On our second day, we kicked things off with Danao Adventure Park, which I’d added to the itinerary specifically for the thrill. (Check out my full adventure review of Danao in the Adventure category for more details.) Afterward, we headed to the famous Chocolate Hills for some ATV riding. Despite the rainy, overcast weather, we were all excited to explore and make the most of the day.
My sibling and I chose the ATV, while our parents opted for a buggy car. Since it was raining, we bought raincoats for 10 pesos each. The ATV and buggy car rental cost Php 1,350.00 per person, and we spent over an hour exploring the rugged, muddy terrain. It was pure fun, and I was thrilled to see everyone enjoying themselves, mud and all. We snapped plenty of photos, too!
Afterward, we took advantage of a foot bath area to clean up a bit from the mud. Then, we climbed the steps up to the Chocolate Hills viewpoint. The stairs were steep, so our parents stayed below while my sibling and I went up. The view was stunning, with hills spreading across the landscape in an almost surreal way, even if there weren’t as many as I’d imagined. We took some photos, then regrouped with our parents for a family shot near the “I <3 Chocolate Hills” sign.
From the Chocolate Hills, we went to the Tarsier Sanctuary. Although it was a weekday (Monday), it was still packed—a clear favorite among visitors. Inside, staff kept the sanctuary quiet and guided us to spots where the tiny tarsiers were sleeping, mostly curled up, making it a bit hard to see them fully. Still, it was fascinating to observe these little creatures up close.
Along the way to our next stop, we visited the Bamboo Man-Made Forest, which stretches on either side of the main road. I initially imagined a walk into the forest, but the photo op is actually in the center of the road, with dense bamboo on both sides. Standing there for pictures was surreal and quite beautiful.
Our next stop was the Loboc River Cruise Restaurant, which couldn’t have come sooner since it was nearly 4 p.m. and we were starving. Luckily, it was a buffet, so there were plenty of delicious options. As we ate, the boat cruised slowly along the river, and we paused to enjoy a cultural performance from dancers onshore. The weather finally cleared, and the sun lit up the entire scene, making it even more enjoyable.
After the cruise, we visited the Butterfly Garden & Python Area. It was almost 5 p.m., but luckily, the place was still open. There were several large pythons on display, and the guide reassured us that they were safe to handle. Unfortunately, the staff member who usually helps visitors pose with the large python had already left, so we couldn’t get a photo with it. In the butterfly garden, most butterflies were already settled on plants for the evening, but a staff member placed one on our heads for a cute photo.
We continued to Baclayon Church, a historic Spanish colonial church known for its impressive stonework and preserved antique relics. Inside, the sacred art and architecture create a serene and timeless atmosphere. After Baclayon Church, we visited the Blood Compact Monument, which commemorates the first treaty of friendship between Spaniards and Filipinos in 1565, symbolized by the blood compact between Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Bohol chieftain Datu Sikatuna. We made sure to take a family photo by the iconic statue.
The Blood Compact was our final stop for the day. Exhausted but happy, we decided to grab takeout on the way back to the accommodation, where we could rest and recharge for another day of adventures.
