Carmen is the most common area to stay overnight if you would like to visit the Chocolate Hills in Bohol.
Understand
While Chocolate Hills can be visited as a day trip, some travelers like to stay in the area longer to enjoy the cool weather (around 21°-26°C). The town is small enough to be explored on foot.
Get in
From Tagbilaran Central Bus Terminal, you can take a bus to the direction of Abuy (or others), as long as you see 'via Carmen' on the bus sign. Non-aircon bus costs 65 pesos (as of Feb 2019). The default drop off site is at the bus stop in front of Carmen Public Market, but you request to be dropped along the route as well.
See
- Chocolate Hills Complex, 9.916667°, 124.166667°. This is the most popular place to see the Chocolate Hills. You can ride ATV after the viewpoints. entrance fee 50 pesos 2019-02-02
- Hilltop 360 View Park, Central Nautical Highway, between Sagbayan Peak Park and Carmen town. This is a private complex to enjoy the view over Chocolate Hills. The starting path to the complex is unpaved and dubious. Turn in when you see the signage. The road gets better afterwards. There are two viewpoints, plus you can do horse riding and pond fishing here. entrance fee 50 pesos 2019-02-02
- Sagbayan Peak Park. includes amusement park and tarsier sanctuary (despite the name, it is a small cage where the tarsiers are harassed to be awake in the day, you shouldn't support this). 2019-02-02
Do
Buy
Carmen Public Market could be nice to visit if you are the market-visiting type. You can get most daily necessities and groceries here. Good place to get local food on local price too.
There are several convenience stores along the main road, but K Mart seems to be the most complete and comfortable to visit.
There is no money changer seen in the town.
Eat
- Mamie Letty Grill & Restaurant: along Loay Interior Rd in the center of the town. Various grills available, but the grilled chicken / chicken chop is recommended.
- Don Ricardo's Foodhauz: along Loay Interior Rd, a small complex of a few food stalls offering local dishes.
- Tsokolate Food Hauz: along Loay Interior Rd, near the Chocolate Hill Complex. Famous for its pizza.
- Carmen Public Market: try local dishes in the few stalls in the Northwest wing of the market. Choose your dish from the window panel to go with your rice. Best served with beer or rum.
Drink
Sleep
There are a handful of accommodations in the area, but here are the few outstanding ones:
- Villa der Carmen Bed & Breakfast. 2,000 pesos 2019-02-02
- Hilltop 360 View Park, +63-927-927-7012. A villa for a group, or simpler accommodation, in a quiet and secluded place. 800 pesos upwards 2019-02-02
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