Chocolate Hills: A Perfect Destination for Nature Lovers

The Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Philippines, is one of the country’s most famous natural attractions. With over 1,200 cone-shaped hills stretching across the towns of Carmen, Sagbayan, and Batuan, this geological wonder captivates visitors with its unique beauty. If you are a nature lover, the Chocolate Hills should be at the top of your travel bucket list.

A Natural Wonder Like No Other

Unlike any other landscape, the Chocolate Hills offer a breathtaking view of rolling, symmetrical mounds resembling chocolate drops when the grass covering them turns brown during the dry season. This one-of-a-kind natural formation is believed to have been created through the uplift and erosion of coral limestone over millions of years.

Perfect for Outdoor Enthusiasts

For those who love the outdoors and adventure, the Chocolate Hills and its surroundings offer exciting activities:

Hiking and Trekking – A climb up the Chocolate Hills Complex viewing deck in Carmen rewards visitors with a 360-degree panoramic view of the hills. Another great spot is Sagbayan Peak, where you can enjoy the scenery from a different perspective.

Adventure Activities – For thrill-seekers, the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (CHAP) offers ziplining, bike zip, and obstacle courses, all set against the backdrop of the beautiful hills.

Photography and Nature Walks – If you enjoy capturing the beauty of nature, the Chocolate Hills provide a perfect setting for stunning landscape photography. The area is also rich in flora and fauna, making it ideal for nature walks and birdwatching.

A Destination for All Seasons

The best time to visit Chocolate Hills is during the dry season (November to May) when the hills take on their signature chocolate-brown color. However, visiting during the rainy season (June to October) also offers a unique charm, as the hills turn a lush green, creating a different but equally stunning view.

How to Get There

Chocolate Hills is easily accessible from Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol. From Tagbilaran, you can take a bus, or van, or rent a private vehicle to reach the Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen, which is about 55 km away and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to reach.

For nature lovers, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol is a dream destination. Its breathtaking landscapes, outdoor activities, and unique geological wonder make it an unforgettable place to explore. Whether you're a traveler seeking adventure, a photographer capturing nature’s beauty, or simply a tourist wanting to experience one of the Philippines' greatest natural treasures, Chocolate Hills is a must-visit destination.

How to Get to Chocolate Hills (Bohol) from Manila or Other Countries

Visiting the Chocolate Hills in Bohol is easy, whether you're coming from Manila or an international destination. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get there.

1. Flying to Bohol from Manila or Other Countries

From Manila to Bohol

• The fastest way to get to Bohol from Manila is by plane.
• Book a direct flight from Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport - NAIA) to Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG).
• Flight duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Airlines: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia.

From Other Countries to Bohol

If you're coming from other countries, here are two common routes:

A. Via Manila

1. Book an international flight to Manila (NAIA).
2. Take a domestic flight from Manila to Bohol (1.5 hours).

B. Via Cebu (Best Alternative for International Travelers)

1. Book an international flight to Cebu (Mactan-Cebu International Airport - CEB).
2. Take a fast ferry from Cebu to Bohol (Tagbilaran City Port) – around 2 hours.
3. From Tagbilaran, travel to the Chocolate Hills (1.5 to 2 hours by car or bus).

2. From Bohol-Panglao International Airport to Chocolate Hills

Once you arrive in Bohol, you have several options to reach the Chocolate Hills in Carmen:

• Private Car or Van Rental – The most convenient option. Travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Bus or Public Van (V-Hire) – Go to the Dao Integrated Bus Terminal in Tagbilaran and take a bus or van bound for Carmen. Fare: ₱100–₱150 ($2–$3).
• Join a Tour Package – Many travel agencies offer Bohol countryside tours that include Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Sanctuary, Loboc River Cruise, and more. Prices range from ₱1,500–₱2,500 ($27–$45) per person.

