Is Bohol safe?
Safe and calm. Road crashes, rough boats and tour scams are the main problems; violent crime is rare.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-07.
- Homicide rate in Philippines: 4.3 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Philippines: 12.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 911.
Safety in Bohol at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft from rooms and beaches, bag snatching in Tagbilaran, and overcharging at attractions. |
| At night | Quiet after 10 pm outside Panglao. Alona Beach is busy and safe; arrange rides in advance late at night. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Use group tours or licensed drivers for remote sites; the usual care with drinks. |
| Other risks | Typhoons, mostly Oct–Dec; Rough ferry crossings in monsoon; Earthquake risk; the 2013 quake damaged many sites |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Tricycle or van drivers quoting inflated prices for Chocolate Hills tours
- Tarsier sanctuaries that keep animals in poor conditions; pick licensed ones
- Fake ferry ticket sellers outside the port
Take care
- Rough-sea ferry crossings: avoid when storm warnings are up
- Tarsier and cave tours at unregulated sites
- Roads at night: unlit, tricycles and trucks
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Smoking and vaping in public places are banned in many cities, with fines
- Drug laws are harsh; even small amounts can mean long detention
How Bohol compares in Philippines
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Boracay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palawan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| El Nido | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siargao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Coron | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bohol | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Panglao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Makati | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Moalboal | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Baguio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| La Union | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Davao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dumaguete | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siquijor | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puerto Galera | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Malapascua | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Port Barton | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tagaytay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sagada | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Banaue | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vigan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Iloilo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| BGC | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bantayan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manila | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cebu | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Angeles City | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Bohol safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Use group tours or licensed drivers for remote sites; the usual care with drinks.
Is Bohol safe at night?
Quiet after 10 pm outside Panglao. Alona Beach is busy and safe; arrange rides in advance late at night.
What is the crime rate in Bohol?
Petty theft from rooms and beaches, bag snatching in Tagbilaran, and overcharging at attractions. Nationally, Philippines records 4.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Bohol?
All emergencies 911.
More about Bohol
Going to Bohol solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Bohol Tourism (Provincial Government of Bohol)
- Department of Tourism
- OceanJet
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.