Natural Wonders

Loboc River Cruise in Bohol

Another must-visit and experience activity in Bohol is the Loboc River Cruise. It’s a very popular destination because more than its floating restaurants and their food, one will be treated with the magnificent and breathtaking view of the Loboc River and its surroundings. The very clean river is complemented with green landscapes and tall coconut trees against a backdrop of a forest.

Loboc is around 24kms away from Tagbilaran and it’s one of the iterenaries of most, if not all, Bohol Tour Packages. On your way here from the city, you’ll pass by several other places of interests like the Sandugo Shrine and the Loboc Church which is the home of the award-winning Loboc Children’s Choir.

There are two choices fo the river cruise. One is via a banca(canoe) where boatmen will take you to the cascading mini waterfall of Busay. Another, which is more popular, is boarding the floating restaurant new the Loay bridge where they are stationed. Food here was fine and plenty and features local delicacies. While cruising and eating your sumptous buffet, a band will serenade you. Guests are also invited to sing if they like to.

The river cruise ends at the Busay Falls. It’s about one and a half meter high and it marks the point where the floating restaurant cannot go any further. You’ll stop at this point for a while to allow the guest to appreciate the landscape.

If you are lucky, the boat may stop at a tribal community along the banks of the river (not all boats stop here). You will be welcomed by the music of the Ati Tribe of Bohol. Here, tourists can mingle with the members of the tribe and they may even teach you how to play archery. The Ati Tribe were very friendly and playful and it’s definitely a very good addition to the attractions. Visiting them is free but a small amount of donation is very welcome to help them and their community.

As of this writing, the Loboc Floating Restaurant Cruise costs PHP280 per head plus a municipal tax of PHP30. The amount already includes a buffet lunch and of course, the boat rental. The entire trip takes between 45 and 60 minutes.

Mag-Aso Falls in Antequera

Another favorite tourist spot for adventures is the Mag-Aso falls in the municipality of Antequera. It can be reached within 30 minutes from Tagbilaran City. It is about 25 feet tall and situated on anice backdrop of lush greens composed mainly of towering trees. The area where Mag-Aso falls is located The sound of chirping birds, swaying trees, and cascading waters are truly a treat, especially for adventurers who had been used to the metro lifestyle.

There are two ways to get to the falls itself. One is via trekking where it features rough climb which are both challenging and fulfilling. For the less adventurous, you can take the safer route with the concrete steps specially provided for explorers of every kind. It is a convenient passageway to this secluded paradise.

Mag-Aso Falls is seldom included in Bohol Tour packages simply because it is out of way from the usual tourist spots. But with the effort needed to reach the falls, it is highly recommended that a separate day be set aside to visiting Mag-Aso Falls. That will definitely give you more time to explore and appreciate all the things the falls has to offer. A side of the pool is converted into a picnic ground where tables, sheds and seats are provided.

It is especially amazing to take the visit to Mag-Aso Falls when the weather is humid. The cool waters and green canopy will help neutralize the scorching heat from the sun. You will surely feel refreshed after a nice slow and long dip into the cascading cool waters of Mag-Aso Falls.

Badian Spring in Valencia

Blessed with refreshing water that comes out of the spring 24/7 is the Badian Spring in the town of Valencia, about 42 kilometers ride from Tagbilaran. It is basically an underground spring that with a resort built around it.

There’s an entrance fee to the spring which is only PHP20 for adults. There are also picnic tables, huts and cottages for rent with fees ranging from PHP20-120. Though it is not free, the amount you pay is more than worth it specially when you consider how clean the pool is. Boholanos should really be proud of what they did in this area and the maintenance of the site is really commendable. Despite the development made to the site, main attractions like the falls and the spring itself remain untouched.

Aside from the treat of the cool waters of the spring, visitors can also enjoy the sea which is just a few meters away. The adds allure of the adventure at Badiang Springs.

Hinagdanan Cave in Dauis

The Cave

Of the roughly 1400 caves that you can find in Bohol, none is more famous than Hinagdanan. Its cavern is about 100 meters long with beautiful rock formations. The stalactites and stalagmites stick out from the ceiling and floor of the cave as though trying to meet each other.

One of the most unique feature of the case are the two eye-like holes found in the ceiling of the cave where light comes in. It gives an eerie and beautiful effect. A lot of people have their pictures taken from this area. Electrical lights has been fitted inside to make its visitors appreciate the cave better and also for safety reasons.

Another attraction inside the cave is its lagoon. The lagoon has glimmering greenish surface that came from the limestone at the bottom of the pool. People used to bath in the lagoon but was recently advised not to do so becaust of karst pollutants in the water. And since the water is almost stagnant, it is believed that it is impure.

How to get to Hinagdanan

Hinagdanan Cave is found in Barangay Bingag, Dauis, Panglao Island, which is just a 5-10 minute ride from Tagbilaran City. It is part of the Bohol Tour Packages but you have to check with the operator first because not all include it because it is out of way. You may need to consult your driver to get you here and when you do, you may also want to visit the old church of Dauis.

For the convenience of its visitors, there are stores and a restaurant outside the cave. They sell souvenirs, snacks and whatnots.

Man Made Forest in Bilar

In the 1960′s, a nationwide reforestation program was launched by the Philippine government under then president Diosdado Macapagal. In Bohol, the program was spearheaded by then governor Lino Chatto thousands of Mahogany seedlings were planted on a cleared area of 857 hectares in Bilar and Loboc towns. Fast track to the 21st century, the mahogany seeds planted almost half a century ago has grown into a breathtaking man-made forest.

In your travel from Tagbilaran to the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, you’ll pass this man-made forest in Bilar town. It’s a two-kilometer stretch densely planted with Mahogany trees. When you enter this area, you feel like you are entering another world, one that is refreshing and you can taste and feel the fresh air around you. But this man-made forest is just part of the larger Bohol Forest filled with naturally grown trees of different species and giant ferns lining the road.