8 Things you should not miss in Bohol

 

1. Snorkel or Free Dive in Balicasag

Swim with colorful marine creatures at the Balicasag Marine Sanctuary. You may content yourself with just snorkelling or you may free-dive towards the deep but beautiful abyss of a steep coral wall.

 

 

2. Play chase with dolphins

As if enjoying the attention, the dolphins play chase and sometimes do synchronized leaps above the water surface for all to see.

 

 

3. Run in Virgin Island

The sand bar is interestingly shaped like a crescent and can stretch to 1 kilometer. During high tide, shallow water partly cover the sand and create a wonderful scenery. 

 

 

4. Bask in the Sun in Panglao

With one and a half kilometer stretch of white sand and shallow water to boot, it is ideal for beachcombers and families alike.

 

 

5. Eat a Sea Urchin

Considered as a delicacy in some parts of the world, for only Php10-20 a piece and fresh from the ocean, you can try it raw with vinegar. The taste is really not that bad, but as they say, though it may be loved by many, it is also disliked by almost as many.

 

 

6. Visit the Philippine Tarsiers

This shy nocturnal animal is about the size of a human fist, making it one of the smallest primate. What makes them extra adorable or weird for some is that it can rotate its head up to 180 degrees. Despite their protection status, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has granted special limited permits for their display for study purposes and for tourists to see them up close.

 

 

7. Stand in the middle of the road or do a jump shot in Man-Made Forest

Located along the borders of Loboc and Bilar, the man-made forest spans 2 kilometers. The dense rainforest that line the winding road provide an interesting backdrop for a fun jump shot.

 

 

8. Enjoy the breeze in Chocolate Hills

There's really nothing better to do on top of a hill than to enjoy the fresh breeze on your face. There are over a thousand hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers. The hills turn to brown during the dry season, hence the name. You may choose to view them either in Carmen (also called Chocolate Hills Complex) or in Sagbayan (called Sagbayan Peak).

 

 

Bohol certainly has more to offer, but the ones listed above are the ones that travellers should place on top of their itineraries. 

 

 

 

*** This list is merely the author's preference.

 

Into the Wild in Caramoan

Not long ago, people never heard of Caramoan. The peninsula gained popularity only after local travel shows picked up the name following the season teaser realeased by the reality game show "Survivor" shot in the islands. Since then, it has attracted local and foreign travellers alike.

The ordeal of a 10-hour bus ride from Manila or even just the one-hour plane ride to Naga plus a combination of land and sea travel that last for four hours create an atmosphere of adventure full of possible challenges à la Survivor.

What are you waiting for? Return to the wild in Caramoan..

Day 1

Since travel will eat up most of your first day, the time left is only enough for one or two islands if you were to go island hopping. Opt to go to Gota Village instead. Although you can stop by the village on your island hopping trip, you'd want more time exploring the sorroundings than just taking a quick photo op. Magbabayad ka na rin lang ng Php 300 entrance fee, lubuslubusin mo na.

Day 2

Start the day early and get ready for some island fun! If staying at the town proper (Centro), head to Bikal Port and take a pick on the boat you'll be taking for the tour. There are a number of boatmen ready to take anyone out into the islands. For the "round trip" tour, which include 9 islands, the rate is Php 3,000. Ask your boatman to approximate the time that you should spend on each stop.  You don't want to skip on one.

1st stop: Lahos Island

2nd stop: Matukad Island

Hike up the steep cliff to view the secret lagoon and the full glory of Matukad island. There is a lone giant milkfish living at the lagoon. Locals say the enchanted animal cannot and has never been captured on photo. True to form, from the cliff, you can see the fish swimming around the lagoon.

 

3rd stop: Honongan Cove

Located at the foot of an imposing limestone cliff, Honongan Cove provide a perfect backdrop for a private getaway. As part of the Gota Village Resort, the Php 300 entrance fee applies.

4th stop: Minalahos Island

5th stop: Tagbalinat Island

6th stop: Cotivas Island

7th stop: Manlawi sandbar

Have lunch while wading in clear shallow water. How unique! Don't save this for last, or else the water will recede and you won't be able to see the shallow water covering the sandbar.

8th stop: Sabitang Laya in Balibagan Island

9th stop: Mt.Carmel Caglago

Hike up the 524 steps to cap off your day. The view of the sea and the Shrine of the Lady of the Most Holy Rosary will soothe your tired knees.

Day 3

So that the tides don't command how you are going to touch the shore at Sabang Port, catch the 1st boat trip out of Guijalo Port, which is at 7am. Last trip is at 11am. Not only are you able to avoid the embarassing scene of being carried on the shoulder of a stranger, you can also catch the magnificent sunrise. 

After settling in at your accomodation, head to CWC for another round of fun. Go wakeboarding! Click here for a separate post on CWC.

