The most popular islands in the Philippines to visit is, without a doubt, Luzon (home to the country’s capital of Manila), Bohol, Cebu and Boracay. However, there is an island that’s a mere two-hour ferry ride away from Cebu called Negros Occidental. The island is a bit of a hidden gem as it isn’t as popular as the other islands mentioned, which is a shame since there are so many beautiful places to see. On the bright side, if you are looking for an island in the Philippines that is less crowded, less touristy yet just as fun and spectacular then Negros Occidental is a must visit.
What to do?
On Negros Occidental island there is no shortage of things to do and see. It’s only up to you and what you are interested in doing on your vacation. Maybe you are a history buff, nature lover or simply wanting to relax on a small tropical island. Perhaps you are in search of a lovely balance of all three. If you are, then you are in for a treat because Negros Occidental has it all.
Historical Features
One of the island’s main historical attractions is The Ruins, which is the remains of a stately Italianate mansion built early in the 20th century by a sugar cane tycoon and razed during World War II. It is located in Talisay City, which is a fifteen-minute drive away from the city of Bacolod.
For a modest entrance fee visitors can tour the remains of the mansion as well as the beautifully landscaped garden surrounding it. If you happen to become hungry while there, a restaurant is located nearby where visitors can grab a bite to eat.
Another main historical attraction, on the other side of the island in Dumaguete, there is the Campanario de Dumaguete. It was originally built as a watchtower in 1760 to guard the vulnerable village from invading pirates. A century later, in 18767, it was converted into a bell tower. The building is one of the oldest surviving structures in Dumaguete.
For the Hardcore History Buffs
The Hofileña Ancestral House in Silay City is a must-visit. It was built in the 1930s by Manuel Severino Hofileña for his wife and their nine children. During World War II, the family fled to the mountains for safety. The house then became occupied by the Japanese military and, later, the Americans. Several years after the war, in 1962, the house was opened to the public and has been so ever since.
At the Hofileña Ancestral House, you can explore curious trinkets and objects from the past such as the world’s smallest dolls, the first pocketbooks, antiques, and memorabilia from old “Hollywood” in the Philippines. House also has on display rare artworks from some of the nation’s most renowned artists such as Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo, and Jose Rizal, to name a few.
Natural Wonders
The island boasts numerous natural attractions and roadside views that are simply breathtakingly beautiful such as Mount Kanlaon Natural Park, for example. It is popular to hike Mount Kanlaon up to Kanloan Volcano, the highest peak in the Central Visayas region. At the top of the mountain there is an art gallery, a zipline and a couple of river trail adventures. Trekking tours are available almost all year round and are advisable for experienced trekkers.
If you travel in the spring, at the foothills of Mount Kanlaon by La Castellana town, you can find Palawan Cherry trees blooming with beautiful pinkish flowers.
If you love chasing waterfalls then you will probably want to visit Mag-aso Falls and Casaroro Falls.
At Mag-aso Falls you can rent a cottage nearby and stay by the beautiful waterfall overnight. Mag-aso are twin waterfalls with clear blue waters and are surrounded by tropical flora and fauna. At its base, the waterfall has a pool with both a very deep end and a shallow area you can relax in.
Unlike Mag-aso Falls, Casaroro Falls is tucked away deep in a forest. Therefore, getting there is a bit of an adventure as it requires some trekking. However, anyone who has ever visited the waterfall will probably tell you that it is well worth it. You can try trekking there on your own, however, it is highly recommended to seek out a local guide to take you there.
Island life in the Philippines
There are a number of smaller islands close to Negros Occidental that pretty much have paradise island vibes. Some of the most popular among locals are Danjugan, Apo and Lakawon.
For the Adventurer
If you are looking for an island paradise with a bit of action then Danjugan island is right up your alley. The island is a vast marine reserve and sanctuary with a wide variety of fish, corals, birds and butterfly species. It is the perfect small island for those who love the water with lots of exciting activities available. You can go kayaking, snorkelling, sailing, and scuba diving. If you also want to get some on land nature action, you can also do some hiking, trekking and bird-watching. Danjugan island is definitely the ultimate island paradise for the active traveller.
Please be advised though that reservations are required for travel to Danjugan island. It is highly recommended to check out their website Danjugan Island Marine Reserve for more information.
For the Sea Lovers
Another island rich in sea-life and one of the best scuba diving locations in the Visayas is Apo island. When diving or snorkeling by the island you have the chance to see an incredible variety of sea creatures such as sea turtles and amazing coral formations. If you want to scuba dive for the first time or acquire more diving certificates, then it is possible to sign up for courses on the island.
For the Chill Ones
For the more laid-back traveller the islands of Lakawon and Sipaway are perfect for that super relaxing, do nothing but tan on the beach sipping cocktails vacation.
Lakawon is a privately owned island and boasts an exquisite resort. You can either stay several nights at the resort, or simply purchase a day pass and hang out for the day. The resort also has a floating bar on the water, which has stunning views of the islands of Lakawon and Negros Occidental. The island can be reached by a ten-to-fifteen minute palm boat ride from Cadiz.
Lakawon is ideal if you enjoy a relaxing time sipping cocktails on a stunning sandy beach or on a floating bar.
Unlike Lakawon, Sipaway is not a privately owned island nor as developed. Not many live on the island but it does have small resorts and restaurants. It also has plenty of exciting flora and fauna. You don’t need to buy a day pass to visit the island, simply pay for a palm boat to take you there. The island can be reached from San Carlos City via a fifteen-to-twenty minute palm boat ride.
