The Philippines is a paradise for beach, diving and snorkeling lovers, but there’s so much more to do away from its idyllic shores! One of those must-do plans that takes you to a completely different landscape, far from the coast, is the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, also known as the Chocolate Hills. If you’re planning to travel to the Philippines and spend a few days on this island that has so much to offer, visiting the Chocolate Hills is one of the top things to do in Bohol—you can’t miss this experience.
How to get to the Chocolate Hills, what to do once there, a few legends and much more is what awaits you in this Complete guide to visiting the Chocolate Hills.
What are the Chocolate Hills of Bohol?
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol make up one of those classic photographs that can’t be missing from your trip to the Philippines. Spread over more than 50 square kilometers are over 1,260 of these cone‑shaped hills. Up to this point it might seem like just another landscape, simply a vast stretch of land with hills, but where’s the charm in the Chocolate Hills then?
The magic of this unique place in the Philippines lies in several details. On the one hand, the shape of the vast majority of these Chocolate Hills is practically identical from one to the next, as if they had all been sculpted using the same mold. On the other, beyond the shape, most of them are around 50 meters tall, creating an incredible image when you watch them fade into the horizon from a viewpoint. To top off this photogenic spot, there are no other formations or mountains in the area, just flatlands, which makes it look as if someone flattened the ground first before dropping them in.
But why are they called the Chocolate Hills? During the dry season, between the months of December and May, the low rainfall on the island of Bohol turns the lush green vegetation brown. That, together with the hills’ peculiar shape, makes it look like you’re facing an immense sea of giant chocolate bonbons. This tempting landscape is unique in the Philippines and, for that reason, it’s one of the unmissable things to do in Bohol.
How the Chocolate Hills were formed
There are several theories about how the Chocolate Hills were formed and, although there isn’t one that’s 100% officially accepted by the scientific community, they all point in the same direction. It’s believed the formation of the Chocolate Hills began millions of years ago under the sea! The accumulation of coral, mollusk fossils and limestone started to mold them and, after a violent collision of tectonic plates, they rose to the surface in what is now known as the island of Bohol. Once in their current place, it only took a few more million years for the wind and constant tropical rains to finish giving them that delectable chocolate‑bonbon look.
In June 1988 the Chocolate Hills were declared the 3rd National Geological Monument of the Philippines for their scientific importance, uniqueness and incredible scenic value. Years later, in mid‑2016, they were proposed for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
Chocolate Hills, Filipino legends
Setting science aside, the Chocolate Hills aren’t short on legends that explain their formation. The three most popular ones all feature giants in their tales—who else could have created a marvel of such magnitude?
The legend of Arogo and Aloya
It’s said that Arogo was a huge, muscular giant who fell in love with Aloya, a beautiful mortal. Their love story was perfect, without the typical problems or villains in this kind of legend. But one day Aloya died, and Arogo’s grief was so great that he cried and cried for days. Those tears turned into the Chocolate Hills when they touched the ground, remaining there forever in memory of an endless love.
The legend of the Chocolate Hills and the giants’ battle
This other legend of the Chocolate Hills doesn’t have a love story but it does have a happy ending. It’s said that two young giants fought on the island of Bohol for days without rest, hurling enormous rocks the size of mountains. Once they were exhausted from the fight, they decided it wasn’t worth continuing and agreed to be friends, leaving behind a huge field full of shattered mountains that we now know as the Chocolate Hills of Bohol.
The legend of the carabao “poop”
After just a few days traveling around the Philippines you’ll be well acquainted with carabaos. One of these noble animals, also known as the water buffalo, is the protagonist of the third legend.
Tired of a (giant, of course) carabao eating the area’s crops, the farmers decided to poison it. As a result of its stomach ache, the carabao defecated and defecated for days in every corner, thus creating the famous Chocolate Hills. It doesn’t sound very believable, but it’s fun to imagine this endearing animal creating the Chocolate Hills, isn’t it?
What to do at the Chocolate Hills
Now that you know what they are and how they were formed, you might be wondering what to do at the Chocolate Hills and, of course, here at Viajar por Filipinas we’ve got an answer for that—we’ve been lucky enough to visit them since 2010.
1. Enjoy the panoramic views from the Chocolate Hills viewpoint
As we mentioned, the Chocolate Hills stretch over more than 50 square kilometers. Near the small town of Carmen you’ll find one of the best places to enjoy this unique landscape: the Chocolate Hills viewpoint or Chocolate Hills Complex on Google Maps. By the way, don’t worry—at the end of this guide we’ll mark all the points of interest we’ll be talking about.
