of room guests occupy. Hence, guests at Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn & Restaurant should prepare at least Php 1,500 per day.

Situated at 162 V. P. Inting Street, Mansasa Seaside in Tagbilaran City, Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn & Restaurant is a good place to relax. It is located in a peaceful area in the city so travelers will have a comfortable and memorable stay at this inn. After a long day, its visitors can have therapeutic massage, pedicure and manicure. For the entertainment of travelers at the hotel, it offers DVD rentals.

Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn & Restaurant is one of the inns in Bohol that have affordable rates. The rooms are always organized, tidy and clean because it has regular room services. Guests can also arrange with the hotel about visiting the famous tourist spots in the province. Above all, Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn & Restaurant has ticketing service and transfer service, which will help guests have comfortable and safe travel to the seaport and airport of Tagbilaran City.


Villa Alzhun Tourist Inn & Restaurant in Bohol

Known for its enticing tourist spots and fine white sand beaches, Bohol is one of the provinces in the Southern area of the Philippine archipelago that is visited by travelers from other countries. Due to the attraction of many foreigners to the province of Bohol, many business people see opportunities to improve their profits by establishing outstanding inns and hotels where travelers can stay while they are having their vacation in Bohol. To get the attention of travelers to Bohol, many hotels and inns improve their services and facilities.

Via Bohol Tourist Inn and Restaurant is a hotel in Bohol that is highly recommended to people who plan to have a vacation in the province. This hotel is not only known for its attractive rooms but also for the other amenities that it offers to its visitors. Via Bohol Tourist Inn and Restaurant has a restaurant that serves Thai dishes. Aside from its restaurant that serves delicious meals, Via Bohol Tourist Inn and Restaurant has a café and sing-along where travelers can relax after having a long day at the beaches in Bohol.

Via Bohol Tourist Inn and Restaurant has 22 rooms. The room rates at Via Bohol Tourist Inn and Restaurant ranges from Php 900 to Php 1,800. The packages at the hotel always include breakfast for two adults. All the rooms at Via Bohol Tourist Inn and Restaurant have telephone lines, air conditioning units, hot and cold showers as well as cable television.

Travelers who are very conscious about the security of their belongings have nothing to worry when they stay at Via Bohol Tourist Inn and Restaurant since the establishment has safety deposit boxes that its guest can use. It also has laundry and room services so travelers will be assured that the cleanliness in the rooms and other facilities of the hotel will be maintained. Above all, Via Bohol Tourist Inn and Restaurant offers travel services to their guests so they will not have problems when it comes to visiting the different tourist spots in Bohol.

Via Bohol Tourist Inn and Restaurant is situated at Graham Avenue in the city of Tagbilaran. This luring hotel is near to the seaport of Tagbilaran City and Bohol airport which made it more accessible to travelers. Since many travelers visit and stay at this hotel, those who are interested in staying at Via Bohol Tourist Inn and Restaurant are advised to book for rooms in advance by accessing the hotel’s Web site through the Internet.

Via Bohol Tourist Inn and Restaurant

Known as one of the attractive, beautiful and interesting tourist destinations in the Philippines, Bohol is usually visited by foreigners because aside from its natural wonders, the province is also known for its enticing beach resorts. Because of the improving population of travelers that visit Bohol, the number of hotels and inns in the province has increased. Hence, travelers will not have difficulty looking for a place to stay when they have their vacation in Bohol.

To have a memorable, comfortable and relaxing vacation in Bohol, travelers are advised to have a visit at Vest Pension House. This hotel has a design that is patterned after European homes. It is located in a private and quiet area in Bohol so its guests will surely be relaxed when they stay at the hotel. Aside from the outstanding rooms of Vest Pension House, it has a restaurant, coffee shop and bar where travelers can dine and have fun.

After visiting the attractive spots in Bohol, guests at Vest Pension House can avail of the massage and spa services offered at the hotel. In addition, to ensure that its guests will not have troubles about their personal belongings, the hotel provides safety deposit boxes that the guests can use to safe keep their valuables.
Guests at Vest Pension House in Bohol can choose from the five types of rooms at the hotel which are Deluxe, Deluxe Double, Suite Room, Family Room and Executive Suite. Travelers who plan to occupy Deluxe and Deluxe Double rooms must have Php 900 and Php 1,100 per day. Meanwhile, the room rates for Suite Room and Family Room are Php 1,600 and Php 1,920 respectively. Lastly, for those who want to stay at the Executive Suite, the room rate is Php 2,350.

Every room at Vest Pension House has air-conditioning unit, colored television with cable connection as well as cold and hot shower. Executive Suites at the hotel have bathtub and refrigerator. With such amenities, travelers will surely be relaxed when they stay at Vest Pension House.

Vest Pension House is situated at Tamblot Street, Tamblot Extension, Cogon District in the city of Tagbilaran. Vest Pension House also offers travel services to guests so they can visit the tourist spots that are located near the hotel like Loboc River and Sagbayan Peak. Hence, with these special services, one of the best places that travelers should consider when they plan to spend their vacation in the attractive province of Bohol is Vest Pension House.

Vest Pension House in Bohol

Tierra Azul Beach House is a two-storey resort located in Panglao, Bohol. It is a beachfront resort in the secluded portion of the beach strip. Although its shoreline is shorter than the resorts further up, Tierra Azul Beach House offers the tranquility and serenity of this beach paradise.

The rooms in the ground floor are quite spacious. They have two beds, air-conditioning and shower in the bathroom. The resort also has a balcony at the second floor where you can enjoy the picturesque beachfront of Panglao while having a sumptuous meal or a relaxing cocktail drink. Tierra Azul Beach House has a very warm and accommodating personnel. Boholanos will definitely make you feel welcome under their care. What’s best about Tierra Azul Beach House, their prices are definitely very affordable compared to the other foreign-owned resorts in Panglao island. You really don’t have to worry about the budget.

Staying in Bohol need not be expensive to be enjoyable. One can arrange a sight-seeing trip from Tierra Azul Beach House at a very affordable rate and then come home to their resort to take a dip at the beach or to relax after a day of visiting the beautiful tourist spots in Bohol. 

When in Bohol, Tierra Azul Beach House is definitely something to consider. Affordable rates, warm reception and the calming beauty of the beach, you ar e definitely making the right choice. 

The Philippines is an archipelago. Hence, it is blessed with thousands of islands and each one of them has something special to offer. Bohol is one of them. Both locals exploring the natural beauty of their land and foreigners seeking the thrills of an exotic country both agree that Bohol in the Philippines is indeed paradise.
In Bohol, Philippines there are a lot of tourist sports. Once you alight the plane, the sceneries are immense. Of course, Bohol hosts the world-renowned Chocolate Hills which is simply a sight to behold and the adorable tarsier, touted to be the world’s smallest monkey. Tourists love Bohol because unlike the more famous and developed Boracay, Bohol is more bucolic in its beauty – unspoiled and untouched paradise. 

