DiscoverCalape
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Calape.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Calape
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Calape
- Imagine an idyllic small town, located on the western coast of Bohol, where the sun embraces the Cebu Strait and the wind brings the odour of the sea-salted mangroves.
- There is a Spanish church in this town, and beside it towers an old watch-tower, both as mute as the grave with their tales of the days so many years ago, when fishermen and sea-keepers hung on the coast.
- Large mangrove swamps cover the coast and create a living wall of defence of the shore and the survival of a local fishing economy that has been around since time immemorial.
- The very coast itself is an amalgamation of rough boulder barrows, and smooth sands, purporting to be good places to wander, beach combing, and see the waves roll on ashore.
- Its cobbled streets, heritage houses and observed rituals of the people still delve in the history of the town that value their Spanish colonial history.
- Travellers wishing to have some perfect holidays to Calape, Bohol, the best place to begin with is to book with the world pinoy flights, this will take you directly to the warm breeze and a friendly smile of this coastline holiday haven.
- Capital (of the province): Tagbilaran City
- International airport: None in Calape
- Nearest commonly used airports:
- Bohol-Panglao International Airport (Panglao Island, Bohol) – main domestic and international airport for the province
- Mactan–Cebu International Airport (Cebu City, Cebu) – major international gateway nearby
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official / local languages: Cebuano (Boholano), Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- Most notable among the Spanish colonial buildings is the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church, which boasts of lavish stonework, a high-rise bell tower, and an inner tranquilly allowing one to calmly contemplate.
- This Calape Watchtower is a small ruin today, but still it provides panoramic views of the strait and even a sense of being connected to the defensive tactics of the past.
- The mangrove habitat is a green and fertile labyrinth where fish swim among the roots, birds fly over, and the silence of nature offers an ecological experience classroom.
- The seashoring landscape, in this case, is invincible: sunrise over Cebu Strait imbues the sky with golden shades, and sunset covers the beach with a gentle and calming tone.
- The town has an array of old Spanish, and American-era houses lining the tight lanes of the town that visitors can explore and can each tell the storey of the family that has been calling Calape their home over the years.
- The Calape makes the place an ideal choice of people who want to have their own holidays in Calape, Bohol without the noise and the biggest number of tourists.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- With dry season, which spans between November and May, it is sunny, and the weather is predictable, and it is a wonderful opportunity to walk the mangrove boardwalk without being interrupted by the rain.
- The waters in the Cebu Strait remain clear and calm; this is an ideal time to snorkel, kayak or even just ride the tame waves.
- The cold seasons are also not too cold to allow beach wear and light clothing which makes a comfortable stay during the whole year round.
- The dry season is also compatible with the annual festivals in the town, particularly those in May, and the traveller can experience the colourful festivals without having to put up with weather-related inconveniencing factors.
- Bohol is not as affected by typhoons, but the traveller in the end of the season may still experience some tropical downpours which only serve to cool the tropical climate.
- The dry season will be the most enticing to those intending to travel to Calape, Bohol to both visit the cultural landmarks, as well as the physical marvels of the coastal municipality.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church
- Wonder at the front of the church, a mixture of baroque burgeons and the simplicity of Spanish colonialism that narrates the tale of religion and creation.
- Enter and find a peaceful nave with pews of wood, with a high altar and windows of stained glass that screen out the tropical light in cosy light.
- Hear the echoes of the bells in the far off that are echoing through the stone walls, echoing the centuries of piety within its walls.
- Stroll through the local plaza, where people pray and community gather to hold community events, weaving the past and present in a living tapestry.
- You should pause and admire the silence because the tranquilly of the church is a break to the noise of the ordinary everyday life.
- A visit to this historic site is an ideal visit to any person who makes a visit to this place during his/her holidays to Calape, Bohol because it offers an insight into the cultural identity of the place.
- Calape Watchtower
- Stroll on the ruins of the stone base of the watchtower and taste the dust of a past age under your feet.
- One can see the distant islands and the horizon that is constantly present as seen through the tower on the expansive Cebu Strait.
- Discover how this tower was strategically located to defend the town during the Spanish rule, shield the fishermen as well as fishermen against pirate attack.
