DiscoverBuenavista
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Buenavista.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Buenavista
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Buenavista
- As a preview of the article, holidays to Buenavista, Bohol a serene coastline is where the slumbering Cebu Strait caresses the smooth sandy surfaces and calls on idle travellers to experience the fresh sea air and the waving of the waves.
- Rolling ridge and flat coastal plains characterise the landscape of the municipality that has long supported rice paddies and cornfields and provides a living spectacle of a productive land.
- Every sunrise over Buenavista is a symphony of fishermen and their shouts as they pull up the nets and the air is filled with the smell of fresh fish and a musical mix of gulls and their cries--a portrait of the ordinary people in a sense.
- The hospitality of the locals who welcome the visitors with a friendly smile and genuine hospitality is the central element in all the experience, transforming an unknown person into an acquaintance in several minutes.
- The fact that Buenavista is still an unspoiled and provincial area is a stark contrast to the tourist-laden tendencies of the towns of Dagupan and Panglao and will appeal to anyone who values the authenticity of a place.
- In holidays in Buenavista, Bohol, one can find a slow, mind-soothing pace, where one can sit back and enjoy the beauty of every simple moment, letting it sink into long-term memory.
- Capital (of the province): Tagbilaran City
- International airport: None in Buenavista
- 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
- The wide coastal landscape of the town borders Cebu Strait where the blue ocean waters mirror the sky and offer serene scenery to watch the sunset.
- The rice and corn fields that cover the hinterland are vast and the neat rows plaited at the edge of the tropical sun appear a living testimony of the agrarian background of the region.
- Location to the Proximity to Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef put Buenavista in the vicinity of one of the greatest marine ecosystems in the world, and both angler and the eco-tourists are attracted.
- The hospitality that admiates each and every street corner is a living tradition, where people welcome each visitor with a basic greetings of Kamusta! and a cup of hot coffee, that is made locally.
- The rural beauty of Buenavista remains unspoilt promoting the need to go off-road and see the overlooked fishing villages and silent rice terraces.
- The relaxed and slow, rhythmic life of the municipality encourages the travellers to leave the urban hectic life behind and have a peaceful, provincial getaway.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- Stable weather, which occurs between November and May, during the dry season, is perfect in regard to beach days, long walks along the shore, and wandering around the green fields.
- It is a tropical climate with the average temperature and constant humidity, which ensure that the landscape will be open and fresh all year round.
- Although Bohol is not much exposed to the worst typhoons hitting Luzon, visitors need to keep updated with the weather conditions during the monsoon season.
- Winter weather is much cooler and therefore provides a good break in the hot summer season as an outdoor activity period of time such as fishing and hiking.
- Spring, with its flowering native vegetation, imbues the countryside with a sweet-scented, colourful scent which any trip to the rice paddy and cornfields will add to.
- During Fall, there are the harvest festivals and community festivals and this gives the guests an opportunity to experience the festive culture of the region.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Buenavista Coastal Beaches
- This clean coastline provides a serene environment to swim in when the small waves are calm, and the serious and amateur swimmers can dive in crystal clear waters.
- Sunset over the Cebu Strait tints the sky with the colours of orange and pink which is a spectacle to behold in the evening walks.
- There is no heavy tourist presence, and therefore, one can go to the beach and not have to be disturbed by the noise and the crowds that other destinations draw in Bohol.
- Shallow coves offer good play grounds to the kids and the waves are so small that surfing on the shore can be practised by all.
- Close by mangrove areas harbour a variety of birds and this gives an opportunity to view wildlife in a natural environment which is not only informative but also relaxing.
- Local beachside food stands offer freshly grilled seafood, which enables the guests to enjoy the sea breeze and taste the daily catch for holidays to Buenavista.
Agricultural Fields
- Driving through the immense rice paddies, one sees a tapestry of green which is a mirror image of the tropical sun, a living masterpiece of manual labour and machine labour agriculture.
- The planting and harvesting seasons provide the traveller with a practically front-of-rest view of the rural scene, early morning sowing, or late afternoon reaping.
- There are small villages that surround the fields and the farmers provide tours and tell people about the traditional methods and the need of crop rotation.
- The smell of freshly ground corn and the smell of well ploughed soil produces a sensory experience that makes the visitors be tied to the land.
- The fields have agricultural fairs and markets whereby local produce is available, and the crafts people sell their handmade goods.
- The wide panorama is created by the hills above the fields which enables the tourists to view the magnitude of the contribution of the food security of the province by Bohol.
