Bohol, Philippines: Finding Joy in Simple Adventures

Discovering Bohol: A Laid-Back Escape

Bohol wasn’t originally on our itinerary, but when we heard about its quiet beaches, lush landscapes, and famous Chocolate Hills, we knew we had to make a stop. After weeks of fast-paced travel, we were craving a destination where we could slow down, enjoy the moment, and soak in a little island life.

And Bohol delivered. Our family vacation to the Philippines, and especially Bohol quickly became one of our most memorable, not because of extravagant tours or luxury resorts, but because of the simple adventures that made us laugh, connect, and appreciate the beauty around us.

The Simple Joy of Island Time

The moment we arrived, the slower pace of Bohol became obvious. There were no massive crowds, no rushed itineraries—just palm trees swaying in the breeze and a sense of calm we hadn’t realized we needed.

We settled into a small but charming beachfront guesthouse, where the sound of waves replaced the constant hum of traffic we had grown used to in busier cities. Our days quickly fell into an easy rhythm: mornings on the beach, afternoons exploring, and evenings watching the sunset with our feet in the sand.

One of the best parts of our family vacation to Bohol was simply walking along the shore, collecting seashells, and watching the kids chase tiny crabs that skittered across the sand. There were no theme parks, no packed schedules—just us, the ocean, and the warm tropical air.

The Chocolate Hills: Nature’s Own Playground

Of course, no visit to Bohol is complete without seeing the Chocolate Hills. With over 1,200 perfectly rounded hills spread across the island, they looked more like a surreal painting than a real-life landscape.

We climbed to the top of the viewing area, taking in the endless view of rolling brown-green hills. We spent what felt like hours just sitting there, taking in the scenery and laughing at the ridiculous names we gave the hills. It was one of those moments where we realized that travel doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful—sometimes, the best memories come from the simplest places.

Tarsiers: Meeting the World’s Tiniest Primates

Another highlight of our trip was visiting the Tarsier Sanctuary. These tiny primates, with their impossibly big eyes and delicate fingers, were even smaller than we had imagined. We walked through the sanctuary quietly, careful not to disturb them, as they clung to tree branches and blinked sleepily in the midday sun.

The guide explained that tarsiers are incredibly sensitive to noise and stress, which meant we had to resist every urge to squeal over their cuteness. Lila whispered that they looked like tiny Jedi Masters, and Cooper (completely ignoring the silence rule) whispered back, “Or Yoda’s long-lost cousins.”

It was a short visit, but it stuck with us. The kids talked about the tarsiers for days afterward, constantly debating whether we could keep one as a pet (spoiler: absolutely not).

The Unexpected Magic of a River Cruise

One of the simplest yet most memorable parts of our family vacation in Bohol was a river cruise along the Loboc River. At first, we weren’t sure what to expect—it wasn’t an activity we had planned far in advance, but we decided to give it a try.

Floating down the calm, emerald-green river, we were treated to live music, delicious Filipino food, and the sight of local children jumping from trees into the water. It felt like a scene from a movie—the kind of effortless, happy moment that stays with you long after the trip is over.

At one point, a group of dancers performed a traditional Filipino folk dance on a floating platform, inviting guests to join in. Ash and the kids took on the challenge, attempting to step between the bamboo poles as they clapped together in rhythm. Let’s just say their coordination could use some work—but we laughed until our sides hurt.

Why Bohol Was the Perfect Stop on Our Family Vacation to the Philippines

Looking back, what made our family vacation to Bohol so special wasn’t the sightseeing checklist or a packed itinerary—it was the little moments in between. It was watching the sunset while sipping fresh coconut juice. It was laughing over our terrible dance moves on the river cruise. It was the kids making up stories about the Chocolate Hills and trying (unsuccessfully) to convince us to adopt a tarsier.

Bohol reminded us that sometimes, the best family travel experiences aren’t about doing more—they’re about slowing down and simply enjoying where you are, together.

And that’s exactly why we’ll be back.