- Note the cliff vegetation surrounding that has reclaimed the structure and becomes what gives the ruin something of natural reclaimed.
- Film shots of the tower in front of a sunrise that illuminates the shore with golden rays.
- One of the key activities in the experience of making the best of holidays to Calape, Bohol, is visiting the watch tower because it takes you directly to the maritime history of the town.
Mangrove Boardwalk/Area
- Take the path that leads you through the mangrove roots and experience the coolness of the water that is close to you.
- Discover a number of different kinds of birds--kingfishers, herons, and magpies--dashing in and out among the interwoven trunks of the trees.
- Observe how the mangroves sieve down the run off and provide the local fish and crustaceans a clean, healthy environment.
- When it is sunny, take a ride over a small lagoon which shines in the afternoon sun providing an ideal cooling atmosphere.
- Interact with local guides who narrate the storeys of how the mangroves have influenced the lives of people at Calape since time immemorial.
- It is a must visit site among people who are planning to spend their holidays in Calape, Bohol because it offers an environmental friendly adventure in the peaceful environment within the town.
Local Coastal Beaches
- Go to some secluded part of a sandy beach where the waves are gentle and get some rest in the quietness of the city.
- Observe the sunset at the Cebu Strait, where the sky is painted with orange, pink and purple colours.
- Toe dip in the shallow water, and experience the flowing movement of water with salt and seaweed in a dance.
- Take a seat on a sun-shaded position, and read a book, or merely watch the thump, thump of waves on the shore.
- Have picnic lunch of fresh fish and local fruit, which are served on a blanket as you bathe in the panoramic view of the sea.
- An itinerary of enjoying the beautiful nature and relaxing in Calape is complete because of mixing the activities with beach in Bohol, which is also known as a complete itinerary with the natural beauty to enjoy.
Reason 05
Discover More
Local Market (Public Market)
- Go into the busy marketplace where sellers are selling a variety of fresh seafood items such as shrimp, crab and fish all laid out on ice.
- Examples of local delicacies include kinilaw (raw fish salad that is tangy) or humba (sweet pork stew) which reflects the comfort of Boholano food.
- Note the rhyming of the bargaining between sellers and buyers a bustling and active process that shows the warm spirit of the town.
- Collect recently-picked coconut which is one of the main ingredients of the Bohol food culture and how to weave it into the ordinary life.
- Seize the colourful stalls of the market, all full of tropical fruits, vegetables, and crafts made by hand.
- A visit to this market will provide the traveller with a taste experience about the local flavour during their visits to Calape, Bohol during their holidays.
Boholano Heritage Houses
- Explore the small streets with old houses of the Spanish era and American era that coexist and have the choke of time on them.
- Observe the distinctive build elements such as arched windows, wooden balconies and elaborate carvings which are a trademark of the ancient art.
- Stop to take pictures of the outside with the contrast of the old worn rocks and green vines that have grown against the wall.
- See how the families who used to live in the houses, how their storeys are connected with the cultural tapestry of the town.
- Experience the feeling of tradition that hangs in the air, as though the very walls have a storey to tell of the past times.
- Such a discovery adds depth to any itinerary of Calape in Bohol as it helps bridge the gap between the holiday-goer and the long-standing architectural heritage of the town.
Cebu Strait Views
- Perch on an open promontory or a cliff to see the huge stretch of the Cebu Strait, a strip of water that connects Calape to the adjacent islands.
- Passing fishing-boats on the spot, gleaming in the sunlight with their sails, and pass out of sight.
- In the morning, enjoy the delicate pink colour light, which illuminates the water, and makes the sea a mirror.
- The sky at the dusk is extremely indigo, and the figures of the distant islands provide a dramatic background to the setting sun.
- This view is an ideal place to take photographs or have a glance of tranquilly.
- The ever-present sea view is an unending reminder of the maritime heritage of Calape, a main attraction to the people visiting Calape on a holiday.
Local Fishing Ports
- See rhythmic movements of pulled nets and new caught fish in baskets.
- Interact with fishermen, how they live their day to day life, their practises and sea storeys.
- Take notice of the bright colour of the boats; red, blue, and yellow; all of them contributing a touch of life to the waterfront.
- Savour the fish that is made fresh and grilled just outside on the dock, with local herbs and lime.
