Archive for June 2016

Home Archive for June 2016

World class diving site, gorgeous beaches, amazing sand bar and breathtaking waterfalls, this awaits you in Negros Oriental and Siquijor Island! So, here's a travel guide and itinerary that can help you for this awesome trip!

Negros Oriental x Siquijor

How To Get There

Negros Oriental is located at southeastern part of the shoe-shaped island of Negros Oriental. It faces Cebu and the island of Siquijor. Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental's capital is the main entry point from Manila. It is also the jump of point when going to the island of Siquijor.

Negros Island seen from Lilo-an Port, Cebu

FROM MANILA/CEBU - DUMAGUETE
There direct flights from Manila/Cebu going to Dumaguete City. An hour flight from Manila and around 40 minute flight from Cebu. It can also be reached from Cebu by land and sea travel.

By air, take a direct flight from NAIA/Cebu Mactan Airport to Dumaguete Airport.

At Dumaguete Airport, you can take a tricycle to get you to your inn.

By sea travel, there are ferries that can you from Manila to Dumaguete (via 2go Travel for a day travel time) and Cebu to Dumaguete (via RoRo ferries).

By land travel from Cebu, go to South Bus Terminal and ride a bus bound directly to Dumaguete.

If the direct Dumaguete bus is not available, ride any bus bound to Santander then get off Lilo-An Port.

Take a ferry in Lilo-An Port bound to Sibulan Port (a 30 minute trip/PhP 62.00).

In Sibulan Port, ride a jeepney (PhP 8.00 minimum fare) going to Dumaguete City.

Ceres Bus Terminal (but not in Bacolod)

FROM BACOLOD - DUMAGUETE
Land travel from Bacolod City in Negros Occidental is also available.

From Bacolod Southbound Terminal, ride a bus to Dumaguete for around PhP 300.00. Travel time is around 5-6 hours.

Larena Port in Siquijor

FROM DUMAGUETE - SIQUIJOR
There are no commercial flights available going to Siquijor so the only option by getting here is via sea travel.

Take a fast craft ferry (an hour travel time/PhP 200+) or RoRo (an hour and a half/PhP 130.00) from Dumaguete port to Larena port in Siquijor.

Tagbilaran Port

FROM BOHOL - DUMAGUETE/SIQUIJOR
Oceanjet ferries have two daily trips from Tagbilaran to Dumaguete. The first trip leaves at 08:00 AM and the last trip is at 05:45 PM. Lite Shipping Corporation, have trips every Tue, Thu and Sat at 08:00 PM from Tagbilaran to the town of Larena in Siquijor.

For a more detailed guide about Siquijor, you can check this travel guide.

Where To Stay

There are a lot of options where you can stay in Negros Oriental. For travelers going to certain parts of the Negros Island, Dumaguete is the main choice on where to stay since it is where airport, seaport and bus terminals are located. Here are some places you can stay in Dumaguete, Siquijor and other towns that is included in this guide's itinerary.

DUMAGUETE CITY

Harold's Mansion: +63 035 225-8000

Island's Leisure Boutique Hotel and Spa: +63 917 424-6558 / +63 915 349-1132

Bethel Guest House: +63 035 422-8000 / +63 917 320-1484

We heart Dumaguete!

MANJUYOD

Manjuyod Sandbar Stilts: +63 35 402-8338 / +63 917 300-5945

Stilts in Manjuyod

APO ISLAND

Liberty Lodge and Dive: +63 920 238-5704 liberty_apo.island@yahoo.com

Mario's Homestay: +63 920 238-5704 liberty_apo.island@yahoo.com

Apo Island Beach Resort: +63 906 361-7254 marspascobello@hotmail.com

Resorts in Apo Island

SIQUIJOR

You can check here in this travel guide, the places you can stay in Siquijor Island.

We also hear Siquijor!

Getting and Touring Around

Dumaguete City, the towns of Manjuyod/Bais, Valencia, Daquin (Apo Island), and the island of Siquijor are our destinations in this travel guide. Getting around Dumaguete is easy. You can do it by walking around , ride a jeepney, rent a motorbike. For Manjuyod/Bais and Daquin (Apo Island), you will need to take a bus to get there. In Siquijor, motorbike is the also primary option on getting around.

You can check on the links below for some information on getting to this certain destination.