3. From Cebu to Bohol (Alternative Route)

If you're in Cebu, follow these steps:

1. Take a ferry from Cebu to Tagbilaran City, Bohol (2 hours). Ferry operators: OceanJet, SuperCat, Weesam Express. Fare: ₱500–₱1,000 ($9–$18), depending on class.
2. From Tagbilaran Port, follow the same transport options as above (bus, van, car rental, or tour).

Getting to the Chocolate Hills is simple, whether you're traveling from Manila, Cebu, or another country. With flights, ferries, and local transport available, this natural wonder is easily accessible for every traveler.

Would you like recommendations for accommodations or tour packages in Bohol?

Ang kuwento ng isang OFW na mahilig mag travel

Ang baryo ng Ginwal ay isa sa pinakamalaking barangay, dito nakatira ang ating bida na si Jayson, 25 years old na at wala pang asawa, marami siyang pangarap at gusto nitong mag abroad or mangibang bansa dahil sa kahirapan at siempre dahil sa mas mataas ang sahod nito kung bibigyan siya ng offer from the foreign employe.

Isang araw naisip ni Jayson na bakit kaya hindi siya mag abroad, "nakakainggit kasi mga pinsan ko na stewards at nagtatrabaho sa barko, kung saan saan sila napoponta, iba ibang bansa"

Nag apply si Jayson sa isang agency sa maynila, lumuwas siya dahil ito ang binigay na payo ng kanyang mga pinsan ang mga unang nag abroad, Nakahanap naman si Jayson ng agency hindi lang isa o dalawa kundi nag pasa siya kung saan saan yung merung available na bakante para makapagtrabaho sa barko, pero sa kasamaang palad hindi naging madali ang kanyang pag aaply dahil na dukotan ito ng cellphone, sa ngayon hindi na niya ma contact ang kanyang mga pinsan, umuwi na agad ito at nag pahinga, nag-hintay siya ng isang lingo upang matawagan kung papalarin na makuha, isang araw may tumawag sa kanya at sabi'y "ano kamusta na application mo ang sabi ng pinsan" wala pa eh! nadukotan ako cellphone dito ka muna tumawag inzan, maya maya lang pag baba nito ng cellphone na iaabot sana sa may ari at biglang may tumawag ulit, tumawag ang isa pa niyang pinsan, Jay ano na balita sa inaaplyan mo? "wala eh wala pang tumatawag na agency" ah ok cge ibibigay ko tong address na to ha isulat mo" cge cge ano address?

Makalipas ang apat na buwan na paghihintay.
Muling nag ponta ng maynila si Jayson upang mag apply ulit, "Ikaw ba si Jayson Sensitibo?" Yes po, "ah ok cge, opo ka muna diyan" salamat po.

Dumating ang interviewer, next kana ang sabi ng babae - Introduce your self, pagkatapos ng interview kinuha ng interviewer ang kanyang passport.

Natapos ang interview ni Jayson 30 minutes ang nakalipas, makikita ang tuwang tuwang mukha ng binata sa kanyang mukha, "Congratulation ang sabi ng babae"

Tumawag si Jayson sa kanyang pinsan, Inzan na interview na ako! Oh ano nangyari? hindi ko alam eh ang sabi lang naman ay balik daw ako next week i sesend na lang daw mga dapat gawin tas kinuha yung passport ko eh" ha! wow ayun oh, tangap kana inzan!" ah talaga? ganun ba yun, nako matutuwa nanay ko!...

Umuwi si Jason sa provincia, Nay! tangap na ako makaka alis na ako, makakaponta nako abroad" makaka pag ipon nako pang travel" ang bulong nito sa sarili.

Makalipas ang ilang linggo, natapos lahat ni Jayson ang kanyang medical check, other requirements o trainings, Pidos at iba pa, makalipas din ng dalawang araw pag katapos ng kanyang Pidos, ay lilipad na ito papontang PALAU, hindi ito natuwa dahil ang akala niya ay sa barko siya mapoponta, saka lang niya nalaman noong huling intervention na niya sa agency, doon din niya nalaman ang totoong salary rate nito na hindi parehas sa kanyang mga contrata, bagaman ganun ang nangyari nag papasalamat parin ito at tinangap ang offer.