Climbing up there is a classic thing to do in Bohol, as that’s the spot where you can most comfortably enjoy the best perspective over the endless sea of hills. After paying an entrance fee of 100 pesos, taking the shuttle (included in the ticket price) and climbing 214 steps, you’ll reach this lookout where one of the island of Bohol’s most typical photos is taken (and, funnily enough, where we took our first photo together back in 2015 ❤).
If after enjoying this viewpoint with 360º views and walking back down the stairs you feel a bit tired, you might fancy a massage to keep your energy up while ticking off the things to do in Bohol. If so, here you have the option of getting one from visually impaired “professionals”, something quite common in some places in the Philippines.
Note that flying a drone at the viewpoint isn’t allowed from 8:00 in the morning onwards. Mainly because so many people gather here that it would basically be a drone war.
By the way, if you stay near Carmen, Batuan or Loboc (as we mention in our article on Where to stay in Bohol), don’t miss the chance to watch sunset or sunrise over the Chocolate Hills. If the sky allows, you may witness one of the most magical sunsets of your trip to the Philippines.
However, despite being the most famous, this isn’t the only viewpoint to see the Chocolate Hills. On our last visit of a couple of weeks in Bohol we discovered there are also some very cool views of the hills at the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP), located very close to the former. To be honest, the views from the Chocolate Hills Complex are better because they feel “closer”, but this is an adventure sports venue for all ages, including a zipline where you ride a bicycle while looking at the Chocolate Hills.
Entrance to the viewpoint alone is 100 pesos and, although the hills themselves are farther away (as you can see in the photo below), you’ve got a 99% chance of having the viewpoint to yourself, unlike the first one we mentioned, which is usually crowded. The zipline costs 750 pesos.
✅ If you’re set on going to CHAP, try to book in advance on KLOOK here, as it works out cheaper. Admission is 80 pesos and the bike zipline is 650 pesos.
2. Go on an adventure tour among the Chocolate Hills
If you’ve enjoyed the views from the top of the viewpoint and still feel like some adventure, you can keep exploring the area in a really fun way: by taking a buggy or quad tour. Near the entrance to the tourist complex (the first one we mentioned) you’ll see different booths offering routes along the paths that separate the various hills.
Besides being great fun, this experience lets you get much closer to the hills and see them from a completely new angle. The excursions are done with a local guide who leads the expedition and takes you to some spots from which to snap the best photos. Keep in mind that you’ll very likely end up muddy up to your ears.
Prices are around 1,000 pesos and there are several places at the entrances, so it’s best to ask and compare. There’s no need to book in advance.
3. Get lost on your own among the hills (and climb one if you dare)
In addition to touring the area by quad or buggy with a guide, you can also do it independently on your own motorbike. To do so, you can turn onto this road and lose yourself along the secondary tracks, starting your solo adventure among the different villages and lanes surrounding this unique place.
These tracks will take you right to the foot of the Chocolate Hills and, once there, it’s up to you to decide whether to venture up one of them. We’ve done it and, fair warning: it’s much (VERY) harder than it looks. Although at first glance they may seem like “spongy” hills, easy to climb in 5 minutes, the reality is totally different. The brambles and sharp plants you find along the way make it well worth gearing up with long trousers and long sleeves to reach the top without cuts. That said, the views once you’re up there are brutal: no concrete viewpoints and the other Chocolate Hills much closer to you.
Over the years, trails have been opened on some hills. If you want, the last one we climbed is THIS ONE and the path is in perfect condition. No entrance fee is charged, although there is a donation box, and at the start of the trail, by the road, there’s usually a lady selling cold drinks, since it’s not a bad idea to bring something chilled to the top. Let us know how it goes!
Bear in mind that some of the roads between the Chocolate Hills are muddy, so if it’s been raining a lot, it’s not a good idea to ride them by motorbike. In that case, the quad will be your best ally.
Following a comment in the Viajar por Filipinas Facebook Group from a reader saying it was illegal to climb them, we contacted the relevant authorities. Their response was that it’s a protected area where mining and any activity that could damage them is prohibited, but that there’s no problem climbing them as long as the environment is respected.
How to get to the Chocolate Hills
There are different ways to get to the Chocolate Hills depending on the time and budget you have. Although this attraction is spread over a wide area, it is the viewpoint area next to the town of Carmen that is most recommended to visit.
a) How to get to the Chocolate Hills by motorbike
Our favorite option is to reach the Chocolate Hills by motorbike so you can then wander among them entirely at your own pace. Plus, if you choose this means of transport, along the way you can enjoy other popular things to do in Bohol: the Man Made Forest, Pangas Falls (very close and well worth a visit) and all the possible activities around the Loboc River. You’ll find all the info in our article Qué hacer en Loboc.
