Our WANDERful JouRnEy!: Falling In Love with Bohol Province Part I

It was September of year 2011 when Honey and I decided to celebrate my birthday in the beautiful province of Bohol. It was an unexpected Cebu-Bohol trip since me and my friends have gone to Sagada-Banaue trip the previous month and we still have the booked tickets from Cebu Pacific. Instead of feeling bad with the tickets, Honey and I pursued the trip for my birthday. Lucky and Happy Me!

During our first day we visited Cebu City first and explored the nearby Magellan’s Cross, Basilica de Sto. Nino and Fort Santiago. We spent a night in Cebu City then travelled by ferry to Tagbilaran the following morning. Coming from Cebu you need to ride fast craft for 1 hour and 40minutes to reach Tagbilaran City. For your convenience, you can buy in advance ferry tickets (800/2way) from 2Go in Robinson’s Mall Cebu (2^nd floor Robinson’s city proper) for a sure seat.

2GO booth selling ferry tickets Cebu-Bohol

SuperCat Cebu - Bohol

Tagbilaran Port

Upon arrival at Tagbilaran port, we were fetched by Paragayo Resort service van; our choice of stay for 3 days in Bohol. Paragayo Resort, even though not a beach front hotel is just a 2-3 minute walk from Panglao’s famous Alona beach. It’s a convenient inn since it is located along the road and near different establishments like eatery, restaurants, souvenir shops, internet shops and convenient stores.

Front of Paragayo Resort Bohol

Comfort Room for Standard room

Double bed

Paragayo’s rate starts from 900 for fan room up to 3000php for room that fits 4 people. What we’ve got was their standard air-conditioned room good for 2 worth 1300 per night and 2500php for Countryside tour with ferry/airport transfer. They also offer room packages with Countryside Tour (Chocolate Hills) for 4,960php on sharing. All room rates increases for about 13% on peak season especially Holy week. All room amenities including air-conditioning unit, hot and cold shower, safety deposit box , TV in deluxe room work fine. They provide towels, soaps and a roll of tissue, replenished/changed daily, and they will clean/change your towels everyday which is really a nice gesture. You will enjoy your stay in Paragayo Resort as this inn is always clean, with free public wifi and has a garden where you can relax on one of their native hut while surfing the net or just simply reading a book. My favorite place in Paragayo is their well-maintained garden and their pavilion in the garden where we stay every time we hang out after the tour to relax and to connect to the Wi-Fi. I love staying at their garden while on a rocking chair because it's so relaxing. Moreover, the staffs are friendly and very accommodating making sure they will attend to all your needs especially if you want to arrange a tour with them. We really enjoyed our stay in Paragayo as it is very relaxing, with good ambience, helpful staff and really best value for money.

Paragayo Resort Bohol

Paragayo Resort

For more information you can visit their website or contact them by email and they will reply as soon as they got your message.

Paragayo Resort, At Rona's Corner Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, 6340

Telephone numbers: (038) 502 4043 or (038) 502 9172

Mobile number: (Smart) 0918 7183316

E-mail: paragayoresort@gmail.com

www.panglaoisland.net/paragayoresort/

For other hotel recommendations in Bohol, you may check out this list:

Bohol beachclub

+63 38 502 9222

Coco Grove Tourist Inn

Ciculado St., Poblacion Dauis Bohol

+63 38 411-4904, 411-4396, 502-2150, 501-7557

Email: info@cocogrovebohol.com, doryppenales@yahoo.com

Harmony Hotel

Danao, Panglao Bohol

+63 38 502 8289

+639054118911

Whites &Greens Beach resort

Brgy. Libaong Panglao, Bohol

+63 908 958 6878

+63 38 502 9433

Alona Kew WhiteBeach Resort

Bgy. Tawala Alona Beach, Panglao

+63 38 502 9042

+63 908 529 1146 +63 917 304 1936

Dao DiamondHotel

Km. 3 Dao District Tagbilaran City

+63 38 411 5568

+63 917 306 2946

E-mail: daodiamond@hotmail.com

Bohol TropicsResort

Graham Avenue, Tagbilaran City

+63 38 411 3510 to 14

E-mail: boholtropics@boholtropics.com info@boholtropics.com

During our 1^st day in Bohol, we explored Panglao’s famous Alona Beach. Probably the most developed beach on Panglao is Alona Beach. Located at the Southwest of the island, this beach is about one and a half kilometers long, lined with several nice resorts and accommodations which are great to stay for some time and different food establishments to eat out as well. Several motorboats are wharfed here as this is the jump-off point for trippers going to Balicasag Island. The beach has a fine cream white sand and clear waters. Staying at the beach is so relaxing even though we don't have the chance to swim because of winds and waves, staying at the seashore while listening to beach waves was just enough.