Mario's Scuba Diving and Homestay
Mario's Scuba Diving and Homestay
Lagoon Ave, Dauin, Negros Oriental 6200 Philippines
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About
4.5
#1 of 3 hostels in Apo IslandLocation
4.4
Rooms
4.1
Value
4.5
Cleanliness
4.3
Service
4.4
Sleep Quality
3.7
A homestay and a PADI scuba diving shop in Apo Island, Philippines.
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Property amenities
Restaurant
Diving
Hiking
Snorkeling
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Laundry service
Room types
Ocean view
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Family
Languages Spoken
Filipino
Location
Lagoon Ave, Dauin, Negros Oriental 6200 Philippines
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 40 out of 100
40
2 Attractions
within 5 miles
179Reviews6Q+A12Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
I stayed here for 5 days at the end of January and have to say I really enjoyed it. I was a solo traveler and Mario's place was ideal for me. Very nice warm atmosphere with the staff taking care of you as if you are family. The rooms are basic, but clean. Ear plugs are useful on the Island if you get easily woken by roosters as they can wake up pretty early. But with the 10 Pm island lights out most people are tucked up asleep pretty early. The stay on the whole was relaxed, warm, and dinnertime had a "family feel" with all of the guests eating at a similar time, and the dive staff often joining us for conversation and telling us stories of the Island. Mario is a great storyteller, and try and get a chance to spend some time with him. The diving was really good. There are only really about 5-6 dive sites on the island, an as i did over 10 dives I did a few repeats but this was never a problem. The dive gear was in good condition, and the divemasters/instructors were knowledgeable, safe, and slow.
I don't often return to places after visiting, but this is a place I can't wait to get back to.
I don't often return to places after visiting, but this is a place I can't wait to get back to.
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Date of stay: January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We felt very welcome at Mario's home stay and enjoyed our 4 days/5 nights thoroughly.
Accommodation and food were satisfying, and the staff was very helpful in making our stay as enjoyable as possible (e.g. fearless support in kicking out a massive spider from the bathroom). We also quite enjoyed the others guests' company after days of snorkeling and diving. Be aware that you will have to do without a lot of comforts in APO, e.g. limited availability of electricity, no wifi, no ATM, no AC, no pool, so if you need these, rather stay in a resort on Negros and come here for a day trip.
Diving was great as well. I did a refresh after a 4 year dive break, and went on another 8 fun dives with Mario's; 2 of which at night. Dive masters Mac, Jed, and Romel were really professional, always checking if everyone was ok and making sure everyone had enough air, especially on deep dives, where you can run out more easily. Some of my dives, I did alone with a DM, which was perfect, and other times we were 3 guests with one DM, so fairly small groups. They also made sure no one got too close to the countless sea turtles or damaged the coral, and pointed out different species during dives.
All in all, great experience, amazing first drift dives, and I would like to come back one day. This is a great place for people who appreciate simplicity and genuine friendliness.
Accommodation and food were satisfying, and the staff was very helpful in making our stay as enjoyable as possible (e.g. fearless support in kicking out a massive spider from the bathroom). We also quite enjoyed the others guests' company after days of snorkeling and diving. Be aware that you will have to do without a lot of comforts in APO, e.g. limited availability of electricity, no wifi, no ATM, no AC, no pool, so if you need these, rather stay in a resort on Negros and come here for a day trip.
Diving was great as well. I did a refresh after a 4 year dive break, and went on another 8 fun dives with Mario's; 2 of which at night. Dive masters Mac, Jed, and Romel were really professional, always checking if everyone was ok and making sure everyone had enough air, especially on deep dives, where you can run out more easily. Some of my dives, I did alone with a DM, which was perfect, and other times we were 3 guests with one DM, so fairly small groups. They also made sure no one got too close to the countless sea turtles or damaged the coral, and pointed out different species during dives.
All in all, great experience, amazing first drift dives, and I would like to come back one day. This is a great place for people who appreciate simplicity and genuine friendliness.
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Date of stay: December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Le homestay de Mario est vraiment formidable : une chambre de 25/30m2 à 600PHP avec vue mer, c'est de loin la meilleure chambre que l'on ait eu pendant notre séjour aux Philippines.
Petit déjeuner et diner délicieux et staff adorable.
Gros - pour la plongée, nous avons plongés 2 fois avec un Dive Master incompétent (alors que l'instructeur Jed était top). Au final, grosses frayeurs sur les 2 plongées (plus chères que celles du Liberty) donc je ne recommande pas.
Petit déjeuner et diner délicieux et staff adorable.
Gros - pour la plongée, nous avons plongés 2 fois avec un Dive Master incompétent (alors que l'instructeur Jed était top). Au final, grosses frayeurs sur les 2 plongées (plus chères que celles du Liberty) donc je ne recommande pas.
