When in Bohol, skip the white sand beach.

When someone mentions Panglao to you, what probably comes to mind is the white sand beach, or snorkelling, diving, partying by the beach and all the other water activities you can think of. The words botanical garden or animal sanctuary would probably be somewhat a disconnect for you if you think of Panglao. Well, in that beautiful island is a hidden gem with not just a botanical garden and animal sanctuary but a luxurious experience waiting to happen. Tarsier Botanika is huge, meaning a lot of space to run around (kids and family friendly), a lot of space between the cottages (privacy), a lot of space to breathe, meditate and reconnect with yourself (always good for our health). The resort offers both land and water activities that you will surely enjoy. No doubt a luxury in nature, words are not enough to describe the whole Tarsier Botanika experience. I’ve come up with a list of my favourite things at the resort plus some more.

Food

First, the food because this is one of the things I was looking forward to as I’ve heard great feedback from their restaurant, Tarsier Paprika.

We were served freshly-baked bread with three kinds of dips (balsamic vinegar + extra virgin olive oil, hummus with paprika, and pesto). The bread was so soft and so good. (Disclaimer: My culinary vocabulary is limited to “so good!” and “tastes like heaven!” 😜)

I ordered mix seafood ceviche and classic seafood mixed grill. I love seafood and I was reminded to enjoy it while it’s still accessible and more affordable to me. The ceviche was enough for two people (I actually shared it with two more people).

As you can see, the seafood mixed grill didn’t have that much seafood in it so it was a good idea to get the ceviche as starters because I just love seafood.

Other dishes that my friends ordered and shared with everyone.

Tokyo Express

Seafood Kare-Kare

Korean Sauteed Spicy Porkloin (loved this, too!)

Fish and chips

Excuse my narcissistic tendencies, it was my birthday :P

@deejaywrites enjoying his grilled tuna steak

Dessert

Everything was so good! But if I have to choose one, it’d be the Chocolate Truffle Cake. So heavenly! Lucky for me, it was my birthday so I got to blow a candle and ate most of the cake haha!

Room/Accommodation

Tarsier Botanika has 4 types of villas: The Garden Villa, Family Villa, Honeymoon Villa, and the Pool Villa.

Like I said, you wouldn’t have to worry about privacy here because the villas are spaced with that in mind. Each villa is well-thought-out and not just a place to crash in when you’re tired from the day’s activities but it’s like a home away from home (let me get that cliché in please, just once because it’s totally true ☺️).

Your own private pool!

Other spots around the resort

The Cove. The cove is amazing! I’ve tried not to say “it looks like this or that country” when I discover beautiful places in the Philippines because I thought we should start to appreciate our country more and claim its richness by saying “wow, this is the Philippines!”

But anyway, the cove is man-made but beautiful nonetheless. It is like, yes, Santorini in Greece. Walk through the end and you’ll find the beach and that wall that is oh, so, Instagram worthy.

Reclining Buddha. I also wouldn't skip the reclining buddha. You can brag to your friends that you flew to Bali and Greece just by being at Tarsier Botanika.

Chill chill lang

The art gallery. I'm not an artist but I know what kind of art I like and I appreciated some of the art displayed at the gallery. This is a no-photo area so it's really just enjoying the art for yourself.

Activities 

Tarsier Equestria Horse Complex. It was raining when we visited so the horses (Lusitano stallions!) were in their own boxes in the stable, relaxing. The Tarsier Equestria horse complex houses these lovely stallions and it’s also where you can take a stable management course.

Care for a selfie?

I don’t want to choose a favourite among the horses but Alteza loved the attention and was uber friendly.

I would love to come back and explore Tarsier Botanika more because a day isn’t enough. Try the spa perhaps?