Do you dream of
taking a holiday in
some exotic tropical island
with the best value for your money? If you've
never been to Cebu
and Bohol or even heard of these islands,
then it's time to check out this amazing getaways!
These two neighboring
islands landed the top 10 Best Philippine Destination and are 2-hours away by
fast sea crafts and could be reached by plane direct from Manila. Slow boats
are also available at various ports and entry points from both islands.
Cebu and
Bohol islands are blessed with marvelous
white, powdery and sugary sandy beaches and are endowed with the best marine underwater
species to explore and dive in the world!
Enjoy island hopping and get
face-to-face encounters with the ocean wildlife like the dolphins and “Butandings”.
Find out more of Malapascua, Bantayan, Camotes in Cebu as well as Panglao,
Balicasag, Pamilacan and Virgin Islands in Bohol.
Aside from exploring these beautiful
islands, there are traditional and budget inland tours to discover the rich
culture and fall in love with the bizarre-shaped Chocolate Hills and cuddly
tarsiers which are among the world’s wonders.
Plan your vacation getaways to Cebu and
Bohol with our guide to this amazing tropical Islands. See the best resorts and
hotels including the resorts in Panglao and the latest unspoiled wonders of
Anda beaches at affordable tour packages.
CEBU TOUR
A one-day Cebu City Tour
Package could cover the following spots:
Magellan’s Cross commemorates the moment Portuguese explorer Ferdinand
Magellan planted a wooden cross on Cebu’s soil to mark converting its locals to
Christianity.
The
Basilica del Santo
Niño houses one of the country’s oldest religious relics: a
statue of the Child Jesus that dates back to 1521.
Fort San Pedro is the smallest Spanish outpost in the Philippines.
Casa Gorordo give a glimpse into residential life in Cebu during
the Spanish era.
Taoist
Temple Beverly Hills Lahug - Approximately six km from the
city centre in Lahug district lies Beverly Hills, the millionaire quarter of
Cebu-City. From Cebu-City you can get fairly close to the temple by an Lahug
jeepney.
Atop Beverly Hills is the highly photogenic
Taoist Temple of Cebu which was built in the second half of the last
century. There is also a beautiful view
of the city from this lovely place.
Mactan Shrine
Malls
like Ayala Center and
SM City provide
a range of shopping, dining and leisure activities for various budgets.
The Magellan's Cross established inside the City Hall Plaza |
The Basilica del Sto. Nino |
The altar of the Basilica |
The Cebu Museum |
Casa Gorordo |
Port San Pedro |
The entrance of the Taoist Temple |
Other tourist spots to visit:
The
Museo Sugbo
showcases the province’s history. And if you can brave the cacophony, walk down
Colon Street,
the oldest street in the Philippines.
Not
much of a history buff? Cebu still has a lot to offer. Head to Tops, a popular
observation deck that offers romantic views of the city.
For
a more adrenaline-pumping view, ride the Edge Coaster more than 130 meters off
the ground, or go for a Sky Walk at the Crown
Regency Cebu.
While
you’re at it, don’t forget to stuff yourself with lechon (roast pig), which Anthony Bourdain
called “the best pig ever” on an episode of his hit television show No
Reservations. Zubuchon and CNT Lechon serve some of the best lechon in Cebu.
Other
traditional and no less yummy Filipino dishes are best enjoyed at Café Laguna, the Golden Cowrie Native Restaurant
and Abuhan.
Sophisticated
palates will enjoy the international buffet and vegetarian menu at Shangri-La Mactan’s Tides and Marco
Polo Plaza Cebu’s Cafe
Marco, or the savory Chinese offerings at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel & Casino’s Tin Gow.
Gustatory
exploits can also be had at Nonki
(Japanese), Café
Orchidia (Italian) and La
Marea (try their best-selling warm brownie cups).
No
visit to Cebu is complete without a taste of its nightlife. Dive into a little
debauchery at hip spots in IT
Park or Crossroads.
Or just park yourself at your hotel bar. Treff
boasts inventive dishes and a beautiful glass-and-white façade,
while the scenic Blu
Bar & Grill was named one of Asia’s best bars by Travel +
Leisure Asia.
The
famous Sinulog
Festival is the Philippines’ largest crowd
drawer of devotees, celebrated for the child Jesus and held
every third Sunday of January. The city hosts a wild, colorful street party
attracting revellers from around the Philippines and the world.
Edge Coaster ride at the top of Crown Regency Towers |
The Image of Sto. Nino de Cebu (Child Jesus) |
Sinulog Festival in honor of the Feast of Sto. Nino |
Tops overlooking Cebu City |
BOHOL TOUR
Subject to minimum seating
capacity, we offer a Share-A-Ride (Seat-in-Coach) type of tour to visit these
places in a day:
Chocolate Hills - The Chocolate Hills is a geological
formation in Bohol Province, Philippines. There are at least 1,260 hills but
there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square
kilometres (20 sq mi). The Chocolate Hills is a famous tourist attraction of
Bohol.
Philippine
Tarsier - Another famous tourist destination in Loboc is the
Philippine Tarsiers Sanctuary. The Philippine tarsier, (Tarsius syrichta) is
very peculiar small animal. In fact it is one of the smallest known primates,
no larger than a adult men's hand. Mostly active at night, it lives on a diet
of insects. Folk traditions sometimes has it that tarsiers eat charcoal, but
actually they retrieve the insects from (sometimes burned) wood. It can be
found in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao in the Philippines.
