"BEAUTIFUL BOHOL " a Province of Bohol Travel Page by littlegirl0130

GEOGRAPHY OF BOHOL

Bohol is an island located between latitude 9°30' and 10°15' North and Longitude 123°40' and 124°30' East.

With a land area of 4117.3 square kilometers, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines, and lies in the middle of the Visayas. Bohol is surrounded by other islands on all sides, and is thus shielded from the typhoons that often occur in the region, as well as from the heaviest rains.

Bohol is separated from Mindanao by the Bohol sea in the South and the island of Leyte by the Canigao Channel in the East. The Comotes sea in the North separetes Bohol from the Camotes Islands, and the Bohol Strait separates it from Cebu.

THE BOHOLANO LANGUAGE

On Bohol, most people speak Cebuano, or, to be more exact, the local dialect of Cebuano, called Boholano. It differs in some respect from the Cebuano spoken on Cebu. For example:

Cebuano: Akoa baya ning sinilas.
Boholano: Ahoa baja ning sinilas.
Tagalog: Akin itong tsinilas na ito.
English: This is my slipper.

However, you will not face too much trouble making yourself understood on Bohol. Many people speak English, and almost all speak standard Cebuano as well as Tagalog.

WEATHER IN BOHOL

Surrounded by sea, but shielded from the strongest effects of tropical cyclones that often hit other parts of the Philippines by the surrounding Islands of Cebu, Mindanao, Samar and Leyte, Bohol has a very nice, tropical climate without much variations.

The nicest period to stay in Bohol is from November to February, when the climate is slightly cooler, while during the "Summer", which lasts March to May, the climate is slightly hotter than normal. Bohol does not have a very clear-cut dry season. It can rain any day of the year, but you wil have more chance for a heavy shower from November to January. If you want to see the Chocolate Hills in their "Chocolate" color, you will have to go their during the "Summer".

GETTING THERE

Bohol is located in the middle of the Philippines, and can be conveniently reached by air and boat.

Coming from abroad, you have two options: you can fly to Manila or Cebu. Cebu is the most convenient, but only a limited number of international flights will arrive there. Coming from Europe, you'll need to have a stop-over in either Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong, however, it will save you the hassle of going through Manila. Among others, the following airlines fly international routes to Cebu: Silk Air, Malaysia Airlines, and Cathay Pacific.

If you come via Manila, you'll probably want to take a connecting flight to Tagbilaran, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is also possible to take a boat to Bohol, but will take 25 hours, and is only advisable if you have plenty of time and enjoy a trip on sea, or have to travel on a rock-bottom budget. If you come from Manila, you can also go to Cebu by air, and then continue by boat. There are numerous daily flights from Manila to Cebu. The flying time is about 50 minutes. The transfer by taxi from the airport to the pier takes about 30 minutes in normal traffic conditions, and should cost 165 pesos. The following airlines fly on the from Manila to Cebu: PAL, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit, Astro Air, and Grand Air.

It is always worthwhile to look for a promotional fare if you fly. You can save a considerable amount of money by asking around a little.

If you come via Cebu, you can also take a short 25 minute flight, but you'll probably want to take the one and a half hour trip with a fast boat to Tagbilaran. The regular boat to Tagbilaran will take about four hours. It is also possible to take a boat to Tubigon and Talibon, which may be more convenient if you want to be on the west or north coast of the island.

The most economical way to get from Cebu to Tagbilaran by boat is to catch a ferry to Tubigon, and continue by bus from Tubigon to Tagbilaran. This is sometimes both faster and cheaper than taking a boat directly to Tagbilaran.