Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are a famous geological formation of 1,268 to 1,776 conical karst hills spread across central Bohol, with the main viewing area at the Chocolate Hills Complex in Buenos Aires, Carmen. Declared a National Geological Monument, the grass-covered limestone hills turn brown in the dry season, resembling chocolate mounds. The complex offers an elevated viewpoint accessible by steps, providing panoramic views of the unique landscape that is Bohol's most iconic natural attraction.

Visitors at the Chocolate Hills Complex in Buenos Aires, Carmen can expect a developed viewpoint overlooking hundreds of uniform, grass-covered conical hills spread across the interior plains of Bohol. The main viewing deck is reached via about 214 concrete steps and offers 360-degree panoramic views for sightseeing and photography. The site includes a visitor complex with viewing platforms, landscaped grounds, and surrounding rural scenery. The hills are green in the wet season and turn chocolate-brown in the dry season.

The Chocolate Hills are Late Miocene to Pliocene karst limestone formations formed from uplifted marine deposits and dissolution of limestone. Declared the Philippines' third National Geological Monument on June 18, 1988 by the National Committee on Geological Sciences, and included on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

The hills are central to Boholano folklore, including legends of giants Arogo and Aloya whose tears and conflicts formed the hills, and the romantic legend of a giant's tears for a mortal maiden. They are the most iconic symbol of Bohol and appear on the provincial seal and flag.