East Bohol’s Best: Anda Rice Terraces, Waterfalls & Lamanok Island

If you’re looking for a trip that’s more than just beaches, the eastern part of Bohol could be just it. Very far from the typical tourist spots, Anda offers a glimpse into the stunning natural beauty and rich culture of Bohol, so get ready to see amazing rice terraces, gorgeous waterfalls, and the mystical Lamanok Island, because it’s a trip that might just blow your socks off. You could say this guide has just the things to make your visit one you won’t forget. That is to say, if you’re prepared for it.

Exploring the Lush Anda Rice Terraces

It’s almost as if Bohol’s iconic Chocolate Hills had a secret sibling, something people talk about a lot less, and the Anda Rice Terraces is just that, a spot to add to the must-see list for anyone wanting something very visually arresting. These terraces show something you could see as a beautiful blend of nature and human craftsmanship, they’re a stunning scene that could draw anyone right in.

The rice terraces, often called the “stairway to heaven” by some locals, are, to be honest, an impressive feat of agricultural design. Farmers there have cut these incredible steps into the hillsides, doing a great job of using the land for growing rice and, at the same time, creating a striking, picturesque scenery. You get views that stretch for miles when you go to Anda, letting you see this tapestry of green spreading all around, almost making the everyday views that much more stunning.

If you’re really wanting a closer peek, that might mean it’s time to lace up those shoes and trek down into the terraces. Actually experiencing the local life and also seeing just how people work to maintain this land gives you an appreciation, maybe even something deeper, than you would just get from taking photos from the top. Basically, there’s a special kind of quiet that exists in the terraces, broken only by the sounds of nature, and it’s a spot to connect with both the earth and also Bohol’s rich agricultural legacy.

Chasing Waterfalls: Anda’s Hidden Gems

When you feel like you could really use some cooling down from the Bohol heat, there might be no better place to do that than at Anda’s less explored waterfalls. Sure, these falls may not have the size of some others in the Philippines, but what they do have are that, combined with secluded locations and the pristine water, they offer what many think is an intimate encounter with nature.

One place that’s become a favorite to people that frequent this region is the Combento Cave Pool. To be honest, its cold waters and little cascades just call to you after time under the sun. What could add to that place is the almost-hidden cave that acts as a cool little hideout, with water that feels so good on your skin. Actually going there, swimming in that place, feels so magical, almost like you’re going to a secret garden kept by Bohol itself.

Even just exploring the area around these waterfalls will give you more than one sight to remember. Very rich with diverse plant life, so lush you wouldn’t expect it, you see nature blooming all over the place. It could be worth the time to spend a morning just watching all types of birds dancing over the foliage, which you could see as a feast for the eyes and, if you brought some, for your cameras.

That said, one reminder that visitors always pass around is to keep these sites clean. Respecting these natural paradises keeps them enjoyable for everyone that goes, helping people remember the experience, so that they still get those magical experiences when they arrive, instead of being repelled.

Unlocking the Mysteries of Lamanok Island

Now, when you go to Lamanok Island, it might just be as if you’ve gone to the past, to something ancient, a place so amazing that it has just the right mix of mystery and natural charm, all calling out for those who might be adventurous enough to visit. As a spot regarded sacred by people for many years, Lamanok offers views not just into scenery, but into the customs and historical legacy of the area.

What might grab you first in this area is how people give tours, guiding groups by the island’s caves, forests, and hidden spots, detailing Lamanok’s complex past as a burial site and location for local rituals. The tour guides always have exciting stories and historical tidbits about the island, drawing you deeper into learning about it. As you explore those caverns and see the historic artworks, there could be the understanding that this island is really like a record of people, a reminder of people of times passed.

The way people see this spot goes well past just seeing things. Very many people tell that it feels so quiet and almost magical as you walk along the beaches and see those limestone rocks, almost like something other than what you’re used to. If you take a moment to yourself on one of those quiet routes, you could just see the real peace and charm that this amazing island shows.

This spot, really regarded by very many locals, asks anyone visiting to treat everything with respect. When we see Lamanok, not just as a place to visit but as a holy site that has cultural meaning, we’re helping the location itself. Preserving it is, to be honest, key so that others are always seeing its relevance for the years ahead, letting the place stay what makes it such an important piece of Bohol.

Things to Do in East Bohol Anda

Apart from seeing the beautiful terraces, falls, and island in Anda, you might find that there is so much to do for those who like something more to do during trips, which will always fill you with something more.

Something you can do there is visit the Anda public market for fresh catch and fruits and other farm produce, also, you get a taste of everyday Bohol life. Going to Guindulman, also in eastern Bohol, will let you take in the view of another amazing stairway to heaven: the Candijay Rice Terraces, a place that doesn’t see as much crowd. And there’s Can-umantad Falls, you can go on the rope and swing to the blue waters to make an awesome travel memento! When the day is almost over, Anda beach will show you a spectacular sundown, where the sky comes alive with all hues imaginable. To be honest, these are experiences that stay etched on your memory!

Planning Your Trip to East Bohol

So, you’re just about ready for seeing East Bohol. Here are very quick tips for what it takes to get there and what the perfect time might be for those stunning rice terraces and enjoyable dips in those gorgeous waters.

You’ll first want to go to Bohol. You’ll probably find it helpful to fly directly to Bohol–Panglao International Airport. When you’re already on the island, going to Anda is either going to mean using a bus ride from Tagbilaran City, which will feel very long, or booking yourself for a private transfer for a less tiring feel. When seeing places in Anda, you’ll probably get very far if you go for renting a scooter, as many places aren’t easily accessed if you don’t have one.

Visiting East Bohol is, you know, great whenever, yet the most picked period could be between November and May, that time when you don’t see so many rains. If it’s the rice terraces that you’re after, schedule your visit in the months following harvest time to see them at the peak of green. Before traveling, it also could do well to check with people what events are happening in town for you to have a deeper immersion to what the culture looks like.