'''Dumaguete''' is the capital city and main port of Negros Oriental, the province that occupies the south-eastern half of Negros Island, in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. Popularly known as the "City of Gentle People".

Get in

Fly from Manila Cebu Pacific ( www.cebupacificair.com ) and Philippine Airlines (http://www.philippineairlines.com/pal_online/pal_online.jsp) both have daily flights. Fast ferries arrive daily from Cebu City, via the main port terminal. It is approximately a 4 hour ride with a stop over in Tagbilaran city, Bohol.

You can also take a bus from Cebu City to Lilo-an or Bato, then take a 20-30minute ferry ride to Sibulan, 20 minutes away from Dumaguete(about 4.5 total travel time). Several daily air-con and non-air-con buses.

Get around

Notes: When travelling around Dumaguete, people don't usually indicate street names to drivers of the tricycles.They just tell them the name of the establishment or some popular landmark nearby.

''' From the airport to the city center:

1. If you're arriving at the airport and have a hotel reservation, many can arrange car transportation or a taxi.

2. However, pedicabs (motorcycles with welded-on sidecars) are plentiful and allow economical door-to-door transportation.It costs P100-P120 to the city center [December 2008].

Motorcycles are also very popular among the locals - make friends and do a little back riding from place to place. Make sure you drive along the Boulevard (pronounced "Booleebard.")

'''Motor bikes Rental''' can be arranged at several shops in the area along Perdices St., at corners Pinili and Sta. Rosa Streets.

Warning: A 300 peso taxi ride to the city center (known as "downtown") is too much.You can choose not to take the taxi.

Note: There is no currency exchange at the Dumaguete Airport.Make sure you have enough of the local currency.

See

Dumaguete is a university town. The population is somewhat more than 100,000 people, and there are some 30,000 students at Silliman University. Silliman is a Protestant University in a predominantly Catholic country, and it is noted as one of the best Universities in Philippines.

Visit the Boulevard, Silliman University Campus, Maranatha Full Gospel Church (Sunday morning), the Dumaguete Catholic Cathedral.

Do

'''Within the City'''

  • '''Silliman University Anthropology Museum:'''
  • '''Bell Tower:'''
  • '''Silliman University Whale Bone Museum:'''
  • '''Get out of the City'''

  • '''Casaroro Falls''' - This magnificent falls is in the municipality of Valencia, just west of Dumaguete City. Getting there is very easy.
  • 1. If you are in Dumaguete City take a tricycle and tell the driver to take you to the jeepney terminal that will go to Valencia (13pesos, 25 minutes).

    2. Once in Valencia, there are lots of single motorcycles that will take you to Casaroro falls (takes 20minutes from Valencia town). Please be informed that these drivers will approach you and will try to persuade their service. Generally they are nice and polite people though. It will cost you 200 pesos roundtrip. The driver can wait for you and he will take you back to Valencia. Try to haggle for the 200 pesos. (Take note: Make sure your shoes have a good grasp against slippery rocks and boulders).

  • '''Forest Camp'''
  • '''Japanese Shrine:'''
  • '''Apo Island:'''
  • '''Bais City Dolphin and Whale Watching:'''
  • '''Lake Balinsasayaw:'''
  • '''Lake Balanan:'''
  • '''Mabinay Caves:'''
  • Buy

  • Lee Plaza. erdices Street. ust tell the driver that you're going to Lee Plaza. main department store in the city.
  • AAC Tech. HD Building, Ma. Cristina Street. 035)226-2830/1460 . ttp://www.aactech.net. Computers.Apple Products-from laptops to ipods.Other gadgets.
  • Panda Ice Cream House. a. Cristina Street, Dumaguete City. 035)225-9644. ttp://www.pandaicecream.net. Locally-produced fresh fruits ice cream.Try the fried ice cream!

    Eat

  • Try the tempura at the boulevard.
  • '''Cafe Antonio''' at the Spanish Heritage Building, Boulevard Area.[http://cafeantonio.blogspot.com]
  • '''Sans Rival''' - Try the famous sans rival cake and other amazing cakes baked by one of the oldest cake shops in the city.Basic pasta and salad dishes are also available.
  • For low key good value meals '''Food Net''' one street back from Rizal Blvd serves dishes from P30 upwards.
  • The '''Why Not?''' Disco / Restaurant also on Rizal Blvd has a good deli. The restaurant is excellent and has a wide variety of dishes.
  • '''Tasters''' - For burgers and other snack meals. This is a favorite among the locals.Most expensive item on the menu costs P50 (January 2009)
  • Honeycomb Tourist Inn . izal Boulevard. 3 35 2251181. ttp://www.honeycombtouristinn.com. Try the mouthwatering Crispy Pata,Sizzling Pochero, Special Kinilaw and super yummy Leche Flan
  • Le Chalet. oulevard. Salads, Pasta, other types of European and American food.Decent prices.
  • Jo's Chicken Inato. ust tell the driver that you want to eat at Jo's.. Some of the best chicken in the city.Favorite among locals and tourists.

