The capital of Bohol province has colonial Spanish churches, including St. Joseph Cathedral built in 1767, and a lively port connecting travelers to nearby islands.
Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol province in the Philippines, connects travelers to landmarks like the Chocolate Hills' cone-shaped formations and Panglao Island's Alona Beach. This city of 105,000 residents houses the Blood Compact Marker commemorating a 16th-century Spanish-Filipino treaty. Visit the Bohol Museum to examine handwritten letters from former President Carlos P. Garcia or swim in the shallow waters of Kaingit Beach at low tide. Direct ferries from Cebu arrive daily at Tagbilaran Port, and the nearby airport links to Manila. The city’s central location lets you reach Antequera’s waterfalls in 40 minutes or Corella’s tarsier sanctuary in 30 minutes by road.
Accessing Bohol’s Top Landmarks
From Tagbilaran, you can reach the Chocolate Hills in 90 minutes by car. These 1,200 geological formations stretch across 50 square kilometers, their grass turning golden-brown between March and May. Drive 20 minutes east to Baclayon Church, rebuilt with original coral stones after the 2013 earthquake. Its museum displays 18th-century priestly robes and wooden statues of saints. Ten kilometers south, the Corella Tarsier Sanctuary protects 100 nocturnal primates in forested enclosures—arrive before noon when they’re most active.
Historical Monuments and Museums
At the Blood Compact Monument, five life-sized bronze figures recreate the 1565 alliance between Spanish navigator Legazpi and Boholano chieftain Sikatuna. Local students often perform traditional dances here on weekends. St. Joseph’s Cathedral in the city center maintains a 1767 baptismal registry book in its archives. Three blocks away, the Bohol National Museum exhibits 19th-century farming tools, pre-colonial pottery shards, and a replica of a native bamboo house. Staff give free 20-minute tours explaining Bohol’s role in the Philippine Revolution.
Day Trips from the City
Rent a scooter for the 30-minute ride to Mag-Aso Falls in Antequera, where two waterfalls feed swimmable pools shaded by coconut trees. Guides charge 50 pesos to lead visitors behind the cascades. On Panglao Island, Alona Beach has dive shops renting snorkel gear, while Dumaluan Beach’s tidal flats suit beginner swimmers. Book a group van tour to include stops like Banat-i Hill’s viewing deck, which faces Cebu Island across the Bohol Strait. Most drivers know routes to hidden spots like Hinagdanan Cave’s underground lake near Dauis.
Getting Around the Area
Use tricycles for trips under 3 kilometers—fares start at 15 pesos per person. Shared jeepneys leave every 30 minutes from the Dao Terminal for towns like Cortes (25 minutes) and Loboc (45 minutes). Bohol-Panglao Airport operates daily flights to Manila; arrive two hours early during peak seasons. Ferries to Cebu take 2 hours, with tickets sold at the port’s main hall. For flexibility, rent a car from agencies near the airport starting at 2,500 pesos per day.
Annual Events and Activities
During July’s Sandugo Festival, dancers in woven abaca costumes parade along Carlos P. Garcia Avenue. Street vendors sell grilled squid skewers and rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves. The December City Fiesta transforms parks into open-air karaoke zones, with families hosting backyard feasts of lechon (roast pig). Every third Saturday, farmers from across Bohol sell purple yam desserts and seedlings at the Ubi Festival market near the cathedral. Check the city hall bulletin board for free events like guided history walks or volleyball tournaments.
Where to Eat and Shop
Island City Mall’s food court serves crispy lechon kawali (fried pork belly) and chicken inasal (grilled chicken) from 150 pesos per meal. At Dao Market, vendors pack dried mangoes and peanut kisses candies for travelers—arrive by 8 AM for the freshest lapu-lapu fish. Try Garden Cafe’s adobo fries or garlic shrimp near the port, but avoid lunch hours when cruise passengers crowd the area. For budget meals, follow office workers to Jj’s Seafood Village near the plaza, where 100 pesos buys grilled fish with rice and vegetables.
Travel Preparation Tips
Wear quick-dry clothing and sandals—sidewalks often flood during afternoon thunderstorms. Carry 20-peso coins for public restrooms at bus terminals. Learn phrases like “Asa ang terminal?” (Where is the terminal?) as some drivers speak limited English. Keep phones secure during festivals; pickpockets target crowded areas near the port. Withdraw cash from ATMs at BQ Mall, which has fewer queues than downtown banks. Most hotels provide free maps highlighting motorcycle rental shops and emergency clinics.
