Day One
This itinerary is recommended for those who avail of 3 days 2 nights packages or would like to stay in Bohol for the same period. This is based on the usual queries received and based on my what I think would be the best way to maximize the time and cover considerable destinations in Bohol First rule: Take the morning flight going to Tagbilaran and the afternoon flight leaving Tagbilaran. Upon reaching the Tagbilaran airport it will take just 2 minutes to get out of it (or 15 minutes if you checked in your luggage). From the airport to Alona beach in Panglao is a 30-45 minute ride. By 10 am, you will be in your hotel/resort. If you want to economize, it is not advisable to avail of the tour packages offered by the resort/hotel as it is more expensive and the schedule is very structured Rule No. 2 Be friendly.. Make a cursory survey of Alona beach, this would be easy as it is less than 1 kilometer. You will then know if the beach would be suited to your liking. if not, go to other parts of Panglao island. How? You will meet some folks who would offer you assistance and don’t hesitate to ask and negotiate. They are nice people and wont take it against you if you will decline the offer. They may even be your friends later. In my case, I met my friend/guide that way. Most of the guides are motorcycle drivers so you can visit their station near the Flying Fish Bar and engage in some friendly chat. Tip: Alona beach is just one of the places to swim in the island. For me the best part is the shallow parts of the sea several kilometers from the beach. If you decide that Alona beach would be fine, then you have the whole day settled. Try the beach on the eastern side or near Alona Palm. The beach is wider. If not, I recommend either going to Dimaluan Beach (5 minutes by boat) or visit Pungtod Island and Gakang Island (15 minutes by boat)
Dimaluan is on the left side of Alona while Pungtod and Gakang, on the right. Both may be reached by boat. The usual rate is P500-800 depending on the size of the boat and for maximum of 3 hours. Dimaluan is the most popular public beach among the locals and you will pass by the beautiful beachfront of Bohol Beach Club. You will see the almost talcum white sand. Expect to see a number of people on the beach in Dimaluan than in Alona. it is different in Pungtod. Expect no company in Pungtod and Gakang or may be a group or two. Pungtod has fine white sand bars and shallow beach which is good for children. The water near Gakang is good for snorkeling. There are a lot of spots which are chest high deep near the two islands where you can swim to your heart’s delight. Back to Alona, you can relax near the beach or just walk and observe the rustic place. Go to Crystal Coast resort nestled atop a cliff and see the whole stretch of Alona beach. One good thing about Alona is that it is shaded in late afternoon as the sunset is on the other side of the island. But it has a magnificent sunrise. For supper, try the ihaw ihaw stalls and i recommend the one in front of Oasis.
Day Two
Day two will take you to the major Bohol destination, the Chocolate Hills in Carmen. For this trip, I suggest you travel by hired van. You may also opt for a cheaper mode and hire a jeepney or multicab. The van is more comfortable and faster, though. The trip to Carmen is about 2 hours from Panglao thus better start the trip at 8 am. You may skip the first two stops, i.e., Blood Compact site and Baclayon Church or you may spend 10 minutes each. At the Baclayon church, you will see the oldest church in Bohol. There is a museum but you have to leave your camera and cellphone at the front desk. Next the towns of Loay, Loboc (dont stop there yet and do it on your way back), Bilar (see the man made mahogany forest) and Batuan. There is a long and winding road between Loboc and Bilar. You will reach the Chocolate Hills by 10 am and stay there for an hour. On your way back, another trip under the mahogany forest then ask the driver to take a detour to Sevilla if you want to see the hanging bridge, if not straight to Loboc. Take your lunch at any of the restaurants lining the main road or pick Loboc Riverside restaurant or the floating restaurant. Hire a boat for a downstream Loboc River Cruise. It will end when you see Busay Falls then the boat will take you to the restaurant with caged tarsiers. There are around 10 tarsiers there and take a look or picture but do not stay long. Ask the driver to take the interior road, instead, and you will pass by the towns of Sikatuna and Corella. The interior road has some portions still under rehabilitation, hence some rough roads. You will see the rustic and bucolic side of Bohol, the lush mountain and forest and the laidback community. When you reach Corella, insist on seeing the Tarsier Sanctuary where you can see tarsiers in their natural habitat. This is a must.
You will then pass by Tagbilaran City on your way to Panglao. Ask the driver to take the Bingag route and have a short stop at the Hinagdanan cave. If you have kids, pass by Daks Zoo. By 4 or 5 pm, you will be back to Alona beach. Take a dip or simply rest by the sea. If you can arrange it and you fancy organic food, have your early dinner at the Bee Farm, near the gate of Bohol Beach Club. The driver would also serve as your guide along the way. if you do not speak Cebuano, he will explain everything in English. They take their driver/guide vocation seriously . Take note that it is advisable that you talk to the driver of the van about the additional places you want to see, like Sevilla bridge, Tarsier Sanctuary and Hinagdanan Cave. These are not usually included in the tour and if time would really permit, the driver would readily oblige. If he does, please do not forget to part him with your generosity. For them, it was not the extra income but they take it as an appreciation of what they have done. Cost: P2,500 for hiring the van, P20/person entrance fee, Chocolate Hills, P250/person lunch, P500 Loboc rivercruise, P20/person entrance fee, Tarsier Sanctuary, P10/person entrance, Hinagdanan Cave. Just about the same cost if you will hire a jet ski and take a banana boat ride for two hours while you are on a beach
Day Three
You will notice that the two nights, there are no suggested activity after supper. At night, Bohol is a quiet place and the province sleeps by 10 pm. There are some entertainment establishments in Tagbilaran City and Alona Beach but they usually close before 12. For me, it is no big deal if I sleep early or just enjoy the silence of the night. I want my vacation that way. If you take the afternoon flight, there is still time for some dolphin watching and snorkeling. But before you anything else, watching the beautiful sunrise. You have to leave Alona Beach minutes before 6 am and the boat ride will be for 20-30 minutes or depending on the dolphins. You can stay dolphin watching as long as you see them. They somewhat disapper when the sun is up. Since you are in the middle of the sea, you can choose to visit the nearby Pamilacan or Balicasag Islands and do some snorkeling. I suggest Balicasag because it is nearer Alona Beach and the travel time is about 30-45 minutes. Your snorkeling may last for two hours or longer so long as you leave Balicasag at 10:30 to reach Alona Beach before 11:30. Check out time at 12:00 pm, you can ask and they always oblige, to leave your luggage at the resort office and take your lunch. Make sure that you leave Alona Beach by 2pm on your way to Tagbilaran Airport.
RECAP: For three days, we were able to do the following: 1. see beautiful, pristine and unspoiled white sand and beach 2. swim in clear and clean blue water 3. if you did some snorkeling, the colorful marine life 4. see the geological wonder, the Chocolate Hills 5. take a river cruise, a river so clean with verdant mountains as background 6. observe the charmingly rural, rustic and bucolic Bohol 7. see some old churches 8. see the tarsiers, one of the existing smallest primates 9. get in a cave with underground fresh water pool 10. watch dolphins 11. enjoyed fresh seafood or even organic food 12. etc. and most probably, meet some friendly Boholanos. If you want to see and experience more, come back or stay longer and there are still so many wonderful things in Bohol waiting for you.