tourist spot in the philippines visayas island

One of the most popular destinations in the Philippines is the island of Bohol. For year 2009,   Bohol had a 13.08 percent growth rate with 238,745 tourist arrivals, making it as one of the most visited places in Central Visayas Region of the Philippines.  The accessibility of Bohol from Cebu (Philippines’ major point of destination after Manila) through hourly trips of various sea vessels make Bohol as a major side trip of travelling visitors in Central Visayas. Also, the existence of an airport in its capital, Tagbilaran City, makes Bohol as easy access for vacation trips from travelers across the globe.

Bohol is located at the center of the Philippines as one of the provinces of the Central Visayas Region (the tourist capital of the country). Aside from Bohol, the provinces of Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor complete the entire Central Visayas Region. Its land area of 4117.3 square kilometers makes this island province as the tenth largest island of the Philippines. Tagbilaran City is the capital of Bohol where almost all commercial establishments and business centers are found in this city.

Meanwhile, Bohol takes pride of its abundant natural resources, rich culture and history, and warmth of its people, the Boholanos.  With this, it is no wonder that Bohol is now one of Philippines’ major tourist destinations.

Places to Visit in Bohol

Chocolate Hills. Considered as one of the natural wonders of the world, Chocolate Hills is an spot in Carmen, Bohol characterized by dome-land formations (hills) which turn color brown during summer season. On rainy season, the hills are covered with green color as vegetation replaces the dry land of summer. The view of more than a thousand chocolate hills, which look like chocolate kisses, in one setting is considered by many tourists and even locals as simply breathtaking.   It takes an hour drive from Tagbilaran City to reach Chocolate Hills through vans-for-hire.

Loboc River Cruise. Another popular tourist destination in Bohol is its Loboc River Cruise where floating restaurants offer buffet lunch and dinner with musical entertainment during the 45-minute trip. Motor bancas, with a capacity of 100 persons, are used in the river cruise. In this trip, people can experience the tranquil and clean Loboc River with its rich vegetations around it.  During the trip, the cruise makes some stopovers in river banks where awaiting group of children sing and dance to entertain the guests.  During night time cruise, the ambience is romantic where subdued lights in the surroundings give a reflection of the river.

Tarsier Watching.  Another highlight during a Bohol tour is a visit to Bohol’s tarsiers. These endangered small creatures can be seen live as tourists can also take pictures of it. As most of the sayings in Bohol go – a trip to Bohol will not be completed without an encounter with the tarsiers.

Island and Balicasag Adventure. The white sand beaches in Panglao speak of Bohol’s rich marine resources and water adventures. Tourists always frequent the various beach resorts in Panglao because of the “uncorrupted” natural resources and waters in the area. Also, whale watching in nearby Balicasag Island is another famous tourist spot in Bohol where people can enjoy not just the sparkling Bohol bluewaters but also the site of whales frolicking in the ocean. Whale watching is made possible through motorized boats for hire.

Danao Adventure Park. Located 72-km away from Tagbilaran City, the Danao Adventure Park is the newest tourism spot in Bohol. The place takes pride on the various eco-adventures that do not only showcase the rich forests of Danao, but also the world-class equipment and skills of the adventure park that can compete internationally when it comes to extreme sports.  The Danao Adventure Park includes zip line adventure (the tallest and longest in the Philippines), cliff plunge, river trekking, sky riding, kayaking, and many more.

Going To Bohol

Bohol can be reached through a two-hour fast craft ride from Cebu City. Roll-on and Roll-off boats are also available for those who prefer the slow trip in waters. Local flights are also available from Manila to Tagbilaran City.

The abovementioned tourist destinations are just few of the many spots in Bohol where people can appreciate the natural wonders of Mother Earth. The Chocolate Hills is enough proof how blessed this province when it comes to natural wonders.  Meanwhile, what truly make Bohol now as one of Philippines’ tourist havens is the Boholanos themselves whose cooperation with their local government unit is exemplary.  The involvement of its people in making their province a world-class destination is very evident. Also, as a former insurgency stricken province, Bohol now is an insurgency free province which further makes it as a preferred tourist destination. With its peaceful environment as well as its “uncorrupted” natural resources and a  touch of rural rawness in its urban centers, Bohol is indeed worth travelling.

A Borocay beach

Strung like a necklace of uneven beads, held together by seas, straits, and gulfs, the Visayas are home to the Philippines’ premier tourist attractions. The six major land masses and fringe groups of isles between Luzon and Mindanao parade calm waters, shimmering coves, and palm-fringed beaches. Seafood is enviably fresh in the region dominated economically by hauls from under the ocean.

Visayan labels the people and dominant language of the region, though three distinct cultural-linguistic groups live on the islands that span Leyte in the east to Panay in the west. Most people farm or fish, with rural poverty widespread.

The most popular Visayan island is tiny Boracay, where 3km (2-mile) -long White Beach rocks to the beat from scores of noisy resorts. It’s a teaser for more pristine coastlines elsewhere that are just as popular with divers and snorkelers. Bohol’s Alona Beach caters to diving, and more sedate Moalboal on Cebu Island and tiny Apo Island off Negros see more scuba traffic. After toweling off, tour Fort San Pedro in Cebu city or grab beers in one of the city’s bar districts.

Jet planes whisk travelers from Manila to Cebu and most other Visayan capitals in under an hour, but the best way to see the Visayas up close is by boat. It takes 20 hours by sea from Manila to the Visayas. Far shorter routes from Cebu reach Bohol, Negros, and Samar.

