Most tourists head to Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol Province, if they wanted to see the renowned Chocolate Hills itself. Usually, it is tagged on a package tour which goes to the “tourist belt” in southern coast. However, if you are doing DIY (Do-It-Yourself) tour or just want to avoid the influx of tourists heading to Tagbilaran, head on to Tubigon instead. In a matter of an hour or so, you’re right at the heart of Chocolate Hills—outside the tourist trail!

Bus heading to Tubigon from Carmen…a usual sight in rural Bohol. For more photos of the road trip in Bohol, click on the image.

There are direct flights to Tagbilaran City or taking the usual fast craft from Cebu to Tagbilaran, which costs more or less PhP 400 on regular fare, one way (and usually gets full). However, most tourists don’t know about going to Chocolate Hills through the town of Tubigon in northern Bohol.

Chocolate Hills of Bohol

How do you get to Chocolate Hills, the other way around?

Starcraft, one of the fastcraft ferries plying Cebu and Tubigon in Bohol

• Take a fast-craft ferry from Pier 3 or Pier 1 of Cebu City Port. Ferry companies such as StarCraft, LiteJet, and SeaJet ply these waters for about an hour journey to Tubigon. Ticketing offices are located outside the gate of Pier 1, and free shuttle services are available for StarCraft from Pier 1 to Pier 3. Fares costs more than PhP100—compare that to almost PhP400 (regular fare) going to Tagbilaran!

Tubigon Port

• From Tubigon Port, take a tricycle to Tubigon Bus Terminal, which is located just beside the Public Market and the Municipal Hall. Fare is PhP8.00.

Tubigon Municipal Hall

Tubigon Public Transport Termina

• Take a bus going to Carmen-Sagbayan. There are also V-hire (van for hire) plying the same route. Bus fare costs PhP45 only, from Tubigon to Carmen! Journey takes about an hour and a half.
  • You have the option to pass by Sagbayan Peak. The bus passes by Sagbayan Peak junction

Lone habal-habal and a Chocolate Hill

• Upon arrival at Carmen Public Market, hire a habal-habal (public motorcycle for hire) that heads to Chocolate Hills. You may negotiate for a PhP60 trip one-way or have them stay and wait for you at the parking area.
• Entrance fee for the viewing deck of Chocolate Hills is PhP50.00.

To Sagbayan and Carmen

Getting out of there, you’ll just have to do it in reverse. Habal-habal are available at the parking area of the Chocolate Hills view deck, which also has a negotiable fare.

Carmen, Bohol

However, be aware that Bohol’s public transportation is scarcer than it is in Cebu. Waiting for the next bus or jeep to come would take more than 15-30 minutes, especially on weekends. It is advisable to go to Chocolate Hills (via Tubigon) earlier in the day to avoid wasting time, the crowd, and most especially—stranded in the middle of Bohol.

Tubigon Sign

The town of Tubigon is Bohol’s closest port-of-call for Cebu-bound ferries. Boholanos have been using this route instead of heading towards Tagbilaran. It is indeed a great alternative from the usual “tourist route” and be more with the locals themselves.

The Route Map. To Chocolate Hills via Bohol
Click on the icons and the line for details