The best time to visit Bohol is the dry season, roughly November to May, with the sunniest weather generally reported between December and April. The wet season, June to October, brings more rain but fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices. This guide covers what each season is like, when the Chocolate Hills turn brown, and how to plan around crowds.
What is the best time to visit Bohol?
| Period | Weather | Crowds and prices |
|---|---|---|
| November to May | Dry season, with the sunniest weather from December to April | Busiest around Christmas, New Year and Holy Week, with higher rates |
| June to October | Wet season, with more frequent rain | Fewer visitors and lower prices |
Travel guides such as MileHacker describe the same pattern for Bohol and Panglao, though the exact months differ a little from source to source.
Is the dry season the best time to visit Bohol?
For most visitors, yes. The dry season runs roughly from November to May, and a Panglao travel guide names January to April as the best window for the beaches and island hopping. It is also peak season, so expect more visitors around Christmas, New Year and Holy Week, and higher rates for rooms and tours. Book early if your dates fall in one of those periods.
If you want good weather with fewer crowds, travel guides point to the shoulder months, such as November or late April into May.
What is Bohol like in the wet season?
The wet season runs roughly from June to October. Expect more frequent rain, but also fewer visitors and lower prices. Bohol sits outside the main typhoon belt and is less exposed to typhoons than Luzon, but storms can still affect travel in the wider Philippines, and one guide flags August to October as the highest-risk months. Check the PAGASA forecast before you travel and before any boat trip.
When do the Chocolate Hills turn brown?
The grass on the Chocolate Hills dries out and turns brown in the dry season, and the hills stay green in the wet season. Sources differ on the exact months. Some give December or November to May, and others name April and May as the peak. For the classic brown colour, plan a visit in the dry season. See the Chocolate Hills article for background.
Which season suits you?
- Best weather: the dry season, especially December to April.
- Lowest prices and fewest crowds: the wet season, from June to October, with the trade-off of more rain.
- A balance of both: the shoulder months, such as November.
Where can you stay in Panglao?
Panglao Island is where most visitors base themselves when they visit Bohol. Amihan Resort is a 25-room resort in Danao, Panglao. It is not beachfront, and it is a 7 to 8 minute walk to Alona Beach. It is about 7 minutes by car from Bohol-Panglao International Airport. Room types include a Family Room and a Deluxe Triple for groups, plus Deluxe Double rooms with private balconies. The front desk is open 24 hours, and the resort can arrange round-trip airport transfers, scooter rental and private car hire on request. Guests can also use the pool, restaurant and lounge areas at the adjacent Bathala Resort.
Book directly at amihanresortpanglao.com or call +63 38 427 1929.