Sheena’s guidebook
Street Food
The street is easily seen from the port to Dumaguete and is only 15 minutes away from Sibulan Airport so it’s impossible to miss. Rizal Boulevard is lined with accommodations and restaurants that locals and tourists love. This is also one of the best spots for local street food.
Rizal Boulevard
Rizal BoulevardHiking
Casaroro Falls in Valencia is a real treasure and adventure spot for locals and tourists to enjoy. Casaroro is special because it is 100 feet tall and uniquely narrow for a waterfall. You need to take a short hike to get to the falls, but the concrete stairs make the site easier to access than before. The cool waters and beautiful scenery once you reach Casaroro Falls are worth it, for sure.
Casaroro Falls
Taft StreetDiving and Snorkeling
-> Get From Dumaguete to Malatapay
Once in Dumaguete, you'll inevitably be approached by private drivers for the 45-minute ride south to Malatapay, the jump-off point for reaching Apo Island.
You can either negotiate for the best fare or save money by taking public transportation south — an option that is far slower but much cheaper.
For public transportation, begin by taking a motorcycle trike to the bus terminal in Dumaguete (around 30 pesos). Jump on any southbound bus or jeepney (going toward Zamboanguita). Tell the driver that you want to go to Apo Island. You'll pay the fare on the bus (around 60 pesos), not at a ticket window.
You will most likely get dropped off literally on the side of the road in Malatapay next to a large sign that reads "Apo Island." Follow the arrow and walk 15 minutes through the market area to the boat jetty.
-> In Malatapay
Malatapay is quiet and pleasant enough. You'll find a small black-sand beach and some beach cafes where you can use facilities to kill time in comfort while waiting for your boat.
A large Wednesday market is held on the path leading to the boats. Don't get too distracted in the sprawling market and miss a chance for a boat!
-> Get a Boat There
Apo Island is approximately an hour by motorized outrigger canoe from the Negros mainland.
You have two choices for crossing over to Apo Island: Arrange a private charter boat — the most expensive option — or wait for a public boat heading over. Someone should be on hand in the wooden to advise you of available options, or walk into the Beach Cafe and ask there.
Chartering a private boat (between 2,000-3,000 pesos depending on the size) means that you can leave right away. If you choose to take the "public boat" (approximately 300 pesos), you may have to wait for several hours. Boats do not follow a regular schedule and leave once enough passengers are ready — which typically isn't a problem if the weather is good.
Alternatives include either teaming up with other travellers to share the cost of chartering a private boat or hitching a ride with one of the regular supply boats from the resorts on Apo Island. Prices are fixed, so no need to negotiate.
-> Arriving on the Island
After arriving on Apo Island, you'll have to wade out in knee-deep water to get on and off the canoes. Plan to get wet up to the waist depending on conditions.
Your boat will pull up to the beach front somewhere on Apo Island; you can easily walk to your resort. Begin walking to the left when you arrive on the beach to find most accommodation options.
-> Getting off of Apo Island
If you know exactly how long you will be staying, arrange your boat as a round-trip fare. Paying for a round-trip fare means that you won't be able to stay longer than planned (easy to do on Apo Island) and you will have to find the correct boat back to the mainland.
For more flexibility, walk into Liberty Lodge or Mario's Homestay and let them know that you wish to leave the following day. There may be a good chance you can join one of their mainland-bound boats for around 300 pesos.
Once back on the Negros mainland, simply walk back to the main road and jump inside of a northbound jeepney or flag a bus heading north toward Dumaguete.
Source: https://www.tripsavvy.com/getting-to-apo-island-1458642
Apo Island Marine Sanctuary
-> Get From Dumaguete to Malatapay
Once in Dumaguete, you'll inevitably be approached by private drivers for the 45-minute ride south to Malatapay, the jump-off point for reaching Apo Island.
You can either negotiate for the best fare or save money by taking public transportation south — an option that is far slower but much cheaper.
