Why still go to Palawan when Anda, Bohol have it all? Like other towns of Bohol, Anda is a slice of paradise that gives much pleasure to every tourist. This rustic town is rich in history and culture, a living museum of the spirited past of Bohol Region.

The bountiful nature of Anda possessing mountainous hills, dazzling river, and white sandy beaches continues to enthrall tourists and is the home of different attractions that have made Bohol famous.

Anda’s Dive Sites

The coasts of Barangays Candabong, Virgen, Bacong, and Poblacion are famous diving sites in the town. The sites have a diverse marine ecosystem of untouched reefs, spectacular drop-offs, caves, grottos, and magnificent corals. There are also a variety of nudibranches, shrimps, gobies, crabs, and multitudes of tuna and mackerel living in the coast. They are also the home of sea turtles, napoleons, and whale sharks. Underwater photographers will definitely love the site.

Anda’s Jagged Terrain and Cliffs

The town is surrounded with scenic limestone cliffs and hilly mountains carved and formed by the incessant lapping of tidal waves against the shore through the centuries. Most of Anda’s resorts have built small native huts on top of these ledges which are excellent spots to relax, relish the sea breeze, and have a commanding view of the crystal blue sea of Guindulman Bay and the neighboring island of Camiguin.

Anda’s Burial Caves

Anda has several primitive burial caves. These burial caves can be found in Candabong, Bacong, Virgen, Casica, Talisay, and Tawid and located on the sides of cliffs. Unfortunately, some of these gravesites have been ransacked by grave robbers and the coffins and other items were sold to antique dealers.

Anda’s Patron Saint

Inday Potenciana is Anda’s patron saint. After her death in 1953, her uncorrupted remains lie in state in Anda even up to the present. Since her death, several unexplained miracles have happened in the lives of devotees of Anda. Locals believed that Inday Potenciana heals illnesses and ailments, and grants numerous of requests like the passing of exams, the chance to go abroad, and many more. The miraculous saint became famous not only in the town but also throughout the country. The faithful gather to offer candles, flowers, and prayers. They touch or wipe the glass of the tomb with their handkerchiefs believing that the dampness from the glass will heal them.

Anda’s Rock Painting at Lamanok Point

Cave paintings can be found in Lascaux, France and some parts of Spain. In the Philippines, it can be found in Bohol. Rock Painting is a significant place to visit in Anda. The rock painting of Anda is different from the one in Lascaux because there are no images of bisons, horses, and cattle. Some tourists and archeologists say that this wall exhibits unusual markings that would probably connote the writing of prehistoric people inhabited in this area. The rock hand prints is an evidence of civilization during the Paleolithic or Stone Age era.

However, the “art” here is abstract but were made with such attention to detail subtle shading. The whole painting seems to confer a kind of power and dignity of the ancient Boholanos giving a pictorial narration. The ancient people here used the so-called red hematite painting (with the use of stones as tools and blood from animals) to create hand paintings as if giving messages, “We are here!” Paint pigments came mostly from minerals. Red was made from an iron oxide called hematite or red ochre. White came from gypsum or diatomaceous earth. Black was made from charcoal or from manganese oxide. These ground-up pigments were mixed with a binder-water, animal fat, or plant juices to make them into paint, which was applied to the rock with the fingers or with brushes made from animal tails.

Anda’s Falls and Unspoiled Caves

Barangay Casica has the Anda Falls while Barangays Tanod and Linawan have the mountain paradise "Blue Heaven". There are also unexplored caves in Candabong, Bacong, Virgen, Tawid, Casica, and Talisay.

How to Get There

Bohol is located in the Central Philippines, and can be conveniently reached by air and boat. From Manila, you'll take a connecting flight to Tagbilaran, which takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is also possible to take a boat to Bohol, but will take 25 hours, and is only advisable if you have plenty of time at hand and enjoy a trip on sea, or have to travel on a rock-bottom budget or with a lot of luggage. Currently, there are numerous daily flights from Manila to Tagbilaran.

Many buses, jeepneys, and multicabs ply the interior route to and from Tagbilaran City. It is a lot cheaper if you avail of this local transport. However, vans and taxis are also available but usually charges 50% more if traveling outside Tagbilaran City. Anda is bout 2 hours ride from the city.

Accommodations:

•    FloWer-Beach Resort - Virgen, Anda, Bohol, Philippines 6311
•    Blue Star Dive Resort - Ipo Candabong,Anda, Anda, Bohol, Philippines 6311