Dipolog is the capital city of the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the province that occupies the northern part of Zamboanga Peninsula in the Mindanao island of the Philippines. It is commonly known as the "Bottled Sardines Capital" due to its sardine production, and most popularly the "Gateway to Western Mindanao" being accessible from Dumaguete, Cebu, and Manila.
Understand
[edit]
Dipolog is geographically a part of the Zamboanga Peninsula region, and must not be confused with Zamboanga City or anything else with Zamboanga in its name. Dipolog is geographically situated in northern Zamboanga del Norte, one of three provinces that make up the Zamboanga Peninsula region.
Talk
[edit]Cebuano (sometimes called Bisaya/Visayan), Tagalog and English are the languages spoken in the city and most of the province of Zamboanga del Norte.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]- 1 Dipolog Airport (DPL IATA) (north of downtown). Serves the city and nearby Dapitan. It has a single runway that has been upgraded in 1992 to accommodate small jets like the Airbus A320 family.
Ground transportation: There are tricycles to downtown, waiting outside the terminal.
Cebu Pacific flies from Manila and Cebu daily., while Philippine Airlines has daily flights from Manila and Cebu. Royhle Air Way has charter flights from Dumaguete.
By bus
[edit]- 2 Dipolog City Land Transport Terminal, Governor Alberto Ubay Rd, Miputak (south of downtown). Serves most bus routes in Zamboanga del Norte, Ozamiz, Iligan, Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro and Pagadian.
Rural Transit is the main bus company serving Dipolog and neighboring cities and municipalities, operating deluxe, air-conditioned, and non-AC ordinary buses.
Evergood Transit serves the Dipolog-Dapitan route. The bus plying the route departs every 20 min up to 7PM and takes 45 min. The cost is ₱20 for ordinary, and ₱30 for air-conditioned buses.
By ferry
[edit]Frequent sailings to and from Cebu City and southern Cebu area are offered.
- 3 Port of Dipolog (Galas Feeder Port), Galas (south of downtown). Serves routes for Dumaguete, Cebu City, and Oslob, Cebu.
A comfortable way to reach Dipolog is on one of the better ferries. Ro-Ro's are also available; these are slower and cheaper ferries where cars can roll on and roll off.
- 1 Medallion Transport, Yu Building, General Luna Street, Central; Galas Port Terminal, Galas, ☏ +63 65 908 0969, +63 917-710-2870, +63 917-931-1545, +63 923-738-5224, +63 927-002-7185, +63 923-738-5224, fax: +63 65 908 0969. Departing from Cebu City (Port of Cebu Passenger Terminal 2, Pier 3) thrice a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8:30PM; departing from Dipolog (Galas Port) thrice a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 7PM. from ₱790.
Get around
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Do as the locals do, and take a tricycle ride around the city.
Dipolog has no taxis unlike in mostly urbanized cities in the Philippines. There are some jeepneys going to nearby towns but, unlike other cities, there are no jeepneys with general-purpose downtown routes. Most in-town transit is by either motorcycle with sidecar rigs called tricycles, or passenger-type motorcycles locally called habal-habal.
Locals in the Philippines name a landmark or commercial establishment near their destinations, street names are rarely used or known. Many travelers will be able to get around knowing only the names of some few landmarks including Dipolog Boulevard, Lee Plaza, Plaza Magsaysay, and Dipolog Cathedral; most other places of interest are within easy walking distance of one of those.
See
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The center of Dipolog at night during Christmas is a truly wonderful sight: the decorations and the small stalls and the sounds of people. It is truly captivating.
Historical landmarks
[edit]- 1 The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Dipolog Cathedral), Padre Ramon Street, Estaka, ☏ +63 65 212 8420. It's the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dipolog. Constructed by the Spanish friars of Dipolog on April 15, 1894, records show that the original altar was designed by Dr. Jose Rizal, the sketch of the altar was inspired after that of San Ignacio Church in Manila. The main attraction of the church is the ceiling made of Philippine hardwood.
