Mad Monkey Dumaguete’s Guide: Valencia Tour from Dumaguete (2026)

The road from Dumaguete climbs quickly into the hills of Negros Oriental. In less than an hour, the city’s coastal heat gives way to cooler mountain air, forested valleys, spring-fed pools, and geothermal landscapes that feel worlds away from the boulevard. This highland day trip links Forest Camp, the Monkey Sanctuary, the Pulangbato Sulfur Vents, Pulangbato Falls, Red Rock Hot Spring, and Subida Souvenirs into one loop before the drive back to Dumaguete by late afternoon.

Valencia Tour Price at a Glance

A shared trip to Valencia from Dumaguete typically costs ₱1,200 to ₱1,530 ($21 to $26 USD) per person, while private tours average roughly ₱4,200 ($75 USD). Travelers exploring independently should budget for transportation plus separate entrance fees at each attraction.

How to Get From Dumaguete to Valencia

The cheapest way to reach Valencia is by jeepney from Dumaguete, a 30 to 45-minute ride that costs around ₱15 to ₱25. From Valencia Public Plaza, most visitors continue by habal-habal (motorcycle taxi), as the waterfalls, hot springs, and geothermal attractions are spread throughout the surrounding highlands rather than clustered in one place. Expect to pay around ₱200 to ₱300 for nearby stops or ₱1,000 to ₱1,200 to charter a driver for the day.

If you’d rather skip coordinating transport, Mad Monkey Dumaguete offers a Valencia Tour with pickup from the hostel, making it easy to explore the area’s best-known attractions in a single day.

Local Insight: According to Mad Monkey Dumaguete’s tour desk, mornings keep Forest Camp and Pulangbato Falls quieter before the shared tour vans arrive from other operators, so an early pickup is worth requesting regardless of which tour a traveler books.

What a Typical Valencia Tour Itinerary Looks Like

From Dumaguete’s historic landmarks to Valencia’s waterfalls and geothermal landscapes, this full-day itinerary showcases some of Negros Oriental’s most distinctive attractions. Timings are approximate and may vary slightly throughout the day.

Note: Tour times are approximate and may vary depending on traffic, weather, and the pace of the group. The itinerary is based on Mad Monkey Dumaguete’s official Valencia Tour.

What to Expect at Each Stop on the Valencia Tour

Each stop highlights a different side of Dumaguete and Valencia, from historic landmarks and geothermal landscapes to waterfalls, mountain viewpoints, and local heritage. Mad Monkey Dumaguete’s Valencia Tour follows the route below, although timings may vary slightly depending on traffic and weather.

Dumaguete Cathedral and Bell Tower

The day begins in the heart of Dumaguete at St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral and its adjacent bell tower, two of the city’s oldest landmarks dating back to the Spanish colonial period. The cathedral remains an active place of worship, while the coral-stone bell tower once served as a lookout against pirate raids along Negros Oriental’s coastline.

It’s a short stop, but it provides useful context before leaving the city behind and heading into Valencia’s mountain landscapes.

Pulangbato Sulfur Vents

The Pulangbato Sulfur Vents offer the first glimpse of the geothermal activity that shapes Valencia’s landscape. Steam escapes naturally through cracks in the rocky ground, while the unmistakable sulfur smell is a reminder that this region sits above an active geothermal system.

The stop only takes a few minutes, but it helps explain the volcanic origins of nearby attractions such as Pulangbato Falls and Red Rock Hot Spring. Visitors can explore the area free of charge, with optional donations supporting the local community.

Red Rock Hot Spring

Red Rock Hot Spring is one of Valencia’s best-known places to relax, with naturally heated mineral pools surrounded by the same reddish volcanic rock found throughout the area. What began as a private family pool gradually became a popular stop for both locals and visitors exploring the highlands.

The warm water offers a welcome contrast to the cooler mountain air, making it an ideal place to unwind before continuing deeper into Valencia. Entrance is typically around ₱100 ($1.80 USD) per person.

