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Showing posts with label negros island. Show all posts

World class diving site, gorgeous beaches, amazing sand bar and breathtaking waterfalls, this awaits you in Negros Oriental and Siquijor Island! So, here's a travel guide and itinerary that can help you for this awesome trip!

Negros Oriental x Siquijor

How To Get There

Negros Oriental is located at southeastern part of the shoe-shaped island of Negros Oriental. It faces Cebu and the island of Siquijor. Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental's capital is the main entry point from Manila. It is also the jump of point when going to the island of Siquijor.

Negros Island seen from Lilo-an Port, Cebu

FROM MANILA/CEBU - DUMAGUETE
There direct flights from Manila/Cebu going to Dumaguete City. An hour flight from Manila and around 40 minute flight from Cebu. It can also be reached from Cebu by land and sea travel.

By air, take a direct flight from NAIA/Cebu Mactan Airport to Dumaguete Airport.

At Dumaguete Airport, you can take a tricycle to get you to your inn.

By sea travel, there are ferries that can you from Manila to Dumaguete (via 2go Travel for a day travel time) and Cebu to Dumaguete (via RoRo ferries).

By land travel from Cebu, go to South Bus Terminal and ride a bus bound directly to Dumaguete.

If the direct Dumaguete bus is not available, ride any bus bound to Santander then get off Lilo-An Port.

Take a ferry in Lilo-An Port bound to Sibulan Port (a 30 minute trip/PhP 62.00).

In Sibulan Port, ride a jeepney (PhP 8.00 minimum fare) going to Dumaguete City.

Ceres Bus Terminal (but not in Bacolod)

FROM BACOLOD - DUMAGUETE
Land travel from Bacolod City in Negros Occidental is also available.

From Bacolod Southbound Terminal, ride a bus to Dumaguete for around PhP 300.00. Travel time is around 5-6 hours.

Larena Port in Siquijor

FROM DUMAGUETE - SIQUIJOR
There are no commercial flights available going to Siquijor so the only option by getting here is via sea travel.

Take a fast craft ferry (an hour travel time/PhP 200+) or RoRo (an hour and a half/PhP 130.00) from Dumaguete port to Larena port in Siquijor.

Tagbilaran Port

FROM BOHOL - DUMAGUETE/SIQUIJOR
Oceanjet ferries have two daily trips from Tagbilaran to Dumaguete. The first trip leaves at 08:00 AM and the last trip is at 05:45 PM. Lite Shipping Corporation, have trips every Tue, Thu and Sat at 08:00 PM from Tagbilaran to the town of Larena in Siquijor.

For a more detailed guide about Siquijor, you can check this travel guide.

Where To Stay

There are a lot of options where you can stay in Negros Oriental. For travelers going to certain parts of the Negros Island, Dumaguete is the main choice on where to stay since it is where airport, seaport and bus terminals are located. Here are some places you can stay in Dumaguete, Siquijor and other towns that is included in this guide's itinerary.

DUMAGUETE CITY

Harold's Mansion: +63 035 225-8000

Island's Leisure Boutique Hotel and Spa: +63 917 424-6558 / +63 915 349-1132

Bethel Guest House: +63 035 422-8000 / +63 917 320-1484

We heart Dumaguete!

MANJUYOD

Manjuyod Sandbar Stilts: +63 35 402-8338 / +63 917 300-5945

Stilts in Manjuyod

APO ISLAND

Liberty Lodge and Dive: +63 920 238-5704 liberty_apo.island@yahoo.com

Mario's Homestay: +63 920 238-5704 liberty_apo.island@yahoo.com

Apo Island Beach Resort: +63 906 361-7254 marspascobello@hotmail.com

Resorts in Apo Island

SIQUIJOR

You can check here in this travel guide, the places you can stay in Siquijor Island.

We also hear Siquijor!

Getting and Touring Around

Dumaguete City, the towns of Manjuyod/Bais, Valencia, Daquin (Apo Island), and the island of Siquijor are our destinations in this travel guide. Getting around Dumaguete is easy. You can do it by walking around , ride a jeepney, rent a motorbike. For Manjuyod/Bais and Daquin (Apo Island), you will need to take a bus to get there. In Siquijor, motorbike is the also primary option on getting around.

You can check on the links below for some information on getting to this certain destination.

