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Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Road Trip: Manila to Bacolod

When Val and I relocated to Bacolod to say goodbye to the crazy pollution, endless traffic, and fast-paced Metro Manila life, I admit it was not easy. Moving away meant we are letting go of our current jobs and the many opportunities that we have in  Manila. Not to mention that we'll be missing our friends and loved ones too. 

But hey, we are so ready to take our married life to the next level and get ready for a new adventure! 

Our whole new adventure starts with our "epic" journey. It is the longest land trip I have ever taken. Normally, it should take you 18-20 hours only however, Val and I made a lot of stops thus, our trip was a bit longer than usual. 




We left around 12:30am bound for Batangas via SLEX and Star Tollways. We wanted to leave a bit late to avoid the traffic in EDSA since we're from way up North. We arrived at the Batangas port around 4:00am but we were late for the RORO trip and waited for the next one at 5am. While waiting, we just decided to have some breakfast. 

We left Batangas port around 5:30am bound for Calapan, Mindoro. It was actually the best time to travel since we are in the middle of the sea during sunrise, Watching the sunrise was a liberating experience as it marked the beginning of our new adventure. 


Even Crumpy enjoyed the trip since you can feel the wind brushing against your skin.




We arrived at Calapan Port around 8:30am and we are up for another 3-hour drive going to Roxas City port. This is our first time in this place and honestly, do not have any idea where to go. Our game plan was just to follow the signs (which was sufficient and very helpful) plus our handy google maps. The road condition is good. Kudos to the nautical highway project! 

We passed several small towns and stopped for drinks and gas along the way. 


We reached Roxas City port around 11:30am but unfortunately, the next RORO bound for Caticlan will leave by 3:30pm. I guess that means we have ample time to rest and eat before the next trip. Since we barely know the place, we opted to have lunch at Andok's (quite a popular food establishment in Metro Manila and Visayas) and we had a simple rice and bbq meal. Andok's is just very near the port. 

During our trip, the sun was scorching hot and we felt really uneasy. So, Val and I decided to use the port's shower room for Php 20.00/head and that was really helpful. 

Our trip from Roxas to Caticlan was quite long (approximately 5 hours) via Montenegro Shipping Lines. We were already tired and sleepy but had no place to really rest. It was actually very crowded, especially in the canteen area. Anyway,  Val and I decided to stay on the uppermost part of the ship.



We are were also very lucky to see the beautiful sunset in the later part of the trip.


We arrived in Caticlan around 8:30pm and we decided to stay overnight there. Unfortunately, all hotels and inns are fully booked because of the APEC Summit and we did not have any reservations. We tried to ask a few locals for suggestions and they recommended that we travel all the way to Kalibo proper to get a room.

It took us approximately 2 hours to get to Kalibo. The roads are too dark and no light posts are available. There wasn't any signage on the road (unlike the ones in Mindoro.) On the brighter side, there were checkpoints and PNP outposts every 1 km because of the APEC Summit. So, at least we were able to ask for directions every now and then.

You would know that you have reached Kalibo once you pass by the famous Kalibo bridge. Unfortunately, I was so tired and it was dark that we weren't able to take pictures. We were lucky enough to find a pet-friendly inn immediately during the night. I made a separate review of the inn, here.

Thank God we were able to rest from that super long trip! We've been awake for more than 24 hours already. :) 

Around 10pm the next day, we decided to continue the drive going to Dumangas port. It is best to travel during the day because the roads are quite confusing with all the turns and no signages. You'll be able to pass by Capiz before you reach Iloilo. We actually had lunch in Capiz since there's a Mang Inasal and Deco's in Mambusao proper.

We reached Dumangas port around 3PM and did not expect the problem getting into the RORO. Apparently, one of the ships of Montenegro broke down and Tristar would need a reservation a day before. Our only chance is cancellations of reserved slots or no-shows.

We spent the afternoon chatting with other travelers and I can say we had made friends along the way. We learned that some of them have been there for a week but can't get their trucks on board because it's fully booked. Just like us, they are on the waitlist. Being on the waitlist, not only means "first come first served" but they are also considering the size of your vehicle. We got lucky and got on board around 8:00pm and then finally, arrived in Bacolod around 11:30pm.

About the fees and expenses, here's what we actually paid (prices as of May 2015)

Toll Fee ( SLEX)  - Php 164.00 + 96.00
Toll Fee ( Star Tollways) - Php 67.00

Batangas Roro Terminal Fee - Php 129.00
Additional Passenger (Terminal) - Php 30.00
RORO Fee via Asian Marine (Batangas - Calapan) - Php 1,440.00

Roxas Roro Terminal Fee - Php 129.00
Toll Fee (Roxas City) - Php 50.00
Coast Guard Fee - Php 20.00
Entrance Fee - Php 30.00
RORO Fee via Montenegro (Roxas - Caticlan) - Php 3,840.00
Additional Passenger (RORO) - Php 408.00

Dumangas Port Roro Terminal Fee - Php 129.00
RORO Fee via Tristar - Php 800.00

Bacolod/BREDCO Terminal Fee - Php 375.50

Well, it was costly and tiring but the experience is all worth it. Indeed, it was "our adventure of a lifetime." 

