Writer: Helena Bergström
The Chocolate Hills are an odd geological phenomenon on the island of Bohol in the Philippines, with over a thousand spiky hills. The site is now a popular attraction and we hired a moped to explore the area.
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The chocolate hills
Chocolate hills are named after the chocolate colour they acquire during the dry season. But how did they come about? Scholars seem to disagree, and there are various hypotheses as to how the hills were formed. For example, it could be erosion or explosive volcanic eruptions.
If local old legends are to be believed, the hills are instead explained by giants throwing stones, the faeces of a giant buffalo or the crying of an unhappy giant. Whatever their origin, they offer a very special and different landscape.
The chocolate hills are located in the centre of the Philippine island of Bohol, including around a small town called Carmen.
Visiting the Chocolate Hills - three different stops
We started from Tubigon, located on the west coast of Bohol, and rented a moped to visit the Chocolate Hills. There were three different stops, all of which were beautiful in different ways. Stopping several times on the way wasn't a bad idea, since we spent more than two hours on the moped in total, and it felt in the body ...
1st Sagbayan Peak
Our first stop was at Sagbayan Peak, which is a viewpoint and tourist attraction at one end of the "chocolate hills" area. We were greeted by a tourist complex that was very ambitiously built, but perhaps not so well maintained.
For a small fee, we could go up to a platform, where there was a restaurant and then constructed walkways to another viewing platform.
Sagbayan Peak may not be quite in the "centre" of the Chocolate Hills, but even so, we could see the charming spiky hills in several directions.
2. Captain's Peak Garden
The next stop was at Captain's Peak Garden (or Captain's Peak Resort), located on one of the Chocolate Hills. A large garden of flowers and imaginative sculptures has been created here and can be visited for a small fee.
The sculptures are imaginative and represent everything from hearts and flip-flops to butterflies and ghost animals. Many invite photos and selfies.
Some artisans were working on completing another sculpture in the shape of a rooster. Impressive work!
There are also some small wooden huts on the site, where you can take refuge.
We walked around for a while and then ended the visit with a cold iced tea in the "boat restaurant". You get thirsty in the heat!
3. Chocolate Hills
The last stop on the carpet tour was the main visitor centre for the Chocolate Hills, located just outside the town of Carmen. Here we were greeted by a large car park and an efficient handling of tourists. We had to buy a ticket and wait a short time for a transfer, after which we were driven in a minibus to the centre of the destination.
Here you can take stairs up one of the hills. It's not really that far, but in the intense heat you may need to pause a few times, and maybe check out the little "mini-cave" on the way, with a statue of Mary. If you want, you can borrow umbrellas for the sun.
At the top you have a fantastic view of the Chokladkullarna in the area. Of course, many, many selfies are also taken up here.
If you look down the other way, you can see the large tourist centre that has been built. Since it was high time for lunch for us, we ate here. It was lemon chicken with rice, which tasted really good. Then it was transfer down to the car park again. A really nice excursion that we can highly recommend, if you visit Bohol!
Where to stay when visiting the Chocolate Hills?
You can stay in many different places on the island of Bohol, and then take a trip to the Chocolate Hills. There are a number of hostels, guesthouses and bed & breakfasts around Carmen. It is also possible to make an excursion from the more touristy island of Panglao. We started from Tubigon, where we stayed at Hotel Seeya, which meant a journey of about an hour.
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
In the vicinity of the Chocolate Hills, you won't want to miss seeing Philippine ghost animals, which you can do at the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary or the Tarsier Conservation Area. You can also check out Sikatuna's Mirror of the World or go to Panglao Island, where there are plenty of beaches and resorts. Find all our tips for Bohol here.
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Frequently asked questions about the Chocolate Balls
What are the chocolate hills known for?
The Chocolate Hills are famous for their unique landscape and geological phenomenon, with over a thousand spiky hills.
How did the Chocolate Hills get their name?
The chocolate hills get their name because they turn a brown colour during the dry season.
What are the legends about the Chocolate Hills?
According to one legend, the Chocolate Hills were formed when giants threw stones. and another says the hills are the faeces of a giant buffalo. Yet another legend says that the hills were formed when a giant cried after his love died.
Facts about the Chocolate Hills - Chocolate Hills
- Country: Philippines
- Region: Visaya Islands
- Ö: Bohol
- Location: The chocolate hills are located in the centre of the Philippine island of Bohol, around the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan.
- Name: Chocolate Hills in English, Mga Bungtod sa Tsokolate in Cebuano and Mga Tsokolateng Burol in Tagalog.
- Number: Between 1260 and 1776 hills
- Height: Often between 30 and 50 metres. The highest hill is 120 metres.
- Rock type: Limestone
- Surface: The hills are spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometres.
Practical info
- Prices: Admission is 30 pesos/person (around £6) at Sagbayan Peak, 34 pesos/person (around £7) at Captain's Peak Garden and 100 pesos/person (around £20) at Chocolate Hills.
- Getting here: You can get to the Chocolate Hills by hired moped or by van or bus, for example from Tagbilaran City. Guided tours are also organised.
- To take away: Water, cash and comfortable cool clothes, and possibly rainwear depending on the weather.
- Activities: Chocolate Hills Adventure Park and mountain bike tours.
- Read more: You can find more info about Bohol at tourist office website.
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Anonymous says:
Hello ,
Thank you for your visit.
With kind regards
Zara's Cafe
Dauis Bohol
01 April 2023 - 10:02
Helena says:
Thank you!!! What an incredibly cosy café, such good pastries and what a fantastic view! 🙂 We will write about Panglao in the future (but it will probably take at least a week) and then some text and pictures from our visit!
01 April 2023 - 10:17
Liza says:
Hello again and thank you! It was a pity that we were not there when you came. We hope and wish you welcome back, it would be fun to meet you. 🤗. What cool trips and nice pictures.
Wishing you a continued pleasant stay on the island of Bohol and the Philippines ❤️.
With kind regards
Liza , Lennart and Zara
05 April 2023 - 17:31
BP says:
Imagine finding a colourful sculpture park in the middle of the jungle, or almost in the jungle. I am surprised that there are so many tourists. Great fun for everyone who lives on tourism.
Also like the exterior of the hotel - a bit cheeky and it's a great contrast to the countryside.
01 April 2023 - 18:37
Helena says:
The chocolate hills are very popular so a lot of people go there!!! For example, many tourists come to the island of Panglao, and from there you can make excursions to the Chocolate Hills ...
02 April 2023 - 1:00
Lena i Wales och lite överallt says:
What a different landscape! So nice to see this, never heard of it.
Take care!
02 April 2023 - 9:45
I Monica says:
How interesting! Absolutely incredible and difficult to take in so much there is and to see and experience on site as you do. What amounts of hills, will try to find more about that phenomenon. If it exists.
And in the middle of it all Zara's café, checked the website and you have no idea how everything works, how beautiful it is and how good and nice they make👌.
We wish you continued good luck!
PS, there is not much about the Philippines, suggestions that you write a book, about both history and current experiences and many photos in it. Maybe not directly a travel guide but more a little novel-like too🙂.
03 April 2023 - 16:53