Chocolate Hills are a must-see destination if you plan to visit Bohol Island in the Philippines.
In saying that, the majority of travelers who visit Bohol just come to see the famous Chocolate Hills, so I am sure it’s already on your itinerary!
There are good reviews and bad reviews of Chocolate Hills Bohol, though don’t let anything you read on the internet deter you from experiencing this other-worldly location.
It’s even better than expected through your own eyes!
QUICK ANSWERS – CHOCOLATE HILLS BOHOL
Let’s start this guide with all the essentials, from the Chocolate Hills’ location to getting there and more.
WHERE ARE THE CHOCOLATE HILLS IN BOHOL?
Chocolate Hills is located in the Carmen region on Bohol Island, Philippines.
From the main tourist area of Panglao, it’s a 70km drive that takes around 1.5 hours to reach Chocolate Hills.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET TO CHOCOLATE HILLS?
There are a couple of options available to reach Chocolate Hills in Bohol and that is either DIY or with a tour.
DIY:
If you prefer to visit Chocolate Hills DIY it’s best to rent a scooter in the main tourist area of Panglao and make the 1.5-hour drive to Carmen.
Scooter rentals in Panglao are around 300 – 350 pesos per day.
WITH A TOUR:
Alternatively, you can book a Bohol Chocolate Hills Tour which is a full-day tour from Panglao and is a great value for money.
This tour includes Chocolate Hills, Bilar Man-Made Forest, Loboc River Cruise, Tarsier Sanctuary, and Baclayon Church.
BEST CHOCOLATE HILLS TOUR
The best way to visit is, without a doubt, the Chocolate Hills Tour with Loboc River Cruise, Tarsiers, and more!
It includes popular spots in Bohol, transfers from Panglao, a buffet lunch, and an experienced guide!
CHOCOLATE HILLS ENTRANCE FEE
The entrance fee at Chocolate Hills Bohol is 150 pesos.
HOW WERE THE CHOCOLATE HILLS IN BOHOL FORMED?
The Chocolate Hills in Bohol were formed through a process known as limestone weathering. Millions of years ago, coral reefs in the sea died and accumulated on the ocean floor, forming layers upon layers of limestone.
Over time, tectonic activities — movements within the Earth’s crust — caused the seafloor to rise, bringing the limestone above sea level.
Rainwater, which contains a slight amount of acid, then seeped into the limestone, slowly dissolving it in a process known as chemical weathering.
Over a significant period, this weathering formed the limestone into the dome-like hills that we can see today – the Chocolate Hills.
HOW MANY CHOCOLATE HILLS ARE THERE?
Some reports indicate there are 1,260 Chocolate Hills in Bohol, however, others believe there could be as many as 1,776.
MY EXPERIENCE AT CHOCOLATE HILLS BOHOL
We left our accommodation in Panglao at 4 am to make the drive out to the Philippines Chocolate Hills in time for sunrise.
It was a long and chilly motorbike ride to reach the Chocolate Hills viewpoint in Carmen town but we were the first tourists to arrive which made the early journey worth it.
I parked the scooter right at the top of the hill and then climbed the steep set of stairs to reach the Chocolate Hills viewpoint.
At the top of the stairs is a panoramic observation deck boasting extensive views of the 1,268 cone-shaped Chocolate Hills and the surrounding Carmen region.
I spent a good hour taking photos of the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines and was not once interrupted by large groups of tourists which is quite common at this Bohol tourist spot.
I would definitely recommend you visit at sunrise and by arriving early in the morning as we did, you’ll most likely have the whole viewing deck to yourself.
The mysterious landscape is very impressive, to say the least, and definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
Chocolate Hills also offers facilities such as restrooms, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop.
The BEST Hotel in Bohol
Need a place to stay? Amorita Resort is conveniently located in Bohol.
Whether you’re here to explore the sights or relax in comfort, Amorita Resort is an excellent option!
