Sipalay City in Negros Occidental will surely leave you in awe with its sundry topography. This chilled-out city remains an underrated gem for travelers. Lavished by natural resources, there is much to like in Sipalay such as hidden caves and neck-swiveling cliff rising above emerald green beaches, which for the most part are deserted. Easy-going travelers can enjoy the laid-back pursuits here.
Here’s a travel guide to help you plan your trip to the underrated Sipalay City.
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HOW TO GO TO SIPALAY FROM DUMAGUETE
Option 1
Dumaguete to Sipalay
Take a flight to Dumaguete from Manila. At Dumaguete City proper, take a tricycle to South Ceres Bus Terminal and ride the Ceres bus bound for Sipalay. Bus fare is Php 290. Travel time is approximately 4-5 hours. I was told there is only one direct bus to Sipalay from Dumaguete daily and it leaves at 1:00 PM. Will verify this schedule when I get to visit Dumaguete again soon.
Option 2
Dumaguete – Hinobaan – Sipalay
Alternatively, if you miss the direct bus to Sipalay, just ride a bus to Hinobaan. Fare is Php 189 and travel time is 2.5 – 3 hours. At Hinobaan, transfer to a bus bound for Sipalay. Fare is Php 33, travel time is approximately 30-45 minutes.
Option 3
Dumaguete – Bayawan – Sipalay
Another option is, take a bus bound for Bayawan from Dumaguete. Bus fare to Bayawan from Dumaguete is Php 200 (AC bus) and Php 125 (ordinary bus), travel time is roughly 2.5 hours.
In Bayawan, transfer to a bus en route to Hinobaan, fare is Php 80 and travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.
Finally, in Hinobaan, transfer to a bus bound for Sipalay, fare is Php 33 and travel time is about 45 minutes. Total travel time is about 4.5 – 5 hours, total fare is about Php 238 to Php 313.
HOW TO GO TO SIPALAY FROM BACOLOD
Option 1
From Manila, you can fly to Bacolod via Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines. From Bacolod City proper, take a taxi or multi-cab with South Bus Terminal. Then board a bus en route to Sipalay. Bus fare to Sipalay from Bacolod is Php 180 (ordinary bus) and travel time is 4-5 hours.
Click here for Ceres Bus Schedule to Sipalay and Hinobaan
Option 2
If you miss the bus directly to Sipalay, don’t fret as you can ride a bus bound for Hinobaan and tell the conductor you are getting off at Sipalay. Fare is Php 180. See Hinobaan’s bus schedule on the link above.
ALSO READ: HOW TO GET TO SIPALAY FROM CEBU
GETTING AROUND IN SIPALAY
From Ceres Bus stop in Sipalay City, you can charter a tricycle to take you to your resort. Fare is Php 150 per person.
SIPALAY DAY TOUR
SIPALAY TRICYCLE TOUR
You can also charter a tricycle to tour your around Sipalay. We paid Php 1, 500 for a whole day tour (good for 4 persons). The Sipalay tricycle tour includes: Sugar Beach (boat ride fare not included), Sipalay Municipal Hall, Tinagong Dagat, Pert Paradise Resort, Punta Ballo and caving.
SIPALAY ISLAND HOPPING TOUR
Tourists can also charter a boat for island hopping in Sipalay for about Php 1, 500 (good for 4 pax). Island hopping tour in Sipalay includes: Punta Ballo, Perth Resort, Tinagong Dagat and Campomanes Bay.
SIPALAY TOURIST SPOTS
Tinagong Dagat
Perth Paradise Resort
Campomanes Bay
ALSO READ: INSTAGRAM-WORTHY SPOTS IN SIPALAY
Punta Ballo
Matlag Cave
Sugar Beach
WHERE TO STAY IN SIPALAY
Takatuka Lodge – Beach and Dive Resort
Sugar Beach, Brgy. Nauhang, Sipalay City, Sipalay City
Check room rates here
Punta Bulata Resort & Spa
Barangay Elihan, Sipalay City, Sipalay City
Check room rates here
Sugar Beach House
Sugar Beach, Sipalay
Jamont Hotel
Mercedez Boulevard, Barangay 1, Sipalay City
SIPALAY SAMPLE ITINERARY
TIME | ACTIVITIES |
Day 0 | |
10:00 AM | Bus to Toledo |
12:00 PM | ETA Toledo Port. Buy tickets for fast craft to San Carlos. |
12:20 PM | Lunch |
01:00 PM | ETD fast craft to San Carlos |
02:00 PM | ETA San Carlos. Ride Bus to Bacolod via Don Salvador. |
05:00 PM | ETA Bacolod |
05:30 PM | Dinner |
06:00 PM | Bacolod to The Ruins in Talisay |
06:30 PM | ETA The Ruins |
08:30 PM | ETD The Ruins to Ceres Bus Terminal |
10:30 PM | ETD to Sipalay (Hinobaan-bound bus) |
Day 01 | |
04:00 AM | ETA Sipalay. Trike to Resort |
04:30 AM | Check-in to Resort |
08:00 AM | Star of Sipalay Tricycle Tour. Punta Ballo Beach. |
08:30 AM | Sugar Beach |
09:00 AM | Brunch and Beach bumming |
11:00 AM | Tinagong Dagat |
12:00 PM | Lunch |
01:00 PM | Perth Paradise Resort |
03:30 PM | ETD to Sipalay Ceres Bus Stop |
SIPALAY SAMPLE BUDGET
ACTIVITIES | EXPENSES |
Bus fare (Cebu to Toledo) | PHP 83 per person |
Toledo Port to San Carlos fast craft | Php 180 per person |
San Carlos to Bacolod | Php 180 per person |
Bacolod to Sipalay | Php 118 per person |
Tricycle to Resort in Sipalay | Php 150 per person |
Sipalay Resort | Php 1,500 per room (good for 2 pax) |
Dinner | Php 200 per person |
Sipalay Tricycle Tour | Php 1,500 (whole tricycle/ good for 3 pax) |
Chartered boat to Sugar Beach | Php 500 (roundtrip/ good for 3-4 pax) |
Brunch | Php 250 per person |
Tinagong Dagat entrance fee | Php 30 per person |
Perth Resort entrance fee + Pool use | Php 180 per head (Php 80 Entrance Fee + Php 100 Pool use) |
Sipalay to Hinobaan bus fare | Php 33 |
Hinobaan to Dumaguete bus fare | Php 189 |
TOTAL | Php 5,033 |
*This sample Sipalay trip budget is good for 1 person only, you can save more if you have travel buddies.
SIPALAY TRAVEL TIPS
♦ Expect to pay around Php 200 up per meal in Sipalay resorts.
♦ If you want affordable beach-front accommodation, head to Sugar Beach.
♦ The beach is perfect for swimming not to mention it so laid-back.
♦ There are beach-front accommodations in Punta Ballo, but they are pricey compared to Sugar Beach.
♦ Better include a side trip to Bacolod or Dumaguete during your visit since they are the entry points to Sipalay.
ALSO READ:
TINAGONG DAGAT
CARBIN REEF
LAKAWON ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE
THINGS TO DO IN SIPALAY
THINGS TO DO IN BACOLOD
About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina travel blogger. Her work has appeared in local and international publications.
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