Located in the province of Bohol, the Chocolate Hills are one of the most famous landmarks of this beautiful island. These unique geological formations are a popular day trip, especially if you’re staying on Panglao.
WHAT ARE THE CHOCOLATE HILLS?
The Chocolate Hills are made up of around 1,200 small hills that stretch over an area of 50 square kilometers. They are named after their appearance during the dry season, when the grass on the hills turns brown, giving the hills a chocolate-like color.
WHEN TO VISIT
The best time to visit the Chocolate Hills is during the dry season from December to May, when the hills are at their chocolatey best. However, we visited in April and there must’ve been rain recently, because the hills were a lush green when we were there!
HOW TO GET THERE
There are many tours you can take from Panglao or Bohol that will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel and take you to other popular spots in the area. These tours will cost around 4000 PHP (75 USD) for a half-day, or 5500 PHP (100 USD) for a full-day tour.
The other option is to rent a scooter and do it yourself. Scooter rentals cost around 300-350 PHP (5-6 USD) and give you more freedom of where you want to go.
We opted to rent a scooter and drive ourselves from Panglao, and it took around 1.5 hours. If you drive yourself we recommend you download the map so you can view it offline, because there were some spots on the way where data cut out.
As you approach the area, the Chocolate Hills seemingly appear out of nowhere and provide some great views for the rest of your drive.
WHAT TO EXPECT
There are several viewpoints from which you can take in the scenery, the most popular being the Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen.
We parked our motorbike in the Chocolate Hills parking lot, which is free. There is also a free shuttle that can take you to and from the parking lot. We arrived as a shuttle was departing and didn’t feel like waiting for the next one so we opted to walk the 20 minutes up the hill to the entrance, which provided beautiful views on the way up!
Tickets to the viewing area are 50 PHP (0.90 USD).
At the top, you can climb up to the observation deck and get a panoramic view of the hills. There are also some souvenir shops and restaurants here,.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can also explore the hills by ATV. There are several trails that wind through the hills, offering views of the surrounding countryside. The trails are well-marked, and you can rent an ATV from one of the companies in the area. Just make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as it can get pretty hot out there!
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO ON BOHOL?
Aside from the Chocolate Hills themselves, there are several other attractions in the area that are worth checking out. One of the most popular is the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can see the world’s smallest primates up close. It’s about a 45-minute scooter ride from the Chocolate Hills to the Tarsier Sanctuary, and it’s on the way back to Panglao so it’s very convenient.
The Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary is a legitimate sanctuary that is dedicated to preserving this endangered species. One important thing to note is that unfortunately, there are other companies in the area, such as the Loboc Tarsier Conservation Area, that exploit the Tarsiers for profit and don’t operate ethically. To read more about our experience at the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary, click here.
The Chocolate Hills are a unique destination & a great day trip if you’re visiting Bohol!