Dumaguete Guide
Unlike in other Southeast Asian countries, hardly any Philippine city stands out internationally for its attractions. However, the capital of Negros Oriental is a pleasant place to spend a night or even several days. The city has several interesting historical sites, as well as good restaurants, bars, and that lively nightlife that the students from one of the archipelago’s most prestigious universities, Silliman, bring to the table. Discover everything you need to make the most of it in this Dumaguete Guide.
Dumaguete is a city full of life. Rated by prestigious international magazines as one of the best places to retire, thousands of students from all over the world are joined by plenty of retirees and expats eager to live the good life. Furthermore, thanks to the geography of Negros island, within a 30-minute range, you have the option to discover natural wonders such as waterfalls, hot springs, reefs, and a sandbar dubbed the “Maldives of the Philippines.” Keep reading our Dumaguete Guide and find out everything.
THINGS TO DO IN DUMAGUETE
In Dumaguete, you will be able to discover a little piece of Philippine history, but also a few other things like these:
- St. Catherine of Alexandria Church and the Dumaguete Belfry: these two adjacent buildings are part of the Spanish legacy in the Visayas region and important centers of religious pilgrimage.
- Rizal Boulevard: this is essentially the Dumaguete boardwalk, which comes alive around 4:00 PM until late at night. It is a great place to see how the locals live and stop to eat at its night market.
- Silliman University: founded in 1901, it is one of the most prestigious universities in the Philippines and attracts students from more than 50 countries. We encourage you to visit Silliman Hall, its most picturesque building, and the Silliman University Anthropology Museum.
- Quezon Park: opposite the church and the belfry is this tiny park where you can sit and watch the hustle and bustle of Dumaguete and meet people.
- Shopping malls: if you need to do some shopping, don’t hesitate, you have malls like Robinsons Place or City Mall.
- Dumaguete Public Market and puto maya: browse the most typical market in Dumaguete and devour their favorite breakfast, puto maya. This sticky rice with coconut milk will give you energy for the whole day.
- A foodie mecca: due to its international vibe, Dumaguete is almost a place to eat to your heart’s content. You have a ton of Asian and Western restaurants.
In this Dumaguete guide, we only give you a small sneak peek. You can find everything detailed in:
DAY TRIPS FROM DUMAGUETE
The stunning nature of Negros is just a stone’s throw from Dumaguete. If you dedicate a few days to it, you will leave delighted:
- Waterfalls: Casaroro Falls and Pulangbato Falls are wonderful examples of waterfalls beyond the usual suspects. Dare to discover them.
- Twin Lakes Natural Park: in this park, two lakes await you, Balinsasayao and Danao, formed in volcanic craters.
- Manjuyod Sandbar: this sandbar of almost 7 kilometers is just 10 minutes by boat from the coast of Negros, specifically from Bais City. On it, there are several wooden houses over the sea, which have given it the nickname of the “Maldives of the Philippines.” Keeping things in perspective, it is a great excursion that we couldn’t leave out of this Dumaguete Guide.
- Hiking: from Dumaguete, you can go up to the Puncak Tanawan viewpoint or, if you have the energy, to the top of Mt. Talinis, also called the Horn of Negros.
- Dauin: one of the diving meccas in the Philippines, this small town is about 25 minutes from Dumaguete and has a perfect little black sand beach for relaxing.
- Apo Island: you can take the excursion and swim alongside the beautiful turtles from here.
HOW TO GET TO DUMAGUETE
Dumaguete is located on the island of Negros, specifically in the province of Negros Oriental, Visayas. Locating it on a map, you will find it south of the island of Cebu and west of Siquijor and Bohol. It has an airport, a port in the city itself and several nearby, as well as a large bus station.
The easiest way to get there from Manila or Cebu is by flying to Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport (DGT), but you also have frequent boats from Siquijor, Bohol, Cebu, and Dapitan (Mindanao). You can read all about accessing the city in our very detailed article:
WHERE TO STAY IN DUMAGUETE
Whether you are just passing through or determined to explore places where almost no one goes, you won’t lack options for sleeping in the city. Dumaguete has grown quite a bit and now you can find most hotels in the northern area, halfway to the airport and relatively close to the port. Even so, don’t fear not being right in the center because the traffic jams of Manila or Cebu do not exist here.
In Dumaguete, you can choose between hotels for all budgets and travelers. If you are traveling alone or with friends and want a backpacker atmosphere, you have several interesting hostels, some with rooftops for a few beers at sunset. In case you need beach tranquility, we recommend that you book a resort south of the city. Dauin is an ideal alternative.
Find our recommendations in:
TIPS FOR VISITING DUMAGUETE
- BEST TIME TO VISIT DUMAGUETE: to avoid getting too hot, we advise the months of January to March. Even so, the dry season continues until May. For a special moment, do it between October and November when the Buglasan Festival and the Sandurot Festival take place.
- HOW MANY DAYS TO DEDICATE TO DUMAGUETE: if you stick to the basics, you can discover it in a couple of hours. If you want to really get the most out of it, you could perfectly stay for 2 or 3 days.
- HOW TO GET AROUND DUMAGUETE: taxis aren’t really a thing unless you come from the airport. Here the way to go is by tricycle, which charges 10 pesos per person within the city if you share the ride. You will also find jeepneys and multicabs to go to nearby cities.
- EXTENDING YOUR VISA: if you are going to be in the Philippines for more than 30 days, you might be interested to know that in Dumaguete there is an immigration office that works quite well. Read Philippine visa extension to know what is necessary.
- HEALTH IN DUMAGUETE: because it is a reasonably large city, you have good health infrastructure. Take advantage if you need to go to a clinic or hospital. Always remember to travel with good travel insurance for the Philippines and don’t spend a penny. Get a 5% discount on your policy.
- INTERNET AND ATMS: just like in the previous section, almost everything works well here in this regard. Take the opportunity if you need to run errands before going to more remote areas.