Top 12 Facts about Chocolate Hills, Philippines

Top 12 Facts about Chocolate Hills, Philippines

Originally Published by Lilian in May 2023 and Updated by Felix in March 2024

The Chocolate Hills are found in the Bohol province of the Philippines. They are a group of oddly shaped hills located in the middle of an island.

These hills are so many that the exact number is not known but the estimated number is 1268. These hills form a very unique and beautiful landscape.

Their conical shapes have made them a national monument and they feature on the provincial flag and seal as a symbol of abundance.

Spread over 50 square kilometers, these hills turn brown during the dry season, hence the name.

The hills are one of the main tourist attractions in Bohol province and as such been declared the Philippines’ third National Geological Monument.

They have also been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Learn more about the Chocolate Hills in the top 5 facts below.

1. The Chocolate Hills are limestone covered in grass

Photo by P199 – Wikimedia

During the rainy season, the Chocolate Hills are usually lush green. They form rolling mounds of a mostly conical and symmetrical shape.

They are estimated to be between 1,268 to about 1,776 individual mounds. Beneath the green vegetation, these cone-shaped hills are made of limestone.

The domes vary in size between 30 to 50 meters high with the largest being 120 meters.

These hills are spread out in hundreds throughout Carmen, Batuan, and Sagbayan towns in Bohol province.

When there is little or no rainfall, the grass on these limestone mounds turns brown. The new color transforms the landscape into a beautiful chocolatey scene.

Each of the hills is known as karst which is made of limestone and is covered by topsoil and grass.

The natural arrangement of the karst was formed when layers of soluble limestone got eroded by a process called dissolution.

Erosion of the surrounding farmlands around the Chocolate Hills has also led to the formation of underground springs, rivers, and caves.

2. The Chocolate Hills are symmetrical and consistent

Photo by P199 – Wikimedia

One other fantastic feature of the Chocolate Hills is their exceptional and rare geological formation.

These hills are spread across 20 miles and are estimated to be about 1268 to 1776 dome-shaped hills, covered in grass. They are spread across the towns of Sagbayan, Carmen, and Batuan in Bohol.

The hills are estimated to be between 150 to 400 feet high. Additionally, the height of the domes ranges between 98 to 160 feet.

One of the highest peaks in these hills is approximately 390 feet.

Their true geographical name is geomorphological structures, also known as mogote.

It has taken geologists several years to attempt to decode the mystery of the formation of these hills.

Several theories explain how these hills were formed. One scientific one is due to a major geologic shift when coral deposits rose from the sea.

In the process, the dome-like shape was formed due to the erosion of the marine deposits by wind erosion through thousands of years.

Surrounding the Chocolate Hills are rice and corn farms that give a beautiful green backdrop for the Hills.

These hills have an elevation of about 100 meters to 500 meters above sea level.

The hills in Carmen town are of uniform cone shape but higher hills can be found in the other surrounding towns.

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3. The Chocolate Hills have marine deposits

Geologists found out that the Chocolate Hills have marine deposits. Since the hills are located on an island, they believe that this was a result of tectonic activity.

The movement led to the current shape and structure of these hills. The marine deposits found on the Chocolate Hills include coral, algae, and mollusks.

From a distance, the Chocolate Hills look like women’s dresses, giant molehills, or man-made hills.

It catches many by surprise to learn that the hills are a purely natural phenomenon. The top layer of these marine limestones is covered by a layer of clay.

These hills are only covered in grass and the cone shape is more common than the rest although they differ in size.

When the grass withers during the dry season, the hills look like chocolate was spread on them.

Some of the grass species that grow well on the hills are Imperata cylindrical and Saccharum spontaneum.

Lush trees grow at the base of the hills and are lush and form leafy rings around the almost naked cone-shaped hills. The result is its awesome natural beauty.

4.  There is a legendary tale about the formation of the Chocolate Hills

Photo sourced from Wikimedia

As a natural phenomenon, the Chocolate Hills have some interesting myths and legends explaining their origin.

One such story is about a fight between two giants. The giants were throwing big rocks at each other. At the end of the day, they were exhausted and fell asleep.

