This blog is about what I experienced during my trip from Cebu to Dumaguete for my passport renewal. If you are here to look for the bus trip price and bus trip schedule, check out this blog. That definitely helped me during my trip! I am just adding information that might help you prepare if you have similar intentions for the trip, like having a passport renewal.

Cebu South Bus Terminal

I went to the Cebu South Bus Terminal around 6pm to book a ticket to make sure that I get a ticket for the last trip. As the Visayan Blogger mentioned, there could be a long line for the ticket for the night bus trip so I was prepared for that. I got my ticket at around 6:30pm to 7:00pm. There was not yet a long line but it sure was good to be there early.

The bus trip from Cebu City to Bato was on time and it was good. No traffic because it was night time so we got to the Bato Port without a problem. I made sure to get some sleep during that trip. Now in Bato, in my experience, there was a long wait for the boat. Probably around 3 to 4 hours. The air condition of the bus was turned off so it was quite unpleasant to stay inside the bus and sleep while waiting for the boat. So I stayed outside and happily listen in to people having conversations, rather than get moody about something I have no control over.

The boat finally arrived. The air condition was still not on during the trip but it was okay. The boat trip was quite short, probably around 30 minutes. The boat arrived at Tampi port at dawn and the trip from Tampi to Dumaguete was around 1 hour.

Arriving at the Ceres Terminal early in the morning

The bus stops at the Ceres bus terminal and if you are in Dumaguete for Passport renewal, I advise you to take the stop there. Robinsons mall, where the passport renewal is done, is a walking distance from the Ceres Terminal.

Dumaguete Ceres Bus Terminal Female’s Bathroom Cubicles

In the terminal, there is a decent bathroom where you can change your clothes if you do not want to look all wrinkly and tired after the trip. There is also a convenience store where you could buy food and toiletries. You can refill your water bottle there too using 1 peso coins if you are environmentally conscious like me and hates buying bottled water. There are also charging stations for phones. If you are traveling on a budget like me and not planning to stay in a hotel, this terminal really helps a lot if you need creature comforts.

Jollibee across Robinsons Mall

Robinsons mall opens at around 10am. I got to Dumaguete at around 6am. So I decided to have breakfast first at the Jollibee across Robinsons. I had to wait for Jollibee to open though at around 6:30am. There is a Jollibee by the way at the Robinsons mall so you could go there to eat too.

Dumaguete DFA Office in Robinsons

Now I won’t be talking into details about the passport renewal itself but it went smoothly. The mall opens at 10am but at around 9:30am-9:45am they will let in people who are scheduled for passport renewal in the morning. The DFA office is on the 2nd floor and I was scheduled at 10:30am so there was not much a crowd yet.

As to what Visayan Blogger said, morning trips are not crowded. So I was complacent about getting back early to the Ceres Terminal. Lo and behold! There was a long line for the bus trip I was planning to take. I was not sure exactly why there were so many people. As per talking to the locals taking the bus though, a lot of them were just planning to have a mini-vacation in Cebu City for the weekend and that time was a Friday.

I did get my ticket, thankfully, after patiently waiting. Then there was another waiting, for the bus this time. Again, I had to patiently wait. I could not control the situation. I just happily sat on the floor listening to people and watching them. I sound like some weird person when I say I listen to people but hey, it is an excellent way to pass time if I am not reading a book.

From Dumaguete to Cebu City, I enjoyed the boat trip because I get to see the view in daylight. Bato to Cebu City trip was okay but there was traffic upon entering Carcar City, all the way to Cebu City. I asked the driver to drop me in SM Seaside and there I safely arrived at around 9pm.

Your experience might be a bit different from mine but I hope I give you a general idea of what to expect from the trip. Basically a lot of waiting and a bus trip. haha! Get your patience ready and be sure to bring a good attitude with you! If you have been to Dumaguete through a bus trip, I would love to hear from you in the comments below!! ^_^