Bohol Chocolate Hills Tour with Loboc River Lunch Buffet

The best part of this Bohol day is the Loboc River cruise, where a buffet lunch, tropical scenery, and live music turn a long sightseeing day into a pleasant finish. You also get the island’s big sights in one circuit, from the Blood Compact Monument and Baclayon Church to the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers.

I like the useful mix of history and nature, and I like that the $58 price includes the vehicle, driver, fuel, entrance fees, environmental charges, and river lunch. The catch is the shared transport: the group is meant to total 12 people, and the day can feel rushed or poorly organized if pickup runs late or the vehicle is overfilled.

Key points to know before booking

• The Loboc River lunch is the day’s strongest feature, with a two-hour cruise, buffet meal, scenery, and live entertainment.
• The Chocolate Hills viewing stop is not always generous, so keep your camera ready and expect a busy sightseeing schedule.
• Tarsier sightings are not guaranteed in large numbers, since these tiny animals may be difficult to spot.
• Xzootic Animal Park is a modest wildlife stop, not a major zoo or full-scale conservation center.
• The tour is shared and starts early, with pickup at McDonald’s Panglao from 8:00 AM and a pickup window lasting up to 30 minutes.
• The $58 package covers many costs, but you should carry cash for souvenirs and any activity or purchase not listed as included.

One long day through Bohol’s countryside

This is a classic Bohol circuit rather than a slow, single-site visit. Over about eight hours, you travel inland from Panglao, stop at historic landmarks and wildlife sites, pause for the famous Chocolate Hills, and finish on the Loboc River.

That broad coverage is the main reason to book it. If you have only one free day for Bohol’s interior, this tour gives you a useful first look without making you arrange separate transport, entry fees, and lunch.

The tradeoff is pace. You will spend a good part of the day in the vehicle, and each stop has a set time. I would choose this tour for variety and convenience, not for long, quiet visits at every location.

The day begins at McDonald’s Panglao. Be ready by 8:00 AM, and allow up to 30 minutes for the pickup process. Since this is a shared tour, bring patience and keep your morning flexible.

The Blood Compact Monument and Bohol’s Spanish-era past

The first stop is the Blood Compact Monument, with about 30 minutes for a photo stop. The monument recalls the 1565 agreement between Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, an important moment in the early contact between Spain and Bohol.

You will not spend hours here, but the stop gives the day a useful historical beginning. It is also a chance to stretch your legs after pickup and get your first photos before heading to Baclayon.

Baclayon Church, one of the island’s oldest churches

The visit to Baclayon Church lasts about 30 minutes. Built from coral stone, it is known as one of the oldest churches in the Philippines and is one of the clearest reminders of Bohol’s long Spanish colonial period.

This is a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in architecture, religion, or local history. The visit is brief, so you should not expect a detailed church tour or a long museum visit.

Access can depend on opening conditions. One account of the tour found the church closed, leaving only an exterior view. That means you should treat this as a scheduled visit with some practical uncertainty, rather than assuming the interior will always be available.

Xzootic Animal Park: a small wildlife stop

Next comes Xzootic Animal Park, also described as a Python and Butterfly Sanctuary. You have about an hour for wildlife viewing.

The attraction includes butterflies and animals such as Philippine crocodiles, hornbills, a lemur, and a flying squirrel. It is a compact facility, so set your expectations accordingly. This is not a large modern zoo with extensive habitats and dozens of exhibits.

The stop may appeal to families and anyone curious about Philippine wildlife, but it is also the most uneven part of the day. Animal displays can be limited, and the quality of the visit may depend on what is active and visible during your hour.

I would keep this portion flexible in your mind. Enjoy the chance to see local species, but do not book the tour mainly for the butterfly or animal park. The Chocolate Hills and Loboc River are much stronger reasons to come.

A short pause in the Man-Made Forest

The road then passes through Bohol’s Man-Made Forest, with about 15 minutes for photos. The dense trees create a cool, shaded stretch of road that feels very different from the open countryside and busy attractions.

This is a quick roadside stop, not a hike. You will have time to take photos and look around, but not to wander far. Comfortable shoes still make sense because you will be getting in and out of the vehicle throughout the day.

The forest is a pleasant change of pace. It also breaks up the drive before the tour reaches the Tarsier Sanctuary.

Meeting Bohol’s tiny tarsiers

The Tarsier Sanctuary receives about an hour, including a visit and photo opportunities. Tarsiers are among the Philippines’ most distinctive animals, with huge eyes, tiny bodies, and an ability to remain remarkably still.

You need to look carefully. These animals are small and can blend into the branches, so a quiet visit with realistic expectations is important. You may see only a handful rather than a large group. One account counted about five during the visit, which gives you a fair idea of how variable the experience can be.

Photography is part of the appeal, but flash photography and loud behavior would be poor choices around such sensitive animals. The supplied tour details do not specify particular sanctuary rules, so follow the staff’s instructions when you arrive.

