Laya Beach in Bohol

Just around 30 to 40 minutes ( or some 9 kilometers) of car or bus travel from the airport or any transportation terminal in Tagbilaran brings us to the tranquil and pristine Laya Beach in Baclayon, Bohol. The place affords what an unspoiled seaside experience should be.

Going to Laya Beach is easy journey from Tagbilaran. Public bus or jeep fare will not cost us more than a dollar. But the best option here is to rent a car when traveling with 2 or 3 more passengers or a van when traveling with a group. The usual rate is $10 to $15 per hour with a minimum of 3 to 5 hours. That’s about 3000 to 4000 Php or about $110 for half a day, more or less.

On weekends, Laya Beach swarms with weekend visitors, vacationers, swimmers, picnickers, and others as desperate as we are in getting away from it all and seeking refuge in nature. Nonetheless, despite the mammoth exodus to this favorite Bohol getaway, Laya Beach remains a perfect and immaculate unwinding destination.

From Laya Beach we may also decide to drop by special places on Panglao Island or in Tagbilaran—like the mysterious Hinagdanan Cave or Pamilacan Island. Most Laya Beach vacationers troop to adjacent tourist sites after a cool plunge at the shorelines.

Sometimes there are “roving cooks” at Laya Beach who offer to cook fresh sea foods for us exactly the way we want them. Or, we can book for a stay at classy places for lodging and food. Room rates and other amenities at Baclayon vary but here is an example just to give us a good hint.

Room rates are often $15 to $20 per person and this is inclusive of all meals plus good swim access. If we want a cozy cottage right at the seashore for shed and eating purposes (not lodging) we may avail of offers costing $5 for the whole day. Lunch for each person is about $5 or a bit more.

We may also want to whale watch at a farther distance from Laya Beach and rent a boat and guides for this. This package (with cottage, life vests, guides and crews) may cost from $100 to $130, depending on the number of watchers, 18 people being usually the maximum.

To name a few lodges with restaurants in the vicinity of Laya Beach: there’s Bohol Coconut Palms Resort, Casa Villa Tourist Inn, and the HTS Lodge all in Laya, Baclayon; and Alberto’s Place in Sta . Cruz, Baclayon.