"Some places change over the years, while others simply remind you why you fell in love with them in the first place."
Seventeen years ago, my husband and I visited Bohol for the first time. It was one of those trips that stayed with us because of the island's natural beauty, rich history, and laid-back charm. Back then, we rented a car for only PHP 2,000 and explored the countryside at our own pace.
Fast forward 17 years, and we returned to Bohol, this time with our son and two senior citizens. Revisiting the island while creating new memories with family made the trip even more special. Since we'd already taken the classic countryside tour, we decided to add Mirror of the World, a newer attraction that wasn't around during our first visit.
Seventeen years ago, my husband and I visited Bohol for the first time. It was one of those trips that stayed with us because of the island's natural beauty, rich history, and laid-back charm. Back then, we rented a car for only PHP 2,000 and explored the countryside at our own pace.
Fast forward 17 years, and we returned to Bohol, this time with our son and two senior citizens. Revisiting the island while creating new memories with family made the trip even more special. Since we'd already taken the classic countryside tour, we decided to add Mirror of the World, a newer attraction that wasn't around during our first visit.
Initially, I wanted to book our tour through Klook, but when I was planning this trip a couple of years ago, Klook had only limited options for the Bohol Countryside Tour, so I ended up booking through a local travel agency. It worked out well for our family, especially since we were traveling with two senior citizens and wanted the flexibility of a private tour.
As of this writing, Klook now offers several Bohol tour packages, giving travelers more choices depending on their budget and preferred itinerary. Some of the available options include:
· Bohol Countryside Tour
· Bohol Countryside Tour with Mirror of the World
· Private Bohol Countryside Tour with Mirror of the World
· Bohol Countryside Tour with Firefly Watching
· Bohol Chocolate Hills, Tarsier & River Cruise Experience
If you're planning your trip, it's worth comparing these packages with offers from local travel agencies to find the one that best suits your travel style, group size, and itinerary.
For our group of five, we paid PHP 2,290 per person, which included:
Private air-conditioned vehicle with fuel
Tourist driver
Entrance fees
Buffet lunch at the Loboc River Floating Restaurant
Pick-up and drop-off anywhere in Tagbilaran City or Panglao Island
Since Mirror of the World isn't part of the standard countryside tour, we paid an additional PHP 1,000 for the van plus PHP 170 per person for the daytime entrance fee (or PHP 190 for the night tour).
Total: PHP13,300
Starting Our Day
Since we booked the morning tour, we made sure to have an early breakfast at The Bellevue Resort before heading out.
Our assigned tourist driver picked us up at exactly 8:30 AM from the resort. The day before the tour, the travel agency had already sent us the driver's details, making everything organized and hassle-free.
The entire countryside tour lasted for around eight hours, allowing us to visit all the attractions at a comfortable pace.
Our Bohol Countryside Tour Itinerary
1. Tarsier Sanctuary
Our first stop was the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary.
This was actually one of the biggest differences I noticed compared to our first visit 17 years ago. Back then, we visited what felt like a private garden where visitors simply gave a donation to see the tarsiers.
Today, the sanctuary is much more organized. It has designated walking paths, educational displays, and even museum-like exhibits where visitors can learn more about the Philippine tarsier before seeing them in their natural habitat.
These tiny primates remain one of Bohol's most iconic attractions. Visitors are reminded to keep their voices low, avoid using flash photography, and never touch the tarsiers since they are extremely sensitive to stress.
2. Chocolate Hills
Next, we headed to the iconic Chocolate Hills.
After 17 years, I was surprised by how much the area has improved. There are now more facilities and several dedicated photo spots for visitors.
While I appreciate all the improvements, I still have a soft spot for our first visit. Back then, there were fewer barriers, and we were even able to take those classic "flying broomstick" and jump shots with the Chocolate Hills stretching behind us. Those photos remain some of my favorite travel memories.
Since we visited during the summer, there were significantly more tourists, which meant longer lines at the different photo spots. If you're planning to visit during peak season, expect to wait a bit if you want to take photos at the most popular viewpoints.
3. Bilar Man-Made Forest
From Chocolate Hills, we passed through the famous Bilar Man-Made Forest.