    Drink

  • '''Coco Amigos'''
  • '''Gmik Bar''', in Daro, Dumaguete City. 10minute pedicab ride from city center
  • '''Hayahay Bar''', at Escao Beach. 5-minute pedicab rider from city center
  • '''Why Not''', at the Boulevard.
  • Honeycomb Tourist Inn. izal Boulevard. 3 35 2251181. ttp://www.honeycombtouristinn.com. Drink, dance and sing your stress away!
  • Happy Fred's. oulevard. ttp://www.happyfreds.com. Free wifi.Good place to meet fellow travellers.

    Sleep

  • Check Inn. ocsin Street. 035)422 9000. 50. 50 air con spacious and clean rooms in this recently decorated hotel. Cable TV, free internet in rooms, Laundry, Restaurant Rooms P850-P1,500 </sleep>
  • Plaza Maria Luisa Suits Inn. ishop Epifanio Surban Street. 035)2253267. 2:00. 00. 22 Aircon rooms - Single P800, Double P950-1500. Clean and modern interior, located in good location on park square near Rizal Blvd, includes local breakfast, internet, money changer

  • Bethel House. 035)225-2000. ttp://bethelguesthouse.com/. 2N. 2N. on Rizal boulevard (main drag) is a great place to stay. A clean room with double bed and decent bathroom costs only around $17-20 US [Php850-Php4000]. It is great. Its not far from the port terminal.

    Note: This is a non-smoking, no-liquor hotel.Pets not allowed.</sleep>

  • '''Harolds Mansion''' [http://www.haroldsmansion.com/] is a popular "Backpackers" Hotel/Inn. Rooms from P 450 and up. They also have dorm rooms for P 275. Rooms are spacious and clean with a/c or fans. Free coffee all day, the rate includes a small breakfast in the upstairs cafe. Free internet/Wifi as well. This is where many of the foreign tourists stay, especially divers. IF you are traveling out to Apo island you can leave your large bags there safely. Harold himself is extremely friendly and sometimes takes visitors out to dinner, he personally drove me to three ATM's until we found one that worked with my card. Harold is happy to have PC volunteers visit. There is also an attached massage place that is clean and cheap. Ph: (035)228000
  • '''Vintage Inn''' is a decent budget option in the center of town, right by the main market. Rates from P 350 and up. Ph: (035)2251076
  • Honeycomb Tourist Inn. izal Boulevard corner Dr. V. Locsin St.. 3 35 2251181. ttp://www.honeycombtouristinn.com. Experience Honeycomb at the scenic Rizal Boulevard. 16 clean,cozy airconditioned rooms, with hot & cold shower,cable TV, PABX telephone,wireless internet connection in the Coffee Shop, ample parking area and 24/7 standby power generator.With Restobar and Coffee Shop offering good food, great music and nightly fun! Rooom rates start at PhP 800.00 to P1,500.00 with complimentary Filipino breakfast.
  • Hotel Palwa. r. V. Locsin Street, Dumaguete City. 035)226-2775. ttp://www.hotelpalwa.com. Good, clean rooms.In the vicinity, you can also find: a travel agency, restaurant and cafe, spa, and an international ATM
  • RM Guesthouse. F RM Building, North National Highway corner East Rovira Road, Bantayan. 354224000/09174742724. email: rm_guesthouse@yahoo.com.ph Single Room: P550/Twin Room: P650/Matrimonal: P750/Family Room: P850/Family Room with Ref: P950/ Dormitory (Aircon): P400/Dormitory {fan}: P175/head. Wifi available.</sleep>

    Get out

    '''To Bacolod/Iloilo:'''

    '''To Siquijor:'''

    '''To Bohol:'''

    '''To Dapitan:'''

    '''To Cebu:'''

    '''A. Ocean Jet via Tagbilaran:''' http://www.oceanjet.net

    1. Trip 1: 7:30 AM-11:10AM: Php900 [tourist class] and Php 1200 [business class]

    2. Trip 2: 2:20PM-7:20PM: same rates

    '''B. Ferry and Bus'''

    1. Go to Tampi via jeep. [approx. 20km from Dgte, 30minutes] 2. Take the ferry to Bato, Cebu. [approx. 30 minutes] 3. From Bato, local buses are available to Cebu City. [approx. 4 hours]

    or 1. Go to Sibulan Market via jeep. [approx 20 minutes from Dumaguete] 2. Take the ferry to Lilo-an, Cebu [approx 30 minutes, Php 37] 3. From Lilo-an, Ceres buses are available to Cebu CIty [approx 3 and 1.2 hours]