Dumaguete

There are many good reasons to consider retiring in Dumaguete. Located along a sheltered coast on the island of Negros, the city is protected against most of the typhoons that periodically batter many of the Philippines’ 7,107 islands. The weather is tropical and balmy—rarely too hot, but occasionally cool enough to wear a light sweater or jacket in the evening. Dumaguete offers excellent medical care, too—care that has been getting even better since the city was named one of the five top retirement destinations in the Philippines. 

Dumaguete is rich in natural beauty, with an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities. It is also a place where you can take advantage of one of the best residency programs in the world. It’s easy to see why several thousand foreigners have decided to make Dumaguete their permanent home. 

The local tourism office describes Dumaguete (pronounced “Doo ma GET tee”) as “bustling yet charming,” and this really does describe the city well. When you first arrive, you may be put off by the cacophony of loud motorbikes and a cityscape that looks a bit “well used,” but as you linger, the town will grow on you. The longer you stay, the nicer Dumaguete becomes, and many foreigners who originally traveled here for a vacation have remained for years. English speakers will have no difficulty at all here, as English is an official language of the Philippines and most people are fluent.