Coming from Manila, Bohol is not hard to reach. Taking a Cebu Pacific flight to Tagbilaran City, Bohol’s capital, you would be there in less than an hour. Accommodation, especially in the lean season, will not really be a big problem. For the urban dwellers seeking reprieve from city-living stress, Bohol’s Panglao beach would definitely solve the problem. If you’re looking for a vacation without really wanting to ransack your savings, staying in Bohol’s Tierra Azul Beach House will be your perfect choice.

Tierra Azul Beach House in Bohol

This is one resort that is increasingly popular among local and foreign tourists. The rates are reasonable and the friendly ambience is always a warm welcome. The guesthouses have all the necessary tropical comforts and the amenities and services are excellent.
Rates are around $35 which is a great deal for comfortable tropical living. The Flower Garden Resort is in Tawala, Panglao, Bohol. You may call them at +63 38 502 9012 for inquiries or email fgr@flowergarden-resort.com.
More about Flower Garden Resort...
Finding hotels and resorts won't be too hard a task in Bohol. There will always be a hotels and resorts to suit your needs and give you a glimpse of paradise.

Flower Garden Resort

Found within the municipality of Dauis at the Island of Panglao in the province of Bohol, Flushing Meadows Resort offers tremendously beautiful scenery and super affordable rooms to all its guests to enjoy. 

A true paradise of sorts, this Resort is definitely one of the best places to stop by when traveling within the extremely charming Panglao Island. Unlike the other resorts out there within the area, this place has many outstanding offerings like a fun fishing center, a spacious campsite, and a blue-colored tennis court.
For people who want to get away from the busy and tiring feeling of city life, Flushing Meadows Resort offers a perfect opportunity to escape all these pressures and stressful factors. 

Equipped with super spacious facilities, this place has been a favorite location for holding group events like team-building, school outings, and reunions. At the same time, the stunning view of the beach is guaranteed to amaze and mesmerize the hearts of numerous tourists out there.

This is a resort with a plush tropical vibe. Flushing Meadows is a great place to bring the entire family along. Bathrooms have complete amenities, rooms come with a tropical touch, and they have provisions for non-smokers. You'll have all the modern comforts mixed with tropical fun. You'll love the aqua sports facilities and tours.
The only catch is that the great service and facilities are a bit pricey starting around $100 to $550. Flushing Meadows is in Dauis, Panglao Island, in Bohol. You may call their Manila office at +63 02 8924961/+63 02 7592893 or the resort staff at +63 38 502-2122; 502-2480; 502-2481. You may email info@flushingmeadows.com.ph for inquiries.

Flushing Meadows Resort in Bohol

Situated along Carlos P. Garcia Avenue within the municipality of Tagbilaran in the province of Bohol, Wregent Plaza Hotel is a well-loved place amongst travelers and tourists alike. Aside from its outstanding first-class amenities, its high quality service provides enough help to earn the place the respect and admiration of the entire eco-tourism sector, not only in the province, but also all over the Philippines. In the next few years or so, this place will continuously add glory to the growing tourism in Bohol.

Wregent Plaza Hotel offers excellent services for various purposes. In terms of business, the place can hold special events like seminars, meetings, and conferences within its elegant conference room as well as its innovative function hall. To accommodate the different needs of its guests and customers, the hotel features an extensive room service, laundry, as well as van rental. Furthermore, a coffee shop is ready to serve clients with great food, hot and cold beverages, and excellent services.
In terms of room accommodations, Wregent Plaza Hotel is always on top of the competition with its super trendy and highly tasteful room designs. Guests can choose from any of its Standard, Deluxe, and Suite Rooms, most of which feature outstanding amenities like cable television sets, bathtubs, and telephone lines. A very cheap rate of 800 pesos is needed to avail the amenities of a standard single room. Furthermore, Wregent Plaza Hotel guests can avail of a standard double room for only 900 pesos, while a deluxe single unit costs 1,100 pesos overnight. For people with bigger budgets, they can enjoy better service and greater accommodations at the 1,200-pesos deluxe double unit and the 1,400-pesos suite.

From Wregent Plaza Hotel, some important locations in Tagbilaran City are just within reach for its visitors and guests. They can easily go to special places like shopping malls, government offices, and other commercial establishments. At the same time, this wonderful place can serve as excellent starting points for people who want to visit and explore the different tourist destinations in Bohol. Furthermore, the friendly staff at Wregent Plaza Hotel is very much willing and accommodating to help guests book at special tours all over the province. 

With all these wonderful features and services, it is easy to say that Wregent Plaza Hotel is truly one of the finest places to rest, relax, and enjoy whenever traveling within the province of Bohol. This special hotel always takes care of its guests and visitors, making sure that they are always provided with utmost care, modern convenience, and total comfort right within the privacy of the rooms.
This is a high standard hotel in Tagbilaran City. The rooms in Wregent are tastefully designed. Vacation needs are covered plus they even offer tours and transfers to and from the airport. The function hall and conference rooms can accommodate a sizable crowd. The rooms are air-conditioned and have their own fridge, cable TV, phone, and hot and cold showers. Room rates in Wregent start at P800 up to P1,400.
Wregent is along Carlos P. Garcia Avenue. You may call +63-38 411-3144, 411-3951, 411-3971 for inquiries.

Wregent Plaza Hotel in Bohol

Famous for the outstanding amenities and excellent accommodation that it provides to its valuable guests, Cherry’s Home is a mini-hotel that caters to tourists and travelers from all over the world. Aside from its outstanding features, guests will surely love the super affordable room rates as well as the beautiful scenery that it provides to everyone. The beautiful island city of Panglao is surely glad to have one great hospitality service provider like Cherry’s Home, which tirelessly promotes the ecotourism in the entire province of Bohol.

Cherry’s Home offers six very convenient standard rooms, all of which are equipped with all the basic equipment necessary to make its guests truly comfortable. Air-conditioned rooms usually cost 1,200 pesos for an overnight stay, while fan rooms cost only 800 pesos. For those who want to rent an extra bed, they can do so for the very affordable price of 250 pesos. At the same time, the hotel offers guests convenient transportation for as low as 500 pesos. Complete bathroom facilities, colored television sets, and air-conditioning systems are some of the basic features of standard rooms.

Aside from its super comfortable standard rooms, Cherry’s Home also offers a spacious vacation house called Bolod House. Guests can rent this beautiful place on either a daily or a weekly basis. For those who want to stay at this place for only a day, the cost is usually 3,100 pesos. On the other hand, a weeklong stay at this outstanding vacation house costs 18,000 pesos. The house features a telephone, a VCD player, and a karaoke. For cooking purposes, a rice cooker, a stove, as well as a refrigerator are also available for use.

In addition to its outstanding room amenities and excellent service, Cherry’s Home also offers two distinct types of tour packages. Package 1 is referred to as Tourist Tour, which basically costs 2,500 pesos for eight persons and 3,500 pesos for 12 persons. Hinagdanan Cave, Bilar Man-Made Forest, and Baclayon Church are included in the package. Loboc River, Blood Compact Site, and Chocolate Hills are always a favorite among tourists and guests. Albur Wildlife, Loboc Tarsier, and Hanging Bridge provide quite an adventure for everyone. Package 2 is called Balicasag Island Tour, which costs 1,800 pesos for five persons and 3,000 pesos for 10 persons. Some of the inclusive outdoor activities are snorkeling and dolphin-watching. 

