Jill & Athan's Awesome Whatevers!: The Bohol Country Side

We arrived in Bohol from Cebu via MV Star Craft ferry bound to Tubigon port. We chose Tubigon over Tagbilaran port for the following reasons: cheaper fare (Php220 instead of Php500), shorter travel time (1 hour instead of 2) and more sights can be seen on the way to the city. One disadvantage though is that van rentals may be more expensive but there are actually lots of cars and vans waiting in the pier offering country side tours for as low as Php2,500 depending on itinerary.

Cebu Pier Terminal

MV Star Craft Ferry

Even though there were other cheaper tour options available, we still chose Kuya Tatsky's services mainly because their itinerary included both Bohol and Panglao sights. Kuya Tatsky's country side tour is priced at Php2,100 for a car which is good for up to 4pax. But since we will be arriving in Tubigon port, we were charged an additional Php600. No matter, it was worth it since taking the route starting from Tubigon will allow you to pass by other cities and churches in Bohol like Tubigon, Clarin and Sagbayan.

1. Sagbayan Peak

We started our tour at around 8:30AM - our first stop, Sagbayan Peak. Sagbayan Peak is not normally included in any country side tour (you would be charged an additional fee) but since it was on the way from Tubigon to Carmen, our driver suggested us to visit the site. Entrance fee to the park is Php 30.

The Sagbayan Peak has a viewing deck (which was still under construction when we visited) where you can see several chocolate hills.

On the right corner of the peak, there's a kiddie town that has statues of cartoon super heroes.

You can also see tarsiers on the foot of the peak without any fee. Unfortunately, there was only 1 tarsier there. According to the caretaker, rest of the tarsiers escaped through a hole in the net.

Note: If Sagbayan Peak be fully operational in the future, you can actually omit going to Carmen Viewing Deck and the Tarsier Conservation Center saving you on entrance fees.

2. Carmen Chocolate Hills Viewing Deck

The Carmen Chocolate Hills Viewing Deck was one of the areas affected by the earthquake last 2013 - this is evident when you reach the top of the deck. The marker on top of the view deck is no longer upright and not all side railings are intact.

The Carmen View Deck is still the best place to view the chocolate hills because majority of them are here. Entrance fee is Php 50.

Warning: You have to climb 200+ steps of stairs to reach the viewing deck.

3. ShipHaus

The ShipHaus is one of the newest attractions in Bohol located in Poblacion Norte, Batuan. It is a ship-shaped house owned by Capt. Gaudencio Dumapias who was a successful mariner. Entrance fee is Php 30.

Upon entering the house, you will be greeted with an attendant dressed in a sailor's uniform. Our attendant was kind enough to take pictures of us on each corner of the house. It was like having a prenup! He even provided us with sailor hats for our props.

The ShipHaus' rooms/cabins and its roof deck are available for rent.

4. Bohol Habitat a.k.a. Simply Butterflies Conservation Center

The Bohol Habitat is a conservation center for butterflies, grasshoppers and other insects located in Bilar. Entrance fee is Php 50.

You will be accompanied by a guide upon entering the center. He will introduce to you different types of butterflies, moths and other hoppers and their life cycle. Sounds boring, right? But not in this center because your guide will definitely make you laugh all throughout the tour. I appreciate how they made the tour interesting by adding humor to it.

Note: Don't fail to try their ice cream! It was oh-so-yummy and in unique flavors too!

5. Bilar Man-made Forest

On the way to the Tarsier Conservation Center, you will be passing through a man-made forest in Bilar. The dense forest of mahogany trees stretches up to 2 kilometers. The forest came to exist through a government-led reforestation project.

Here's your chance to take as much selfie pictures as you want.

6. Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area

The Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area is a six-hectare woodland area housing one of the world's smallest primates, the Tarsiers. Entrance fee to the area is Php 60.

You will be walking through a portion of the woodland area where you can see the cute tarsiers in their natural habitat. You are not allowed to go near them nor touch them. Flash photography is strictly prohibited.

7. Laoy River Cruise

They say one has never been to Bohol if they have not experienced the river cruise. As per our driver's advise, we took the Laoy River Cruise instead of that in Loboc because according to him their receiving area was damaged by the earthquake.

The Laoy River Cruise offers two buffet options: High End priced at Php 500/head (Php 260 for 4-6 y.o.) and Regular priced at Php 392/head (Php 206 for 4-6 y.o.). The main difference for these options is their menu. The cruise took at least an hour with a stop over at an Aeta tribe. You can see little Aeta children holding a baby crocodile while others climb coconut trees then jump into the deep-green river.

If it was up to us - we would gladly skip this attraction because we believe it was overpriced and the food served during the cruise was substandard. You can already admire the beauty of the river beside the road or over the bridge going to Tagbilaran.

8. Prony the Python, Alburquerque

Prony was caught in Alburquerque town as was claimed to be the largest snake in captivity. Unfortunately, Prony died last August 2013 but its remains can still be viewed in this zoo. They also showcase another live python named Prony The Second. Entrance fee is Php 25.

Note: Watch Marimar, a gay comedian, perform his funny lip-sync here.

9. Baclayon Church

The Baclayon Church is declared as a National Historic Treasure and is considered as the best preserved in the region. Sadly, the Baclayon Church was greatly affected by the 2013 earthquake. The church includes a museum which is still operational at an entrance fee of Php 50.

10. Monument of the Blood Compact / Sandugo

The Monument of the Blood Compact (Sandugo) is one of the historic sites in Bohol. The monument portrays the blood compact performed between Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol and the Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi to seal their friendship. However, where the monument stands is not the real location of the event. The real location can be seen along the way from Baclayon to Tagbilaran and is identified with a marker.

11. Bohol Bee Farm

The Bohol Bee Farm is popular in Panglao Island for their organic restaurant and farm produce. It is also a cliff-side resort with access to the sea. But their beach here is not sandy, if you want to go to a White Beach you will have to commute to Alona Beach. Guided farm tour is available at Php 30 per person.

Note: Don't forget to try their Malunggay-flavored ice cream, also available in Tomata flavor.

12. Dauis Church

A snapshot of Dauis Church in its current condition since the 2013 earthquake.

13. Hinagdanan Cave

The Hinagdanan Cave is a small limestone cave in Panglao Island with a deep lagoon inside. The cave is adorned with large formations of stalactite and stalagmite. Entrance fee is Php 25.

You will be accompanied by volunteer tour guides to introduce to you the wonders inside the mini cave. And you'll be amazed at how good they are in setting up your cameras to take pictures inside the dark cave.

The cave is naturally lighted by two holes in the ceiling allowing sunlight to get inside. On the ceilings of the cave, one can also find lots of birds nest. There are also murals in one of the walls of the cave.