Dumaguete City Travel Guide | Tourist Spots, Hotels, Resorts
DUMAGUETE CITY TRAVEL GUIDE | TOURIST SPOTS, HOTELS, RESORTS, ITINERARY, TOUR PACKAGES
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Tejero Highland Resort [ Dumaguete City Travel Guide, Tourist Spots, Hotels, Resorts ]
ABOUT DUMAGUETE CITY
Dumaguete City is the capital of Negros Oriental. Dumaguete is often referred to as “The City of Gentle People”. This university town’s history is a fascinating mix of intercontinental influences and indigenous traditions. The locals are involved with creative and academic amusements and this is reflected in their daily lives.
Because of the four universities and a number of other colleges established in Dumaguete City, the place is commonly referred to as the University town. The urban center is best known for Silliman University, the country’s first Protestant university and the first American university in Asia.
DUMAGUETE CITY TOURISM
The city attracts a considerable number of tourists, especially Europeans, because of the low cost of living, laid-back lifestyle and beautiful sceneries. The easy ferry access from Cebu City and Siquijor island; the availability of beach resorts and dive sites, and the attraction of dolphins and whale watching in nearby Bais City are just a few reasons why many tourists loved the place.
Balanan Lake [ Dumaguete City Travel Guide, Tourist Spots, Hotels, Resorts ]
DUMAGUETE CITY ITINERARY
Below are 2 of itineraries which I already did when I visited Dumaguete City.
Twin Lake Balinsasayaw [ Dumaguete City Travel Guide, Tourist Spots, Hotels, Resorts ]
DUMAGUETE CITY TOUR PACKAGES
Dolphin Watching + Manjuyod Sandbar Tour Package
If you wish to visit Manjuyod Sandbar + Dolphin Watching you can click and book a hassle-free tour on the link below. The package includes hotel pick-up and drop-off and lunch.
BOOK DOLPHIN WATCHING & MANJUYOD SAND BAR TOUR HERE
Oslob Whale Shark + Tumalog Falls Tour Package
Oslob is a great place to segway while visiting Dumaguete City. Just click on the link below to book the tour.
BOOK OSLOB WHALE SHARK AND TUMALOG FALLS TOUR HERE
Siquijor Tour Package
Siquijor is just a few minutes away from Dumaguete City. This tour package includes: Hotel pick up in Dumaguete City, tour to various destinations as follows: St. Francis Bell Tower, St. Vincent Bell Tower, Cang-Isok Old House, Salagdoong Beach, Cambugahay Falls, Balete Tree.
Twin Lakes Balinsasayaw is another amazing tour which you might consider when visiting Dumaguete City. This tour package includes hotel pick up.
BOOK TWIN LAKES NATURAL PARK TOUR HERE
Pulang Bato Falls [ Dumaguete City Travel Guide, Tourist Spots, Hotels, Resorts ]
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air
The fastest way to get to Dumaguete City from Manila is by airplane. In that respect are daily flights direct to and from Metro Manila to Dumaguete, one in the morning in Cebu Pacific and one in the afternoon for Philippines Airlines. Travel time is only an hour and 10 minutes.
By Sea
Traveling by sea is a lot cheaper, there are ships that can be boarded from Metro Manila to Dumaguete with a travel time of 36 hours. From Cebu City, one can take a fast ferry craft that reaches Dumaguete in 4 hours.
By Land
A bus going to and from Bacolod City is also available every hour.
From Cebu City, there is a bus line that leaves every hour from its Cebu terminal to the town of Bato where it boards a barge that will cross Tañon Strait and takes you all the way to Dumaguete City in less than an hr. Full travel time is approximately 5-6 hours.
Rizal Boulevard a popular place to stroll and to enjoy the night scene of the city [ Dumaguete City Travel Guide, Tourist Spots, Hotels, Resorts ]
GETTING AROUND
Getting around Dumaguete City is quite easy. The primary mode of public transport is the tricycle which can accommodate up to 6 passengers at a time. For transport to destinations outside the city limit, there are jeepneys and buses traveling set routes.
Manjuyod Sandbar is a favorite destination when in the city [ Dumaguete City Travel Guide, Tourist Spots, Hotels, Resorts ]
WHAT TO DO IN DUMAGUETE CITY | TOURIST SPOTS
For people traveling to Dumaguete, the place offers a variety of places and experiences. If you are a budget traveler, you can easily enjoy seeing many spots around the place for free.
Bell Tower
The Bell Tower is one of the oldest landmarks of Dumaguete. This tower is a silent witness to pirates from Mindanao who came in the late 18th century. The tower was constructed between 1774 and 1776, the bell fry served as a watchtower with someone ringing the bell, to warn the people in the village of marauding pirates.
Dumaguete Boulevard
One of the most popular sites in Dumaguete City is the Boulevard or the Rizal Boulevard, which was made after the Philippine’s National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. It is said that Dr. Jose Rizal while on his way to his exile in Dapitan, passed by Dumaguete City and strolled along the beautiful shores of the island.
