Probably the most popular tourist attraction in Bohol, the Chocolate Hills is truly a natural wonder and a sight to see. Though some of the view decks were destroyed by the October 2013 Bohol Earthquake, some of it is still good and can be used.
How to get there
The Chocolate Hills visit was included in our Bohol Countryside Tour package we availed from Naldix. It's the easiest and most convenient way touring around Bohol. But if you are on a DIY tour, here's how:
From Tagbilaran, ride a tricycle to Integrated bus terminal in Brgy. Dao
Take a bus going to Carmen, tell the driver to drop you off Chocolate Hills Complex
You can either go for a 10-minute walk or ride a "Habal-habal" going to the view deck
*Earliest bus trip from Tagbilaran to Carmen is at 5 am and the trip is around 4-5 pm and trip will be approximately 2 hours because of the stops
A thousand hills
Chocolate Hills
It was raining when we went there, but doesn't make us stop seeing the iconic hills. The view deck is located on the top a hill, so you need to climb the stairs to reach it. There are balcony at the side of the stairs going up that you can rest or take pictures. You can still see some of the damages left by the earthquake that struck Bohol on October 2013.
Stairs going to the view deck
A flower beside the stairs
Geological Monument destroyed by the earthquake
Part of the view deck that has been destroyed by the earthquake
More Chocolate Hills
During the wet season (July - October), the hills are a little green, but on the dry or summer season, its color is generally brownish. You can also have a side activity in here like an ATV ride in Brgy. Buenos Aires (you can see my post here) and try out some extreme activities in Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP).
Touring Bohol is never complete without touring around Loboc River while having lunch. The floating restaurant will not only fill your tummy, but the lush trees along the serene river in the cruise will surely make you feel relaxed.
Floating Restaurant Rates
If you avail the Bohol Countryside Tour package , it already includes the Loboc River Cruise with Lunch Buffet. But if you are on a DIY tour, there are many floating restaurants that offers it. They also have a night cruise with dinner buffet, which is also a perfect time for firefly watching. They offer a package deal for night cruise which includes the buffet and a concert. Lunch schedule is from 11 am to 2 pm and dinner is from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Rio Verde Floating Resto
Rio Verde have a "High-end" or "Pawikan" (just a name, no pakiwan in the menu) buffet, and a "Regular" buffet. Here are the rates per head:
High-end Adults: PhP 500.00
High-end Kids: PhP 260.00
Regular Adults: PhP 392.00
Regular Kids: PhP 206.00
*Adults are 7 years old and above, while kids are 4-6 years old. Kids 3 years old below are free.
Loay river connecting to Bohol Sea
Food
The buffet type included in our tour is the regular one. It consists of common Filipino dishes. Food tastes just average but it was still satisfying. The buffet includes one soft drink only, but you can order another for a separate fee.
All Filipino dishes
I guess this is the Pawikan buffet
The tour
After boarding the floating restaurant, you can choose your seat and immediately start eating while waiting for other guests. When all guests are already boarded, The cruise will start and the performer will start performing. Everywhere you look is just lush green trees and the blue sky.
Small boats that push the floating restaurants
Floating restaurant performer
A sample of the sights along the river
Loboc River
The cruise will last for an hour and will make a few stops along the way. First stop is at the river choir station where the locals will give you a warm welcome and then serenade you. They will also perform a "Tinikling" dance, which the guests are also welcome to try. There is no fee from all of it but, it's very much appreciated to give a tip.
Nearing the choir station
River choir serenading the guests
Tinikling dance
The second stop is at the "Ati" Tribe. From far, you can see them waiting for the guests to arrive. You will be welcomed by Ati Tribe cheer with fire breathing. It was awesome. The children have a "bayawak" (monitor lizard) pet, which you can also hold. There's actually a lot of stuff you can do there like try to use a bow and arrow, rope swing like tarzan in the river and take photos around or with them. Again, no fee from all of it, but a tip is very much appreciated.
Ati Tribe waiting for us
Tip is very much appreciated
Ati Tribe pose
Trying out the bow and arrow
Little kid with his pet
Their cool drums
This one is just lying around
This one is real fun
The kid nailed it
After the stop at the Ati Tribe, the floating restaurant will be heading back. Time to relax again and enjoy the sights along the river while the performer plays. Surely, Loboc River Cruise is a fantastic and lovely tour that you will definitely love.
After whale-shark watching or visiting Sumilon Island, you might also want to visit this majestic waterfalls in Oslob. Surrounded by lush forest, the stunning Tumalog waterfalls is located in Sitio Tumalaog, just a few minutes away from Tan-awan.
How to get there
From the resort that you went whale-shark watching, there are locals that are offering a "Habal-habal" (motorcycle) ride going to the falls for PhP 120.00 per person (roundtrip) with additional PhP 20 for the entrance fee. Riding the Habal-habal is a little exciting because of the curves along the way and the uphill climb.
On our way to the waterfalls
Habal-habal ride
Vendors at the entrance of Tumalog falls
Upon reaching the entrance of the waterfalls, you will then have the option to walk or take another "Habal-habal" ride for PhP 50.00 roundtrip or PhP 25.00 (one-way). It's a 5 minute downhill walk when going to the waterfalls and a very tiring uphill climb going back. For us, we preferred to walk to enjoy the view and take some pictures along the way (kidding, we're just on a budget so we do everything to save lol!).
