Where to go and what to do in Dumaguete City and Siquijor? Let's plan your itinerary! Read on to learn the things you need to know, places to visit and must-do activities when visiting Dumaguete and Siquijor this 2024!
Dumaguete City, often referred to as the "Land of Gentle People" is the capital city of Negros Oriental province. It is one of the cities in Central Visayas where you could really feel a laid back athmosphere and with hospitable and friendly locals. It is a city, yet it doesn't feel like a city. Offering low-cost and relaxed way of living, it has become a favorite retirement destination for many foreigners wanting to settle in the Philippines.
Many of the city's population are university students from different parts of the region. For this, it was also dubbed as "University Town," because you can find here many universities including the prestigious Silliman University. Established in 1901, it is considered as the oldest private American university in the Philippines and in Asia.
There are many things to do and tourist spots to visit in Dumaguete City. It also makes a good base for traveling to other destinations in Negros Oriental, South Cebu and the island province of Siquijor.
Located off the shore of Dumaguete City, is the mystical province of Siquijor. Just an hour ferry ride from Dumaguete Port, you will reach this wonderful island full of amazing natural wonders, idyllic beaches, old churches, and offers rich cultural heritage. There are also many things to do in Siquijor that should be added in your itinerary. So read on, because I also included them here!
I've been to Siquijor and Dumaguete 3 times in the past, and I really enjoyed every visit. In this travel guide blog, I will share to you some detailed sample itineraries that could serve as your guide in creating your own Dumaguete-Siquijor DIY itinerary and help you plan your trip. I also included here some travel tips on how you can enjoy your trip and how to make the most out of your time in Dumaguete City and Siquijor.
Sample Dumaguete-Siquijor Itineraries for 3, 4, 5, 6 Days Tour
WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG? |
Dumaguete and Siquijor offer a variety of interesting tourist attractions that cater to all ages. When exploring the Philippines, be sure to add Dumaguete and Siquijor on your bucket list!
3D/2N: Dumaguete - Siquijor Itinerary (3 Days and 2 Nights)
If you have limited time, I recommend 3 full days an 2 nights for you to enjoy your time in Dumaguete City and Siquijor. This will allow you to visit most of the top tourist spots and attractions in Dumaguete city, as well as go on a day tour to Siquijor and Apo Island. It would be best to book your flight to Dumaguete in the morning and leave Dumaguete in the late afternoon or evening.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND DUMAGUETE CITY TOUR - BOOK A CITY TOUR HERE!
- 07:00 am - arrival in Dumaguete City Airport
- 07:30 am - take a tricycle to the city center
- 08:30 am - arrive at the hotel and leave your bag √ See the list of hotels & resorts in Dumaguete City here!
- 09:00 am - visit Silliman University
- Silliman University Museum
- Amphitheater
- Silliman Hall
- Sightseeing
- 11:00 am - early lunch at Jo’s Chicken Inato
- 12:00 nn - visit Dumaguete Catheral
- 01:00 pm - light a candle at Campanario de Dumaguete
- 02:00 pm - hangout at Quezon Park
- 03:00 pm - take a tricycle to Negros Oriental Capitol
- 03:30 pm - take photos and rest at the capitol grounds
- 04:00 pm - go to Dumaguete City Boulevard
- 04:30 pm - stroll at the boulevard and enjoy the sunset
- 06:00 pm - enjoy the tempurahan (street food) near the port
- 07:30 pm - have some drinks at Hayahay Treehouse Bar and Viewdeck
- 10:00 pm - back at the hotel and sleep
For hassle-free and convenient city tour, I recommend that you avail a guided Dumaguete City Heritage Tour. The packaged tour includes transportation with hotel pick-up and drop-off, entrance fee to the museum, and assistance of a tour guide. This is ideal for solo travelers, groups, or when you're traveling with family, kids, and senior citizens.
ANOTHER OPTION: If you want to maximize your time, you may opt to avail the full day Dumaguete City and Countryside Day Tour. This will allow you to visit the top Dumaguete tourist spots, as well as a visit to the nearby towns of Bacong and Valencia.