Street Food at the Boulevard
There’s a place at the Rizal Boulevard, which is converted into a street food lane where people from all walks of life come and enjoy to eat tempura, fish ball or balut at night.
Silliman University
One of the famous landmarks of Dumaguete City is Silliman University. The foremost and oldest American university in the country. This university was established in 1901 by Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard and Laura Crooks Hibbard through a generous donation of $10,000.00 from an American philanthropist, Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman.
Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium. This 900 seater theatre-auditorium is the bastion for Culture and the Arts in the Visayas and Mindanao areas. Named as the “CCP of the South, Luce Auditorium’s architectural design is acknowledged all over the Philippines and also around the world.
Sidlakang Negros Village
For my review of the place, please see Sidlakang Negros Village
Apo Island Marine Sanctuary
Believed to be one of the best dive spots in the world. Apo Island Marine Sanctuary is a favorite spot for diving enthusiasts because of its more than two-thirds of the world’s known coral species. Because of the greatness of its maritime resources, Apo Island has been protected as a fish sanctuary since 1982.
Click here for Apo Island Travel Guide
Bais Dolphin Watching & Manjuyod Sandbar
Bais City is forty-five km from Dumaguete City. An approximated 45-minute drive going north will bring you to Capiñahan Wharf, the jump-off point for the motorboat ride to Tañon Strait. Tañon straits the abode of a number of dolphin species, including the famous spinner dolphins and occasionally some whale species (melon-headed whales).
Please click here for the Manjuyod Sandbar Travel Guide
Lake Balinsasayao
Please click here for my review of Lake Balinsasayao
Lake Balanan
A freshwater lake in the forested mountains situated in Siaton, Negros Oriental. The Lake Balanan has a shape resembling a figure of eight, the narrowest point between the two main portions of the lake being only 90 meters (300 ft) wide.
Read more Lake Balanan Travel Guide
Stay Overnight in Valencia
Valencia is a great option to stay overnight when in Dumaguete City. They have beautiful highland resorts as well as beautiful attractions.
Day Trip To Siquijor Island
From Dumaguete City, you can just take a fast craft to reach Siquijor island and enjoy the Island for just a day or two. Please click below for my Dumaguete-Siquijor Trips:
- Siquijor DIY Travel Itinerary and Budget
- Siquijor Island Travel Guide
- Cambugahay Falls
- Century-Old, San Isidro Labrador Church
- Calipay Spring Park
Side Trip To Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
When visiting Dumaguete City, you might want as well to visit the other side of the island – The Negros Occidental. Please click below for my travel guides in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental:
- Negros Occidental Travel Guide
- Bacolod City Travel Guide
- 3Day Travel Guide in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental
Sandurot Festival [ Dumaguete City Travel Guide, Tourist Spots, Hotels, Resorts ]
FESTIVALS IN DUMAGUETE CITY
Dumaguete City celebrates to major colorful festivals:
Sandurot Festival
The Sandurot Festival is held every 2nd week of November. The term sandurot was derived from the Visayan “pakig-sandurot” for the offering and enjoyment of hospitality.
Click here for the Sandurot Festival
Buglasan Festival
This festival is held every month of December. The festival highlights include a showdown and street dancing competition.
The famous budbud [ Dumaguete City Travel Guide, Tourist Spots, Hotels, Resorts ]
WHAT TO EAT IN DUMAGUETE CITY
There are many places in the city to dine and enjoy great international and local dishes. But I would want to suggest the following food items which are closely associated with Dumaguete City.
Street at the Boulevard
Very ideal for budget travelers and backpackers. While this food did not originate in Dumaguete City, this street food along with balot, fish balls are very popular in the place. Tempura is a fish cake (like kikiam) deep-fried and dipped in a spicy sauce in different levels of spiciness to go with this food.
Budbud at “Painitan”, Dumaguete City
Painitan is a popular breakfast set found in the Dumaguete City market. The place offers budbod suman, which is made with millet instead of the usual rice. Puto suman, hot chocolate, native coffee and a ripe mango that goes well with the puto suman.
Please click here for my review of Painitan sa Dumaguete.
Silvanas from Sans Rival Bakery
A famous dessert that is crunchy, creamy layers of buttercream, meringue, and cashew. Look for Sans Rival Bakery’s signature blue box. The place is just along Rizal Boulevard.
