Lorraine Jose
Are you planning to visit Bohol and Cebu but feeling lost on where to start? You're not alone.
Planning a trip to these destinations can seem like a huge task. Where do you begin? What are the must-visit spots? And how do you make the most of your time and budget?
In this post, we'll share everything we learned from our trip to Bohol and Cebu. You'll find information on how we traveled to Bohol and Cebu, the places we visited, itineraries, a breakdown of expenses, my insights about the tour, and tips.
We'll answer some common questions, like if it's possible to visit Bohol from Cebu in just one day, which island is better, and how long the ferry ride is between Bohol and Cebu. Plus, we've compiled a sample itinerary with a budget to help you plan your expenses. Our final thoughts will give you extra advice and insights to improve your trip.
TL;DR:
- Comprehensive 5D4N itinerary for Bohol and Cebu
- Day-to-day guide with must-visit spots and activities
- Tips for a smooth trip.
- Answers to common travel questions.
- 5D4N Bohol + Cebu Sample itinerary with budget.
- Alternative 4D3N Cebu-Bohol Highlights Tour
DAY 1: Explore Bohol Countryside
Most travel articles I've read start their tour from Cebu and go to Bohol, which is okay, but we chose Bohol as our entry point because the flight is cheaper. Then, we exited in Cebu for our flight back home.
We spend our first day at the most popular tourist destinations that Bohol has to offer. I booked a hassle-free tour because there are five of us in a group, plus the destinations are far from each other, so it's best to book a tour.
Here is our detailed tour:
- Our first destination was the Baclayon Church, which dates back to the Spanish era. The chapel was closed, so we couldn't take a picture inside. We also stopped at the butterfly farm and a few places with Bohol signage to take pictures.
- We then proceeded to the Corella Tarsier Sanctuary. We were asked to register at the entrance. Upon entering, there's a guided path throughout the sanctuary. We were able to locate these tiny creatures, but we were advised not to open the flash on our camera because it would stress out the tarsiers and cause them to commit suicide.
- Afterward, we head to Loboc River for our lunch. We ate our buffet lunch as the boat cruised through the Loboc River. The food was amazing, and there were plenty of options. There was live music and ethnic dancing.
- We then continued our tour to the Bilar Man-Made Forest. It took us time to take good pictures because many vans were passing by.
- Then we proceeded to the famous Chocolate Hills. Our tour dropped us off at the drop-off area because vans cannot park there. You must walk 200+ steps to the view deck to capture the Chocolate Hills. It was crowded and drizzling when we went there, but we could still capture its beauty.
- Our last stop was at the Aproniana Souvenir Shops. I was able to buy refrigerator magnets and a few souvenir t-shirts.
Overall, our tour was great. Our driver was kind and helpful. He answered most of our questions and openly told stories. We were happy that we decided to give him a tip.
- Baclayon Church
- Corella Tarsier Sanctuary
- Loboc River Cruise (Lunch)
- Bilar Man-Made Forest
- Chocolate Hills
- Aproniana Souvenir Shops
DAY 2: Transfer from Bohol to Cebu
The Bohol to Cebu trip would take approximately two hours through the OceanJet Ferry.
So, we packed our things early in the morning and went to Tagbilaran port. We hired tricycles, which are common in the area. We paid PHP 100 for one tricycle, good for two.
Upon arrival at the port, we asked where to proceed. First, we were asked to pay the terminal fee, which costs 25PHP. After payment, we redeemed our ticket and dropped off our luggage at the entrance.
By the way, we booked our OceanJet Ferry ticket at the button below.
Ocean Jet trip schedules:
- Departure Location: Tagbilaran Fast Craft Terminal, Tagbilaran Port
- Ferry Schedule: Monday-Sunday
- 08:20 AM
- 1:00 PM
- 5:40 PM
Just show your printed or mobile OceanJet e-ticket on the Tagbilaran port and a valid ID.
After we dropped off our luggage, we proceeded to the waiting area. They will call you once the ferry boat arrives.
Arrival at the Cebu Pier
Once we arrived at the Cebu Authority Port, we went to grab our luggage.
Private cars and taxis are waiting outside the gate. They offer around PHP 500–700 to drop you off at your hotel. It's best to take a Grab or metered taxi to your hotel, which is much cheaper.
Anjo World and Snow World
Since we still had time in the afternoon, we decided to go to Anjo World Theme Park.
After checking in at our hotel and having lunch nearby, we booked a Grab Taxi and headed to Anjo World Theme Park, Cebu's first world-class theme park. This is also the city's first-ever ice theme park, where you can enjoy the joys of snow and cold.
Anjo World Information
- Anjo World offers different operating schedules on weekends and weekdays. CHECK OUT UPDATED SCHEDULE HERE.
- Anjo World covers 1.5 hectares of land, so it would be helpful to check their park map. CHECK OUT UPDATED MAP HERE.
