The Ultimate DIY Guide To Bohol’s Chocolate Hills

Are you considering visiting the iconic Chocolate Hills in Bohol?

This DIY Guide will detail everything you need to know about visiting Bohol’s Chocolate Hills without a tour, including how to get there, the entrance fee, and what to expect, updated for 2024.

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Bohol boasts a unique natural landscape unparalleled anywhere else in the Philippines.

From vibrant green rolling hills and sunrise hikes to tiny primates and hidden waterfalls, Bohol is a nature enthusiast’s paradise and an adventure lover’s playground.

The mystifying Chocolate Hills are undoubtedly the most popular Bohol tourist spot.

Tales of their formation have worked their way into Filipino folklore and have been a source of fascination for locals and tourists alike.

However, the beauty of this natural wonder can be somewhat overshadowed by the hoards of tourists and tour groups.

Visiting for sunrise without a tour is therefore the best way to experience the Chocolate Hills.

Maybe you don’t want to visit the Chocolate Hills with a tour? Or perhaps you’re looking to save some money and explore the island at your own pace?

This DIY Chocolate Hills Guide will let you know everything you need to know to visit the jewel in Bohol’s crown.

Where are the Chocolate Hills located?

The mysterious Chocolate Hills are located on the island of Bohol; Cebu’s eastern neighbour.

The Chocolate Hills Complex, which includes a panoramic viewing deck and activities, is located in the town of Carmen in the island’s center.

Bohol is the only island in the Philippines, and the second place in Asia, where you can witness this natural phenomenon.

What towns are near the Chocolate Hills?

The Chocolate Hills cover an area of about 20 square miles. They spread over the towns of Batuan, Carmen, Bilar, and Sagbayan.

Currently, there are only viewing decks in Carmen and Sagbayan. Carmen is the most popular and the focus of this post.

How to get to the Chocolate Hills Bohol

There are many ways to get to the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, depending on your preference and budget.

As the most popular Bohol tourist spot, the Chocolate Hills can get overwhelmed with tour groups.

If you want to appreciate the mystical beauty of the hills without hoards of tourists, I would recommend staying nearby and coming for sunrise.

From Carmen

I cannot recommend staying in the town of Carmen enough.

Located just 5 minutes from the Chocolate Hills, staying a night in Carmen will allow you to beat the crowds and catch the breathtaking sunrise over the mounds.

Furthermore, Carmen’s central location makes it a great base to explore other popular Bohol attractions, such as Alicia Panoramic Park in the east of the island.

Staying in Carmen is such an authentic way to experience Bohol as you are totally immersed in nature and can enjoy the slower pace of life in the countryside.

We stayed in Lhoyjean Homestay, the best hotel near Chocolate Hills. Here you can rent a scooter for 400 ($7) a day.

We left at about 5:30 AM and made the 5-minute journey to the Chocolate Hills for sunrise.

From Panglao / Tagbilaran

Panglao is the tourist hub of Bohol and where most travelers tend to stay.

If you’re traveling from Panglao and are hoping to catch the sunrise over the Chocolate Hills, your best option would be to hire a scooter.

Once you have hired a scooter in Panglao, you can make the 2-hour journey to the Chocolate Hills. I would recommend leaving no later than 4 AM.

To break up the journey on the way back, you could stop off at the Bilar Man-Made Forest and Corella Tarsier Sanctuary.

Note: if making this long journey for sunrise, remember that you will be traveling in the dark and need to take extra care.

Another way to reach the Chocolate Hills from Panglao is by bus.

Bohol is very well-connected with public transport, and you can reach most places by bus from the Dao Integrated Bus Terminal in Tagbilaran.

If you’re staying in Panglao, you will first have to take a bus to the Tagbilaran Bus Terminal.

You can take the Southern Star Bus which runs 6 AM– 6 PM every hour from outside the Alona Beach McDonald’s.

This costs 70 PHP ($1.20) and takes about 45 minutes.

From the Dao Integrated Bus Terminal take the bus bound for Carmen. Tell the bus driver that you would like to get off at the Chocolate Hills and they will make a stop for you.

