Chocolate Hills in August

Dry season runs December through May, and that's when the hills earn their chocolate name. The grass turns brown and the whole landscape looks like a field of Hershey's Kisses. Peak chocolate color happens in March and April. But here's the trade-off - it's also hot as hell during those months. Early morning visits (6-8am) are magical. The hills emerge from mist like something out of a fairy tale, and you'll have the place mostly to yourself. Rainy season (June to November) turns everything green, which is beautiful in its own way, just not very chocolate-like. Avoid weekends and Philippine holidays if possible. The place gets packed with tour buses from Panglao Island.