Even after all these years, driving beneath the towering mahogany trees still feels magical. The cool shade provides a refreshing break from the tropical heat, making it one of the most scenic stretches of the countryside tour.
Although it's usually just a quick stop, it's definitely worth taking a few photos.
4. Loboc River Cruise with Buffet Lunch
By lunchtime, we arrived at the Loboc River Cruise.
This remains one of my favorite parts of the countryside tour because you get to enjoy a relaxing river cruise while having a buffet lunch featuring Filipino dishes.
One thing I noticed that's new is the onboard photography service. Staff members take souvenir photos of guests during the cruise, and after the trip, you can choose to purchase digital copies, printed photos, or both if you'd like a keepsake of your experience.
As always, the live music, cultural performances, and peaceful scenery along the Loboc River made the experience enjoyable.
5. Mirror of the World
Since this was a revisit, we wanted to include something we hadn't experienced before, Mirror of the World.
This attraction features miniature replicas of famous landmarks from different countries, making it a fun place to explore and take photos.
Because we visited in the afternoon, it was quite hot. If you're planning to include Mirror of the World in your itinerary, you may want to bring an umbrella, wear comfortable clothing, and stay hydrated. Visiting later in the afternoon or during the night tour might also be more comfortable.
Despite the heat, it was a nice addition to our itinerary and gave us something new to experience after revisiting Bohol's classic attractions.
6. Baclayon Church
Our next stop was the historic Baclayon Church.
One of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines, it continues to impress with its centuries-old architecture and peaceful atmosphere. Having survived earthquakes and undergone restoration, it remains an important historical and religious landmark in Bohol.
7. Blood Compact Shrine
Our final tourist stop was the Blood Compact Shrine.
The monument commemorates the historic Sandugo or blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi in 1565, symbolizing friendship between the Filipinos and Spaniards.
It's a quick stop, but it's a nice way to end the countryside tour while appreciating a significant chapter in Philippine history.
Back to The Bellevue Resort
After around eight hours of sightseeing, our driver brought us back to The Bellevue Resort.
After spending the entire day exploring Bohol, we took some time to rest before ending the day with a relaxing night swim at the resort. It was the perfect way to unwind after a full day of sightseeing.
Final Thoughts
Revisiting Bohol after 17 years reminded me that while destinations naturally evolve, the memories they create remain timeless.
The Chocolate Hills now have better facilities, the Tarsier Sanctuary has become more educational and organized, and attractions like Mirror of the World give returning visitors something new to experience.
Whether it's your first trip or your second (or even third!), The Bohol Countryside Tour continues to be one of the best ways to experience the island's history, culture, wildlife, and natural beauty in a single day. Traveling with our son and two senior citizens also proved that it's a family-friendly itinerary that's enjoyable for travelers of all ages.
Travel Tips for the Bohol Countryside Tour
Here are a few things to keep in mind before your countryside tour:
Dress comfortably. Wear light, breathable clothing and comfortable walking shoes, especially if you're visiting during the summer months. Some attractions require a bit of walking, and it can get quite hot in the afternoon.
Bring extra clothes if you're doing the ATV adventure. If you plan to add an ATV ride at Chocolate Hills, expect to get dusty or muddy depending on the weather. A change of clothes and washable footwear will come in handy.
Dress appropriately for church visits. Since the itinerary includes historic churches like Baclayon Church, it's a good idea to wear modest clothing. If you're wearing shorts, a short skirt, or a sleeveless top, bring a shawl or light cover-up out of respect for the church's dress guidelines.
Baclayon Church is closed on Tuesdays. If your tour falls on a Tuesday, most tour operators substitute another historic stone church instead. You can still stop by Baclayon Church to admire its exterior and take photos of the grounds.
Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun. We visited Mirror of the World in the afternoon, and it was quite hot. Bringing a reusable water bottle, umbrella or cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen will make your tour much more comfortable.
Expect a full day of sightseeing. Our countryside tour lasted around eight hours, so it's best to have a hearty breakfast before your 8:30 AM pickup and keep some light snacks on hand, especially if you're traveling with children or senior citizens.
Read: 4 Days in Bohol
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