Visit the Chocolate Hills of Bohol

“The Chocolate Hills is one of Bohol’s biggest attractions, and we were excited to see what all the hype was about! We arrived around 4:30 pm, just before sunset. Normally, visitors park at the bottom and take a tuk-tuk shuttle to the viewpoint, but since it was late in the day, we were allowed to drive our motorbike straight up the hill because the shuttle service was ending for the day. This worked out perfectly since we got to enjoy the views without worrying about the tuk-tuk ride. At the top, we found a rest area with souvenir stands, bathrooms, and a restaurant. Unfortunately, because it was sunset, the restaurant was already closing. We made our way up the 214 steps to the observation deck. Thankfully, there are shaded benches along the way if you need to take a break—I definitely did! Even the views from the break stops were pretty nice. At the top, there are multiple platforms with incredible 360-degree views of the surrounding hills. It was a bit crowded, and we had to take turns for photos at the main deck, but it wasn’t too bad compared to waiting for photo spots in Japan, which can take hours! We stayed to watch the sunset, and it was absolutely worth it! The sky shifted from soft pinks to fiery reds, and since we visited in May during the burning season, the small fires on the hilltops created a smokey backdrop that was absolutely beautiful.”

“I arrived in the early afternoon to avoid some of the midday tropical heat. Clouds moved across the sky and gave the hills a dramatic look. The complex has a large parking area that receives vans, cars, and tour buses throughout the day. The visitor area sits on a flattened hilltop, so vehicles can only drop off passengers. Drivers must park at the bottom until the arranged pick up time. Tricycles are not permitted to the drop-off / pick-up area. I walked a short distance past a small souvenir store and a cafe with a much needed seating area. The steps to the upper viewpoint looked narrow and steep, and there was a steady line of people climbing up and down. I decided not to attempt the climb in the heat. The lower viewing deck offered a flat surface with a simple layout, and I found it easy to navigate. The viewpoint opened up to a beautifully mesmerising landscape. I saw hundreds of grass covered hills stretching across the horizon. They looked completely uniform from a distance, which felt almost unreal. The hills turn brown in the dry season, which gives them the chocolate name. Since I visited in November, everything was a deep green. The hills felt endless, and I stood there for a long time to take it all in.”