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Home to Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport, Dumaguete City is a gateway to Negros Oriental's must-visit spots and to the mystic attractions of the neighboring Siquijor island province. More often than not, those who travel to Negros Oriental spend their nights in Dumaguete after jaunting around the provincial capital's nearby attractions.
Here's a five-day travel guide to the City of Gentle People.
TRAVEL GUIDE CONTENTS:
- ☛ How to Get to Dumaguete
- ☛ Where to Stay
- ☛ What to See, What to Do
- ☛ Itinerary: 5 Days/4 Nights in Dumaguete and Siquijor
- ☛ Fees
How to Get to Dumaguete
Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines fly from Manila to Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport several times daily. Flight takes about an hour. From the airport, you may take a tricycle going to your chosen hotel in Dumaguete City. Tricycle fare is at a minimum of PHP 10.Where to Stay
From a plethora of hotels in the city, we stayed at Grand Pensionne Hotel which apparently is newly-built then. Grand Pensionne is a five-minute walk from the city's public market, Rizal Boulevard, and Dumaguete City Port. For updated hotel rates, you may contact them at (035) 225 1577 or book online here. |
For other hotels in Dumaguete, check this list.
What to See, What to Do
- Food trip at Rizal Boulevard
- Light a candle and whisper a prayer at Dumaguete Cathedral and Belfry — the oldest church in Negros Island
- While away the hours at Quezon Park — Dumaguete's town plaza where tourism office is also located
- Have a taste of Dumaguete; kickstart your day with budbod, puto maya, and tablea tsokolate at Dumaguete City's Public Market
- Take a lazy stroll around Silliman University
- Visit Silliman University's Anthropology Museum
- Kayaking, paddle boating, trekking, picnic, swimming and bird watching at Balinsasayao Twin Lakes National Park
- Trek within a jungle to see Casaroro Falls
- Be in awe with the beauty of Pulangbato Falls
- End your day with a warm bath at Red Rock Hot Spring
- Snorkel or scuba dive in Apo Island
- Explore the mystic Siquijor Island
READ ALSO: IN PHOTOS: Must-Visit Spots in Dumaguete
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Itinerary: 5 Days/4 Nights in Dumaguete and Siquijor
Day 0 - Arrival- 5:00 PM : Arrived in Dumaguete; check-in at Asia Novotel
- 6:00 PM : Stroll along Rizal Boulevard, food trip!
- 9:00 PM : Beer time at Hayahay Treehouse Bar and Viewdeck
- 7:00 AM : Depart from Dumaguete City Port
- 8:00 AM : Arrival at Siquijor Port
- 8:30 AM : Check-in at Palm Village Guesthouse
- 9:00 AM : Explore the mystic island!
- 6:00 PM : Cap off the day (with a beer by the beach)
- 6:00 AM : Depart from Siquijor Port
- 7:00 AM : Arrival at Dumaguete City Port
- 7:30 AM : Check-in at Grand Pensione Plaza
- 8:00 AM : Breakfast at Dumaguete Public Market — kickstart the day with budbod and puto maya!
- 9:00 AM : Travel via multicab and habal-habal to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes
- 11:00 AM : Enjoy the lakes!
- 1:00 PM : Depart for Casaroro Falls
- 2:30 PM : Brave the jungle to see Casaroro Falls
- 3:45 PM : Depart for Pulangbato Falls
- 4:30 PM : Marvel the uniqueness of Pulangbato Falls
- 5:00 PM : Cap off the day at Red Rock Hot Spring
- 5:45 PM : Back to Dumaguete
- 7:00 PM : Rizal Boulevard. Food trip.
- 7:00 AM : Bus Ride to Malatapay Market
- 7:30 AM : Arrival at Malatapay, charter a roundtrip outrigger to Apo Island
- 8:00 AM : Boat ride to Apo Island
- 3:00 PM : Boats usually leaves the island before 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM because of the harsh sea.
- 4:00 PM : Arrive in Malatapay. Back to Dumaguete.
- 5:00 PM : Food trip! Because Dumaguete is a haven for every gastronome.
- 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Visit Dumaguete Cathedral, Quezon Park, Dumaguete City Hall and Silliman University Anthropology Museum
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| On the way to Apo Island |
Fees
Silliman University Anthropology Museum- General: PHP 50 (Monday-Saturday); PHP 100 (Sunday and Holidays)
- Children below 15 years / Filipino students: PHP 20 (Monday-Saturday); PHP 40 (Sunday and Holidays)
- Senior citizen: PHP 40 (Monday-Saturday); PHP 80 (Sunday and Holidays)
- Museum Schedule: 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM / 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Monday-Saturday); By appointments (Sunday and Holidays)
- Entrance: PHP 25 (locals); expect a higher rate for non-Filipinos
- Detailed travel tips: Read Balinsasayao, Danao — the Twin Lakes of Sibulan
- Entrance: PHP 10
- Detailed travel tips: Read Casaroro Falls of Valencia, Negros Oriental — "She's magical"
- Entrance: PHP 25 (adult), PHP 10 (child)
- Cottage rentals: PHP 100 (table with chairs), PHP 200 (small cottage)
- Detailed travel tips: Read Pulangbato Falls, Red Rock Hot Spring — a Warm and Cool Treat from Valencia
- Entrance: PHP 30
- Detailed travel tips: Read Pulangbato Falls, Red Rock Hot Spring — a Warm and Cool Treat from Valencia
- Boat rental: Medium-sized (4 passengers) - PHP 2000; Big-sized (8 passengers) - PHP 3000.
- Other rentals: Snorkeling gears, life vests and water shoes were available for rent in Apo Island at PHP 100 per piece (or per pair). Imagine how much you'll save if you bring your own.
- Getting there: Take a bus in Dumaguete going to Malatapay Market, PHP 50. Charter a round-trip outrigger boat to Apo Island.
- Getting there, fees, itinerary, and other travel tips: Read Siquijor in 24 Hours: Trip Guide and Itinerary
ABOUT
DJ Rivera is an I.T. professional, entrepreneur, travel blogger, writer and the online publisher of PinoyTravelogue.com based in Rizal province, Philippines. Click here to know more.
