Tagbilaran

Little is known about the pre-history of Tagbilaran, although it is believed to have been a trading outpost where, according to Spanish accounts, the natives conducted trade with China, the Malay states and present-day Indonesia. It is said that around the year 1200, the Lutaos of northern Mindanao established settlements on stilts along the Tagbilaran Strait, separating mainland Bohol from Panglao Island (which today separates Tagbilaran from Dauis), which later became the Kingdom of Dapitan, a prosperous local center of power. It is believed that these settlements were abandoned by 1563 due to attacks by the Portuguese and their allies from Ternate. Another kingdom, the Bool Kingdom, may have also existed within city limits in the 15th century.

The first recorded event in what is now believed to be Tagbilaran was the Sandugo. Known as the first treaty of friendship between Filipinos and Spaniards, this blood compact was effected between local chieftain Rajah Sikatuna and explorer (and later Governor-General of the Philippines) Miguel López de Legazpi, which reportedly took place in what is now the eastern outskirts of the city. (This fact is disputed by historical findings claiming that the event may have actually taken place in Loay, 17 km (11 mi) away.)

Tagbilaran used to be part of neighboring Baclayon, and its parish church was one of the six churches of Bohol established by the Jesuits when they came to the island in 1595 to evangelize and convert the natives to Christianity. The town was later split from Baclayon in 1742, when Father Cesar Felipe Doria, Rector of the Jesuits in Bohol, petitioned for the creation of a new town as he believed Baclayon became too large to be administered by a single priest, and the town was dedicated to Saint Joseph the Worker, hence the town was originally called San José de Tagbilaran. It later became the capital of Bohol in 1854, after the island was made a separate province from neighboring Cebu.

The town grew throughout the Spanish and American regimes, and on 1 July 1966, Tagbilaran was elevated to a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 4660.

Tagbilaran is divided into 15 barangays. Most economic activity is concentrated in the city center, which consists of Poblacion I, II, III and Cogon (immediately north of Poblacion II). The city's remaining 11 barangays are more rural and more closely resemble neighboring towns, although they become more urbanized approaching the city center.

Since November 2018, Tagbilaran has been served by the Bohol–Panglao International Airport (TAG ^IATA), the only airport in Bohol with commercial service. The old Tagbilaran Airport in downtown Tagbilaran is closed.

Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines all have flights to Panglao Airport. While most flights to the city originate from Manila, since 2018, there has been a boom in air service to the city, and it is now possible to fly from Boracay, Cagayan de Oro, Metro Cebu, Davao and Angeles. International service was also introduced, with Jeju Air flying from Seoul.

An alternative to flying is to fly to Cebu Airport, then go to Tagbilaran by boat.

Ground Transportation. Buses connect the airport with the Tagbilaran City Integrated Bus Terminal (Island City Mall) via Alona Beach and downtown Panglao, operated by Southern Star Transit, with service every 45 minutes from 5:45AM until 6PM. fare of ₱50.

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. Fares on regular ferries are cheaper than with fast ferries, although the travel times are longer (for instance, the regular ferry to Cebu takes five hours versus two hours with a fast ferry).

🌍 Tagbilaran City Tourist Pier. Handles more than 5,000 travellers on a daily basis. When leaving Tagbilaran, departing passengers have to pay a "terminal fee" of ₱20. Some boat tickets however already include the fee into the cost of the ticket, so check first before paying. (updated Apr 2019)

Three companies provide fast ferry service. Fares are normally around ₱400-500 one-way, with all three companies offering promotions for buying tickets early. For example, a round-trip ticket between Cebu and Tagbilaran bought at least two days in advance on Weesam express is ₱500, inclusive of passenger service charges. Sunday ferries from Tagbilaran to Cebu are often fully booked, so book ahead or use the port in Tubigon, if leaving on a Sunday.

