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Bohol and Cebu are often compared because they’re close to each other and easy to combine. We visited both on the same trip, but our experience in Cebu was based entirely in Moalboal, on the island’s west coast. It’s a great option to visit both if you have the time, and it’s not particularly hard to organise. I’ve included tips for this in the article, along with a comparison to help you choose if you can only visit one destination.
Keep in mind that not everyone looks for the same thing on holiday. We tend to prefer active trips and usually don’t spend much time on the beach, in cities, or partying.
Bohol vs Cebu: quick comparison
Here’s a side-by-side overview to help you quickly see how Bohol and Moalboal differ.
| Bohol | Moalboal (Cebu) | |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Relaxed, rural and slow-paced, except for Alona Beach, which felt bigger and busier than Moalboal | Panagsama Beach is a lively, small dive town with a busy feel, but it’s easy to find quiet resorts just outside of town |
| Top attractions and activities | Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, Alicia Panoramic Park, waterfalls, snorkelling or scuba diving | Snorkelling or scuba diving (sardines), waterfalls, mountain views |
| Budget | Affordable, but transfers or tours add up. | More budget-friendly, especially if you hire a scooter. |
| Ease of access | Easy if you fly to the domestic airport, but moderate from Cebu City as you need to take a ferry (~2 hours) | Easier from Cebu City with a 3-4 hours drive from the international airport by private transfer |
| Minimum time needed | Some visit as a day trip from Cebu City, but to see the best spots at the best time, or if you want to scuba dive, you’ll need at least 2 or 3 days. | Some do it as a day trip from Cebu City, but you’ll need at least 2 days for the main activities |
| Landscape | Rolling hills, coral reefs (walls) | Coastline with easy access to mountains and waterfalls |
| Tourist density | Moderate, timing is key to avoid crowds at key sights | High |
| Local food | Coffee Corner in Carmen was a highlight, but the rest wasn’t special. | Many delicious Filipino restaurants. |
Our experience in Bohol
We spent 3.5 days in Bohol and liked it for its variety. The landscapes felt quite different from what we expected in the Philippines, with rolling hills, countryside and inland scenery rather than just beaches. That said, the island is fairly large (but much smaller than Cebu), so you do spend a bit of time on the road and need to factor in transfers or tours. For me, the distances felt a bit too long to comfortably manage by scooter, especially as I’m not used to riding one.
The Chocolate Hills viewpoint surprised us in a good way, and going in the late afternoon for sunset helped avoid the worst of the crowds. Although it took some effort to get there, Alicia Panoramic Park was one of our favourite spots, with beautiful green mounts and far fewer people. Bohol is famous for its tarsiers, but you keep expectations realistic.
We also found it easy to go slightly off the beaten track, exploring the countryside at Pilar Rice Terraces and Kinahugan Falls, where we had the place to ourselves. With more time, we would have visited more waterfalls and spent longer on the east coast, which felt far less touristy than Panglao. Panglao is the main base for underwater activities in Bohol, with access to Balicasag Island, Pamilacan Island and Napaling Reef.
There were a couple of well-known stops that didn’t appeal to us:
- Loboc River – A popular lunch stop with floating restaurants, but it looked too touristy for our taste, and we’d read mixed reviews about the food. We preferred a quieter restaurant with a view in Carmen (Coffee Corner).
- Alona Beach (Panglao) – Very well known, but it lacked charm for us. It felt more like a base for dive boats and resorts than a place for natural beauty or tranquillity.
Most people stay in Panglao when visiting Bohol. We chose Ecostay Panglao Resort Hotel, just outside Alona Beach in a quieter area, and were very happy with that choice. We also spent one night at Casa Aguelo near the Chocolate Hills, and spent our final night in Tagbilaran City to make the early ferry back to Cebu stress-free.
Our experience in Cebu (Moalboal)
We spent four days in Moalboal, using it as a base to explore the coast and parts of inland Cebu. It worked well logistically and gave us enough time to combine underwater fun with other activities.
Snorkelling and scuba diving with the sardines straight from the shore at Panagsama Beach was our highlight, but we also enjoyed Pescador Island and the other shore dives and snorkels. What we enjoyed the most about Moalboal was its flexibility. Diving was easy to fit around our days without early starts, and on non-diving days we could head inland to waterfalls or into the mountains. There was also a good choice of restaurants, with plenty of delicious Filipino options.
Moalboal felt lively without being overwhelming. While it’s clearly touristy, we didn’t find it overcrowded, and evenings were social without turning into a party scene. We much preferred this atmosphere compared to Alona Beach in Panglao.
We stayed in two very different places. D’Gecko Hotel was well located near Panagsama Beach and the dive shops. Tauig Beach Resort was much quieter, with larger rooms, a private beach and good snorkelling. It was more expensive, but a great place to slow down and finish the trip in comfort.
Bohol vs Cebu (Moalboal): the winner is…
I genuinely couldn’t pick a single winner. For us, both offered a mix of underwater activities, waterfalls and interesting landscapes, just in different ways. The better choice really depends on what matters most to you.
Choose Moalboal (Cebu) if:
- You don’t mind a long road transfer to reach your base
- You prefer to organise your days flexibly with short, nearby activities
- You’ve never seen sardines or turtles, and that excites you
- You enjoy a laid-back atmosphere with plenty of good local restaurants
- You’re travelling on a moderate budget
Moalboal felt easier once we were there. Most things were within reach, and days didn’t require much planning.
Choose Bohol if:
- You’d prefer easier access via Panglao airport
- You don’t mind longer transfers during the day to reach attractions
- You’re curious about unusual landscapes
- Seeing tarsiers is high on your list
- You want to spend time relaxing on the beach (though if beaches are your main priority, other islands have more options)
While Bohol required more planning, full-day trips for activities, and a slightly higher budget, we really enjoyed experiencing the countryside and could connect with locals more easily there.
Where are Moalboal (Cebu) and Bohol?
Moalboal is located on the west coast of Cebu Island in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. Bohol sits just east of Cebu and is separated by a short stretch of sea. Because they’re close to each other, many travellers combine both in one itinerary.
Cebu is the main transport hub in the region, with the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (direct flight from Brisbane for us), which has both international and domestic connections. From there, Moalboal is about a 3 to 4 hour drive by private transfer (you could use 12Go or ask your hotel), or you can take a bus, which takes longer and is less comfortable.
Bohol can be reached either by flying into Panglao Airport or by ferry from Cebu City, which takes around 2 hours. We took the ferry between Cebu and Bohol and found it straightforward and easy to organise.
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