- 2 Santa Cruz Marker (Punta Corro), Intersection of Rizal Avenue and Martinez Street, Central. This is the oldest landmark in the city dating back to May 3, 1905, marking the safe landing of migrating Boholanos settling near the mouth of Dipolog River.
Museums
[edit]- 3NOT EXISTING IMAGE Casa Bernedo (Bernedo Ancestral House), Arellano Street corner Ranillo Street, Dipolog City. Casa Bernedo is a two-story ancestral house, originally owned by the then influential Bernedo family of Dipolog, now a museum and Center for the Culture and the Arts in the city. Free.
- 4 ONAY Museum, Bucana, Sicayab (North of the city proper, but not heading to Dapitan City). A museum that pays homage to Zamboanga del Norte's own General Alexander Badong Yano, the first Mindanaoan and the 38th Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Free upon request from City Tourism Office.
Other landmarks
[edit]- 5 Explore Dipolog Landmark, Dipolog Boulevard, Miputak. Opened in November 2019 which features the slogan of the same line, and it is near the Dipolog Watchtower.
Do
[edit]
- 1 Sungkilaw Falls, Virginia, Diwan. A serene, multi-tiered waterfall nestled in lush forest, known for its cool, clear waters and peaceful, uncrowded atmosphere. Standing at 25-feet tall, it’s a hidden natural retreat near Dipolog, ideal for quiet relaxation and nature trips.
- 2 Cogon Eco-Tourism Park, Dipolog-Molave National Road, Cogon. A nature-focused recreational area featuring wide open cogon grasslands, scenic viewpoints, and simple outdoor activities like hiking and picnicking. It offers a peaceful escape where visitors can enjoy fresh air and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and immerse in the traditional Subanen way of life.
- 3 See the picturesque twin city skyline view - Linabo Peak offers a 360° view of Dipolog and Dapitan from the top of the peak.
- 4 3,003 Steps to Linabo Peak, Pangadlaw Road, Lugdungan. A steep nature trail leading to a scenic summit, featuring 3,003 steps lined with Stations of the Cross that symbolize Christ’s journey. It is especially popular during Holy Week, when devotees climb the path for reflection, prayer, and panoramic views at the peak. Arrange for a tricycle or a motor sikad (single-ride motorcycle) to take you there.
- Alvenda Hilander Farm. Hilander Farm is a new tourist destination in Dipolog City. It takes 2-3 hours by multicab to reach the place, its kinda rough road when you reach Center place in Mutia, going to the said place. The place have nice native and antique style of the house, swimming pool for kids and for adults with nice and cool overflowing water. They also have a zipline.
Events and festivals
[edit]- The Feast of Saint Vincent Ferrer is celebrated every 3rd Saturday of May. The P'gsalabuk Festival, held from the 3rd week of April to the 4th week of May, celebrates the unity, peace, and collaborative partnership between the indigenous Subanen locals and the settling Muslim and Christian migrants. It is celebrated annually with pageantry and series of activities such as trade fairs and exhibits, conferences and competitions.
- The foundation festivities of Zamboanga del Norte (called by different names, more notably Hudyaka or Saulog) occurs on a timeframe where the day of the province's creation, June 6th, falls on. The festivities include agro-industrial, trade, and tourism fairs featuring the province's two cities and twenty-five municipalities, numerous local sporting events, a beauty pageant, and live entertainment.
- The Feast of the Our lady of the Most Holy Rosary is celebrated every October 7. The Dahunog sa Dipolog Festival, held from the last week of September up to the October 7th feast day, showcases lively marching music, street dancing, citywide school cheer dancing, beauty pageantry, and more entertaining music.
Buy
[edit]Shopping malls & supermarkets
[edit]- 1 Lee Plaza City Central, Quezon Avenue, Miputak, ☏ +63 65 212 5055. 9AM-8PM. Three-story shopping mall with a Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, and Watsons as main tenants. With ample parking space at the basement.
- 2 Vallecer's Plaza, Padre Burgos Street, Miputak. 9AM-8PM. Two-story shopping mall.
- 3 Dipolog Center Mall, Rizal Avenue corner Padre Burgos Street, Miputak. Three-story shopping mall with supermarket, department store, and food court.
