Showing posts with label Dumaguete City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dumaguete City. Show all posts

Dumaguete & NegOr: In the Know

11:35 AM by Explore Dumaguete 14 comments

Did You Know?
- In March of 1942, Bais City became the Capital of the Philippine Commonwealth government. This happened during the time of President Manuel Quezon. Pres. Quezon en route to Australia stayed in Bais for a few days and ran the commonwealth government affairs in this city.

- Silliman University is the oldest American university in the Philippines, established in 1901.

Silliman Hall, circa 1905

- On October 29, 1904, seven Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres established its first foundation in the Philippines in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. Since then, it has spread to different parts of the country with more than 70 institutions including hospitals, sanitarium, and home-for-the-aged under its helm making it the largest religious educational institution in the country.
- Apo Island has one of the most diversified and houses a large number of coral species in the world according to UNESCO.


- In 1784, Negros became a corregimiento, a separate military district with a government of its own. Later on, Negros printed its own currency.



- In May 1919, the first fully mechanized sugar mill in Negros Oriental began operating, the Central Azucarera de Bais, owned and managed by the Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas or the Tabacalera.

CAB Train relic

Stay at Zen House Dumaguete

12:36 PM by Explore Dumaguete 1 comment
Dumaguete City has gained popularity among different tourist mixes throughout the years. With the significant influx of tourists also came the establishment of additional hotels and other accommodation facilities. Therefore, despite being a relatively small city, Dumaguete has quite a number of decent and affordable places to stay.


The Explore Dumaguete Team understands that there are certain groups who prefer to stay in a house rather than a hotel. With the growing popularity of Airbnb accommodations, Explore Dumaguete has partnered with Zen House Dumaguete to host our guests. Zen House Dumaguete is a cozy Japanese-inspired home near the airport, nestled in a nice and quiet local residential neighborhood in Sibulan just 10-20 minutes away from the city proper. It features two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a spacious comfort room, porch and garden - a perfect place to relax and feel at home after a long day of exploring. You may check the listing here:



Staying in a house rather than a hotel has its certain perks. Although you cannot enjoy certain services that hotels offer (e.g. 24-H front desk, daily housekeeping, etc.), you will be able to do the following:
- Cook your own meals so you can save on eating out (Yayyy!)
- Congregate in the living room
- More space to move around
- Socialize with the locals and learn more about local culture
- Save more on accommodation costs.

E-mail us at exploredumaguete@gmail.com or visit Zen House Dumaguete's listing on Airbnb if you wish to book the house for your Dumaguete stay.

DUMAGUETE DIVING

7:41 PM by Explore Dumaguete 6 comments
Explore Dumaguete Diving Packages offer affordable dive tour packages for new and experienced divers who want a hassle-free dive trip that maximizes their time in prime Dumaguete dive sites and Dauin dive sites.

Explore Dumaguete Diving Packages are arranged customized trips inclusive of a Divemaster or Dive Instructor and tourist quality land and boat transfers to and from the Dumaguete dive sites and Dauin dive sites. Locally sourced and prepared lunches and light snacks are also included in the package. The aim is to provide full service, seamless, hassle-free, and most importantly a responsible dive experience so tourists can enjoy more, learn more, and make the most out of their Dumaguete diving trip.


If you want to request for a quotation for your group or if you have any further questions, email us at exploredumaguete@gmail.com and let us know:

  • which Explore Dumaguete Diving Package you want
  • how many people are in your group
  • when you're coming to Dumaguete.
  • your level of scuba experience.
Explore Dumaguete Discover Scuba Diving Packages
Don't know how to scuba? Not quite sure if you're ready to take a certification course? Wondering what it's like to breathe underwater? No worries! Explore Dumaguete's Discover Scuba Diving will let you try scuba to see if you like it.
Explore Dumaguete Discover Scuba Dauin
Join us for a pre-dive orientation and a session of diving and snorkeling in this marine sanctuary teeming with corals, fishes, and all sorts of underwater life. See Nemo up close, or if you're lucky, a pawikan or two.

Inclusions: land transfers, dive equipment, sanctuary fees, one-on-one Divemaster services, and lunch.
Explore Dumaguete Discover Scuba Apo
What better place to discover scuba than one of the best diving sites in the entire planet - Apo Island? A session of diving and snorkeling in this world class marine reserve will leave you wanting for more. 

