Bohol’s Countryside Tour boasts of the top tourist spots on the island. One of the most popular is hands down the Loboc River Cruise, where you get to enjoy a lunch buffet on board a floating restaurant along the waters of this calm and serene body of water.
The Loboc River is found in the town of Loboc, about 24 kilometers from the capital city of Tagbilaran. The cruise usually lasts for about an hour, and starts at the Loay Bridge or mouth of the river, then cruises down the stream until you reach Busay Falls, where the boat turns back to return to the docking station. The schedule for the lunch buffet is from 11 am to 2 pm but once you get on the boat, you can start munching on the food.
One boat or floating restaurant can accommodate a total of 50 to 60 people, so there might be some waiting time before the river cruise starts if there are only a few of you.
So what makes the river cruise a must-do when you visit Bohol? Here are the reasons why:
Lunch Buffet
Loboc River Cruise – Buffet
Touring Bohol can be exhausting – climbing the steps to the Chocolate Hills and being subjected to the heating sun can drain you of your energy, making the Loboc River Cruise the perfect respite from visiting one tourist spot from another.
The lunch buffet is scrumptious and you are treated to a variety of Filipino dishes, which includes Filipino dessert and tropical fruits. One serving of a bottled soft drink is also served, but you’ll have to pay an additional fee if you wish to have more to drink.
Live Entertainment
Once you step into the floating restaurant, a group of singers will serenade and entertain you as you wait or as you munch on lunch, and during the entirety of the cruise. These local singers mostly sing folk sings, Boholano songs, and Filipino ballads but every now and then Western songs are played, especially if foreign tourists are present.
Cultural Presentation
Guest Dancing To Tinikling
A stop along the river includes a cultural presentation where a group of singers and dancers entertain you with folk songs and dances. The “Tinikling,” a Filipino dance, is mostly presented, and you get to join them, too, if you wish. The local government set up the presentation as a way to help the communities who live by the river.
The Cruise Itself
The river is calm so there’s no need to worry about getting seasick or if your food is gonna topple over the tables. The floating restaurant is made up of a covered platform placed on top of two outrigger boats.
Along the river, you can see a verdant landscape, where a healthy dose of bushes, coconut trees, and banana groves surround the river beds on both sides.
Local communities of fishermen can also be seen along the river, where they catch fish; small boys playing by the river and jumping into the water; women doing laundry; and local villagers just going about their business.
The Loboc River Cruise is a great way to relax midday, making it the perfect way to enjoy the island’s natural beauty while you take a break and indulge in delicious food from the rest of your tour. Take some time to revel in the beautiful nature that surrounds you as you refresh and re-energize for the rest of your Bohol Countryside Tour.
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