- 4 CityMall Dipolog, Dipolog-Zamboanga National Highway, Santa Filomena (south of downtown). 9AM-9PM. Has SM SaveMore Supermarket, Ace Hardware, Watsons, and many fast food and retail outlets.
- 5 Aetrium, Dipolog-Zamboanga National Highway, Santa Isabel (south of downtown). 9AM-9PM.
- 6 SM SaveMore Supermarket, Quezon Avenue corner Malvar Street, Central.
Local delicacies
[edit]- 7 Montaño Sardines, Governor Felipe Azcuna Road, Turno.
- 8 Zaragoza Sardines, General Luna Street corner Capitol Drive, Estaka (near Zamboanga del Norte Capitol, in front of Hotel Camila Dipolog).
- 9 Hiraya Pasalubong Shop, General Luna Street, Central (walking distance from Dipolog Cathedral, beside Mister Donut), ☏ +6365 918-9697, +63 956-938-8061, [email protected]. M-Sa 8:30AM-7PM. They sell bottled food products, snacks, and handcrafted souvenirs from Zamboanga del Norte producers and manufacturers.
Financial services (banks, ATMs & foreign exchange)
[edit]Most ATMs in the Philippines accept foreign ATM cards and many will issue cash advances against foreign credit cards. In nearly all cases there is a fee (usually ₱250) for the service, only Philippine pesos can be withdrawn, and there is a limit (often ₱10000) per transaction. Here are some financial institutions that are visible in Dipolog.
- 10 BDO Dipolog-Quezon Avenue (BDO Dipolog-Quezon), Quezon Avenue, Miputak. Air-conditioned, with ample parking and ATMs. The former site of Equitable PCI Bank prior to acquisition by BDO.
- 11 BDO Dipolog-Rizal Avenue (BDO Dipolog-Rizal), Rizal Avenue, Central (1st floor of MGM Square, near Dipolog City Hall and Dipolog Cathedral). Air-conditioned, with ATMs, and accessible to shopping boutiques.
- 12 BPI (BPI), BPI-Philam Life Building, Rizal Avenue corner C.P. Garcia Street, Central (in front of KFC Dipolog, near Dipolog City Hall and Dipolog Cathedral). Air-conditioned with ATMs.
- 13 Metrobank Dipolog-Gen. Luna, Metrobank Building, General Luna Street corner C.P. Garcia Street, Central. 09:00 AM-03:00PM. Air conditioned, with ample parking and with ATM.
- 14 Metrobank Dipolog-Quezon Avenue, Top Plaza Hotel, Quezon Avenue corner Echavez Street, Central. 09:00 AM-03:00PM. Air conditioned, with ATM.
- 15 RCBC, General Luna corner Lacaya Streets, Central (near Big Joes). Air conditioned, with ATM.
- 16 Landbank, Quezon Avenue, Miputak (in front of Lee Plaza City Central), ☏ +63 65 212 2277.
- 17 DBP, Dipolog-Oroquieta National Road, Turno (near Jollibee and the P'gsalabuk Circle).
- 18 EastWest Bank, Ground Floor, Felicidad II Building, Quezon Avenue, Miputak (in front of Lee Plaza City Central).
- 19 Philippine Business Bank, 331 Padre Burgos Street, Central (south from intersecion with Rizal Avenue, near Dipolog Central Mall), ☏ +63 65 212-0340. Air conditioned, with ATM.
- 20 CitySavings, Osmeña Street, Central (south from intersecion with Rizal Avenue, near D'Hotel and Suites), ☏ +63 65 212-0340. Air conditioned, with ATM.
- 21 Chinabank, Chinabank Building, General Luna corner Gonzales Streets, Central. Air conditioned with ample parking and ATM.
- 22 Philippine National Bank, PNB Building, Gen. Luna corner C.P. Garcia Streets, Central. Air-conditioned, with ample parking and ATMs.
- 23 Security Bank, Quezon Avenue, Miputak (in front of Miputak East Central School). Air conditioned with ATM, but minimal parking space.