The next day, they woke up and had forgotten about their previous fight. They also forgot to clean up the mess of rocks used in the fight.

As time went by, grass grew on them and they turned to be the Chocolate Hills we see today.

There is another legend explaining the origin of these hills. Locals believe that a giant named Arogo fell in love with a girl named Aloya.

As fate would have it, the girl was mortal and died soon after. This news left the giant heartbroken.

He mourned her and cried. The huge teardrops fell on the ground and formed mountains. The result is the endless mounds of hills found in Bohol that are known as Chocolate Hills.

Scientific explanations on the origin of the Chocolate Hills are that they were the result of thousands of years of weathering of marine limestone.

Other states that the hills were formed by the uplift of coral deposits that erupted from the sea in a massive geologic shift.

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5. Chocolate Hills is a UNESCO Site

The Chocolate Hills were confirmed as a National geographical monument in 1988. UNESCO also declared these hills a World Heritage Site.

Despite being a national monument and a heritage site, the hills have been used to source limestone by local quarries. The Philippine government is however fighting this.

They have efforts in place to plan and develop the region since it attracts several tourists throughout the year.

These hills have been featured severally in the Philippine Tourism Authority’s list of Philippine tourist destinations.

The Chocolate Hills are also the Philippines’ third National Geological Monument. These hills have also been featured in the Eight Wonders of the World list.

6. The Chocolate Hills Are Being Restored

shankar s. from Poona (pune), India, India, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The local government proposed 200 million pesos in funding for the repair work. Some of the things that need to be restored include the viewing deck, pathways, parking space, water features, food courts, activity center, and lamp posts.

They have also informed tourists on how to preserve the natural beauty of Chocolate Hills. 

To ensure that people follow these rules, they have set up posters that notify all tourists to manage litter properly, respect wildlife, and avoid smoking on the beach.

7. The Chocolate Hills Are The Top Tourism Site in The Province

Two of the hills have been developed into tourist resorts. The main view of the site is the government-owned Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen.

The other main point to view the Chocolate Hills is at Sagbayan Peak which is 18 km away from the Chocolate Hills complex in neighboring Carmen.

The site receives more than one million tourists each year. The typical activities include climbing the hills which are accessible for the public ascent.

8. The Chocolate Hills Damage After The Earthquake

In 2013, one of the largest earthquakes hit Bohol. The earthquake caused a portion of one of the hills to give away and the Chocolate Hills’ viewing deck was destroyed.

The earthquake lasted 34 seconds but had a magnitude of M7.2 and a depth of 12km.

9. Issues Surrounding the Chocolate Hills

Balancing protection and resource utilization have been the main problems of the hills. Before the site 

In 1988, the National Committee on Geological Sciences declared that the hills were a National Geological Monument. This led to a high rate of tourism.

As much as tourism can help the locals and lead to educational benefits, it also leads to pollution and littering by tourist vehicles and tourists themselves.

Read more on Historical and Famous places here.

10. The Chocolate Hills Is Home to the Famous Philippine Tarsier

The Philippine Tarsier is a species of tarsier endemic to the Philippines. Its geographic range includes Maripipi Island, Siargao Island, Dinagat Island, and Basilan Island.

It is a member of the 45 million-year-old family Tarsiidae. However, scholars list it as the only member of the genus Carlito.

The Philippine tarsier’s diet consists of spiders, small vertebrates, and small crustaceans.

Its habitat includes secondary forest, primary forest, and tropical rainforest with dense vegetation and trees.

Its habitat needs to have protection that is offered by tall grasses, bamboo shoots, and bushes.

11. Communities Surrounding The Chocolate Hills

The hills are located throughout the towns of Carmen, Butan, and Sagbayan. The local language is Tagalog.

The locals are known as the Boholano people. The name refers to people who live in the island province of Bohol.

The native people of the province are the Eskaya. They are a cultural minority found in Bohol. They are distinguished by their cultural heritage, particularly language, literature, religious observances, and dress.

12. The Delicacies of Chocolate Hills

Peanut Kisses are cookies made from peanuts and egg whites. The snack is derived from a long history in the Bohol tourism industry.

