Nestled in the heart of the Philippines, Bohol is home to one of the world’s smallest and most enigmatic primates—the tarsier. Find out how to spot them on your trip to Bohol!
Most travelers visit Bohol for the beaches, waterfalls, and the famous Chocolate Hills. However, seeing the endangered Tarsiers was one of my favorite travel experiences on the island. and unique experience that shouldn’t be missed.
These nocturnal creatures, with their large, expressive eyes and tiny bodies are super unique and really fun to photograph. Below, I’ll help you plan your visit so you can spot them too!
Overview & Things to Know
While it is possible to spot wild tarsiers in Bohol, this is quite challenging due to their nocturnal and elusive nature. Most travelers including myself opt to see tarsiers in protected areas and sanctuaries where efforts are made to ensure their safety and conservation.
Here's what you need to know
- Most Bohol countryside tours will include a visit to one of the sanctuaries. You can also book this tour with return transfers to Cebu.
- The Tarsiers in Bohol are listed as an endangered species.
- Many tourists mistake the tarsiers for large monkey-sized creatures. When you first see them, you’ll notice that they are absolutely tiny. A fully-grown Tarsier is roughly 100 millimeters in height. However, they can leap up to five meters!
- Each Tarsier can only have one baby per year and protects its own territory of one hectare per individual. This, combined with the threat of introduced dogs and cats means that they are incredibly prone to extinction.
Did you know? Each of the tarsiers' eye is heavier than their brain. They can also turn their heads 180 degrees to each side. This helps the tiny creatures hunt large insects at night.
Where to See the Tarsiers in Bohol
There are two main protected areas to see the tarsiers on Bohol, the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, and the Tarsier Conservation Area. I'll detail both below.
Tip: Renting your own motorbike or moped for under 300 pesos per day means that you can see the real Bohol by yourself. However, you will miss out on the local knowledge. It's also great to pay your money forward to local tour operators who rely on the income.
Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary
Located in Corella, the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary is a haven for these tiny primates. The sanctuary offers guided tours that allow visitors to see tarsiers in their natural habitat while learning about conservation efforts. This is the site that I visited and I do recommend it.
The knowledgeable guides provide insights into tarsier behavior and the challenges they face.
- Location: Corella, Bohol, approximately 14 km (8.7 miles) northeast of Tagbilaran City.
- Entrance Fee: 170 PHP (cash only), which goes towards the conservation efforts and maintenance of the sanctuary.
- Hours of Operation: The sanctuary is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
The site is located approximately 20 minutes from Tagbilaran City by Jeepney or tricycle. The sanctuary is easily accessible by car or motorbike, and there are also tours available from major tourist hubs. Those coming from the tourist area of Panglao can expect a one hour journey depending on traffic.
Included in: Bohol Countryside Day Tour
Tarsier Conservation Area
Located in Loboc, the Tarsier Conservation Area is another dedicated space for the protection of the Tarsiers. The Tarsier Conservation Area spans a significant portion of Loboc's lush forest, providing a natural and overall larger protected environment for tarsiers to live and breed.
- Location: Loboc, Bohol, approximately 24 km (15 miles) east of Tagbilaran City.
- Entrance Fee: 80 PHP, also supports conservation efforts and the maintenance of the area.
- Hours of Operation: Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
The site is located approximately 30 minutes from Tagbilaran City. Similarly to the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, this conservation area is easily accessible by car or motorbike. If you're coming form Panglao, expect at least an hour's drive or ride.
My Experience at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary
As soon as we arrived at the sanctuary, I noticed how underfunded this project was. The signs and facilities are quite old and dated. However, after meeting our guides, I could see that they were very passionate about conservation and it seems they use most of their money into this, rather than superficial structures.
After a short introduction, where we were told not to make noise or use flash photography, we were guided in to the sanctuary area. It was very difficult to find the tarsiers as they were mostly asleep in the tree (since they're nocturnal). Luckily, our guides pointed them out for us.
We spent about 20 minutes taking some photos and admiring these cute animals sitting in the trees.
Tip: Visiting the sanctuary can also be completed as a stop on a Bohol tour. If you're looking to check out some waterfalls and the Chocolate Hills, it might be a good idea to barter with a local tour operator. Expect to pay over 1,000 Pesos per day for the "Inland Tour" unless you book online.
Endangered Status
The Philippine Tarsier Foundation has established protected and fenced off areas for the Tarsiers to repopulate. There is also a smaller conservation area where tourists can come to see them. Just remember that the Tarsiers in Bohol are incredibly sensitive to sound and light.
I hope that this short guide to spotting Tarsier's in Bohol has helped you plan your adventure. Before you go, check out more of my travel guides below.
- Siargao Travel Guide - discover the epic island of Siargao and why there are so many more things to do than just surfing
- Cebu Island Travel Guide - my ultimate adventure travel guide to Cebu
- Siquijor Island Guide - off-beat adventures in Siquijor
- Kawasan Falls - how to visit the Philippines' most famous waterfall
- 10 Best Islands in the Philippines - a roundup of my 10 favorite islands to travel to in the Philippines
- Accommodation Guides: Plan where to stay in Siargao and find great hotels in Cebu
