Exploring Dumaguete: Tour to Twin Lakes and Apo Island

With its interior of rugged mountains and its coastline full of virgin beaches and coral gardens, the island of Negros will never fail to amaze its visitors. IIts south coast, of course,  will easily steal the spotlight with its striking beaches, particularly the Sugar Beach Resort. The center and the energy of Negros, however, is in Dumaguete.

Dumaguete, a town with remarkably friendly locals is also known as the university city. In the north, the city of Bacolod stands out for its culinary delights, and nearby areas such as Silay highlights historical sites worthy of a visit.

In the center of Dumaguete, interesting points are easily reached on foot. For example, the old bell tower built of coral stone and the adjacent market with the many colorful fruit and vegetable stands.

In the surrounding streets, you will find department stores, pharmacies, and specialty stores. Here you can take the opportunity to stock up on your essentials before going to smaller islands or remote places for a few days.

Dumaguete also features a lovely boardwalk, the Rizal Boulevard with many restaurants. Late afternoon walks will certainly be a worthwhile activity here. In the area between the boardwalk and the port, some food stalls are set up. 

Ideal Travel Duration

Three days

Getting there

Both Bacolod and Dumaguete have daily flights from Manila and Cebu, although due to their extra-strategic location, they can be reached by ferry from most of the surrounding islands (Bohol, Siquijor, or Mindanao).

Dumaguete isn't among the top destinations for many travelers in the country for no reason. The town’s surroundings form a chic and urban society that differs from other provincial cities.

In addition, Dumaguete provide an array of exceptional food stalls and restaurants, as well as upscale accommodations, making it a base for many travelers who want to explore Negros and enjoy scuba diving. 

Dauin is a diver's paradise as the Masaplod North Marine Reserve offers excellent diving experience, and there are also stunning resorts that you can find on the Dauin coast.

In Bais and its surroundings, along the Tañon Strait, you can see dolphins and whales. Bais features one of the most remarkable sandy tongues in the Philippines, Manjuyod. In Malatapay, south of Dauin, there is a nice local market that takes place every Wednesday and which is a good opportunity to interact with the locals. 

Furthermore, Sugar Beach is among the well-kept secrets in Negros. Sugar Beach highlights a stretch of beach with stunning sunset views, and is an ideal place for those looking for a quiet and unassuming relaxing environment.

Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao are perched in the center of a national park, specifically in the mountains of the volcanic island mountain range Cuernos de Negros, which allows you to relax and enjoy  the splendid flora and fauna of the surroundings. You can go hiking, enjoy picnics with the family, sail by boat, or even do kayaking.

Already the arrival is an experience and you’ll be welcomed with scenic views of the mountains on the left and the sea on the right. The neighboring island of Cebu is also visible from here.

As you go higher up into the mountains, the cool breeze is such a delight. To the left and right of the path, there are great views of the sea and the surrounding landscape marked by towering palm trees and verdant green mountain slopes.

At the entrance of the park, the visitors are asked to register and pay an entrance fee. Next to the control station, there is a quaint little lake with some trees.

As you drive up the mountain, you will see a restaurant with a panoramic terrace. From this point on, you can only continue up on foot.

First, you will enjoy the view of Lake Balinsasayao. Lake Danao, just like its smaller twin, is roughly 300 meters above sea level. The two crater lakes are each surrounded by dense rainforests where many animals live, including monkeys, and especially birds (among others hornbills, herons, and eagles) can be easily observed here.

For the boat trip, you’ll need to go down the stairs to Lake Balinsasayao, where you will take a small boat to cross to the other side. 

On the opposite shore is a viewing platform. This platform is located right between the two lakes. Around the Twin Lakes, there are some hiking trails and one of which will lead you to a small waterfall.

Tip: On your Twin Lakes tour, you should wear sturdy shoes, because on the moss-covered trails it is quite slippery in some places.