Bohol
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol
Located in the Visayas (the central region of the Philippines), Bohol is an island famous for the Chocolate Hills. These magical formations are actually small rounded hills (1,268 in number) of limestone formation, each of which is up to 40 meters in height and have a chocolate brown color in the dry season.
Bohol's towns have beautiful examples of Spanish colonial churches. For example, in Baclayon, the oldest town in Bohol, is Baclayon Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines (it was built in 1595), with a 21-meter-high belltower. In Loboc, you can see the San Pedro Church (built in 1602).
There are interesting examples of other Spanish architecture too. For example, the old Punta Cruz Watchtower at Maribojoc was built in 1796 to watch for pirates
There are excellent diving locations around Bohol. Panglao island, just southwest of Bohol's capital, Tagbilaran City, is famous for its diving spots and is often listed as one of the top ten diving locations in the world.
Philippine Tarsier
The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta), with its large goggle-like eyes and its long tufted nonprehensile tails and which is considered to be the second smallest primate species in the world, is found in Bohol and in the nearby islands of Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. Unfortunately, the tarsier will be soon extinct unless protected. You will have a chance to see tarsiers during your visit to Bohol.