48 Hours in Dalaguete, Cebu: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary

The municipality of Dalaguete, Cebu is also known as “Little Baguio” because of their chilly uptown barangays. However, it also has great beaches for the sun-loving traveler. Whichever kind of summer destination you’re after, Dalaguete’s got you covered.

Quick Facts

Dalaguete is called the “Vegetable Basket of Cebu” because its foggy hillsides are perfect for growing the healthy greens. Every day, 60 tons of farm fresh veggies are harvested in Dalaguete and transported to Cebu City.

How to get there

Get yourself to Cebu. We booked a 1-hour flight with our exclusive partner: Cebu Pacific Air! They’re a budget airline that offers great discounts all year round. Their regular rate for Manila-Cebu is about P4,000, round-trip and inclusive of taxes. During their seat sales, this can drop even lower, to around P2,800.

Here’s a tip: Cebu Pacific Air’s seat sales sell out fast, so follow them on Facebook and Twitter to get a heads up their promos.

Ride a 2-hour bus to Dalaguete. From the Mactan Airport, take a taxi to the Southern Terminal. This won’t cost you more than P150. Once you get to the terminal, there are two routes for the buses: Oslob and Carcar. It doesn’t matter which one you take—both will pass by Dalaguete. The fare is P95.

Where to stay

Dakong Bato Beach & Leisure Resort

Coro, Dalaguete | 484-4003

Rooms here go from P1500 to P4000 a night. Drew said of his stay there: “Malaking kwarto, malamig na aircon, may table at flat screen TV… at yung simoy ng hangin, naaamoy mo yung dagat.” In terms of size and quality, Dakong Bato is the best you’ll find in Dalaguete.

BB’s Hideaway

Upper Balud, Dalaguete | 484-5648

On a budget? Here’s the cheapest option in Dalaguete. For P700 per night, you’ve got a small cottage and access to a swimming pool. This cottage is simple—one small air-conditioned room and an open-air dining area. Bonus: It comes with a refrigerator.

What to do

1) Hang out at the beach

Drew’s tipid tip: You don’t need to stay at a resort to enjoy the beach. Book your accommodations at a cheaper inn, then simply visit the resorts and pay the day rate entrance fee. Here are three resorts you can try:

Dakong Bato Beach & Leisure Resort

Coro, Dalaguete | 484-4003

‘Dakong Bato’ means ‘big rock.’ For the day rate of P100, you can already enjoy one of the best seaside views in Dalaguete, and swim in their seaside swimming pool. You can rent a kubo for an additional P300-500.

Ocean Bay Resort

Poblacion, Dalaguete

If you’re after the beach, Ocean Bay Resort has a 120-meter shoreline that you can enjoy for the day rate of P100. Another attraction here is the scuba diving. “You need to explore the underwater world,” the local divemaster told us. “Yung ma-face-to-face mo ‘yung mga isda. You are all welcome.” For Filipinos, a dive will cost you P800; for foreign tourists, the rate is P3,500.

Dalaguete Beach Park

Casay, Dalaguete

Believe it or not—the entrance fee here is just P20! A family-sized kubo can be rented for an additional P260. Best of all, it’s not crowded at all.

2) Cool off at Obong Springs

Obong, Dalaguete

The entrance fee here is insanely low: P5 for adults, P2 for kids under 10. Pay an extra P20 if you’re bringing a car and you’re all set. If the beach is sunny and hot, the Obong Springs are cool and shaded, thanks to a massive 400-year-old dalakit tree. Local legend has it that the tree is home to a diwata who punishes those who abuse the environment.

What to see

1) Obong Watchtower | Brgy. Obong

This used to be the town’s early warning device against pirates and raiders. Now, tourists visit the ruins overlooking the sea to look out into the distance and take photos.

2) Osmeña Peak

Would you believe that a chilly, foggy mountain peak is just 40 minutes away from the beach? Take a habal-habal ride from the Dalaguete public market (P100) up Osmeña peak. When the road ends, it’s a 20-minute hike to the summit. Fun Fact: The peak was named after Pres. Osmeña, who was a regular visitor of the mountain.

What to eat

Maria’s Batchoy | Budget: P100-150

Nothing beats the batchoy of La Paz, Ilolio, but this is as good as it gets in Dalaguete.

Banana meat | P10

This may sound a bit weird: It’s like a cheeseburger, but with fried banana slices instead of bread. Love it or hate it, but at least give this novelty a try.

What to buy for pasalubong

Torta, bibingka and tostado

These snacks are often sold together at the market or at roadside stalls. Torta (P10 a piece; P20 if you get it with cheese) resembles a mamon, and is soft to the bite. Tostado refers to crunchy biscuits that taste like barquillos and go for P80 a pack. The bibingka here are palm-sized, flattish, and go for P5 a piece.

If you ask Drew, he says these are best enjoyed with a hot cup of black coffee.

Vegetables

They don’t call Dalaguete “Little Baguio” for nothing! Get yourself some fresh veggies at the public market, or try the pickled version for P45 per bottle.