Experience the best of Dumaguete

Dumaguete is the capital of Negros Oriental, a compact university city on the south-east coast of Negros Island, nicknamed the City of Gentle People. Silliman University, founded in 1901, gives it a young, academic air, and the Rizal Boulevard promenade runs along the waterfront with cafés, street food and open views of the sea. A coral-stone bell tower of the early nineteenth century stands beside the cathedral at the plaza.

Boats leave from the coast nearby for Apo Island, a small volcanic island whose marine sanctuary is among the best places in the Philippines to see sea turtles, and the black-sand coast at Dauin is a popular diving area. Siquijor island is about an hour away by ferry, and inland, Casaroro Falls near Valencia and the twin lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao lie in the hills.

Sans rival, a cake layered with buttercream and cashew meringue, and silvanas, frozen cookies of buttercream and cashew, are Dumaguete's own sweets. Seafood restaurants line the boulevard in the evening. The driest months, from January to May, are best for the islands, and the pace of life stays slow all year.