How to Get to Canlaon City

For some people, Canlaon City is a remote area that lacks modes of transportation and is a place that's difficult to travel to. But those who know better will disagree as this lovely mountain city can be easily accessed from major points in the province.

Dumaguete - Canlaon:

You can take any of the Ceres Liner buses scheduled to travel hourly (for as early as 3:45 AM to 5:00 PM) direct to Canlaon City. The trip usually takes four to five hours, depending on the volume of passengers and the condition of the roads (ongoing construction, traffic, road dents, and detours). You can also try the usually cramped van-for-hires that can cruise through the highway in a faster speed, allowing you to arrive in Canlaon earlier (around 3.5 to 4 hours). The disadvantage of V-Hire, though, is its irregular schedule.

Ceres fare:  Php180.00 (as of February 2013)
V-Hire:       Php170.00 (as of February 2013)

Bacolod - Canlaon:

Unless you have your own car, you have to ride a Ceres Liner bus (yes, they have monopolized the land transportation business in Negros) bound for Canlaon. The trip costs Php105.00 (as of February 2013) and lasts for three hours.

Cebu - Canlaon:

People who usually come from Cebu go to the Citilink Terminal and ride one of the V-Hires bound to Toledo (1.5 to 2 hours for Php100.00). In Toledo, you can opt to cross from Cebu Island to Negros Island via fast craft (30 to 45 minutes at Php225.00) or through Lite Ferries (1.5 to 2 hours at Php190.00 economy). 

Upon docking at the Port of San Carlos City, ride a trike to the Ceres Terminal. Watch out for the drivers in San Carlos City; they usually charge crazy rates to tourists. Be firm and give them Php10.00, unless you are the only passenger in the tricycle. 

There are direct one-hour Ceres bus trips (Php55.00) from San Carlos City to Canlaon City. Be prepared to see beautiful sugarcane plantations and zigzag mountain roads during the trip!

Note: There are direct Cebu-Bacolod buses in the Cebu North Terminal. If you intend to ride one, make sure it is via Canlaon. If not, change buses when you reach San Carlos City.

 Manila - Canlaon: 

Check out Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and other airlines to check flights bound to Bacolod, Dumaguete, or Cebu. From there, you can follow the itinerary discussed above.


See? I told you it is rather easy to devise a trip to our little city with a rural feel. So if you still think Canlaon City is still far flung, I challenge you to book a ticket and see for yourself.