One guy who should have avoided boating in the Visayas is Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan. The trip started well on March 16, 1521, when he anchored in Leyte Gulf. Enrique de Molucca, Magellan’s Malaysian slave, hailed a small boat of eight natives from the rail of their ship the Trinidad. The natives understood him perfectly, meaning the world had been circled linguistically. Enrique de Molucca became the first known person to circumnavigate the globe.

Six weeks later, Magellan had sailed north to Cebu to “Christianize” the rajah and 500 followers. Lapu Lapu, a minor rajah of Mactan – a muddy coral island where Cebu’s international airport now stands – was less accommodating. He defended his island with some 2,000 warriors against 48 armor-clad Spaniards, the battle claiming Magellan’s life. A white obelisk on Mactan today marks where Magellan fell.

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Just a daytrip from provincial capital Bacolod on Northern Negros in the middle of the Philippines is an idyllic resort in the mountains.

It’s called Mambukal and offers 7 (!) cascading waterfalls, a nice climb through jungle forest along the waters, treetop climbing in the canopy, a sulfur spring basin to rest your aching bones and much more.

Besides those water and jungle activities, you can also have massage (and manicure/pedicure) here, watch gigantic fruit bats flying around in the area and hanging in the trees.

To get here, just leave Bacolod towards the East, direction to Murcia. It’s one of the main roads leaving Bacolod and hard to miss. From Murcia just follow the signs to Mambukal. You can either stay here at the resort starting at 900 Peso or simply come and use their facilities on a daytrip for a small fee.

Giant Fruitbats hanging in the trees

Fruitbats or Flying Foxes (how they are called as well) are very useful creatures, despite their sometimes scary appearance.

They pollinate flowers and disperse seeds which is very important to the environment. Unfortunately, because their homes are being cut down and they are hunted extensively, many species of Fruitbats are now seriously threatened of extinction.

Of the 25 or so fruitbat species found in the Philippines, more than half are found nowhere else in the world!

The ones here at Mambukal are seriously big, I would estimate they have a wing span from 50cm to 1 meter. Their color is mostly reddish-brown to dark brown, there are also some (fewer) very dark or black ones.

It’s moving in the Trees!

At Mambukal, not only the Bats are allowed to use the trees – you are also. And in ways other than you might think of right now.

Treetop Walking is possible via ladders and wooden grates and bridges which are affixed in the trees. They lead from tree to tree and sometimes even across rivers. All in all it looks like a fun activity and a complete different perspective of the surrounding area.

Although you are encouraged to wear a proper helmet and a safety rope, I saw nothing of that provided. The platform are between 3 and 5 meters high in the trees.

Sulfur Spring

In the rocky areas there are several points where sulfuric water is coming out of the ground. So what the managers of the resort did, is collecting it in pipes and leading it to a lovely basin, where people can swim in its hot waters.

It’s really a pleasure, once you get over the foul smell, which only disturbs for a little while.

The waters are said to be good for your skin and the fumes are healthy for your lungs and respiratory system. Besides, when you come here when it’s raining, it’s simply fantastic to swim or float in the hot sulfur water, while listening to the sounds of jungle birds and fruitbats in the trees beside you.

It’s really a wild jungle atmosphere with health aspects, haha!

There are 7 Waterfalls to visit

If you are fit for a walk, you can easily reach the first 3 out of 7 waterfalls.

They are just a short walk in the jungle, simply follow the trail along the waters. The other 4 are a bit harder to reach, although you don’t have to be a pro climber.

The trail will lead a bit higher in the mountains and some parts require some ‘acrobatics’ but nothing you can’t master.

The whole area features a nicely attached hand-rail as a guidance and cleanliness is exceptional due to heavy fines, if you should get the urge to litter. 

In the later waterfalls you can even swim or cool your feet, which can be a welcome feat after the jungle trek.

The first 3 ones are not fit for that, due to rocks under the surface of the shallow waters and difficult accessibility.

The only nuisance near the waterfalls are a bunch of local (homeless?) kids, who try to accompany you and be your travel guide for a few coins. As everything is easy to reach and signs show you where to go and where not; this is simply not necessary. Also their behavior can be somewhat aggressive and invading to your privacy.

Conclusion

The area around Mambukal is definitely worth a visit. Whatever you do, a day trip or planning to stay here for a day or so; make sure you bring enough time.

If you get hungry, there is are a few food stalls also, or you can bring your own food and even use the public BBQ pits here. For people who don’t like natural rivers or springs – a public pool is available also.

Sit at the river and relax, float in sulfur water or dip your feet into a real water fall, watch the fruitbats or just the impressive surrounding jungle – Mambukal offers a spectacular trip for you, your partner or for the whole family.

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From Negros Occidental to San Carlos City.

When traveling Negros Occidental in Don Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City, you’ll see this waterfalls a midst green thick foliage.

Isn't it a lovely work of nature?

A Thing of Beauty

Jan21

Talisay City, Negros Occidental, the Philippines
December 29, 2009
A thing of beauty is a joy forever / Its loveliness increases; it will never / Pass into nothingness; but still will keep / A bower quiet for us, and a sleep…
These verses by John Keats came to mind when I beheld what is simply called The Ruins.

The Ruins in Talisay, Negros Occidental

Gintubdan Falls, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental