Dumaguete & Apo Island★★
Dumaguete is the "City of Gentle People" — a university town on the southeast coast of Negros Oriental, popular with expats and long-term travelers for its relaxed lifestyle and low cost of living. The Rizal Boulevard promenade is the meeting place in the evening: street food, strollers, sunsets, and live music.
The main reason to visit is Apo Island — a tiny volcanic island, 30 minutes by boat from Malatapay (Zamboanguita). Apo Island is a Marine Sanctuary and offers one of the best turtle experiences in the Philippines: While snorkeling, you are almost guaranteed to encounter green sea turtles feeding on seagrass and swimming calmly beside you. The surrounding reef is spectacular — over 650 fish species and 400 coral species in a small area.
Additionally: Twin Lakes (Balinsasayao & Danao), two idyllic crater lakes in the highlands of Negros, surrounded by dense rainforest. Kayaking on the quiet lake, bird watching, hiking — a perfect half-day trip. And the Casaroro Falls — a narrow, 30-meter-high waterfall plunging into a natural pool, accessible via 300+ steps through the jungle.
💡 Tipp
For Apo Island: Go to Malatapay (40 min. south of Dumaguete by jeepney, 30 PHP), then Bangka boat (20 min., 500 PHP round trip). Snorkeling gear available for rent on site. Go early in the morning — the turtles are most active before 10 a.m. Marine Sanctuary entrance fee: 100 PHP.
