A relaxed university town on Negros Island, with a palm-lined seafront promenade and active arts scene. Students and academics give this coastal city its intellectual energy.
Dumaguete sits along the coast of Negros Island, home to Silliman University's sprawling campus, the 780-meter Rizal Boulevard, and easy trips to volcanic lakes and dolphin-filled straits. Locals greet visitors warmly, earning the city its nickname as a place of kind residents. Start your day watching fishermen unload their catch near the port, then walk under the acacia trees shading Rizal Boulevard's century-old lampposts. The smell of grilled chicken inato drifts from roadside stalls, while students cycle past Spanish-era buildings converted into coffee shops. Don’t miss the chance to try silvanas, a local pastry made with layered cashew meringue.
Natural Areas to Visit Around Dumaguete
Drive 40 minutes north to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes, formed in volcanic craters and surrounded by dense forests. Rent a bamboo raft at Lake Balinsasayao to paddle across the water, which stays calm even when winds pick up in the afternoon. South of the city, join a morning boat tour in Bais Bay to see spinner dolphins leaping near the hull. Time your trip to Manjuyod White Sandbar for low tide, when a long stretch of white sand appears above the water. Wooden platforms on stilts let you take breaks from swimming in the clear, waist-deep sea.
Rizal Boulevard: Morning to Evening Activities
Jog or bike along Rizal Boulevard before sunrise to watch the sky turn pink over the Bohol Sea. After sunset, families gather here to eat skewered fish balls and drink coconut wine from bamboo containers. On days with good visibility, you can spot the outline of Siquijor Island across the water. Stop at one of the converted sugar plantation houses along the boulevard for coffee brewed from beans grown on Negros Island’s slopes. The port at the southern end runs regular ferries to Cebu City and Siquijor, with tickets sold at the terminal.
Silliman University Campus and Exhibits
Founded in 1901, Silliman University’s campus includes Silliman Hall, a white-painted building from the American colonial period. Students perform plays and music in the open-air amphitheater shaded by acacia trees. Inside Hibbard Hall, the Anthropology Museum holds ancient clay jars used for burials, hand-carved wooden farming tools, and textiles woven by the island’s indigenous communities. Check the university’s website for free cultural shows every Friday afternoon. The coral stone walls of Silliman Church, built in 1922, contrast with its translucent windows made from capiz shells.
Where and What to Eat in Dumaguete
Jo’s Chicken Inato serves grilled chicken marinated in lemongrass and vinegar, cooked over coals made from coconut shells. Sans Rival Cakes Pastries on San José Street bakes silvanas—frozen cookie layers filled with buttercream and rolled in crushed cashews. Buy budbud kabog, purple millet cakes steamed in banana leaves, from vendors near the public market in the early morning. At the market’s seafood section, pick fresh tuna or squid and pay a small fee to have it grilled on the spot. Finish with sikwate, a hot drink made by whisking cacao tablets into frothy chocolate.
Festivals and Seasonal Events
During September’s Sandurot Festival, dancers in elaborate costumes representing Chinese traders, Spanish settlers, and local tribes parade down Locsin Street. The Buglasan Festival in October includes demonstrations of bamboo instrument-making and competitions for the best coconut wine. Both festivals feature marching bands, giant paper-mâché figures, and food stalls selling dishes like chicken pastel and pili nut candies. From June to August, the Pasigarbo sa Negros Oriental fair highlights regional dishes like binignit (root crop stew) in the Quezon Park area.
Getting There and Best Times to Visit
Sibulan Airport has daily flights from Manila and Cebu, while ferries from Manila arrive at Dumaguete Port after a 24-hour journey. Tricycle drivers charge fixed rates for rides within the city center—ask your hotel for the standard fare chart. Rent a motorcycle from shops near the port for day trips to sites like Valencia’s Pulangbato Falls, a 45-minute ride inland. Visit between February and April to avoid frequent rain, though brief showers can cool you down during midday heat. Bring waterproof bags for boat trips and sturdy shoes for hiking near the Twin Lakes.