Riding in Siquijor

Contact Numbers

Habal-habal for Casaroro/Pulang Bato: Kuya Fernando +63 999 456-0396 / Kuya Elvin +63 935 991-4969

Dolphin Watching and Manjuyod Sandbar: Manong Jesus +63 620 253-8099 / +63 935 862-3595

Tours in Siquijor: Manong Borognoy +63 917 371-1764 / +63 997 271-4652

Attractions and Activities

Here are the main attractions that make Gigantes Islands a hidden paradise!

Tour Dumaguete City - Take a walking tour and visit several sights like Siliman University, one of the oldest universities in the country, Dumaguete Belfry (aka Campanario de Dumaguete), one of Dumaguete's famous landmarks and Rizal Boulevard, another famous landmark where you can relax and have some snacks in "Tempurahan".

Tempurahan in Rizal Boulervard

Eat Silvanas (Dumaguete) - Have some dessert in Sans Rival Cafe where you can have this famous guilty pleasure dessert from Dumaguete. Don't forget to bought pasalubong!

Creamy, delicious Silvanas!

Chasing Waterfalls (Valencia) - Witness the natural wonders of Negros Oriental by visiting both Casaroro Falls and Pulang Bato Falls in Valencia. Then take a dip in Red Rock Hotspring.

Casaroro Falls!

Dolphins and Manjuyod Sandbar (Bais) - See some awesome dolphins in Tañon Strait and be amazed by the beauty of Manjuyod Sandbar.

Manjuyod Sandbar

Apo Island (Dauin) - Dive in one of the country's best marine sanctuaries and swim with the amazing sea turtles!

Swim with sea turtles!

Explore the Mystical Island of Siquijor - Rent a motorbike to visit the century-old churches, swim in the beautiful beaches, snorkel in marine sanctuaries, take a dip in waterfalls and many more!

Cliff jumping in Salagdoong Beach

Balinsasayao Twin Lakes (Sibulan) - Go bird watching, swimming, boating or just appreciate nature and the beauty of the twin lakes, lake Balinsasayo and lake Danao.

Eat from local places (Dumaguete) - Have a food trip from some of Dumaguete's local food establishments. From Silvanas of Sans Rival, Chicken Inasal of Jo's Chicken Inato, Dumaguete Express of Hayahay, and Brick Oven Pizza's of Nevas! As my friend used to say, Heaven!!

Heaven!

Take a side-trip to Southern Cebu - Take a side trip to Oslob and visit Tumalog Falls, Sumilon Island, and Cancua-Ay Beach or to Samboan's waterfalls or to Badian for canyoneering!

Cancua-Ay Beach

Itinerary

Make the most of your time visiting Negros Oriental and Siquijor. Explore and do the activities above in 4 days. Here's an itinerary with an optional side-trip to Oslob, or if you will be coming from Cebu.

Day 0 - Optional: CEBU

06:00 AM: ETA Cebu City
06:30 AM: ETD South Bus Terminal to Badian/Oslob/Samboan
--:-- AM: Activities (check here for south cebu)
07:00 PM: ETD Liloan, Cebu to Sibulan, Negros Oriental (via boat)
08:00 PM: ETA Dumaguete/Check-in

Day 1: SIQUIJOR: Churches, Waterfalls, Beaches!

07:00 AM: ETA Siquijor from Dumaguete
07:15 AM: Check-in/Breakfast
08:00 AM: Siquijor Church
--:-- AM: Capilay Spring Park or Lugnason Falls
--:-- AM: Enchanted Balete Tree
--:-- AM: Lazi Church
12:00 NN: Lunch
--:-- PM: Cambuhagay Falls
--:-- PM: Kaugusan Beach
--:-- PM: Salagdoong Beach
--:-- PM: Tulapos Marine Sanctuary
06:00 PM: Back to accommodation/Rest

Day 2: SIQUIJOR/DUMAGUETE: Faith Healers and Caving/City Tour

06:30 AM: Wake up time/Breakfast
07:00 AM: Visit Faith Healers
--:-- AM: Caving in Cantabon Cave
--:-- AM: Hike Mt. Bandilaan
12:00 NN: Checkout/Lunch
03:00 PM: ETD Siquijor to Dumaguete (last ferry trip is at 3 PM)
03:45 PM: ETA Dumaguete/Check-in
04:00 PM: Walk around Dumaguete City