• 2GO Travel (formerly SuperCat) has three trips daily between Tagbilaran and Cebu City. Ferries leave from Pier 4 at the Cebu International Port for Tagbilaran at 9:15AM, 1:35PM and 6:05PM and return to Cebu from Tagbilaran at 7AM, 11:25AM and 3:55PM.
• OceanJet has the most services to Tagbilaran, with six daily trips to Cebu, and two to Dumaguete which then travel on to Siquijor. From Cebu, ferries leave from Pier 1 at the Cebu International Port for Tagbilaran at 6AM, 9:20AM, 11:30AM, 2PM, 3:35PM and 6:35PM and return to Cebu from Tagbilaran at 7:05AM, 9:20AM, 11:40AM, 1:30PM, 4:20PM and 6PM. From Siquijor, ferries leave for Tagbilaran at 6AM, 11:20AM returning to Siquijor from Tagbilaran (via Dumaguete) at 6AM, 3PM. This ferry leaves Dumaguete for Tagbilaran at 6AM and 3PM. Tagbilaran to Dumaguete cost ₱700. if you buy a Libre Balik Promo ticket from Tagbilaran to Cebu city (valid 6 days) you pay only ₱600 return.
• Weesam Express has three daily trips between Tagbilaran and Cebu. Ferries leave from Pier 4 at the Cebu International Port for Tagbilaran at 9AM, 2PM and 6:30PM, returning to Cebu from Tagbilaran at 7AM, 11:20AM and 4:30PM.

• There are two ferry companies with boats to Cebu City: Lite Shipping and Trans Asia Shipping. Fares are ₱370 for regular seats (open-air), ₱370 for a Lying (bed) (open-air) and for Tourist class A/C lying (bed) it is ₱520 (Aug 2022).
• Lite Shipping Corporation has two daily services, leaving Cebu at 13:00 and 10PM, returning to Cebu from Tagbilaran at noon and 10:30PM.
• Trans Asia from Cebu to Tagbilaran every Monday 7AM. and from Tagbilaran to Cebu every Sunday at 10PM.
• Lite Shipping has a ferry 3 times a week M W Sa at 8PM from Tagbilaran to Plaridel in Misamis Occidental via Larena Siquijor.
• Lite Shipping has a ferry from Tagbilaran to Argao on Cebu island twice a day 8AM and 4PM. (From Argao you can get a bus to Metro Cebu or Dumaguete).
• Trans Asia has a ferry 3 times a week from Tagbilaran to Cagayan de Oro;.

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. Uy St, Dao (in the northern outskirts of the city, beside the Island City Mall). The relatively spartan structure also houses the terminal for vans serving the rest of Bohol: vans are to the left of the entrance, while buses are to the right. Southern Star Transit has a bus to/from the Integrated bus terminal to Alona beach every 45 min from 5:45AM till 6PM for ₱50.

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. In the city center, both roads are known as Carlos P. Garcia Avenue (popularly shortened to "CPG Avenue") and Venancio P. Inting Avenue, respectively. Another major road into Tagbilaran is the Tagbilaran-Corella-Sikatuna-Loboc Road, connecting the city to Loboc and the interior towns of Bohol via Corella.

With over 3,000 of them throughout the city, tricycles are the main form of public transportation in Tagbilaran, and can be hailed from any part of the city. They can normally seat up to two people (three if the "seat" behind the driver is counted), with a small luggage space provided on the back. Fares vary according to distance (regular fare: ₱8/person), with drivers charging more to reach Island City Mall and Tagbilaran City Integrated Bus Terminal, the seaport, or destinations beyond city limits. Tricycles may also be chartered as well for day tours of the city and surrounding towns.

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. Some routes, particularly to the northwestern part of the city and to Panglao Island, also converge at points within the city center, such as Tagbilaran City Square. Jeepneys may either ply routes within the city, or may go to surrounding towns. The fare is ₱10 for the first 4 km (2.5 mi) (which covers most of the city area), plus ₱1 for every additional km beyond that.