With all these great features and services, Cherry’s Home is indeed one of the best locations to stop by when visiting the charming island province of Bohol. A place like this contributes greatly to the overall success of ecotourism, not only within the province, but also in the entire Philippines as well.

This is a mini hotel that’s perfect for family trips. Cherry's is located conveniently near the Bohol's exotic beaches. With rates starting around P800, staying here will be a great bargain.
Cherry's Home is in Danao Tawala, Panglao, Bohol. You may call +63 38 5029 167 or +63 918 2217 679 for inquiries and reservation.



Cherry’s Home in Panglao, Bohol

The hotel industry is one of the fast advancing industries in Bohol. Because of the improvements in the tourist spots as well as the development of beach resorts in Bohol, the hotel industry experienced rapid improvement in its financial performance in the past years. Like the other tourist destinations in Philippines, Bohol is famous for its white sand beaches. Hence, an increase in the number of people traveling to Bohol during summer time is observed through time.

Bohol Beach Club Hotel is a beautiful and enticing hotel in Bohol that travelers should see. Its facilities are attractive and it offers additional sports and recreational services. Some of the outstanding facilities that Bohol Beach Club Hotel has are conference rooms and cocktail lounges where business meetings and parties can be held. The hotel also has restaurant where its guests can taste delicious and mouth watering meals.

Bohol Beach Club Hotel has clean and organized rooms. Because of the cleanliness and elegance of the hotel rooms, Bohol Beach Club Hotel is considered as a 3-star hotel in Bohol. Every room in Bohol Beach Club Hotel is fully air-conditioned and has a mini bar. The rooms also have Internet connection so guests at the hotel can still be connected with their loved ones, friends and business associates.

There are five types of room at Bohol Beach Club Hotel and these are the following: Standard Room, Superior Room, Superior Poolside, Family Suite and Executive Suite. The room rates at the hotel ranges from USD 100 to USD 300. The management of Bohol Beach Club Hotel provides daily room service so visitors will not have problems regarding the cleanliness of the place.

Aside from the outstanding facilities, Bohol Beach Club Hotel also provides car rental services and airport pickup and drop off services. In this case, it will be more conducive for guests to reach the hotel and to travel to the other tourist spots of Bohol. They also need not to find the exact location of Bohol Beach Club Hotel since the hotel provides transfer service to them.

For those who need the exact location of Bohol Beach Club Hotel, it is situated at 6340 Bolod, Panglao Island in the beautiful province of Bohol. Bohol Beach Club Hotel is near to Bohol Museum, Mactan International Airport and Tagbilaran City. Thus, guests at the hotel will surely enjoy their experience in Bohol since they can visit other attractive sites that are located near the hotel.

If you're looking for hotels and resorts prepped for intimate romantic encounters then this is the place. The elegant rooms range from standard rooms to executive suites. Each room gives breath-taking views of white sand beaches and blue tropical waters. Relax and unwind in the pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, various aqua sports, and island tours.
Rates at Bohol Beach Club range from P3,500 to P17,500. You may call the Bohol Beach Club at +63 38 411-5222, 1800 1888 2227 (toll free), +63 38 411-5226 (fax), or send an email to bbclub@mozcom.com.

Bohol Beach Club

Found within Barangay Tawala in the municipality of Panglao, Belleview Rock Resort gives tourists and guests another outstanding reason to visit the captivating province of Bohol. For years, the place has solidly remained as one of the most amazing diving resorts in the Philippines. For as low as 2,200 pesos, people can experience the rich marine ecosystem of the province as well as visit some of its most outstanding tourists destinations. To avail of cheaper rates and special promos, they can check out some travel agencies and tourists operators that offer special packages.

At Belleview Rock Resort, people can expect an enjoyable, fun-filled, and relaxing stay with all its excellent rooms and cottages. As an alternative to the air-conditioning units, guests can use air louvers to ventilate their rooms and experience some really fresh and unpolluted air. In the meantime, they can also enjoy the fresh and clean water of the outdoor pool, or hang out at its poolside bar. Accordingly, Belleview Rock Resort can also serve as an excellent location for holding large group seminars, meetings, and even conferences.

Because Belleview Rock Resort is a premier diving location, it offers various underwater services and tours for all the adventure-seekers out there. At the same time, people can rent some of its top-of-the-line scuba diving equipment for very reasonable prices. From wetsuits, diving masks, and snorkels to regulators, buoyancy control devices, and underwater torches, this ultimate diving resort provides full diving equipment for everyone. Furthermore, guests can also enroll at its PADI Certification Course, which teaches them the different theories and skills that are necessary before the actual diving experience.

Belleview Rock Resort also offers special packages covering various exciting outdoor activities. For sure, guests will find Balicasag Island truly fantastic with the Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour package. In the meantime, the Island Hopping Tour package will surely amaze all, while the Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour package at Pamilacan Island will captivate their hearts for ages to come. In addition, they can rent jet skis, pump boats, and motorcycles to move their ways all over the island.

Finally, Belleview Rock Resort offers special trips to some of the most entertaining, exhilarating, and captivating views within the province. Tarsier Sanctuary in Loboc, Clarin Ancestral House in Loay, and Blood Compact Site in Tagbilaran are just few of the many wonderful locations that guests can visit. Furthermore, they can also enjoy other beautiful sights like the man-made forest in Bilar, Loay Backyard Industry, and Chocolate Hills in Carmen.

 
Belleview Rock is a great escape from the mad crowd of our mundane living. It is beautifully situated on low rocky hills, however, it is only a 45 minute drive from Bohol City. A children’s pool is in place in case you bring them along.
Excursions are regularly organized so guests can tour the tourist sites in the island. The quiet ambience, bar, seminar halls, and other amenities ensure an escape into paradise. Rates in BelleviewRock are around P2,200. Call +63-927-7529850/+63-927-7529851 or email info@belleviewrock.com for inquiries.

Belleview Rock Resort in Bohol

Known as a Visayan province in the Philippines that is popular for the luring Chocolate Hills, Bohol is a place that is widely visited by Filipino travelers and foreigners every summer. This province has many alluring white beach resorts where travelers can relax and enjoy their summer vacations. Aside from the white beach resorts in Bohol, people also visit the province because it has natural wonders and tourist spots like old churches and man made forests.