Nay iwan ko na kayo ni Mik-mik, sabay halik sa pisngi ng kanyang ina at yakap kasama ang kapatid na lalaki "Kuya ingat ka ha, wag mo kakalimutan mga sinabi ko" Oo pag nag sahud ako padadalhan agad kita pambili mo ng cellphone" Yes! may pang ML nako, ang bulong ng kapatid sa sarili"

"Ganito pala sa eroplano" ang sabi niya sa katabing first time din, saan ang destination mo pare? ang tanong niya sa katabi, ah PALAU din, Ano trabaho mo don? ah mag waiwaiter ako" ah ganun ba, Jayson pala [shake hands] Mikay.

Nag patuloy ang kuwentohan hangang bumaba na ang eroplano sa kanilang destination, Welcome to PALAU.

"Oy ayun ang pangalan ko" Jayson Sensitibo, That's me! sumakay siya sa sasakyan at dinala ito sa kanyang matutuloyan, natulog ito at nag pahinga. "You have to sleep for a couple of 2 hours, please set your alarm and then you're going to meet the owner for an interview and also don't forget to smile when you meet her, Ok? yes sir"

Muling nasalang sa mahabang usapan mula sa may ari si Jayson, dahil isa ito sa magiging supervisor ng Restaurant sa hotel na kanyang pinasukan ang King Island Hotel, Hindi naging madali ang kanyang trabaho sa simula dahil siempre nag aadjust pa ito at hindi ito nakikita ang kanyang mga magulang at ang kapatid ganun din ang mga kaibigan nito sa pilipinas.

Lagi itong tumatawag sa kanyang mga magulang, "Oh kamusta na kayo jan?" Ok lang kami anak lumalaki na business ng tatay mo nag branch out ulit siya, ang dami may gusto ng FRANKS N' BURGERS 1M na kinikita ng tatay mo, "yabang naman niya pano magiging 1M eh pangalawa palang yan hahaha lol"

Makalipas ang isang taon sa PALAU nag bakasyun na si Jayson, Muli niyang nayakap ang mga magulang at kapatid, at doon nag New Year.

"Nay aalis muna ako gusto kong mamasyal ng vietnam"Ah cge anak mag iingat ka diyan, hindi ba diyan yung maraming rebelde at nag rarally? " ay hindi nay sa Hongkong yon"

Tignan dito ang Airfare papontang Vietnan
Unang bansa sa pangarap Vietnam Check ✅

"Ganda naman dito, andaming chicks ang papangit nga lang parang mga prostitute, Ang ingay ng Airasia di na ako sasakay doon sa susunod, mag cecebu pacific or PAL na lang"

"Ganda ng hotel" nag patuloy ito sa pamamasyal kinabukasan, marami siyang nakitang mga magagandang tanawin tulad ng Ninh Binh at Sa Pa, hindi naging magastos si Jayson dahil nagtitipid ito para sa susunod nitong destination sa singapore, marami siyang nadiscobreng mga ibaibang pagkain sa vietnam tulad ng Vietnamese Noodle Soup (Pho), Summer Rolls / Fried Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon / Nem Ran), at ang Baguettes (Banh Mi) napontahan din niya ang mga malalaking lugar na tulad ng Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, at Haiphong

Hindi siya nag sawa sa mga pag kain, hindi rin nag sisi dahil sa subrang tuwa nito sa mga nakikilala at nakakausap, friendly people naman ang mga tao doon. Siguradong safe ang travel mo dahil may mga nag momonitor sa mga foreigner na nag tra-travel doon.

Marami siyang gustong pontahan at ayun nga tatlong bansa ang kanyang napontahan sa isang buwan na bakasyun gumastos ito ng mahigit 50,500 pesos sa kayang Vietnam, Singapore at Boracay travel, naging vlogger na rin ito at may sariling channel.