- Go out in a boat at least once, to visit the fishing-ground where the bounty of the sea is being gathered.
- This understanding of the local livelihoods is a complete package of fused culture, nature, and community to the experience of holidays to Calape, Bohol.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- The language mostly used is the Cebuano language, which is full of idioms and can be heard resonating with the day to day life of people at Calape.
- The Spanish colonialism tradition is shown in the celebrations and church practises in the town, and the watch tower which is still standing and used to guard against possible attacks.
- Boholano culture is based on hospitality whereby a guest is received with open arms and an assurance of true kindness.
- Social ties are strengthened by community meetings, which tend to focus on the parish church and glorify a shared past.
- Music and dance performances are carried on in traditional ways through which the past is incorporated into present feasts, particularly in festivals.
- It is important that one adopts these cultural dimensions in order to have a good experience when they visit Calape during the holidays.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- The local cuisine is predominantly made of the fresh sea food with daily harvests of fish, shellfish and crustaceans that the Cebu Strait provides.
- Kinilaw/Raw fish salad - It is a raw fish salad marinated in vinegar and spices and has a refreshing aromatic favourite flavour.
- Humba is a savoury pork dish, topped with a sweet glaze, which is comforting and full of flavour as it is very hearty food in the region.
- The sticky, sweet rice cake known as Calamay is a favourite dish that displays the art of confectionaries in the island since it is always covered in coconut shell.
- Stews and grilled fish with vegetables are rich in proteins and the combination of fresh vegetables gives it a wholesome experience.
- Tasting such dishes makes every holiday in Calape, Bohol a culinary experience that could be used to celebrate the flavours of the place.
Fun
- A tour in the church and the watchtower is a heritage tour that gives one an insight into the past as they stroll through beautiful streets.
- It is a peaceful and near meditative experience watching the sun set over the Cebu Strait in a silent beach.
- Spending time in the beach to relax through swimming or just watching a towel enables the visitors to relieve themselves of day to day pressures.
- It is also interactive since one gets the opportunity to engage with the local fishermen and learn their trade.
- Interesting, participatory means of local cultural celebration is attending community festivals.
- All these activities bring together to create any of the holidays to Calape, Bohol memorable and enriching.
Fashion
- To feel comfortable in the tropical heat, she must wear light breathable clothing: cotton shirts, shorts, and sundresses.
- At the church, the local customs and traditions require modest and covering clothes that cover shoulders and knees.
- The swimsuits are also essential during the beach days but it is polite enough to wear covering when strolling around in the historical sections of the town.
- Wearing comfortable walking shoes is also helpful when walking around cobblestone streets and board walks, mainly during rainy seasons.
- Sunscreen, a broad hat and sunglasses is used to shield the intense UV rays in addition to bringing fashion to it.
- This is a convenient wardrobe that keeps the visitors comfortable and respectful during their holidays to Calape, Bohol.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- The town is bordered by the Cebu Strait that opens up to marine discovery and provides a setting of endless blue.
- The mangrove forests serve as natural tide breakers and shield the coast and support the habitat of various wildlife.
- The rocky and sandy beaches provide the opposite experience of the beach, with the peaceful lapping waves on sandy beaches and the dramatic cliffs in the background.
- The mangroves also have a rich ecosystem with birds, fish and insects living in a symbiotic relationship.
- A mangrove kayak expedition will show concealed coves and secret pathways.
- These natural attractions are the heart of the holidays to Calape, Bohol adventure, which is a mixture of ecology and recreation.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- The holidays to Calape Town Fiesta, celebrated May 2nd, is a tribute to St. Vincent Ferrer and the town ceremonies include processions, songs and the shared dinner.
- The day of the feast has religious processions, which are characterised by the carrying of icons, singing and praying that throng the streets with piety.
- Local artisans present their work, and on the street, there are street vendors that make traditional food, which creates the mood of a lively marketplace.
- The parish church hosts community meetings that unite the other towns that are nearby leading to a stronger regional relationship.
- The season when the festival takes place in the early months of May is during the dry period making the weather clear so that people can celebrate outdoors.
- This fiesta provides a genuine insight on the spirit of Calape, a festive event that no one can take holiday to Calape without it.