- 24 PSBank, G/F Lopez Skyroom, Rizal Avenue, Central (near Dipolog City Hall and Dipolog Cathedral), ☏ +63 65 212-0340. Air conditioned, with ATM.
- 25 UCPB Savings Bank, Quezon Avenue, Miputak (near Katipunan Bank), ☏ +63 65 212-1298, [email protected]. Air conditioned, with ATM and limited parking.
- 26 BDO Network Bank, Rizal Avenue, Central, [email protected]. Formerly known as One Network Bank, it has ample parking and ATMs.
- 27 EastWest Rural Bank, Calibo Street, Central.
- 28 First Consolidated Bank, FCB Building, Magsaysay Street, Central. Air-conditioned, with ample parking and ATMs.
- 29 Producers Bank, Producers Bank Building, Rizal Avenue corner Calibo Street, Central. Air-conditioned, with ample parking and ATMs.
- 30 Rural Bank of Rizal (RBR Dipolog), RBR Tower, Rizal Avenue corner Gonzales Street, Central (in front of MGM Square, near Dipolog City Hall and Dipolog Cathedral), ☏ +63 65 212 2017, [email protected].
- 31 Zamboanga del Norte Cooperative Bank, Quezon Avenue, Miputak.
- 32 Katipunan Bank-Dipolog (Head Office), Katipunan Bank Building, Quezon Avenue corner Aguilar Street, Miputak. With ATM.
- 33 Community Rural Bank of Dapitan City, Inc.-Dipolog (CRBDCI Dipolog), Padre Burgos Street, Central (south from intersecion with Rizal Avenue, near Dipolog Central Mall).
Eat
[edit]| This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink: | |
| Budget | under ₱200 |
| Mid-range | ₱200-400 |
| Splurge | over ₱400 |
Food court
[edit]- 1 D'Food Hub and Events Center, Dipolog Boulevard, Miputak (south of the watchtower at Surf Road). A hawker center-style food court where you can enjoy balut or boiled fertilized egg, street food, and the sunset view from the Sulu Sea. under ₱200.
- 2 CityMall Dipolog Food Court, Dipolog-Zamboanga Natioanl Highway, Sta. Filomena (south of the downtown). Exclusive to Jollibee, Chowking, and Mang Inasal.
Budget
[edit]- 3 Jo's Chicken Inato, Bonifacio Street corner C.P. Garcia Street, Central (near Central Barangay Hall). Try their BBQ with unlimited rice, Chicken Tinola in Coconut Shell, and Halo-halo in Coconut Shell.
- 4 Cafe Nicasio, General Luna corner M. H. del Pilar Streets, Estaka (In front of Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Capitol.), ☏ +63 65 918 0699. 9AM-8PM. Named after one of Dipolog's pioneers, they serve coffee, all-day breakfast, and more.
- 5 Alberto's Pizza Dipolog, V. Calibo Streer, Central (near Bulwagan ng Katarungan (Hall of Justice)). 9AM-midnight. Offers a good and rather affordable locally made thin crust pizza. From ₱75 to ₱200.
- 6 Grandma's Best Restaurant and Bakeshop, Mabini cor. Arellano Streets, Barra, ☏ +63 65 212 3396, [email protected]. 10AM-8PM. Serves Filipino dishes, scrumptious comfort foods, and various cakes and pastries. Also serves breakfast meals all-day. Catering needs? Grandma's Best accepts catering services at very affordable prices with spacious amenities. Starts from ₱100.
- 7 [dead link] Big Joe's Cafe, General Luna St, Central, ☏ +63 65 212 4111. 9AM-9PM. Starts from ₱100.
Mid-range
[edit]- 8 UrChoice Bistro Cafe, Festival Shopping Arcade 2, College Park, Miputak (near Andres Bonifacio College), ☏ +63 65 212 1313, [email protected]. 10AM-8PM. Serving Italian styled pizza and pasta.
- 9 [dead link] Biaño's Pizza, General Luna corner Martinez Streets, Central (walking distance from Dipolog Boulevard), ☏ +63 65 212 1100. 9AM-8PM. Serving pizza, spaghetti, potato fries, chicken, rice toppings, milkshakes, desserts, and beer. Starts from ₱110.
