How to get from Moalboal to Dumaguete

Why visit Dumaguete?

Dumaguete is a vibrant city and capital of Negros Oriental. Also called the City of Gentle People, you will meet here some of the best folks in the Philippines. Its charm calls for a long-term stay, making it a retirement home for many ex-pats.

Dumaguete is often used as a gateway to the diver’s mecca around Apo Island and the paradise island of Siquijor. It may not hold the tropical adventure you seek, but if you do find yourself with a few hours to spare here, we recommend checking out its interesting cafes, walking along Rizal Boulevard, and getting to know the beautiful people of Dumaguete.

The ferry is the only suitable way for travellers to cross the distance of 90 kilometre (56 miles) from Moalboal to Dumaguete. The journey takes around 3 hours, and ticket prices start from 690 PHP ($11.80).

Travelling from Moalboal to Dumaguete requires you to take a bus, a ferry, and a tricycle. Excluding waiting time for your transfers, the journey takes around 3 hours.

If you’re staying at Moalboal’s Panagsama Beach, you can get to the town centre by tricycle or a motorbike taxi (called “habal-habal” in the Philippines) if you don’t have a lot of luggage. Ask to be dropped off at the main road, where you can hail a southbound bus.

A tricycle ride usually costs 20 PHP ($0.30) per person, but if you want the whole ride to yourself, expect to pay around 150 PHP ($2.60) to 300 PHP ($5.10). If you’re taking a habal-habal, fares can range from 50 PHP ($0.90) to 100 PHP ($1.70). You might need to haggle a bit — drivers often ask more from tourists.

Your destination is Bato Bus Terminal in Talisay, some 60 km south of Moalboal. You should see the Bato signboard in front of the bus.

Ceres Bus is the main operator for this route. You can easily spot it on the road by its bright yellow colour. Ceres buses pass by every 30 minutes or so.

An air-conditioned bus ticket costs 150 PHP ($2.60), but you can also take a non-aircon bus for a slightly lower price.

Tricycle from Bato to Liloan Port

The bus stops at Bato after around 2 hours. From here, you’ll need to take a tricycle to Liloan Port. Rates start at 150 PHP ($2.60) for a “special” ride, which means you’ll have the tricycle to yourself or to your group. But if you don’t mind waiting for the tricycle to fill up, the per person rate is 30 PHP ($0.50).

From Liloan Port in southern Cebu, you will have to take the ferry and cross the waters to Sibulan in Negros Oriental.

Ferries bound for Sibulan Port depart every hour from 03:30 to 19:30. A ferry ticket costs 140 PHP ($2.40), including the 20 PHP ($0.30) terminal fee. Travel time takes only 20 minutes.

From Sibulan Port, Dumaguete town centre is some 7 km away. If you’re carrying bulky luggage and are not familiar with the place, we recommend taking a tricycle that will take you straight to your guesthouse (or Dumaguete Port if you’re bound for Siquijor).

Depending on your destination, the tricycle ride costs around 100 PHP ($1.70).

There is also an option to take a jeepney, which costs only 13 PHP ($0.20) per person. Keep in mind that jeepneys only pass by the main road. Tell the driver where you’re headed beforehand so they can drop you off somewhere near your destination. The rest, you’ll have to do on foot.

Heading to Apo Island?

Dauin is the most convenient gateway point for those heading to Apo Island. From Sibulan Port, you can take a jeepney to the Ceres Bus Terminal in Dumaguete. This takes 30 minutes and costs about 20 PHP ($0.30).

At the bus terminal, ask around which bus you can take to Dauin. Any bus going south to Bayawan or Siaton should be good. This should take another 30 minutes and ticket prices cost around 26 PHP ($0.40) – 36 PHP ($0.60) for a non-AC and AC bus, respectively.