Capital of Negros Oriental, this city has so much to offer for travelers.
Dumaguete is listed 5th in Forbes Magazine’s “7 Best Places to Retire Around the World”
From historical places to beach resorts, dive site, falls, lakes and food, name it -they have it. This city also attracts a lot of foreign tourists because of easy access to other destination like Siquijor and Cebu City and let’s not forget Apo Island is just 45 mins – 1hr boat ride from Dauin, Dumaguete.
We arrive in Dumaguete 31st of July in the morning and the service from the resort is patiently waiting outside the airport – Thank God He waited kasi our flight was delayed for like an hour. So, it was a 20 mins ride from the airport to Dauin.
For Public transport, the jeep terminal to Dauin is near Robinson’s Place Dumaguete and the fare is around Php 13.
In our case our accommodation comes with free transfers so its hassle free kasi hatid-sundo kami. We stayed at El dorado Beach Resort on our first night. (Recommended)
For 3 Pax its Php4,902 around $99- breakfast included. It’s nice because the room is spacious, and toiletries are complete with towels and mini bar which has drinks inside They will charge you upon checkout if you consume some of it. It is better to check the availability with them few weeks before your visit and price depends on the room and number of people- Our room is good for maximum of 4 people.
Tip: Its faster if you email them. 🙂
Originally our plan for our first day is to visit Apo Island– sadly we’re late na masyado- advice nila is to start the tour early in the morning around 8am but we arrive at the resort almost lunch time na- so we decided to have lunch na muna then just visit the Dauin Marine Sanctuary
For food, ayyy bongga. ha ha! The Restaurant is very good offering Asian, Italian and Swiss Specialties. They have Italian ice cream as well! And the PIZZA!! Is a must try. It’s a long wait but it’s worth it. You can play billiards while waiting.
We rented snorkeling gear for Php300 ($6) and walked to the site- its a 10 minute walk lang naman along the shore. But you also have an option to take tricycle – on our way back to the resort we rented a tricycle kasi we’re tired na -its a bit expensive Php 70 ($1.50) for the three of us- parang special trip – ganon pero malapit lang talaga.
Dauin has a lot of popular resorts and a few restaurants and they have a few sanctuary here wherein fishing is not allowed. Mainit sanctuary, Luca sanctuary, Dauin sanctuary and Masaplod sanctuary, that’s why its popular for Scuba diving and snorkeling.
Don’t expect white sand here- its like dark gray to black pero its really nice, we saw a lot of foreigners diving in this area too.
I was able to see a lot of fish kahit sa mababaw na part lang then Kuya guide naman will help you go sa malalim na part to see the corals. Sayang we don’t have gopro nakalimutan.
They said – there’s pawikan din kaso they usually show up in the afternoon eh medjo scary kasi malakas ang alon due to Habagat. We finished around 2pm and headed back to the resort to rest and take photos.
PS: we paid 300 kay kuya Arnold (Guide) He’s an employee of the resort pero the resort will tell you na directly na sa tao nila ung bayad namen for Guide Fee. Nice db? At least alam mo buo makukuha ni kuya ung money. And he is mabait kasi ine-encourage nya tlga kami pumunta sa area na maraming fish and i-guide ka tlga nya until ma-satisfy ka sa mga makikita mo under the sea. 🙂
The resort is really nice and instagramable. 🙂 They have spa services too.
They also offer scooter rental if you want to explore Dauin as far as I know may falls din kasi on this area- the resort itself offers Apo Island Tour, Oslob Tour and dive classes.
You may check other Dauin Resorts here.
*Dumaguete City Tour
For City Tour- Number one on my list is Silliman University
By the way I took photos using my iPhone 8 and my friend’s camera- Fuji X-A2
Silliman University– founded on August 28, 1901 as Silliman Institute and the country’s first Protestant university and the first American university in Asia.
The University is just a few minutes away from Dumaguete Port and just in front of Rizal Boulevard and its just really relaxing when you enter the university its like green everywhere: Just look at the photos. ⇓
The university is named after Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman
The building at the back of Dr. Horace’s statue is the first and oldest building in the University- “The Silliman Hall”
Constructed in the early 1900s. It was converted to a museum in 1970. Today, Silliman Hall is still intact and looks amazing- ⇓
In 1970, this building was used to be the Anthropology Museum that is transferred to Hibbard Hall in 2015.
Luckily, while checking the building, the hall is open and the guy who is cleaning let me in and even turned on the lights for me. So nice of him 🙂
*Silliman University Church and The Amphitheater.
*Silliman University Anthropology Museum
Located on the 2nd floor of Hibbard Hall- This Museum is just incredible the collection is archaeological items from previous excavation all over Negros and parts of Mindanao.
Taking photos of artifacts is not allowed so this is all I got.
And oh Before I forgot- there is a Php 50 entrance fee to enter the Museum and bring an ID- the guard asked me to show an ID – so just bring one to make sure. 🙂
Just a few steps from Silliman is the Rizal Boulevard where you can also see the Sisters of St Paul of Chartres Monument.
Few more steps from Rizal Boulevard is the Famous Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries.
So yes, food is always part of the tour. So its break time . Ha Ha!
Don’t forget to try the Famous Sans Rival – a slice of it cost only Php32.
I thought eating here is expensive- hindi pala. Their Solo Lasagna only cos Php92 super busog na ako . Solve. Okay Continue na sa pagiikot. 🙂
Next: Dumaguete Belfry “Campanerio” and Quezon Park.
Belfry is one of the oldest bell towers in the Visayas. Originally constructed in the 1760’s then rebuilt around 1870, it’s of the most significant remnants of Dumaguete City’s history.
*Quezon Park
Across the street from Quezon Park and standing next to Belfry is the beautiful St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral. Laid in 1754 and finished construction in 1776.
On our last day we stayed at Gabby’s Bed and Breakfast:
Again, this place is recommended for Backpackers as they offer cheap rooms and the place itself is nice. Instagramable. 🙂
Our room is good for 3 Pax for Php 1650. Cheap. Right? Aircon, hot and cold shower and with free light breakfast. Well in our case we paid an extra Php 500 for a late checkout but still for a room good for 3- this is considered as cheap. 🙂
Check in: 2pm Check out: 12nn
Check out the surroundings.
The whole place is full of paintings, doodles and I’m happy he he!
Colorful. 🙂
You can contact them here: 09063283374
Aug 3- 7:05pm is our flight back to Manila. We went to the airport early para sure. So while waiting for the boarding hindi ka ma-boring cause they have music: Don’t forget to donate. 🙂
There is a small canteen that you can buy food and drinks while waiting may mga souvenir shops na rin sa loob ng airport.
They also have a small charging station in case you have low battery.
I will surely go back to this beautiful place. Super worth it ung pagod and expenses. 🙂
DumaGetme. Na-get mo ang puso ko. ♥
You may contact me for questions.
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Email: yelaloo.travels@gmail.com