- 10 CLS Food Plaza, Magsaysay corner Echavez St, Central, ☏ +63 65 212 2882. 9:30AM-9:30PM. Serves an extensive array of Filipino and Chinese cuisines. Starts from ₱150.
- 11 Chlisy Craft Cafe, Magsaysay Street, Central, ☏ +63 65 212 5678. 9AM-9PM. Starts from ₱150.
- 12 Morgia's BBQ House Main Branch, Calibo corner Echavez Streets, Central. 08:30AM-08:00PM. One of the oldest restaurants in Dipolog (opened in 1980), it serves grilled barbeque and other popular Filipino meals, in addition to coffee and cakes for special occasions. ₱100-700.
- 13 Morgia's BBQ House Mibang Branch, Governor Felipe Azcuna Road, Mibang, Sta. Filomena. 08:30AM-08:00PM. ₱100-700.
- 14 Ikkokuya Ramen Bistro, Westfield Town Square, Dipolog-Polanco-Oroquieta National Road, Lower Turno, [email protected]. Offers ramen and other Japanese dishes.
- 15 Chicken Ati-Atihan, G/F Missio Dei Hotel, Aguilar Street, Miputak. Serves chicken inasal and other Filipino dishes. ₱150-350.
Splurge
[edit]- 16 Tonino's Resto & Wine Bar, GF D' Hotel & Suites, Rizal Ave corner Osmeña St, Central. 11AM-8PM.
- 17 Umami Room & Olive Tree Bar, 6F D' Hotel & Suites, Rizal Avenue corner Osmeña Street, Central, ☏ +63 65 908-3251. 11AM-9PM.
- 18 Seven Treasures, GF Top Plaza Hotel, Echavez Street, Central, ☏ +63 65 212 5777, +63 65 212 5888. Serving Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Thai, European, and Western dishes.
- 19 1988 Bistro and Bar, Magsaysay Street, Central (south of General Luna, north of Malvar, near First Consolidated Bank), ☏ +63 915 745 3468, +63 931 056 3378. Serving Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Thai, European, and Western dishes.
- 20 Yellow Cab Pizza Co., Dipolog-Polanco-Oroquieta National Road, Lower Turno (in front of ZNSCH), ☏ +63 65 212-1915. 11AM-10PM. ₱350-1100.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Barra Barista Coffee Co., 083 Padre Zamora Street, Barra, ☏ +63 956 258 3361. Brewed coffee, frappes, fries, waffles, sandwiches, salads, and more. Perfect place to enjoy yourself or with good friends with air-conditioned shop and Wi-Fi connection. ₱50 - ₱205.
- 2 Bo's Coffee, Mezzanine Level, MGM Square, Rizal Avenue corner Gonzales Street, Central. ₱90 - ₱200.
- 3 Bo's Coffee, Westfield Town Square, Dipolog-Polanco-Oroquieta Highway, Turno. ₱90 - ₱200.
Sleep
[edit]| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | under ₱1000 |
| Mid-range | ₱1000-2000 |
| Splurge | over ₱2000 |
There are places in the city for travelers to take a break. Whether tight in budget or ready to splurge with luxury, Dipolog has a lot of hotel accommodations ready for travelers.
Budget
[edit]- 1 Top Plaza Pensionne, Malvar Street corner Quezon Aveune, Miputak, ☏ +63 65-2128650. A/C dormitory type. Fan standard double with outside bathroom. Big A/C superior double with own bathroom and cable TV, free Wi-Fi. ₱150/₱280/₱560.
- 2 Casa Jose Pension House., Bonifacio Street, Riverside Estaka, ☏ +63 65-212-4240. Fan rooms with cable TV. From ₱300.
- 3 GV Hotel, Quezon Avenue, Miputak, ☏ +63 65-908-0684. A/C single and double rooms all with own bathrooms and cable TV. The GV Hotel in Dipolog has 58 rooms. ₱450/₱625.
- 4 Green Mellow Court, Osmeña Street, Central, ☏ +63 65-2128400. Fan rooms with own bathrooms. A/C rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. Fan room ₱250, A/C room ₱620.
