Bohol, the Philippines
Tourism in Asia is often directed to Thailand, Malaysia, Japan or Bali, and yet the Philippines are a beautiful 7000-island nation that offers great value on the dollar, and no shortage of things to do and see. Bohol has some of the best beaches anywhere in the Philippines, and some truly unusual natural attractions like the rolling Chocolate Hills and a tiny primate called the tarsier. Wonderful Climate, people, attractions – it’s easy to feel the warmth of the Philippines.
Length of Trip : One week
Cost : The Philippines is one of Asia's most affordable tourist destinations. Flights from Manila to Bohol cost around US$100, round trip.
Best time to go : November - April
Wheelchair friendly : Yes
Family friendly : Yes
Where to eat : Gerarda's Place: 30 J.S Torralba Street, Tagbilaran City, 6300, Bohol Dao Diamond Chico Cafe Restaurant: Km. 3, Dao District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
Official Site : www.boholtourismph.com
Where to Stay : When staying in Manila, we recommend the Fairmont Makati.
Getting There : Flights to and from Tagbilaran to Manila take around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Alternatively, 2-hour ferries run from Cebu to Bohol daily.
Note from Robin : Local mythology blames these bizarre, upside-down teacup hills - located in the Bohol Province, Philippines- on the teardrops of a lonely giant. Scientists reckon it is due to erosion, but whatever the case, there’s no denying that the Chocolate Hills look like nowhere else on earth. The 1776 hills got their name from their brown colour during the dry season. Though the Chocolate Hills are Bohol's biggest tourist attraction, a trip to see the tarsier, a tiny primate that's one part Yoda, one part Dobby, and one part Gremlin, is a must. Its dominant feature is its eyes, which are bigger than its brain, and 150 times larger than human eyes relative to its size. Threatened with extinction, Bohol has the only protected tarsier habitat in the world.
