Bohol, nestled in the heart of the Visayas, is known for its gentle coastline, forested hills, and a unique mix of cultural and natural landmarks.
The two main reasons I wanted to visit the island were to photograph the world-famous Chocolate Hills, and encounter the elusive tarsier—one of the world’s smallest primates
With just one night and two days on the island, this post is much shorter than my usual travel articles, focusing on a few key locations around those two highlights. It barely scratches the surface of what Bohol has to offer, but it captures the essence of what drew me there.
The post also includes a few cultural stops in Cebu City, often used as a transit point to or from Bohol. While I saw it as a secondary destination compared to Bohol’s treasures, it can still be worth a brief stop.
Bohol
Beyond the postcard icons that drew me there, Bohol reveals a landscape shaped by limestone, rivers, dense forest, and a quiet rural atmosphere that still feels deeply rooted. Here are a few of my highlights.
Chocolate Hills
The Chocolate Hills are Bohol’s most surreal and iconic landscape — over a thousand perfectly rounded limestone mounds spread across the heart of the island.
The sheer beauty of that landscape makes the journey to remote Bohol Island entirely worthwhile.
Formed by uplifted coral and millennia of erosion, their unique shape continues to puzzle scientists and spark local legends — some say the hills are remnants of a giant’s tears, or debris from an epic battle.
For a few weeks during the dry season, the grass covering them turns a dusty brown, giving the hills their name.
From the main viewpoint in Carmen, the terrain seems to ripple toward the horizon, like a sea of chocolate drops frozen in time. Be prepared for the 214-step ascent—think of it as earning your panoramic reward!
While the official view deck is the most accessible, it’s from the air that you truly grasp the scale and symmetry of this geological wonder.
Sunrise and sunset are the most magical moments here, with shifting light, morning mist, and golden hues giving the hills an almost otherworldly feel.
From the top of the viewpoint, the 360-degree panorama also reveals vast stretches of lush forest and scattered farmland.
That place alone makes the trip to remote Bohol well worth the effort…
Tarsier Sanctuary
Among Bohol’s most iconic residents is the Philippine tarsier, one of the smallest primates in the world.
With its oversized eyes, delicate fingers, and ability to leap great distances between branches, this nocturnal creature is both elusive and captivating.
Endemic to the southern Philippines, it thrives in dense forest undergrowth, making sightings particularly special. In Bohol, the best-known place to observe them ethically is the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, a protected forest managed by conservationists.
A more accessible but less natural option is the Tarsier Conservation Area near Loboc, where the animals can be seen more easily, though in more touristic conditions. Tarsiers are highly sensitive to stress and do not survive in captivity, so ethical sanctuaries avoid handling or flash photography.
Their ability to rotate their heads nearly 180 degrees and their insect-based diet make them a fascinating subject for both science and photography.
Loboc River
Flowing through the lush interior of Bohol, the Loboc River is a vibrant artery of local life and tourism.
While many visitors opt for the popular lunch cruises, I chose to skip the tourist-packed boats 😅
Seen from a drone, the river weaves through dense forest canopies in mesmerizing shades of green.
Along its banks, traditional performances like the tinikling — a pre-Hispanic bamboo dance — are staged for passing boats, offering a glimpse into the island’s living cultural heritage.
This rhythmic, high-precision dance, where performers step deftly between clapping bamboo poles, is an agility celebration and a nod to centuries-old traditions.
Baclayon Church
Close to Bohol airport and nestled along the coast of Bohol, Baclayon Church stands as a testament to centuries of faith and resilience.
Constructed in 1727 by Spanish Jesuit missionaries, this coral stone edifice is among the oldest churches in the Philippines.
Cebu
Cebu has a rich colonial history dating back to the arrival of the Spanish in 1521, a legacy vividly illustrated by the Heritage of Cebu Monument’s dramatic sculptures depicting battles, religious missions, and historic milestones.
Cebu City often serves as a transit hub to or from Bohol, but it honestly holds limited appeal for travel photography, aside from a few cultural sites listed below
Temple of Leah
Perched in the hills above Cebu City, the Temple of Leah was built in 2012 by Teodorico Adarna in memory of his late wife.
While often dubbed the “Taj Mahal of Cebu,” the result is more theatrical than sacred — a lavish blend of golden lion statues, oversized columns, and faux-Roman grandeur.
Some visitors find charm in its eccentricity, others see it as Cebu’s take on a neoclassical theme park. The temple features 24 chambers housing a library, museum, and an art gallery, along with a 9-foot bronze statue of Leah herself.
Regardless, the elevated location offers sweeping views over the city, and the temple has become a popular stop for selfies and curiosity-seekers.
Outside the temple, a tiered fountain framed by mythological figures adds to the theatrical grandeur of the site’s open courtyard.
Cebu Taoist Temple
Perched on Cebu City’s Beverly Hills Subdivision, the Cebu Taoist Temple is a vibrant testament to the city’s Chinese-Filipino heritage.
Built in 1972 by Cebu’s Chinese community, this multi-tiered temple showcases traditional Chinese architecture with red and green accents, a pagoda-style roof, and dragon sculptures.
So here’s my short take on a fast-paced escape—where tiny creatures, sculpted hills, and layered cityscapes —Bohol and Cebu left their mark, even in just three days.
If you’re interested in some of my other travel photography articles about the Philippines, click on the links below:
→ Philippines Lagoon Secrets and Island Dreams: El Nido and Coron
→ Journey Through Northern Luzon: Rice Terraces, Crater Lakes, and Highland Beauty
Love these images?
Selected photographs from this journey are available as fine art prints and for licensing on Shootplanet.com galleries link:
PHILIPPINES
NB: The website galleries showcase only a small selection of photographs from my journeys. All images featured in the article are also available as fine art prints or for licensing.
Please contact me at marcturcan@shootplanet.com for further information.
