This blog post is about exploring the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental in four (4) days. Starting from the northern part of Negros Occidental (entry point is Bacolod City, then going shortly to Lakawon in Cadiz City) and eventually going southwards to visit Sipalay City, Apo Island and then Dumaguete City of Negros Oriental, this trip is definitely a lot of fun but tiring at the same time. Haha. Imagine going to the aforementioned places in only several days and what you’ll have is a very memorable trip! Oh, and did I forget to say that I went here solo? Yes, I did travel in Negros on my own. But I met a few friends along the way as well as met new ones who made my stay in the whole island really remarkable.

I also visited the province of Siquijor after Negros but that’s for another blog post. Continue reading, guys, and learn how you can explore Negros in four days!

THE NEGROS ISLAND

The island of Negros is the fourth largest island in the Philippines (after Luzon, Mindanao and Samar) for having an area of 13,309 sq km. It comprises of the provinces of Negros Occidental (capital city: Bacolod) and Negros Oriental (capital city: Dumaguete). From May 2015 to August 2017, the island was declared as the Negros Island Region (NIR), which was made to accelerate social and economic development and improve the delivery of public services. However, due to insufficient funding, the current president, Rodrigo Duterte, has dissolved the NIR. As a result, Negros Occidental went back to being a part of the Western Visayas Region while Negros Oriental a part of Central Visayas Region.

An interesting fact about Negros is that both provinces have different predominant languages. The people of Negros Occidental mostly speak Hiligaynon, which is also the language of Ilo-ilo and Guimaras (the provinces nearest Bacolod) while most of the people of Negros Oriental speak Cebuano, due to the province’s proximity to Cebu.

Residents of Negros are called Negrenses. I have heard before that they are some of the friendliest and kindest people and I must say that this is true after exploring the place for several days!

HOW TO GO TO NEGROS?

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

1. If you’re coming from Manila (and other major cities in the Philippines), you can take a direct flight going to Bacolod.
2. If you’re coming from Ilo-ilo, you can charter a boat from the Port of Ilo-ilo going to the Port of Bacolod.

HOW TO GO TO NEGROS ORIENTAL

1. If you’re coming from Manila (and other major cities in the Philippines), you can take a direct flight going to Dumaguete.
2. If you’re coming from Cebu, you can charter a boat from the Port of Liloan in Santander in the southern part of Cebu going to the Port of Sibulan, a nearby town north of Dumaguete.

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

Occupying the northwestern part of the Negros Island, Negros Occidental is called Sugarbowl of the Philippines as it produces more than half of the sugar in the country. Its capital city as aforementioned is Bacolod City, which is home to some of the sweetest delicacies and most mouth-watering food. I am guessing it is called the City of Smiles not just because of its friendly people (they’re some of the kindest, I promise!) but also because of the smiles the city brings to the people who visit because of their food! Haha.

WHAT TO EXPLORE IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

LAKAWON ISLAND

One of the best places to go to when visiting Negros Occidental, Lakawon Island features creamy, fine sand along its beaches that teem with beautiful blue waters. It has structures like a bridge in stilts, swings, inflatable banana beds among others that are perfect for a chill island vibe. Don’t forget to take pictures when you are here in this beautiful island!

These are the stilts that give another color to Lakawon’s impressive beauty.

Lifeguard on duty. Hehe.

Below the stilts. See the clarity of the sea water?

TAWHAI

One highlight of going to Lakawon Island is its floating bar dubbed as the biggest in Asia, the TawHai Floating Bar. Tawhai, which means “calm and relax” in Hiligaynon, is a good description of the place as it really brings calmness and relaxation to the people who go here. Even in the middle of a hot, sunny afternoon, I got to be relaxed with newfound friends in the floating bar’s decks! By the way, don’t hesitate to buy yourself a drink while you are here!

Inside Tawhai: There’s a bar where you can order your drinks and snacks.

Banana beds are available where you can just sit on and relax.

Tawhai during low tide. You can just walk towards the floating bar when it’s low tide. The seawater at this time around the island is shallow, so you don’t need to ride a boat going there.

