I planned to have a small getaway with my boyfriend Tim. After several months of brainstorming, we decided to go to Dapitan City! December was the perfect time for us because his Christmas breaks for school starts, we can celebrate the Christmas spirit and have a little romantic anniversary/vacation trip. This is actually our very first trip together outside Negros Island. The trip will be 3 days and two nights. But first, how to get to Dapitan City? 

Dumaguete City Port & Ferry Rides

There are several ferries and ROROs (roll on roll off) that travels from Dumaguete City to Dapitan City and vice versa daily. There is Montenegro, FastCat and Cokaliong. The usual traveling time will take about 3-4 hours depending on the boat. We asked around and many suggested that FastCat is the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Dumaguete to Dapitan and back. The departure time from Dumaguete City to Dapitan City (as of 2019) is at 2:00 am, 6:00 am, 10:30 am, 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm. From Dapitan to Dumaguete City, the schedule is at 2:00 am, 6:00 am, 10:00 am, 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 10:30 pm.

When it came to ferry rates, Tim and I had to pay different rates. He had a student ID, therefore, he had student’s discount. From Dumaguete City to Dapitan we paid a total of Php 840.00 (about $17) for our tickets and terminal fee. He paid Php 360.00 (Economy with student’s discount) plus Php 15.00 for Dumaguete terminal fee. I paid Php 450.00 (regular Economy ticket) plus Php15.00 for terminal fee. See below for full list fare rates see below:

BUSINESS CLASS

Regular  – Php 585.00
Student – Php 468.00
Senior Citizens/PSWD
– Php 418.00
Minor (3-7 years old)
– Php 293.00

Minors below 3 years old are FREE. Don’t forget to bring your student’s ID or Senior Citizen’s ID to get discounts.

Dapitan City Port & Ferry Rides

The Dapitan port or also known as the Pulawan Port in Zamboanga del Norte was located only 6.6 km from where we were staying. A pedicab (trike/tricycle) or a habal-habal rides charges about Php 50.00 (about $ 1) per head going to or from the Dapitan boulevard or market area. Be aware that most ticketing booths are not located near the port. You might need to walk a few hundred meters from the ticketing booth to the entrance of the port. Ask your driver, or anyone where the ticketing booth to save effort and time.

When Tim and I were on our way home, we decided to upgrade our tickets to Premium Economy so our fare rates were different and more expensive (but it was all worth it!). We paid a total of Php 961.00 (about $19) for our tickets from Dapitan to Dumaguete City. I paid Php 520.00 for my ticket and Php 25.00 for the Dapitan terminal fee. Tim, on the other hand, only paid Php 416.00 and no terminal fee because he had a student ID.

Traveling time was still about three hours. If you plan of taking the FastCat, I highly recommend the Premium Economy because it is at the lower deck (less wavy), it has a snack bar, air conditioned (although it was too cold so we requested to turn them down…the staff did hehehe), and they have better bathrooms! The only difference of the Business Class is it has better and wider seats and it is in the very front of the boat. Aside from that, it is basically with in the level of Premium Economy.

Now that we had tackled how to get to and from Dumaguete City – Dapitan City….it is time to have some fun!

Love,
Daisy