Family-friendly adventures in Dipolog: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary

With free activities, good restaurants and accessible sightseeing spots, Dipolog is perfect for the whole family. It’s even smoke-free!

Here’s the itinerary used by Drew Arellano and the crew of “Biyahe ni Drew.”

Quick facts

1. Subanen are the indigenous people of Dipolog. Their name is taken from the word suba (river) and means “river people."
2. Dipolog is known as the gateway to Western Mindanao due to the many bus terminals found here.
3. Dipolog strictly forbids smoking in public. A first offense will be fined P1,000.

How to get there
Dipolog City is is one and a half hours away from Manila by plane. If you’re coming from Mindanao, you can take a ferry to Dapitan and take a 45-minute bus ride to Dipolog.

Where to stay
D’Hotel + Suites
Rizal Avenue corner Osmena St., Dipolog City
This one-year-old hotel is one of the best in town. “Para kang nasa-condotel. Nice, talagang in terms of interior design, they’ve got class,” says Drew. Their high-end executive room (P7,100 a night, good for two) has a bedroom with king-sized bed, plus a living room with a leather sofa, flat-screen TV and a bamboo garden. There’s also a spacious bathroom with tub and shower.

On a budget? They have a simple economy room for P999 a night, good for one person and with an ensuite bathroom. All rooms include free breakfast.

Where to eat
Tonino’s Kusina
Osmena St., Dipolog City
When you’re looking for a place to eat, it’s a big bonus when a resto is near your hotel. This one’s right in front of D’Hotel + Suites. This food court-style establishment lets you try grilled seafood, Filipino favorites like sinigang, cupcakes, tea shop, buko juice and more. Expect to pay P50 to P80 per serving.

The specialty here is the seafood extravaganza called sutukil. “Su” is short for sugba (grilled fish), “tu” for tula (tinolang isda), and “kil” for kilawin (ceviche). Another house specialty of Tonino’s is their crispy-skinned, tender-meat lechon for P350 per kilo.

Top Plaza Hotel
Simple and good. Drop by for their buffet lunch for just P199!



“McDu” or McDuko
Near the Dipolog Boulevard
Twenty years ago, there weren’t any fast food chains in Dipolog, so they made their own! This street food or hawkers market is known to this day as “McDu” or “McDo.” It’s a play of words on McDonalds and “duko” (to bend over), because you eat with your hands and have to bend over your plate. There are barbecued meats, grilled chicken, and street food like grilled blood and isaw.

For P100, Drew was able to get a stick of pork barbecue, a pork chop, a piece of grilled chicken and rice. “For budget traveler, it’s a must. Hindi lahat ng mga turo-turo masarap diba? Pero itong sa Dipolog, ayos siya,” says Drew.

Tonino’s Restaurant and Wine Bar
Rizal Avenue corner Osmena St., Dipolog City
“Kapag uminom ka mula sa wine glass, alam mo nang masarap ‘tong kakainan natin,” jokes Drew. Get their 600-gram rib-eye steak, thick and browned to perfection. The international menu also has roti chanai, sizzling chicken in stone pot, baked scallops and spaghetti aglio olio. “So far, wala pang bumababa sa eight out of ten sa lasa. It’s all good!” adds Drew.

Umami Olive Tree
Go big or go home. This buffet has yakimeshi rice, sashimi, sushi boat and other Japanese favorites.

What to do
ATV Tour
Dipolog’s terrain is perfect for adventure, says 4x4 enthusiast Raymond Saguin. “We started in the mid-90’s. We started with the Land Cruiser as a base vehicle and started from there,” he says. “It’s an adrenaline rush. The biggest part of it is setting up your vehicle.” Keep an eye out for 4x4 competition schedules if you want to watch, but visitors won’t be allowed to drive the vehicles.

What you can do is rent a small ATV from the Dipolog ATV Riders Evolution (DARE). For P300 per hour, you can tour Dipolog with the help of a guide.

What to see
Cogon Eco-Tourism Park
Cogon, Dipolog City
“Think La Mesa. Dito, pinapalibutan ka ng gubat. May single trail kung saan ka pwedeng tumakbo, at syempre, mayroon silang mountain biking trails.” There’s also an observation deck where you can get a panoramic view of the protected forest, and a mini-zoo that kids will love.

Sunset at Dipolog Boulevard
The best things in life are free, just like the sunset! Come in the early afternoon if you want to take part in their free group Tae Bo classes, too. We also spotted people skateboarding and playing basketball.

Linabo Peak
Lower Dicayas, Dipolog City
There are over 3,000 steps to the peak! Linabo Peak also has stations of the cross areas for Holy Week devotions.

Casa Bernedo
Arellano St., Dipolog City
If you like antiques and vintage things, you can see the collection of one of Dipolog’s most prominent families – for free!

Good Times Cafe and Art Gallery
C.P. Garcia St., Dipolog City
For the artsy foodie, visit Good Times to see the works of Dipolog artists. All at paintings and sculptures are for sale, but looking around is free.

What to buy for pasalubong

Montano Sardines
Did you know that Dipolog is the sardines capital of the Philippines? Grab a bottle of these salty treats soaked in olive oil, corn oil or tomato sauce for an easy-to-pack pasalubong with a long shelf life. Their specialty here are the “Spanish style” sardines, which have a bit of spiciness. “Salty, just the way I like it,” says Drew. “At may sipa!” One bottle costs between P65 and P95.

Boholana Handicrafts
General Luna St. corner Magsaysay, Dipolog City
Pasalubong for as low as P15? You got it! Our cameraman Jeff had fun buying magnets for his loved ones back home.