When we think of Negros Occidental, we think about Bacolod, its capital city. That can’t be helped, I guess. Bacolod has successfully made a name for itself as an attractive tourist destination. The Masskara Festival is one of the most well-known and most highly anticipated cultural events in the country. And don’t get us started with Bacolod’s influence to the Filipino culinary landscape. Bacolod and its neighboring cities, Talisay and Silay, have long been on the tourist map.

But the rest of the province also has a lot to offer to those who seek a sweet escape. Negros Occidental’s economy may be largely driven by sugar, but tourism is beginning to keep up too. Farther south of the province are hidden wonders like Danjugan Island, a protected area that you can visit on a day trip or an overnight stay.

Not far away from it is Sipalay City, a laid-back city devoid of skyscrapers and popular fast food chains. Interact with the locals at Poblacion Beach, just a few meters walk from the city center and the wet market. Taste the local food from the food stalls running parallel to the beach as you let the sunset embrace your weary mind and body. From the city center, you can start your beach hopping tour or stay in one of the resorts lining the coast of Sipalay.

From food tripping in Bacolod to nature tripping in Cauayan to laid-back beach hopping in Sipalay, you will thank yourself for choosing the province as the place to rejuvenate yourself. To help you with your trip, here are sample itineraries for you. Just choose what fits your budget and preference.

Please note that all these itineraries assume you’re a group of two and will be staying in a double/twin room and split the costs. Public transportation fares (jeepney, bus) are overestimated (rounded off).

Metro Bacolod Itinerary: 3 Days

Duration: 3 days, 2 nights

Hotel: Stay 2 nights in Bacolod. Another option is to stay 1 night in Bacolod and another night in Silay. Ideal budget: P1500 per night (P750 per person)

Day 1: BACOLOD CITY TOUR
09:00 am – ETA Bacolod-Silay Airport
09:30 am – Take cab to city center – P130 (P260/2pax)
10:15 am – Early check-in or drop baggage
11:00 am – Brunch at Sharyn’s Cansi House – P200
12:30 pm – Travel to Mambukal – around P50
01:30 pm – Mambukal Resort – P50
05:30 pm – Travel back to Bacolod – P50
07:00 pm – Dinner at Manokan Country – P200
09:00 pm – Calea – P150
10:30 pm – Back at hotel

Day 2: TALISAY & SILAY
09:00 am – San Sebastian Cathedral/Capitol Lagoon – FREE
11:30 am – Lunch at Aboy’s – P300
01:00 pm – Jeepney to Silay – P50
01:45 pm – Tour Silay City – P120
04:30 pm – Transfer to The Ruins
05:00 pm – Explore The Ruins – P100
07:00 pm – Back to Bacolod
07:30 pm – Dinner at 21 Restaurant – P300

Day 3: DEPARTURE
07:00 am – Hotel check out
07:30 am – Taxi to airport – P130 (P260/2)
08:00 am – ETD Bacolod-Silay Airport – P200 Terminal Fee

This itinerary will set you back P3500-P4000 per person. Note that much of the budget is spent on food as you will be trying the most popular dining places in the city. If you’re on a shoestring budget, you may opt to just have your meal at cheaper eateries for less than P100.

More info: Bacolod Travel Guide

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Bacolod-Sipalay Itinerary: 5 Days

Duration: 5 days, 4 nights

If you want to get out of the city and see more of the Negros countryside, this itinerary is for you.

Hotel arrangement: Stay 2 nights in Bacolod (Ideal budget: P1500/night) and 3 nights in Sipalay (Ideal budget: P1200/night).

Day 1: BACOLOD CITY TOUR
09:00 am – ETA Bacolod-Silay Airport
09:30 am – Take cab to city center – P130 (P260/2pax)
10:15 am – Early check-in or drop baggage
11:00 am – Brunch at Sharyn’s Cansi House – P200
12:30 pm – Travel to Mambukal – around P50
01:30 pm – Mambukal Resort – P50
05:30 pm – Travel back to Bacolod – P50
07:00 pm – Dinner at Manokan Country – P200
09:00 pm – Calea – P150
10:30 pm – Back at hotel

Day 2: TALISAY & SILAY
09:00 am – San Sebastian Cathedral/Capitol Lagoon – FREE
11:30 am – Lunch at Aboy’s – P300
01:00 pm – Jeepney to Silay – P50
01:45 pm – Tour Silay City – P120
04:30 pm – Transfer to The Ruins
05:00 pm – Explore The Ruins – P100
07:00 pm – Back to Bacolod
07:30 pm – Dinner at 21 Restaurant – P300

Day 3: TRANSIT TO SIPALAY
05:00 am – Hotel check out
05:30 am – Taxi to South Terminal
06:00 am – Bus to Sipalay – P209
11:00 am – Arrival in Sipalay
11:30 am – Hotel check in
12:00 pm – Lunch – P100
02:00 pm – Rest
06:00 pm – Sunset at Poblacion Beach
06:30 pm – Dinner at Sipalay Food Park – P150
08:00 pm – Back at hotel

