Dumaguete is the capital and the most populous city (approx. 130,000 people) of Negros Oriental. Located just 40 km (about one hour drive) north of MCP, Dumaguete is accessible on an afternoon or day trip. Dumaguete is a university city with universities such as Silliman and Foundation, which have roots dating back to more than a hundred years ago. The city is our main location for grocery and other types of shopping and offers lots of restaurants and a few good bars and night clubs.

From base you can get to Dumaguete with a lift from one of our trucks or you take a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) from base to the local highway from where you can then catch one of the local Ceres buses or a Jeepney (colorfully decorated old bus-like public transportation vehicles with passengers on long benches).

Arriving to Dumaguete from the south you will come to Robinson’s Place shopping mall located just south of the city center. Robinson’s offers western-like shops, a few cafés and restaurants, as well as Cinema World, a movie theater with three screens showing a combination of international and Filipino movies.

The city’s highlights include Rizal boulevard which is a walkway situated along the city’s shoreline with stunning views of the ocean and neighboring islands. The boulevard leads up to the ferry terminal from which ferries depart for Siquijor, Cebu and Bohol.

At peak hours of the day the city center is full of pedestrians, motorcycles and tricycles (motorcycles with a side wagon). These vehicles are often packed beyond capacity with people and/or goods and circle the cities many shops and daytime attractions such as the old Spanish Belfry watch tower or the local market.

Grab a meal in one of the city’s many restaurants that serve both local and western dishes at a favorable price or find that little piece of dive equipment that you are searching for in one of the city’s three dive shops that offer discounted prices to MCP volunteers and staff.

Trips and attractions near Dumaguete include hiking trails close to Valencia west of Dumaguete at the scenic Casaroro Falls (approx. 50 m tall). Casaroro Falls is embedded in a magnificent setting and swimming opportunities abound. You’ll find that it’s definitely worth the hike when you reach the falls. Take a day trip north of Dumaguete to Twin Lakes for a high-altitude lakeside experience and take in beautiful views both at the lake and over the mountain side on either side of the lake.