Forest Camp in Valencia, Negros Oriental just a few minutes away from the city center [ Dumaguete City Travel Guide, Tourist Spots, Hotels, Resorts ]
HOTELS IN DUMAGUETE CITY
Dumaguete City has a wide array of Hotels and Inns ready to serve its guests. Listed below are some hotels which can fit your budget when visiting the city:
The Flying Fish Hostel
32 Hibbard Avenue, Philippines, 6200
BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE TO GET THE BEST DEAL
House of Zeeh
Dumaguete Palinpinun Road Purok Saging Candauay, Philippines, 620
Golden Gate Suites
Dumaguete – Dr. V Locsin St.,
BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE TO GET THE BEST DEAL
Hotel Palwa
Dr. V. Locsin St., Dumaguete City, Philippines
Islands Leisure Boutique Hotel & Spa
Hibbard Avenue, Bantayan, Across ABC Learning Center
BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE TO GET THE BEST DEAL
Hotel Nicanor
San Jose Street, Dumaguete City, Philippines
Manhattan Suites Inn
South Road Calindagan, Philippines, 6200
BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE TO GET THE BEST DEAL
The U Pension
Silliman Avenue, Philippines, 6200
Check Inn Pension
Perdices-Dr. V. Locsin Sts
BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE TO GET THE BEST DEAL
OK Pensionne House
Santa Rosa Street, Dumaguete City, Philippines
C & L Suites Inn
485 Perdices St. Calindagan, Philippines, 6200
BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE TO GET THE BEST DEAL
Coastal Inn
Flores Avenue, Barangay Looc
LIST DUMAGUETE RESORTS
Would you like to stay in Dumaguete Resort during your visit? Just click on the links below to book a room:
Bravo Resorts – Munting Paraiso
Sweetwater Resort Studio-Type Rooms
Infinity Diving Resorts and Residences
Dumaguete Springs Beach Resort
I just want to say you on this great post Well Done!
hi Jojo thanks for your travel blog about dumaguete. Very very helpful. Are taxi’s easy to find in Sibulan, Bais and Zamboanguita? Since we’re 4 pax, I’m planning to take taxi from Sibulan to Bais (for Manjuyod) and Zamboanguita (for Apo). How much do you think it will be one way? Thanks Jojo!!!
no (meter) taxies in dumanguette region..
only in Bacalod but even there they put on no meters.
so you need to look for private cars (at airports they wait for you)
short distances are quick 300p in a car whole day is quick manny thousands.
you much better take aircon busses they cost about 100p for 50km travel
expect to travel 25km per hour in the philippines
traffic is bad and prices are high for tourists.
hotels are expensive and have dirty pools (compared to thailand and vietman)
dont expect annything is good and thank god if something works in the philippines.
use you commen sence and read safety advices…dont trust locals concerning safetey.
like that you can survive in this third world country
i have just 15 year experience…
Great post, great place, one of the best in negros oriental, if you want to visit Dumaguete again and other parts of negros oriental, try visiting dumagueteneo for the ultimate island guide. You can book tours there and find the best resto in town.
Good and beautiful
Of all attractions in Dumaguete, the twin lakes caught my heart the most. The place is tranquil and I love the idea of going around the lakes on a kayak. Such a fascinating place. By the way, good post you got here. Next up for Dumaguete for me is the Buglasan festival. I sure will check it out.
Wow, thank you for dropping. I will check your blog too 🙂
I am from Dumaguete and thank you for your blog but the Buglasan Festival is held every 2nd or 3rd week of October. I hope you’ll visit Negros Oriental again!
Thank you very much Allester Teves, I will. Actually, I wanted to feature about Dumaguete and Negros Oriental. I hope I can work with your Tourism Group 🙂
Ahh! I’m currently in Dumaguete City, and presently at Sans Rival Bistro trying out their famous Sans Rival. It’s true, the people here are friendly and gentle. I am so loving this place! ❤
Thank you Katherine Altar.
Ahhh! So saving this for when we go home next year.
Alix | apintsizedlifeblog.com
Photos are just so stunningly captured. Missing my hometown! See you the next year Dumaguete!
Dumaguete is such a nice city. It’s been so long since i went there. #advertising
It seems that this place is a combination of old and new. I like the vibe of the place. Hopefully soon I will be able to go visit.
One thing on my list of things to do is go dolphin and whale watching. That’s one of the activities I’d choose to do – check out Bais City. I’d love to also check out the public market to try fruits I’ve never had before.
What a treasure trove….I love the farmer’s market
Wow these pictures are stunning. It looks like you had an amazing time and the food looks great. I would like that you can choose the different levels of heat. I don’t know how I would handle it if it was really spicy.
Looks like such a beautiful place. I have yet to leave the country but will someday!
Wow, what a beautiful locale! I hadn’t heard of it until now, but I won’t forget it.
What a beautiful location! I would love to visit during a festival.
Ohhh I love travel pieces!! This looked amazing!
Laid back, low cost living, with scenery like that?? Yeah, that’s a great description, and I wouldn’t mind traveling there to see it myself!
Dumaguete looks and sounds beautiful. I would love to visit the Dolphin watching center.
So many amazing places to visit in the Philippines, I had no idea!
There’s just so much to see and go to! I love the boulevard, I can see myself spending an afternoon there and just enjoying the view. It’s all so lovely and the food looks delightful!
You always teach me about the most interesting places. Thank you.
So beautiful! Love the photos!
Id love going there =), the place looks colorful and different! i bet is a paradise!
It is the ultimate travel guide indeed! Would love to visit the place!
What a lovely vacation destination. The views look amazing and of course the sweets at the bakery look divine.
Dumaguete is beautiful and I would love to go to Paintain, the food looks so tasty.
That is such a cool place. I would love to see one of the festivals.
That sounds like a lovely place to travel to! I would love to visit someday.