Jeepney routes in Tagbilaran are not numbered. However, it is easy to determine what kind of route a jeepney plies: city jeepneys will normally identify specific points and roads within the city (eg: Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, the Island City Mall, etc.) while provincial jeepneys will only mention the town served from Tagbilaran (i.e. Baclayon, Panglao)

Buses which serve the rest of Bohol also stop at points within Tagbilaran, although they do not go through the city center. Buses are useful mostly for heading towards the Tagbilaran City Integrated Bus Terminal, where it is possible to transfer to tricycles and jeepneys serving the rest of the city.

There are white taxis in the city, though they are not plentiful and they are mostly found at the airport, seaport and major malls. Taxi rates are the same as in major urban centers such as Manila and Cebu: taxis in Tagbilaran charge a ₱40 flagdown rate, plus ₱3.50 for every additional 300 m. It is not uncommon however to negotiate rates when going outside the city, especially to Panglao, as the taxi driver has to drive back to Tagbilaran without passengers.

Tagbilaran is small enough that the city center can be covered adequately on foot. However, as is the case with the rest of the Philippines, sidewalks are few and far between, except along major roads such as Carlos P. Garcia Avenue.

A tiny town 10 km (6.2 mi) away from Tagbilaran, the main attraction of which is the Tarsier Visitors Center, 3 km (1.9 mi) out of town. The town has no place to eat, or to sleep.

Getting there: jeepneys and buses are available at Tagbilaran's main bus terminal, fares are ₱20 and the ride is around 40 minutes. Taxis are faster, but more expensive, with prices about several hundreds of pesos. However, the center of Corella is located in the forest and there are no taxis or tricycles anywhere in sight, passing jeepneys and buses can take you to nearby destinations, such as Tagbilaran or Loboc.

• 🌍 Tarsier Research and Development Center, Tarsier Sunctuary Rd, ☏ +63 9089378094. 9AM-4PM. Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is one of the world's smallest primates, and it is endemic to Bohol. At the sanctuary, a spacious net enclosure keeps a number of Philippine Tarsiers for feeding, captive breeding and display. Here, visitors can observe the Philippine Tarsier in their natural habitat. Within the sanctuary, the Philippine Tarsiers roam freely and all of them have got used to a seven-foot high fence that circumscribes the territory and which serves mainly to protect them from predators like feral cats while maintaining a theoretical chance for tarsiers to leave the enclosure and return as their wish. The center itself serves as a visitor center and venue for research, as well as a habitat preserve. Two treks are available there: Daily Tarsier Encounter - a 20-30 minute Trek into the forest with a guide to see the tarsier, and Trek to Viewing Decks - a 2-3 hours one way trek to the viewing decks close to the center of the 167 hectare forest. Entrance fee which includes small trek - ₱60 per person, trek to viewing decks - ₱500 per group. (updated Aug 2016)
• 🌍 The Church of Corella. (updated Aug 2016)

Tagbilaran celebrates three major festivals.

• The Ubi Festival is celebrated every January in honor of Bohol's most famous agricultural export, ubi (purple yam). With most celebrations taking place in Plaza Rizal, there are exhibits featuring sustainable agriculture and the plant's uses, a contest for the best ubi specimen and upcoming products, as well as a motorcade through the city.
• The Tagbilaran City Fiesta is the city's official fiesta, celebrated every May in honor of the city's patron saint, Saint Joseph the Worker, whose feast day is on 1 May. This fiesta also opens Bohol's "Month of Fiestas", as every town in Bohol has a May fiesta. Nightly activities are held in the nine days leading to the fiesta itself, such as the Mutya ng Tagbilaran beauty pageant, stage productions and concerts. On the day itself, motorcades and a street dancing festival take place in the city center.
• The Sandugo Festival is Tagbilaran's major festival, and it is celebrated every July to commemorate the blood compact made between Rajah Sikatuna and Miguel López de Legazpi, often coinciding with the charter anniversary of the city. Highlights include a re-enactment of the Sandugo, a street dancing festival through the city center, and the Miss Bohol Sandugo beauty pageant.