Because of the improving number of travelers that visit Bohol every year, hotels and inns have mushroomed in the different barangays of the province. Each hotel tried to offer the best services and amenities to travelers but there are some that outstand and are more popular than the other hotels. One of the popular hotels in Bohol where many travelers stay to relax is Ananyana Hotel.
Ananyana Hotel has a restaurant that serves Italian dishes. Other facilities of the hotel are conference rooms and a business center where private companies can hold business meetings as well as cocktail lounge where parties and other special events are held. Aside from the beach of Ananyana Hotel, it has a swimming pool where guests can enjoy the day after having a good hair cut at the hotel’s salon.
Ananyana Hotel has ten rooms that are air-conditioned. Every room has a balcony or terrace where guests can watch the sunset. The rooms also have minibars, telephones and colored televisions that can be freely used by the guests. The room rates in Ananyana Hotel are affordable. The accommodation rates range from USD 200 to USD 400.
For those who are interested in diving, Ananyana Hotel offers diving sessions to its guests. Aside from diving, guests can also do kayaking and snorkeling. Hence, guests at Ananyana Hotel will surely enjoy their stay at the hotel.
For those who are interested in staying at Ananyana Hotel in Bohol, the exact location of the hotel is Lot 2c at Doljo Beach in Panglao Island of Bohol. It is very accessible to other tourist sites and the hotel offers island tours to their guests. To avoid experiencing hassles, Ananyana Hotel provides transfer services to their guests from the resort to Bohol seaport and Tagbilaran airport as well as from the ports to the resort.

Travelers who want to stay at this hotel should book in avoid to know if they will be available rooms for them. They can visit some Web sites that allow online booking for the hotel to be ensured that there are available rooms when they visit to this alluring Ananyana Hotel in Bohol.
This is the place to unwind and refresh both mind and your spirit. The place has a cozy feel with rooms and services designed to soothe your nerves. The king sized beds and silent air-conditioning ensures a privileged luxury.
Room rates in Ananyana are at $220 to $340. You may call +63 38 502 8101 for inquiries or reservation.

Ananyana Hotel in Bohol

 Have you been to the beautiful white sand beaches of Bohol? Have you visit the attractive tourist spots in this Visayan province? Do you have any idea which beach resorts in Bohol have excellent services and good accommodations?

Bohol is one of the popular provinces in the South East Asian country Philippines which lured many foreigners to spend their vacation at its attractive beach resorts. The beach resorts in this province is very famous in the sense that they provide outstanding facilities and services to their guests. One of the popular beach resorts that visitors should have a look at is Amarela Resort.

Amarela Resort provides almost everything that their clients need. It has a restaurant where their guests can eat national as well as international dishes. Aside from the restaurant, Amarela Resort has a bar that serves refreshing drinks. For those who need to maintain communication with their associates, friends and relatives, Amarela Resort has Wi-fi connection that is available to their guests.

After kayaking, snorkeling and diving at the beach of Amarela Resort, guests can also swim at its infidelity pool. In addition, this resort relaxing massage services. Guests can rent DVDs, board games and books at the resort if they want to unwind at their spare time.
 
The room rates at Amarela Resort in Bohol are affordable and the management of the resort provides special packagaes for those who will stay long at the resort. The packages include breakfast, lunch and dinner, massage and trips to other attractive sites of Bohol. The packages range from Php 7,000 to Php 11,000, depending on the type of room where the guests choose to stay.

Every room at Amarela Resort has an air-conditioning unit, hair dryer, full length mirror as well as luggage rack. The rooms in this hotel also have entertainment system which include colored television and DVD player. Above all, the rooms have private bath and toilet that have cold and hot shower.

Located at Barangay Libaong at Panglao Island in Bohol, the resort is accessible to other tourist sites in the province like Baclayon Church and Museum, Balicasag Island, Hinagdanan Cave, Butterfly Garden, Corella Tarsier Sanctuary and Chocolate Hills. Travelers who want to stay at the resort will not have problems finding it because it has transport services in which guests who have booked at the resort will be picked up at the airport or seaport of the province. Thus, for those who want to enjoy their vacation in Bohol, the most comfortable and relaxing place to stay is at Amarela Resort.
 
This resort in Barangay Libaong in Panglao Island is a place that will always feel like home.
The location of Amarela Resort gives an astounding panorama of the sea and other neighboring islands. The furnishings are highlighted by traditional and antique furniture that reflects the local culture and art.
The place features a touch of elegance yet will make guests feel quite at home. Rates range from P8,000 to P10,000. Call Amarela at +63 38 5029497 to 99 or fax +63 38 5029499, or email reservations@amarelaresort.com for reservations.

Amarela Resort in Bohol

Among the hotels and resorts, this one features Balinese Lumbungs or rice barns, which provide comfortable and secluded outdoor living. Those who would love to relax in a lush yet private paradise in the tropics will enjoy their stay here. Alumbung serves as the perfect get away for honeymooners.

Facilities and amenities include wireless Internet, individual hammocks, barbecue grills, fans, fridge, electric stoves, TV, and DVD players. Boat rides, snorkeling, island hopping, and scenic tours are only a few highlights. Rates in Alumbung are around P2,000. You may call Alumbung Resort at +63 38 502 5528 or email info@alumbungbohol.com for more information.

Alumbung Resort - Bohol

Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant is one of the finest beach resorts in all of Bohol, and will cater to the needs of the traveler looking for the best in accommodation, service and luxury.
The Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant offers very reasonable rates, with villas costing as low as $192 USD. All the villas are completely furnished with all the luxuries you can desire: a king sized bed, private toilet, hot/cold showers and a dressing table.

In addition all Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant villas are equipped with cable TV, wifi Internet access, split air conditioning, ceiling fans, mini bar, safe box and coffee maker. The terrace has a ceiling fan as well and also sun beds and chairs.
Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant has a dozen villas and all of them are encompassed by coconut groves and provide breathtaking views of the open sea. While enjoying the view you can also partake in the sumptuous Filipino (and international) cuisine.
In evenings, you can enjoy a more intimate setting as tables are installed by the pool, allowing you the opportunity to savor the fine food in a more relaxed atmosphere. For those who prefer indoor dining, there is an indoor restaurant at the Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant. Whichever you choose, the food and wine selection is varied, and there are cocktails available as well.
For recreational activates, Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant offers a mini golf course, tennis court, badminton and a spacious swimming pool. For more adventurous types, you can rent a kayak or go mountain biking.
For nature lovers, Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant offers guided tours of the Bohol jungle via a boat ride through the Loboc river; you can go diving through the pristine waters and glimpse the beautiful marine life. Or you can go whale or dolphin watching. Of course, you must not forget to try and catch a glimpse of the Tarsier, the smallest monkey in the world.

Other activities you can engage in while staying at the Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant include visiting some of the most ancient churches in the Philippines, check out the rice fields, and of course, visit Chocolate Hills, the most famous spot in Bohol.
The Alona Palm Beach Resort & Restaurant is situated on the island of Panglao off the island of Bohol and linked by two bridges. To reach it, take a direct flight to the Philippines and then any domestic plane ride directly to Tagbilaran (capital of Bohol).

The Alona Palm Beach Resort and Restaurant is one that provides luxurious amenities and superb service. Experience a relaxing vacation and enjoy luxurious living as you encounter the beauty of nature.
Visitors can enjoy kayaking, dolphin watching tours, biking, a mini-golf course, table tennis, badminton, and massage services. Rates in Alona Palm Beach Resort start at P900 to P11,000. You may call +63-038-502-9141 or +63-038-502-9142 (fax) for inquiries or reservation.

