We left Coron in the morning. It took an hour to get to Cebu by plane. Taxi cost 500 pesos from Cebu airport to ferry port. We bought a ferry ticket (800 pesos plus 100 pesos for luggage) to Tagbilaran. The ferries depart every hour and there is no problem with ticket availability. The trip took about 2 hours. We took a cab from Tagbilaran on Bohol to Alona Beach on Panglao. Our accommodation was Almedilla Pension House Hotel. A double room with bathroom without breakfast cost 1400 pesos.
Bohol tour is highly recommended. There are 2 options of the tour:
- Rent a motorbike and drive about 70-90 kilometers to visit the Tarsius Sanctuary and Chocolate Hills. It is a long way but if you like motorbikes – why not.
- Package tour. In my opinion this is a better option. There are a few optional destinations on the tour. Transport (500-660 pesos for foreigners) is the obligatory payment. The other attractions are optional. This is the standard program of the tour:
- Chocolate Hills – the best attraction of Bohol island and this is a must. Chocolate Hills are brown at the dry season and looks like chocolate. During the rainy season and at the beginning of the dry season, the hills green. There is panoramic view on the hills from the platform. The platform entrance fee was 100 pesos.
- Tarsius Sanctuary. Tarsius is a very shy and mouse-size animal. It is very difficult to find it in the wild. Sanctuary is a unique opportunity to see the animal. Big eyes and fingers of Trasius drew my attention.
- Man Made Forest is a free of charge. The trees make a natural green roof on the road. It looks very nice.
- Butterfly and Python Zoo – Pythons and Butterflies are the attraction of a very small zoo. The number of the butterflies are very limited. Children and adults may keep small python on palm of hand. The zoo cost 200 pesos and, in my opinion, is not worth the money.
- Loboc River and boat dinner – is the most expensive attraction, 850 pesos. It is worth the money. Buffet lunch is very good. The lunch is served on a boat. The boat goes down the river and back. The bank of the river is covered by jungle. The view is great.
- Church Museum. Diocesan Museum is located next to the historic church. Entrance fee to the museum cost 50 pesos. Unfortunately the church was closed.
- Blood Compact Monument This is a monument to Ferdinand Magellan and his companions. They planned to conquer the Philippines.
Bohol’s trip takes a full day and don’t miss it.
Alana Beach is a very touristic resort. It is dominated by South Koreans. Korean-language menu and Korean food are available in many restaurants.
Alona Beach is a very average beach. Although the sand is white, but there are a lot of coral debris and sea grass in the see. Don’t forget to put on water shoes. The disadvantage of Alona Beach is the lack of shadow at the beach. I think it’s better to go to White Beach, a few kilometers away, from Alona Beach.
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