Buenavista Town Proper
- The main square of the town is surrounded with colonial architecture which is a meeting point of locals where people can listen to music, dance and converse.
- The municipal hall is a modest building and it symbolises the pride of the community of its own government and administrative history.
- Small shops line up narrow streets emanating out of the plaza with everything to offer, including fresh produce and unique Boholano crafts.
- A visit to the plaza on a market day will show colourful stalls where farmers will sell their harvest and artisans will sell woven baskets.
- The cafes found in the town are very quiet and the travellers can find a place to sit at the cafes and enjoy the local coffee and see the daily life of the town around the cafes.
- Nooks in the road with local snacks such as kinilaw and calamay enable tourists to taste flavours that are otherwise difficult to come by.
Local Fishing Ports
- The busy fishing harbour is a biological laboratory through which you can witness the daily life of the net going down and coming up in the morning.
- The fresh caught fish, crabs, and shrimps are on ice, and the colours appear bright which speaks of the abundance of the sea.
- Fishermen do not hesitate to give storeys about the sea, which will reveal the traditional way and the difficulties with the modern fishery.
- The floating market in the port is a vibrant experience where people sell and sell ingredients and discuss over boiling bowls of seafood.
- There are small boats that are painted in bright colours, and they are available on the docks to take interested visitors on their weekend fishing trips.
- The waves and the conversation of sellers provide the sound experience of a very real sensory landscape that reflects the spirit of the maritime culture of Buenavista.
Reason 05
Discover More
Local Market (Public Market)
- The open-air stalls of the market are busy with the sellers showing all the colours of fresh products, including yellow mangoes and white lettuce.
- Boholanos cook and sell foods made by the locals such as kinilaw and fried tilapia, serving the tourists a taste of local Boholano home cooking in its purest form.
- The vibrant atmosphere in the market gives the tourists a chance to practise their Filipino sentences and interact with marketable individuals.
- The fruits and vegetables in season are usually abundant and one can have a more filling experience as compared to the commercial supermarkets.
- The design of the market with paved lanes and stacked products resembles the Philippine market system of the past, providing a full immersion into the culture.
- another delicacy sold in food stalls is the calamay, which is covered with coconutshells and is a sweet treat, which depicts the creativity of Bohol in food.
Proximity to Bien Unido
- A car ride to the adjacent town of the Bien Unido opens the gate into the Giant Clam Sanctuary where one is able to observe the life of these amazing mollusks.
- The guided tours in the sanctuary give explanations of the ecological significance of the clams and conservation of the clams that is being engaged in.
- Strolling along the beach roads in Bien Unido, one is certain to find clear waters and coral reefs which can be great to snorkel and capture underwater images.
- There is the talk about the historical significance of the clams to the community by the local guides and how the clams have been used in the tourism of the area.
- The educational exhibits of the sanctuary offer interactive learning to both children and adults alike, and stewardship over the environment.
- The beach near it provides a peaceful place to picnic and travellers can have a rest taking in the sights of the sea.
The St. Mary the Immaculate Parish Church.
- The colonial facade of the church, which has a red roof, is a sign of the rich religious heritage and tradition of architecture in Buenavista.
- Inside, the carvings of the altar and the windows covered by stained glass tell the bible storeys which have been the cause of inspiration to generations of the parishioners.
- The annual celebration of the church on December $8^\text{th}$, called the Town Fiesta, attracts loyal followers who have celebrations that include prayers, music, and meals as a community.
- Visitors are welcomed to the Mass where the mixture of local hymns and the traditional Filipino liturgy is used.
- There is the adjacent graveyard with its bleak stone crosses, which serves as a grave reminder of the faith and social ties so long held in the town.
- The serene courtyard of the church where seniors sit and discuss is a good place to relax and contemplate as a spiritual journey to the traveller during holidays to Buenavista.
Coastal Road Views
- The scenic drive along the north coast provides the panoramic scenery of the Cebu Strait, framed by the green vegetation and fishing boats here and there.
- There are viewpoints on the route where travellers can take a moment to get a panoramic view of the sea to take photographs and have deep moments.
- The topography of the road is soft with a natural topography that makes it easy and enjoyable to drive.
- Miniature roadside booths offering local snacks and fresh fruit will offer stops to have refreshments on board.
- The path goes by some fishing villages so the visitors can peep into the day-to-day life and also have a chance to interact with the hospitable people.
- Sunset over the ocean along the coastal road is another image that can be easily remembered with the sky being golden in colour and the waves shinning in liquid gold.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- Cebuano is the main language spoken by the locals and it welcomes visitors so warmly as majority of the locals speak in the amiable Visayan dialect.