Pulangbato Falls

Pulangbato Falls is Valencia’s signature waterfall, known for the distinctive rust-colored rocks created by mineral deposits in the surrounding landscape. Unlike Casaroro Falls, the viewing area for Pulangbato Falls is reached by a short walk, making it one of the municipality’s most accessible natural attractions.

Visitors can swim beneath the falls, relax beside the natural pool, or simply enjoy the cooler mountain air before continuing the tour. Entrance fees generally range from ₱20 to ₱100 ($0.35 to $1.80 USD) depending on the access point.

Tierra Alta Scenic View

Perched high above Dumaguete, Tierra Alta offers panoramic views across the city, the Tañon Strait, and the surrounding mountains of Negros Oriental. The elevated viewpoint is one of Valencia’s best places to appreciate how quickly the landscape changes from coastline to forested highlands.

It’s also a popular photo stop thanks to its wide-open views and cooler temperatures.

Mango Ranch

Mango Ranch provides a quieter break from the day’s waterfalls and geothermal sites. The property combines landscaped gardens, open viewpoints, and mountain scenery, making it a relaxing place to slow down before continuing the itinerary.

Depending on the season, visitors may also find locally grown produce and refreshments available on-site.

Forest Camp

Forest Camp is Valencia’s best-known outdoor recreation area, built around a series of spring-fed pools that blend into the surrounding forest. Nine swimming pools are connected by riverside pathways and a hanging bridge, creating a setting that feels closer to a nature park than a traditional resort.

Visitors often spend time swimming, relaxing beneath the trees, or trying optional activities such as the zipline and wall climbing. Entrance is typically ₱100 to ₱200 ($1.80 to $3.60 USD) depending on the season.

Cata-al World War II Museum

Cata-al World War II Museum is an operating museum that preserves photographs, military equipment, documents, and personal memorabilia connected to Negros Oriental during World War II. The collection offers a different perspective on the province, highlighting local stories that many visitors might otherwise miss.

It’s one of the more unexpected stops on the itinerary and adds a cultural dimension to a day otherwise focused on natural attractions.

Subida Souvenirs

The final stop before returning to Dumaguete is Subida Souvenirs, a long-running shop specializing in locally made handicrafts, bamboo products, woven goods, wood carvings, and edible pasalubong from Negros Oriental.

Beyond shopping, it’s an opportunity to support local artisans and pick up gifts that reflect the region’s craftsmanship before heading back to the city.

Optional Add-On: Casaroro Falls

If you have extra time in Valencia, Casaroro Falls is worth considering as a separate trip. Reaching the waterfall involves descending around 335 concrete steps followed by a shallow river crossing, making it considerably more demanding than Pulangbato Falls.

Safety Tip: Wear shoes with good grip if visiting Casaroro Falls. The staircase and river crossing become slippery after rain, and conditions can change quickly during the wet season.

When Is the Best Time to Do a Valencia Tour

The dry season from December to May is the best time to visit Valencia, with more reliable road conditions, lower chances of rain, and easier access to attractions throughout the highlands. While tours operate year-round, travelers planning to add Casaroro Falls will generally have a better experience during the dry months.

Best Place to Stay for a Valencia Tour

If you’re planning a Valencia tour from Dumaguete, staying in the city is the most practical choice. It keeps travel times short while giving you easy access to restaurants, cafés, and Dumaguete’s waterfront once you’re back from the mountains.

Mad Monkey Dumaguete is one of the easiest places to base yourself, with organized Valencia Tours available for guests and convenient access to the day’s main attractions.

Why Valencia Is a Standout Day Trip From Dumaguete

A single day in Valencia packs in spring-fed pools, volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, geothermal steam, and a mountain hot spring without taking you far from Dumaguete. It’s the kind of trip that feels much farther away than the map suggests, an easy way to experience another side of Negros Oriental.

Whether you’re traveling independently or joining a guided experience from Mad Monkey Dumaguete, Valencia offers enough variety to feel like several destinations rolled into one, while still getting you back to Dumaguete in time for sunset.

FAQs: Valencia Tour

Pin Now. Read Later.