• There are five malls in Tagbilaran, three of which are in the city center.
• 🌍 BQ Mall (Bohol Quality Mall), Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Poblacion II. Daily 8:30AM-8PM. This four-storey building has a movie theater, a BQ supermarket, several stores, and its own small department store with a large souvenir section. 
• Island City Mall, Rajah Sikatuna Avenue, Dampas (beside the Tagbilaran Public Market and the Tagbilaran City Integrated Bus Terminal). Daily 8AM-9PM. 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. 
• Plaza Marcela, Pamaong cor. Belderol Sts., Cogon. This mall is the closest shopping center to the airport and seaport. Has a Alturas supermarket 
• 🌍 Tagbilaran City Square, Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Poblacion II (across from BQ Mall). 9AM-8PM daily. 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. 
• Alturas Supermarkets. (updated Sep 2016)
• Alturas Mall, B. Inting Street, ☏ +63 38-501300. 8AM-9PM. Has an Alturas supermarket. lower price. (updated Sep 2016)
• Unitop Department Store, Carlos P Garcia Avenue, ☏ +63 38-5018686. 8AM-8PM. lower price. (updated Mar 2017)

• El Portal Inn, 56 Belderol Street, Cogon (Beside Plaza Marcela), ☏ +63 38 411-2124, fax: +63 38 411-3579. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Located just outside the city center, but still very accessible. From ₱800 a night. 
• Ellens Bed and Bath, CPG avenue, ☏ +63 38 501-9341. 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. from ₱350. 
• G V Hotel, J Borja Street (near the downtown), ☏ +63-38-5010399. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: noon. Fan double room with own bathroom. Free Wi-Fi. from ₱580. (updated May 2019)
• LTS Lodge, Carlos P garcia Avenue., ☏ +63 38 4113310. Single fan rooms with common bathrooms. A/C double rooms with common bathrooms. A/C double room with own bathroom and cable TV. ₱350/₱600/₱800. 
• Marbella Leisure Hostel, C. Gallares Street, Poblacion II (Across from Holy Name University), ☏ +63 38 412-2966. Located very close to Plaza Rizal, this hostel is run by the Metrocentre Hotel and Convention Center. From ₱800 a night. 
• Marcelina's Guest House, 53 Lamdagan Street, Booy (near the intersection with Benigno Aquino, Jr. Avenue and Airport Road), ☏ +63 38 412-4169. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: noon. 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. From ₱800 a night. 
• Nisa Traveller's Hotel, 14 Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Poblacion II, ☏ +63 38 411-3731, +63 932 518-2755. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: noon. 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. from ₱500/₱600 single/double. 
• Taver's Pension House, Remolador Street Extension, Poblacion II, ☏ +63 38 411-4896, fax: +63 38 412-4790. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. 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. ₱750/₱920 (single/double). 
• TR3ATS Guest House, 16 Bagong Lipunan Street, ☏ +63 38 5015004. Has a 6-bed dorm, double and twin rooms. Cable TV and free wifi. Good place for backpackers. From ₱388.. (updated Feb 2016)
• Uptown Lodge., M H Del Pilat Street (Behide Alturas Mall), ☏ +63 38-2353166. A/C single rooms with common bath. A/C double rooms with own bath. Probably the cheapest A/C rooms in town. ₱400/₱500. 
• Villa Camilla Pension House, Ma Clara Street. (same street as the Port.), ☏ +63 38 4114966. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. fan single and double rooms with outside bathrooms. From ₱600 per night. 
• Happy Time Bohol Guest House, C P Garcia North Avenue. Check-out: noon. 8-bed fan dorm & fan double rooms. Shared bathroom, free wifi. Dorm bed ₱250 per person double room ₱400. (updated Mar 2017)
• Francesa's Inn, 51 Espuelas Street. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Air-con double room with shared bathroom. Cable TV. ₱600. (updated Oct 2017)
• O M Pension House, Airport compound. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. double air-con room with own bathroom. cable tv ₱750. (updated Oct 2017)

