20 Attractions to Explore Near Santa Monica Church

The Church of Immaculada Concepcion in Baclayon is considered to be one of the oldest in the Philippines. Construction began in 1717 where some 200 native forced laborers cut and dragged coral blocks from the sea, using only bamboos in moving and lifting the stones in position. The church is now one of the great pilgrimage centers in the Philippines.

The Clarin Ancestral House dates back to 1840. Traditional Filipino-Spanish in design with long slanting roofs covered with nipa leaves, it is a typical one big square house with a coral stone foundation, rough-hewn wooden posts, wooden walls, and floors of wide hardwood planks and a receiving hall with a high vaulted ceiling. the whole house is relatively in good condition.

The Church of San Pedro in Loboc, Bohol is the second oldest church in Bohol. It was originally built in 1602, but soon reduced to ashes. In 1638, a stronger one was build. Located near the river, it has survived a number of floods. Inside the church, you can admire some remarkable naive paintings on the ceiling. it is now one of the great pilgrimage attraction in this area.

The parish of Tagbilaran is one of the first 6 parishes founded by the Jesuit missionaries who came to Bohol in 1595. Saint Joseph the Worker, a favorite among the Jesuits, was enthroned as the patron saint by Rev. Fr. Joaquin de San Jose in 1767, a year before the Jesuits were expelled from the country.

A beautiful river which was located in the heart of Bohol and it is famous for so many tourist activities and also it is one of the main water resource for the locals.

Panglao is a famous tourist destination for its white-sand beaches and world-class diving sites. Panglao is very accessible to other natural wonders of Bohol such as the Chocolate Hills, the countless springs, rivers, falls and caves, and the ever cute tarsier, the smallest primate in the world. Panglao beaches attract both local Filipino and foreign visitors alike. Many resorts and hotels have sprung up right along the beaches and some a bit inland.

Hinagdanan Cave is a famed Bohol tourist attraction for not only its unique beauty but also the interesting story of how it came to be. It meaning “Laddered” in Cebuano, is one of the many wondrous caves in the island province of Bohol. Hinagdanan also holds a bit of history from the Second World War. The cave was once used as a hideout by the locals to escape from the Japanese Imperial army, but unfortunately they were still found.

Rajah Sikatuna National Park is a haven for nature lovers and a birdwatcher's paradise. It is the widest remaining forest in Bohol. This forested karst limestone areas were recognized and declared a National Park. With a total land area of 9,023 hectares, 4,700 hectares is made up of natural forests, 1,600 hectares of man-made forest, 690 hectares occupied and the rest has cogonal features.

This famed tourist attraction quickly became a crowd favorite among local and foreign travelers looking for a relaxing escape from the city. Its wonderful white sand beaches, stunning reefs, and crystal clear waters will surely leave you fascinated. Daily a lot of tourists visits this place every day.

The famed Chocolate Hills of Bohol are not only two but more than 1,268 cone-shaped hills – a very strange geological formation that has baffled a lot of geologists. The hills are spread over an area of 50 square kilometers or more and vary in size from 30 meters to 120 meters in height. It was one of the great trekking destinations in this area and a lot of tourists comes here to enjoy this natural wonder.

It lies in the western portion of the main island in the middle of the vast Cebu Strait. One of the smaller Philippine Islands, it has an approximate 8 square kilometers, laid-back lifestyle and a peaceful community. It was one of the renowned tourist centers in this area and it has three known dive spots that put this island on the list of the possible Bohol tourist destinations. Scuba diving and snorkeling around this island is so much rewarding.

Olango Island is in Lapu Lapu Province, just offshore from Mactan Island and Lapu-Lapu city. It is known mainly for its wildlife sanctuary but also has some fine beaches and dive sites. The Olango Island Group includes Olango and six smaller islands nearby. The main town and main port is Santa Rosa on the west coast. Much of the terrain is mangrove swamp, home to large numbers of birds and also

Pescador Island is an island located in the Tanon straight, the name Pescador is derived from the former Spanish Colonial heritage and the abundance of fish swimming on the reefs. The giant sardine ball made Pescador world-famous for both divers and snorkellers alike, of late the main school has been camped in Panagsama, with smaller offshoots still visible at Pescador. Despite this Pescador still offers two distinct fantastic dive sites on the Northeast side and the Southwest side.

The Carbon Market in Cebu City's largest public market. It is named after a nearby area where coal used to be stored. The Market is a lively and colorful place, a veritable rabbit warren of little stalls with canopies. There you will find a huge variety of Cebu's agriculture and produce on sale. it is one of the main attractions in this area.

The Fort San Pedro is a military defence structure in Cebu. It was built by the Spaniards under the command of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first governor of Captaincy General of the Philippines. The original fort built right after the arrival of Legaspi and his expedition was made of wood. It was then replaced in the 17th century with a stone fort to repel Muslim raiders. Today’s fort was built in 1738. It is the oldest triangular bastion fort in the country. It served as the embryo of the very

Magellan's Cross is a Christian cross made by Portuguese and Spanish explorers on 15 March 1521 as ordered by Ferdinand Magellan upon arriving in Cebu in the Philippines. As you can see, the cross is being housed in a chapel next to the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino , also popular site on Magallanes Street. The reason why the magellan krus is put in house is not only to protect the Cross from rain or the hot tropical sun, but also from fanatics who chipped away pieces believing it has miraculou

The Church of the Infant is located near the Magellan's Cross and was rebuilt in 1740. It has been more than 200 years old and is the old Roman Catholic church in the Philippines. There is a statue of a young Jesus in a room in the Church of the Infant. It is said that Magellan gave the Queen of Cebu in 1521, and many locals will line up to pray.

Jumalon Butterfly Sanctuary is located in the city of Cebu in the Philippines. It consists of more than 50 species of butterflies that are cultured and protected in natural environments. The premises also have an art gallery and a museum that showcase the works of Jumalon, who established the sanctuary. It is worth visiting if you love spotting some colorful butterflies. it was one of the renowned places in this area.

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is a wide religious structure of Spanish colonial design. Built between the 17th and 20th centuries, it is among the most important emblems of Catholicism in the Philippines. Inspect the statues of religious figures that decorate the square outside the church.

Mactan Island in Cebu is a tourist destination you shouldn’t miss out on. From natural attractions, culinary adventures, handcrafted treasures, to historical spots; Mactan has a lot to offer for travelers. It is separated from Cebu by the Mactan Channel and connected to the province mainland by the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge. it is a paradise for tourists and is also a convenient place to spend some leisure time.