Sipaway is ideal if you enjoy relaxing by the beach, sipping cocktails but still able to explore a bit of flora and fauna.
What to eat in the Philippines?
There are many delicious delicacies popular on the island that anyone visiting is highly recommended to try, if they can. The delicacies are known as Piaya, Barquillos, Pinasugbo and Silvana are, relatively, easy to find all over the island in shops and street food markets.
What are they though?
Piaya is a muscovado-filled unleavened flatbread. It is made by filling the dough with a mixture of muscovado and glucose syrup. The dough is then flattened with a rolling pin, sprinkled with sesame seeds and baked on a griddle.
Barquillo is a wafer, biscuit roll. They are crunchy, rolled sticks which can be eaten as a snack or a dessert. They come in a wide variety of flavours, colours and with and without a filling.
Pinasugbo is a banana that has been chopped into several slices, then deep-fried and coated in caramelized sugar. Finally, it is drizzled with sesame seeds.
Silvana is a cookie with a cream sandwiched between two wafers, coated with cookie crumbs. They usually come in two flavours, butter (the original flavour) and chocolate.
Origins & Where to Find Some
According to locals, Piaya, Barquillos and Pinasugbo are believed to have originally originated in the city of Bacolod. There is a store chain called Bong Bong’s, which originates from Bacolod, with locations all over the island selling these delicacies. They are said to sell the tastiest ones. So, if you ever find yourself in a mall on Negros Occidental do keep an eye out for Bong Bong’s.
As for Silvana, it is known to have originated in Dumaguete. The Sans Rival Restaurant in Dumaguete, near the city’s boardwalk, is famous for their delicious Silvana. Some even say theirs is the tastiest there is. If you are interested in trying one of Dumaguete’s most popular delicacies then do head over to the Sans Rival Restaurant. You can even grab a delicious lunch or dinner while there before you go for the dessert.
Good for you to know
Before you visit the amazing island of Negros Occidental, or anywhere in the Philippines for that matter, there are certain things that might be helpful for you to know.
Water in the Philippines
You probably already know this. Nevertheless, it is worth reminding. Foreign visitors are advised against drinking the tap water in the Philippines as it might cause you to feel unwell. It is recommended to stick to bottled water. Be careful, though, about the kind you buy. There are several kinds of bottled water available in the Philippines such as filtered, mineral, distilled and purified. For those wanting to be extra safe, purified water is usually a safe bet.
Tipping Culture in the Philippines
In the Philippines, tipping is not considered necessary as might be common in other countries but it is common. Most establishments, though not all, usually include a 10% service fee in your bill. Giving a tip is viewed as a sign of goodwill, particularly if the individual has provided excellent service.
Who do you tip? How much?
Tipping is commonly provided to any service worker such as a waiter, barber, bartender, masseuse, nail tech, etc.
If you want to give a tip, yet are unsure of how much to give then there is a rough guide you can follow to help you out:
- Cabs: The usual is anything from P30 to P60, depending on the distance you travelled, time spent on the road and how accommodating they were.
- Hotels: For bell hops it is at least P30, sometimes P60 or more, depending on how many bags they carried and how generous you are feeling. Maids, however, are usually given P30 to P60 per day.
- Restaurants: Usual is 10-20% of your bill, if service charge not included or the service was great.
- Bars: Tip is usually 10-15% of the bill, if service charge not included or the service was great.
- Salons and Spas: P30-P60 usually, more if you found the service particularly amazing.
Public Transportation
There are several means of public transportation on the island to choose from to help you get from A to B.
The Classic Bus
Busses run through most of the cities and villages. Bus terminals are, relatively, easy to find with the help of Google Maps or other similar online software. Bus stops, however, are sometimes a bit trickier to find as some in remote areas tend be unmarked sometimes. Therefore, it is highly recommended to ask a local guide for help in finding the one you need.
Bus tickets can either be purchased at bus terminals or on board. Fee depends on the route.
The Iconic Jeepney
Within major cities such as Bacolod and Dumaguete for instance, there is something called a Jeepney. They are similar to a bus except much smaller, open with no official pick up or drop off area. Jeepney’s operate along specific routes in a similar way that buses do, except you can hail them down like you do a taxi from almost anywhere. A jeepney will usually stop, ask you where you are going and if it is along their route then they will tell you to hop aboard.
The Filipino Small Cabs
There are also smaller means of transport that can easily be found in every city and village on the island. They are known as Motorcabs (motorcycle cab) and Pettycabs (bicycle cab). These types of cabs have been fitted with a sidecar to accommodate several passengers. The sidecar of Motorcabs are often large enough to accommodate at least five adult passengers. Pettycabs are smaller and only accommodate two adult passengers.
The Cost of Jeepneys & Small Cabs
The cost of riding the Jeepneys, Motorcabs and Pettycabs depends entirely on the route taken; from where you are to where you are going and how far it is. If it is a legally registered Jeepney or small cab then they should be able to provide a government-issued document listing the price of the routes throughout the city.
The usual starting fares are:
- Jeepneys: P8
- Motorcabs: P10
- Pettycabs: P8
That’s why Negros Occidental is a MUST VISIT
There are many beautiful, exciting islands in the Philippines to visit. As awesome as Luzon, Boracay and Cebu are, Negros Occidental should also be on your list because it is just as awesome. It even has the slight added bonus of having fewer crowds, and even more affordable accommodation prices (in some areas) than some of the Philippines’ most popular islands.