Visit Bohol !

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Where to Stay in Bohol

IJsselstein, Thursday, 27 April 2006 06:12:30

Bohol already has a large number of hotels, resorts, and other facilities for tourists. Most of these are concentrated in Tagbilaran and around Alona Beach, with a few more scattered around the island. To help you make your choice we have listed most hotels here, with some short personal comments.

Anda

Anda, a peaceful muncipality on a peninsula with the same name at the north-east of Bohol, about 100 kilometers from Tagbilaran (2 hours by bus), is so-far mostly unaffected by tourism, but this is likely to change once more people discover its wonderful beaches, and the attractive environment of the peninsula. So far, only a few resorts have openend their doors to visitors, but a few more are in development.

Bituon Beach Resort, under German and Filipino management is located on top of some very nice cliffs in Basdio, Guindulman. It consists of a number of nicely maintained bungalows in native style with a terrific sight across the Bohol Sea. The bungalows are provided with basic facilities, and are clean and spacious...

Cocowhite-Beach Resort, also in Basdio, but Swiss owned, opened its door on 4 May 2002. It has a small private beach, and includes all facilities for diving, including courses. The resort also is mainly oriented to German speaking guests...

Dapdap Beach Resort, in Candabong, Anda, lies at the western end of Anda's stretch of wonderful beaches. Under Filipino management, this resort offers aircon rooms up to...

Flower-Beach Resort, in Virgen, Anda, provides airconditioned guestrooms in duplex houses. Build in traditional materials, but designed to western comfort standards...

Balicasag Island

Balicasag island is a small island south of Panglao island and belongs to the muncipality of Panglao. It is the home to a small barangay with the same name, two light-houses (an old, American build one, and a modern one build with British aid), and one resort. Around the island are some of the best diving spots in the Philippines. A world-class overhanging wall, going from about 7 to more than 60 meters deep, and some wonderful coral reefs that are worth the trip alone.

Balicasag Island Dive Resort has a number of okay cottages straight on the beach at the southern side of the island, and its own restaurant...

Cabilao Island

Cabilao Island is an island to the west of Bohol, part of the muncipality of Loon. Unlike the nearby islands of Sandingan and Pangangan it is not connected with the main land of Bohol, so you'll need to go there by boat, which is possible from Barangay Mocpoc in Loon. On the island are three resorts, and some of the best diving locations of the Philippines. The dive-site north-west of Cabilao Island is a favourite spot for shark enthousiasts, as hammerhead sharks can be seen here regularly. On the island itself, birds are protected, which means that you can see more of these feathered friends than you are used to on the main-land.

Probably the best value for money is Polaris Beach and Dive Resort, run by the German-Filipino couple Franz and and Maria Baumann. Franz is one of the few German resort owners who speaks fluent Cebuano, and is also active to build up the local community and preserve the islands natural beauty....

La Estrella Beach Resort, located directly at the sea, has a number of neat luxery bungalows in native style, a restaurant and a bar. The resorts is close to the Sea Explorers diving school, which has its own compressor, boats, and equipment to offer diving trips and...

The third resort on Cabilao is Cabilao Beach Club on the North-Eastern side of the island, close to the barangay Cambaquiz. Run under German-Swiss management...

Carmen

Carmen is a muncipality in the interior of the Bohol. It is the home of the world-famous Chocolate Hills, an amazing geological curiousity that can only be found on Bohol. The Chocolate Hills, which only turn to their characteristic brown colour that gives them their name at the end of the summer, consist of nearly two thousand highly regularly shaped hills, between 30 to 50 metres above a mainly flat land. It will take most people some time to accept that these hills are not man-made.

If you would like to stay in the Chocolate Hills overnight, you have very little choice. The only facility is the Government run Chocolate Hills Resort. A couple of years ago, they started to extend and renovate the place, but, since funds have run out, work on this is suspended, and you'll have to deal with the mess of a half-completed resort...

Panglao Island

Panglao Island lies just opposite Tagbilaran city, and is connected with Bohol with two bridges. It consists of two muncipalities, Dauis in the north and Panglao in the south. The island is easy to reach and has a number of wonderful white beaches, which means that on this island most of Bohols hotels and resorts can be found. The larger part of these are concentrated around Alona Beach, a very nice stretch of white sand at the South-Eastern end of the island, but numerous are also spread along other parts of the island. If you arrive on Bohol without any reservation, it is probably best to go to Alona beach, and walk along a few of the hotels to find one that suits you and has place available. If you do so, don't forget to have a look at the places not directly at the beach, as they often have much better rooms to offer for less money. If you arrive late and plan to stay for a longer time, find an acceptable place for the night, and look for a good location the next morning -- often the bungalows or nipa huts somewhat away from the beach can be rented for weekly or monthly rates, which are much cheaper than staying straight on the beach.

Dumaluan Beach, also on the eastern side of the island houses some of the more expensive resorts of the island, and along the other beaches are also a number of resorts, all listed here below.

Alona Kew White Beach Straight on the middle of Alona beach offers standard rooms starting from about...

Alona Palm Beach Resort, under Swiss management, is the most luxerious resort on Alona Beach. Opened in 2001, this resort is spaciously arranged in a nicely landscaped garden, directly bordering Alona Beach, but with care to keep some distance from the beach -- a good example of a nicely planned resort development. It consists of 12 luxerious villas, each good for two guest, and a main building with restaurant and facilities. ...