Once you arrive at Anjo World, you can skip the line by showing your printed or mobile e-ticket. Enjoy!
DAY 3: Explore Cebu City
When it comes to Cebu City, the famous landmarks I always hear about are the Temple of Leah, 10,000 roses, and Sirao Flower Farm. But this city is a mix of busy streets, old traditions, and beautiful places that will fill your day with amazing moments.
We were scheduled to be picked up at our hotel at 7 a.m. Since most restaurants near our hotel were still closed, we ordered our breakfast via Grab. Luckily, we were able to eat our breakfast before our driver arrived.
Here is our detailed tour:
- Our first stop was Little Kyoto. We were the only visitors there when we arrived, so we took the privilege of taking good pictures. It's like a flower farm, with a resto and a Buddha. Before we exited, we were asked to write something and pin it on their board, like a "we were here" letter.
- Next, we went to Sirao Flower Farm. A lovely garden full of colorful flowers overlooking the mountains. We took as many pictures as we could before we left because there was a time limit.
- We then proceed to the Temple of Leah. It is a huge and beautiful temple built to honor someone's love. It's like the "Taj Mahal" of Cebu. It also has a great view of Cebu City.
- Afterward, our tour guide dropped us off at a nearby restaurant for lunch. The weather was warm; luckily, the resto had halo-halo, and we were happy to order.
In the afternoon, we mostly visited the historical sites and cultural side of Cebu City.
- After lunch, we drove to Fort San Pedro, Museo Sugbo, and Magellan's Cross. These three places show the history of Cebu during Spain's rule in the Philippines. The sun was really hot as we walked through these places so it's best you take an umbrella with you.
- We also visited the Basilica del Santo Nino, which is recognized as the oldest Catholic church in the Philippines.
- Our last stop was at Simala Shrine. This was the first time I saw a castle-like church. The whole place is visually stunning. It also has a natural scenery and landscape for everyone to enjoy.
We didn't exactly follow our booked tour. Our driver was kind enough to make changes according to our suggestions so we could fully enjoy the tour.
Here are a few changes on our tour:
- The Sirao Flower Farm was not part of our tour. We asked our guide if we could switch it to the Taoist temple tour. Our driver was happy to do it.
- The 10,000 Roses are best viewed at night, but part of the tour was to visit them in the afternoon. We skipped this part, and our driver was kind enough to drop us off at 10,000 Roses on our last night in Cebu. By the way, he was our driver on our 3-day tour in Cebu.
Cebu City Highlights
- Sirao Flower Farm
- Little Kyoto
- Temple of Leah
- Taoist Temple
- Basilica del Sto Nino
- Magellan’s Cross - Fort San Pedro - Museo Sugbo
- Mactan Shrine
- 10,000 Roses
- Simala Shrine
The Cebu City tour is also part of the 3-DAY CEBU HIGHLIGHTS TOUR, or you can book the CEBU CITY PRIVATE TOUR HERE separately.
Book a comfortable place to stay so you can rest well before visiting Oslob's top tourist attractions the next day.
DAY 4: Whale Watching in Oslob and Sumilon Island
I really looked forward to this tour: Oslob Whale Shark Watching. According to Planetware, this spot is at the top of the list for anyone visiting the Philippines, and it is known for its mesmerizing opportunity to swim with the gentle giants of the sea.
The tour will be adjusted accordingly, depending on the crowd. Our tour was supposed to start at 5 a.m., but we started at 8 a.m.
- Upon arrival, we were briefed on the Do's and Dont's during the activity.
- Afterward, we were asked to wait for our boat.
- Once our boat arrived, we hopped in, and they transferred us to where the whale sharks were.
After the activity, we had a quick lunch in the same area and proceeded to our next tour stop: Sumilon Island, a small sandbar known for its clear waters and white sand. The main activities here are relaxing and swimming.
After Sumilon Island, we visited the Binalayan Hidden Falls to wash off the salt. We also take our shower here before we travel to Badian.
Oslob Main Attractions and Activities
- Oslob whale shark watching
- Sumilon Island
- Aguinid Falls / Budlaan Falls / Tumalog Falls / Binalayan Hidden Falls
The Whale Shark Watching & Sumilon Island Tour is also part of the 3-DAY CEBU HIGHLIGHTS TOUR, or you can book the WHALE SHARK WATCHING & SUMILON TOUR PICK UP FROM CEBU OR MACTAN CITY separately.
Note that the travel time from Cebu City to Oslob is 3-4 hours.
DAY 5: Moalboal and Badian Canyoneering
Our last day consists of 2 activities: Moalboal Island Hopping and Badian Canyoneering!