DAY 2: SIQUIJOR DAY TOUR FROM DUMAGUETE CITY - SEE TOUR RATES AND AVAILABILITY
- 07:00 am - breakfast and prepare for Siquijor day tour
- 09:00 am - hotel pick up
- Siquijor Cambugahay Falls and Heritage Day Trip
- Depart Dumaguete
- Arrive Siquijor
- St Francis de Assissi Bell Tower
- St Vincent Bell Tower
- 12:00 pm - Lunch at own expense at Triad Cafe
- Cang-Isok Old House
- Salagdoong Beach
- Cambugahay Falls
- Balete tree
- Ferry back to Dumaguete
- 04:00 pm - hotel drop off
- 05:00 pm - freshen-up and rest
- 07:00 pm - dinner at Lantaw
- 08:00 pm - have some drinks at Cafe Racer
- 10:00 pm - back at the hotel and sleep
DAY 3: APO ISLAND DAY TOUR + DEPARTURE - SEE TOUR RATES AND AVAILABILITY
- Pickup from your hotel
- Transfer to Dauin or Malatapay boat station
- Boat transfer to Apo Island
- Arrive on Apo Island
- Proceed to Turtle Point and briefing briefing
- Snorkeling
- Proceed to Liberty's Resort for lunch
- Option to do a second round of snorkeling or go swimming or hike the Habagat trail or walk through the village
- Transfer back to mainland
- Back to your hotel
- Proceed to the airport
- Departure
4D/3N: Dumaguete - Siquijor Itinerary (4 Days and 3 Nights)
This is my ideal and recommended Dumaguete-Siquijor itinerary for first timers. If you have more time, you can make it a 4 days and 3 nights itinerary and add a day to visit and explore Apo Island. This itinerary will allow you to have enough time to visit the popular tourist spots and attractions in and near Dumaguete and Siquijor. Again, your flight to Dumaguete should be in the morning and your departure flight should be in the late afternoon or early evening to fully enjoy this sample itinerary.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND DUMAGUETE CITY TOUR - BOOK A CITY TOUR HERE!
- 07:00 am - arrival in Dumaguete City Airport
- 07:30 am - take a tricycle to the city center
- 08:30 am - arrive at the hotel and leave your bag √ See the list of hotels & resorts in Dumaguete City here!
- 09:00 am - visit Silliman University
- Silliman University Museum
- Amphitheater
- Silliman Hall
- Sightseeing
- 11:00 am - early lunch at Jo’s Chicken Inato
- 12:00 nn - visit Dumaguete Catheral
- 01:00 pm - light a candle at Campanario de Dumaguete
- 02:00 pm - hangout at Quezon Park
- 03:00 pm - take a tricycle to Negros Oriental Capitol
- 03:30 pm - take photos and rest at the capitol grounds
- 04:00 pm - go to Dumaguete City Boulevard
- 04:30 pm - stroll at the boulevard and enjoy the sunset
- 06:00 pm - enjoy the tempurahan (street food) near the port
- 07:30 pm - have some drinks at Hayahay Treehouse Bar and Viewdeck
- 10:00 pm - back at the hotel and sleep
For hassle-free and convenient City Tour, I recommend that you avail a guided Dumaguete City Heritage Tour. The packaged tour includes transportation with hotel pick-up and drop-off, entrance fee to the museum, and assistance of a tour guide. This is ideal for solo travelers, groups, or when you're traveling with family, kids, and senior citizens.