Inclusions: land and boat transfers, dive equipment, sanctuary fees, one-on-one Divemaster services, lunch

Explore Dumaguete Dive Packages

Explore Dumaguete Dive Dauin Package
Up for some muck diving? Critters hunting? Or are corals more your thing? A day of scuba diving in the widely diverse marine sanctuaries of Dauin is sure to make you happy.
Cuttlefish

Explore Dumaguete Dive Apo Package
Spend the day exploring the reefs of Apo Island... and swimming with the turtles. 

Explore Dumaguete Oslob & Sumilon Package
Swim with the friendly whalesharks in Oslob and cap off the day by scuba diving at Sumilon Island. If you're lucky you might be able to spot some of the reef sharks just cruising around.

Explore Dumaguete 2N/3D Dive Apo & Dauin Package
World class diving. Enough said. 

Inclusions: land and boat transfers, round trip transfers, DM services, tanks, weights, accommodation for 2 nights/3 days with daily breakfast.

Explore Dumaguete 3N/4D Open Water Course Package
So you're ready to do your first scuba certification course in Dumaguete, and you have no idea how to do it. Don't worry about it --- let US worry about it. This package is made just for you.

Inclusions: PADI Open Water Course, Round trip airport transfers, accommodation for 3 nights/4 days with daily breakfast.

Explore Dumaguete 2N/3D Advanced Open Water Course Package
Enjoy diving and earn your PADI Advanced Open Water License at the same time! Experience night diving, drift diving, and deep diving in the waters of both Apo Island and Dauin.

Inclusions: PADI Advanced Open Water Course, Round trip airport transfers, accommodation for 2 nights/3 days with daily breakfast and lunch during the 2-day course.

Explore Dumaguete Dive Courses
Explore Dumaguete Open Water Course
The PADI Open Water Course Dive Course is the world's most popular, and has introduced millions to the diving lifestyle.
Duration: 3-4 days
Minimum Age: 10 years old
Course Details: 5 confined water & 4 open water sessions, lifetime international license

Explore Dumaguete Advanced Open Water Course
The PADI Advanced Open Water Course is designed to help you increase your confidence and build your scuba skills so you can become more comfortable in the water. 
Duration: 2 days
Minimum Age: 12 years old
Course Details: 5 open water dives, lifetime international license

Explore Dumaguete Rescue with Emergency First Response Course
If you'd like to take your skills a step further, the PADI Rescue Diver Course will certainly expand on what you already know about how to prevent and manage problems if they occur. This course is certainly a challenging and rewarding one.
Duration: 4 days
Minimum Age: 12 years old
Course Details: 10 exercises/2 scenarios open water dives, lifetime international license

Explore Dumaguete Dive Master Course
Considering doing diving for a living? Look no further, the PADI Dive Master Course is your entry and the first professional level of the diving world.
Duration: 3 weeks
Minimum Age: 18 years old
Course Details: Preparation for Dive Instructor, International License Renewable Annually

DUMAGUETE CITY ATTRACTIONS LIST

9:27 PM by Explore Dumaguete 61 comments
Listed below are the TOP 10 Dumaguete City Tourist Attractions List (in random order) visited by local and foreign tourists in the year 2009 and 2010.

with us Today!

Top 10 Dumaguete City Tourist Attractions List
A.) Dumaguete Boulevard
J.) Beaches in Dauin

 Newest addition also to What To Do in Dumaguete (Top 10 Things to Do in Dumaguete) will be the Dumaguete Blue Hawk Aerial Adventure which will be flying pretty soon! Click on the link for more info!

 A.) Dumaguete Boulevard

The Dumaguete Boulevard or the Rizal Boulevard was named after the Philippine’s National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Dr. Jose Rizal while on his way to his exile in Dapitan, passed by Dumaguete City and strolled along its beautiful and serene shores. This is one of the most beautiful and most captivating landmarks in the city.


The picturesque Dumaguete Boulevard


(thanks to tommy for some of the pics)
Tempura Lane at night
Picturesque view of the Pier from the Boulevard

Stroll along the shoreline by day and eat tempura or balot at night, the Rizal Boulevard is definitely a MUST SEE IN DUMAGUETE!

with us Today!