Day 3: MANJUYOD/VALENCIA: Dolphins and Sandbar/Waterfalls

04:30 AM: Wake up time/Breakfast
05:00 AM: ETD Dumaguete to Bais
06:30 AM: ETA Bais
07:00 AM: Dolphin Watching and Manjuyod Sandbar
11:00 AM: ETD Bais to Dumaguete
12:30 PM: ETA Dumaguete (have a quick lunch)
01:00 PM: Casaroro and Pulang Bato Falls (with red rock hot spring)
06:00 PM: ETD Valencia to Dumaguete

Day 4: APO ISLAND/SIBULAN: Sea Turtles and Twin Lakes

05:30 AM: Wake up time/Breakfast
06:00 AM: ETD Dumaguete to Zamboaguita (45-minute bus ride)
06:45 AM: ETD Zamboguita to Apo (15-30 minute boat ride)
07:-- AM: ETA Apo Island, Dive or Snorkle
01:00 PM: ETD Apo Island to Dumaguete
02:-- PM: ETD Dumaguete to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes (around 30 minutes travel time)
05:-- PM: ETD Dumaguete Airport

Manjuyod Sanbar

Expenses

Here's a breakdown of what it'll cost per day on a 4-day Negros Oriental + Siquijor trip. This only includes expenses that are necessary like fares (except airfare), food, tour guides, entrance fees and accommodation. Tips and other expenses like "pasalubongs" are not included.

Day 1: Dumaguete - Siquijor

Fare - Special trip trike from Sibulan Port to Dumaguete): PhP 100.00 / 4 pax = PhP 25.00
Fare -Ferry Dumaguete to Siquijor PhP 130.00 + (terminal fee PhP 12) = PhP 142.00
Transport - Motorbike 24-hour rental PhP 350.00 + (3L gas PhP 132) = PhP 482 / 2 pax = PhP 241
Food Lunch - Barbeque + Puso rice = PhP 30.00
Accommodation - AC Room:Replica Manor PhP 1250.00 / 4 pax = PhP 312.50
Parking Fees - Cambuhagay: P10 + Salagdoong: P20 = PhP 30.00
Entrance Fees - Enchanted Balete: P5 + Salagdoong Beach: P25 + Tulapos Marine: P25 = PhP 55.00
Food Dinner - Karinderia = PhP 60.00
Total: PhP 895.50

Day 2: Siquijor - Dumaguete

Food Breakfast - Free! LOL! read here why!
Fare - RoRo Siquijor to Dumaguete PhP 130.00 + (terminal fee PhP 12) = PhP 142.00
Fare - Special trike from port to accommodation PhP 100 / 4 pax = PhP 25.00
Accommodation - AC Room in Dumaguete PhP 1200.00 / 4 pax = PhP 300.00
Food Dinner - Any eatery or fast food (or if you have budget try Hayahay) PhP 100.00
Total: PhP 567.00

Day 3: Manjuyod - Valencia

Fare - Trike from inn to Ceres terminal PhP 8.00
Fare - Bus from Dumaguete to Bais PhP 53.00
Food Breakfast - Coffee, pandesal and puto in Bais Market PhP 35.00
Fare - Roundtrip trike Bais - Port - Bais PhP 100 / 4 pax = PhP 25.00
Tour - Dolphin Watching + Manjuyod Sandbar (c/o Mang Jesus) = PhP 2000 / 4 = PhP 500.00
Fare - Bus going back to Dumaguete PhP 53.00
Fare - Trike from Ceres back to inn PhP 8.00
Accommodation - AC Room in Dumaguete PhP 1200.00 / 4 pax = PhP 300.00
Food Lunch - any karinderia PhP 60.00
Fare - Trike from inn to Valencia Jeep terminal PhP 8.00
Fare - Jeep to Valencia PhP 12.00
Tour - Habal-habal Casaroro Falls + Pulang Bato Falls + Red Rock Spring (Dumaguete drop-off after tour) PhP 600 / 2 pax = PhP 300.00
Entrance Fee: Casaroro: P10 + Pulang Bato: P25 + Redrock: P30 = PhP 65.00
Food Dinner - any karinderia again PhP 60.00
Total: PhP 1470.00

Day 4: Apo Island - Sibulan

Food Breakfast - Coffee, bread, noodles PhP 35.00
Fare - Trike from inn to Ceres terminal PhP 8.00
Fare - Bus from Dumaguete to Malatapay PhP 25.00
Transport - Round trip boat to Apo Island PhP 2000.00 / 4 = PhP 500.00
Entrance Fee: Apo Island PhP 100.00
Tour Guide: Apo Island PhP 300.00 / 4 = PhP 75.00
Others (optional) : Snorkel P100 + Life Vest P100 = PhP 200.00
Fare: Bus + Trike back to accommodation PhP 33.00
Food Lunch: PhP 100.00
Fare: Jeep from Dumaguete to La-laan, San Jose PhP 15.00
Tour: Habal-habal roundtrip Twin Lakes Balinsasayao PhP 400 / 2 pax = PhP 200.00
Fare: Jeep and trike going back to inn PhP 23.00
Total: PhP 1114.00

Total Expense: PhP 4,046.5

What are you waiting for?