Blue Sky-Sea Resort Bolod

Bohol Beach Club Bolod, Tel. +63 38 411 5222, Fax: +63 38 411 5225

The Bohol Bee Farm is a very cozy and relaxing place on Panglao island. Owner and Chef Vicky Wallace prepares delicious meals from organically-grown vegetables on her farm--from squash muffins, vegetable lasagna to her specially-brewed coffee from roasted corn and wild berries. She rents her chalet-styled home to guests who want to enjoy the peace and serenity of having the entire farm to themselves...

Bohol Island Dive Resort Alona Beach, Tel. & Fax: +63 38 502 9005

Bohol Plaza Panglao Island, Dayo Hill, Mayacabac, Dauis, Bohol, Tel. +63 38 500 0882, Fax: +63 38 500 0970

Bohol Sea Resort Danao

Calypso Resort Danao, Cellphone +63 918 730 2902

Crystal Coast Resort Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9001, Fax: +63 38 411 3009

Dumaloan Beach Resort, Liboang, Tel. 5029081

Flower Garden Resort, run by two Swiss, Erwin and Hampi, who take turns in managing this nice little friendly resort. This place consists of three neatly designed houses and a duplex bungalow in a peaceful garden about 150 meters from the beach, just behind Alona Palm Beach Resort. The places are without airco, but include a fully equipped kitchen, so that you can do your own cooking -- very practical if you have special dietary wishes or want to save money if you are a long-term traveller....

Kalipayan Beach Resort, Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9037

Lost Horizon Beach Resort, Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9099, Fax: +63 38 232 4893

Oasis Resort Alona Beach, Tel. & Fax: +63 38 502 9083

Panglao Island Nature Resort Bingag, Tel. +63 38 411 2599, Fax: +63 38 411 5866

Peter's House, Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9056, Fax: +63 38 502 9107

Playa Blanca, Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9015

Rene's Place, Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9149

Sun Apartelle, run by the friendly German couple Irena and Boris Heberer, offers very neatly designed and well maintained apartments in a wonderful garden about 200 meters from Alona beach. All apartments are fully equipped with airconditioning, a large bed, bathroom, and kitchen imported from Germany, which means you can do your own cooking as you do at home -- but you don't have to, as they also have an excellent restaurant. The apartments are located in the garden, to which much care has been given. Some huge trees provide ample shade, and in the garden are a few cosy corners where you can retreat...

TGH Casa-Nova Garden, Alona Beach

Tierra Azul Alona Beach, Tel. +63 38 502 9065, email: tierraazul_beach@yahoo.com

Pamilacan Island

Pamilacan island is a small island half-way between Alona beach and the muncipality of Baclayon, of which it is a part. On the island is a small barangay with a church -- its cross is said to have washed ashore -- and an old triangular Spanish watchtower in a rather dipilated state. Eighty percent of the island is surrounded by a nice white beach, the remainder of the coast line is rocky. On the island is just one small resort, run by a local Filipino, who has constructed a number of small nipa huts almost on the beach. It lacks all except the most basic facilities, but is very peaceful -- without cars, motorbikes or jeepneys, the only sound you'll hear is that of the local poultry, and some fishermen with load motor-bankas. Including all meals, staying here will cost you 300 pesos per person. The owner will cook fish caught by the local fishermen. If you arrive here un-announced, you may wish to bring some food for yourself, as there is no shop on the island. This place was recently re-named Pueblo de Pamilacan.

To get there, you'll have to ask some of the inhabitants of Pamilacan to bring you there in a banka. They can be found on the pier of Baclayon, a 15 minute ride from Tagbilaran city.

Tagbilaran City

Tagbilaran City, the capital and main port of Bohol houses the main shops (including the department stores Bohol Quality and Plaza Marcela), banks with ATMs, money changers, and several attractions, such as the Bohol Museum and a few cinemas. However, unless you're here on business, during the fiesta or Sandugo festival, or arrive late or have to depart early in the next morning, there is little reason to stay here, as nicer places to stay can be found on Panglao. Still, the city has a good number of hotels and a few resorts.

Bohol Tropics Resort Club is one of the best known places on Bohol. Home to many official and semi-official functions, such as miss elections, it is the first place most Boholano's will point visitors too...

Casa Juana Lodging House, Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Tel. +63 38 411 3331

Coralandia Resort, Graham Avenue, Tel. +63 38 411 3445

Tubigon

Tubigon, a friendly little town on the west coast of Bohol, is about 45 minutes by V-hire, or 90 minutes by bus from Tagbilaran City. It is also the place where boats from Cebu arrive. A fast boat gets you to Cebu in 45 minutes from here, and a slow boat cost about 60 pesos, so both the fastest and cheapest way to Bohol lead you through Tubigon. From here, you can also catch a direct V-hire to Carmen, for the famous Chocolate Hills. If pass through this place, don't forget to visit the church, which has some wonderful murals.

Apart from staying with locals, the only place you can stay here for the night is Ligayas Pension House, which has rooms starting at PHP 500 / USD 9 per night...

Jeroen Hellingman