• Dao Diamond Hotel and Restaurant, Km 3, Jose A. Clarin Street, Dao, ☏ +63 38 411-5568. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. 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. ₱1400. 
• Darunday Manor, 22 Jose A. Clarin Street, Poblacion III, ☏ +63 38 411-2512. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Located very close to Plaza Rizal, it has nine air-conditioned rooms, each with solar-heated showers and baths. ₱1300. 
• Le Pensione de San Jose and Restaurant, San Jose Street, Cogon (Beside Cogon Elementary School), ☏ +63 38 411-2572. Close to Plaza Marcela, this hotel has a jazz bar on the ground floor. ₱700/₱1000 (single/double). 
• Panda Tea Garden Suites, Jose A. Clarin Street, Dao (Across from the National Irrigation Administration building), ☏ +63 38 501-6773. 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. ₱850/₱1250 (single/double). 
• Soledad Suites, J.C. Borja St. cor M. Parras St., ☏ +63 38 411-3074. 
• Vest Pension House, Tamblot Ext., ☏ +63 38 501-8079. 

• Bohol Tropics Resort, Graham Avenue, Cogon (North of the Tagbilaran City Tourist Pier), ☏ +63 38 411-3510, fax: +63 38 411-3019. 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. ₱2350. 
• Metrocentre Hotel and Convention Center, Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, Poblacion II, ☏ +63 38 411-5878. Check-in: 2:30PM, check-out: noon. 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. ₱1940. 

The area code of Tagbilaran, like the rest of Bohol, is 38. Area codes are not required for calls made within the entire province of Bohol.

The three main mobile service providers in the Philippines: Smart Communications, Globe Telecom and Sun Cellular, have good (though sometimes spotty) coverage throughout Tagbilaran, and all three providers operate both 2G and 3G networks throughout the city. SIM cards are sold at convenience stores throughout the city, at mobile phone stores located in the city center (especially within Tagbilaran City Square), and by touts located along Carlos P. Garcia Avenue. All three providers also have offices in the city: Globe Telecom and Sun Cellular have their local offices at the Island City Mall, while Smart Communications has its office at the Ambassador Arcade on B. Inting Street, in the city center.

Unlike mobile phones, however, payphones are hard to find in Tagbilaran, though there are a few in the city center. Some convenience stores though offer use of their telephones for a small fee, often ₱5 for a three-minute local call.

There are Internet cafés scattered throughout Tagbilaran, serving both casual Internet surfers and online gamers. Use of a computer at an Internet café typically costs around ₱15-20 per hour. The cafés often offer additional services as well, such as printing documents, but most cafés close at night.

• Megabyte Café at Bohol Quality Mall. Open 9AM-9PM ₱5/10min. They also have LAN cable plugin (for direct internet to laptops) and printing, scanning, copying, etc. services

While there are Wi-Fi hotspots in the city, significant coverage is mostly limited to the city center. Many places that do offer Wi-Fi lock their networks and only provide access to paying customers. Most of the hotels and inns throughout the city normally offer free Wi-Fi to their guests, though sometimes coverage is limited to common areas.

• McDonald's in Bohol Quality Mall (access daily 7-11AM and 1-5PM). Password available upon request and no purchase required.
• Dunkin' Donuts near Rizal Park, CPG (access: store hours). Password typed on device upon request with purchase.
• Dunkin' Donuts in Island City Mall (access: mall hours). Password typed on device upon request with purchase.
• Bo's Coffee Club near Rizal Park, CPG (access: store hours). Daily altered password stub available upon request with purchase.
• Bo's Coffee Club in Island City Mall (access: mall hours). Password typed on device upon request with purchase.
• Brewpoint Coffee Club at Soledad Suites (access: store hours). Daily altered password stub available upon request with purchase.