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1. Bohol, Philippines

Popular Tourist Attractions

Chocolate Hills

This is the most famous tourists attraction in Bohol consisting of 1,268 haycock hills with heights ranging from 40 to 120 meters, the Chocolate Hils is a wonder of nature. The Hills are considered as a Philippine National Geological Monument. During the summer, the dome-shaped, grass-covered limestone hills dry up and turn brown transforming the areas into rows and rows of chocolate “kisses

Diving Sites

Bohol is surrounded by a large number of coral reefs, which are very rich in life, and a delight to observe, and a prime tourist attraction. Bohol is blessed with white-sand beaches and serene dive spots. Panglao Island has a number of beach resorts for sun lovers where various watersports are available. Near Panglao are the island of Balicasag and Pamilacan. Balicasag is considered as one of the best dive spots in the country. The waters of Pamilacan are brimming with schools of tuna, snappers, groupers, mackerel and surgeonfish. Dolphins and pilot whales can also be viewed from a distance.

Beaches in Bohol

Kaingit Beach, Santa Fe Beach, Anda Beach, Laya Beach, Bikini Beach, Imelda Beach, Duero Beach, Canuba Beach, Claring Beach, Lintuan Beach, Alona Beach, Doljo Beach is ideal for scuba diving, and Momo Beach is another white sand beach.

Hiking and Cycling

Bohol’s numerous hills, valleys and plateaus are ideal for hiking and cycling. In Bilar, a three-kilometer man-made forest is sanctuary to the province’s endangered species including the tarsier.

Hinagdanan Cave

With its breath-taking symphony of stalactites and stalagmites jutting out of the earth, the Hinagdanan Cave is certainly a sight to behold. Bring a swimsuit if you want to swim its cool springs aptly lit from above by natural skylights.

Badiang Spring

An underground freshwater spring gushes from twin pipes near the sea. The large volume of water normally flows over a waterfall but can be diverted to fill an adjacent swimming pool.

Old Churches and Other Religious Institution

One of the earliest Spanish settlements, Bohol is home to one of the country’s oldest stone churches, the Baclayon Church. The legendary Dauis Church, which is just a few minutes from Tagbilaran features a fresh water well at the foot of the altar. The waters are said to be blessed with healing powers. Still another religious must-see is the Panglao Church with its marvelous ceiling murals and intricately-carved antique confessionals.

Bohol Museum

One of the homes of former President Carlos P. Garcia and his family. On display are memorabilia, relics and samples of the island’s flora and fauna.

Falls

There are three popular falls in Bohol, Busay Falls, Inambacan Falls and Tontonan Falls.

2. Cebu, Philippines

Famous Tourist Attractions

Lapu-Lapu Monument

Proudly standing at Mactan Island is Lapu-Lapu’s bronze form. He is the first Filipino leader to resist Spanish attempt of colonization. His statue ironically stands across the street from that of rival, Magellan.

Magellan’s Cross

In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross on the very spot where the first Filipinos were baptized People started chipping off parts of the cross because of supposed supernatural powers until the city government encased it in tindalo wood and housed it in a monument. It now stands at the corner of Magallanes and Burgos streets.

Mactan Island

A coral island and famous for scuba diving, where beach resorts of international standards are located.

Badian Island

South of Cebu – Located southwest of Cebu City, famous for beautiful corals and reefs, white sandy beaches excellent for diving.

Kawasan Falls

Located in Badian, one can feel the coolness of the surrounding lush greenery of this panoramic waterfalls.

Olango Wildlife Sanctuary

Olango Island supports the largest concentration of migratory birds found so far in the country. Migration starts from the breeding places of birds in Siberia, Northern China and Japan.

Religious Image of Santo Niño

It is considered as the oldest religious relic in the Philippines. It was on April 14, 1521 that Magellan gave the image to Queen Juana as a baptismal gift. Forty-four years later, on April 27, 1565 when Miguel Lopez de Legaspi arrived, Fr. Andres de Urdaneta who formally Christianized the Cebuanos, found the natives hostile. Legaspi himself besieged the settlement and set the village on fire. It was on one of the burnt houses that Juan Camus, a soldier, found the image of Sto. Niño unscratched. Since then, the miraculous image has been venerated by the Cebuanos as its Patron Saint.

Basilica Minor Del Santo Niño

This church was built by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Fr. Andres Urdaneta on the site where the image of Santo Niño was found in 1565.

Mandaue- Mactan Brigde

Built in 1972 at a cost of P65 million. This 864-meter bridge connects the islands of Mactan and Cebu. The bridge is situated on top of Busay Hills, an excellent sight seeing spot which offers a breathtaking view of Metro Cebu and the islands of Mactan and Olango.

3. Mindoro, Philippines

Tourists Destinations in Occidental Mindoro

Apo Reef National Park -UNESCO World Heritage Center

Apo Reef National Park is acclaimed as one of the best diving sites in Asia. It is a 34-kilometer reef, with a narrow channel running east to west, dividing this reef into two lagoon systems, north and south. Apo Reef is the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world and the largest one in the Philippines.

Mt. Iglit-Bacu National Park- UNESCO World Heritage Center

Mt. Iglit is one of Mindoro’s reservation areas, declared as a game sanctuary for tamaraws, wild animals found nowhere else in the world. The tamaraw bears a close resemblance to the Philippine water buffalo, commonly known as carabao.

Mamburao Beach Resort

This resort is within a completely secluded cove covering 14 hectares of developed beach resort amidst coconut trees. It has a four-kilometer long light grey sand beach. The place is ideal for swimming, boating, scuba diving, wind surfing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, and water skiing. Water sports facilities such as glass-bottomed boat, speedboat, hobbie cat, and outrigger boats are available.

Mina de Oro Beach Resort

This resort serves as a jump-off point to other attractions of the island of Ilin. There are ancient burial caves of early Chinese traders, ethnic fishing villages, and numerous dive sites from which to view many tropical fishes.

Ambulong Island

The 3,000-hectare Ambulong Island is one of the three islands found in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. It is characterized by white sand beaches, cliffs along pillars jutting out of the water, and underwater caves. Coral gardens and tropical fish are abundant in several coves.

Ilin Island

Ilin Island is the biggest among the group of islands located in San Jose. It lies between San Jose and Ambulong Island. The area abounds in shells which can be obtained inexpensively on the island.

Lubang Island

It was in this island where a Japanese soldier named Hiroo Onoda was found in 1974. He surrendered as a prisoner of war after 30 years of hiding in the mountains. Another Captain of the Japanese Imperial Army, Fumio Nakahira, held out for another six years before being discovered in April 1980 at Mt. Halcon in Mindoro.

Ambil Island

An interesting attraction of Ambil is the scenic Besay Falls.It features a series of waterfalls, each cascading into a crystal clear basin, about five meters in diameter.

Pandan Grande Island

Pandan Grande Island is a 30-hectare islet surrounded by a white sand beach. This beautiful little coral islet is located with snorkeling distance from a submarine drop-off, inhabited by schools of reef.

White Island

It has an almost mile-long beach with smooth and powdery white sand. The tranquil and peaceful island is an ideal place for swimming, scuba diving and fishing. Turtle eggs are occasionally found buried in the sand and visitors are cautioned to keep them undisturbed.

Enjoy your stay in these beautiful islands of the The Pear of the Orient-Philippines.

Fore more tourist destinations in the Philippines see

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Top Eight Best Diving in the Philippines

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