Anda, Bohol Travel Guide – What to Do, Where to Stay & How to Get There

Tucked away on the eastern coast of Bohol, Anda is one of the Philippines’ quieter beach destinations—ideal if you want turquoise water, uncrowded shores, and a slower pace than Panglao. It’s the kind of place people often skip when planning a first trip to the Philippines…which is exactly why it feels special when you get there.

This guide covers how to reach this amazing place, where to stay, what to do in Anda (including the best tourist spots and a few underrated gems), the beaches in Anda, and a suggested itinerary you can follow whether you’re visiting for 3 days or a full week.

If you’d like the story behind this trip, you can also read our personal travelogue and 7‑day itinerary for Anda.

Why visit Anda?

Anda is best for:

• Travelers who want a calm beach base (often with a “private cove” feel)
• Snorkeling and beginner-friendly diving close to shore
• Easy day trips to rice terraces, waterfalls, caves, and viewpoints
• Couples and independent travelers looking for quiet sunsets and nature

In our experience, we much preferred Anda to Panglao – it felt less touristy, more peaceful, and wasn’t crowded – everything you’d want for a truly relaxing getaway.

How to get to Anda, Bohol

Most travelers arrive via Cebu, then take a fast ferry to Tagbilaran (Bohol), then continue overland to Anda.​

Common route:

• Cebu → Tagbilaran (Bohol) by fast ferry. We bought ticket from 12asia.go
  Travel time is typically around $2$ hours, depending on the operator and schedule.​
• Tagbilaran → Anda
  • By van/bus: budget-friendly and commonly available; travel time is often about $2$2 hours depending on stops.​
  • By private transfer/taxi: easier with luggage and if you arrive late.
  • ​By using car rental – this was our choice.

Do you need a car in Anda?

Not strictly, but it makes things much easier. We rented a car and it let us explore freely and visit all the spots mentioned in this guide. Driving in Bohol is pretty straightforward—no heavy traffic like Cebu, the main roads are well-maintained, and you’ll get some beautiful views along the way. We used Bohol Car Rental and had a good overall experience.

If you decide to rent a car, you can compare prices and offers from dozens of car rental companies on the Booking.com or DiscoverCars website:

Mobile internet in the Philippines

For mobile internet and services, there are 2 options – purchasing a SIM card from one of the local operators or eSIM. If you decide to use eSIM, we recommend Saily – we’ve used a lot in Asia, and we highly recommend them in terms of price/service. Through this link, you get a 5% discount when purchasing an eSIM.

Where to stay in Anda

Anda shines when you stay in the right kind of place. Look for:

• Beachfront or cliffside resorts with direct sea access
• On-site restaurant – some resorts have restaurants, below we’ve listed some recommendations
• Good snorkeling access or proximity to a dive center if diving is your priority

Practical note: many of the best stays in Anda are small resorts – book early in peak season for best prices and availability. Before booking our hotel, we made a careful research on the available hotels and their reviews. We used Booking.com to book our hotel. Here is the list of the best hotels in Anda that we composed during our research:

Interactive map of attractions, beaches and restaurants in Bohol

Best things to do in Anda (and nearby)

Beaches, swimming, and sunsets

The main reason to choose Anda is the calm, uncrowded beach experience. Most resorts have small coves that can feel almost private, especially outside holidays.

If you care about snorkeling, ask your hotel which areas have coral and whether conditions are best at high tide. Most hotels offer boat trips for turtle watching or snorkeling.

Diving and snorkeling on coral reefs

Anda is a strong choice for diving – often with coral reefs close to shore and the chance to see turtles and rich marine life.

If you’re new to scuba, Anda can be a great place for courses because the vibe is relaxed and less crowded than the major hubs. We booked a Scuba diving course Anda Scuba Diving , and we can strongly recommend it – we saw huge turtles among a garden of colorful corals of all shapes.

