This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Dumaguete.
Dumaguete is an interesting city in the Philippines in the south of the Visayas archipelago. The city has some charm and is very different from main cities in the Philippines -- you will not find so much traffic or noise. The city also has the nickname of “City of the Gentle People” -- you will have the chance to confirm it once you get to Dumaguete.
Dumaguete is located in Negros Island -- from here, you can reach some really good spots of the Philippines that are definitely less touristic, allowing you to take the best from your journey in the country. From Dumaguete, you can see Cebu Island and some of the southern towns. There is one really good place for diving, an authentic marine sanctuary in Apo Island -- many say it is among the top twenty best dive sites in the world; you will need to check it yourself, but you can be sure it is an amazing place. You also have the chance to camp here or stay in the island resort -– it's a little bit more expensive, but still affordable if you are on a budget, as they have dorms. It is really easy to get to the island but get some information from Dumaguete's hostels. Sugar Beach is one of the best beaches in Negros and there are direct buses from Dumaguete.
The easiest way to arrive in Dumaguete is by airplane, but its also possible to include the city in your island-hopping by ferry, but most of the trips to and from other islands will take you more than three hours. There are also enough buses to all the interesting places on the island.
There are only a few hostels in Dumaguete and in high season it's better to book in advance. The hostels in Dumaguete are also the best place to get information about the best ways to explore the surroundings, so get in touch with the friendly staff.
Written by local enthusiast for Dumaguete hostels
CoffeeMarks