If you would like to get a copy of the screenshots of the map we used, then send us a message
Planning your next road trip or have any questions, just leave a comment below.  

UPDATE: I lost my hard drive and no longer have access to the screenshots of the maps. However, if you have questions, just send me a message. Have a great and safe trip! :) 


65 comments:

  1. That was a long trip. I remember Calapan and Roxas. I once took two weeks to drive around the whole Mindoro island (Oriental and Occidental). In Roxas, I slept in a resort that is not far from the pier, where the about the only decent food was Andoks.

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    1. Yes, until now its still Andoks. :)

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    2. It occurred to me too, that you were already in Caticlan, you could have just parked your vehicle there and spent a night at Boracay. Going from Caticlan to Kalibo must have taken an hour, at the least. And then you have to drive back again.

      By now, you should have been settled in Bacolod. So all is well and good.

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    3. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm planning planning to do the same since the last time I travelled this route, I was just a passenger at my friend's car and he is not that generous to share with me the total expenses we incurred. I suspect that he was doin some magic with the receipts because it will be charged to the company we were working. True enough, he was sacked 3 months later. Well, thanks anyways. And to you "Ed" (my X-friend), Suffer the consequences... you're used to it for decades anyways. (lol)

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  2. Excellent...i admire the risk you took of quittingvyour jobs etc to experience this adventure..kudos!! Here's to many more such adventure!

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    1. Thank you! We are having a blast to this slower paced life.

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  3. Hi, Clarice! That was an exhausting trip. Good thing, Val is with you. :) That's what made it a romantic adventure. Naks! ;) My mom's family is from Aklan. We have a lot of relatives in Kalibo. I'm excited to work with you again now that you have more stable internet. :)

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    1. Thank you Ms. Teresa. Happy to work with you again.

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  4. I have to say I love road trips and I enjoyed reading about your adventure. It must have been exhausting driving so long and then also waiting for a spot on the boat, but I bet the views were stunning. And also the fact that you were with your loved one. :)

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    1. Yes, it was really a long and tiring trip. I just realized that we still have a lot of places to explore here in the Philippines.

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  5. Thanks for sharing place I don't know I'll ever see. The banana is too funny

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    1. It is a bit sad that I was not able to take a lot of pictures. There are lot of unique signs and welcome arks along the way.

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  6. I have never been to Bacolod but it has been part of my bucket list as I want to witness their Masskara festival!
    Thank you for giving us the idea of the expenses.. it is really useful!

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    1. We hope to see you here in October for the Masskara festival.

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  7. This place is so beautiful. I can see it was a long ride, I love it! Long rides are the best don't you agree? :)

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    1. I totally agree. We are planning to take another trip down south. :)

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  8. Must be an amazing memory. The trip looks great. I like the pictures, the one with the guy with his mouth open made me laugh. And the doggy looks cute. Just as white as Pascha is (today on my blog). http://bit.ly/sofarsosabine

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    1. Thank you! Sending Pascha some love. From Crumpy and Cheesecake.

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  9. Hey, I used to go home a lot to Bacolod and we have tried riding the ferry, plane and more. We also did a road trip down iloilo-dumaguete- cebu and back to Bacolod but I have never tried this route. Maybe next time.

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    1. Let us know if you are here in Bacolod. :)

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  10. First of all you're living my dream of travelling and blogging about it. Congratulations on that. The trip looks like one hell of a trip

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    1. Yes, indeed. We are looking forward to your travel post. :)

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  11. Wow what an awesome adventure. I plan to do the same soon. Leave this city for another place. Still thinking where. But Panay Island OE Baguio looks promising.

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    1. We wish you good luck in your future endeavors. We have so much beautiful places in the Philippines.

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  12. Thank you ! seems I really need to break the monotonous routine and step out for a road trip too. :)

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    1. Let us know if you were able to take a break already, Sheetal. :)

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  13. Just the 2 of you + your pet - what was the vehicle used? Tnanks

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  14. Can I pm you for a few questions? We will go on the same trip in 3 days...thanks!

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    1. Hi Kelvin! Please feel free to PM us on your facebook page. :)

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  15. What type of car you have and how much fuel cost you spent from Manila to Bacolod? I am traveling this weekend using this route with my car. Please advise. Thank you.

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    1. Hi Ray! We have a Nissan Sentra and we spent around Php 1500 for fuel.