Cadapdapan Rice Terraces and Can-Umantad Falls

A standout day trip from Anda is the Cadapdapan Rice Terraces in Candijay. They’re among the most photogenic landscapes in East Bohol, and they pair perfectly with a waterfall stop. Getting there takes around an hour and it’s worth the ride.​

Tip: You’ll usually get the best light in the morning or late afternoon, and you’ll avoid midday heat on the paths.

Very often combined with the rice terraces, Can-Umantad Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the area and a rewarding swim stop after the walk down.

Bring grippy sandals or trainers – the path can be slippery.

Cabagnow Cave Pool (Anda)

This is one of Anda’s most famous hidden gems: a natural limestone cave pool with striking blue water. It’s a fun change from beaches and waterfalls.​

Tip:Visit near midday for the brightest water color

The Alicia Panoramic Park

Perched 400 meters high, Alicia Panoramic Park (Binabaje Hills) rewards hikers with sweeping views across Bohol’s distinctive eastern terrain. The 2-kilometer trail to the top takes between 1.5 and 4 hours depending on your pace, and you’ll need to hire a local guide for 300 pesos per group of up to five people. This relatively unknown destination offers a quieter alternative to Bohol’s crowded beach resorts, perfect for adventurers wanting to explore beyond the usual tourist spots. Plan your visit between 4 AM and 8 PM, but note that the park closes on the final Wednesday of each month for maintenance.

Lamanoc Island (mangroves + history + folklore)

If you want something different from “beach-only,” add a half-day tour to Lamanoc Island. It’s known for mangroves, rock formations, and local stories, plus cultural/historical elements (often discussed as an “ancestral/mystical” island experience).

This is a great add-on if you want nature + culture without crowds.

Anda town and Quinale Beach

Anda town is small but pleasant. It’s worth a short visit for the church and town center atmosphere, the Quinale public beach and the small conveniences, like the local 7-Eleven store.

Add-on stops when crossing Bohol (Anda → Panglao / Tagbilaran)

If you plan to continue your trip toward Panglao (or return to Tagbilaran), you can stop at major Bohol highlights along the way.

Chocolate Hills viewpoint

The Chocolate Hills are impressive in real life and work best as a short photo and viewpoint stop. Expect a developed viewpoint area and a fairly efficient visitor setup.

Loboc River Cruise

The Loboc River Cruise is one of Bohol’s easiest “treat yourself” activities: a scenic cruise with a buffet lunch and entertainment, often priced around $\text{₱}\mathrm{1,000}$ ($20) per person depending on package and season.​

If you only do one classic tourist activity in Bohol, this one is usually worth it.

Panglao

Panglao is more developed and often more crowded than Anda. It can be a good stop if you want nightlife, more restaurant choices or luxury beach resorts.

If you go for swimming, many travelers prefer private resort beach areas for better maintenance than the busiest public zones.

Suggested itineraries

3 days in Anda (core experience)

• Day 1: Arrival + swim
• Day 2: Beach day + Anda town + relaxed dinner
• Day 3: Cadapdapan Rice Terraces + Can-Umantad Falls​

5 days in Anda (best balance)

• Day 1: Arrival + swim
• Day 2: Beach + snorkeling
• Day 3: Diving day (or second beach day)
• Day 4: Candijay day trip (rice terraces + falls)​
• Day 5: Cabagnow Cave Pool + easy evening in Anda​

Recommended day trips in Bohol

Dining in Anda, Bohol (extra suggestions)

Anda is not a “food destination,” but you can still eat very well—especially if your resort has a strong kitchen. Here are some recommendations:

• Casa Amihan Resort and Restaurant
• The Old Plantation
• Cafe LimDel
  

Practical tips

• Bring cash – ATMs can be limited or unreliable in small towns. It’s smart to withdraw enough cash in Cebu or Tagbilaran before heading to Anda.​
• Mobile data can be patchy – Expect weaker signal in rural interiors). Download offline maps before you go.
• Weather forecasts can be misleading – Short, intense showers happen even during “good” weeks. Plan flexible days: beach mornings, inland trips when skies are clear.

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