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Capital city of Bohol, Philippines
Photo: pinay06, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Tagbilaran is the capital city of the island province of Bohol in the Philippines. With about 105,000 residents as of 2020, it is the main point of entry to Bohol and serves as the province's political, social and economic center. Besides, it's known as the "City of Friendship".
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The residence of the former Philippine President and his family in Tagbilaran, it has been converted into a museum featuring presidential memorabilia. Much of the house's original furniture has also been preserved, including the former President's bed and work desk. While admission is free, a donation box is set up by the entrance.
Built sometime between 1800 and 1830, it is one of the oldest standing structures in Tagbilaran, and one of the few remaining trading villas in Bohol. Owned by the Rocha-Suarez family, it was converted into a museum in 2005, with several of the family's furniture, heirlooms, personal effects and mementos, accumulated over five generations, on display.
Bohol Museum
It was the Escuela La Niña, and then becsme the Provincial Library of Bohol. The museum was opened in July 2008 after moving from the Carlos P. Garcia House. The museum has exhibits on the wildlife, traditions and culture of Bohol, the island's geological history, as well as a room featuring paintings from students throughout the province.
Formerly the Plaza del Principe, it is the traditional center of the city. A monument to José Rizal stands in the center, while a monument to Carlos P. Garcia stands to the east. A replica of the Chocolate Hills is located to the west beside the Rizal monument.
The largest park in the city, it fronts the site of the future new Provincial Capitol of Bohol. A large monument to Carlos P. Garcia is located in the park's center.
One of the city's most famous tourist attractions. This is a sculpture commemorating the Sandugo (blood compact) made between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565, with a wonderful view of the Bohol Sea and coastal mangroves. 100 m to the east is a marker erected by the now-National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 1941 for the same event.
Tagbilaran Church
The seat of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, it is one of the six original churches of Bohol established by the Jesuits in 1595. The current church structure however dates back to the mid-1800s, after the original church burned down.
The main competitor to Jo's Chicken Inatô, this open-air restaurant serves Filipino dishes alongside its special grilled chicken.
This restaurant is owned and operated by the Philippine chapter of the International Deaf Education Association (IDEA), and true to its ownership, most of the employees are members of the local deaf community.
This pizzeria is home to Tagbilaran's largest pizza, measuring 22 inches (around ₱600).
JJ's Seaside Restaurant
Located along the shores of Tagbilaran Bay, this restaurant specializes in several cuisines, though true to its name, it serves many seafood dishes. The "village" also has conference facilities, a pool and a small hotel inside (₱850 for a double room).
Payag Restaurant
This restaurant specializes in chicken inatô, the Cebuano version of the more-well known chicken inasal found on Negros. They also serve Boholano versions of Cebuano delicacies, such as binakhaw (local kinilaw, or vinegared fish), as well as standard Filipino fare.
香滿樓; Xiāngmǎnlóu
Serving mostly traditional Cantonese dishes, this is one of two upscale Chinese restaurants in the city. It however also has a selection of budget meals for ₱75.
This quiet café is tucked away from the main downtown area. They serve coffee shop staples (i.e. cakes and pastries), and mains.
Run by the Metrocentre Hotel and Convention Centre, it is the only nightclub in Tagbilaran, specializing in dance hits. Visiting DJs play here when they visit the city. The club is small though, with only a maximum capacity of 100 persons.
Located just outside the city center, but still very accessible.
Single fan shared bath. A/C single shared bath cable TV. A/C double shared bath cable TV. A/C double with own bath, cable TV. All bathrooms have hot water. Free Wi-Fi.
Fan double room with own bathroom. Free Wi-Fi.
Single fan rooms with common bathrooms. A/C double rooms with common bathrooms. A/C double room with own bathroom and cable TV.
Located very close to Plaza Rizal, this hostel is run by the Metrocentre Hotel and Convention Center.
The closest hotel to the airport, this guest house has air-conditioned rooms with communal bathrooms. There is also a common mini-kitchen with a refrigerator and cooking/dining facilities.
Although located close to Plaza Rizal, some of its rooms are windowless, and others may have a hospital-like feel. However, breakfast is included in the room price, and there is free Wi-Fi in the lounge area. Most of the rooms have a common bath.
Clean, private rooms in the city center, with very friendly staff. All rooms have en suite bathrooms, and Wi-Fi is available in common areas.
Has a 6-bed dorm, double and twin rooms. Cable TV and free wifi. Good place for backpackers.
A/C single rooms with common bath. A/C double rooms with own bath. Probably the cheapest A/C rooms in town.
fan single and double rooms with outside bathrooms.
8-bed fan dorm & fan double rooms. Shared bathroom, free wifi.
Air-con double room with shared bathroom. Cable TV.
double air-con room with own bathroom. cable TV.
This hotel is owned and operated by the Philippine chapter of the International Deaf Education Association (IDEA), and profits generated by the hotel pay for the education of 400 deaf children in Bohol and Leyte. The hotel offers sign language classes and runs a night shuttle (₱15) to the city center.
Located very close to Plaza Rizal, it has nine air-conditioned rooms, each with solar-heated showers and baths.
Close to Plaza Marcela, this hotel has a jazz bar on the ground floor.
The closest hotel to the Island City Mall, it has its own restaurant, a keyboard for public use in the lobby, and telephones in all rooms.
Located along the shores of Tagbilaran Bay, it has several amenities which are normally found only in the resorts of Panglao Island. A popular local nightclub called Laser Party Club is also located here.
The only full-service hotel in the city center, it has a total of 72 rooms, including a presidential suite. It has a swimming pool, two restaurants and one of the city's two nightclubs, Club Atmosphere, as well as convention facilities.
Bohol Quality Mall
This four-storey building has a movie theater, a BQ supermarket, several stores, and its own small department store with a large souvenir section.
The largest mall in the city, it has several shops, a movie theater, a department store and a large Alturas supermarket. The mall is also the terminus for a number of jeepney routes within the city and to neighboring towns.
This mall is the closest shopping center to the airport and seaport. Has a Alturas supermarket
The smallest of the city's malls, it promotes itself as Tagbilaran's version of the Greenhills Shopping Center in Manila. It is built on the site of the old Tagbilaran Public Market, which moved to the city's northern outskirts beside the Island City Mall. The two-storey mall has several computer and mobile phone stores, and wholesale products on the second floor.
Has an Alturas supermarket.
By boat
There are boats going to neighboring islands in the Visayas, as well as to Luzon and Mindanao. Two types of ships transport passengers to Tagbilaran: fast ferries (catamarans) and regular ferries.
By bus
Most buses serving Tagbilaran from other towns in Bohol, as well as all buses from other cities in the Philippines, terminate at the Tagbilaran City Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT), Alfonso L.
By car
The main roads into Tagbilaran are the two halves of the circumferential road circling the island of Bohol which emanate from the city center: the Tagbilaran North Road and the Tagbilaran East Road.
By jeepney or bus
Aside from tricycles, jeepneys are the other main form of transport in Tagbilaran, with many routes converging at the Island City Mall and the Tagbilaran City Integrated Bus Terminal.
By taxi
There are white taxis in the city, though they are not plentiful and they are mostly found at the airport, seaport and major malls.50 for every additional 300 m.
On foot
Tagbilaran is small enough that the city center can be covered adequately on foot.
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Panglao · International · TAG
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