Bohol Countryside Day Trip from Cebu: Chocolate Hills & Loboc River Lunch

Summary

Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, river lunch and old churches in Bohol

You’ll start your Bohol countryside tour with pickup in Cebu and a quick ferry ride before exploring Chocolate Hills and meeting tarsiers up close. Drift along Loboc River during lunch on a floating restaurant while local musicians play nearby. You’ll visit Baclayon Church and learn about Bohol’s history from your guide—all with plenty of time to soak up those little details you’ll remember later.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really expect to start my day in Cebu and end up staring at those weirdly perfect Chocolate Hills. The ferry ride over was louder than I thought—kids laughing, someone eating dried mangoes nearby (the sweet smell stuck to my shirt). Our guide, Mariel, met us at the port in Tagbilaran. She had that way of talking like she’d seen it all but still found things funny—she pointed out a carabao grazing by the road and said it probably knew more about Bohol than any of us.

The drive through Bohol’s man-made mahogany forest felt cooler than I’d hoped for—light flickering between the trunks, windows down just enough to catch that earthy smell. When we stopped at the Tarsier Conservation Area, I tried not to blink too much so I wouldn’t miss one (they’re tiny, like little aliens). The staff there asked us to keep quiet; you could hear someone’s flip-flops slapping the path and a soft whistle from somewhere deeper in the trees. I swear those tarsiers looked right through me.

Lunch was on a floating restaurant drifting along the Loboc River. There was live music—nothing fancy, just two guys with guitars singing “Bahay Kubo” and smiling when people joined in. The food was simple: grilled fish, rice, something sticky-sweet for dessert. I ate too fast because I wanted to watch the water slip past green banks where kids waved from the shore. Mariel laughed when I tried to say “salamat” properly—my accent is hopeless.

We visited Baclayon Church after that; it smelled faintly of candle wax and old wood. Someone was sweeping near the altar and nodded as we passed. By then my head was full: monuments about blood compacts (I didn’t know what that meant until today), stories about Spanish priests, limestone hills that look fake until you’re standing on them. On the way back to Cebu I kept thinking about how small those tarsiers’ hands were—and how quiet it got when everyone just looked out at Bohol sliding by outside.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bohol Countryside Tour Highlights

• Visit Chocolate Hills
• Walk through Mahogany Forest
• See tarsiers at conservation area
• Enjoy Loboc River Cruise with lunch
• Tour Baclayon Church
• Visit Blood Compact Monument

Top questions

How do you get from Cebu City to Bohol for this day trip?

The tour includes round-trip ferry tickets between Cebu City and Tagbilaran in Bohol based on available seats.

Is lunch included during the Bohol Countryside Tour?

Yes, lunch is included as part of a scenic Loboc River cruise with live music and local dishes.

What animals can you see on this tour?

You’ll visit the Tarsier Conservation Area where you can see tarsiers—the world’s smallest primates—in their natural habitat.

Are entry fees covered in this tour?

All fees and taxes for attractions are included in your booking.

How long is the drive through Bohol’s countryside?

The drive covers several stops including Chocolate Hills, forests, churches, and monuments throughout the day.

Is hotel pickup included from Cebu City?

The tour includes pickup assistance but starts from Cebu City port for ferry transfer to Bohol.

Can infants join this tour?

Yes, infants can join; they may need to sit on an adult’s lap or use a stroller or pram if needed.

What is special about Baclayon Church?

Baclayon Church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines and features colonial-era architecture and history.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip ferry tickets from Cebu City to Bohol with pickup assistance at each port, entrance fees for all attractions like Chocolate Hills and Baclayon Church, air-conditioned vehicle transport across Bohol’s countryside, bottled water throughout the trip, a buffet lunch aboard a Loboc River floating restaurant with live music, plus a small souvenir before heading back home in the evening.