Halang-Halang is a spicy chicken stew made with coconut milk. The dish originated from the Visayas region but is also popular in Bohol. 

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Facts about the Chocolate Hills Festival

Do you know those pictures of hundreds of equally shaped hills that look like they are made of chocolate? That is the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines! Every year, people flock there for the Chocolate Hills Festival to marvel at this natural geological wonder. As a kid, I always thought they were chocolate, and I couldn’t wait to visit and take a bite. While they are sadly not edible, the festival celebrating these iconic hills is a treat. If you go to the festival, you will be blown away by the festive atmosphere and unique activities. But what stands out most would be the breathtaking views of the Chocolate Hills themselves. Seeing them up close, I finally understood what all the fuss was about. Get ready to be wowed as I share all the sweet details about this one-of-a-kind festival!

Here are five facts about the chocolate festival:

1. Traditional Dances and Music honor local Culture and Heritage

An integral part of the Chocolate Hills Festival is celebrating and preserving Bohol’s rich cultural traditions through dance and music performances. Colorfully dressed dancers take to the stage to perform ancient folk dances passed down for generations. The intricate movements and rhythms pay tribute to the island’s history, values, and way of life. Traditional music also resonates throughout the festival grounds. The melodies of indigenous instruments like the bamboo kulintang set the lively tone. Chants and songs in native dialects narrate tales of Bohol’s heritage. These artistic expressions connect modern-day Boholanos to their ancestors’ legacy, instilling immense cultural pride.

2. Bohol’s iconic Landscape inspires the Festival’s Name and Theme

The unique and striking topography of the Chocolate Hills is the inspiration behind the festival’s quirky name and overarching theme. During the dry season, the hills take on a rich, chocolate-brown hue due to the dried grass covering them. This surreal vista resembling mounds of chocolate is the province’s most famed natural attraction. The festival celebrates and pays homage to this geological wonder. The chocolaty hill formations influence everything from decor and outfits to food and merchandise. Vendors sell chocolate treats while locals dress in brown attire. Events like photography contests and hill climbing encourage appreciation for the Chocolate Hills.

3. Colorful parades depict Myths, Legends, and Historical Tales

Many people don’t know, but the vibrant parades are a highlight of the festival, bringing to life Bohol’s fascinating folklore and historical narratives. Costumed performers and elaborate floats reenact mythical stories passed down orally for centuries. Giants, supernatural beings, and heroic figures from ancient legends roam the streets. Other parades chronicle significant events and eras in Bohol’s storied past, from pre-colonial times to the Spanish occupation. Spectators marvel at the intricate details and craftsmanship portraying these past tales. The parades immerse festival-goers in the hills’ rich cultural heritage. The parades capture the island’s identity and collective imagination.

4. Draws Thousands of Tourists Annually from around the World

The Chocolate Hills Festival has become a major tourist attraction, attracting visitors to Bohol each year. People flock from across the Philippines and all corners of the globe to experience this unique celebration. Tour companies organize special travel packages timed around the festival dates to meet demand. Hotels and resorts are booked to capacity as tourists descend on the province. The influx of international and domestic visitors provides a booming economic impact for local businesses and communities. The Chocolate Hills Festival has put Bohol firmly on the map as a top destination.

5. Considered one of the Philippines’ most Iconic Natural Attractions

It is safe to say that the Chocolate Hills rank among the most incredible natural wonders of the Philippines. The striking landscape of hundreds of almost perfectly conical hills blanketing the interior region of Bohol is like something from another planet. Yet this geological spectacle exists in full glory right here in the islands. With their unusual shapes and rich chocolate hues during the dry months, the Chocolate Hills have achieved celebrity status as a quintessential Filipino vista. Photos of this unforgettable terrain have become emblematic images representing the nation’s bountiful natural beauty worldwide.

The Chocolate Hills Festival is an experience like no other. From the lively cultural celebrations to the incredible natural landscape, it is a feast for the senses that everyone should witness at least once. I left with a newfound appreciation for the Philippines’ unique wonders and a heart filled with sweet memories.