BOHOL CHOCOLATE HILLS – INTERESTING FACTS
These limestone Chocolate Hills are covered with grass and appear to be bright green during the rainy season.
However, they turn brown by the end of the dry season, hence their name.
The hills are surrounded by green trees but funnily enough, no trees grow on the hills.
The hills are spread over an area of 50 square kilometers and vary in size from 30 meters to 120 meters in height!
The Chocolate Hills are all spread over the towns of Valencia, Batuan, Carmen, Bilar, Sierra Bullones, and Sagbayan.
We later found out that you can view the Chocolate Hills of the Philippines from two lookouts – one in Carmen which is the one that appears in Google Maps and one in Sagbayan called the Sagbayan Peak.
See More → Awesome Things To Do In Bohol
The formation theory of the hills assumes that they are grass-covered limestones that were once part of the marine floor.
However, the massive uplift of coral deposits and the effects of rain, water, and erosion have created the amazing formation that you see today.
Chocolate Hills are considered to be a national patrimony in the Philippines and this popular Bohol tourist spot is now even featured in the provincial flag and seal of Bohol.
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OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
After our visit to the Chocolate Hills, we visited the Bilar Man-Made Forest and the Bohol Tarsier Sanctuary which are both quite close to each other in the same region.
You can visit all three of these Bohol tourist spots on a single-day trip from Panglao.
WHERE TO STAY IN BOHOL
Panglao in Bohol is the main tourist hub on the island with hundreds of accommodation options to choose from.
I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
LUXURY: AMORITA RESORT
Experience 5-star luxury at Amorita Resort in Panglao Bohol, featuring ocean views, an outdoor infinity pool, an in-house dive shop, free Wi-Fi, a restaurant and bar, and breakfast included.
The rooms are elegantly furnished each with large comfortable beds, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, a private ensuite bathroom, and a minibar.
Amorita Resort is the perfect place to stay for couples or families on a luxury budget.
MID RANGE: ALONA VIDA BEACH RESORT
Centrally located on Alona Beach in Panglao, Alona Vida Beach Resort features an outdoor pool, direct beach access, massage services, and watersport activities.
They have many room options to choose from including standard, deluxe, superior, and family rooms to suit all travelers.
Rooms are spacious with comfortable beds, private bathrooms, air-conditioning, a balcony with pool views, flat-screen TV, and a minibar.
BUDGET: MOON FOOLS HOSTEL
Located right in the middle of the tourist hub of Panglao, Moon Fools Hostel is a modern, green, and eco-friendly hostel perfect for budget backpackers.
It’s within walking distance of local restaurants, cafes, and a convenience store, and public transport is easily accessible.
Breakfast is included for all guests and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
For More Options, See My Complete Guide On Where To Stay In Bohol
BOOK A BOHOL TOUR
Another great way to see all of the best Bohol tourist spots is to book a Bohol Countryside Tour.
This particular tour is the top-rated tour in Bohol with great reviews.
I can’t recommend this amazing tour enough, especially for first-timers to Bohol!
The Bohol Tour includes the following:
- Chocolate Hills Bohol
- Bilar Manmade Forest
- Bohol Tarsier Sanctuary
- Loboc River Cruise with lunch
- Baclayon Church
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More Philippines Travel Guides
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FINAL THOUGHTS – CHOCOLATE HILLS BOHOL
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all about Bohol Philippines Chocolate Hills, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
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THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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Many thanks!
You’ve been very helpful in planning our trip to Bohol this November. Especially this article since we really want to visit the hills during sunrise but the information available online are confusing. This helps clarify things. Thank you so much!
Hi Jean, that’s awesome, glad you got the information you needed about Chocolate Hills. Have an awesome trip!
Hello,
How did you visit Chocolate hills for sunrise when they open from 8:30am?
Many thanks.
Hey, the ticket office was not open but I was still able to pass through the entrance and visit the viewpoint and then paid the entrance fee upon departure from Chocolate Hills. Enjoy 🙂