I consider this a valuable stop because it connects the scenery with Bohol’s wildlife. Still, if seeing many tarsiers is your top goal, a dedicated sanctuary visit may suit you better than a packed countryside circuit.

The Chocolate Hills viewing platform

The Chocolate Hills are the visual centerpiece of the inland route. The hills are famous for their repeated rounded shapes and the way their color changes with the season.

Despite the name, they are not always brown. During wetter months they can look green, which is still striking but less like the chocolate-colored image used in brochures. The site includes roughly 1,200 hills, and the viewing platform gives you the broadest view of the formation.

The planned visit is about an hour, but timing can slip. One account described receiving only about 10 minutes at the viewpoint, so I would keep your phone and camera ready as you approach. If you want a longer look, ask the driver early in the stop how much time remains.

Some visitors may also choose an ATV activity near the Chocolate Hills. That option is not part of the included tour package. If you decide to ride, you should confirm the cost and understand that your friends or group may be waiting while you take part.

For me, the hills justify the long inland drive. The viewpoint can be crowded and the stop may feel brisk, but this is still the one sight that gives the day its unmistakable Bohol character.

Lunch on the Loboc River

The final major stop is the Loboc River cruise, with about two hours for lunch. This is the strongest part of the schedule and a welcome change from roadside stops and vehicle time.

Your buffet meal is included, along with the river cruise. You can eat while the boat moves through the green river corridor, with tropical vegetation and calm water providing a more relaxed setting than the earlier attractions.

Live music is part of the experience. The performance can be loud and continuous, with one account noting Beatles songs throughout the cruise. That will suit you if you enjoy a lively meal with entertainment. If you are hoping for a quiet boat ride focused only on bird calls and river sounds, you may find the music intrusive.

The buffet itself received especially strong praise, and the cruise is the most dependable value in the package. Even if one of the smaller stops feels underwhelming, the meal and river setting give the day a satisfying final chapter.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want an all-in-one day. The price includes:

• Vehicle, driver, and fuel
• Loboc River cruise buffet lunch
• Entrance fees
• Environmental fees

That removes much of the usual cost juggling. You do not need to arrange a private car, calculate separate admission charges, or find lunch during the day.

The price is less attractive if you dislike shared transport or want control over every stop. A private vehicle would give you more time at the Chocolate Hills, greater flexibility at the church, and a better chance to skip the animal park if it does not interest you.

Carry extra cash for souvenirs and anything not specifically included. The package does not include other unlisted expenses.

Shared transport and the practical side of the day

The vehicle is intended for a total of 12 people, making this a social group tour rather than a private outing. You may meet people from several countries, but you should also expect pickup delays and some time spent waiting for others.

There is an important warning here. One account described a group of 14 and an uncomfortable seating arrangement, along with limited information about drive times and stops. That does not prove every departure will run this way, but it is a real reason to confirm the group size and vehicle arrangements before paying.

The first drive can be long, and the day has several stops packed into a single route. Wear comfortable shoes and light, comfortable clothing. Bring a camera, water, sun protection, and cash for souvenirs, although only the first three items are specifically listed as recommended or necessary by the operator.

The English-speaking driver handles the transport and tour flow. No guide name is provided, so do not book this expecting a named specialist guide or a formal lecture at every site.

Who will enjoy this Bohol tour most

I would recommend this tour to you if:

• You have one day for Bohol’s main inland sights.
• You want transport, admission fees, and lunch bundled together.
• You enjoy a mix of landmarks, wildlife, scenery, and food.
• You are comfortable sharing a vehicle with a group.
• You want to see the Chocolate Hills without arranging a private car.

I would think twice if:

• You need guaranteed time at each stop.
• You dislike loud entertainment during meals.
• You want a serious wildlife or conservation visit.
• You expect a polished guide-led interpretation of every site.
• You have mobility concerns that make repeated vehicle exits difficult, since the tour moves through several separate stops and the supplied information does not specify accessibility arrangements.

The tour has a moderate overall rating of 3.4 from 51 ratings, which fits the experience described by the details. The highlights are genuinely worthwhile, but organization and stop quality can vary.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want a practical first look at Bohol and value the Loboc River buffet cruise most. The combination of Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, Baclayon Church, and included transport makes $58 reasonable for a full day.

Skip it if you want a slow, carefully guided trip or a focused wildlife visit. In that case, arrange private transport and choose your stops. For everyone else, go in with realistic expectations: the river cruise and Chocolate Hills are the main rewards, while the smaller wildlife stops are useful extras rather than the reason to book.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Bohol schedule is still changing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and returns at McDonald’s Panglao.

What time should I arrive?

You should be at the meeting point at 8:00 AM. The pickup process may take up to 30 minutes.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

No. It is a shared tour with a planned group size of 12 people in the vehicle.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch during the Loboc River cruise is included.

Are entrance and environmental fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees and environmental fees are included in the price.

Is an English-speaking guide provided?

The tour provides an English-speaking driver. No specific guide name is provided.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, and a camera. You should also carry extra cash for souvenirs and any other items not included in the package.