Hey, guess what? Sea turtle!

Apo Island is undeniably one of the best marine sanctuaries and diving spots in the world. It is home to numerous marine species that is why diving and snorkeling are the main activities in the island. Though we only did snorkeling during out trip on the island, we still had the chance to swim with the amazing sea turtles!

Apo Island

How To Get There

Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental is the gateway to Apo Island. The island is under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Dauin, but the jump-off point is in the municipality of Zamboanguita which is around 25 KM away from Dumaguete.

In Dumaguete City Proper, go to Ceres Bus Terminal and ride a bus going to Bayawan.

Ask the bus conductor to drop you off in Malatapay Market in Zamboaguita.

On the highway, there is a sign pointing to the port going to Apo Island.

Walk through that road to reach the port (around 500 meters away).

Good job blocking the highway sign

Malapatay Market turns to a ghost town if its not Wednesdays

Information Center

Passenger registration, (manang is a little tired)

Notes*:

The travel time from Dumaguete to Malatapay Market is around 30-45 minute. Bus fare is PhP 25.00.

Apo island is around 7 KM from Zamboaguita which gives around 15-30 minute boat ride.

Boat rentals for round trip service start at PhP 2000.00 for 4 persons and PhP 3500.00 for 10 persons.

First trips of boats going to the island starts as early as 6 am until around 2 pm and the last trip going back from the island is around 4 PM.

Plan your stay

If your plan is just to only see and swim with the sea turtles, it's probably better to opt for a day tour only. But if you're planning to stay overnight, there are resorts where you can rent a room. For cheaper options you can rent a room in nearby villages around the beach. Pitching a tent on the beach is not allowed. During the day, there is no electricity on the island so be sure to charge all your electronic devices. Electricity starts around 6:30 PM and is only limited.

Here's some places where you can stay.

Liberty Lodge and Dive: +63 920 238-5704 liberty_apo.island@yahoo.com

Mario Scuba Diving and Homestay: +63 920 238-5704 liberty_apo.island@yahoo.com

Apo Island Beach Resort: +63 906 361-7254 marspascobello@hotmail.com

Resorts along the beach of the island

Fees and Rates

Here's some basic fees and rates you need to take note of for your budget.

Entrance/Environmental Fee: PhP 100.00 per person

Tour Guide: PhP 300.00 per group of 4

Snorkeling Gear: PhP 100.00

Life Vests: PhP 100.00

For scuba diving rates, it usually starts around PhP 2000.00.

Apo Island Information Center

Guide and equipment rates

Reminders

Before swimming with the amazing sea turtles, always consider the following:

LOOK, but DO NOT TOUCH the turtle

DO NOT use flash, strobes, or video lights

Keep your distance, wag masyadong clingy sa selfie.

Don't overcrowd or block the path of the turtle

Apo Island is a PROTECTED AREA.

Do not take home anything from the island for souvenirs, (well except for souvenirs you bought)

All set? Let's go!

Experience on the Island

We went to the island a little late since we had a little side trip to the Manjuyod Sandbar in the morning. We left Dumaguete around 11 AM and got to Zamboaguita at noon. At the port, the staff told us that there where no more small boats available so they offered us a bigger boat, which costs more. We were just 4 in the group and the boat is good for 10 people. We have no other choice but to rent the bigger boat for PhP 3000.00. (ouch, PhP 750 for each!).

"We don't need a bigger boat" - not Jaws

We reached the island after 30 to 45 minutes. We then register and paid the entrance fees and proceed to the briefing area where our tour guide is waiting. We were just eager to see some sea turtles since we are still upset with the boat price. Almost everything on the island is a protected marine sanctuary. The area where sea turtles just roam around is just near the beach. As soon as we took a dip, we immediately saw a sea turtle! Followed by another and another! The boat price is all worth it just to swim and watch these sea turtles LOL!

