Getting around — The Visayas

Getting around the Visayas takes a little planning, but the region is one of the best-connected parts of the Philippines. The key is understanding the hub role played by Cebu, the redistribution point toward every island.

Airports are the main entry doors. Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB), the country's second, receives hourly domestic flights from Manila (1 hour 15 of flight time) and a handful of direct international links from Asia. From Europe and North America, transiting via Manila is almost mandatory. Caticlan Airport (MPH), Boracay's gateway, connects to Manila in 50 minutes and Cebu in 50 minutes via Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. Tagbilaran/Panglao-Bohol Airport (TAG) provides direct access to Bohol from Manila, avoiding the Cebu transit if time is tight.

Ferries are the backbone of inter-island transport. From Cebu City, the OceanJet, 2GO and SuperCat operators run fast, frequent crossings to Tagbilaran (Bohol): 2 hours by fast craft, several departures per day. To Dumaguete (Negros): 3 hours 30. To Larena (Siquijor): 5 hours from Cebu, or 1 hour from Dumaguete — the latter is usually the smarter routing. For Boracay from Cebu, a flight to Caticlan beats the ferry. Buy ferry tickets in advance through the operators' websites or at the terminals — in high season, fast crafts sell out.

Within each island, transport organizes differently. On Boracay, the main road is closed to private vehicles; you move on foot, by electric tricycle or by e-bike. On Bohol, a rented motorbike or scooter offers the best freedom to link Tagbilaran, Panglao, Loboc and the Chocolate Hills — count on 1 hour 30 between Tagbilaran and the hills. On Cebu, shared vans (V-hire) and jeepneys cover the main axes south (Moalboal, 2 hours 30 from Cebu City) and north (Malapascua via Maya, 3 hours 30). On Siquijor, the island's coastal loop can be ridden by motorbike in half a day.

For distances: Cebu–Tagbilaran (fast ferry) 2 hours, Cebu–Dumaguete 3 hours 30, Cebu–Malapascua (van + boat) 4 hours, Caticlan–Boracay (ferry) 15 minutes. Always build buffer time between connections — the Philippines run on their own relationship with the clock.