Bohol in 48 hours
What if you had no idea where your next holiday was taking you? That’s exactly what MOVE’s Social team set out to do with its Blind Box Challenge, sending seven Malaysian content creators on surprise trips to destinations across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
For creators Afiq and Jaslin, that surprise destination was Bohol, in the Philippines. And as it turns out, the island is pretty easy to fall for.
“Bohol just became one of my fave islands in the Philippines. From the peaceful Loboc River, unreal man-made forest, iconic Chocolate Hills, snorkeling at Balicasag Island, this trip really had everything,” Jaslin shared.
If Bohol happens to be your own surprise destination, here’s how to pack a little bit of everything into 48 hours.
DAY 1 — THE COUNTRYSIDE
8:00 AM — Start with a little history at the Baclayon Church
Kick off with a slice of Bohol’s history at Baclayon Church.
The Spanish colonial era church dates back to the 18th century and is made of coral stones. Local historical accounts also say egg whites were used as binding material.
Take a few minutes to look around, soak in the historical atmosphere, and get a glimpse of Bohol’s Spanish heritage era before moving on.
9:30 AM — Meet one of Bohol’s tiniest residents
Next stop: one of Bohol’s smallest [and most famous] residents.
Head to the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary to see these tiny, wide-eyed primates in their natural habitat. You’d be surprised how small they actually are.
Just remember to keep the visit quiet and respectful.These little guys are sensitive to noise and disturbance, so this is one stop where looking is definitely better than touching.
11:30 AM — Lunch, but make it a river cruise
By late morning, swap the road for the water and head to the Loboc River.
A river cruise means lunch with a view surrounded by lush greenery and a harana (serenade) along the way. It’s the perfect way to slow down for a bit before the afternoon adventure begins.
It’s easy to see why the experience stuck with Jaslin: “Bohol feels like the kind of place that heals you without trying.”
1:30 PM — Take the scenic route through the Bilar Man-Made Forest
Back on the road, make a stop at the Bilar Man-Made Forest.
The towering mahogany trees create a dramatic green tunnel along the road, making a quick roadside stop feel like adventure. It’s one of those places that makes you want to pull out your camera.
3:00 PM — Say hello to the Chocolate Hills
Now for the Bohol classic. They’re not actually chocolate. The hills are made of limetones, but their grass turns brown during the dry season, giving the landscape its famously chocolatey look.
Head to a Chocolate Hills viewpoint and take in the hundreds of rounded hills stretching across the horizon. Want to do more than just admire the view? Continue to the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park for activities that let you experience the landscape.
5:00 PM onwards — Slow down
After a full day of sightseeing, there’s no need to squeeze in one more attraction just for the sake of it. Grab dinner, wander around Alona beach, or settle in for some seafood. Basically, give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing for a while.
DAY 2 — THE ISLANDS
5:30 AM — Rise early for dolphin-watching
Day two starts early [very early].
Head out from Alona Beach for an island-hopping adventure, with dolphin-watching potentially part of the morning depending on sea and weather conditions.
It's an appropriately unpredictable start to a trip that began with a blind box.
8:00 AM — Dive into Balicasag
Once you reach Balicasag Island, trade the boat for a mask and snorkel.
The waters around the island are known for their marine life, with opportunities to see colorful fish and sea turtles.
For Afiq, discovering Bohol's underwater side was one of the biggest surprises of the trip: “I didn’t expect Bohol underwater to be this good.”
10:30 AM — Take a breather at Virgin Island Sandbar
After getting your fill of the underwater world, make your way to Virgin Island Sandbar.
Clear waters, white sand, and not much to do except take photos, enjoy the view, swim, and remind yourself that, yes, you’re actually on a holiday.
1:00 PM — Back on land, go chasing waterfalls
Back on the main island, keep the adventure going on two wheels. Rent a motorbike and go chase some waterfalls.
Afiq spent four hours biking around Bohol for waterfall hopping, and says: “Every minute was totally worth it.”
If you’ve still got the energy, this is the part of the trip where you can leave the itinerary behind and see where the road takes you.
5:00 PM onwards — One last sunset, one last look
By late afternoon, it's time to slow down again. Find a spot by the beach, watch the sky change and scroll through the ridiculous number of photos you've probably taken over the past two days.
Because, as Afiq puts it: “Good vibes, great people, and way too many photos that all look the same because every view was ridiculously beautiful.”
And his final verdict? “Bohol is paradise!”
48 hours later, you might understand the hype
The beauty of a blind box holiday is that you don't start with a carefully planned destination or a list of must-sees. You just open the box and see what happens.
For Afiq and Jaslin, that box happened to reveal Bohol, and 48 hours to pack in heritage, countryside adventures, waterfalls, beaches, and an underwater world they didn’t expect.
Maybe you arrive not knowing what to expect. You might leave with a camera roll full of photos and a completely new place to add to your travel list. And maybe, if Bohol really gets you, you’ll leave already thinking about coming back.
Ready to let your next trip surprise you? Book your next travel with AirAsia MOVE and see where the journey takes you.