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Silliman University was founded in 1901 by Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard and Laura Crooks Hibbard through a generous donation of $10,000.00 from an American philanthropist, Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman. Silliman University is the first and oldest American university in the Philippines. Some famous landmarks in the university are


2.) Silliman Portals – The portals are the official insignia of the university. There are a lot of portals within the campus which represent different gateways to life. Some of them are: a.) the Gates of Opportunity; b.) the Gates of Knoweldge; and c.) the Gates of Service.

3.) Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium – this 900-seater auditorium is the bastion for Culture and the Arts in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Its architectural marvel is acknowledged all over the Philippines and also around the world. The Luce Auditorium is also dubbed as the "CCP of the South".

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C.) Dumaguete Belfry Tower

According to legend, "Dumaguete" was coined from the word "Daguit", meaning "to snatch". This term was given because of the frequent marauding attacks of Muslim pirates on the coastal town. It was said that the pirates not only would siege and rob the town but they too would snatch the beautiful women from its shores. Thus, the Dumaguete belfry was built in 1811 to warn the locals of incoming attacks. Today, the belfry still stands proud amidst the modern buildings surrounding it. It is a remnant of Dumaguete's past to remind today's generation of how Dumaguete stands at present with the help of the tower.

The Dumaguete Belfry

with us Today!

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D.) Apo Island Marine Sanctuary

Apo Island Marine Sanctuary is considered to be one of the best dive spots in the world. It is the home of more than two-thirds of the worlds known coral species. Because of the vastness of its marine resources, Apo island has been protected as a fish sanctuary since 1982.
Only a 30-minute "bangka" (small boat in the Philippines) ride from Zamboangita, a town approximately 20Km south of Dumaguete.
Apo island rock formation

Few of the many species in Apo

Need more info in getting to Apo Island? (Click here)

with us Today!

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 E.) Bais Dolphin Watching & Manjuyod Sandbar
Forty-five km from Dumaguete City is Bais City. An approximated 45-minute drive going north will bring you to Capiñahan Wharf, the jump-off point for the motor boat ride to Tañon strait. Tañon strait is the home of a number of dolphin species including the famous spinner dolphins and occasionally some whale species (melon-headed whales).

 The trip may end at the Manjuyod Sandbar, a crescent strip of white sand that appears when the tide is low.
Bais Dolphin Watching
Manjuyod Sandbar

 There are 15 and 20-seater motor boats that are available at the wharf. You will have to make reservations before proceeding with your trip.
with us Today!

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F.) Lake Balinsasayao
Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao.



A 30 to 45-minute drive down south, will take you to the town of Siaton, which is probably the biggest town of Negros Oriental in terms of land area. Balanan Lake is located in Baranggay Sandulot, Siaton which is 10 Kms. from the Highway up west. The road towards the lake is patched with paved cement and rough terrain. However, you will encounter more of the rough road than the paved cement. So take a pee first before ascending towards the lake to enjoy the picturesque view of the "Cuernos de Negros". But all of the bumps are worthwhile when you reach Lake Balanan because it is truly breath taking. The hotel, restaurant, tree house and swimming pool are available for you to enjoy the whole day in this beautiful place.

First view of Lake Balanan

Boating at Lake Balanan

Falls at Lake Balanan


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How to get to Dumaguete

5:44 PM by Explore Dumaguete 4 comments
There are many ways to get to Dumaguete from Manila, Cebu, Cagayan, Bohol, Bacolod,  Siquijor, and Zamboanga. We encourage all visitors to always check changes in the schedule. The EXPLORE DUMAGUETE team will regularly update this page to provide accurate information.


