Bohol is most crowded during the month of May, as there’s a feast happening somewhere on the island every single day! Believe it or not, some people even joke that the island sinks every May because so many people flock there to celebrate.
A famous island in Bohol is Panglao. Many local and international tourists visit it for its beautiful white-sand beaches. I've been there a couple of times already, but I haven't really explored other parts of the island aside from Alona Beach.
Luckily, I was invited by my lover to join him at their cousin's home in Panglao as part of their yearly tradition of celebrating the feast (since their roots are from there). It was also my first time meeting his extended family, and I was glad to receive such a warm welcome.
This was probably my third time on the island, but Looc, where their home is located, was a place I had never been to before. So, in a way, it still felt like my first time!
I got to experience the amazing Bohol fiesta culture, where people go from one house to another to enjoy the food prepared by the hosts. For the record, we visited three houses, and honestly, I was so full afterward! It was definitely one for the books.
Additionally, here are some of the places we visited during our stay, which made the trip even more memorable.
Momo Beach
This was the nearest beach to us, just a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute ride from the house we were staying in. We ended up visiting this beach almost every day.
I’ve come to realize that Alona Beach isn’t the only beautiful beach in Panglao. Tucked away at the tip of the island, Momo Beach is a hidden gem! While it does get a bit crowded with locals on weekends, it's the perfect spot for a relaxing swim on weekdays when there are only a few people around.
Hinagdanan Cave
Bohol isn’t just blessed with beautiful white-sand beaches, it also boasts many other natural wonders. One of them is the stunning Hinagdanan Cave.
This cave is located in Brgy. Dauis, still part of Panglao Island. Here, tourists can go down into the cave and take a dip in its cold, clear waters.
It felt a bit scary at first since you’re literally underground. I couldn’t help but think, “What if there’s an earthquake?” but thankfully, we were able to enjoy the experience, and nothing went wrong.
By the way, don’t follow our example as we went too late! Swimming is only allowed until 4:30 PM, and we arrived around 4 PM. As a result, we didn’t get to enjoy it as much as we had hoped.
Common Crew Cafe
The last time I was on the island in 2022, there were only a few cafés around. But this time, I was surprised to see how many coffee places have popped up. Even in the farthest barangays, you can spot a few. The island has really developed over the years.
One of the cafés we visited was Common Crew Cafe. The ambiance was very laid-back, and it wasn’t one of those overly crowded places.
It’s the perfect spot if you want some alone time to read a book or if you just want to hang out and chill with friends. On another note, the only downside for me was that it’s not air-conditioned. But overall, it was a decent and cozy café.
Bohol Bee Farm
One of the most popular food spots in Bohol is the Bohol Bee Farm. I believe it became well-known because of its unique ice cream flavors, which eventually turned into their signature offering.
The restaurant is often visited by families and large groups. Aside from their famous scoops, it also offers a beautiful view of the sea.
We didn’t dine in, as our visit was just a spontaneous afternoon ride to Dauis, the barangay where the restaurant is located. We simply took a few photos for memories and each got a cone of ice cream. I had avocado, while my boyfriend had ube.
All in all, this trip to Panglao was a refreshing escape, filled with good food, stunning spots, and meaningful moments. Even though I had been to the island before, seeing it through a different lens this time made it feel like a brand-new experience. It's amazing how a familiar place can still surprise you with hidden gems and new memories.
Traveling doesn't always have to be grand or far to be meaningful. Sometimes, all it takes is a short trip, good company, and an open heart to truly enjoy the journey. Panglao will always have a special place in mine, and I can’t wait to go back again soon.
Thank you for reading my post up to this point. I hope you have a great time ahead!
I'll take delight in writing for you again soon.
Love,
Sam ♡
Hello, in case you have not read my intro post, my name is Samantha. You may call me Sam for short. I am from Cebu, a beautiful island in the Philippines. I created this space in an attempt to put all the good things in one place, thus, my blog name @wholesamdiaries.
Let's connect! I'd be glad to discover more amazing people here. Thank you once again and see you around! ♡