Water is very calm when we arrived

Rock formations around the island

Nice, I'm starting to forget the boat price

Really nice!

Shores of Apo Island

Marine turtle area

The area is not so deep

We swam with our new friends for more than an hour and just didn't care how hot it is that day. It is just really one of the best feeling swimming with these creatures. After that, we just relaxed on the beach for a while after we go back to the mainland. I asked our guide if there are other areas where we can snorkel around, but as of the moment, only one is open. The other sanctuaries got destroyed by some typhoons.

Well, hello there!

Seaaaa turtleeeeee!

Seeaaaa turtleee!!!!

Amazing creature!

It is just, amazing!

What do you call a famous turtle? A shellebrity! *ba dum tss*

Hey turtle, can I get your shellphone number? *ba dum tss*, ok that's enough.

Though we only stayed on the island for a little while, we had one of the best experiences here. To swim with the amazing creatures! Hopefully, we can go back to Apo Island and explore the island more and have a diving experience. Thanks for reading!

Cheers from Apo Island!

It is day 4 of our 5 day South Cebu, Siquijor and Negros Oriental trip, and there are still a lot of destinations to see. So we started the day very early for our first destination. The beautiful Manjuyod Sandbar in Bais City.

Stilt Houses in Manjuyod Sandbar

How To Get There

In case you are wondering why Manjuyod Sandbar is in Bais City, the sandbar is actually in the jurisdiction of Manjuyod but, it is closer to Bais City.

Bais bound bus

From Dumaguete City Proper, ride a tricycle to Ceres Bus Terminal.
Take a bus bound to Bais City, then alight in city proper. The travel time is around 2 hours, and the fare is PhP 53.00.
From there, your tour provider/boatmen can pick up you then drop you off at the port for the boat ride.
The travel time of the boat ride from the port to the sandbar is less than 30 minutes.

Highway from Bais to Dumaguete

Bais Market

Tour Packages and Boatmen

The tour package usually includes the main attraction in Bais which is the dolphin watching, Manjuyod Sandbar, Mangrove Sanctaury, and a little side trip to a snorkeling spot. But in our case, we just opted to see the sandbar since we only have limited time.

One of the most recommended and trusted boatman by travel blogs is Mr. Jesus Pancho. You can reach him at +63 620 253-8099 / +63 935 862-3595. His daughter Jenn usually arranged the tours.
You can avail the complete tour package for PhP 3000.00 for the whole boat, which includes activities and destinations mentioned above.
For the sandbar only, Jenn quoted us PhP 2000.00 for the boat, but lowered it to PhP 1500.00
The complete tour package is usually a whole day activity, but you can squeeze it in for a half day activity.

Preparing our boat

Early Birds

We started our day as early as 4 AM to catch the beauty of Manjuyod Sandbar. Like other sandbar, it only appears during low tide. Usually, it is around early morning and afternoon, but, sometimes it is unpredictable. Even the locals are not 100 percent sure about whether it's low tide or not.

Tourist boat port

We left Dumaguete City around 4:30 AM and arrived at Bais around 6:30 AM. We had a quick breakfast in the public market and then picked up by Mang Jesus' wife and accompanied us to the wharf, where the boat is waiting. It was a gloomy day, but that didn't stop us to see the sandbar. It was just a 15-minute boat ride from the mainland to one of the sandbar.

Had a little breakfast

The Sandbar

Only a small portion of the sandbar was visible when we arrived. The submerged part of the sandbar is just a foot deep, and after a few minutes it started to emerge. After playing around the sandbar we went back to our boat and went to the area where the stilt houses stands.

Let's go!

Sandbar is still submerged

Gloomy weather didn't bother us

Part of the sandbar already emerged

Heading to the stilt houses

The houses are for rent if you want to stay in for the night. You can contact Bais Tourism Office for rates and availability. While we were on the sandbar near the stilt houses, a boatman approached us to sell us fresh oysters. We tried some, and bought a bucket of it for PhP 300.00.

Approaching the stilt houses

Nice stilts!

Preparing to stop

The stilt houses standing on the sandbar

Imagine a night staying here alone in the middle of the sea

Enjoying the water

Fresh oysters!

Since we are on a schedule, we just stayed at the sandbar for just a moment. We didn't see the sandbar fully emerged, but still it was a still a beauty and a worth it experience. Thanks for reading!