Loboc

The basics

The most popular way to access the Loboc River is on a lunch cruise, which typically feature live music and a sumptuous buffet lunch on-board, plus a stop to listen to a performance by the renowned Loboc Children’s Choir. Cruises are typically combined with a visit to the Chocolate Hills, one of the Philippines’ National Monuments, and the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, a reserve home to the world’s smallest primate.

Things to know before you go

• A cruise on the Loboc River is a great way to escape the crowds of Cebu and Tagbilaran City.
• The majority of day trips depart from Cebu and include round-trip ferry rides between the island; they often last upwards of eight hours.
• It is customary to give the performers a small tip so ensure you bring small change if you plan on doing so.

How to get there

From Tagbilaran City—home to Bohol's port, where ferries from Cebu City arrive regularly—Loboc is a 45-minute drive depending on the traffic. No public transport services the town so you’ll need to either hire a car or visit as part of a tour.

When to get there

Regardless of when you visit, Bohol’s tropical climate means you can expect intermittent rain showers and high humidity. For the lowest chance of rain, head to Loboc between November and April, when short showers tend to give way to sunny days.

Chocolate Hills

No visit to Bohol would be complete without ticking off the Chocolate Hills, a collection of 1,260 mounds that get their name from the rich brown color they turn during the dry summer months. To see the hills at their brownest, visit between March and June, when you’ll also enjoy the lowest chance of rain.