7 BEST Dumaguete Tourist Spots – The Ultimate Guide

I have put together this easy travel guide highlighting the 7 Best Dumaguete tourist spots for anyone planning a visit to the famed ‘City of Gentle People’ on Negros Island in the Philippines.

Also in this Dumaguete guide, I have included useful information on how to get to Dumaguete, where to stay, how to get around, and the best time to visit!

WHERE IS DUMAGUETE & HOW TO GET THERE

Dumaguete City is located in the southern region of the Philippines on Negros Island.

Click here to see the location on Google maps.

BY PLANE:

From Manila to Dumaguete, it’s approximately a 1.5-hour flight that will cost you around $50 – $150 one way.

The majority of travelers tend to visit Cebu Island first before making their way over to Dumaguete.

From Cebu to Dumaguete you can take a 50-minute direct flight that will cost you around $50 – $100 one way.

Search All → Flights to Dumaguete

BY FERRY:

Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Cebu City to Dumaguete which takes approximately 5 hours.

I always use 12Go Asia to book all of my transport in the Philippines.

TOP 7 DUMAGUETE TOURIST SPOTS

RIZAL BOULEVARD

Rizal Boulevard is one of the best Dumaguete tourist spots and it’s sure to be added to your itinerary when visiting Negros Oriental.

Rizal Boulevard is a buzzing waterfront strip that is lined with bars, restaurants, and street vendors during all hours of the day.

There are also several festivals throughout the year where Rizal Boulevard plays host to parades, live music, and outdoor barbeques for everyone to enjoy.

Rizal Boulevard faces east over the Philippines Sea, and it is the best spot in Dumaguete to catch the sunrise from one of the bench seats, all the while watching local boats zipping in and out of the Dumaguete Port.

At dusk, Rizal Boulevard comes to life with the brightly lit street lamps shimmering on the waterfront and the cool sea breeze that fills the air, a tranquil end to a busy day exploring Dumaguete City.

Last but not least, don’t miss getting a photo taken in front of the ‘Dumaguete Sign’ on Rizal Boulevard.

Search All → Hostels, Hotels & Resorts in Dumaguete

CAMPANARIO DE DUMAGUETE

Campanario De Dumaguete is an iconic landmark right in the center of town.

Built in 1811, this belfry tower was put in place to warn the local residents of Dumaguete of the impending danger of Moyo pirate attacks.

Campanario De Dumaguete is a two-tiered watchtower located right next to the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria.

On one side of the watchtower, there is a grotto where locals and devotees offer prayers to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

At the entrance to the grotto are a few small street vendors selling candles and other religious souvenirs.

ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA CATHEDRAL

St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral is the oldest and most historic church in Dumaguete City making it to the list of must-see Dumaguete tourist spots.

It was built hundreds of years ago in 1776 and every Sunday, the Dumaguete Cathedral hosts masses for local Filipinos and other religious tourists.

Upon entrance to the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, you can see four large stone pillars holding up the entrance gate which is also surrounded by lush green palm trees and frangipani gardens.

The best time to visit the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral is on a Sunday from 10 am onwards to experience all the action.

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY

Silliman University is the first American University in the Philippines and the entire Asian continent. Silliman University was founded in 1901 and it is mainly used for private research.

The most aesthetically pleasing point of interest at Silliman University is the symmetrical tree line that surrounds a field of well-kept turf in front of the main campus entrance.

The Silliman University is also home to the anthropology museum showcasing artifacts of ancient Filipino culture. The museum is open Monday to Friday and there is a small entrance fee for outside visitors.

EAT A SILVANA FROM SANS RIVAL CAKES & PASTRIES

If you haven’t tasted a Silvana from Sans Rival then you are missing out.

A global craze for this buttery sweet treat has people traveling to the flagship store in Dumaguete just to get their hands on some.

Sans Rival is widely known for its creamy, mouth-drooling Silvana.

Silvana’s consist of egg whites, cream of tartar, ground cashews, butter, milk, and cake crumbs.

Silvana’s are available in original butter or chocolate for 26 Pesos per piece or you can buy a dozen for 312 Pesos.

APO ISLAND SNORKELLING TOUR

Apo Island is a volcanic island located 30km off the coast of Dumaguete.

