Let’s talk about Bohol.
The smaller island across from Cebu is a beloved destination in the Philippines, and its appeal is fairly obvious. This place is teeming with natural wonders. The coastline gives you access to white sand beaches and coral reefs, and going to the heart of the island takes you to the Chocolate Hills, one of the Philippines’ natural wonders. You’ve got tarsiers and whale sharks and plenty to do.
Having actual family ties to the Philippines means I haven’t really gotten around to some of the big things that attract international visitors, and that’s always felt funny when I would hear people rave about their experiences. I really knew I needed to shift that, so on my most recent visit to the Philippines, I added Bohol to the itinerary.
The kids and I had a great time. BUT, there was a lot I didn’t expect. Like how curated the Bohol experience tended to be. I tried processing that encounter with the reality of ecotourism.