Where to Stay in Bohol

Last February, my friends and I went to Bohol for a 4 days/3 nights vacation. We booked a flight only a month before so we had a short time preparing and planning our itinerary (I'd be happy to share those with you in a separate blog post). Fortunately, I had been to Bohol twice before so I had already an idea as to what we can do and where we can stay in Bohol. 

You'd be amazed by Boholanos' hospitality.
Photo courtesy of Rod Acuzar.

Bohol has a large number of hotels and resorts where tourists can choose to stay in for vacation. Most hotels and resorts are located at Tagbilaran City, Bohol's capital and is the nearest town to the airport. If you want a place with great accessibility to restaurants and shopping malls, book a hotel within Tagbilaran. There are hotels in the city that are cozy enough but are still affordable, especially for a budget traveler like me.

But if you planned an itinerary that includes island hopping or you prefer to just relax by the beach, spend time being away from the busy streets and noise of the city for a change, or you want a place to stay where everything you need is all in one place yet you're still within budget, I highly recommend booking a hotel or resort in Panglao Island. It's only about 30 minutes away from Tagbilaran City. Panglao boasts of its wonderful white beaches and good thing it has a number of resorts and hotels located near or fronting the beach that with actually just a few steps away, you can already enjoy the sun and walk along its fine white sand. The most famous beach that is now becoming a top tourist destination particularly among foreigners with its powdery white sand just like Boracay, but more intimate I guess, is Alona Beach.

View of Alona Beach just before sunset.

    
Alona Beach is the perfect destination because it is easy to go to and there you can find affordable rooms with accessibility to the beach and is also near famous Bohol tourist destinations such as the Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Sanctuary, and Loboc River. It's also a jump-off point if you plan to go diving and for dolphin and whale watching in Pamilacan Island, snorkeling in Balicasag Island, or island hopping in Virgin Island. Alona Beach, I can say, is in the middle of everything.

If you plan to just enjoy the peace and quiet, you can just walk around the one-kilometer stretch of white sand. You can also sit at one of the bars there and order a bottle of beer or two and just feel the calming waves of the sea. 

When the night comes, don't expect Alona to be like Boracay with loud music and a great partying vibe. Unlike Boracay, Alona is peaceful. There may only be a bar or two that plays loud music. Most of the time they only hold acoustic jam sessions. But if you are in for a barbecue feast, by sunset, the beach transforms into a grilling station where restaurants and bars set up grills "dampa" style where you can order fresh food and have them grilled, barbecued, or cooked the way you like them. You just have to be patient since they only cook the food upon order. Don't mind waiting for 10 to 15 minutes because you're in for a sumptuous feast!

Variety of meat, seafood, and vegetables cooked the way you like them.
Photo courtesy of Rod Acuzar.

Bohol is a marvelous tourist destination. One can have lots of things to do in Bohol that you cannot find in one place. Bohol has wonderful beaches, amazing tourist spots, exhilarating adventure parks, good food, and friendly and accommodating people that you will never think twice of coming back and exploring the province and experiencing it more. Wherever you choose to stay, I assure you, you'll have the time of your life. ;)