Alona Palm Beach Resort and Restaurant - Panglao, Bohol

The island province of Bohol may aptly be called "Cave Country." Some 1400 caves have been counted, and probably many more have escaped notice. Some claim that Bohol even got its name from the word "buho", meaning "hole.", although that term is actually applied to a hole from which spring water leaves the ground -- something you can find quite often in the coastal towns of the island. 

Bohol, like the surrounding islands, emerged from the sea during the mid Tertiary, some 20-30 million years ago. The island is made of extensive karst (limestone) formations, such as sinkholes, ravines, the curious Chocolate Hills, and a large number of caves, many of them still unexplored. You may also come across streams that pop up from the ground at one place, to disappear again into a cave a few kilometers further on, and reappear again after running some distance underground. If you enter this underground world, you will encounter the many unusual and even bizarre invertebrates, such as albino crabs, that have evolved here and are especially adapted to this life in darkness.
All these caves of course are an ideal hideout, and have played an important role in Bohol's history. The Francisco Dagohoy Cave in the town of Danao is probably the most famous of these. This cave was the headquarters of the Boholano patriot Dagohoy, who, in the year 1744 started a rebellion against Spain that was to last until 1829. One of the many crystal-studded passages within Dagohoy's cave has an underwater route leading to dry land, and it is said that every time Spaniards would search the cave, Dagohoy would swim underwater through this passage to hide in the breathing space. 

Well known, and easy to reach is Hinagdanan ("laddered" in Cebuano) cave on the island of Panglao, just 2.5 kilometers from Dauis. This cave has a large number of stalactites hanging from the sealing, and matching stalagmites sticking out of the earth below them. The cave leads to a large underground cavern, that contains a pond. Both ends of the cave are open but swimming in the pool is not advisable as the waters there are not clean.
The inland town of Antequera, surrounded by hills and best known for its basket market, has a number of caves. They vary in difficulty. Close to town is Buhong Tiawan, one and half kilometer from the town center. To reach the entrance, in the wall of a limestone hill, you will have to walk about one kilometer through dense vegetation. The entrance itself is about 3 by 5 meters wide, and leads to a cavern that is less than 100 meters long. Inside you'll find various types of dripstone. During the Second World war, this cave served as a refuge for the locals, but was discovered and raided by the Japanese imperial army. Today, the cave is the home of bats and birds. 

Two kilometers out of town lies Hagakgak cave. Again, you will have follow a trail through dense vegetation. Located about two kilometers from the town center, the cave is still quite undisturbed. The entrance is a 15 meters wide pasasge at the base of a sinkhole. This cave is a bit more difficult, and it can be quite wet and muddy inside. To get enter, you'll at times have to wriggle yourself through some narrow passages, but once inside, you'll be rewarded with some nice stalactites and stalagmites. This cave is the home of some animals which have adapted to a live underground, such as the rare albino crabs of the species sundathelphosa filipina and fishes. 

If you're really into caving, you'll probably also want to be challenged by Inambacan cave. Also about two kilometers from the town of Antequera, you can get to the entrance of this cave over more accessible roads. Inside Inambacan cave is flowing water, which often fills most of the cave -- often the water is over 1.20 meters deep, and often only a mere 30 centimeters of air remain between the current and the ceiling. Inside the cave are some small stalactites and stalagmites. Don't go here without some experience in spelunking.
Roughly halfway the Southeastern coast of Bohol lies the town of Jagna. Best known because from here the boats to Mindanao and Butuan depart three times a week. However, the town also has a large number of caves, including the deepest cave in the Central Visayas. Carmaloan 2. This cave goes down to a depth of 149 meters. If you want to explore it, plan to stay in town for at least one night. 

The largest cave in the province is Sudlon. This cave is located in a lovely mountain environment and serves as a hide-out for a huge population of bats. At dusk, you can see them emerge from the cave like large storm clouds. 

The Bingag cave.

In Panglao, one of the towns near Tagbilaran is a big cave called Bingag. In early time, no one dared enter this cave with only a few companions for fear he would not be able to come out again. It was originally composed of several compartments, with passages so low that one has to stoop low in order to pass through. The passages differed in size. Some passages were so small that a person could do nothing but crawl very slowly and patiently if he was eager to see more of the wonderful cave. People who went there brought many candles and matches for fear they would all be consumed before they reached the main entrance again. They went hand in hand so as not to be lost. Others who were more precautious brought a very long rope, one end tied to the main entrance to guide them back to the outer world and not be lost on the dreadful and dim cave. Others who were more superstitious, wrote their names on the walls near the entrance to make their safe return more certain. When they were inside they did not attempt to talk or to point out at any object, lest something terrible befall them. 

Many people come to this cave, to see the rare gold fishes, and to see the weird shapes in the roof and walls and specially the altar with images and saints and the people of stone that are kneeling. This cave was once a beautiful church, where people heard mass everyday. One day while the mass was going on, a woman entered quietly, knelt near the altar and prayed fervently. The people in the church on seeing her, stared at her and tried hard to control their laughter. The more they tried to control it, the more they were tickled to laughter. To them, the woman's behavior was funny, useless, a sign of inconsistency and hypocrisy. She was a courtesan of bad reputation, a shameless woman who desecrated the church. 

While the people were laughing, a frightening lightning and a deafening thunder came. The rain fell in torrents, and the church became very dark. The earth quaked and the church crumbled. The kneeling people were all changed to stones, to laugh no more at a person showing repentance in the house of God. 

For fifty years, these figures were never disturbed, the gold fishes continued to live in a sort of lake in the middle of the cave. There seemed to be no outlet and inlet. The water was deep and dark but many people were not afraid to swim in it. Time has destroyed the stones. Every earthquake that passed by caused the stone figures to ruin. Nowadays, the cave of Bingag is still there. The lake is still there but the gold fish is found no more. No more figures could be found except stalagmites and stalactites. The entrance to the cave is still small and narrow that only one person at a time could pass down it. The lake is surrounded by aisles of rock where people could go around it. It is a vast dome with a high ceiling of rock. It has become a scenic spot for picnickers and excursionists at present.

 



Bohol, Cave Country

The Bohol landscape is dotted with a large number of romantic, refreshing waterfalls. Most of them are hidden away, only known to the local people. They will patiently wait for you to discover them. Here we list just of few of them, but if you ask around, the locals can point you out many more, where you can stay, and often swim in a natural swimming pool undisturbed all day. Some of the undeveloped waterfalls can only be reached after difficult climb down a muddy slope, which may be impossible after heavy rains. 



Mag-Aso Falls

The Mag-Aso Falls are at walking distance from Antequera, and are fine destination after a visit to the handicrafts market on Sunday morning. On the market square, a large sign directs you to the right road, which you follow until you find a bit dilipated ticket stall, where you will have to pay two pesos, and can enter the concrete stairs down to the falls.

Inambacan Falls

Also located near Antequera town, a cascading waterfall, proposed to be a source of drinking and irrigation water for Antequera and even Tagbilaran City.

Kawasan Falls

The Kawasan Falls can be found in Balilihan, about 22 kilometers from Tagbilaran.