For public transportation, begin by taking a motorcycle trike to the bus terminal in Dumaguete (around 30 pesos). Jump on any southbound bus or jeepney (going toward Zamboanguita). Tell the driver that you want to go to Apo Island. You'll pay the fare on the bus (around 60 pesos), not at a ticket window.
You will most likely get dropped off literally on the side of the road in Malatapay next to a large sign that reads "Apo Island." Follow the arrow and walk 15 minutes through the market area to the boat jetty.
-> In Malatapay
Malatapay is quiet and pleasant enough. You'll find a small black-sand beach and some beach cafes where you can use facilities to kill time in comfort while waiting for your boat.
A large Wednesday market is held on the path leading to the boats. Don't get too distracted in the sprawling market and miss a chance for a boat!
-> Get a Boat There
Apo Island is approximately an hour by motorized outrigger canoe from the Negros mainland.
You have two choices for crossing over to Apo Island: Arrange a private charter boat — the most expensive option — or wait for a public boat heading over. Someone should be on hand in the wooden to advise you of available options, or walk into the Beach Cafe and ask there.
Chartering a private boat (between 2,000-3,000 pesos depending on the size) means that you can leave right away. If you choose to take the "public boat" (approximately 300 pesos), you may have to wait for several hours. Boats do not follow a regular schedule and leave once enough passengers are ready — which typically isn't a problem if the weather is good.
Alternatives include either teaming up with other travellers to share the cost of chartering a private boat or hitching a ride with one of the regular supply boats from the resorts on Apo Island. Prices are fixed, so no need to negotiate.
-> Arriving on the Island
After arriving on Apo Island, you'll have to wade out in knee-deep water to get on and off the canoes. Plan to get wet up to the waist depending on conditions.
Your boat will pull up to the beach front somewhere on Apo Island; you can easily walk to your resort. Begin walking to the left when you arrive on the beach to find most accommodation options.
-> Getting off of Apo Island
If you know exactly how long you will be staying, arrange your boat as a round-trip fare. Paying for a round-trip fare means that you won't be able to stay longer than planned (easy to do on Apo Island) and you will have to find the correct boat back to the mainland.
For more flexibility, walk into Liberty Lodge or Mario's Homestay and let them know that you wish to leave the following day. There may be a good chance you can join one of their mainland-bound boats for around 300 pesos.
Once back on the Negros mainland, simply walk back to the main road and jump inside of a northbound jeepney or flag a bus heading north toward Dumaguete.
Source: https://www.tripsavvy.com/getting-to-apo-island-1458642
Local Food
Indulge in different variants of budbod (dish made of glutinous rice rolled in banana leaves), puto maya and sikwate at the market.
Indulge in different variants of budbod (dish made of glutinous rice rolled in banana leaves), puto maya and sikwate at the market.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Dumaguete Public Market
Indulge in different variants of budbod (dish made of glutinous rice rolled in banana leaves), puto maya and sikwate at the market.
Conseils aux voyageurs
Se déplacer dans les environs
Motorbike Rentals
Below are some motorbike rentals that provide delivery service within Dumaguete City.
(1) Hey Dudz motor bike for rent
Address: 6 Sta. Rosa St, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines (Near OK Pensionne House)
Phone: +63 916 121 2477
(2) Geldasa Motorcycles for Rent
Address: Sta. Rosa corner Perdices Street, Dumaguete City, Philippines (Near OK Pensionne House)
Phone: +63 919 593 8785
Se déplacer dans les environs
Car Rentals
Here are few car rentals in Dumaguete. There are more car rentals in Dumaguete City and you can easily search through the internet.
(1) RODG RENT A CAR - DUMAGUETE
Address: 304 L ROVIRA ROAD PULANTUBIG DUMAGUETE CITY
Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone: +63 925 826 8919
(2) Daniel Automotors Transport & Rental Services
Address: Villa Assuncion, St Michael St, Dumaguete
Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone: +63 998 579 4930
(3) TS Tours Services
Address: Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines
Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone: +63 917 585 0326