DAY 2: SIQUIJOR DAY TOUR - SEE TOUR RATES AND AVAILABILITY
- 07:00 am - breakfast and prepare for Siquijor day tour
- 09:00 am - hotel pick up
- Siquijor Cambugahay Falls and Heritage Day Trip
- Depart Dumaguete
- Arrive Siquijor
- St Francis de Assissi Bell Tower
- St Vincent Bell Tower
- 12:00 pm - Lunch at own expense at Triad Cafe
- Cang-Isok Old House
- Salagdoong Beach
- Cambugahay Falls
- Balete tree
- Ferry back to Dumaguete
- 04:00 pm - hotel drop off
- 05:00 pm - freshen-up and rest
- 07:00 pm - dinner at Lantaw
- 08:00 pm - have some drinks at Cafe Racer
- 10:00 pm - back at the hotel and sleep
DAY 3: APO ISLAND DAY TOUR - SEE TOUR RATES AND AVAILABILITY
- Pickup from your hotel
- Transfer to Dauin or Malatapay boat station
- Boat transfer to Apo Island
- Arrive on Apo Island
- Proceed to Turtle Point and briefing briefing
- Snorkeling
- Proceed to Liberty's Resort for lunch
- Option to do a second round of snorkeling or go swimming or hike the Habagat trail or walk through the village
- Transfer back to mainland
- Back to your hotel
- Dinner
- Sleep
DAY 4: DOLPHIN WATCHING AND MANJUYOD SANDBAR TOUR + DEPARTURE- SEE TOUR RATES AND AVAILABILITY
- 06:00 am - hotel pick up
- Travel to Bais
- 07:45 am - cruise to spot dolphins
- 09:45 am - proceed to Manjuyod Sandbar
- Swimming
- 01:00 pm - lunch onboard
- 02:00 pm - drive back to Dumaguete
- 03:00 pm - hotel drop off
- 04:00 pm - proceed to the airport
- 06:00 pm - departure
5D/4N: Dumaguete - Siquijor Itinerary (5 Days and 4 Nights)
If you really want to fully enjoy your time in Dumaguete and Siquijor, I highly recommend a 5 days and 4 nights itinerary. This will let you do a city tour on your first day, have a Siquijor day tour on your 2nd day, visit Apo Island on the 3rd day, enjoy Manjuyod sand bar and Dolphin watching on your 4th day, and explore Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park on your last day. To fully enjoy this sample itinerary, your flight to Dumaguete City should be in the morning and your departure flight from Dumaguete should be in the late afternoon or early evening.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND DUMAGUETE CITY TOUR - BOOK A CITY TOUR HERE!
- 07:00 am - arrival in Dumaguete City Airport
- 07:30 am - take a tricycle to the city center
- 08:30 am - arrive at the hotel and leave your bag √ See the list of hotels & resorts in Dumaguete City here!
- 09:00 am - visit Silliman University
- Silliman University Museum
- Amphitheater
- Silliman Hall
- Sightseeing
- 11:00 am - early lunch at Jo’s Chicken Inato
- 12:00 nn - visit Dumaguete Catheral
- 01:00 pm - light a candle at Campanario de Dumaguete
- 02:00 pm - hangout at Quezon Park
- 03:00 pm - take a tricycle to Negros Oriental Capitol
- 03:30 pm - take photos and rest at the capitol grounds
- 04:00 pm - go to Dumaguete City Boulevard
- 04:30 pm - stroll at the boulevard and enjoy the sunset
- 06:00 pm - enjoy the tempurahan (street food) near the port
- 07:30 pm - have some drinks at Hayahay Treehouse Bar and Viewdeck
- 10:00 pm - back at the hotel and sleep
For hassle-free and convenient City Tour, I recommend that you avail a guided Dumaguete City Heritage Tour. The packaged tour includes transportation with hotel pick-up and drop-off, entrance fee to the museum, and assistance of a tour guide. This is ideal for solo travelers, groups, or when you're traveling with family, kids, and senior citizens.
