Almost two decades ago, planning a trip wasn't as easy as it is today. Travel information was limited, so most of the time I would simply book a flight and hotel, make a list of places I wanted to visit, and figure everything out once I arrived.
During our first trip to Bohol, we only had three days to explore the province. Because of our flight schedule, we only had one full day for sightseeing, so we squeezed both the Bohol Countryside Tour and a Day trip to Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa into a single day.
When we returned to Bohol two years ago, I made sure we had more time to explore at a relaxed pace. I already shared our Day 2: Bohol Countryside Tour + Mirror of the World, and now it's time to share our Day 3 itinerary featuring the Panglao Land Tour, South Farm, and Abatan Firefly Tour.
I booked this tour through a local travel agency because the Abatan Firefly Tour wasn't available on Klook at that time. As of this writing, you can now conveniently book it online.
Firefly Watching with South Farm Tour
Bohol Countryside Tour with Firefly Watching
Panglao + Abatan Firefly Tour
Panglao + Abatan Firefly Tour: PHP1,700/person
South Farm: PHP198/person
Total for 5 people: PHP9,490
Panglao Church and Watchtower
Hinagdanan Cave
Dauis Church
Abatan River Firefly Tour
Dinner stop at The Buzz Café Abatan (meal at guests' expense)
South Farm
We were a group of five and paid PHP1,700 per person for the tour, plus PHP198 per person for the South Farm. I added South Farm to our itinerary.
I was expecting the same tour driver from our previous day tour, so I was surprised when the travel agency assigned us a different driver. Our hotel pick-up was scheduled for 2:30 PM, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy The Bellevue Resort before heading out.
Morning at The Bellevue Resort
We had an early breakfast, spent some time swimming, and enjoyed lunch before our afternoon tour. We skipped the resort's complimentary activity that day since it was mostly designed for kids.
Breakfast at The Bellevue Resort
The breakfast venue has been moved to the al fresco area where the Luau Night Buffet is held. The buffet selection was different from our previous visit and had fewer dishes, probably because it was a weekday and there were fewer guests.
During our first trip to Bohol, we only had three days to explore the province. Because of our flight schedule, we only had one full day for sightseeing, so we squeezed both the Bohol Countryside Tour and a Day trip to Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa into a single day.
When we returned to Bohol two years ago, I made sure we had more time to explore at a relaxed pace. I already shared our Day 2: Bohol Countryside Tour + Mirror of the World, and now it's time to share our Day 3 itinerary featuring the Panglao Land Tour, South Farm, and Abatan Firefly Tour.
I booked this tour through a local travel agency because the Abatan Firefly Tour wasn't available on Klook at that time. As of this writing, you can now conveniently book it online.
Firefly Watching with South Farm Tour
Bohol Countryside Tour with Firefly Watching
Panglao + Abatan Firefly Tour
Panglao + Abatan Firefly Tour: PHP1,700/person
South Farm: PHP198/person
Total for 5 people: PHP9,490
Panglao Church and Watchtower
Hinagdanan Cave
Dauis Church
Abatan River Firefly Tour
Dinner stop at The Buzz Café Abatan (meal at guests' expense)
South Farm
We were a group of five and paid PHP1,700 per person for the tour, plus PHP198 per person for the South Farm. I added South Farm to our itinerary.
I was expecting the same tour driver from our previous day tour, so I was surprised when the travel agency assigned us a different driver. Our hotel pick-up was scheduled for 2:30 PM, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy The Bellevue Resort before heading out.
Morning at The Bellevue Resort
We had an early breakfast, spent some time swimming, and enjoyed lunch before our afternoon tour. We skipped the resort's complimentary activity that day since it was mostly designed for kids.
Breakfast at The Bellevue Resort
The breakfast venue has been moved to the al fresco area where the Luau Night Buffet is held. The buffet selection was different from our previous visit and had fewer dishes, probably because it was a weekday and there were fewer guests.
Swimming at the Resort
We spent the rest of the morning relaxing by the pool and enjoying the beach before our afternoon tour. We availed of the complimentary use of a kayak.
Lunch at The Bellevue Resort
I will share our food trip in a separate post.
Panglao Land Tour + South Farm + Abatan Firefly Tour
Our tour officially started at 2:30 PM. It was quite hot in the afternoon, but we were excited to explore Panglao.
Panglao Church and Watchtower
Our first stop was Panglao Church, also known as St. Augustine Parish Church. Built during the Spanish colonial period, the church is one of Panglao's oldest landmarks and is known for its beautiful coral stone architecture and peaceful atmosphere.
Our tour officially started at 2:30 PM. It was quite hot in the afternoon, but we were excited to explore Panglao.
Panglao Church and Watchtower
Our first stop was Panglao Church, also known as St. Augustine Parish Church. Built during the Spanish colonial period, the church is one of Panglao's oldest landmarks and is known for its beautiful coral stone architecture and peaceful atmosphere.
Beside the church stands the historic Panglao Watchtower, one of the tallest watchtowers in Bohol. It was once used to guard the island against pirate attacks and now serves as a reminder of the province's rich history.
South Farm
Our next stop was South Farm, an eco-tourism destination that offers a relaxing countryside experience. The farm features gardens, farm animals, horseback riding, and interactive activities that are perfect for families with children.
The entrance fee includes a PHP50 consumable voucher, which we used to buy drinks after exploring the farm. Guests can also enjoy free animal feeding and complimentary horseback riding.
If you're looking for a quiet place away from the busy beaches of Panglao, South Farm is a nice addition to your itinerary.
Hinagdanan Cave
Next, we visited Hinagdanan Cave, one of Bohol's most popular natural attractions.
This limestone cave features impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and a naturally lit underground lagoon with clear but greenish water. Compared to the cave we visited at Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa during our previous trip, Hinagdanan Cave is much larger.
Visitors can swim in the cave's pool for an additional fee, but we decided to simply admire the scenery and take photos.
Dauis Church
Our last stop before heading to the firefly tour was Dauis Church, officially known as the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption.
This centuries-old church is famous for its beautiful ceiling murals, historic architecture, and miraculous well located inside the church grounds. Many devotees believe the well has healing properties, making it a popular pilgrimage site in Bohol.
Even if you're not religious, the church is worth visiting for its peaceful ambiance and historical significance.
Abatan River Firefly Tour
We finished the land tour earlier than expected, so we arrived at The Buzz Café Abatan with more than an hour to spare before the firefly tour began.
The boat tour starts at 6:30 PM, since the fireflies are best seen after sunset.
The tour takes visitors along the Abatan River, with three designated stops where fireflies illuminate the mangrove trees. Seeing the trees sparkle naturally in complete darkness was a unique experience and one of the highlights of our Bohol trip.
Photography is quite challenging because flashlights and camera flashes are strictly prohibited to avoid disturbing the fireflies. Sometimes, it's better to simply put your camera down and enjoy the moment.
The boat ride lasted less than an hour, and since it was already late, we skipped dinner at The Buzz Café and headed back to The Bellevue Resort.
When we returned to our room after 8 PM, another surprise awaited us: a complimentary serving of Biko as our midnight snack. We didn't receive one on our second night, so I suspect it may have been delivered to our previous room after we transferred.
Tour Reminders:
Hotel Pick-up: 2:30 PM
Tour Duration: Approximately 6–7 hours
Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
Bring extra clothes and a towel if you plan to swim at Hinagdanan Cave (swimming fee: PHP75/person).
Apply insect repellent before the firefly tour.
Since photography is limited during the firefly watching experience, simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the magical sight of thousands of glowing fireflies.
