A Visit to the Chocolate Hills

A Visit to the Chocolate Hills

Kids (and those possessing a sweet tooth) might be disappointed when they arrive at the Chocolate Hills and discover they are not literally so. For everyone else, though, these curious conical mounds in the middle of the Philippine island of Bohol are bound to delight.

Imagine being on a white sand beach on a tropical island and then heading inland through green jungle. The way is mostly flat and lush. And then, suddenly, you see a large earthen mound 30 meters (100 feet) high covered in grass but otherwise devoid of foliage. You wonder why anyone would bother building such an enormous, symmetrical mound of dirt and then overlay it with astroturf.

Then you see another such mound. And then another. Head up to the central observation deck and you’ll see hundreds more. (There are supposedly 1,776 in total). Some are 50 meters high. The largest towers 120 meters above the flat jungle floor. What sort of phenomena could have made these mounds?

Geologists have, in fact, been arguing over that very question. Spot Cool Stuff favors the hypothesis that the hills are ancient coral reefs pushed up into their conical shape when the island of Bohol was created. Other theories maintain that volcanic activity or tidal movements created the Chocolate Hills. A few still believe that the hills were made by man long ago, the last remains of a lost culture. And then there’s the legend that tells of two giants who got into a stone-throwing fight—the mounds are the stones they left behind.

[ ALSO ON SCS: The Top 10 Places To View Rice Terraces ]

No matter how they were created the vista the Chocolate Hills provide today are spectacular, especially in late August when the grass withers and turns a chocolate brown (hence the name). The photos below give a sense of it but, really, there are certain sights that look better in photographs (we always thought Stonehenge was one of these) and certain sights that must be seen in person to be appreciated.

The Chocolate Hills falls in the latter group. Even if you have to bring your own chocolate.

updated: 14 April 2014
space A Visit to the Chocolate Hills

LEARN MORE | TRAVEL GEAR DEALS |

chocolate hills 1 A Visit to the Chocolate Hills follow me on pinterest button A Visit to the Chocolate Hills

space A Visit to the Chocolate Hills

Planning your Chocolate Hills trip

Getting there: Cebu City is a major hub for domestic (and some international flights). From there frequent ferries make the journey across the Cebu Straight to Bohol Island. The busiest ferry port on Bohol is Tagbilaran from where it is easy to book a Chocolate Hills tour or take a bus to Carmen and explore yourself. Any decent guidebook will have details.

bohol cheap hut travel A Visit to the Chocolate HillsWhere to stay: The only place to stay within the hills is the government run resort Chocolate Hills Complex; it has been under renovation for at least four years and still appears to be at the time of writing. Elsewhere on the island there are several mid-range resorts, our favorite of which is the The Peacock Garden Luxury Resort and Spa. For budget travelers, we suggest the Alumbung Resort, which is technically on Panglao Island, a stone’s throw from Bohol’s southeast coast. Rent a traditional beach hut (see photo to the right) for $15 — hammock included! Click here for budget options on Bohol proper.

If you go: Bohol was the epicenter of an earthquake in 2013. Before you count on staying somewhere (other than our above suggestions) confirm that it’s still in business.

For your bookshelf: A Barangay in Bohol: The swings and roundabouts of an expat’s life in the Philippines

space A Visit to the Chocolate Hills
chocolate hills 2 A Visit to the Chocolate Hills follow me on pinterest button A Visit to the Chocolate Hills [image via Jan Pleiter]
space A Visit to the Chocolate Hills

chocolate hills philippines travel 575x377 A Visit to the Chocolate Hills follow me on pinterest button A Visit to the Chocolate Hills

space A Visit to the Chocolate Hills


 A Visit to the Chocolate Hills

space A Visit to the Chocolate Hills

Spot Cool Stuff posts that actually have to do with chocolate:

Where to Bathe in Chocolate
Unusual Restaurants: The 100% Chocolate Cafe
The 12 Best Chocolate Shops
Design Your Own Chocolate Bars

 A Visit to the Chocolate Hills

JOIN US ON TWITTER / FACEBOOK / PINTREST / GOOGLE+ / LINKEDIN / TUMBLR



Responses

  1. Jessica says:

    You can also check out the mini chocolate hills in Zamboanguita if you can’t afford to get to Bohol!

    [Reply to this comment]

  2. Rain says:

    You can find this place in Bohol, a province in the Philippines. Specifically, it’s located in Buenos Aires, Carmen.

    I should know, I was born in the foot of one of these hills.

    [Reply to this comment]

  3. Jonsky says:


    Twitter:
    That looks awesome. I think I saw something like this in Scotland, only smaller.

    [Reply to this comment]

  4. Luc J says:

    Where do you find this amazing stuff? Looks like a decor from a Spielberg movie.

    [Reply to this comment]

Leave a Response

CommentLuv badge

SPOTCOOLSTUFF Travel reviews unusual hotels and restaurants, great attractions, cool travel gear, places with amazing views and all manner of travel destinations with a WOW! factor. Because we live on an incredible planet! Get our latest travel posts by email . . .

    Awesome Curacao vacations — up to $530 off!
    Check out the freebies offered too, including airfare credits, breakfast and room upgrades!

Save $530 Time left:
Book Now!
Offer Closed!



PARTNER WITH US     |     BE OUR GUEST TRAVEL WRITER    |      SUGGEST COOL STUFF FOR US TO REVIEW     |     INFO FOR TOURIST BOARDS

Other SCS SectionsHot Travel CategoriesFave Travel Posts
Cool Tech & GadgetsBest hotel room viewsCaribbeanBest Sandals in Jamaica
Cool Architecture & DesignFamily travelEuropeBest Wheeled Carry-On Luggage
Cool WebsitesHoneymoon resortsFloridaWorld's Coolest Airlines
Cool EntertainmentUnusual museumsSoutheast AsiaThe Honeymoon Resorts of Bora Bora