- Agriculture and fishing are still the two staples of the Buenavista lifestyle whose family members earn their living by working both on land and water in a sustainable manner.
- The communal events, be it market days, or religious fiestas, create a sense of belongingness and maintain communal recollections.
- There are the traditional songs and dances, which are used during celebrations and they demonstrate the rich artistic heritage of the region.
- The social structure is characterised by respect towards older people and intense neighbourliness, which gives hospitality a favourable environment.
- Local celebrations such as the December $8^\text{th}$ town fiesta boost cultural identity and bring the locals and visitors together in common celebrations.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- The specialty of the food in Buenavista is seafood; fish, shells, crustaceans are caught in the Cebu Strait every day and served grilled or raw.
- Visayan specialty, Kinilaw is made of raw fish marinated in vinegar, onions and spices and provides a tangy refreshing bite.
- The local fields of rice and corn are converted into hearty meal like kakanin and moronit, as a symbol of the farming prosperity of the land.
- Calamay, the legendary sticky sweet is delivered in unique coconuts shells that give it a different, aromatic flavour that is enjoyed by both the locals and the tourists.
- Fresh fruit juice (freshly squeezed), mango and pineapple juice are sweet and natural refreshments on hot days.
- The pansit kuntum traditional noodle soup, cooked with local herbs, is a hearty, savoury dish that can be used to encapsulate the food spirit of Buenavista.
Fun
- A relaxing trip to the quiet coves in Buenavista will enable the tourist to relax either reading, sunbathing or just listening to the sounds of the calm waves.
- The rice and corn farming cycles are a practical learning experience, as the farmers were happy to discuss every process involved in farming.
- Tasting seafood on fresh at the market or in the shore is a real culinary experience that will also satisfy the stomach.
- Attending local events, e.g. the Town Fiesta or harvest festivals, allows tourists to feel the happy communal harmony for holidays to Buenavista.
- A visit to the fishing ports shows the bustling lives of fishermen who swap storeys and provisions, a full life of the normal living.
- Stargazing during the night spent on the shoreline, out of the light of the urban centres allows a clear view of constellations, which finishes an outstanding day in Buenavista.
Fashion
- The easy breathable shirts and shorts can be worn by any traveller in the tropical climate and allow them the comfort of the heat without being heavy.
- Beach days require swimwear, such as board shorts or bikinis, and a wide-brimmed hat to block the sun in the middle of the day.
- Pair- of comfortable walking shoes or sandals are recommended in the event of exploring the rocky terrain of rice paddies and coastal walks.
- Local markets offer the opportunity to borrow traditional "barong" or "tupad" clothes to take part in cultural events which will also provide some local flavour.
- The day outings in and around Buenavista are hassle-free as a small tote bag or backpack includes the basics like water, sunscreen, and a camera.
- The practical, plain style that makes the use of practical and tropical elements mix, makes the travellers remain calm and ready.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- Cebu Strait has a favourable habitat of the marine life with colourful fish, dolphins and sometimes sea turtle brought about by the clear waters.
- The plains of rice and corn on their rhythmic rows create a living landscape which is productive and also breathtaking.
- Mangrove ecosystems on the coastline act as important nurseries to fish species hence a special chance to eco-tourism lovers.
- Local conservation measures help in sustaining the biodiversity of the coastal ecosystem, and this is why the natural environment will be lively to future visitors.
- There are seasonal migrations of birds along the coast which present a show of colour, which enhances the aesthetic experience of nature enthusiasts.
- Panorama tours of the surrounding hills offer great views of the coastline, the agricultural fields and the islands in the distance.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- The Buenavista Town Fiesta held on December $8^\text{th}$ in honour of Mary Immaculate, involves Mass, processions along the streets, and feasting together.
- The harvest festivals that are celebrated in the planting or reaping seasons attract the pride of the people in the community with regard to the agricultural yield through festival parades and local delicacies for holidays to Buenavista.
- Fishing events are held on an annual basis and attract people in the neighbouring towns, also showing the maritime prowess of the area.
- Traditional dances or other cultural performances are the main feature of both religious and secular holidays to Buenavista, and they save artistic traditions.
- Fiesta fiestas are accompanied by holiday markets that sell homemade products, fresh food, and regional snacks and people can enjoy a festive atmosphere.
- Social events on fiestas enhance the social connexion and enable tourists to enjoy the true Filipino hospitality and friendship.