Manila to Dumaguete
By Air
Company
Schedule
PAL Express
Daily:
9:05   AM
1:30  PM
Cebu Pacific
Daily:
7:10  AM
3:00  PM
By Sea
No Trips
As of April 27, 2013
By Land
Coming Soon
Manila-Dumaguete Overland/sea Guide


Cebu to Dumaguete
By Air
Company
Schedule
Cebu Pacific
Daily:
6:30  AM
By Sea
Cokaliong
(6hrs)
M/T/W/F
7PM
Sun
12noon
No trips on Saturdays
GP Lines
Monday/Thursday
/Saturday/Sunday
10:00 PM
Land/Sea Combination
Cuadro Alas
* from Cebu South Terminal, you travel by bus for approx. 3 hours and 30 minutes to get to Lilo-an where you will take a 30-minute ride to Sibulan.
Daily: [from Lilo-an, Cebu]
4:30  AM
5:00  AM
6:00  AM
7:00  AM
8:00  AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 NN
1:00  PM
2:00  PM
3:00  PM
4:00  PM
5:00  PM
6:00 PM
7:30 PM
Maayo Shipping
* from Cebu South Terminal, you travel by bus for approx. 3 hours and 30 minutes to get to Lilo-an where you will take a 30-minute ride to Sibulan.
Daily: [from Lilo-an, Cebu]
6:00 AM
7:30 AM
9:00 AM
10:30 AM
12:00 Noon
1:30 PM
3:00 PM
4:30 PM
6:00 PM
7:30 PM
9:00 PM

Cagayan to Dumaguete
By Air
Company
Schedule
No trips
As of April 27,2013
By Sea
2Go
Saturday
11:00 PM [Puntod Wharf]
By Land
No trips
As of April 27,2013


    Bohol to Dumaguete
    By Air
    Company
    Schedule
    No trips
    As of April 27,2013
    By Sea
    OceanJet
    Daily:
    8:00 AM
    5:45 PM
    Weesam
    Daily:
    9:15 AM
    By Land
    No trips
    As of April 27,2013


      Bacolod to Dumaguete
      By Air
      Company
      Schedule
      No trips
      As of April 27,2013
      By Sea
      No trips
      As of April 27,2013
      By Land
      Ceres
      Daily:
      4:00 AM
      5:20 AM
      6:30 AM
      8:30 AM
      11:40 AM
      12:50 PM
      2:00 PM
      12 Midnight
        
      Siquijor to Dumaguete
      By Air
      Company
      Schedule
      No trips
      As of April 27,2013
      By Sea
      OceanJet
      Daily:
      6:00 AM
      JL Shipping
      Daily:
      5:50 AM
      7:00 AM
      8:00 AM
      9:30 AM
      3:45 PM
      Delta
      Daily:
      5:55 AM
      10    AM
      2      PM
      By Land
      No trips
      As of April 27,2013

      Zamboanga to Dumaguete
      By Air
      Company
      Schedule
      No trips
      As of April 27,2013
      By Sea
      GP Lines
      Wednesdays: 3PM
      By Land
      No trips
      As of April 27,2013

         

      Travelling to Dumaguete by plane


      Dumaguete Airport
      The only airport in Dumaguete is located in Sibulan, just a few meters outside of Dumaguete's territory.

      To get out of the Dumaguete Airport, you can take the "pedicab", a taxi, or a van.  Taxis in Dumaguete do not use the meter system. 
      Pedicab
      Transport from inside the airport's compound charge more so if you have little luggage, is still best to hail a pedicab or a multicab outside the airport compound (approx. Php 30 to Php 50 to the city center).

       Travelling to Dumaguete by sea


      The Dumaguete Pier is located right at one end of the famous Dumaguete Boulevard. Most ships and ferries depart from this pier.

      If you need to take a ferry to Lilo-an, Cebu, you need to take a pedicab/bus/multicab from Dumaguete to Sibulan and catch a ferry at the Sibulan Pier (it's right behind the Sibulan Public Market.





      Pedicabs cannot enter the main compound of the Dumaguete Pier. You will find them all lined up outside the gate. Haggling for a reasonable fare is common but be aware of the official rates.

      Under normal circumstances taxi services are not available at the pier.

      Travelling to Dumaguete by land

       You can take a bus from Bacolod and Cebu to Dumaguete.


      In Bacolod, catch the Ceres liner at the Southbound Terminal. In Cebu, proceed to to Southbound Bus Terminal to find your bus to Dumaguete City. You can inform your driver that you want to go to the Lilo-an Port. From there, you can take a 30-minute ferry ride to Sibulan and the proceed to Dumaguete City.



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