- 5 Bamboo Garden Business Inn, 26 Burgos Street corner Bonifacio Street, Central, ☏ +63 65 212 3536, [email protected]. A/C double room with outside bathroom. A/C double with own bathroom and cable TV. ₱400/₱625.
- 6 Eustacia's Pension House, P. Gomez corner Gonzales streets, ☏ +63 65-9081241. Check-in: noon, check-out: 2PM. Fan double room with outside bathroom. A/C single with own bathroom and cable TV. A/C double room with own bathroom and cable TV. Fan room ₱230, air-con room ₱350/₱450.
- CHIP'N By d' Sea Resort, Sunset Boulevard, ☏ +63 65-2127596. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Fan, A/C rooms with own bathroom and cable TV. Free breakfast. From ₱300.
- 7 FSA Traders Inn 2, 5th Floor Felicidad 1 Building, Quezon Avenue, Miputak (above Landbank Dipolog Branch), ☏ +63 65-2124065. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. A/C double room with own bathroom and cable TV, free Wi-Fi. ₱600.
- 8 Antonio's Pension House, General Luna Street corner Martinez Street, Barangay Central, ☏ +63 65-9082159, +63 9088156638. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. A/C double room with own bathroom, cable TV, free Wi-Fi. From ₱499.
- Gardenville Suites, National Highway, Lower Turno, ☏ +63 65 917 6314, [email protected]. Starts from ₱800.
- 9 Hapytelle Hotel, Magsaysay Street corner Malvar Street, Miputak (Walking distance from Dipolog Boulevard.), ☏ +63 65 212 0888, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Free Wi-Fi, child-friendly, air conditioned rooms. Starts from ₱999.
- 10 Meaco Royal Hotel - Dipolog, Rizal Avenue corner Martinez Street, Central (near Dipolog Boulevard, blocks away from the Santa Cruz marker). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Free Wi-Fi, free parking, air-conditioned rooms, child-friendly. Maximum of ₱1500.
Mid-range
[edit]- 11 Mibang Hotel, Andres Dacua Road, Santa Filomena, ☏ +63 65 212 3585, +63 65 212 6689, [email protected]. Check-out: noon. Offers air-conditioned rooms, hot & cold showers, cable TV, room service, PABX telephone system, swimming pool and poolside bar, Wi-Fi zone, function halls, hotel van service, and complimentary bottled water. From ₱1300 to ₱3200.
- 12 Hotel Camila Dipolog, General Luna Street, Estaka.
- 13 Hotel Camila 2 Dipolog, Dipolog-Polanco-Oroquieta Highway, Lower Turno, ☏ +63 65 212 5533.
- 14 Ariana Hotel, Airport Road, Minaog, ☏ +63 65 212 1267, [email protected]. From ₱1700.
- 15 Royal Farm Resort, Dipolog-Polanco-Oroquieta Highway, Gulayon (behind the NFA Zamboanga del Norte bodega), ☏ +63 65 212 6316, [email protected]. From ₱1000 to ₱2100.
- 16 The West End Court Hotel, Echavez corner Arellano Streets, Central.
Splurge
[edit]- 17 Top Plaza Hotel, Quezon Avenue corner Echavez Street, Central, ☏ +63 65 212 5777, +63 65 212 5888, [email protected]. Offers fully air-conditioned rooms, PABX telephone system, cable TV, hot & cold shower, Wi-Fi zone, function halls, and hotel transport service.
- 18 D'Hotel & Suites, Rizal Avenue corner Osmeña Street, Central, ☏ +63 65 212 1256. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 19 Gwandalan House Bed and Breakfast, G&K Building, Highway Lower Turno, ☏ +63 65 908 3410, [email protected]. Offers concierge service, complimentary Wi-Fi and bottled water, pick-up from Dipolog Airport, fine art collection, 24/7 CCTV security surveillance, and coffee. From ₱2000.
- 20 [dead link] Missio Dei Hotel, Arellano Street Extension, Miputak, [email protected]. Starts from ₱2000.
