Chocolate Hills Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Chocolate Hills. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Chocolate Hills Tour with Tarsier and Loboc River Buffet Lunch (Half-Day Tour)

• Bohol Chocolate Hills and Waterfalls Ecotour

• Bohol Countryside Tour from Cebu Loboc River Cruise with Lunch

• Bohol Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers, and Loboc River Shared Tour

• Bohol Day Tour with Round-Trip Transfers from Cebu

An admission ticket for the main viewing deck at the Chocolate Hills costs 100 Filipino pesos—take cash! However, most travelers visit the natural attractions as part of a day trip to Bohol from Cebu, which tends to include a Loboc River cruise and a visit to the Tarsier Sanctuary; excursions cost from US$135.

Yes, the Chocolate Hills are worth visiting. The rolling mounds are a National Geological Monument of the Philippines, and it's easy to see why. Home to more than 1,700 green mounds created by coral deposits, this unique landscape is one of only two places in the world where you can see similar geographical features. Though you can visit independently, most people head there on an organized tour that takes in other Bohol sights and sounds.

Per one customer who booked the Private Bohol Tour: Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers, and Loboc River, "[...] It was absolutely incredible. The day covered everything at a good pace, and our driver-guide, Jeston, was amazing throughout. He made the day so easy, arranging everything for us and [sharing with us] his local knowledge. We could not recommend this tour more—great value for money and a forever memory."

If you want to see the Chocolate Hills at their most picturesque, visit between March and June when the weather in Bohol is driest, and the hills look the most chocolatey. Try to get there as early as possible in the morning to beat the crowds.

Yes, guided tours are available for those who want to explore the Chocolate Hills and the surrounding areas. Many tours departing from Cebu include visits to area attractions such as the Bilar Mahogany Forest and the Tarsier Conservation Area, along with a cruise on the Loboc River.

The Chocolate Hills get their name for a straightforward reason: During the dry season, they turn a brown color reminiscent of chocolate. This is because the mounds, covered with grass, don't get enough rainfall to maintain their otherwise lush, green appearance, so they turn brown.

If you want to guarantee that you’ll see the Chocolate Hills, your best bet is to book a Chocolate Hills tour online before your trip. Book as soon as you know your dates to guarantee your spot, particularly if you want to visit during the busy dry season or on a weekend.

Yes, you can combine a visit to the Chocolate Hills with other nearby attractions in the Philippines. Many tours of the area make stops at several different attractions, including the Tarsier Conservation Area—a must-see for wildlife lovers—and the Bilar Mahogany Forest.

While there are many legends and origin stories around the emergence of the Chocolate Hills, geologists believe they were formed millions of years ago when Bohol was still under the sea. The theory goes that tectonic shifts pushed coral reefs upwards and that these reefs were subsequently eroded to form the mounds.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Chocolate Hills. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Bohol:

• Baclayon Church

• Blood Compact Monument

• Hinagdanan Cave

• Abatan River

• Bamboo Hanging Bridge Sevilla

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Bohol.