Love Cruising at Loboc River

Through the years, thousands of tourists gather in Loboc River, Bohol, to experience one of the well-known floating restaurants. How could they say that this is the most beautiful spot in Bohol?

Loboc River is a river on Bohol Island and one of the major tourist destinations of the province. This famous river has its own historical and environmental significance.

Historical significance – The River plays a significant role in the history of Loboc before the Spaniards established the town in 1602. The early inhabitants made their homes along the river. It was in early 1980s that the idea to promote the Loboc River as a tourist destination started.

Environmental significance – The winding river plays host to cruises of small bancas or floating restaurants. Visitors are treated to a vista of lush tropical vegetation such as nipa palms, coconut trees, banana groves, and bushes.

Reasons to Love Loboc River!

1. A cruise along the river starts either from the Loay Bridge or at the Poblacion of Loboc. The Loay Bridge is 20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City while the Poblacion is about 25 kilometers away. Small motorized bancas can be chartered for a minimal fee. For those who want to eat while cruising, floating restaurants are available, offering Filipino cuisine buffet and local delicacies.

2. With the tourism fever, the floating restaurants were envisioned providing tourists with a first-class dining experience aboard floating restaurants. The floating vessels are made up of a covered platform on top of two large outrigger boats which are joined together. The boats can accommodate up to 50 people.

3. Most of the floating restaurants treat their guests with Boholano songs played by in-boat bands during the cruise. The trip winds up the river and ends at the Busay Falls which is only one and a half meters at most. Here, the guests are treated to rondalla music by a local rondalla group housed under a floating cottage.4. Local folks usually take a dip in the waters and enjoy bathing under the falls. Guests who to bathe and experience the heady feeling of a refreshing swim in the river’s unpolluted waters are allowed to do so.5. Going to and from the Busay Falls, visitors are treated to a spectacle of children diving from a large coconut tree that is leaning out towards the river. One will feel a bit tense seeing the children climbing up the tree and then plunging towards the deep waters.6. Along the way, one can see children swimming and people passing by in small bancas or canoes. Located on the eastern bank of the river is the Nuts Huts Resort. This resort is a favorite hangout for bikers and hikers who prefer the peaceful and scenic surroundings of the river bank rather than the majestic allure of the sea.7. Another area worth visiting is where wild chickens, turtles, and pythons are kept in captivity. On this trip, visitors are given the time to marvel at the surrounding landscape. After a while, the return trip starts. Since the trip is going downstream, it takes a shorter time for the boats to arrive at the starting point.

How to Get There

Bohol is located in the Central Philippines, and can be conveniently reached by air or boat. From Manila, just take a flight to Tagbilaran, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is also possible to take a boat to Bohol, but will take 25 hours, and is only advisable if you have plenty of time at hand and enjoy a trip on sea, or have to travel on a rock-bottom budget or with a lot of luggage. Currently, there are numerous daily flights from Manila to Tagbilaran.

Many buses, jeepneys, and multicabs ply the interior route to and from Tagbilaran City. It is a lot cheaper if you avail of this local transport. However, vans and taxis are also available but usually charges 50% more if traveling outside Tagbilaran City. It is not hard to locate the Municipality of Loboc because it lies along the riverbanks. The old and massive stone church of Loboc is your landmark. The church is right beside the road, and at the opposite side of the road, you will