THE RUINS

The remains of the ancestral mansion of a wealthy family in Talisay City, The Ruins gained fame and recognition because of its interesting history as well as its beautiful architecture. The house was originally built in the early 1900s by the sugar baron named Don Mariano Ledesma in honor of his wife, Maria Braga Lacson, who died during her delivery of their 11th child. This fact is what drew the comparison between The Ruins and the Taj Mahal of India.

The guide in the area said that what led to the mansion’s ruin was the family’s Japanese gardener who spied for the Japanese during the Second World War. However, it was the American colonial masters that burnt it down to prevent its use as a military office for the Japanese forces. Even though it burnt for three days, some of the original materials used in the construction of the house remain until this day.

The Ruins marker.

A beautiful bell found around The Ruins.

Here I am with my newfound friends who happened to be visiting also in Negros Occidental! They are Kint, Mhel and Franz!

The Ruins is beautiful whether you visit it in the morning, afternoon or evening. However, it can really get too crowded even during ordinary days! So, try to go there as early as possible (it opens at 8 AM) or take pictures close to its closing time (8 PM). That’s a good tip, I’m telling you!

BACOLOD CITY HALL

This is the city’s new government center. Located along Carlos Hilado Highway, the Bacolod City Hall is really beautiful at night! It is a place where people can run or jog around, just stroll in the place or marvel at its fountain. It can really be crowded especially in the afternoon so you can just choose to go here at night where it is already more quiet and peaceful.

DINE IN MANOKAN COUNTRY

I’ve always heard good things about Bacolod and one of them is their food! Their chicken inasal, which inspired lots of restaurants offering roasted chicken marinated with vinegar, calamansi, pepper among other ingredients, is superbly delicious! Eating it with rice drenched in chicken oil while using the hands is very much recommended for you to have a great gastronomic experience!

EAT DESSERTS IN FELICIA’S PASTRY SHOP AND CALEA

Bacolod City’s two of the most popular desserts places are Felicia’s Pastry Shop and Calea.

You should try them both when you go on a trip here in the City of Smiles! I am sure you’ll be this all-smiles when you eat their desserts!

Here’s my travel itinerary during my first day in Negros:

SIPALAY CITY

Perth Paradise Resort

One of the most popular resorts in Sipalay City, Perth Paradise Resort provides an infinity pool for people to swim in while giving them a fine view of the nearby lagoon found in that part of Negros Occidental.

Why so serious? Nah, just wondering how beautiful it is here.

That back pose. Hehe.

Testing the waters, yeah? Don’t worry, the water here isn’t to deep.

You can choose to stay overnight in this resort or just spend sometime relaxing its pool. Word of advice: it can get too crowded during peak season (holidays, summer break) and the resort currently has just one pool so you might want to go here during regular, ordinary days.

Perth Paradise Resort’s reception area

Going up the infinity pool!

The lagoon as seen from the recepction area.

White Beach (also called Punta Ballo Beach)

Sipalay’s White Beach has this whitish, creamy sand that invites any beach lover who’s visiting the city. While seaweeds gather at the White Beach this time of the year, it still is a good place to go to if you just want to relax along the beach while watching the sea and hearing its waves.

Pinipig ice cream, anyone?

If you could just hear those waves!

Tinagong Dagat

Similar to Romblon’s Tinagong Dagat where a part of the sea is hidden due to land and rock formations, Sipalay’s Tinagong Dagat is a beautiful mesh of the land’s lush greenery and the water’s bluish beauty.

Tinagong Dagat’s a beaut!

Here’s the hanging bridge in Tinagong Dagat. You’d need to walk here and then go up to the top of the hill to have a good view of the place.

Reflections do make good photos.

CampoQuino Bay (Hi Jo Beach Resort)

Not anyone who goes to Sipalay gets to visit this resort and I was fortunate to have the chance to visit as my guide at that time insisted. I really was planning to stay overnight in Sugar Beach, one of the more popular beach destinations here in Sipalay but due to time constraints and budget issue (my guide said it would cost me more if I head to Sugar Beach), we went here in CampoQuino Bay instead.

