3 Days in Bohol: Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers and Panglao Beach

Bohol is one of the Philippines' most complete island experiences. In three days you can tick off all the headline attractions - those famously round Chocolate Hills, the world's smallest primate, a jungle river cruise - and still have time to decompress on Panglao Island with some of the Visayas' best diving.

Getting to Bohol

Fast ferry from Cebu South Port to Tagbilaran City (2 hours, 350-450 PHP, multiple daily departures). Alternatively, fly direct from Manila to Tagbilaran (~1 hour). From Tagbilaran, rent a motorbike (400 PHP/day).

Day 1: The Classic Bohol Loop

Rent a motorbike and do the inland circuit. First stop: Baclayon Church, one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines (1595). Then the Blood Compact Shrine - a monument commemorating the first international peace treaty between Spain and a Philippine chieftain in 1565.

Continue inland to the Tarsier Conservation Area near Corella (80 PHP). The Philippine tarsier weighs 80-165 grams, has eyes larger than its brain, and can rotate its head 180 degrees. Then to Carmen for the Chocolate Hills - 1,268 perfectly conical hills, chocolate-colored in dry season (March-May) when the grass turns brown. The Carmen viewpoint staircase leads to a viewing deck. Sagbayan Peak (50 PHP) is the less-crowded alternative viewpoint.

Lunch: Loboc River Cruise (450-600 PHP including lunch buffet) - a 1.5 hour float down the jungle-lined river with live music.

Day 2: Panglao Island

Drive 30 minutes south to Panglao Island. Alona Beach is the main strip - about 500 meters of white sand backed by dive shops and restaurants. Balicasag Island Marine Sanctuary is 30 minutes by bangka (boat charter: 1,500 PHP). The wall dive drops to 80 meters with white-tip reef sharks, hawksbill turtles, and Napoleon wrasse. Snorkel trip: 800-1,000 PHP. Two-tank dive from Alona Beach shops: 2,500 PHP.

Day 3: Hinagdanan Cave and Departure

Hinagdanan Cave on Panglao has an underground lagoon lit by shafts of light from ceiling openings (entry 35 PHP). Swim in the jade-green pool inside - freshwater despite being at sea level. Drive to the Bohol Bee Farm Restaurant for breakfast - organic farm with sea views, famous for squash pandesal and fresh juice. Then ferry back to Cebu or fly to Manila.

Budget for 3 Days (Per Person)

• Budget: 5,000-8,000 PHP (~$90-140)
• Mid-range: 12,000-20,000 PHP (~$210-355)

Book Bohol island-hopping and dive tours on PANA.PH before you arrive.