green and brown wooden house on green lake surrounded by green trees during daytime

Bohol

Bohol is a Visayan island in the central Philippines. Go for the cone-shaped Chocolate Hills, the tarsiers, white-sand beaches on Panglao Island and slow river rides.

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Bohol is an island in the Visayas region of the central Philippines. You can reach it by ferry from Cebu or by flight to Tagbilaran, the provincial capital. The island is best known for the Chocolate Hills, more than a thousand grassy, cone-shaped mounds that turn brown in the dry season. It is also home to the Philippine tarsier, a tiny nocturnal primate that lives in the island's forests and reserves.

Beyond the viewpoints, Bohol moves at a slow pace. Boats run along the Loboc River past riverside villages, Baclayon has an old stone church from the Spanish colonial period, and Panglao Island has beaches and dive sites, including Balicasag. Bohol suits travelers who want nature, quiet beaches and day trips, with little city nightlife. The drier months, roughly January through March, suit beach days and outdoor sightseeing best. Plan at least three to four days to cover the hills, the tarsiers and one beach area.

Bohol in five

Carry pesos outside TagbilaranATMs are fewer outside Tagbilaran and the Panglao resort area. Some guesthouses, tricycle drivers and boat operators take cash only, so withdraw enough before you head inland.Money and costs
Book the Cebu ferry or the Panglao flightFast ferries run from Cebu to Tagbilaran in about 2 hours. Panglao International Airport (TAG) is on Panglao Island, so check the transfer to your hotel before you book.Getting around
Hire a driver for the inland sightsThe Chocolate Hills, the Loboc River and the tarsier sanctuary are spread across the island, and public transport between them is slow. A driver for the day covers them in one loop.Getting around
Keep quiet and skip flash at the tarsiersTarsiers are nocturnal and easily stressed by light. Sanctuaries ask visitors to stay quiet, avoid flash and keep hands off the animals.
Climb the Chocolate Hills earlyThe viewing deck involves a climb of steps in open sun. Go in the morning and bring water.

Things to do in Bohol

See all attractions in Bohol

Museum · BoholNational Museum of the Philippines - Bohol

Church · BoholSt. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Shrine

a group of large mounds in the middle of a forest

Sight · BoholChocolate Hills Travel & Tours

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BoholPut the places you like in Bohol on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)
Entry: Visa-free short stays for many passports; check the Bureau of Immigration Read more
Emergency: 911 for police, fire or ambulance
Tipping: Not expected; some restaurants add a service charge
Time: UTC+8, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best

JanuaryRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Cool, dry
FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Dry, pleasant
MarchRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, warm
AprilRain21 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot, dry
MayRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot, rains start
JuneRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Rainy season
JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Rainy, storms
AugustRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Rainy season
SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Rainy, typhoons
OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Typhoon risk
NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Rains easing
DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Cool, showers

Average daily high and low in Bohol, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Bohol

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 94%
Wind: 11 km/h
Chance of rain: 92%

Bohol

04:36 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today30°24°92%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 92%.
Wed29°24°66%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 66%.
Thu29°24°67%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 67%.
Fri29°23°97%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 97%.
Sat27°23°92%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 92%.
Sun28°23°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 02:14 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 63.7 PHP

Amount

Converted to

PHP · Philippine Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Bohol

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

JanSinulog festivalCebu City, a day trip

Day trips by train

Chocolate Hillsabout 1 to 2 hours by road from TagbilaranLimestone cones seen from the viewing deck, the main stop on any inland loop.
Loboc Riverabout 1 hour by road from TagbilaranA slow boat cruise on the river, usually paired with the Chocolate Hills.
Corella Tarsier Sanctuaryabout 30 to 60 min by road from TagbilaranSmall tarsiers in the forest by day; keep quiet and skip flash.
Balicasag Islandabout 30 to 45 min by boat from PanglaoA small island with reefs for snorkeling and diving, reached only by boat.

Before you go to Bohol

eSIM for BoholSignal drops in the hillsRead the guide

Travel insurance for BoholCover for boats and scootersRead the guide

Money and cash for BoholCash for tricycles and stallsRead the guide

Where to stay on BoholPanglao, Tagbilaran or CarmenRead the guide

Rules for Bohol, checked

Many nationalities enter visa-free for short stays. Check your allowed stay with the Bureau of Immigration before you book.Source
Declare cash above the legal limit on the arrival form. Check the current amount with the Bureau of Customs before you travel.
Riders and passengers on motorcycles must wear a helmet. Wear one on any scooter you rent.
Do not buy coral, sea shells or other protected wildlife as souvenirs. Check export rules with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) first.

Plan around Bohol

All of the Philippines

Regions, entry rules and transport for a Philippines trip

Read the guide Getting around

Ferries, flights and driver hire for the island

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and typical prices across the trip

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who can enter visa-free and what to check before flying

Read the guide Where to stay

Panglao, Tagbilaran and Carmen as bases

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Signal in the hills and offline maps for inland roads

Read the guide

Bohol FAQ

How many days do you need in Bohol?

Three to four days cover the Panglao beaches, the Chocolate Hills, the Loboc River and one boat trip to a nearby island. Add a day if you want diving or a slow stay on Panglao.

Is Bohol worth visiting?

Yes if you want beaches, the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers in one trip. The inland sights are spread out, so plan a full day for each loop.

How do you get to Bohol?

Fly into Panglao International Airport (TAG) or take a fast ferry from Cebu to Tagbilaran, which takes about 2 hours. Check your transfer from the airport or port before you book a hotel.

When is the best time to visit Bohol?

The drier months from about January to March suit beach days and boat trips best. Typhoon season from roughly October to December can cancel ferries and boat tours.

Do you need a car in Bohol?

A driver for the day is the easiest way to reach the Chocolate Hills, Loboc and the tarsier sanctuary in one trip. Panglao beaches are easy to reach by tricycle or taxi.

Is Bohol safe for tourists?

Trips around Panglao and the main towns are usually trouble-free. Keep valuables out of sight on beaches, and ask your hotel about conditions before a remote boat trip.