Running to the watefalls
Waterfalls seen on the way down
The waterfalls!
I am just amazed when I saw this waterfalls. The lagoon is not deep, the water is refreshing cold and the water drops running down the rocks covered with moss are like crystals. It's just awesome! Here are some photos I've taken:
Stream of water from the waterfalls
There it is!
Crystal-like drops of water
A little cave at the left side of the waterfalls
Stunning!
Picture-perfect Tumalog Falls!
After a tiring uphill walk when going back, you can buy some fresh coconut juice from the nice locals at the entrance for PhP 25.00.
Fresh BJ! - Buko Juice
On the way back, you will have a view of Sumilon Island, an island that have beautiful white sand beaches. This is also where the luxurious Bluewater Resort is. Staying in this resort is quite expensive, but you can have a day tour option.
Sumilon Island
EXPENSE
Habal-habal from resort to Tumalog (roundtrip): PhP 120.00
Waterfalls entrance fee: PhP 20.00
(optional) Habal-habal from entrance to waterfalls: PhP 50.00 (roundtrip) / PhP 25.00 (oneway)
For this trip we will be heading to Oslob, Cebu to go swimming with the sharks! Just kidding, It's just whale-sharks or "butanding". Oslob is a municipality located in the southeastern part of Cebu Province, which is around 115 KM away from the busy city of Cebu. It's very popular now for whale-shark watching, but there are other destinations like Tumalog falls and Sumilon Island.
Whale-shark watching point, Oslob, Cebu
How to get there
In Cebu city, go to South Bus Terminal in N. Bacalso Ave., then ride a bus bound for Brgy. Tan-awan, Tell the bus conductor that you will be whale-shark watching. They will drop you off to the nearest resort in Tan-awan. Many resorts are along the highway so it's very convenient.
Bato via Lilo-An
There are air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses. An A/C bus (Ceres) costs PhP 150. The ride will be approximately 3 hours. I suggest that you take the trip very early at around 3 or 4 am so that you will reach Oslob around 6-7 am because the whale-sharks are mostly seen in the morning.
Good Morning Oslob!
RESORTS and Fees
There are many resorts around where you can change to your swimming attire and use their shower rooms. They also have lockers where you can put your stuff while you're whale-shark watching. If you don't have an underwater camera, you can also rent from them for PhP 500.00. There is an entrance fee by the way. We paid PhP 100.00 each person for our resort entrance which also includes a cottage.
We stayed at Aaron Beach Resort
For whale-shark watching, local and foreign tourist have different rates. Here are the rates for local tourists:
Whale-shark Watch: PhP 300.00
Snorkeling Gear: PhP 200.00
Scuba Diving (without gear): PhP 600.00
Whale sharks!
DO's and Don'ts
After paying the necessary fees, you will proceed to the briefing area for the orientation. A list of do's and don'ts will be discussed.
View from the boat ride going to the briefing area
Some of the important guidelines are:
Do not touch or ride the Whale Shark
A maximum of 6 swimmers per whale shark is allowed, and only 1 boat per whale shark.
Do not restrict the movement of the Whale Shark, or impede its natural path
Do not use flash photography
Additional to that is, DO NOT PUT SUNBLOCK LOTION ON. Some of its contents maybe harmful to the whale-sharks. If you had put your sunblock on, you must remove it at the shower stations near the briefing area.
Washed off our sunblock before getting in the boat
Swim with the big fishes!
After the orientation, time to see some whale-sharks! The boat will take you to the spot where the whale-sharks are. They are being fed with krill by some tour guides so tourists can watch and swim with them closely.
Whale-sharks loves krill
This one is inviting us to get in the water
There he goes!
At first you won't see how big they are but once you jumped in the water and see them up close, you will swim back to the boat (yeah, I did that lol!). But then, they are not aggressive and swim very gentle. Just be careful not to touch them and remember to keep the distance since they are still wild animals and you wouldn't know what will they do.
He's busy eating
Fact: The whale shark has 300 tiny teeth in its mouth, but the function of these teeth is unknown! (source)
I don't usually take selfies, but when I do..
Check out their patterns, It's unique just like a fingerprint
That whale shark is doing a tail-stand
Just keep swimming!
I really enjoyed this activity. It was definitely a superb experience and worth the travel. I hope that the locals and tourists will continue to observe the guidelines properly to have this magnificent creature protected.
It's Awesome!
QUICK TIPS
Cebu City to Oslob is approximately 3-hour ride
Resorts in Oslob also offers overnight accommodation
Whale-shark watching is from 6am to 1pm
Do not put sun-block lotion on
You may rent an underwater camera at the resort for PhP 500.00
*Travel Tip: If your next destination is to Panglao, Bohol, you may ask the resort if you can hitch a ride on the pump boats from Bohol (tourists from Bohol that also went whale-shark watching) so you don't need to go back to Cebu city. They usually charge PhP 750+. It cost more than the fast ferry but it will save you time (Oslob to Bohol via Cebu is around 5 hours, 3-hours bus ride and 2-hour ferry ride while the pump boat is around 2.5-3 hours).
