The island of Cebu is teeming with treasures, and South Cebu is home to more than its fair share of beautiful places. The 1.2km Bojo River (pronounced boho) on Cebu’s west coast is a popular spot for eco-lovers, families and couples looking for a laidback date amongst nature.
BEST TIME TO VISIT THE PHILIPPINES
WHERE IS THE BOJO RIVER ALOGUINSAN
The Bojo River is found in the town of Aloguinsan on the west coast of Cebu. It’s around a 2 hour drive from Cebu City or an hour and a half from Moalboal, so pick your poison. We were based in Moalboal for a while so we made the drive from there, and it’s a beautiful scenic route.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST & HOW TO BOOK
To make the most out of your Bojo River visit, you’ll want to book a cruise. It’s ₱550/$11 for a 1.5 hour eco-tour cruise including meals. There’s a huge focus on sustainability and supporting the local community, and your money will go directly towards these efforts.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE BOJO RIVER
Prepare for your trip to the Bojo River with our must have travel essentials.
Waterproof backpack & phone case: Earth Pak 35L or 55L Heavy Duty Backpack, IPX8 Waterproof Phone Case Included (Click for price)
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro (Click for price)
NIPA BOARDWALK AT BOJO RIVER
At the entrance of the Bojo River is a picturesque nipa palm boardwalk. It’s a couple hundred metres long and is flanked by thick nipa growth on both sides. Don’t miss out on taking photos in this spot, as it’s really beautiful, both at ground level and from above.
A WARM WELCOME TO BOJO RIVER
As if the nipa entrance wasn’t beautiful enough, once we arrived at the river’s edge we were welcomed by a group of local musicians! They sang and played the guitar for us, reciting local songs about the river and gifted us with leis. It was so wholesome. This wasn’t just a blogger’s VIP welcome either, as we saw them do the same for other guests.
BOJO RIVER CRUISE & GUIDED TOUR
After a delicious lunch of local delicacies (whoops, no pics – we couldn’t wait to eat) we hopped into a small wooden outrigger and set sail on our Bojo River cruise with Kuya as our guide.
One of the amazing things about the Bojo River is that they employ the local community – both young and old – to be protectors of the area. These people have grown up here and know everything there is to know about the river’s history, from the overfishing and near mangrove destruction of the past, to its restoration and protection in the present.
Kuya will give you a detailed explanation of every mangrove species, bird and fish in the area, but the best way to see the beauty of the Bojo River is from above. This is why we really recommend bringing a drone if you have one.
CONTINUE TO HERMIT’S COVE
After a slow and leisurely 30 minute paddle to the mouth of the river, we said farewell to Kuya and swapped our wooden boat out for one of the glass-bottom variety. The opening of the river to the sea reminded us of the entrance to Big Lagoon in El Nido, with its towering limestone cliffs on either side. If the tide is right, you can even stand at the entrance and get some photos there, but it was going on high tide for us.
We took the glass-bottom boat along the coast a few minutes to Hermit’s Cove, a popular little beach that most people pair with their Bojo River visit. If you want to know more about Hermit’s Cove click here.
All in all, our trip to the Bojo River was culturally eye-opening, environmentally educational and a nice switch up from our usual high adrenaline activities.
READ: 28 BEST TOURIST SPOTS IN CEBU
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WHERE TO STAY IN SOUTH CEBU
Southern Cebu is where all the adventure is at, from waterfalls and whale sharks to island hopping and diving. When visiting anywhere in the south, the best place to stay is Moalboal. It has the most accommodation options, and is a fun little town with dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars. Check out our top four picks below for where to stay in Moalboal.
BUDGET/HOSTEL: CHIEF MAU
Right on the main strip of Panagsama Road you’ll find Chief Mau, a fun and social hostel that dubs itself the chillest place in town. Clean, modern and affordable, boasting a restaurant, bar and billiards, Chief Mau is a favourite amongst backpackers
MIDSCALE: ADAM’S VIEW HOTEL
Simple but with all the amenities and facilities you need – including a massive pool – Adam’s View Hotel is our top pick for those looking for a little more luxury than a backpackers. Located in the main town, Adam’s View Hotel is right next to Gaisano Mall, but still close enough to the action of Panagsama Beach to remain convenient.
LUXURY: TURTLE BAY DIVE RESORT
If you have deep pockets and an appreciation for the finer things in life, Turtle Bay Dive Resort is the place for you. Tucked away on a private cove in the quieter part of town, this luxury resort is perfect for couples looking for a little exclusivity.
AIRBNB: LRS APARTMENT
We can personally attest to how great LRS Apartment is, having spent two weeks there. Aside from a beautiful private pool, the apartment itself is modern, well furnished and spacious enough for a couple. (And a cat!) It’s just a 5 minute drive from the hustle and bustle of the restaurants and bars along Panagsama Road, but far enough away to offer a little peace and quiet. We can’t recommend LRS Moalboal enough!
SEARCH ALL HOTELS & RESORTS IN MOALBOAL
MORE CEBU TRAVEL GUIDES
Hermit’s Cove Aloguinsan
Kawasan Falls Canyoneering
Montpellier Falls Alegria
Cancalanog Falls Alegria
Binalayan Falls Samboan
Balaygsawa Falls Samboan
Sumilon Island Oslob
Oslob Whale Shark Experience
Pescador Island Moalboal
Sardine Run Moalboal
Turtle Bay Moalboal