 Day 4

It's time to say goodbye to Camarines Sur... and wake up to reality.  If you still haven't been to this wonderful place, book a flight or catch a bus heading to Naga City now! Note: most islands are not open to the public when the "Survivor" crew and contestants are taping.

Getting There

From Naga City take a taxi from the airport (1.5 hours:Php 1,050) or a jeepney from SM City (approx. 2 hours:Php 90) to Sabang Port.  From Sabang Port you will need to take a boat (2 hours:Php 120) to get to Caramoan (Guijalo Port). Departing schedule to Caramoan starts at 9am. The boats normally can't properly dock at the port because of low tide, so you will need to transfer to a smaller boat (Php10).  From Guijalo Port in Caramoan,  take a tricycle to your chosen accommodation at the town proper/Centro (30 mins) or in Paniman (45 mins).

Contacts

Accommodation in Caramoan

Rex Tourist Inn (Php 1200/AC room - good for 5 pax) - read review, here.
- 09198821879
- info@rextouristinn.com
- http://www.rextouristinn.com/

Accommodation in Naga

JOMcKAYL Apartelle (Php 650/AC room - good for 2 pax) - read review, here.
San Sebastian St.
Isarog Ave. Naga City
- 09189255702/09175001601
- jomckaylnaga@yahoo.com

Boatman

Manong Ramil Cruel (Php 3000/round trip island hopping tour - for 5 pax)
- 09074351962 

*** Please excuse the picture overload on this post. :) Click here for our itinerary and here for an accounting of our expenses.

Suggested Itinerary for Caramoan & CWC, Camarines Sur

 

Its isolation and its distance from "civilization" is the main reason why the international franchises of the reality game show "Survivor" choose the peninsula as a site for several of their show's season. It is also for those same reasons that the peninsula has preserved its beauty. Return to the wild and consider the ordeal of a 10-hour bus ride from Manila or even a one-hour plane ride to Naga plus a combination of land and sea travel that last for four hours a challenge à la Survivor. Read more and view pictures of Caramoan, here.

 

 

Day 1 (Gota Village)

AM
620am – flight to Naga
715am – arrive at Naga
730m – taxi from Naga to Sabang port (1.5 hours)
9am – arrive at Sabang Port
11am - boat from Sabang port to Guijalo Port (2 hours) – 1st trip start at 7am

PM
1pm – arrive at Guijalo Port
110pm– tricycle from Guijalo Port to Centro (30 min)
130pm – arrive at Centro
135pm – check-in at tourist inn
145pm – lunch
245pm – start tour
- Gota Village
530pm – Back to Centro
6pm - dinner

 

Day 2 (island hopping tour)

AM
6am – bfast & buy packed lunch
615am - tricycle to Bikal Port
635am - start of island hopping
- Lahos Island
- Matukad Island - hike
- Honongan Island/Resort
- Minalahos Island 
- Tagbalinat Island
- Cotivas Island - swim

PM
1pm -lunch at Manlawi Island
2pm - continue with Island Hopping
- Manlawi Island - lunch
- Sabitang Laya Island - swim
- Mt. Carmel Caglago - hike
5pm – end
530pm - dinner

 

Day 3 (CWC & Naga Tour)

AM
6am – tricycle to Guijalo Port (30min)
630am - arrive at Guijalo Port
7am – boat from Guijalo to Sabang Port (2 hours) – last trip is at 11am
9am – arrive at Sabang Port
10am – jeep from Sabang to Naga (2 hours)

PM
12nn – arrive Naga
12nn - check in at Pension house
1230pm - lunch at SM City Naga
130pm - jeep & tricycle to CWC
5pm - tricycle & jeep to Naga
530pm - Naga tour
- Basilica de Penafrancia
-
6pm - shop for souvenir & dinner
 

Day 4

AM
930am – Brunch
10am - last minute souvenir shopping
1130am – go to airport

PM
1pm – flight to Manila

 

Suggested Itinerary for Anawangin, Nagsasa, and Capones (Pundaquit, Zambales)

 

Zambales is a province in Northern Luzon in the Philippines. It was one of the places severely affected by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Ashfall brought about by the eruption settled and gave birth to natural wonders such as the Nagsasa and Anawangin Cove.  Find out how here:

1130pm – ETD Pasay Terminal for San Antonio

230am – ETA San Antonio

3am – ETA Pundaquit

430am – ETD Pundaquit for Nagsasa Cove

530am – ETA Nagsasa Cove

630am- hike towards the waterfalls

730am - breakfast

845am – ETD Nagsasa for Anawangin Cove

915am – ETA Anawangin Cove

10am – ETD Anawangin for Capones Island

1025am – ETA Capones Island

1025am - hike

1230pm - lunch

130pm - swim

230pm – ETD Capones for Pundaquit

245pm – ETA Pundaquit

345pm – ETD Pundaquit for San Antonio

415pm – ETA San Antonio

430pm – ETD San Antonio for Olongapo

5pm – ETA Olongapo

6pm - ETD Olongapo for Pasay

9pm – ETA Pasay

 

