Negros Oriental blends the laid‑back university vibe of Dumaguete with volcanic highlands, world‑class reefs, and glassy lakes—an easygoing gateway where you can dive with turtles in the morning, trek to misty waterfalls after lunch, and wind down with sunset strolls along a historic boulevard lined with cafes.

Time your visit for October’s Buglasan Festival in Dumaguete with colorful street parades and “festival of festivals,” browse the Malatapay Wednesday market for livestock, seafood, and island life en route to Apo Island, linger at Silliman University’s Anthropological Museum to trace Visayan roots, and join the sunset paseo along Rizal Boulevard where students, families, and vendors mingle against the glow of the sea.

Start at the painitan stalls for budbud kabog and puto maya with thick tablea sikwate, snack on boulevard favorites like tempura and “squidballs,” feast on kinilaw and simply grilled seafood fresh from Bais and Zamboanguita, bring home iconic Sans Rival cakes and silvanas from Dumaguete’s beloved bakery, and look for seasonal treats like sea urchin at Manjuyod and native lechon for fiesta‑day indulgence.