City in Negros Oriental, Philippines
Is Dumaguete safe?
Calm and low-crime, one of the easiest places in the country for a first solo stay.
Is Dumaguete safe?
Calm and low-crime, one of the easiest places in the country for a first solo stay. Road accidents and scams around tourist services are the main concerns.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-07.
- Homicide rate in Philippines: 4.3 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Philippines: 12.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 911.
Safety in Dumaguete at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Bag snatching and room theft are occasional; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Quiet after 10 pm outside the boulevard bars. Walking is fine in the center; tricycles are plentiful. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; students and expats make the town used to visitors. Normal care with drinks. |
| Other risks | Typhoons and flooding Aug–Nov; Strong currents at Apo Island and Dauin dive sites; Dengue in the rainy season |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Tricycle drivers quoting tourist prices without a fixed fare
- Unlicensed boat operators for Apo Island day trips
- Pushy touts offering 'free' dive trips with hidden fees
Take care
- Motorbike and tricycle traffic on Rizal Boulevard crossings
- Rough seas on small boats in the monsoon months
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Smoking and vaping in public places are banned in many cities, with fines
- Drug laws are harsh; even small amounts can mean long detention
How Dumaguete compares in Philippines
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Boracay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palawan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| El Nido | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siargao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Coron | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bohol | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Panglao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Makati | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Moalboal | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Baguio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| La Union | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Davao | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dumaguete | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siquijor | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puerto Galera | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Malapascua | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Port Barton | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tagaytay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sagada | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Banaue | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Vigan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Iloilo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| BGC | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bantayan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manila | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cebu | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Angeles City | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Dumaguete safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; students and expats make the town used to visitors. Normal care with drinks.
Is Dumaguete safe at night?
Quiet after 10 pm outside the boulevard bars. Walking is fine in the center; tricycles are plentiful.
What is the crime rate in Dumaguete?
Bag snatching and room theft are occasional; violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Philippines records 4.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Dumaguete?
All emergencies 911.
More about Dumaguete
Going to Dumaguete solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Philippine Department of Tourism
- Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
- OceanJet
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.