Apo Island is the longest-lasting community-led marine protected area in the Philippines since 1986.

I highly recommend adding Apo Island to your Dumaguete itinerary to experience an entire day of snorkeling with sea turtles, reef fish, sea snakes, and hundreds of colorful corals. There are a few small mountain peaks on Apo Island that you can hike also.

There are two options for getting over to Apo Island for a snorkeling trip:

Option 1: Ultimate Package

Atlantis Dive Resort in Dauin, just 20 minutes south of Dumaguete City, offers the ultimate package for scuba diving and snorkeling tours every day of the week to Apo Island.

The tour kicks off after a complimentary breakfast at the Atlantis Resort before jumping on the boat at 8 am for the 45-minute journey over to Apo Island.

There are 3 stops throughout the day to different dive and snorkel sites around Apo Island.

A barbeque lunch is also included on the boat and the tour ends back at Atlantis Resort around 4:00 pm.

• Cost for snorkeling: 4095 Pesos / includes a tour guide, boat transfers, mask, snorkel and fins hire, barbeque lunch, and marine park fees.
• Cost for diving if certified: 2300 Pesos per dive / includes dive instructor, dive equipment, barbeque lunch, and marine park fees.

To book accommodation and a snorkeling trip to Apo Island with Atlantis Resort, Click Here.

Option 2: Budget Package

If you are staying in Dumaguete, the cheapest option to get to Apo Island is to take a 1-hour jeepney ride from Dumaguete to Malatapay and from here you can take a motorized outrigger boat over to Apo Island which is a 30-minute journey.

Boats to and from Apo Island run frequently throughout the day.

Boats to and from the island run frequently throughout the day.

• Cost for jeepney from Dumaguete to Malatapay: 20 Pesos one way p/person
• Cost for bus from Dumaguete terminal to Malatapy: 110 Pesos return ticket p/person
• Cost for the boat from Malatapay to the island (round trip): 3500 Pesos per 3 pax
• Cost for marine park entrance and snorkeling fees: 150 Pesos p/person
• Cost for snorkeling equipment and guide: 300 Pesos p/person

Full Blog Post → Apo Island Dumaguete

BALINSASAYAO TWIN LAKES 

One of the best Dumaguete tourist spots is Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.

The twin crater lakes known as Balinsasayo and Danao are the prominent features of the national park located on the western side of Mount Guintabon.

The twin lakes national park is located 14.5 km west of Dumaguete in a small village known as Sibulan.

It’s open Monday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and the entry fee is 50 Pesos for local Filipinos and 100 Pesos for tourists.

The best way to get to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes is to rent a motorbike in Dumaguete for 500 – 800 Pesos per day, or you can rent a car for 1500 – 2000 Pesos per day. The journey time takes around 1 hour.

The twin lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao formed from a volcanic eruption some 10,000 years ago, and the 90-meter deep craters over time have filled up with water from rain and stream deposits, resulting in the two lakes, separated by a narrow mountain ridge.

Hundreds of species of forest trees, fruit-bearing, and flower plants dominate the vegetation around the lakes. On top of this, Twin Lakes is a famed spot for bird-watching enthusiasts, playing home to many different species of bird, the most popular being the Flaming Sunbird.

Across the lake, you can also visit the Olayan Waterfall and rock pools which were the highlight of my adventure to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes National Park.

Full Blog Post → Balinsasayao Twin Lakes

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Dumaguete is located on the southeast tip of Negros Island, which is the 4th largest island in the Philippines. The population of Dumaguete is 130,000.

It’s commonly known as the ‘City of Gentle People’ and you will quickly realize why when you interact and experience the kind-hearted souls of the people of Dumaguete.

MUST READ: BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORIES FOR ANY TRIP

The best time to visit Dumaguete is in the hot and dry months between February and June.

Although, I visited Dumaguete in the low season in October and was welcomed with fantastic weather throughout my stay.

The English language is spoken throughout Dumaguete, so you shouldn’t have any trouble conversing with the locals if you are in need of some directions or something of the like.

Dumaguete Airport is located 20 minutes away from the city center.

Taxis and jeepneys are readily available for transportation to and from Dumaguete City and the airport.

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PHILIPPINES

When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about Dumaguete Tourist Spots, please drop me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

THANKS FOR READING

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