Explore Negros Oriental

This is the starting point for anyone planning a self-drive trip around Negros Oriental with a rental car or scooter from Dumaguete. Get your bearings here, then follow the links to the detailed guides for routes, fees, timings and which vehicle to book.

Why self-drive suits this province

Negros Oriental is compact. One paved coastal highway runs its length with Dumaguete roughly in the middle, and most sights are within one or two hours of the city. Road speeds are slow, though, as the highway passes through every town centre, so take the map time and add half again. With your own vehicle you can leave early, stop where you like and be back for sunset on the boulevard.

From Dumaguete to	Distance	Driving time
Valencia	about 8 km	15-20 min
Dauin	about 15 km	25-35 min
Malatapay (Apo Island boats)	25-30 km	40-45 min
Twin Lakes	about 28 km	about 1 hour
Bais (dolphins, sandbar)	45 km	about 1 hour
Mabinay caves	87 km	2-2.5 hours
Bayawan	90-102 km	2-2.5 hours
Canlaon	166 km	4-5 hours

Getting your bearings

South along the coast (Bacong, Dauin, Siaton) is diving country and the way to Apo Island. Behind the city the road climbs to Valencia's waterfalls, with the Twin Lakes up a turnoff just north of town. North, Bais has the dolphin boats and the sandbar, and a mountain road turns west from there to Mabinay's caves and on to Bacolod. Canlaon City is the far north, a long day's drive. Siquijor is about two hours away by vehicle ferry.

Dumaguete City

The "City of Gentle People" is small enough to walk: seafront boulevard, old bell tower, Silliman University and a market breakfast alley. Read the Dumaguete City guide.

The South Coast Drive

Bacong's heritage church, Dauin's dive sanctuaries, the Wednesday lechon market at Malatapay, a yacht anchorage and a mountain lake up a rough track. See the South Coast Drive.

Apo Island Day Trip

Turtles, coral gardens and one of the country's oldest community-run marine reserves, 30-45 minutes by outrigger from Malatapay. See the Apo Island day trip guide.

Valencia Waterfalls and the Twin Lakes

Casaroro's 30 m drop, the rust-red Pulangbato Falls and hot springs, a hilltop lighthouse cafe and two crater lakes at 1,000 m. See Valencia and the Twin Lakes.

Bais Dolphins and the Manjuyod Sandbar

Dawn boat trips into the Tanon Strait for dolphins, then a white sandbar that only appears at low tide. See Bais and Manjuyod for seasons and tides.

Mabinay Caves and the Road to Bacolod

More than a hundred known caves, three open to beginners with guides, on the cross-island road to Negros Occidental. See Mabinay and the road to Bacolod.

Canlaon and the North Coast

The long road north past Bindoy's reef and Guihulngan's limestone hills to the cool city under Mt Kanlaon, including the volcano's alert status. See Canlaon and the north coast.

Bayawan and the Far South

A 3 km seafront boulevard, the wide curtain of Niludhan Falls and the white beach at Basay, with the road carrying on to Kabankalan. Read Bayawan and the far south.

Siquijor by Ferry

A 72 km paved loop road that suits a scooter, with waterfalls, an old stone church and beaches. See Siquijor by ferry for sailings and taking a rental across.

Plan it

Which vehicle to book

A scooter such as the NMAX 155 or a small car like the Vios covers the coast, the city and most day trips. For rough tracks or the long run to Canlaon, choose an SUV such as the lifted Montero 4x4 or Xpander. Groups filling one boat to Apo or Bais do best in a van like the HiAce. Trips into Negros Occidental or to Siquijor need the "Drive Outside Negros Oriental" add-on chosen at booking.

Plan your trip

Browse the full fleet and contact us for help matching a vehicle to your route. Facts last checked September 2026; fees, schedules and road conditions change, so confirm locally before you go.