Dapitan City| Day-tour DIY Itinerary

Dapitan City is very famous to Filipinos because this is where our National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal was exiled during his time. Today, Dapitan City is a favorite destination for many because of its historical and adventure destinations. A lot of tour guiding companies and travel agencies have excellent packages for Dapitan City, and it's famous beach resort, the Dakak Beach Resort. However, if you are like my family, who's traveling with a tight budget, you can tour around Dapitan City without having to spend on entrance fees.

Since we visited Dapitan City unplanned, our budget was quite limited. So we prioritized to visit sites that don't have entry fees that you might also be interested in following;

THE DESTINATIONS:

St. James Parish Church

Address: Ipil-Dipolog Hwy, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

Relief Map of Mindanao 

Facts about this map: [source]

• It had an area of more or less 900 square meters in size and located in front of the Saint James Church. 
• Rizal made this map from August to September 1892 assisted by Francisco Paula de Sanchez, Rizal’s favorite teacher in Ateneo de Manila;
• Based on the scientific map by Fr. Murilio Velarde a famous French Jesuit in 1734;
• The names of places indicated on the map are the original names from Velarde’s map;
• Intended as a motivating device for teaching geography and history to his pupils in Dapitan;
• Part of Rizal’s beautification project to the town plaza; and
• The stone fence around the map was built by the Americans sometimes in the 1920’s. American soldiers and educators were here in Dapitan from 1900 to the late 1920’s.

[Book for an accommodation in DAPITAN CITY. CLICK HERE]

Rizal Landing Site {Punto De Disembargo De Rizal En Dapitan}

Address: SUNSET BOULEVARD, Dapitan City, 7101 Zamboanga del Norte

The monument that marks the spot where Dr. Jose P. Rizal first set foot in Dapitan. It has an area of about 1,500 sq. meters with five bronze ten feet tall larger-than-life human statues and a boat, which depicts the figures of Rizal, Capt. Delgras, three artillery men, wading in from the sea on their way to the Casa Read guided with a "farol de combate."

Rizal Park and Shrine [click for blogpost]

Address: Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

The José Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape, also known as the Rizal Park and Shrine, is a protected landscape and memorial to the Philippines' national hero located in the city of Dapitan on the island of Mindanao. Wikipedia

Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard of Dapitan City or Dapitan Bay is a long stretch of clean beaches located in the northern part of the Poblacion. Along the boulevard, you will find food stalls, restaurants, hotels and pension houses and pasalubong shops or Gift shops. You will also find the famous Gloria's Fantasyland along in this street. It is ideal for early morning walks with family and friends and a good hangout place during the evenings or late afternoons. 

Gloria de Dapitan

Gloria de Dapitan is one Dapitan City's shopping center or business center. Food establishments, mall, and amusement park are found here. It is also a favorite place for family gatherings and recreational area when in Dapitan City. 

Gloria's Fantasyland is located inside Gloria de Dapitan. Gloria's Fantasyland is an amusement park where you and your family can enjoy adventure rides and fantastic shows for a fee. [More about Gloria's Fantasyland here]

Dapitan City Hall

Dapitan City Hall is surprisingly grand and pretty. It's one of the great structures that will greet you the moment you enter Poblacion. The green glass walls and it's well thought of architecture is just picture perfect. 

I believe there are still a lot more to see in Dapitan City. This is the good finds we have in this short visit. Hoping to experience more on our next family trip.

[Book for an accommodation in DAPITAN CITY. CLICK HERE]

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“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.” - John Hope Franklin

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