From Alona Beach, Panglao, to the Chocolate Hills it’s about 70 kilometers and, if you don’t stop, you can get there in under two hours. We’ve done it loads of times and it’s totally doable, but bear in mind it’s tiring. Renting a motorbike in Alona is around 300–350 pesos per day.
On the map below you’ll see two possible routes. The first is the fastest and, following the coast, passes the Loboc River and the Man Made Forest. The second goes through the interior and crosses Corella, where you’ll find the most respectful Tarsier Sanctuary.
From traveler to traveler: although Bohol’s roads are in good condition, drive carefully because there’s quite a bit of traffic on the route (including trucks, buses and vans that go pretty fast) and, of course, don’t do it if you lack experience and the proper license. Always wear a helmet. If you can, avoid driving at night because it’s common for dogs and chickens to dart across your path.
By the way, we’ve met some travelers who decide to rent a car in Bohol. We haven’t tried it ourselves, so we can’t recommend it, but it’s totally feasible. Prices are around 1,500–2,000 pesos per day, but keep in mind that in the Philippines almost all cars are rented without insurance, so if anything happens, you’ll be responsible for all costs. That’s precisely why we don’t go for it, but there you have it. If you want to find good prices, we recommend this platform, which works great in the country and is one of the cheapest.
b) Getting to the Chocolate Hills by car or tricycle with a driver
If the above doesn’t convince you, whether because of the distance or the inconvenience (or because it’s common to get caught in a downpour at some point), there’s also the option of hiring a car or a tricycle with a driver to accompany you for the whole day or for a few hours.
Prices are around 2,000–3,000 pesos for a full day from Panglao (Alona or any point on the island) and he’ll take you to different places of interest in inland Bohol. It’s common to stop at the tarsier sanctuary, Loboc, the zipline, the Man‑Made Forest, a waterfall and, of course, the Chocolate Hills.
Obviously, a car is much faster than a tricycle, but also more expensive. If you want, you can book the car directly on this page, totally trustworthy.
By the way, if you’re staying in Loboc (which we highly recommend, especially if you stay at this riverside accommodation) you can also opt for a tricycle’s services and it will be quite affordable. Probably around 1,000 pesos for the whole outing.
If you’re in the Anda area, it’s also feasible to go to the Chocolate Hills. In a single day you could visit the waterfalls in the island’s south (Ingkumhan Falls and Twin Falls, two of the best waterfalls in Bohol) and then Loboc and the Chocolate Hills, or go to the Cadapdapan area first. If you’re doing a long itinerary around Bohol, a good idea is to take advantage of the transfer day between Anda and Panglao (or vice versa) and, with a car and driver, do Loboc and the Chocolate Hills.
If you need a trusted contact, we’ll be happy to share one if you leave us a comment below.
c) Guided tour to the Chocolate Hills
A very popular option for those who want to visit the Chocolate Hills without worrying about transportation is to book an organized tour that takes you there comfortably, discovering other points of interest along the way. It’s known as the “countryside tour” and departs from Panglao or Tagbilaran. These are some of the most popular ones:
1. Private Spanish-language tour of Bohol: the most popular of the private tours in Bohol! With a Spanish-speaking guide, this 8‑hour experience can be booked from just 24 euros per person. The price includes entrance to visit the Chocolate Hills and the tarsier sanctuary. It also passes the zipline that crosses the Loboc River, but those experiences are not included in the price. Keep in mind you need to book this tour at least 7 days in advance and, since there aren’t many Spanish-speaking guides, it’s normal for them to be full. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You can look for other travelers to share and make it cheaper with our calendar.
More information about this tour here
2. Tour in English: thanks to its low price, this is one of the most popular group tours in Bohol. For about 10 euros (plus tickets) it includes a nearly 9‑hour route that takes you to see Baclayon Church (from 1727), the Man Made Forest, a visit to the Chocolate Hills, the tarsiers and a boat ride on the Loboc River with a varied buffet for lunch. The tour picks you up and then takes you back to your hotel, both in Panglao and in Tagbilaran. Its downside is that it’s only in English. To do it as a shared tour with other travelers and make it cheaper, you need to click “Joiner”. If you want to make it private, you can choose how many people you’ll be.
