The Philippines - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 640

interior. Most people see the interior as
part of an organized countryside tour,
which also includes lunch on a floating
restaurant along the lush banks of the
Loboc River. Adrenaline-seekers may
want to head to the Loboc Ecotourism
Adventure Park ( T 038 37 9292) where
you can zipline (P350) or ride a rickety
cable car (P250) above the river at a
height of 100m. You can arrange tours of
the interior through your accommo-
dation or the tourist o ce. Otherwise,
you can catch a bus to Carmen from the
Dao terminal (hourly; P60) and tell the
driver you're going to the Chocolate
Hills Adventure Park. here are also
frequent jeepneys to Sikatuna (40min;
P30) from the Dao bus terminal, which
stop at the Tarsier sanctuary. Another
great way to see the island's highlights is
to rent a motorbike in Panglao and
explore at leisure.
Other than visiting the interior, the
main activities are beach-based . here's
world-class diving around Panglao;
experienced divers shouldn't miss a trip to
either the exquisite little island of
Balicasag , or to Pamilacan Island , where
it's possible to see short-finned pilot
whales, long-snouted spinner, spotted,
bottlenose and melon-headed dolphins.
Any resort or dive operator on Alona
Beach can arrange this. As with all diving
spots in the Philippines, it pays to shop
around before committing.

Destinations Daily fast ferries to Cebu City (hourly; 2hr)
and Siquijor (3hr 30min) via Dumaguete (2 daily; 2hr)

INFORMATION
Facilities at Alona revolve around the tourist centre and
Seashine Travel (see below) next door, although you can
also make most bookings at your resort.
Tourist information Tagbilaran: The tourist o ce
(Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; T 038 411 3666, W bohol.gov.ph) is
located in the New Capitol Commercial Complex, Marapao
St, and, while not terribly helpful, can organize countryside
tours (P2500). There's also a small tourist o ce at the ferry
dock (daily 8am-7pm) and at the airport (daily 8am-
5pm). Most resorts are well geared up for tourists and can
offer better information.
Tourist Information Panglao: Seashine Travel (daily
9am-8pm; T 038 502 9038), where the beach path
meets the road, can arrange transport to Tagbilaran pier
and day-trips to the Chocolate Hills. The tourist centre
(daily 9am-9pm; T 038 502 9100), next door to Seashine
Travel, has a postal service, currency exchange and
internet access.

8

ACCOMMODATION
ALONA BEACH
Chillout Guesthouse T 038 502 4480, W chillout
-panglao.com. French-run guesthouse with seven spic-
and-span rooms, all with spacious private terraces. There's
also a chill-out lounge and bar serving authentic French
crêpes and home-made yoghurt. P1000
Citadel Alona T 038 502 9424, W citadelalona.com.
Rooms at this British-owned place are located in an airy
and cosy house, all with shared bathroom. Good option
for self-caterers, with communal kitchen and barbecue
facilities. There's a self-contained unit at the back for those
wanting more privacy. Free wi-fi. P750
Coco Farm 5km south of Alona Beach T 0917 304 9801.
Enjoy a taster of authentic Filipino life at this welcoming
coco farm with accommodation in native huts. All greens
served at the restaurant are freshly picked from the herbal
garden and there are giant hammock swings to while the
afternoon away. Call for pick-u p (P10 0 from Alona Beach).
Find them on Facebook. Dorm P300 , double P600
Paragayo T 038 502 4043, W paragayoresort.com. On
the edge of Alona, a 5min walk back from the beach, this
English-owned budget place has well-equipped rooms
set aro und a pleasant garden with wi-fi. Pay P300 extra
for a/c. P900
Reggae Guesthouse T 0949 319 1946, W reggae
guesthousephilippines.com. Run by a chilled-out French
couple, this guesthouse, with hemp flags and Bob
Marley memorabilia decorating the communal area, has
six cosy, sp otless bungalows set around a pleasant
garden area. P1000

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane Tagbilaran Airport is under 1km from the city.
A tricycle will cost P100 to the centre of town. Private taxis
will take you to Alona Beach for P500-600.
Destinations Air Asia, Cebu Pacific and PAL all fly from
Tagbilaran to Manila (daily; 1hr 15min).
By bus Dao integrated bus terminal is 10min north of
Tagbilaran along Clarin Ave by tricycle (P25) and is the
departure point for all other destinations on Bohol. Buses
and jeepneys heading for Panglao are marked for Alona.
For the Chocolate Hills, catch a bus to Carmen (hourly; 1hr
30min). Buses from Alona to Tagbilaran pick up on the
main road, but aren't particularly frequent. Sharing a taxi/
private transfer between Alona and Tagbilaran can be a
good-value option (P500-600).
By ferry The pier is in the northwest of Tagbilaran off
Gallares St, a 10min tricycle ride (P30) to the centre. The
terminal fee is P11.25.