Stay safe
[edit]Dipolog is generally a safe city. There are enough beggars and touts to be annoying, but by Asian standards these problems are relatively mild. Police are quite visible, especially along Dipolog Boulevard.
You do see evidence that locals are concerned about security. Many of the larger old houses and more-or-less all the new luxury housing are in walled compounds, and barbed wire, spikes or broken glass to discourage people from climbing the walls are common, as are bars to keep burglars from entering windows. Most businesses have roll-down metal doors for protection when they are closed. Many businesses and some residential compounds have armed guards. Guards at the entrances to many department stores or malls use metal-detecting wands to scan customers before entry. All of this, however, is true in most areas of the Philippines, and much of it is common to most low-income countries.
Traffic can be distinctly hectic, especially in Quezon Avenue in Miputak during the day; there are few traffic lights and few stop signs in the city (mostly outside the downtown area,) and you only occasionally see traffic enforcers directing traffic. Most of the oddities of Asian driving are seen in Dipolog: running without lights at night is common, motorcycles fairly often do interesting things like going down the wrong side of the road or ignoring one-way traffic signs, and so on. On the positive side, the traffic is not remarkably fast, there are few traffic jams and, compared to some other Asian cities, Dipolog has fewer drivers who seem obviously insane to Western observers.
Pedestrians should be quite cautious in Dipolog. The traffic is dangerous, some roads lack sidewalks, and even if there is a sidewalk, it may be blocked by parked motorcycles. Both roads and sidewalks are often seriously uneven — some have holes that could easily break a leg, and many more could turn an ankle — so it is essential to watch your step.
As in any tropical area, there is risk of sunburn; it is quite important for newly arrived visitors to exercise caution.
Stay healthy
[edit]
Health risks in Dipolog are not large but, as for most travel, it is worth checking with your doctor and possibly getting some vaccines before setting out. The area is tropical, so see also hot weather and tropical diseases.
The city has many health services — doctors, dentists, pharmacies, optometrists — and, as elsewhere in the Philippines and indeed most of Asia, these services are often much cheaper than in higher-income countries. There are exceptions when imported products, such as dental implants or certain drugs, are required for the treatment.
Hospitals and diagnostic clinics
[edit]- 2 Corazon C. Aquino Hospital, Dr. Santiago Calo Road, Biasong, ☏ +63 65 212 5555. A public hospital, owned and operated by the City Government of Dipolog.
- 3 Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center, Dipolog-Oroquieta Highway, Sicayab, ☏ +63 65 212 2333. A public hospital, owned and operated by the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte.
- 4 Ospital ng Kabataan ng Dipolog, Inc., 604 Padre Ramon Street, Estaka, ☏ +63 65 212 2837.
- 5 Zamboanga del Norte Service Cooperative Hospital, Dipolog-Polanco-Oroquieta National Road, Turno, ☏ +63 65 212 2444, +63 65 212 6990, [email protected].
- 6 ACE Medical Center Dipolog, Dipolog-Zamboanga National Road, Olingan (far south from downtown).
- 7 The AGAPE Health Care Center, 35 Felicisimo Herrera Street, Miputak.
- 8 Dipolog Doctors Medical & Diagnostic Clinic, Dipolog-Zamboanga National Road, Olingan (near ACE Medical Center Dipolog).
Dentists
[edit]These are the many dentists the local expatriates use. Implants are generally expensive, but most services are cheap by Western standards. Some of these dentists may or may not offer procedures under general anesthesia.
- 9 Dental Plaza, 3rd Floor, Lee Plaza City Central, Quezon Avenue, Miputak.
- 10 Sorronda Dental Suite, Ground Floor, Dr. Johnny I. Franco Medical Arts Building, Ospital ng Kabataan ng Dipolog, Padre Ramon Street, Miputak.
- 11 Dental Horizon, Magsaysay Street, Miputak, ☏ +63 961-828-0525.
- 12 ToothZen Dental Clinic, Westfield Town Square, Dipolog-Polanco-Oroquieta Highway, Turno, ☏ +63 970-675-4216, [email protected].
