Introduction

Hi, there! Welcome or welcome back to my blog!

If you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newbie when it comes to travelling, don’t worry because I’m here to provide you with an itinerary if you ever find yourself wanting to visit this chill and relaxing city Dumaguete, as well as its sister island, Siquijor! 

I also have other entries here on my blog about my explorations from Luzon to Mindanao so feel free to stick around. Read on to find out the coolest and most fun places to visit and discover in Dumaguete and Siquijor. 

Get To Know Dumaguete City

Dumaguete City, usually dubbed as “The Land of Gentle People” is the heart of Negros Oriental.  This is the perfect place if you want to escape the busy and fast-paced life in the city. The locals, coupled with the scenery, really lets you feel the “slow and intentional” way of life. Because of this, it is known for being one of the best retirement options here in the Philippines by foreigners and Pinoys alike!

Requirements to Enter Dumaguete and Siquijor

In general, there are no strict requirements and no compliance process after landing. Just make sure you bring your vaccination card because there are other establishments that want to make sure that you’re doing your part in staying safe amidst the pandemic.

How To Get To Dumaguete

If traveling from Manila, you must fly from the Metro Manila Airport. There are year-round airline seat sales so you may want to take advantage of those! It’s really budget-friendly without the service being compromised. Here are a few airline websites you can look into:

• Philippine Airlines 
• Cebu Pacific
• AirAsia

If you don’t want the hassle of looking for cheap flights or flight reservations, you can always visit Filo Online Ticketing to help you with that!

Arriving at Dumaguete

Upon arriving, we first headed out to the famous Rizal Boulevard known for its majestic view of the sea. It is named after Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, who liked strolling along the city’s coastlines as he passed through it on his way to his exile in Dapitan. 

Dumaguete has worked hard over the years to maintain the waterfront along this street. One of the most recognized parts of the city is the boulevard because of how easily lamp posts and trees can be seen reflecting on the clean and crisp water. It’s become customary to order some street food from one of the many stalls lined up along the street while taking in the scenery.

Discovering Valencia

Valencia is not quite popular when it comes to day trips in Dumaguete. It’s a shame though because Valencia offers a wide range of attractions from mountain hot springs to waterfalls to museums! 

Here are some of the main attractions we’ve been to at Valencia:

• Sulfur Vent. Why Sulfur? The continual steam that comes from its surface, drawing tourists to take pictures with misty effects, is what makes this a famous spot for tourists. A sizable chunk of the mountain is covered in what seems like fog. It’s perfect for those who love posting artistic and aesthetic shots on IG. It doesn’t smell good though because of its high sulfur content, so that’s something to watch out for!

• Tierra Alta Resort. A Greek-inspired resort whose main attraction is the lighthouse that offers a great view of the town. 

• Pulang Bato Falls. Known for its reddish rocks caused by sulfur deposits. Another great place for your artistic and unique IG photos! The waterfall is located inside a private resort so it’s best to prepare an entrance fee. 

• Red Rock Hot Spring. Valencia is the place to go if you’re looking for relaxing and chill hot springs. There are so many to choose from! But we went for the Red Rock Hot Spring because of its overlooking mountain view and unique red color. Again, perfect for those aesthetic shots!

• Casaroro Falls. This is one of the best nature attractions in Negros Oriental. It’s 100m high! But getting to it can be quite the challenge since you need to climb down a 350-step staircase. This is meant for nature and adventure lovers who are always looking for an extra challenge. But for newbies, it’s best to get a guide.

Exploring Siquijor

To get to Siquijor, you may opt to ride a habal-habal or tricycle to the Dumaguete Port. From the Dumaguete Port, ride a ferry going to Siquijor. Once you arrive, there are locals offering tours by habal-habal, tricycle, or motorbike rentals. 

Siquijor is infamous for its “witchcraft” and other mystic tales. Perhaps this is because of its Spanish-era churches and enigmatic forests. Currently, it’s being advocated as a healing and magical destination. But of course, this is all part of the narrative being promoted around the island, and is not necessarily proven to be true.

Siquijor is a fairly small island. You may tour its entirety in roughly two days. Usually, there are two kinds of tours you can choose from: Island Tour or Mountain Tour. We chose the Island Tour because it offers the more popular tourist spots like the Cambugahay Falls and Salagdoong Beach. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to visit the beach because of road works.

Here’s a rundown of the main attractions we’ve been to during the Island Tour:

• St. Francis of Assisi Church. This is the oldest church on the island. It is located just outside the Siquijor Port, with a “Welcome to Siquijor” signage. Mandatory touchdown Siquijor selfies are taken here!
• Paliton Beach. Known for being the best beachfront in Siquijor. Perfect for lazy afternoons just basking in the glow and warmth of the sun. Not the best for swimming but it’s a great option just for hanging out and taking pictures. 
• Enchanted Old Balete Tree. Probably the most popular attraction in Siquijor. It is said to be at least 400 years old! This majestic icon really stood the test of time. At its foot, there is a small pool wherein tourists can avail a fish spa. There are also stores selling mystic items like voodoo dolls and various “potions.” Friendly reminder that these aren’t proven and tested! *wink*
• Cambugahay Falls. One of the best nature attractions. You can swim because of its clean and cool water but for the brave and adventurous folks, you can Tarzan swing! Don’t worry about the trail, it’s fairly easy to navigate and the slopes aren’t too steep and slippery. 

Most of Siquijor comprises mountain forest. So city life isn’t really buzzing. However, there are various local restaurants near resorts and inns. There are even bakeries wherein you can watch how the famous delicious Pan de Bisaya is made. 

At Hapitanan, we also joined the Broomstick Challenge! Just give a donation and ask your companions or any of the staff to take your picture while looking like a friendly neighborhood witch flying around with a broom. Perfect for fans of Harry Potter!

Leaving With a Full Heart

We really enjoyed our quick but fun Dumaguete-Siquijor trip. Aside from the natural attractions that really amazed us, we thoroughly appreciated the efforts of the locals to preserve their mystical beliefs and heritage. We also admired how they shared it with us through the stories they told and the relics found in the museums. This is what makes them unique and fascinating for tourists. Can’t wait to go back and explore more of what this captivating province has in store!

I hope you found my Dumaguete-Siquijor travel guide fun and helpful! If you have any questions feel free to comment here or reach me through my social media for questions and clarifications! I’d be more than happy to help!For more blog updates you can check out my website @ www.lakwatsanisay.com or follow me through my social media platforms!