Tagbilaran Travel Guide

As the primary gateway to Bohol, Tagbilaran City is often overlooked as most tourists go directly to the more famous attractions in the island province. However, it is not without it's own pocket of charms. Once you've ticked the big ticket sights off your list, we recommend checking out a good number of historical and cultural spots in the city.

The Blood Compact Monument

Do read up a bit on the history behind The Blood Compact Monument (J.P Inting Street, Tagbilaran City) before you visit the area. Otherwise it will just be another monument, one of those that you have seen elsewhere far too many times. This site actually depicts the blood compact between a native chieftain, Datu Sikatuna, and a Spaniard representing the King of Spain, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. There's nothing fancy about it and not much to see either but we appreciate its historical significance. We enjoyed taking photos nonetheless and shopped for souvenirs and local delicacies in the nearby shops.

Plaza Rizal

Plaza Rizal is another pleasant surprise here. The park is clean and well-maintained with plenty of shades and enough benches so you can sit down and rest for a bit. We went on a weekday and it was relatively deserted but we're guessing it will be packed on a weekend with families and church-goers. Featuring a replica of Bohol’s famous chocolate hills, the main draw here is the pigeons, a whole lot them. We fed them with crackers and soon they were all over us. If your camera has a fast shutter speed, you can get some really nice photos here. We certainly did.

St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral

Not far from here is the famous St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral (Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Tagbilaran City) which is undeniably the highlight of our city tour. We stopped by once during the day and once in the early evening as it was near our guesthouse and it was marvellous the both times. We cannot get over how beautiful the paintings on the ceiling were and the fact that the church walls were actually made of corals. The sun was at its highest when we dropped by the first time but it was breezy thanks to the wide windows that let plenty of air and light in.

Bohol National Museum

After the church, you can visit Bohol National Museum (Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Old Capitol Complex, Tagbilaran) which provides visitors with an interesting insight into the island's geographical history and culture. It's a small museum so you can probably go around and be done in half an hour but the wealth of information and displays inside are well-worth more than a quick stop. There are old paintings, vases, furniture, and preserved wildlife. What left a strong impression on us though were the fossils and human remains. We were taken aback with the skeletons on display and it's one memory we will not soon forget. The museum is free of charge so there really is no reason for you to pass on this.

Kaingit Beach

Fortunately, the city is not all about museums and historical landmarks. Not far from the city airport is Kaingit Beach, a popular beach destination for the locals. Its natural cove formation shelters it from the stormy weather and makes it one of the safest beaches in the province. Because of this, expect throngs of families with kids in tow especially on weekends. It’s a nice break from the usual city tour itinerary and a good chance to just kick back and relax. We enjoyed the fine sand and clear waters as well as the numerous vendors nearby that sell seafood and refreshments.

Most of these attractions are just literally a stone's throw from each other so if you have a day to spare at least, make sure to check these places out.