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  16. OMG! Very long trip! And yes, quite expensive to me. I've been to Kalibo, but only for transit from Cebu to Singapore. I think I will check more about Bacolod!!!

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    1. Yes, it is very expensive compared to fly if you are just visiting. Hope you can visit the City of Smiles. It is a wonderful place with great food.

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  17. Hi. Thanx for sharing.. we r planning to take the same route going to Bacolod in 4days time, do u think that booking for a RORO spot will be needed?specially since its holiday season? Waiting for response.

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    1. Yes, Queenie! It would be best if you make reservations for RORO trips. :)

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  18. Hi can I ask where to call or make reservations for the RORO trips?

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    1. Hi! We really need not make any reservations so we do not have any information. You can try to check with Montenegro or Tri-star for Dumangas - Bacolod route. That's the only route we had experienced delays.

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  19. Hi, we are planning to visit bacolod via roro, we are from subic, your blog is kindly helpful, and if possible can i have a copy of your travel route or map that you used from manila to bacolod.. thanks alot!

    By the way you can email me thru jmfcon@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Jeff! I had lost my hard drive which had the copy of our map. But the travel route is Manila to Batangas via SLEX, Batangas to Calapan (via RORO), Calapan to Roxas Port via West Nautical Highway (quite easy to follow - there are a lot of street signs) Roxas Port to Caticlan via RORO, Caticlan to Dumangas Port (via Kalibo, Capiz, Iloilo) Dumangas Port to Bacolod via RORO.

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    2. Road Trip is my favorite mode of travel too. My favorite destination Goa is around 500 plus kms from our place in Mumbai. We always have an option of flying down to Goa but we almost every time, reject that idea and go about driving all the way. I'd say its sheer fun. The roads being excellent, driving is always a pleasure.

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  20. hi...im glad you love bacolod. have you been to silay? im planning to take a road trip, but it will be an opposite, from bacolod to manila! vallacar transit had its advertisement and looking forward to try it...

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    1. Hi Tess!

      Yes, I have been to Silay. It's just near Bacolod and it's very accessible. You might want to consider visiting the three cities: Bacolod, Talisay (The Ruins) and Silay.

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  21. hi, your blog is very helpful specially the rate. total cost is almost 8k including fuel. it a little bet cheaper if you can have it ship via 2go. cost from manila to dumaguete is 18,900.00. plus 7,735. for the suite good for 2 only. by the way would like to know if google maps or waze is online from calapan to roxas port then from caticlan to iloilo or better to have a manual map during travel? please advise

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    1. Hi! We actually did not use Waze but google maps was very helpful. :)

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  22. hi there we're planning to travel to bacolod via roro with our car with 5 passengers. How much probably the cost going one way? Your response will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance! :-)

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    1. Hi Alain! You may refer to the post regarding the cost of the trip. :)

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  23. What a trip. Thanks for sharing. We are planning on doing the reverse: Bacolod to Manila (with night stop-overs in Boracay and Puerto Galera).

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  24. That is a good long road trip! I think it is worth having such adventures in life! If some day I land in Manila I would like to do something similar. Love the pics.

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    1. Thank you, Indrani. Let us know if you are visiting. :)

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  25. Pretty funny that Montenegro Shipping Lines are driving in the Philippines, but not in Montenegro :') I wanted to do a roadtrip to Montenegro this year (my horoscope on astrosofa brought me to that) and then go to Italy with a ferry. But Montenegro Lines are not driving there any more, so I have to figure out a new plan. The pics are so great, I especially love the sunset and the group pic with Crumpy :)
    Fini :D

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  26. Hi Clarice..what is the name of the pet friendly inn where you stayed in Caticlan? Thanks

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    1. Hi Maria, By the way the inn is in Kalibo (approximately 1.5-2 hours drive from Caticlan)

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  27. Hi can i ask if what are the requirements in roro when you bring ur pet? Planning to bring my shih also. Manila to dumaguete. And if theres any fees how much? Thanks

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    1. Just make sure you have a copy of the clearance from the animal quarantine office. To get one, you need your dog's vaccination records.

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  28. Wow, an 18-20 hour road trip is a long journey! Congratulations on making this big life change towards achieving a happier life!

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  29. Hi. Were all the ROROs on a first-come-first-serve basis? We can't make reservations?

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  30. How much did you spend for gas? Thanks

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  31. Just stumbled upon your blog, this is a fantastic post! Cool trip.

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  32. I want to visit Philippines. Beautiful country with many stunning beaches and islands. Thanks for sharing the information.

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  33. You opted for one of the best ways to take your marriage to the next level. I admire your courage to let go your job and venture out for a beautiful excursion to collect sound memories.

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  34. gud day po sir/mam on this fees and expenses that you show is the roro fares included

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  35. Hi magkano magastos lahat paponta Bacolod

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