Moalboal Island Hopping
Due to crowd management, we started our Moalboal Island Hopping in the morning. We were asked to register at the tourist information area before we hopped on our boat. Unlike in Oslob, no one rents cameras here, and there are few vendors. Here are the main activities:
- Snorkeling in the fish sanctuary
- Moalboal Sardine Run
- Turtle Point (not Guaranteed)
After the island-hopping, the tour guide dropped us off at shower stations, where we changed our wet clothes and then had our lunch.
Badian Canyoneering and Kawasan Falls
After lunch, we then continue to our final stop. We were given safety gear and equipment before we started our trek. There will also be a quick briefing about the activities.
There is a 15-30 minute trek going down before you reach the starting point of your canyoneering adventure. Please ensure you are in good condition because this activity can be extreme for some, including jumping off cliffs and trekking downstream.
You will expect trekking, rock hopping, water slides, down climbing, cliff jumping, water slides, and swimming. Here are the main activities or highlights:
- 15-30 minute trek down the river. They also offer a zipline if you don't want to walk.
- Canyoneering
- 50-foot Cliff Jumping Point
- Kawasan Falls
During our canyoneering, I didn't expect to find barbecue vendors in the middle of the excursion. We were asked to take a short break before proceeding further.
The 50-foot Cliff Jumping Point and Kawasan Falls are near the end of the trek. If you are not in good condition, you can skip the canyoneering part and ask the driver to drop you off at the 50-foot Cliff Jumping Point and Kawasan Falls.
After the trek, we returned the safety gears and changed our clothing, then we headed back to Cebu City. Our driver dropped us off at 10,000 Roses before dropping us off at our hotel.
Note that the travel time from Cebu City to Moalboal and Badian is 2-4 hours.
Alternative 4D3N Cebu-Bohol Highlights Tour
Limited time but still want to experience the best of Cebu and Bohol? Here's an alternative 4-day, 3-night Cebu-Bohol highlights tour you're looking for.
Designed to be hassle-free, this tour will still let you explore the wonders of Bohol and Cebu without planning every detail. You can still visit Cebu City, Whale Shark Watching in Oslob, Canyoneering in Badian, and the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.
In this tour, the starting and exit points will be in Cebu. You will visit Bohol on a day trip in the morning and return to Cebu in the evening.
Bohol to Cebu Additional Tips
- Pack light because you'll be transferring from Cebu City to Oslob, then from Oslob to Badian, then back to Cebu City.
- Make sure to bring the following: a change of clothes, sunscreen, swimwear, trekking sandals, and dry bags to prevent your electronics from getting wet. Check out our complete island hopping essentials here.
- Traveling can be tiring, so get a good night's rest.
- Being a tour guide can sometimes be challenging, and you may want to tip your tour guides.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many days do you need for Bohol?
Considering its rich attractions, exploring Bohol fully requires at least two to three days. This timeframe allows you to visit the iconic Chocolate Hills, encounter tarsiers in their natural habitat, enjoy the white sand beaches, and experience the Loboc River Cruise, among other activities.
How many days are enough for Cebu?
Allocate at least 3 to 5 days to fully experience Cebu's blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. This gives you enough time to explore historic sites in the city, enjoy water activities in the south, and relax on the northern beaches.
Can you do a day trip to Bohol from Cebu?
Yes, a day trip to Bohol from Cebu is possible, but it will be quite packed. You would need to start early and choose a few key attractions to visit. A fast ferry in the morning can get you to Bohol in time for a tour, and then you can return to Cebu by evening. However, this might not give you enough time to fully appreciate all that Bohol has to offer.
Which is better, Bohol or Cebu?
Deciding which is better, Bohol or Cebu depends on what you're looking for during your vacation.
Cebu offers a mix of historical sites, bustling city life, and beautiful beaches. On the other hand, Bohol is known for its natural landscapes, unique geological formations, and more relaxed atmosphere.
If you're interested in natural wonders and a quieter setting, Bohol might be more appealing. For a more urban experience with a blend of history and modernity, Cebu could be the better choice.
How long is the ferry ride from Bohol to Cebu?
Traveling from Bohol to Cebu varies in duration, especially if you're considering ferry travel. The ferry ride typically takes about 2 hours, but the total travel time can extend a bit longer when factoring in wait times and transfers.
How much is the fare from Bohol to Cebu?
On average, you can expect the fare to range from approximately PHP 500 to PHP 1,000 for passenger tickets. For the most accurate and current pricing, it's best to check directly with the ferry companies, as rates can change based on season and promotions.
Sample 5D4N Bohol + Cebu Itinerary with Budget
Here's a sample itinerary with a budget. You can change it accordingly. You can skip or add things to do or places to see. The budget does not include airfare, accommodation, food, souvenirs, or shopping expenses.
The budget below is for 5 people. The prices may adjust if you have more or fewer pax in your group.
I hope you found this article informative and engaging. It would also be helpful if you shared this link so that other people could read it. This would help me write a more detailed itinerary to help you plan your next trips. Thank you for reading.
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