Chocolate Hills in Cebu and Bohol
Part of the Cebu and Bohol travel guide — see every topic in All Cebu and Bohol Guides.
The Chocolate Hills are the most famous sight on Bohol. More than a thousand small, round hills cover the land around the town of Carmen. They are covered in grass. In the dry season the grass turns brown, and the hills look like rows of chocolate drops. This is how they got their name. This guide explains how to get there, where to stand and when to go.
What the hills are
The hills are made of limestone. Scientists believe they formed over a very long time, as rain and water slowly wore away the rock around them. Most hills are between about 30 and 50 metres high, and a few are taller. They spread over a wide area in the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan. The hills are a protected natural monument, so building on them and digging into them is not allowed. In 2024 a resort built among the hills in Sagbayan was closed after a public outcry. Local stories also explain the hills as the tears or the fight of giants. These stories are fun to hear, but the real cause is geology.
The main viewpoint in Carmen
Most visitors go to the Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen. A road and a set of steps climb to a viewing deck on top of one hill. From the top you can see hills in every direction. The climb takes about ten minutes and is steep in places, so walk slowly in the heat. There is a small entrance fee, toilets, snack stalls and souvenir shops at the base. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and fewer crowds. At midday the sun is strong and there is little shade on the deck.
When the hills turn brown
The colour of the hills depends on the weather. In the dry months, roughly from February to May, the grass dries out and turns brown. This is when the hills look most like chocolate. In the rainy months the grass is green, and the hills look soft and fresh. Both views are beautiful. If you want the classic brown photo, plan for the late dry season. From about June to November there is more rain, and typhoons are possible. Always check the weather forecast before a long day trip.
Other ways to see the hills
There are a few other places to see the hills. In Sagbayan there is a second viewpoint with a park and gardens, and it is usually quieter. Some tour operators offer ATV rides on dirt tracks between the hills, which lets you see them from ground level. Choose a licensed operator and wear closed shoes. Many visitors combine the hills with other stops in the Bohol countryside, such as the tarsier sanctuary in Corella, the man-made forest along the road and a river cruise in Loboc. A full-day private car or van tour can cover all of these.
Getting there
The hills are in the centre of Bohol. From Tagbilaran City or Panglao Island the drive takes about two hours. Many people hire a car and driver for the day, or join a countryside tour from their hotel. Local buses and vans also run from the Dao terminal in Tagbilaran toward Carmen, which is cheaper but slower. If you come from Cebu City, take a fast ferry to Tagbilaran, which takes about two hours, and then continue by road. Bring water, a hat and sun cream, because the viewing deck has little shade.
Chocolate Hills at a glance
| Getting there | About two hours by road from Tagbilaran or Panglao; car and driver or countryside tour |
|---|---|
| Hours | Viewing complex open in daylight hours; check locally before you go |
| Cost | Small entrance fee; private car for the day costs more |
| Best time | February to May for brown hills; early morning for soft light |
| Bring | Water, hat, sun cream and good shoes for the steps |