The Tagbilaran to Chocolate Hills fare is 97 PHP ($1.70) and takes about 1.5 hours.

History of Chocolate Hills

The history of the Chocolate Hills begins about 2 million years ago, during the end of the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene era.

During this time, Bohol Island was still deep underwater, with flourishing marine and coral life. What happened after has been the source of debate amongst experts.

The most popular theory is that the tectonic movement of the plates caused the sea levels to drop, pushing the coral reefs and deposits upwards.

This created a limestone plateau. This limestone is composed of calcium carbonate, formed from the fossilized shells of invertebrate marine creatures.

As limestone is soluble in water, the impact of wind and rain over millions of years led to erosion and weathering. This is how the Chocolate Hills gained their iconic symmetrical conical shape.

This unique geological formation is known as a karst landscape and has fascinated experts over the years.

The Chocolate Hills support a diverse ecosystem of plant and animal life and are a living testament to the transcendent interconnectedness of land and sea.

What is the legend of the Chocolate Hills?

The perfect symmetry of the hills combined with the lack of concrete evidence explaining their formation has naturally led to many legends, stories, and tales.

One of the more popular legends of the Chocolate Hills is that two giants went to war, throwing mud and boulders at each other.

The giants grew tired and eventually reconciled as friends. The brown mounds are what was left after the battle.

Another story for the hopeless romantics among us recounts the tale of a giant who fell in love with a human girl.

After her untimely death, the giant wept and wept, the hills forming where the tears fell.

Why is it called Chocolate Hills?

During the wet season, the Chocolate Hills are covered with lush grass and have a vibrant green colour.

However, during the dry season, when there is little rainfall, the grassy hills turn a chocolate brown colour. This is where they gained their name.

The dry season runs from December – May.

How many hills in Chocolate Hills?

It is difficult to know exactly how many hills there are, as they spread over such a larger area.

It is estimated that there are at least 1,260 hills in the area, and possibly as many as 1,776.

Chocolate Hills Bohol entrance fee & opening times

The Chocolate Hills entrance fee is 100 PHP ($1.70).

We were not asked for a motorbike parking fee.

You can visit from 6 AM – 6 PM.

Note: if you arrive before the official opening time, you can still head to the viewing deck. Simply pay your entrance fee when leaving.

What to expect from the Chocolate Hills in Bohol

From the Chocolate Hills viewing deck, there are thousands of nearly symmetrical conical mounds as far as the eye can see.

We visited the Chocolate Hills for sunrise. The early-morning fog creates a mysterious atmosphere and the hills look magical with with the mist surrounding them.

The viewing deck has been built on top of two of the Chocolate Hills. It offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the hills in all directions.

Once you reach the Chocolate Hills Complex, there is a winding road that spirals up. Once you have reached the top, you will see a parking area, as well as toilets and a restaurant.

After paying the entrance fee, you can head up the steps to the viewing deck.

This unique geological formation is a real sight to behold. Furthermore, the early morning colours and lack of tourists create a real atmosphere of tranquility and peace.

Even though there were more tourists than I expected at sunrise, you will have no problem finding a spot to admire Mother Nature’s creation.

How many steps are there in Chocolate Hills?

Once you have reached the Chocolate Hills Complex, there are about 200 steps up to the viewing deck.

What activities can be done at Chocolate Hills?

If you’re looking for a bit of adventure in Bohol, you cannot miss the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP).

Located in the same place, this unique eco-tourism site offers –

• Bike zipline
• Mountain biking
• Horse riding
• Climbing wall
• Tarzan swing
• ATV rides

BOOK YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE TO SAVE HERE

As with most destinations in the Philippines, the WiFi in Bohol can be a little patchy and unreliable. For a stress-free trip, I would suggest getting a data plan with an Airalo eSIM.

Are the Chocolate Hills worth it?

The Chocolate Hills are Bohol’s most popular tourist attraction. Many visit Bohol just to witness this geological wonder.

I had heard mixed reviews about the Chocolate Hills, with people saying that they were left feeling a little underwhelmed.

Especially if visiting during the peak of the day, when the area is typically overwhelmed with tourists.