Nakagastos ito ng 20k sa vietnam, 15k sa singapore at 15,500 naman sa boracay. bago siya umaalis ng bansa o sa lugar nila bago mag travel sinisigurado niyang tama ang mga information na kanyang mga na re-research sa intertnet, bago ito umaalis nag pla plano at nag iipon, Kailangan niyang kausapin ang banko niya na aalis siya upang maka pag withdraw sa ibang bansa, nililista lahat ang gastos at inu-audit ang sarili.

Muling bumalik si Jayson sa PALAU upang mag ipon ulit para sa sariling kinabukasan, itoy dahil pinayuhan na ng kanyang ina na mag ipon para sa kanyang magiging sariling pamilya kung mag aasawa na ito sa susunod na bakasyun.

Dito na nagtatapos ang kuwento ni Jayson, maraming salamat sa pag babasa.

The Little Batanes of Ilocos Norte - The hidden jewel of the north

So before you go to the northern part of the philippines you can see a lot of beaches at your left when you travel to the north-facing philippine sea, and also a lot of construction or widening construction so be careful always.

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So this is me at the left, Carol is next to me then Rose and his boyfriend Arjay, we are actually waiting for Domz and Angelo there at the side of the highway while the two have to go in the balkanizing shop to repair the problem of the motorcycle they use.

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So when we got hungry on our roadtrips we also stop in a Carinderia or restaurant but not a typical restaurant its just a small food staff vendor who serve rise and good taste cook meat in different varieties.

Carienderia

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So this is the little Batanes that I am talking about, it's really cute and it has an amazing view all over, wherever you go and whenever you see it fantastic, it has all everything that I wanted to see.

As you see we are really enjoying a lot.

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At this point we've stop a little to rest and drink more water because it's really hot at that time, we need to fuel our body because we used a lot of water that day, I saw a lot of things there an old house, a falls, and a lot of vendors.

This is nature, amazing view

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We actually travel by motorcycle like the one I touch on the picture and that's mine my Mio Aerox black colour, it really efficient and it sustaint the speed that I need to make more reliable on the road.

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When you see it, it's the first Windfarm in south-east Asia

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This is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world it was built during the Spanish era, the Cape Bojedor of Bangui Ilocos Norte

How to go and plan a trip to Singapore cheaply (Biyaheng singapore sa murang halaga)

I was also dreaming to go in Singapore 🛫 soon as next year, but still thinking of how and where to stay cheaply the cheapest of the cheapest, that's how they say it

Making a research about the countries tourist spots or destinations ⛺ 🏰🗻 is a great idea, but I think getting tour agencies are quite expensive in my estimation.

What I do is to find a hostel 🏩 the hostel should be the cheapest, someone says it's the cheapest to stay everywhere, then see the map if it's near the airport 🛫 so you can also save some for the taxi fare 🚕

Your payment for a ticket 🎫from the airlines you choose depends on where you at (Cebu Pacific), so if you're from the Philippines it's not so much expensive as I tried to book on but I just cancel it after knowing the price.

You must also try to research or ask your friends how's Singapore life if it's expensive to leave there or terribly expensive? 😶

The more information you get the more you are prepared to travel 🚅, that's the secret. So when you travel abroad we have to make sure we are prepared, there is one guy or idiot guy who travel to the Philippines coming from the middle east suddenly lost in the street and he never know or he doesn't know where to go back because he also forget the name of the hotel where he stays. OMG, that's stupidity isn't? how fearless you are to travel without your mind 🤔

I advise you to make a list 📔 a very neat and understandable list of things you should do and not to do, you are not a robot to store all the things you plan before because when you get there you will entirely forget everything, am I right? please blink so I know you agree 😉, just like when you go to the market 🏬 and you have a list of goods and kitchen materials to buy, you surely get all do things fast 🚴, but when you just think and you think you can remember everything your mom told you, I make sure you'll be in trouble 💣