National Museum of the Philippines - Bohol

Amazing! I had booked a full day tour going to the chocolate Hills and this museum was on our itinerary first thing in the morning, but because we were scared, it was gonna rain, we ended up going at the end of the day. I have to say that this was the highlight of my entire tour. Such a wonderful a fantastic experience at this museum. It is located in a beautiful vibrant area of the city of Tagbiliran, across the street from the Cathedral and the Rizal Plaza. The minute we walked in we were assigned a guide who was a young man, a student and boy were we lucky to have him! He was kind, funny, articulate, spoke great English and had wonderful storytelling and presentation skills that made the whole tour, super fun and interactive. The museum had 5 galleries and this young man took us to each gallery explaining so much in detail, he brought us back to the past and thought us so much in that short hour we were there. We saw old artifacts found on the island that showed us how Boholanos ( the people of Bohol) used to live, everything from coffins made out of hollowed tree trunks to utensil, jewelry and so much more. We were explained the method behind making the famous egg-shaped salt called Asin Tibuok, an artisanal, traditional sea salt shaped like a dinausore egg which is formed by boiling brine in clay pots that break away. It has a rare, smoky-flavour and nutrient-rich. Currently they are still making in ( in Albuquerque Bohol) following the traditional methods and it’s even sold at the museum. Our tour guide explained to us the efforts that were put in in restoring the ancient churches that were destroyed by the 2013 earthquake and typhoon in Bole. It was fascinating learning about these events. We went to a gallery that was filled with displays of species found in behold such as primates and fish. There was a display about the tiny Tarsier monkeys and we saw displays of marine life. There was a Gallery that commemorated Carlos Garcias, the only Philippine president from Bohol. He was not only the 8th president of the Philippines but he was also a teacher, poet, lawyer, and an avid chess player! All and all, I highly recommend a guided visit to this museum. It’s a must when in Bohol and such a wonderful and enriching experience! Please look out for my guide. I didn’t catch his name but he has a beautiful perfectly manicured face with perfect makeup and he looks like a model! If you see him, ask him for a tour and you won’t regret it. And please make sure to tip your guide. These wonderful intelligent students work hard to learn and share their knowledge with us. They deserve to be rewarded ☺️

A Cultural Gem in Bohol This well-maintained museum offers a compelling glimpse into Bohol’s rich history and heritage. One of the highlights is the detailed biography of Carlos P. Garcia, the 8th President of the Philippines and a proud Boholano. His legacy is thoughtfully preserved in this museum. 🌋 Exhibits Worth Exploring Visitors can also learn about the fascinating geological formation of the Chocolate Hills, along with other exhibits that showcase Bohol’s natural wonders, cultural traditions, and historical milestones. The museum provides a well-rounded experience for history buffs, curious travelers, and proud locals alike. 🎟️ Good to Know • Location: Tagbilaran City, Bohol • Entrance Fee: Free of charge • Ideal For: Families, students, solo travelers, and anyone interested in Philippine history and Boholano pride 📌 If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit—not just for the exhibits, but for the sense of place and identity it celebrates.

Free museum! Its a hidden gem cause most tour packages doesn't include this museum. Here you will learn alot about the history of the island and they have a good size amount of artificats defining the natural and cultural history of the area. They also have some things belonging to the late president Garcia.

Since I started travelling, really like to visit museums/provisions that displays anything pervaded the city. One is to know the history though I don't really read all of the artifacts but just seeing them in one depository makes my visit complete. Two is to feel connected and see what are the things to expect aside from just seeing the views. Three is to take some photos for keepsake. It was a great experience. It's just free. A must visit especially for students. Museums are very informative. ALSO, for tourist, if you are planning to buy ASIN-TIBUOK and you want to visit here, they are being sold at the entrance (front desk) and it was sold by SRP as they are direct from the maker.

Let's bring back the museum-visit culture! It is so good to see that our National Museums are being open to the public regardless of the day, and is free. Happy that this could bring back museum dates, and the love for our diverse culture, more time to understand and appreciate instead of spending time on phones.

The structure of the building is amazing. Packed and filled with informative history and culture of Bohol and friendly staff. Captured the entirety and highlights of Bohol.

Cute museum but with historic artifacts & stories!

A nice place to visit when you are in Tagbilaran City, spacious for its size and is full of artifacts that are related to the province of Bohol. Very clean and the staff are very accommodating, a must-visit if you can go.