Pharmacies
[edit]Just like any Philippine city, Dipolog has a variety of pharmacies that offer medications of good quality, whether branded or generic.
- 13 Dipolog Lourdes Pharmacy, Rizal Avenue, Central (walking distance from Dipolog Central Public Market).
- 14 Generika Drugstore Lacaya St., Lacaya Street, Central (walking distance from Dipolog Central Public Market), ☏ +63 936 528 6196.
- 15 Cherry Pharmacy, Lacaya Street, Central (walking distance from Dipolog Central Public Market).
- 16 Mercury Drug Dipolog City Lacaya, F. B. Lacaya Building, Lacaya Street, Central (walking distance from Dipolog Central Public Market), ☏ +63 65 212 4796. 7AM-8PM.
- 17 Mercury Drug Dipolog City Rizal Ave., Rizal Avenue, Central, ☏ +63 65 212 6197.
- 18 Mercury Drug Dipolog City Minaog, Tabuk Tulay, Minaog (north of Quezon Bridge), ☏ +63 65 212 6197.
- 19 LKS Pharmacy and Convenience Store Quezon Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Miputak.
- 20 LKS Pharmacy and Convenience Store General Luna, General Luna Street corner F. Herrera Street (formerly Katipunan Street), Estaka (walking distance from Dipolog City Hall and Plaza Magsaysay).
Connect
[edit]Internet service is generally good; Dipolog is one of the hubs of the fiber optic network that connects the country. Most hotels and many restaurants offer free Wi-Fi; connection speed is good for text, photos and most graphics, but music or video streaming may be jerky oftentimes.
There are a number of fairly large Internet cafés; they cater mainly to people playing online games, so they provide reasonably powerful computers with decent screens and a fast connection.
Cell phone connections are fast and reliable anywhere in the city itself or in central areas of the major suburbs, but can be quite flaky in some outlying areas.
Cope
[edit]Government offices
[edit]In need of access to government services while on travel?
- 21 PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office-Zamboanga del Norte, Dipolog-Polanco-Oroquieta National Road, Lower Turno.
- 22 Dipolog City Post Office, Quezon Avenue, Miputak (Near the Dipolog Land Transport Terminal.). Offers postal services.
- 23 Government Service Insurance System - Dipolog City Branch Office, Dipolog-Oroquieta National Highway, Minaog, ☏ +63 65 917-5226, +63 65 917-5232, [email protected].
- 24 Social Security System - Dipolog City Branch Office, Ramos Building, Rizal Avenue corner Magsaysay Street, Central (blocks from the Santa Cruz marker), ☏ +63 (065) 212-2518, fax: +63 (065) 212-4834, [email protected].
- 25 Pag-IBIG Fund - Dipolog Member Services Branch, Felicidad 2 Building, College Park, Miputak (blocks from the Santa Cruz marker), ☏ +63 65 212-4542, fax: +63 65 212-1385, +63 65 212-1386, [email protected].
Smoking
[edit]Cigarette and electronic cigarette or vape smoking is not encouraged in Dipolog; a city ordinance[dead link] prohibits smoking in public places, particularly in government-owned structures and offices, hospitals, gasoline stations, schools, and business establishments, and there are officers on scooters who give out tickets for this. Violators are penalized the amounts of ₱1000 for first offense, ₱2000 for second offense, ₱3000 for third offense, and imprisonment for 6 months or as determined by local courts for subsequent offences. However, a few bars have smoking areas where nicotine addicts can indulge.
Go next
[edit]Nearby cities are Dapitan, Pagadian, Ipil, Zamboanga City, Oroquieta, and Ozamiz; there are buses to and from Dipolog. The Dipolog-Zamboanga via Ipil bus route passes through several places that may be worth a stop.
Although the Pulauan Port in Dapitan is commonly used, Dipolog through the Galas Port can be reached to and from Dumaguete and Cebu through water transport.
| Routes through Dipolog |
| Zamboanga City ← Katipunan ← | W  E
|
→ Dapitan → Oroquieta |
| Sulu Sea ← | N  S
|
→ Sergio Osmeña → Pagadian |