Bohol Day Trip from Cebu: Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers & Cruise

Over 1,200 cone-shaped hills, tarsiers in their habitat, and a river lunch with live music—all in one day from Cebu

A shared guided day trip from Cebu to Bohol takes you through the UNESCO-recognized Bohol Global Geopark, visiting the Chocolate Hills, Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, Baclayon Church, Blood Compact Monument, and a scenic Loboc River cruise with lunch buffet. Your English-speaking driver guides the route and handles transport from your Cebu hotel or ferry terminal; the tour runs 6 to 8 hours depending on which add-ons you choose. Loboc River cruise and lunch are available as optional add-ons on select options.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bohol's natural and cultural sites

• Visit National Museum of Bohol
• See Blood Compact Monument
• Tour Baclayon Church
• Observe Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary
• Enjoy Loboc River Cruise Lunch
• Marvel at Chocolate Hills
• Drive through Man-Made Forest

The Experience

The day starts with a pickup from your Cebu hotel or ferry terminal, then a short ferry crossing to Bohol. Once on the island, your driver navigates you through the National Museum of the Philippines in Bohol Province first, where archaeological finds and local heritage exhibits set the context for what comes next. The route then moves through cultural landmarks: the Blood Compact Monument, which marks the first treaty of friendship between Filipinos and Spaniards, and Baclayon Church, one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines and a National Cultural Treasure with Spanish-era architecture still intact.

The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary is where you get close to the world's smallest primates in their natural habitat—these are shy creatures, so the sanctuary keeps visits quiet and respectful. From there, the tour moves to the Chocolate Hills themselves, the geological formation that gives the day its name: over 1,200 cone-shaped hills that turn brown in the dry season, creating the landscape that made Bohol famous. On the drive back, you pass through the Man-Made Forest in Bilar, a stretch of densely planted mahogany trees that offers a cool, shaded break in the route.

If you book an option that includes the Loboc River cruise, you'll board a floating restaurant for lunch with a Filipino buffet while the boat moves through lush riverside landscapes. Live cultural performances happen on deck as you eat. The air-conditioned vehicle stays with you throughout, and your driver—who serves as guide—speaks English. Infants travel on an adult's lap. The tour suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Roundtrip hotel or ferry transfers from Cebu (depending on your option).
• shared transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide.
• entrance fees to the National Museum, Blood Compact Monument, Baclayon Church, Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, and Chocolate Hills.
• Loboc River cruise with Filipino lunch buffet and live cultural performances (available on select options or as an add-on).
• exclusive discounts on food, drinks and souvenirs after your tour.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by GoPanglao Travel and Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this shared tour if you want a driver-guide handling all logistics and pacing for you; pick the Loboc River variant if a midday river lunch with live music fits your schedule, or skip it to eat elsewhere.

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Top questions

What exactly are the Chocolate Hills and why do they look that way?

The Chocolate Hills are a unique geological formation made up of over 1,200 cone-shaped limestone hills. They turn brown during the dry season, which is how they got their name—they look like chocolate drops scattered across the landscape. The UNESCO-recognized Bohol Global Geopark designation protects this site as a natural wonder.

Will I actually see tarsiers up close, or just from a distance?

The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary lets you get close to these tiny primates in their natural habitat. The sanctuary keeps visits quiet so the shy creatures stay calm, but you will observe them directly rather than from behind barriers or glass.

Is the Loboc River lunch included in every option, or do I need to add it?

The Loboc River cruise with lunch buffet is available as an optional add-on on select options. When you book, you'll see which options include it and which ones let you add it at checkout. The cruise features Filipino dishes aboard a floating restaurant with live cultural performances.

Do I need to arrange my own ferry from Cebu to Bohol, or is it included?

Roundtrip ferry transfers are included depending on which option you choose. Some options include hotel pickup plus ferry transfers from Cebu; others include ferry transfers only from the terminal. Check your option details at checkout to confirm which applies to your booking.

How long does the whole day take, and what time does it start?

The tour runs 6 to 8 hours depending on which add-ons you select. Your driver picks you up from your Cebu hotel or ferry terminal in the morning; the exact start time is confirmed when you book.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes your English-speaking driver-guide, shared transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fees to the sites, and the Loboc River cruise with lunch if your option includes it. Add-ons like ATV rides and zipline experiences are available on select options at checkout. Tipping is not included.