Transportation logistics in the Philippines can be overwhelming because of the numerous options for getting around and signage that can be lacking for the first time tourist. Please read the instructions below carefully for context on how to get here, so you don’t get lost or stuck.
Please be aware that we have limited space and property resources to host climbers, so we ask that you reach out to us far in advance at danaoclimbing@gmail.com or on Instagram at @danaoclimbing before your visit to make sure we have a vacancy for your desired time frame.
Please be aware that due to severe unfixed road damage from recent natural disasters, you cannot ask any random taxi to take you from Danao City to the cliff in Togonon. They will get stuck or turned around, and you may have to walk more than 4 kilometers uphill. Only vehicle drivers who have gotten here before know how to take an alternative route and avoid the damaged sections. Motorbike taxis (habal habals) can pass stretches of damaged road where full-size vehicles cannot, so this is the recommended method for the final leg of the journey from Danao City to the cliff in Togonon.
Step 1: Get to Cebu and buy a SIM card
Danao is located on the island of Cebu in the central Philippines. Cebu-Mactan Airport is the second largest airport in the country and receives dozens of international and domestic flights each day.
Unless your phone has an international plan, we urge you to acquire a Philippines SIM card. Phone plans with data are super cheap and very important to have, both for travel logistics and in case of emergency. You can either buy a virtual e-SIM before (or upon) your arrival, or a physical SIM once you get here. Smart and Globe are the two service providers, and they both work well.
If your flight arrives after 6pm, you will need to stay in Mactan, Cebu City, or Danao City for one night before coming up to the climbing area, as it takes at least a couple hours to get up here and late arrivals disrupt our neighbors. There are many cheap hotel options near the airport. Read our FAQs to learn more.
Step 2: Take a bus or taxi to Danao City
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A bus is the least expensive option, but also the most time consuming. From the airport, catch MyBus (around 50 pesos) to SM City Mall in downtown Cebu CIty (Mabolo). At SM City, the North Bus Terminal can be found behind the Radisson Blu hotel. There, you can find air conditioned busses going to the Danao Bus Terminal for 80 pesos or non-air conditioned buses for 55 pesos.
Once you arrive at the Danao Bus Terminal, we recommend taking a 10 minute walk to the Metro grocery store to stock up on food before visiting the cliff, since grocery options are limited up here.
Cost: 105-130 pesos (2-3 USD)
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For an easier journey but higher cost, ask a taxi to take you to Danao City. We recommend requesting a drop off at the Metro grocery store to stock up on food before visiting the cliff, since grocery options are limited up here.
Cost: a reasonable fare would be around 1,500 pesos (25 USD), but it might require a bit of negotiation.
Step 3: Take a motorbike taxi from Danao City to Togonon
There is no phone signal in the mountains. Please load the location of the climbing area and save the map area for offline use before you lose phone signal in the mountains.
Please be aware that due to severe unfixed road damage from recent natural disasters, you cannot ask any random taxi to take you from Danao City to the cliff in Togonon. They will get stuck or turned around, and you may have to walk more than 4 kilometers uphill. Only vehicle drivers who have gotten here before know how to take an alternative route and avoid the damaged sections.
Motorbike taxis (habal habals) can pass stretches of damaged road where full-size vehicles cannot. They can be found all throughout Danao City.
Contact us for exact arrival instructions before your day of arrival, as there is a small hike through the neighborhood to get here and we have more specific instructions to provide. Please note that arrivals after 10pm are not permitted in respect of the neighborhood.
Cost: 200-300 pesos (4-6 USD), depending on the driver/weather/time of day and the size of backpack you have.
Helpful map locations
Contact us for exact directions before your arrival, as there is a small path through the neighborhood to get here and we have more specific instructions to provide. Please note that arrivals after 10pm are not permitted in respect of the neighborhood.
The correct drop off location is the spot where the paved road ends and the dirt road begins. Contact us for exact instructions for the walk through the neighborhood.