Loboc
Ecotourism Adventure Park offers
zipline and cable car rides with exhilarating heights of 120 and 100 meters respectively.
This will let you take a good look at Loboc’s wonderful mountainous slope while
enjoying the ride. Have a great time viewing Loboc’s lush green trees together
its ravishing clean river.
Blood Compact Site - Located
at Bool District, the Blood Compact Sight is a remarkable landmark of the first
international treaty of friendship between Spain and Philippines. This is why
Tagbilaran is known as “The City of Friendship”.
Baclayon Church - One of
Bohol’s oldest stone churches, Baclayon Church is considered as one of the best-preserved
churches existing in the Philippines. It
is undergoing massive restoration works having been damaged by the strong
earthquake in October, 2013.
Butterfly Sanctuary - In the town Bilar, some 40 kms. away from
Tagbialran City, there is a uniquely created environment called “Simply
Butterfly” with a waterfall and shade plants which has now become a butterfly
sanctuary. Nature lovers and environmentalist would appreciate the several
species of local butterflies fluttering inside the sanctuary and resting in
colorful flowers. Many butterflies feed, breed and play here.
Sipatan Hanging Bridge - The
Bamboo Hanging Bridge crossing the Sipatan River in the Municipality of
Sevilla, Bohol, is a fun tourist attraction. Originally constructed using just
bamboo and rope, today the rope has made way to steel cables, giving added
safety and stability. The deck of the bridge is formed out of woven bamboo
slats. The bridge spans around 40 meters and offers a great view of the emerald
Sipatan River below. On the far side of the bridge you will find a small shop,
selling souvenirs and a welcome cold drink and snacks.
Loboc River Cruise - One of the main things you have to visit
when you’re in Loboc, Bohol is the clean and green Loboc River. Some of the
activities involve while cruising the river are eating delicious buffet lunch
or dinner and enjoy the fiesta atmosphere! Local Boholanos gathered and
serenade tourists with their lively cultural songs.
Bilar Man-Made Forest - Before
visiting the Chocolate Hills, you can’t skip out the Man Made Forest! This is
one of the most favorite stops for tourists. As you pass by this forest, you
could feel instantly the change in temperature, even on the hottest day of the
year. This forest is located along the
highway in Bilar, Bohol.
The world's smallest primates - Philippine Tarsiers |
Centuries old stone church of Baclayon |
The Loboc River Cruise |
The Blood Compact marker |
Sipatang Hanging Bridge |
Bilar man-made forest |
Loboc zipline |
A fun way to enjoy the colorful butterflies |
If you are up for thrills and
adventures, why not try adrenalin-packed actions at Extreme Adventure
Tour (E.A.T Danao). Release your stress and shout it out
with thrilling outdoor adventures like the zipline, “plunge”, rapelling, caving
and other extreme action! See for
yourself if you’re brave enough to face your fears!
Chocolate Hills Adventure Park - Chocolate Hills Adventure Park is
the latest eco-tourism adventure park situated in Carmen, Bohol. It can be
reached by an hour and 15 mins. taking a bus or van from DAO Terminal in
Tagbilaran. The park offers over twenty (20) thrilling adventure challenges like hiking trails, tree top
adventures and the famous Bike Zip called "The Rush". Bike Zip is a
275-meter zip line using a mountain bike to cross from one hill to another. Pedal
your way and commune with nature with the Chocolate Hills as your backdrop!
Sandugo Festival – Celebrated in the month of
July, this festival commemorates the historic first
international treaty of friendship between the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna
the chieftain of Bohol on March 16, 1565. As part of the tribal tradition, both
leaders sealed the agreement with their own blood! "Sandugo" is a Visayan
word which means "one blood".
AFFORDABLE PLACE TO STAY?
Most tourists prefer to stay in Panglao, to
optimize the beach and get close with the world’s top diving locations. It
may not be the cheapest option to stay there.
However, a budget traveler could find a decent accommodation starting Php600 at
Marcelina’s Guesthouse (check the rates at www.marcelinasguesthouse.com). Located at Tagbilaran Citiy, the place is a
walking distance from the airport (just 2-3 mins. walk) and 5-min. ride from
the pier. Panglao island could be
reached thru 20-min. drive by taxi, car or van hire which could be easily
arranged.
To save on food, the place is provided with a
mini-kitchen, equipped with ref, cooking and dining facilities where guests
could prepare their own meals free of charge.
Getting around Bohol is made easy with motor-bikes,
car or van for hire at very affordable prices. Most budget travelers arrange
motor bikes on daily or weekly basis.
The facade of Marcelina's Guesthouse |
Deluxe Barkadahan good for 6 pax at P2,000/night |
Shared Barkadahan good for 7 pax at P2,100/night |
Deluxe double at P800/night |
Standard Twin - Shared bath at P600/night |
Deluxe Quad at P1,600/night |
The living/common area of the guest house |
The lobby leading to the rooms |
BERNADETTE G. CABERTE
Manager, ROYAL FANTASY
TOURS
Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines