Chocolate Hills: Are They Worth Visiting?

Somehow whenever I thought about the Philippines, my mind would eventually drift to the Chocolate hills in Bohol. I had seen so many posts in various travel groups about them and I have to admit my curiosity was piqued.

Most people consider them one of the top places to visit in Philippines because they are such a unique formation.

The questions however lingered. Was it worth traveling all the way to Bohol to visit them? What made them so special? Should we add them to our itinerary? So many questions and I really didn’t find many satisfactory answers. The best solution was to see for ourselves.

So we headed out to the hills on a scooter to find out the answer to that question.

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Why Are The Chocolate Hills Famous?

The complex is a rather unique phenomenon and the moment you set your eyes on it you will see exactly what I mean. From above they look like little mounds which are covered with vegetation. Should you get a chance to visit the chocolate hills complex in the dry season, you will notice that the same vegetation takes on a brownish hue which give the hills their name since it resembles chocolate.

The Chocolate hills complex is sometimes called the eighth wonder of the world. It is also a National Geological monument which means that there are ongoing efforts to preserve it.

The Best Time to Visit The Chocolate Hills Complex

If you want to see the brownish hue that covers the hills then you definitely want to head there in the dry season which is between December and May. We forewarned though that the tropical weather can get a tad bit stifling in the heat if you aren’t used to it. We barely noticed the difference since we headed there from India which can be equally as hot.

If you aren’t out for the iconic view then the rains brings a different look to the hills. Instead of being brown they are lush green and I think they are rather pretty to look at.

How Were The Chocolate Hills Formed?

If you find geology interesting, then the Chocolate hills is definitely a spot that you should visit. The hills were formed because of the uplift of coral deposits and the action of rain water and erosion. The hills are scattered across the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayam. Interestingly, the 1268 mounds that have become famous all share a similar general shape.

Getting To The Chocolate Hills Complex

The Chocolate hills lie in the middle of the island of Bohol in the Philippines. There are a number of ways in which you can get there. You can hire a driver, take a tour or rent a motorbike. We chose the latter and we loved the freedom that it gave us.

The roads are in a rather good condition so that did not worry us too much. It did get cold in bits and we wished we had carried our jackets. Then again, the weather was rather dull on the day that we visited the Chocolate Hills. An impending typhoon was the root cause of it.

Catching A View Of The Chocolate Hills

A view from the top of the observation point in the chocolate hills which shows the crowds heading both up and down.

Heading up to the view point.

As you meander down the road you will definitely realize that you have entered the chocolate hills area. The large conical masses draw your attention immediately. To get a proper view of this geological phenomenon, you do require a higher vantage point.

Luckily there is a proper viewing deck at the top of one of the hills that gives you the vantage point that you desire.

Entry Fee To The Chocolate Hills

The catch is that it has an entrance fee. Luckily the entrance fee isn’t much. Adults have to pay 50 PHP and children get their tickets at 10 PHP. The entrance fee is paid at the bottom of the hill. You still have a drive up. The timings that you can visit are between 6 am and 6 pm. Which made me think that it would be a great place to visit and catch the sunrise.

There is a nice parking lot where you can park your motorbike. Since you have already paid an entrance fee, there is no further parking charges. A number of vendors have occupied different parts of this area. You can even catch a snack while you take in the view. There are clean toilets that are available near the parking lot too.

The Best Views

Don’t stop yet. A short climb upwards will treat you to a view of the sprawling hills around. It does get crowded but it isn’t too hard to get a good vantage point for yourself. We spent a little while looking around and trying to see which part gave us the best view. Ironically, it seemed as if every side a view that was equally captivating!

Have you been to the chocolate hills in Bohol? Do you think it is worth the visit? Let us know in the comments below.

If you are in Bohol, don’t forget to check out the iconic Hinagdanan cave too!

Best Tours To The Chocolate Hills In Bohol

Okay so not everyone is comfortable riding a bike around Philippines. If you are one of them, don’t be disappointed. You can still head to the chocolate hills in with one of these epic tours.

Chocolate hills tour with Tarsier & Loboc river Buffet Lunch (half-day tour)

⭐️ Rating: 5/5 (33 Reviews) Price: $72 per person Duration: 5-6 hours 📍Meeting Point: Hotel pickup on Bohol Details: Read more on Viator!

This tour takes you to the chocolate hills and lets you explore the unique landscape. You also get a chance to visit the Tarsier park where you can interact with the little Tarsier monkeys from a distance. They are extremely cute and are a protected species. Just make sure not to make loud noises and disturb them.

“Katya was a great guide, very informative and funny. Driver was also great. Enjoyed Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, river lunch and visit to a couple of churches. Recommend!”
Lisa (read more reviews now!)

After all this, you will also get a chance to visit the Loboc river where you will cruise down the Bohol countryside. Oh and you get to taste an amazing Filipino buffet lunch. Sounds pretty epic right? It is! And you don’t have to worry about transport at all because everything is taken care off for you.

Book Your Tour Now!