The Campanario de Dumaguete or the Dumaguete Belfry used to be the most imposing structure in Dumaguete before modernization led to other tall buildings being constructed in the city. Built during the 1760s to warn the town of Moro pirates looking for slaves, a bell tower was eventually added in 1867 by Fray Juan Felix de la Encarnacion.It’s right next to the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, and also has a grotto for Our Lady of Perpetual Help at its base. There are also souvenir shops near the grotto where you can buy religious items and candles that you can light at the grotto. During the latest ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) conference held here in the country, it was chosen to be among the 63 landmarks that were lit simultaneously in key cities nationwide and in the capitals of ASEAN member states.

People talk about watching the sunset at Roxas Boulevard in Manila, but the sunrise at Dumaguete’s Rizal Boulevard could give it a run for its money. Named after the country’s national hero, Rizal Boulevard is a 700-meter seaside avenue that is a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike.Once you’ve taken a look at the sunrise, you can also spend the rest of the day there. Rizal Boulevard is lined with restaurants and is just a stone’s throw away from Dumaguete’s commercial district.

If you’ve got friends or family along with you and you’re just looking for a chill time in Dumaguete, you can head on over to Quezon Park. It’s got a playground for the kids and vintage cannons that adults can take pictures off. It’s also just a short walk away from Rizal Boulevard, so you can head on over after you’ve exhausted all the Boulevard’s charms.Aside from giving you 1.5 hectares of space to stroll around in, Quezon Park also has henna artists vendors selling food and drink. On Sundays, students from different schools also perform in the park. If you and your family are more sporty, football games and practices are also held there.

Almost 10 kilometers away from Dumaguete City, getting to Casaroro Falls can be quite the journey to make. From the city proper, you can take a jeepney that will take you to the town of Valencia. At the town terminal, rent a motorcycle to take you to the entrance to Casaroro Falls. Once there, you’ll have to descend down a gorge via 357 concrete steps. After, you have to hike through terrain riddled with boulders and muddy paths for 30 or so minutes. You can also choose to rent a motorcycle at Dumaguete City and go to the entrance to Casaroro Falls directly.If you manage to make it past all that, the reward is great. Casaroro Falls is a majestic waterfall that stands at 100 feet, and the roar it makes as it lands in the pool below is something you’ll remember.

If you’ve got a big family or group of friends that are expecting bagfuls of pasalubong once you come back from your Dumaguete trip, head on over to the Sidlakang Negros Village. The village not only houses local handicrafts from Dumaguete, but from all the local government units in Negros Oriental. All six cities and 19 municipalities are represented in the village, and you can check out all of their products. The village also features tourism assets and information, as well as agricultural goods and investment opportunities in the cities and municipalities of Negros.

Thirty minutes away from Casaroro Falls is Pulangbato Falls, which got its name from the reddish rocks at its base. The water can look anywhere from bloody to rusty, depending on how morbid you’re feeling. But what’s amazing about it is that the water immediately loses its reddish tint once you take it out of the river. The water’s reddish tint is simply the reflection of the rocks own red color.Unlike Casaroro Falls, Pulangbato is easier to get to. There’s no hike, for instance. Simply take a jeepney that will take you to Valencia, and from there take a motorcycle to Pulangbato Falls. You can already hear the waterfalls once you reach the registration point.

Dumaguete City is already a quiet city. But if you want a place more contemplative and spiritual, the Silliman University Church is where you can go and reflect. It’s been around since 1916, starting out as the Silliman Student Church. While the Church is actually Presbyterian, it’s welcoming of any denomination or religious affiliation.

The Balinsasayao Twin Lakes are made up of Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao. A little over an hour away from Dumaguete City, the Twin Lakes are a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city proper. A protected national park that’s home to a lot of biodiversity, the Twin Lakes are perfect for those looking to see some of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental’s flora and fauna. You can also do some kayaking, swimming, or fishing at the Twin Lakes.To get to the Twin Lakes from the city proper, you can take a jeepney going to Amlan and get off at the juncture in La-laan in San Jose. From there, you can hire a habal-habal or choose to rent a motorcycle. Take the road leading to the lakes until your reach the registration point.

There are some ghost stories people tell about Silliman University, but that shouldn’t be the reason why you visit this esteemed educational institution. If you’re visiting Silliman University, check out their Anthropology Museum. Established in 1970, the Anthropology Museum houses ethnographic and archeological artifacts dating as far back as 200 BC. You can see voodoo dolls, coffin jars, and other interesting things. The building housing the museum is an interesting artifact as well, dating as far back as 1909.

Just 30 kilometers south of Dumaguete City, Apo Island is one of the country’s top dive spots. The island has two resorts that both have dive centers, as well as a ranger station and a lighthouse.Apo Island is a haven for biodiversity, with over 650 documented species of fish and over 400 species of corals. There’s a whole range of corals here, from tiny bubble corals to huge gorgonian sea fans and brain corals.To get to Apo Island from Dumaguete, you can drive down to Zambuangita and then head to Malatapay Market. At the end of the market road you’ll find a boat post where you can hire a banca. The banca will wait for you while you enjoy Apo Island and take you back to the main island at around 3:30 or 4 PM. If you don’t have a car to get to Zambuangita, you can take a bus from Dumaguete to Bayawan and then just ask to be dropped off at Malatapay Market.

Enjoy a fun experience and check out other tourist spots to visit, restaurants to try and more in Dumaguete. Discover cheap hotel deals and cheap flights from carriers like Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, and more with Traveloka!]]>