CampoQuino Bay Hi Jo Resort’s reception area

The beach in CampoQuino

And what a good decision it was! The beach may not be as white or as creamy as the other beaches that I have visited so far in this trip, but the view atop the nearby mountain was breathtaking! The hike up the mountain was relatively easy and would only take about 15 to 20 minutes (though people are not allowed to go up if the weather is bad) so it would be a missed opportunity if you don’t go up here when you come and visit Sipalay!

You can choose to stay overnight in this resort. As I wasn’t planning to, I just ordered ice candies and drinks from them before heading on to our next destination.

Poblacion Beach

Also called Sipalay’s public beach, Poblacion Beach is the go-to place of everyone in the town center if they want to take a dip or just stroll along the beach. As for me, I have just ended the day while watching a beautiful sunset!

Afterglow

Sunset in Sipalay!

Where to stay in Sipalay?

Aside from the resorts that I have mentioned a while ago, there are many inns and lodges in the city of Sipalay so you don’t have to worry on where you’re going to stay while you are here. As I was planning to leave early the following day, I opted to choose an inn just near the bus terminal. I headed to Sealey’s Inn where I paid P800 for an overnight stay in an air-conditioned room with its own comfort room, 2 well-furnished beds and a cable TV. Wi-fi is present, though you might want to avail the room nearest their eatery/store area to get a stronger connection.

NEGROS ORIENTAL

Covering up the southeastern part of the Negros Island, Negros Oriental is blessed with various natural landforms and water forms that one visit isn’t enough to explore all. Its capital is Dumaguete City, which is dubbed as City of the Gentle People, because of its friendly, soft spoken and hospitable people. The city is also called University City of the province because it has four universities (the most popular of which is Silliman University, the country’s first Protestant university and the first American university in Asia), a number of colleges, public high schools and elementary schools.

WHAT TO EXPLORE

APO ISLAND

Apo Island is one of the most popular travel destinations in Negros Oriental. Located 7 kilometers from the southernmost tip of Negros Island, it would take about 30 to 45 minutes to reach it.

FACING THE WAVES. The waves are higher and bigger in the afternoon that’s why snorkeling among the turtles is recommended to do in the early morning when the sea is calmer.

PHOTO SHOOT. Here’s Monica, one of the two new friends that I’ve met in the island. Here she is while striking a pose against the beautiful rock formation in Apo.

Apo Island is a volcanic island that has an area of 74 hectares and it is surrounded by marine reserves and fish sanctuaries. According to http://www.apoisland.com/, the island is home to over 650 species of fish and 400 species of corals, from tiny bubble corals to huge gorgonian sea fans and brain corals. Its main draw, though, is the presence of large turtles where travelers and tourists can swim with!

Hello there, turtle!

Swimming with the turtles. Here’s a picture of my friend, Brye (IG: @bryehero), as he was swimming with a turtle in Apo Island.

Apo Island’s old lighthouse

You can climb up the mountain in Apo Island if you want to see their old (and new) lighthouse as well as its network satellite. It’s a good place, too, to see the nearby islands of Negros and Siquijor.

Sunset in the island!

Here are some of the pictures that I’ve made capturing the beautiful sunset in Apo Island. 

Sunset by the beach in Apo Island.

That glorious sunset sky as seen atop Apo Island!

These are the solar panels that are utilized by people in the island as their source of energy.

Where to stay?

Rooms in Ronor’s

Ronor’s Homestay

I stayed in Ronor’s Home Stay as it is the most budget-friendly lodging for solo travelers. Their room rate is P500, and this includes one big bed (good for 2 pax), an electric fan (though it can only be opened from 6 to 10 pm, the time when their generator is being opened), a table where you can put your things (there’s even a Bible on mine and that’s a plus) plus free breakfast. Bathroom is shared and it is located just outside of the room.

Other places of interest in Negros Oriental:

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY

RIZAL BOULEVARD

SANS RIVAL CAKES AND PASTRIES

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I hope this travel post has helped you decide on what to do when you visit Negros. There are other places to explore more in both the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, but you can do what I did if you want to use your days well while being here. In four days, you can explore Bacolod, Lakawon, Sipalay, Apo Island and Dumaguete. You can also choose to explore Siquijor, which is what I did on my fourth day. Check that out on my next blog post! 🙂