Travel Diaries • Chocolate Hills, Bohol, PH

banix (35)in #travel • 6 years ago

Known for it's unique and perfectly shaped hills are the Chocolate Hills in the island of Bohol. There are about 1,260 hills scattered in the towns of Carmen, Batuan, and Sagbayan. Why are they called Chocolate Hills? Are they made of chocolate? No. They were called as such because the hills are covered in "Cogon" grass which turns brown when withered during the summer season (March-May). Some hills are covered with trees and plants, but most are covered with grass. There is a viewing deck located in Carmen, Bohol where you can have a 360° view of the area. The viewing deck is the highest of the hills where you will climb a high set of stairs going up.

How to get there:
A. From the capital city Manila, you can take a plane. There are 3 airline companies (Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines) offering flights going to the island's capital, Tagbilaran City. There are several flights everyday to choose from. It's only an hour of travel. Prices vary depending on the season.

B. From Cebu City going to Tagbilaran City, just take a fast craft at Pier 1. There is an hourly schedule of floats. Ticket can be bought at the pier. No need to rush for booking, you can just ride right away. Ticket price is P500 for Non-A/C, P550 for Tourist Class, and P1,100 for Business Class.

(There's also a direct flight from Incheon, So.Korea to Tagbilaran City)

From Tagbilaran City seaport/airport, you may ride a tricycle going to Integrated Bus Terminal in Brgy. Dao. Usual fare is P45 since you're like renting the whole ride. Then, take the Ceres (Southern Stars) bus going to Carmen. Just ready a P55 fare for the non-A/C bus. Tell the conductor to drop you at the Chocolate Hills. That's a 2-hour ride. Don't take a nap so that you can enjoy the scenery along the way. You will get to pass by the famour Loboc River, Man-made forest, and Tarsier Sanctuary (can be visited after Choco Hills).

From the foot of the Hill, take another 5-min tricycle ride for only P25 each going to the foot of the viewing deck area. It can also be travelled by foot if you wanted adventure and don't mind a long steep walk. There's an entrance fee of P20 each. There's a restaurant there to dine and have some refreshments, a toilet for call of nature, and souvenir shops.