Bohol boasts breathtaking sceneries and an interesting history that helped shape the modern Filipino society. Its historical significance dates back to the time of the 1565 blood compact between  the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and the then Chieftain Sikatuna.

The charming landscape of Bohol draws attention to the formations, structures, and natural elements that helped define the island, such as the Baroque mission churches of the Jesuits, the watchtowers dating back to the 16^th century, and of course, the Chocolate Hills. Consisting of 1,268 hills shaped like cones, it is the province’s most famous attraction, and really put Bohol on the map.

Bohol is also the home of the world’s smallest primate, the tarsier. It is a nocturnal animal that measures only four to five inches with a long tail that is longer than its entire body. If you are interested to see or watch the tarsier, you can visit its natural habitat up on the hills of Corella town, where you will be welcomed by the locals.

The coastline of Bohol is also worth seeing. Bursting with tropical charm, the province’s coastline is characterized by white sand beaches and gentle coves that lead to diving sites like Balicasag, which is one of the best in the Visayas. There is also a forest of black corals worth visiting for its beauty. You should also spend time in Cabilao, where you can see hammerhead sharks swimming along the crystal clear waters. If you are lucky enough, you may also find yourself swimming along dolphins.

Bohol is a tourist-friendly province where you are provided with accommodation options ranging from classy resorts to affordable hostels. Transportation is easy – the resorts usually provide cans you can rent for the day, and for the budget-conscious, there are motorized tricycles for hire, too. If you’re lucky, your driver can double as a tour guide.

The Visayas region is among the Philippine’s biggest groups of islands and offers a plethora of interesting sights and sounds. Each of its provinces and cities offer a one-of-a-kind experience. Here are some of the must-see and must-do things when you are visiting the Visayas.

The Ati-atihan Festival

Filipinos love festivals and celebrations, and one of the must-see festivals in the Visayas is the Ati-atihan in Kalibo, Aklan. The festival is held to honor the Child Jesus (Santo Nino) who is the patron saint of the region.

The Chocolate Hills

Travel to Bohol and check out the unusual geological formation of hills that resemble Hershey’s Kisses. Although green during rainy and ordinary seasons, the hills turn chocolatey brown during dry season or in the summertime, thus the name.

Cruising the Loboc River

Of all the cruises you can take in the Philippines, the Loboc River Cruise is the one that should not be missed. The river is situated in Bohol Island and is a major tourist spot of the province, attracting both foreigners and locals alike. The river is characterized by a winding path where you can find floating restaurants and small bancas. The cruise offers a treat to the senses as surroundings consist of lush tropical greenery.

Island-hopping

Visit Cebu and go island-hopping by riding traditional rowboats or the banca. Doing this allows you to discover the captivating surroundings of Cebu’s many islands while giving you access to more of the white and unspoilt beaches. You can also enjoy a variety of activities such as watersports, picnics, and diving.

The Crown Regency EdgeCoaster

If you just want to be silly and adventurous all at the same time, do as the locals do and head over to Cebu to ride the EdgeCoaster, developed by the Interactive Rides, Inc. This unique extreme thrill ride is not matched by anything you’ll ever see in amusement parks, and is guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping.

Islands of paradise

Welcome to Asia’s best selection of tropical islands, the Visayas group in the Philippines. Experience the mouthwatering travel possibilities these numerous islands offer, from world class diving to stunning beaches, luxury resorts, friendly Filipino hospitality and endless coconut palms. We have the best of the Visayas covered here.

Plan your travels and update yourself on travel in the Visayas with this blog from an expert resident of Boracay and the Philippines. We plan to soon upgrade this into a full tourist info site with more than 100 pages and plenty of stunning pictures on the Visayas. Let us reveal the best of these islands.

From popular Boracay, across Panay and Negros to Bohol and Cebu we have the popular places covered. And then there’s the out of the way gems in Southern Leyte, the West coast islands of Samar, even the Romblons and sweet little Siquijor. Discover the individual flavours and highlights of each island right here.