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Date of stay: August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I booked the big room here four months in advance and again confirmed my arrival a week in advance. When I arrived, after a 5-hour wait at Malatapy and a very choppy boat journey over to Apo, I was assigned to the worst room in the place (Room 2 - don't take it if offered). Apparently, they had made a 'double-boooking'. I suspect that since I was the last person to arrive that day, they had just bumped me out. No apology - nothing.The room was horrible - dirty and noisy, being right next to the communal area. The bathroom was particualy bad. I had one meal there which was OK, then moved out the next day to to the far superior (and cheaper!) Liberty Lodge. Not sure why this place has got such good reviews previously - I would avoid it at all costs. There were some friendly cats here though.
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Date of stay: July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zimmer für 500 Pesos war absolut ok. Einfach und sauber. Mario kümmert sich höchstpersönlich um seine Gäste. Alle Fragen werden beantwortet. Das tauchen ist sehr preiswert und die Spots sagenhaft. Schildkröten wohin das Auge sieht. Das Hausriff ist intakt und die Meeresbewohner tummeln sich ringsum. Einzig das Preisleistungsverhältnis für Abendessen und Frühstück war nicht so ganz nach unserem Geschmack. Man muss dazu jedoch sagen, dass wir vier Monate reisen und auf jeden Euro schauen. Daher waren wir immer gut und günstig im Dorf essen.
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Date of stay: December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nous avons dormi 3 nuits chez Mario. Nous sommes arrivées à 4 au départ en demandant le prix de la chambre on nous a annoncé 700 pesos mais en rentrant dans la chambre une fois installées la jeune fille nous dit 1000 pesos pas de problème nous payons. Ensuite on nous demande si nous faisions de la plongé et nous en faisons pas! De la la jeune fille nous dit c'est mieux si vous allez manger ailleurs, Vu que nous ne plongeons pas nous ne rapportons pas assez d'argent et nous avons remarquée que les plongeurs étaient traite très bien. Vous devez réserver le repas ver 17h 17h30 .Si vous êtez plongeur on vous demande même ver 18h30 de quoi avez vous envie si vous ne l'êtes pas plu possible de réserver à cette heure la appart un peu de riz avec un œuf a 150P. Nous avons demandé le prix des repas Ca tournée autour des 150p a 180p le lendemain on redemande et le prix avaient doublé pour nous. Le dernier jour nous nous sommes promènes et juste en bas ou il ya l'église sur le chemin à gauche il ya un panneau rooms for rent nous sommes allés voir pour 500 p vous avez une belle chambre avec salle de bain qui ne pu pas sans cafards et petit déjeuner inclu. La dame vous accueille de tout son cœur et vous pouvez même manger là, pour 150p poisson, poulet avec légumes riz etc des énormes portions impossibles à finir et elle cuisine en chantant sa change de Mario homestay. Le seul point positif dans l'histoire ce que Mario est super sympa.
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Date of stay: March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mario is a very interesting person, although I came back to work a few months, I still often remember his voice and expression. I stayed 3 days in a small room, it's basic but clean. The food is alway delicious.
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Date of stay: August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mario's is indeed the perfect choice for budget travellers who want to enjoy Apo Island. For only Php600, we stayed overnight in a room good for 4 adults. The room was very basic but well-kept. We had a bathroom and a restroom with a working shower, so two people could take a bath at the same time if needed. There were uncomfortable aspects of staying in Mario's such as the heat at night as electricity supply in the island was only available from 6 to 9 pm. One may just count on the fresh air breezing through the windows. But expect mosquitoes bothering you here and there, good thing Mario's provides nets to give you a mosquito-free sleep. The bathroom drain was also clogging during our stay, so you have to wait a while for the water to go down. As to the service, the staff were nice but they seemed to treat Pinoy guests less warmlier compared to foreigners. Hmm, maybe that's just us or it should be understable as the foreign guests inject more money into the business? Other than these concerns, we were happy to have stayed in Mario's. Their food was also the best we have tasted on the island. The stay was really so worth it. The good news is that Mario's is expanding his place, there was construction going on when we went there. Hope they get to improve in the future!
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Date of stay: August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very nice rooms, excellent food, amazing dive, and excellent staff. We love our stay in Mario's homestay : this is a family place and everybody got the smill. Mario is also wonderfull : he will give you advice about the dive, and know how to share his passion with his customers.
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Date of stay: February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
we stayed at Mario's place for 3 days. He is the perfect host, his place is the best kept secret of the Philippines. The staff is super nice, the food amazing and the diving great! We Will definitely be back!
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Date of stay: November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm not sure. Sorry, just seeing this question now.
"Room 3, ground floor, is the only room that i'm aware of that has running electricity even through the timed outages"Read full review
"Ask the staff if someone will occupy the rooms above yours, because you might not be okay with some guests walking too loud upstairs"Read full review
LOCATION
PhilippinesVisayasNegros IslandNegros OrientalDauinApo Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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