Dimiao Twin Falls

The Dimiao Twin Falls are about 14 kilometers from the highway, in the muncipality of Dimiao, 38 kilometers from Tagbilaran. The beautiful cascading twin falls are a trekking destination and a picnic.

Busay Falls

Busay Falls are the destination of the floating restaurant trips starting from Loboc. The falls are 12 meters wide and fall about 4 meters, but after the wonderful trip and certainly advisable on Loboc river fall a bit behind expectation.

Waterfalls in Bohol

Bohol is a favourite bird-watcher's destination in the Philippines. Famous of course is Olango Island, between Mactan Island and Bohol, and part of the province of Cebu, but also Bohol itself has much to offer in the shape of the Rajah Sikatuna National Park in the inlands, near the town of Bilar. With its 90 square kilometers, Rajah Sikatuna National Park is the largest remaining natural forest in Bohol. In the headquarters, is a small hostel, and you can find a birders’ logbook and visitors’ book here, which is useful to read.
A number of trails have been set out. Following the trails through the park, you can come across many species of birds. It will take some patience, and may really help if you bring along tapes with bird calls to tempt the often shy birds from their hiding places. With some luck you can come across some rare and endangered species, such as the Philippine Eagle Owl, Bubo philippensis.

Among others, the following birds have been seen in Rajah Sikatuna National Park:
Metallic-winged sunbird Aethopyga pulcherrima
Silvery kingfisher Alcedo argentata
Philippine frogmouth Batrachostomus septimus
Philippine Eagle Owl Bubo philippensis
Brush cuckoo Cacomantis sepulcralis
Philippine nightjar Caprimulgus manillensis
Black-faced coucal Centropus melanops
Philippine coucal Centropus viridis
Pygmy swiftlet Collocalia troglodytes
Large-billed crow Corvus macrorhynchos
Red-keeled flowerpecker Dicaeum australe
Spangled drongo Dicrurus bracteatus
White-bellied woodpecker Dryocopus javensis
Pink-bellied imperial pigeon Ducula poliocephala
Great eared nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis
Mindanao bleeding-heart Gallicolumba criniger
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
Brahminy kite Haliastur indus
Philippine trogon Harpactes ardens
Whiskered treeswift Hemiprocne comata
Black-naped monarch Hypothymis azurea
Philippine bulbul Ixos philippinus
Brown tit-babbler Macronous striaticeps
Purple-throated sunbird Nectarinia sperata
Philippine hawk owl Ninox philippensis
Black-naped oriole Oriolus chinensis
Rufous-fronted tailorbird Orthotomus frontalis
Yellow-breasted tailorbird Orthotomus samarensis
Philippine scopsowl Otus megalotis
Yellow-bellied whistler Pachycephala philippensis
Mindanao hornbill Penelopides affinis
Amethyst brown dove Phapitreron amethystine
White-eared brown dove Phapitreron leucotis
Arctic warbler Phylloscopus borealis
Philippine leaf warbler Phylloscopus olivaceus
Red-bellied pitta Pitta erythrogaster
Steere´s pitta Pitta steeri
Blue-crowned racquet-tail Prioniturus discurus
Olive-backed flowerpecker Prionochilus olivaceus
Black-chinned fruit-dove Ptilinopus leclancheri
Streaked ground babbler Ptilocichla mindanensis
Yellow-wattled bulbul Pycnonotus urostictus
Rufous-tailed jungle flycatcher Rhinomyias ruficauda
Blue fantail Rhipidura superciliaris
Philippine serpent eagle Spilornis holospilus
Black-crowned babbler Stachyris nigrocapita
Drongo cuckoo Surniculus lugubris
Rufous-lored kingfisher Todiramphus winchelli
Everett´s white-eye Zosterops everetti

Getting There and Accommodation.

Catch a bus to Bilar, which is near the park. From there take a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) to the accomodation in the park at Logarita. The caretaker and ranger here is John, a helpful person, who can take care of the food, and can provide accommodation in the hostel. The hostel is pretty basic, with three double rooms at P50 a night. There are also a number of very basic chalets at Camp Magsaysay, a Scout Camp and Nature Centre in the park. Entrance to the park is P20. If you want somewhat better accomodation, you can stay at the Chocolate Hills Complex near Carmen, not far from Bilar.
 

Bird Watching

Alona beach has large number of resorts in various price-classes and quality. It is certainly worthwhile to check-out a few places and compare prices and facilities. At the low-end of the price range, Alonaville rents out simple, somewhat run-down, cottages with fan at about P400 / $8 per night. Better cottages, with or without air-con can be had at Bohol Divers, starting at P1200 / $24. If you wish to stay a little bit away from the noise and hectic at the beach, you can rent nice and clean, fully furnitured houses with kitchen at P1000 / $20 per night at Flower Garden Resort. This is very good value for money, and, considering that you can do your own cooking, is actually cheaper than even the most run-down cottage straight on the beach. Since there are only three houses and a duplex, reservations are certainly recommended here. Also a little away from the beach is Sunapartelle, which offers very attractive luxury apartments, with air-con, kitchen, and has a good restaurant (and one of the few places in Bohol serving vegetarian food), all in a lovely garden. You will certainly love the swimming-pool here, as it is set romantically in a natural hollow, connected to caves, some three to four meters below the surrounding garden. At the high end of the price range is, recently opened after over four years of construction, is Alona Palm Beach Resort. Here the luxury rooms go for P5500 / $110 per night. Each room is actually in a separate building, set in a nicely landscaped garden direct on the beach. The swimming pool is the largest on the beach, and boasts an edge with waterfall, such that, when you are swimming in it, it appears to be a continuation of the sea.

Where to stay at Alona Beach

Bohol, an island in the middle of the Visayas, the large group of islands in the middle of the Philippines, is an excellent tourist destination, as it has much to offer to visitor. Long stretches of white beach to laze around, world class diving spots with some of the best coral reefs in the country, the amazing and unique Chocolate Hills, which you will have to see to believe, the shy and tiny tarsier, one of the smallest primates in the world, a rich cultural heritage, with numerous old churches and other historical monuments, and much more. In a series of articles, we will describe our experiences during our stay on Bohol.
One of the attractions of Bohol is the ability to go dolphin and whale watching on the Bohol Sea. Joselino "Jojo" Baritua runs a project in which former whale-hunters can still use their whale and dolphin spotting skills to earn a living, but now to guide tourists to the best spots for a meeting with those gentle giants and playful jokers of the sea. After being in touch with Jojo for about a year about his dolphin and whale watching operation, we finally had the opportunity to meet him and join him on a small expedition of dolphin watching. We didn't go for whale watching, since we arrived in the wrong time of year. I invited my family-in-law to join the trip, because, although they live in Bohol, they have very little opportunity to see much of the natural beauty of the island. Even though Alona beach is just 50 kilometers from home, their are little opportunities to go there, let alone stay there.
We made an appointment to be picked up at Alona beach at six o'clock in the morning: for dolphin watching you've to wake up early, as they forage early in the morning, and their hunting grounds are quite some distance from the coast.

