Ubay Travel Guide

City Bohol municipality and regional agricultural hub

In central Bohol, Ubay functions as a working provincial town and a practical base to explore Bohol’s beaches and dive sites. Expect seafood markets, rice paddies, church squares and boat trips to nearby islets.

Costs

Typical daily budget: $25-$45

Very affordable: local eateries, simple guesthouses and cheap transport options.

Safety

Generally safe with common precautions

Generally safe by day; usual tropical-country precautions at night and for valuables.

Best Time

Best months: November-May

Dry season offers best beach access and reliable island-hopping conditions.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

3:27 AM

GMT+8

Weather

80°F

Overcast

Population

3,799

Infrastructure & Convenience

Basic public transport (jeepneys, tricycles), small bus links and modest guesthouses; English widely spoken.

Popularity

Rarely visited by international tourists; attracts domestic visitors and those exploring rural Bohol.

Known For

agriculture, dairy farming, local markets, river landscapes, festivals, rural Bohol culture, small-town churches, nearby islands

Ubay on Bohol is a regional agricultural hub, known locally for cattle trading and dairy production.

Why Visit Ubay? #

Ubay offers a taste of provincial Philippine life with a lively public market, coastal fisheries and close-knit fiesta traditions. The Ubay Public Market and seafront vendors showcase fresh seafood and kinilaw-style ceviche, while annual town fiestas bring parades, street food and folk dancing that reveal regional culture. Travelers interested in agrarian rhythms, simple beachfront days and local handicrafts will find Ubay hospitable and unhurried.

Best Things to Do in Ubay

All Attractions ›

Chocolate Hills

Conical limestone hills forming unique landscape

Island

Bohol Island

Philippine island known for Chocolate Hills and tarsiers

Island

Canigao Island

Small Philippine island with white-sand beaches

Island

Ubay Bucket List

Don't Miss

St. Augustine Parish Church - Visit St. Augustine Parish Church at Ubay plaza, an important local parish church.
Ubay coastal boulevard - Walk the Ubay coastal boulevard to enjoy sea breezes and fishing-boat activity.
Ubay Public Market - Explore Ubay Public Market for fresh seafood, fruits, and regional snacks.

Hidden Gems

Looc marine sanctuary - Snorkel Looc marine sanctuary to see corals and reef fish close to shore.
Local coastal fishing villages - Visit nearby fishing villages to observe traditional boat building and daily fish markets.
Small inland waterfalls - Find small inland waterfalls near Ubay for short hikes and cooling swims.

Day Trips

Panglao Island and Alona Beach - Spend a day on Panglao for white-sand beaches, dive shops, and beachfront dining.
Chocolate Hills (Carmen) - Drive to the Chocolate Hills viewing area for the iconic karst hill formations and photo stops.

Best Time to Visit Ubay #

Ubay is best during the Amihan (November-April) for drier, more comfortable conditions for beaches and boat trips. The Habagat (wet) season brings heavy rain and rough seas, while March-May is hottest.

Amihan (Cool Dry)

November - April · 24-30°C (75-86°F)

Drier, slightly cooler trade-wind period - more pleasant for beaches, island hopping and outdoor chores without constant heavy rain.

Hot Season

March - May · 27-34°C (81-93°F)

Hottest, sunniest stretch; days can be sultry and strong sun requires caution, but it's excellent for clear-sea swimming and festivals.

Habagat (Wet)

June - October · 25-31°C (77-88°F)

Frequent heavy rains and rough seas - lush landscapes and cheaper travel, but expect interruptions from storms and higher humidity.

Best Time to Visit Ubay #

Climate

Ubay's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1851 mm/year), wettest in November.

