Bohol Island – The Chocolate Hills

Bohol  is the main island of Bohol Province. The island located southeast from Cebu Island and southwest of Leyte Island in Central Visayas region. This oval-shaped island is the tenth largest of the Philippine archipelago.

Bohol is full of natural beauty. The coastline of the island is skimmed by gentle coves and white sand beaches. Bohol is not as internationally famous destination in Philippines as nearby Boracay, but is well-known locally as a heaven for divers and snorkelers. The most popular activities in Bohol  are Dolphin watching and whale watching. The best season is from March to June, but dolphins can be seen year-round. In addition to white sand beaches and dive spots.

One of the most famous tourist attraction in Bohol and in whole Philippines is The Chocolate Hills.

The Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are the most famous tourist attraction in Bohol province. The Chocolate hills were featured in the Philippine Tourism Authority’s list of  best Philippine tourist destinations and are the Philippines’ third National Geological Monument. Proposals to include the Chocolate hills in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list are currently being conducted.

The Chocolate Hills look like women’s dress, or giant mole hills, or a place something like a child’s drawing. The unusual thing about it is that it is a natural phenomena! Geologists believe that the hills were formed from marine limestone on top of a clay layer. The Chocolate hills are uniform in shape, some standing from 30 to 50 meters high. They are usually covered with grass the year around, but turn brown during the dry season, thus the name. You can see the magnificent view of  The Chocolate hills by climbing 214 steps to an observation outpost above the hills.

You can get to the Chocolate Hills on your own or by joining a day tour. From Tagbilaran, go to the bus terminal in Dao, and take a bus to Carmen.

The Chocolate Hills is indeed one of the Philippines’ most amazing destinations. The Chocolate Hills Complex has: a hostel, swimming pool, restaurant, and an observation deck to view the amazing hills. You can also view the hills at Sagbayan Peak in the town of Sagbayan.

How to reach The Chocolate Hills

By Bus

You can reach The Chocolate Hills by bus.Ask the bus driver to drop you off at Chocolate Hills, located 4 km before you reach Carmen. If you get lost you can always ask help from the locals who are very hospitable and friendly.

By plane

At the moment, Bohol’s city airport in Tagbilaran services daily Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airline flights from Manila. It is undergoing renovation to accommodate the B-737s of Philippine Airlines. Ramp area improvement and the construction of a modernized airport building will soon ensure bigger aircraft will allow direct flight into Bohol. Most guests to Bohol enter the island either by land or sea via its island neighbor, Cebu.

By Private Car

Bohol Island is easily accessible by bus, private cars, taxi and rental cars. Many of the towns in Bohol have a bus terminal where one can get a ride to other towns. Tagbilaran City, the capital city of Bohol has an integrated bus terminal located in Dao, where you can get a bus ride to get in most towns in Bohol. Most bus lines operate follows daily schedules. To go the the Chocolate Hills, one had to take the interior-route like Carmen-Sierra Bullones.

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