Loboc is a small inland town in the heart of Bohol, about an hour from Tagbilaran, and its main draw is the Loboc River - a calm, jungle-lined waterway that winds through the town and the surrounding countryside. The river cruise is the area's signature experience: floating restaurants travel slowly along the water while passengers eat a buffet lunch, accompanied by local musicians performing traditional Philippine folk songs. It is one of the most visited attractions on the island, and deservedly so - the combination of the food, the music, and the dense greenery on either bank makes for a genuinely pleasant couple of hours. Those who want something more active can explore the same river on a stand-up paddleboard, which offers a quieter and more immersive experience. After dark, firefly-watching tours along the river are popular during the dry season, when the insects emerge reliably at dusk.
Loboc sits in a useful position for exploring central Bohol. The two-kilometre Bilar Man-Made Forest, a cathedral-like corridor of uniform mahogany trees planted to combat deforestation, is just a short drive away, as is the Tarsier Sanctuary, where the world's smallest primates can be seen up close. The Chocolate Hills, Bohol's most iconic sight, are a further 45 minutes inland - thousands of perfectly cone-shaped grass-covered hills stretching as far as the eye can see, best viewed from the main platform at sunrise or early morning. In the town itself, the San Pedro Apóstol Parish Church, completed in 1638 and Bohol's second oldest, is worth a look - largely restored after being badly damaged in the 2013 earthquake.
Loboc works best as a base for a day or two of exploring the best of Bohol's interior.