Bayawan is Negros Oriental’s largest municipality by land area, about 100km (roughly 1.5-2 hours by private transfer) southwest of Dumaguete, right near the Negros Occidental border.

It’s the province’s self-styled ‘Agricultural Capital’ — rice fields, mountains, and river valleys rather than a beach-resort identity, and it’s a genuine planning success story: designated a ‘Character City’ and a pioneer DOH-certified ‘Healthy City,’ and named one of the Philippines’ Top 10 Best Small Cities to Live In by the Asian Institute of Management in 2007.

Lourdes Falls, about 20km from the city proper in Barangay Narra, is the main natural draw — a multi-tiered cascade into a pool, popular with trekkers and picnickers especially in summer.

Niludhan Falls is another local option worth adding if time allows, along with the Sta. Catalina Monkey Sanctuary and Santabucks Eco Adventure Park in neighboring Sta. Catalina for a fuller countryside day.

HOW TO GET THERE: From Dumaguete, roughly 1.5-2 hours by private transfer or taxi (₱1,300-1,600+ one way — negotiate the full price, waiting time, fuel, and stops before leaving). Public buses/vans also run the route for less. Bayawan works well as a stop between Dumaguete and Sipalay if you’re doing the full southern/western Negros loop rather than an out-and-back trip.

BEST TIME: Leave early if combining Bayawan with waterfalls and countryside stops — the day adds up fast. Dry season (roughly December-May) is easier for the rural/waterfall roads. Bayawan has a small hotel/guesthouse scene (mostly around Suba and Banga) — enough for an overnight if you don’t want to rush back to Dumaguete, though nothing like Dauin or Dumaguete’s resort density.