Expenses:

• Bus fare ( Pasay to San Antonio): P271


• Motorcycle (San Antonio to Pundaquit) (note: the rate is higher when it is still dark): P30/head


• Boat (Nagsasa Cove-Anawangin-Capones Island): P1500


• Nagsasa Cove


• - fee for the waterfall tour: P5/head


• - guide fee – discretionary: (we gave P20/head)


• - entrance fee:  P100/head (I think we were taken advantaged of)


• Capones Island


• - guide fee: P100/head (we gave P150 for 2 pax)


• Motorcycle (Pundaquit to San Antonio): P25/head


• Bus fare (San Antonio to Olongapo): P41


• Bus fare (Olongapo to Pasay): P215

 

Rates for island and cove hopping:

•  Camara Island: P700.00


• Capones Island: P800.00


•  Anwangin Cove: P900.00


• Camara and to Capones: P900.00


• Camara and to Capones and to Anawangin: P1,500.00


• Nagsasa Cove or Silanguin Cove: P1,500.00


• Anawangin entrance fee is P50/head and P150/head for an overnight stay

 

 

 

Port of Gold: Puerto Galera

   

A gold mine for wonderful and exciting snorkeling and diving experience.  In our case, just snorkeling. Budget restrained us to go forward with the diving.   

 

 

From Manila, take the Batangas-bound buses to the Batangas City Pier.  At the pier, boat operators abound to offer you regular or special trips directly to either White beach or Sabang beach.   

If you are a party person, White Beach is the place for you.  If you're coming for the diving, they said Sabang Beach is the place to be.    

We arrived at White Beach in the evening. The upside of arriving late is that room accommodations are cheaper. The downside is that you might not get the place of your choosing. We stayed only for a night at the island.  We spent our first day, boating, snorkeling and sightseeing.   

 

  

   

Beautiful marine creatures are bountiful in the area. A testimony of the healthy and rich coral environment in Mindoro.   

If diving is not within your league, you can also check out various shallow coral gardens. The corals are literally just a few steps from the shore. Their proximity to the shore do not make them less stunning than those in deeper waters. That makes Mindoro unique from other places I think. Your boatman will know where to take you, or you can also specifically request for it.   

When you're done swimming, snorkeling or island hopping (which can be done half day), you can explore the island of Mindoro also by land.  Rent a tricycle to go to Tamaraw Falls.    

The 423-foot waterfalls, situated alongside the road, is actually a series of asymmetrical falls, leading to the grand one, dropping to a waterbed below. The cascading waterfalls is a great attraction to passers-by.      

 

 

 

The road leading to and from the falls is picturesque. You will be wanting to stop and take pictures a lot.    


 

 

The beaches of Puerto Galera may not compare with the fine white sand of Boracay, but it is a must see if you are beach bum. The diving, on the otherhand, is another matter. It boasts of colorful underwater coral gardens that could take your breath away, may you be a beginner or an experienced diver already.   

 

 

for more photos, click here.

 

 

 

Enchanting Coron

The journey to the Last Frontier...

starts with the ship ride to Coron. Superferry leaves at 6pm every friday. You arrive at Coron the next day at around 6am, 7am at the latest.

Beautiful islets greets you as you enter the port of Coron. Not to mention the magnificent sunrise...

After checking in at your hotel or lodging house... you can start start your day with an Island Hopping Adventure..There is no beach in Coron town and most accommodation is geared towards divers. To find your own patch of sand you can hire a banca and hie off for a day, or longer, to the island of your choice.

...visit Siete Pecados, where you can enjoy the sea together with diverse marine environment.

Next, go to Cayangan Lake, said to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines.  You'll never notice the time when you are at the lake.  You can have lunch aboard your boat at Cayangan Lake.

Add to your itinerary, Twin Lagoon. You can also go to Baracuda Lake... although we didn't dare swim in it, as it is said to be haunted by an enchanting baracuda.  Swim in the clear waters of CYC beach and Banol Beach.

Drop by Maquinit Hot Spring.  The place is not well maintained, but the view from the place is worth the shot.

End the day with a beautiful sunset.

On your second day, spend it by hearing mass at the local church..after the mass, go shop for pasalubongs. Recommended: honey, cashew nuts and dried fish.

In the afternoon, climb Mt. Tapyas and enjoy the view and the breeze as the sun sets.

You could spend a lifetime in Coron and still not get to see every hot spring, hidden lake or pristine cove, thus the title of my piece. It makes you keep coming back for more. Enchanting.......