The Chocolate Hills are undoubtedly spectacular. They are not only beautiful to witness but also humbling to remind us of how interconnected nature truly is.

Furthermore, if you visit for sunrise, the lack of tourists, beautiful colours of the sky, and general mystical atmosphere make the Chocolate Hills worth it.

However, Bohol is so much more than the Chocolate Hills.

The day before I visited the vibrant rolling hills of Alicia Panoramic Park, Can-Umantad Falls, and the nearby rice terraces in the east of the island.

Full Post: Alicia Panoramic Park: The Ultimate Guide To Bohol’s Hidden Gem

These natural attractions in Bohol do not attract many tourists at all and the experience felt much more authentic than the Chocolate Hills.

That is not to say that the Chocolate Hills are not beautiful and fascinating. However, I do feel they are a little over-hyped and favoured over more beautiful landscapes in Bohol.

Overall though, this unique landscape is otherworldly. If you are visiting Bohol, then the iconic Chocolate Hills are well worth a visit.

You can experience all of the natural attractions mentioned above as part of my DIY Tour in Bohol: 4-Day Itinerary

Best time to visit Chocolate Hills

The best time of day to visit the Chocolate Hills Bohol would be either sunrise or sunset.

As this is one of the most popular things to do in Bohol, it can get overwhelmed with tourists and tour groups during the day.

You can visit the Chocolate Hills throughout the year. However, if you were hoping to catch the iconic brown colour, it would be best to visit in the dry season.

This would be from December – May. This coincides with the best time to visit The Philippines in general.

Where to stay in Bohol

Whilst most tourists tend to stay in Panglao, I would recommend staying in Carmen. Due to its central location, Carmen is a great base to explore all of the main attractions in Bohol.

We were underwhelmed by Panglao and found it super touristy.

The place we stayed in Carmen was called Lhoyjean Homestay and was one of the highlights of our whole trip to the Philippines.

The hosts are so lovely and make you feel like part of the family. If you’re looking to escape the tourists and experience Bohol like a local, then this is the best hotel near Chocolate Hills.

How long should I stay in Bohol?

I would recommend staying in Bohol for at least 5 days.

Bohol has so much more to offer than just the Chocolate Hills and boasts one of the most unique natural landscapes in the Philippines.

I would recommend splitting your time between Panglao and Carmen. Panglao to enjoy the beaches, island hopping, and nightlife. Carmen to enjoy nature, hikes, and waterfalls.

Hiking Alicia Panoramic Park and visiting the nearby Can-Umantad Falls in Candijay are some of the best things to do in Bohol.

Full Post: Can-Umantad Falls Bohol: EVERYTHING You Need To Know

Is Bohol too touristy?

As one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines, it is unsurprising that Bohol can be very touristy in some areas.

The Alona Beach area of Panglao is probably the most touristy, along with the Chocolate Hills and Tarsier Sanctuary.

However, Bohol is a very big island. Whilst most tourists tend to stay in Panglao, those who dare to venture further afield are rewarded with beautiful scenery and a total absence of tourists.

The east of the island is a real hidden gem and deserves a spot on your Philippines itinerary.

Destinations such as Carmen, Cadijay, and Anda offer a much more authentic experience and some more off-the-beaten-path Bohol tourist spots.

Likewise, even the most touristy spots can be enjoyed with a little pre-planning.

By avoiding organised tours, and opting for DIY tours instead, you can beat the crowds and explore at your own pace.

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Well, there you have it! The Ultimate DIY Guide to visit the iconic Chocolate Hills in Bohol.

If you’re visiting Bohol, feel free to check out some of my other handy guides –

• Alicia Panoramic Park: The ULTIMATE Guide To Bohol’s Hidden Gem
• The Ultimate DIY Tour in Bohol: 4-Day Itinerary
• Can-Umantad Falls Bohol: EVERYTHING You Need To Know

For inspiration or help planning your Philippines adventure, check out the following –

• 1-Month Philippines Itinerary: Ultimate Backpacking Route
• Top 10 BEST Places To Visit in The Philippines