More information about this tour here
3. Hire a car with driver: as we said above, this is another good alternative and cheaper than the previous ones. It’s simply a matter of negotiating the price of a day’s excursion with a taxi driver (which is usually around 3,000 pesos from Panglao for a car for up to 4 people) or booking it from this link for 8 hours. Note that you’ll be responsible for paying the entrance fees for the attractions you visit. It’s also a good option if you’re many, since you can choose a van.
More information about this tour here
Tour comparison for Bohol:
| 1. PRIVATE TOUR | 2. GROUP TOUR | |
| LANGUAGE | Spanish | English |
| PRICE | From €24 for a group of 8 (includes tickets) | From €10 (tickets not included) |
| DURATION | A little over 8 hours | Just under 9 hours |
| VISITS | Chocolate Hills, Bohol River zipline (ticket not included), Pangas Falls, tarsiers, Man‑Made Forest | Baclayon Church, Man Made Forest, Chocolate Hills, boat on the Loboc River with buffet lunch (paid separately), tarsier foundation |
| + INFO | More information about this tour here | More information about this tour here |
d) How to get to the Chocolate Hills by bus
If renting a motorbike doesn’t appeal to you much, or you simply want to get to the Chocolate Hills and then continue your route without returning to the starting point, an interesting option is the bus.
Getting to the Chocolate Hills from Alona Beach (or Tagbilaran) by bus
If you depart from Alona Beach, you should first take a jeepney (25 pesos) or a bus (70 pesos) to the bus station located two kilometers north of Tagbilaran, Dao Terminal. You’ll get there in about an hour. There you’ll take your bus bound for the town of Carmen for 50 pesos (tell the driver to let you know when you reach the Chocolate Hills). Sit back and enjoy the ride, as you’ve got a little over two hours ahead discovering the interior of Bohol. From the stop you’ll simply have to walk to the entrance, pay 100 pesos and take the shuttle included in the price.
Keep in mind that this route can be quite tiring, as you’ll already need about 5 hours round trip. If you want to visit the Chocolate Hills by bus, it’s better to stay in the Loboc area, much closer, or join a tour from Alona (as we explain below).
Getting to the Chocolate Hills from Anda by bus
Leaving from the town of Anda you should first take a van or a bus. These depart from the main street (you can’t miss it) but their departure times aren’t an exact science, so you may have to wait. For 100–150 pesos they’ll drop you at the Loay intersection, where you can take the bus or the jeepney towards Carmen for 10–30 pesos. Expect the journey to take about 4 hours at a leisurely pace.
Where to stay near the Chocolate Hills
In our article on where to stay on Bohol Island in the Philippines we explain in detail which are the best accommodations on the island in the areas of Tagbilaran, Panglao, Alona Beach, Loboc and Anda. But if you want accommodation much closer to the Chocolate Hills that lets you enjoy its magical sunsets and sunrises, take a look at these we suggest:
ZL Travelers Inn
Located in the small village of Batuan, in our opinion it’s the best option for visiting the Chocolate Hills and staying overnight. Double rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom cost just €21 per night with breakfast included—a bargain! Plus, it has super friendly staff who will help you with everything they can and a café/restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, so you don’t have to worry on that front.
As for transport, the bus from Tagbilaran passes through Batuan, so there’s no need to overthink it. Once there, you can take a tricycle to the Chocolate Hills or any bus heading to Carmen. You can also ask them to help you find a motorbike rental.
More information on ZL Travelers Inn
Matilde B&B
The best of the whole area if you want a lot of comfort in a rather rural setting. From €40 with breakfast included, you’ll have a spacious and modern room very close to the Chocolate Hills. In terms of logistics, they also make everything easy, renting motorbikes at a good price and serving dinner, so you don’t have to go crazy looking in such a non‑touristy area. A highly recommended option if you want to visit the Chocolate Hills early.
LHOYJEAN Garden Hostel
If what you’re looking for is a super cheap spot with a family vibe, you’ve found it. Travelers give this Batuan couple a 9.6 on Booking—they go out of their way to make sure you have a unique experience in Bohol, preparing communal breakfasts and dinners with fruit and vegetables from their garden (be sure to request it in advance, otherwise you’ll go hungry, as there’s hardly anything in the area). Plus, there are fireflies at night!
You can choose between beds in shared dorms (€5) and double rooms (€10), so it’s perfect for solo travelers as well as couples or friends. Just keep in mind you’re right in nature, so not everything will be “perfect”. Only for those with an adventurous spirit.
More info on Lhoyjean Garden Hostel
Do you have any questions about this Guide to the Chocolate Hills in Bohol? We’d love to answer them in the comments.
Also, don’t miss our Bohol Guide, where we tell you how to get there, where to stay and what to do on this fabulous Philippine island.
