Bohol on a Budget

A friend called me the other day to tell me that they might cancel their trip to Bohol due to financial constraints. They have been ransacking the internet for days now but have failed to find affordable tours. I don't blame them--prices of packaged tours may get quite steep, especially those organized by posh hotels or popular travel agencies in Alona Beach or Panglao.

I am one of those individuals who are fortunate enough to have Bohol as our hometown. I'm extremely blessed because I get to go there almost every year. While most family reunions are done in one's house/garden or for some, in resorts or restaurants, our family get-togethers usually take place on the white-sand beaches of Bohol! Lucky, right?

But, don't get me wrong, I still try to look for good deals whenever we're in Bohol, especially since we go there during the fiesta season in summer, when prices reach the highest level. But it's still possible to enjoy the islands and chocolate hills of Bohol without burning your pockets, if you just know where to look.

The rates below are the usual prices during Bohol's peak season (summer + May 1 fiesta) so you might still be able to haggle them down during off-peak dates.

Balicasag Island over there!

Dolphin-watching and Island-hopping Tour

Some hotels situated in Alona Beach offered island-hopping tours for PhP 2,500-3,500. Rate of one posh hotel was crazy, PhP4,000 for only 4 people!

Fortunately, my cousin, JR, was able to find a boatman who offered us a reasonably-priced tour, yey! For only PhP1,500, we got to enjoy the following:

• Jump-off point in Alona Beach
• Boat that can sit up to 10 people 
• Inclusive of lifevests
• Dolphin-watching at dawn
• Balicasag Island
• Virgin Island (Pungtod Island as locals call it)

Pretty cool, huh?

Here's our boat, Stephany Grace, with our boatman, Kuya Carlo

And guess what? We were able to see some small whales and dolphins! We were very lucky that day since the playful marine creatures went out and engaged in a game of tag with us. We almost lost hope and decided to go to Balicasag Island already when all of a sudden, they appeared from nowhere!

For a couple of minutes, we tried to keep up with them while they swam near our boat. Each time they jumped above the water, our whole boat roared with cheers. We knew that we should have kept quiet so we won't scare them away but we could not contain our excitement!

They were too fast for our cameras; hence, the lack of dolphin/whale photos. And we couldn't go too near because the motor of our boat might injure them.

Whale- / Dolphin-watching Tips

Although there's really no guarantee that you will see whales or dolphins as the boatmen have no control over these creatures. Here are some tips to make your whale-/dolphin-watching experience enjoyable:

• Arrive early. Recommended time is at the strike of morning at dawn, sometimes even as early as 5:00 AM. We left Alona Beach before 5:00 AM. It is said that dolphins and whales are really active during nighttime and wee hours of morning. Other tourists refuse to wake up early while on vacation and miss the chance of seeing these playful sea creatures.
• Bring a good camera lens. Dolphins or whales won't be riding alongside your boat all the time. Most of the time they will be pretty far so you if you have a zoom lens, you might want to bring this too.

Balicasag Island

We arrived on the white shores of Balicasag Island minutes after our dolphin-watching activity. We weren't able to eat breakfast since we left quite early that day.

There are restaurants in Balicasag Island but like any other tourist area, prices are quite steep. Tourists may opt to order but this is optional as they can also bring their baon--just like what we did. We rented a cottage good for all 9 of us while my cousins, Niño, JR, Gypsy, and Maeve kept themselves busy by preparing our meals.

Missing JC in this photo.

JR and Gypsy went to the market the day before and bought pork and fish which were grilled once we got to Balicasag Island. Other items that we brought were water, snacks, bread, softdrinks, plates, cups, and utensils.

There are three options:

• Order from the restaurants in Balicasag Island (but I'm telling you, prices are steep)
• Ask the hotel to pack their breakfast meals and just bring them to the island
• Go to a market and buy your supplies. For those wondering, there is a small market near Panglao Island which can be reached via tricycle.

Obviously, we chose the 3rd option primarily because we wanted to save money and also because we could just easily get our utensils and other stuff needed from our house in Tagbilaran hehehe.

Good thing we brought food because we still had to spend for snorkeling fees and mask rental.

And oh, there are clean restrooms on the island.

At the snorkeling area with our guide

Small boats are everywhere and the guide makes sure his guests do not get hit while snorkeling.

My cousins, Nins Marines, Maeve, and my godson, Kurt

Balicasag Island's rich marine life

Virgin Island

This is my favorite among the two famous islands in Panglao because of two reasons: 1) its sandbar is amazing and 2) there is a store which sells fresh buko, banana cue, sea urchins, and shells.

Unfortunately, we spent so much time in Balicasag and by the time we reached Virgin Island, the ocean already covered the sandbar. But we still had the best time of our lives. After all, it was our first time to enjoy fresh buko and banana cue in the middle of the sea! Simple joys!

Huli!

Look how clear the water is and how white the sand is

We stayed there until the ocean was waist-deep and then went back to Alona Beach.


Alona Beach

Some locals call Alona Beach as "Mini Boracay" because of its long strip of bars, restaurants, and hotels. At night, it transforms into a party area with good music. However, night life in Alona Beach is subtler and more relaxed compared to Boracay.

But... prices of food, especially seafood, and beer are much more expensive in Alona Beach. Lobsters can cost up to PhP1,500 per 120g while local beers can be priced at PhP90-100 per bottle.

Again, there are options:

• Buy alcoholic beverages and drink by the shore
• If you are checked in one the hotels, drink in the hotel's restaurant, garden, or common area
• Drink early and avail the bars' happy hour promos (i.e., 6 bottles for PhP300)
• Eat where the locals eat

We went for the 1st option while waiting for the sun to set and eventually, capped the night with happy hour discounts.

PhP120 for a set meal with iced tea

Tips

Alona Beach is pretty much one of the most popular spots in Panglao Islands. This is also where a lot of hotels/inns are situated. However, since this is a tourist area, prices of accommodations are higher compared to when you choose to stay in a hotel in Tagbilaran.

But if you are into swimming or chilling at the beach, I recommend that you settle in Alona Beach instead. Although prices of accommodations in Tagbilaran are way cheaper, the cost of tricycle transportation will surely hurt your wallet (PhP350-500 per tricycle one-way).

For affordable accommodation in Alona Beach, Chocolate Hills tour, and airport pick-up/transfers, READ: In-Laws In-Bohol

Always remember to keep an open-mind, be polite, and appreciate the small stuff and for sure, you'll be enjoying your island-hopping in Panglao, Bohol.


Contact

Kuya Carlo Lusterio
Boat Captain of Stephany Grace
Island-hopping and Dolphin-watching
PhP1,500 up to 10 people (exclusive of Balicasag Island snorkeling fees and mask rentals)
Cellphone No. 0921 266 2233
Highly recommended!