We woke up with excitement already at five o'clock. For all of us, it would be our first dolphin-watching trip, and we were full of expectation. Of course, we've seen an occasional dolphin while on a ferry, and I have seen several dolphins in a dolphin show in the Netherlands, but now we hoped to see them in full freedom and from close by at full sea. After an early breakfast, we walked to the beach, where we found the large banca already waiting for us. We waded a few steps from the beach to the banca, and climbed onboard via a small stair connected to the bow. This banca, called Lores, was actually one of the former whale-hunter boats. It was confiscated in Talisay City, Cebu in March 1999 when it was unloading chopped fresh whale shark meat for export to Taiwan. The boat was only released one month later, after paying a P 45,000.00 penalty. Lores joined the dolphin and whale-watching program in January 2000 and since then has no longer been used for hunting whales, dolphins and whale sharks, except by tourists who carry loaded cameras instead of harpoons or guns.
After we all were settled on board, we set off. First, the crew pushed the banca away from the beach with long bamboo poles, then they started the engine, and we got some speed. It is actually quite surprising how fast these bancas can go.

We headed eastwards, straight towards the dolphin's feeding ground. Already, the late Ben Guirigay, a former whale hunter and one of the best spotters from Pamilacan, who joined the dolphin and whale-watching program in September 1998, was standing on the lookout for the telltale signs of dolphins. After about twenty minutes - Alona Beach was already far away on the horizon - he told us he could see the splashes of jumping dolphins. But I wasn't able to see anything but waves. It took me another ten minutes before I could first see the dolphins jumping.
As we came closer to the spot, we started to see more and more dolphins. Groups of them popped up at the left and right, and more groups showed up at the horizon. The banca slowed down, and we found ourselves literally surrounded by dolphins, some jumping up and giving away a nice show of their acrobatic capabilities - if you ever wonder how they teach all those jumps and twirls in a dolphin show: they don't; dolphins are natural talents. The kind of dolphins we were watching now are aptly called "spinners" as they are capable of spinning around their own axis when they jump out of the water.

All this jumping and spinning is of course great fun, but also serves a purpose. The dolphins are actually hunting for fish. One group of dolphins chasing the fish, scaring them with all the noise they make, while others wait. We could see the fish jump out of the water in an attempt to escape their enemies, but only to land straight into the mouths of another dolphin, an interesting spectacle to observe.
Taking pictures of dolphins takes some patience and luck. Even when there are plenty, they jump out of the water unexpectedly, and disappear before you can even press the shutter. Most of they time you will end up with only their tails being captured on the film. You will need a good telescopic lens to be able to get some nice close ups.
We continued following the dolphins. By now, we saw groups of dolphins appear over a stretch of about two kilometers or more, maybe over 500 of them, a magnificent view, which we all enjoyed.
Not far from us was another banca, from one of the dive shops on Alona Beach, carrying a group of tourists also observing the spectacle - but then suddenly a third, smaller banca appeared. At first it was unclear what their business was, but then it became apparent that the people on board were actually trying to kill the dolphins. The crew on our banca looked angry and told us they were Badjau, and started to gesture angrily at the other banca. The skipper, Joseph Valeroso, himself a former hunter who had been behind bars for 5 days fined P 5,000.00 when the Lores was captured in 1999, started to chase them. They quickly went away. Unfortunately, I was not able to take a clear picture of their banca against the low standing sun.
This incident again demonstrates that a patrol boat is urgently needed to enforce the ban on hunting dolphins and other protected species in this area. Unfortunately, hardly any funds are available for such a patrol boat, and even if such a boat is donated, funds will be required for its maintenance and continuous operation, which will also cost considerable in wages and fuel.

 After about three hours of dolphin watching, we set course for Pamilacan, a small island which is the home of fishermen, and our crew. On our way here, we come across yet more dolphins, this time the bottlenose dolphin. This species is somewhat larger and darker than the spinner dolphin, and is not able to spin as his smaller cousin. On Pamilacan, we visit the local fish trader and buy some freshly caught fish, considerably cheaper than in Tagbilaran, and have a look at his collection of ghastly trophies from former days, when whales, dolphins and sharks were still routinely hunted by the Pamilacan fishermen. The jaws of numerous sharks, and a complete spinner dolphin skeleton decorate the walls of his shop. We continued our trip to the other side of the island. The cliffs on the north-west of Pamilacan island are now painted with the letters S A N C T U A R Y, and the reef in front of the cliff is now off-limits for all fishing, to serve as a much needed nursery for young fish. The fishing ban here is enforced by the local fishermen themselves, who understand the need of such sanctuaries to be able to maintain reasonable catches at other places, and the fine is a heavy P 1000.

On the north side of Pamilacan island stands an old Spanish watch tower. Build several centuries ago by the Spanish rulers to house a lookout against Moro marauders, it has now become a ruin, and is in dire need of some action to prevent further decay. Similar towers can be found in several places on Bohol, the most well known and best preserved is the tower at Punta Cruz, Maribojoc, and the tallest that of Panglao. We walk around the watchtower and visit the small church. In the church we can find an old wooden cross, which is said to have been washed ashore at this place, prompting the local fishermen to build this church. We also visit a few houses, where we can still find some whalebones, such as parts of the spinal column and gigantic jaw-bones, from which the teeth have been removed. Without any form of motorized transport, the atmosphere on the island is peaceful, and life must be  much the same as it
Wooden cross;
Pamilacan Island.
has been for hundreds of years, except that now most bancas are motorized, and that a diesel generator provides electricity from sun-set till about 10 or 11 o'clock. There are no roads, only paths connecting the various houses, and chicken and goats roam around freely. If you wish to stay on Pamilacan Island, you can do so in a small row of simple cottages on the beach. They are without electricity or running water, but just provide a shelter for the night. Including three meals they are P500 per night. A wonderful place to relax for a couple of days and do nothing but watching the beach, the waves, and the contours of the islands of Bohol and Panglao in the distance. If you want to stay here, you'll either have to bring your own food for the first day.
The Resort on Pamilacan.
Otherwise one day's notice will be required to allow the proprietor to buy the required food. We will not stay here now, but do have an excellent Filipino meal at the place. After our lunch, we go for a swim and some snorkeling along the beach. The reef directly in front of the beach here has been extensively damaged by destructive fishing methods, such as dynamite fishing. Little away from the harbor, the reef is already considerably better, and to the east of the island, the reefs are on of the favorite destinations of the divers, who come here with large bancas from Alona beach.
After our snorkeling, we all board the banca again for our trip back to Alona beach, which we reach after about one hour, tired but happy with our inspiring meeting with the dolphins.

Watching Dolphins on Bohol

The Philippine tarsier, (Tarsius syrichta) is very peculiar small animal. In fact it is one of the smallest known primates, no larger than a adult men's hand. Mostly active at night, it lives on a diet of insects. Folk traditions sometimes has it that tarsiers eat charcoal, but actually they retrieve the insects from (sometimes burned) wood. It can be found in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao in the Philippines.
If no action is taken, the tarsier might not survive. Although it is a protected species, and the practice of catching them and then selling them as stuffed tarsiers to tourists has stopped, the species is still threatened by the destruction of his natural forest habitat. Many years of both legal and illegal logging and slash-and-burn agriculture have greatly reduced these forests, and reduced the tarsier population to a dangerously small size. If no action is taken now, the Philippine tarsier can soon be added to the list of extinct species.