Day 4: SIPALAY TOUR
08:00 am – Start Sipalay Beach-hopping – P750 (1500/2pax)
09:00 am – Sugar Beach – Boat: P250
11:00 am – Early lunch – P200
12:30 pm – Punta Ballo
02:00 pm – Perth Paradise Beach – P80 Entrance + P100 Pool Use
04:30 pm – Tinagong Dagat – P30
06:30 pm – Dinner at Sipalay Food Park – P150

Day 5: DEPARTURE
07:00 am – Hotel check out
08:00 am – Bus to Bacolod – P209
01:00 pm – Lunch – P150
02:00 pm – Taxi to airport – P130 (P260/2)
02:40 pm – Bacolod-Silay Airport – P200 Terminal Fee

For this itinerary, prepare to shell out P8000-P8500 per person. There are many other ways of bringing down the cost of the Sipalay leg, but we’ll discuss that in a separate Sipalay Travel Guide post (which we will be publishing very soon).

More info: Sipalay Travel Guide

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Sipalay-Danjugan Island Itinerary: 4 Days

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights

This also involves a visit to Danjugan Island in the neighboring town of Cauayan, which makes up a bulk of the budget.

Hotel arrangement: Stay 3 nights in Sipalay City Center (Ideal budget: P1400/night).

Day 1: BACOLOD-SIPALAY
09:00 am – ETA Bacolod-Silay Airport
09:30 am – Take cab to South Terminal – P130 (P260/2pax)
10:00 am – Early lunch – P100
11:00 am – Bus to Sipalay – P209
04:30 pm – Arrival in Sipalay
05:00 pm – Hotel check in
05:30 pm – Sunset at Poblacion Beach
06:30 pm – Dinner at Sipalay Food Park – P150
08:00 pm – Back at hotel, rest

Day 2: DANJUGAN ISLAND DAY TOUR
07:00 am – Bus to Crossing Remollos – P30
08:00 am – Arrival at Remollos/Bulata beach
08:30 am – Begin Danjugan Island Tour
06:00 pm – End Tour (P1950)
06:30 pm – Travel to Sipalay
08:00 pm – Dinner – P150
09:00 pm – Lights out

Day 3: SIPALAY TOUR
08:00 am – Start Sipalay Beach-hopping – P750 (1500/2pax)
09:00 am – Sugar Beach – Boat: P50
11:00 am – Early lunch – P200
12:30 pm – Punta Ballo
02:00 pm – Perth Paradise Beach – P80 Entrance + P100 Pool Use
04:30 pm – Tinagong Dagat – P30
06:30 pm – Dinner at Sipalay Food Park – P150

Day 4: DEPARTURE
07:00 am – Hotel check out
08:00 am – Bus to Bacolod – P209
01:00 pm – Lunch – P150
02:00 pm – Taxi to airport – P130 (P260/2)
02:40 pm – Bacolod-Silay Airport – P200 Terminal Fee

This itinerary will set you back P7500 – P800 per person, excluding airfare.

As mentioned, the biggest bulk of the budget goes to the Danjugan Island tour. Yes, the tour is indeed a bit expensive, but it is absolutely be worth it. But if you’re not interested in it, it will bring down the cost significantly.

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Sipalay Budget Itinerary: 4 Days

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights

This itinerary is the budget version. Instead of going to Danjugan, spend an entire day just relaxing on Sugar Beach instead.

Hotel arrangement: Stay 3 nights on Sugar Beach (Ideal budget: P650/night, fan-only room).

Day 1: BACOLOD-SIPALAY
09:00 am – ETA Bacolod-Silay Airport
09:30 am – Take cab to South Terminal – P130 (P260/2pax)
10:00 am – Early lunch – P100
11:00 am – Bus to Sipalay – P209
04:30 pm – Arrival in Sipalay City Hall
04:40 pm – Trike to Jump off Point – P50 (P100/2 pax)
05:00 pm – Boat to the other side – P50
05:10 pm – Walk to resort
05:30 pm – Hotel check in
07:00 pm – Dinner – P200
08:30 pm – Back at hotel, rest

Day 2: SIPALAY TOUR
08:00 am – Start Sipalay Beach-hopping – P750 (1500/2pax)
09:00 am – Perth Paradise Resort – P80 Entrance + P100 Pool Use
11:00 am – Early lunch – P200
12:30 pm – Tinagong Dagat – P30
02:00 pm – Punta Ballo
04:30 pm – Back at Sugar Beach
06:30 pm – Dinner – P150

Day 3: SUGAR BEACH CHILL
07:00 am – Swim/Laze on the beach
12:00 nn – Lunch – P150
02:00 pm – Rest/relax
04:00 pm – Swim again
07:00 pm – Dinner – P150
09:00 pm – Lights out

Day 4: DEPARTURE
06:00 am – Hotel check out
07:00 am – Boat to Poblacion Beach – P150 (P300/2pax)
08:00 am – Bus to Bacolod – P209
01:00 pm – Lunch – P150
02:00 pm – Taxi to airport – P130 (P260/2)
02:40 pm – Bacolod-Silay Airport – P200 Terminal Fee

This itinerary will cost you P4500-P5000 per person.

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