Chocolate Hills Natural Monument — Attraction in Bohol

I went to Chocolate Hills while staying on Bohol Island. It is amazing scenery and it is the must place to see. This was our first big holiday overseas and was very much enjoyable. We caught the Ocean Jet ferry from Cebu to Tagbilaran. Upon arrival, we were ambushed by porters. They just take your suitcase off your hand and say, follow me. It was all such a blur, it was hard to say No. Needless to say, my mom wasn't very happy with the price we had to pay since we were quite capable of carrying our own luggage. Our driver was waiting outside with a placard and our names on it. It turns out he was our tour driver and we also had a really helpful tour guide. We drove to our hotel, Bohol Beach Club. Checked in, dropped our bags and went straight back to the car. Our tour included a trip to the Blood Pact site, Tarsier Camp, Baclayon Church, Loboc River Cruise & Lunch, Chocolate Hills and finally a visit to a souvenir shop that sold Bohol's delicacies as well. This itinerary is standard for this tour.

First stop was the Blood Pact site, we were there early so there weren't much tourists yet. I love the view of the water from there. We then went to Baclayon Church, it's the 2nd oldest church in the Philippines. It's still well-preserved, you're not allowed to take photos in the museum. There's also a cultural show outside the church, with traditional dancing and costumes. We then went to the Tarsier camp, these animals are so cute. They're palm-sized things with cute eyes and a long thin tail. Please make sure you turn off the flash when taking photos. We fed it with dead crickets. Don't buy anything from the souvenir shop in there, there's a better one at the end of the tour. At around 11:30, we started heading back towards the Loboc River landing. The boat is made of two long-tail boats joined together by wooden platform made out of bamboo. The buffet lunch was actually quite good and the desserts were delicious. A band plays while you cruise. It's nice to see the local kids wave at you when you cruise past, you'll also see about 3 mini waterfalls. We cruised back to the landing where we find our driver waiting to take us to the Chocolate Hills. There are two ways to get to the top of the lookout, either by a long winding path or the long steep stairs. We took the path on the way up and the steps on the way down. The view did not disappoint at all, the hills were half green and half "chocolate".

We capped off the tour with a visit to the souvenir store and the delicacies store. Don't forget to pick up a jar or two of some nice ube (yam) jam and...

I honestly don’t know where to start—it has always been my dream to visit the Chocolate Hills. My grandmother is from Bohol, but since my family lives in Davao, I’ve been wanting to see the Chocolate Hills for so long. It took me years to finally return to Bohol, and I decided to really go, even if it meant commuting.

To my surprise, I thought it would be difficult to get transportation going up to the Chocolate Hills, but they actually have a free shuttle. The staff were so kind! When I reached the top viewing spot, it started drizzling and there weren’t many people around. I asked one of the staff to take my photos, and he was so nice—he really helped me capture great shots. Truly such a thoughtful gesture that made the experience even better.

Aside from the breathtaking view, I also want to commend the staff. We dined at the restaurant there, and the server was also very accommodating and friendly. Everything just felt so worth it—not only because of the stunning scenery I had long dreamed of seeing, but also because of the warmth and hospitality of the people.

Seeing the Chocolate Hills in person after only knowing them from textbooks was surreal. I could honestly stare at...

A Geology Nerd's Dream Come True

Seeing the Chocolate Hills in person was an absolute dream. As a geology enthusiast, it was incredibly special to witness firsthand what time, weather, and natural elements can sculpt into the landscape. The whole experience is well-organized—after parking and paying the entrance fee, you hop on a quick shuttle to the base of the viewpoint.

The stairs to the top are a bit of a climb but totally manageable for all ages, and it makes the view feel even more rewarding. We spent about an hour and a half enjoying the entire experience—taking in the scenery, snapping photos, and hanging out at the top. There’s a small restaurant where we grabbed coffee and cup noodles while soaking in the views. The place is stunning and peaceful, and the hills are truly a natural wonder. Don’t miss it if...