Not "The World Smallest Monkey"


Tarsier Clock, USD 13.99.
"The world's smallest monkey" is an often heard slogan. However, it is not a monkey. In truth, its classification is somewhat problematic. Some scientists consider tarsiers to be a taxonomic suborder among the primates. While, because they are closely related to lemurs, lorises and bushbabies, others classify them with the prosimians to which these animals belong. Monkeys and apes belong to the suborder of anthropoids. The complete taxonomic classification thus is:
Class Mammalia
Order Primates
Suborder Prosimii/Haplorrhini
Infraorder Tarsiiformes
Superfamily Tarsioidea
In the Philippines, three very similar species have been described. It is very well possible that these species are actually a single species, developed into three races due to the physical separation on the various islands.
Species Location
T. philippensis Samar and Leyte
T. fraterculus Bohol
T. carbonarius Mindanao
Outside the Philippines, a number of relatives of the Philippine tarsier can be found, among them the Bornean tarsier (Tarsius bancanus) of Borneo and Sumatra, the spectral tarsier (Tarsius spectrum), the lesser spectral tarsier or pygmy tarsier (Tarsius pumilus), and Dian's tarsier (Tarsius dianae) of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The pygmy tarsier, by the way, is considerably smaller than the Philippine tarsier, while the pygmy mouse lemur, found only in Madagascar, is now being recognized as the smallest primate in the world.
The tarsier was first introduced to Western biologists through the description given to J. Petiver by the missionary J.G. Camel of an animal said to have come from the Philippines (Hill, 1955). Petiver published Camel's description in 1705 and named the animal Cercopithecus luzonis minimus which was the basis for Linnaeus' (1758) Simia syrichta and eventually Tarsius syrichta. Among the locals, the tarsier is known as "mamag", "mago", "magau", "maomag", "malmag" and "magatilok-iok".
The species is believed to be about 45 million years old, dating back to the early Eocene period, and probably one of the oldest land species continuously existing in the Philippines.
Currently, the Philippine tarsier is categorized as a "lower risk, conservation dependent" species, which means that, although it is not yet categorized as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, it could qualify for one of those categories within five years if the present protection programs are stopped.

Physical Description

General. The Philippine tarsier has a gray fur and a nearly naked tail. The middle finger is elongated. Head and body length are around 118-149 mm; It weighs 113-142 grams. Males are larger than females.
Eyes. In comparison with his body size, the eyes of the tarsier are enormous. In volume, the capacity of the bony eye orbits, or eye sockets, is larger than that of the brain case, and also larger than its stomach. Their eye sockets have post-orbital closure rather than the postorbital bar of the prosimians. This feature keeps the eyeballs from being pressed against by the powerful temporal muscles to their sides.
Tail. The tarsier has a relatively very long tail (232 mm), generally naked except for a tuft of hair at its end. The underside has dermal ridges like those found on human hands and feet. Its tail is used for balancing like a tripod; they prefer an erect posture at all times.
Head. Like an owl, the tarsier has a joint between its skull base and spine to allow head movement of a 180-degree arc. Its upper lip lacks a cleft yet, but still has muscles, so that it can make facial expressions. The adult brain weighs about 4 grams.
Teeth. Tarsiers have sharp teeth, enabling them to catch their prey easier. Unique among primates, tarsiers have only two, rather than four, incisors in their lower jaw. Their dental formula is 2.1.3.3 1.1.3.3 x 2 = 34.
Ankle bones. The name "tarsier" or "tarsius" is derived from the animal's very long ankle bones. The tibia and fibula of the tarsiers are fused in their lower portions, acting as a shock absorber. This is considered a primitive trait, which can normally be seen in quadrupeds. The lower limbs are twice the length of its trunk. These enable the tarsier to leap about three meters from tree to tree. Its movements are similar to that of a frog.
Comparison with other Primates. Tarsiers share some characteristics with both the prosimians and the anthropoids, while they also have some characteristics peculiar to themselves. Taxonomists have classified them as intermediate between both groups and have assigned them to their own infraorder, which contains just one living genus: Tarsius. Fossil records of this genus are found, dating back to the Eocene epoch, from 54 to 36 million years ago.
Like many prosimians, they are nocturnal and have grooming claws and bicornuate uterus.
Like anthropoids, they do not have a tapetum (a reflective layer in their eyes).
In tarsiers, the internal structures of the nose and ears and the blood supply to the brain and to a developing fetus are more like those of monkeys than of lorises. The monthly sexual swellings of female tarsiers are also similar to those in anthropoids.

Behaviour

Habitat. Tarsiers are arboreal. They live in and around the base of tree trunks and the roots of plants such as bamboo. They can occasionally be found in holes are at the top of trees. In Mindanao, tarsiers appear to thrive best in second or third growth thickets along the coast and in the valleys.
Behavior. The Philippine tarsier is nocturnal; they hunt at night, exclusively for animal prey. At day time, they hide in hollows close to the ground. When kept in captivity, individuals may huddle together or intertwine their tails. They are believed to live in groups, larger than just one male and one female. The female appears to take care for the young exclusively: no male parental care has been observed.
Diet. Tarsiers live exclusively on animal prey. Their diet includes primarily insects such as cockroaches and crickets, but may occasionally be extended with reptiles, birds, and bats. A Philippine tarsier in captivity will eat live shrimp and fish in a bowl of water.
Sounds. The tarsier produces a a number of different calls. The loud call is a loud piercing single note. When opponents meet, they produce a soft sweet bird-like trill. When several individuals communicate, they can produce a locust-like chirping. Females have a specials sound to indicate that they are fertile.
Scent Marks. Male tarsiers have epigastric glands, which they use for scent marking.
Reproduction. Females tarsiers have a prosimian-type uterus but a higher primate type placenta. One unusual feature is that they have multiple breast pairs, yet generally only the pectoral pair is functional. The other ones serve as anchoring points for newborn. The gestation period of a tarsier is about 180 days (6 months), and only one young is born at a time. When a tarsier is born, it is already in a well-advanced state of development. It is born well furred and with its eyes open. The head and body length at birth is 66-72 mm, the tail is 114-117 mm long, and its weight is 25-27 grams. They are able to move about after only two days. The mother carries infants with her mouth or on her belly. No nest is built. The female parks her infant while foraging. A young tarsier can climb after two days and jump after four. After about 19 days, young tarsiers already move around much like adults. It is breast-fed upto about 60 days. Juveniles tend to be more uniformly colored than adults. After two years, young tarsiers become sexually mature. The female has an estrus cycle, or recurring period of heat, of 23.5 days. Mating can take place any time of the year. Tarsiers can become 12 to 20 years old.

The Philippine Tarsier

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