Air Quality: AQI 57 Moderate

Best Time to Visit

AprilFebruaryMarch

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

36°

Warmest Month

21°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (180 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

23° – 30°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

180 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.5h daylight

February

February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

23° – 30°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

107 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

11.7h daylight

March

March is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

23° – 31°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

89 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

12.0h daylight

April

April is hot, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 33°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

54 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.6

UV Index

Extreme

12.3h daylight

May

May is the hottest month, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 33°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

108 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.4

UV Index

Extreme

12.5h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (162 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

25° – 33°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

162 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (202 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

25° – 32°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

202 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (163 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 32°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

163 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.3

UV Index

Extreme

12.3h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (189 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 32°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

189 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.1h daylight

October

October is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (205 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 32°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

205 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

11.8h daylight

November

November is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (216 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 31°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

216 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.5h daylight

December

December is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (176 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

67 Good

Comfort

31°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

24° – 30°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

176 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

How to Get to Ubay

Ubay is a municipality in northern Bohol. The nearest airport is Bohol-Panglao (TAG); many visitors arrive via Tagbilaran or by ferry from Cebu. Island travel relies on road transport (buses, vans, private transfers) rather than rail.

By Air

Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG): The main airport for Bohol province. From Panglao/Tagbilaran to Ubay (northern Bohol) the drive is roughly 2.5-3.5 hours depending on traffic and route (≈90-110 km). Rental cars or booked van transfers are the most practical options; private transfers typically cost PHP 2,500-PHP 4,500 depending on vehicle type.

Cebu City (CEB) via ferry: An alternative is to fly into Mactan-Cebu International Airport and take a ferry to Bohol (Tagbilaran, Tubigon or Talibon) then a land transfer to Ubay. Ferry crossings from Cebu to Tubigon are about 1-2 hours, then a road journey to Ubay of ~45-90 minutes.

By Train & Bus

Train: There are no train services in Bohol.

Bus / Van (V-Hire): Public buses and V-hire minibuses operate across Bohol linking Tagbilaran, Tubigon, Talibon and Ubay. Typical bus/v-hire fares on island routes range from PHP 80-PHP 250 depending on distance; the Tagbilaran-Ubay trip is commonly around PHP 150-PHP 300 and takes roughly 2.5-3.5 hours. Check local schedules as frequencies vary by route and season.

How to Get Around Ubay #

In Ubay, short trips around town are typically by tricycle or on foot; the municipal centre is compact and easy to navigate on foot. For longer journeys people use buses, jeepneys and private vans to reach other parts of Bohol. Tricycle fares for short rides are usually modest; negotiate or check local posted rates. If you plan island hopping or distant excursions, book transport ahead and allow extra time for connections.

Where to Stay in Ubay #

Budget

Poblacion / near port - ₱600-1,800/night

Ubay offers a few basic guesthouses and pensions; standard hotels are found in larger Bohol towns like Jagna and Tagbilaran.

Local guesthouses (Ubay) - Small family-run inns and rooms
Budget stays in Ubay & nearby towns - Basic, affordable lodging options

Mid-Range

Town centre / Tagbilaran access - ₱1,200-3,500/night

Mid-range choices in Ubay are modest; for resorts and broader dining, look to Tagbilaran or Panglao (45-90 minute drive).

Mid-range inns and apartments - Comfortable family-run hotels listed online
Resorts in nearby Panglao/Tagbilaran - More amenities a drive away on Bohol island

Luxury

Panglao / Alona Beach - ₱4,000+/night

Ubay has no true luxury resorts; for high-end beachfront hotels, head to Panglao and Tagbilaran on Bohol.

Luxury options: none in Ubay - No top-tier resorts located in-town
Luxury resorts (Panglao/Alona Beach) - High-end beaches and resorts a drive away

Where to Eat in Ubay #

Local Filipino Fare

Ubay's food scene centers on fresh seafood, grilled fish, and home-cooked Filipino comfort dishes served at small local eateries and market stalls.

Street Food & Markets

Markets and roadside stalls sell quick favourites-barbecue, snacks, and tropical fruit-ideal for sampling while exploring town or visiting coastal barangays.

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Ubay's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Asian

Burger

Nightlife in Ubay #

Evening life is limited to small bars, karaoke spots and eateries where locals gather. Don’t expect a nightclub scene; most nights are low-key community socialising.

Shopping in Ubay #

Shopping is centred on the public market and small shops selling fresh produce, basic goods and local materials. For larger supermarkets or a wider choice of retail goods, travellers usually visit the province capital.

Nearby Cities #