Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
pretty mangrove- and palm-fringed beaches. It's a great place to spend a lazy afternoon
swimming and snorkelling, and there are also a few decent places to stay.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
DAUIN AND AROUND
By bus and jeepney
Buses and jeepneys leave
Dumaguete for Dauin (20-30min), Malatapay (40min),
Zamboanguita (45min) and Siaton (1hr) from either the
Ceres Liner terminal or the area around the market. An
alternate route to Valencia leaves the main highway at
Bacong, halfway between Dumaguete and Dauin; tricycles
can be chartered from here for the steep ride up to Valencia
for P100.
6
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
DAUIN
Atlantis
Dauin
T
035 425 2327,
W
atlantishotel.com.
A/c cottages with TV, mini-bar and private bathrooms set
amid lovely gardens, and for a little more, you can get sea
views.
Atlantis
is primarily a dive resort, though it offers
non-divers a large pool, loungers on the sand and day-trips
to Dumaguete,
Bais (
for dolphin- and whale-watching)
and Apo Island.
P2700
★
the back, although thes
e are ex
clusively for the use of dive
instructors and students.
P1450
Mike's Dauin Beach Resort
Poblacion Dauin
T
0916
754 8823,
W
mikes-beachresort.com.
Attractive, small-
scale and homely resort on a pretty stretch of beach. Rooms
are spread over two floors in one large block, and there's
a lovel
y pool d
own by the beach. Also has a popular dive
centre.
P2800
Pura Vida
Brgy Lipayon, Dauin
T
035 425 2274,
W
pura-vida.ph.
Stylish option with a range of tasteful
native fan and a/c huts, a lovely beach
side po
ol and free
wi-fi in reception and at the restaurant.
P3300
Atmosphere
Maayong Tubig, 5km south of Dauin
T
035 400 6940,
W
atmosphereresorts.com.
British-
owned
Atmosphere
is easily the most upmarket place in
this part of the world. Beautiful suites, apartments and
penthouses, with state-of-the-art facilities and wonderful
outdoor bathrooms, are spread through well-manicured
gardens. There's also a quality dive shop, the excellent
Sanctuary spa, a top-class restaurant and a lovely infinity
pool. The Kids Cove day ca
re centr
e also makes
Atmosphere
a good choice for families.
P9500
Giuseppe's Inn
Brgy Lapayo, Dauin
T
0928 559 5611.
Surprisingly smart Italian restaurant and deli on the main
road south towards Dauin, serving an excellent antipasti
platter (P650) and pizzas (P360-650), and even has a
small swimming pool.
Daily 11am-10pm.
★
MALATAPAY
Dream Resort
Just along from the Apo Island bangka
station
T
0915 629 9606.
Opened in 2013 by a British-
Filipina couple, this lovely little café right on the seashore
makes a great stop after a visit to to Malatapay market or
Apo Island. They serve decent omelettes (P70), pancakes
(P50), coffee and juices, plus home-made mango ice cream
(P25). There's also a couple of basic rooms for rent (P1200).
Daily 7am-late.
Liquid
Brgy Bulak, Dauin
T
0917 314 1778,
W
liquid
dumaguete.com.
Run by a friendly British-Canadian couple,
this low-key dive resort has eight attractively decked-out
beach huts, all with sea views. There's wi-fi and a pool, and
the rooftop café serves tasty meals, good cocktails and has
a small bakery. Also has a few super-cheap rooms (P350) at
TAMBOBO BAY
Kookoo's Nest
T
0919 695 8085 or
T
0926 708 1188,
W
kookoosnest.com.ph.
Wonderfully remote little British-
run place with simple cottages on stilts overlooking a pretty
cove at the entrance to Tambobo Bay. There are kayak
s for ren
t
and the restaurant turns out tasty meals and snacks.
P1000
Sipalay and around
Nearly 200km south of Bacolod, on the heel of Negros,
SIPALAY
is the access point for
the lovely resorts of
Sugar Beach
and
Punto Ballo
, a few kilometres north and south of
town respectively. There are a couple of hotels in town, but given the proximity of the
beaches there's no need to stay unless you arrive late. Sipalay's historical focal point is the
plaza and the church, but these days most activity centres around its pier and the main
drag,
Alvarez Street
, where there are numerous canteens, bakeries and convenience stores.
Punta Ballo and Campomanes Bay
Punto Ballo can be reached by tricycle from Sipalay (P150 direct with a driver, or P300 through a resort); it's a walk from Punta Ballo to
Campomanes Bay
Just 6km south of Sipalay,
Punto Ballo
has a pretty stretch of beach and offers great
snorkelling and diving from the shoreline. A couple of kilometres south,
Campomanes