DAY 2: SIQUIJOR DAY TOUR - SEE TOUR RATES AND AVAILABILITY
- 07:00 am - breakfast and prepare for Siquijor day tour
- 09:00 am - hotel pick up
- Siquijor Cambugahay Falls and Heritage Day Trip
- Depart Dumaguete
- Arrive Siquijor
- St Francis de Assissi Bell Tower
- St Vincent Bell Tower
- 12:00 pm - Lunch at own expense in Triad Cafe
- Cang-Isok Old House
- Salagdoong Beach
- Cambugahay Falls
- Balete tree
- Ferry back to Dumaguete
- 04:00 pm - hotel drop off
- 05:00 pm - freshen-up and rest
- 07:00 pm - dinner at Lantaw
- 08:00 pm - have some drinks at Cafe Racer
- 10:00 pm - back at the hotel and sleep
DAY 3: APO ISLAND DAY TOUR - SEE TOUR RATES AND AVAILABILITY
- Pickup from your hotel
- Transfer to Dauin or Malatapay boat station
- Boat transfer to Apo Island
- Arrive on Apo Island
- Proceed to Turtle Point and briefing briefing
- Snorkeling
- Proceed to Liberty's Resort for lunch
- Option to do a second round of snorkeling or go swimming or hike the Habagat trail or walk through the village
- Transfer back to mainland
- Back to your hotel
- Dinner
- Sleep
DAY 4: DOLPHIN WATCHING AND MANJUYOD SANDBAR TOUR + DEPARTURE- SEE TOUR RATES AND AVAILABILITY
- 06:00 am - hotel pick up
- Travel to Bais
- 07:45 am - cruise to spot dolphins
- 09:45 am - proceed to Manjuyod Sandbar
- Swimming
- 01:00 pm - lunch onboard
- 02:00 pm - drive back to Dumaguete
- 03:00 pm - hotel drop off
- 03:30 pm - freshen-up and rest
- 07:00 pm - dinner
- 09:00 pm - sleep
DAY 5: TWIN LAKES NATURAL PARK + DEPARTURE - SEE TOUR RATES AND AVAILABILITY
- 08:30 am - hotel pick up
- 09:00 am - arrive Twin Lakes
- Trek around Twin Lakes
- 12:00 pm - lunch
- Silliman University
- Handumanan Souvenir Shop
- Sansrival Cafe Cakes and Pastries
- Dumaguete City Boulevard
- 03:00 pm - hotel drop off
- 04:00 pm - proceed to the airport
- 06:00 pm - departure
6D/5N OR MORE: Dumaguete - Siquijor Itinerary (6 Days and 5 Nights or More)
If you have more days to spend, I highly recommend staying overnight or even a few nights in Siquijor to visit all the tourist spots, beaches and exciting activities it offers. You may refer to these posts to help you plan your trip to Siquijor:
- Siquijor Travel Guide Blog with DIY Itinerary, Things to do, Tourist Spots, Expenses, and More!
- SIQUIJOR ITINERARY: Things to Do in Siquijor + Tourist Spots and Attractions
Aside from spending more time in Siquijor, you could also visit other worthy destinations near Dumaguete City. Such as Casaroro Falls in Valencia, Pulang Bato Falls and Red Rock Hot Springs, also in Valencia, Marine Sanctuary in Dauin, Balinsasayaw Twin Lakes, Kookoo's Nest along Tambobo Bay in Siaton, Mabinay Three Caves Tour, Niludhan Falls in Bayawan City, or even do a South Cebu Tour, which is just an hour away from the city.
I hope these DETAILED SAMPLE DUMAGUETE - SIQUIJOR ITINERARIES help you in creating your own DIY itinerary and help you in planning a wonderful and exciting adventure! Please feel free to adjust it depending on the things you want to do in Dumaguete City and Siquijor, tourist spots you want to visit, and the activities and experiences you want to enjoy.
For more travel tips on how to get there, top things to do, best time to visit, recommended hotels and resorts, sample budget breakdown and many more, please check out my these travel guides for first-timers:
- Dumaguete Travel Guide: Things to Do in Dumaguete, Tourist Spots & Places to Visit
- Siquijor Travel Guide with Budget and Itinerary
TRAVEL TIP: For convenient and hassle-free trip to and from Dumaguete City, check out the available transportation options here.
DUMAGUETE ITINERARY: Top Things to Do in Dumaguete City + Itinerary
For your questions, comments, suggestions and recommendations, please don't hesitate to leave a comment below. Thank you very much!
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