Riding in Siquijor

Contact Numbers

Habal-habal for Casaroro/Pulang Bato: Kuya Fernando +63 999 456-0396 / Kuya Elvin +63 935 991-4969

Dolphin Watching and Manjuyod Sandbar: Manong Jesus +63 620 253-8099 / +63 935 862-3595

Tours in Siquijor: Manong Borognoy +63 917 371-1764 / +63 997 271-4652

Attractions and Activities

Here are the main attractions that make Gigantes Islands a hidden paradise!

Tour Dumaguete City - Take a walking tour and visit several sights like Siliman University, one of the oldest universities in the country, Dumaguete Belfry (aka Campanario de Dumaguete), one of Dumaguete's famous landmarks and Rizal Boulevard, another famous landmark where you can relax and have some snacks in "Tempurahan".

Tempurahan in Rizal Boulervard

Eat Silvanas (Dumaguete) - Have some dessert in Sans Rival Cafe where you can have this famous guilty pleasure dessert from Dumaguete. Don't forget to bought pasalubong!

Creamy, delicious Silvanas!

Chasing Waterfalls (Valencia) - Witness the natural wonders of Negros Oriental by visiting both Casaroro Falls and Pulang Bato Falls in Valencia. Then take a dip in Red Rock Hotspring.

Casaroro Falls!

Dolphins and Manjuyod Sandbar (Bais) - See some awesome dolphins in Tañon Strait and be amazed by the beauty of Manjuyod Sandbar.

Manjuyod Sandbar

Apo Island (Dauin) - Dive in one of the country's best marine sanctuaries and swim with the amazing sea turtles!

Swim with sea turtles!

Explore the Mystical Island of Siquijor - Rent a motorbike to visit the century-old churches, swim in the beautiful beaches, snorkel in marine sanctuaries, take a dip in waterfalls and many more!

Cliff jumping in Salagdoong Beach

Balinsasayao Twin Lakes (Sibulan) - Go bird watching, swimming, boating or just appreciate nature and the beauty of the twin lakes, lake Balinsasayo and lake Danao.

Eat from local places (Dumaguete) - Have a food trip from some of Dumaguete's local food establishments. From Silvanas of Sans Rival, Chicken Inasal of Jo's Chicken Inato, Dumaguete Express of Hayahay, and Brick Oven Pizza's of Nevas! As my friend used to say, Heaven!!

Heaven!

Take a side-trip to Southern Cebu - Take a side trip to Oslob and visit Tumalog Falls, Sumilon Island, and Cancua-Ay Beach or to Samboan's waterfalls or to Badian for canyoneering!

Cancua-Ay Beach

Itinerary

Make the most of your time visiting Negros Oriental and Siquijor. Explore and do the activities above in 4 days. Here's an itinerary with an optional side-trip to Oslob, or if you will be coming from Cebu.

Day 0 - Optional: CEBU

06:00 AM: ETA Cebu City
06:30 AM: ETD South Bus Terminal to Badian/Oslob/Samboan
--:-- AM: Activities (check here for south cebu)
07:00 PM: ETD Liloan, Cebu to Sibulan, Negros Oriental (via boat)
08:00 PM: ETA Dumaguete/Check-in

Day 1: SIQUIJOR: Churches, Waterfalls, Beaches!

07:00 AM: ETA Siquijor from Dumaguete
07:15 AM: Check-in/Breakfast
08:00 AM: Siquijor Church
--:-- AM: Capilay Spring Park or Lugnason Falls
--:-- AM: Enchanted Balete Tree
--:-- AM: Lazi Church
12:00 NN: Lunch
--:-- PM: Cambuhagay Falls
--:-- PM: Kaugusan Beach
--:-- PM: Salagdoong Beach
--:-- PM: Tulapos Marine Sanctuary
06:00 PM: Back to accommodation/Rest

Day 2: SIQUIJOR/DUMAGUETE: Faith Healers and Caving/City Tour

06:30 AM: Wake up time/Breakfast
07:00 AM: Visit Faith Healers
--:-- AM: Caving in Cantabon Cave
--:-- AM: Hike Mt. Bandilaan
12:00 NN: Checkout/Lunch
03:00 PM: ETD Siquijor to Dumaguete (last ferry trip is at 3 PM)
03:45 PM: ETA Dumaguete/Check-in
04:00 PM: Walk around Dumaguete City

Day 3: MANJUYOD/VALENCIA: Dolphins and Sandbar/Waterfalls

04:30 AM: Wake up time/Breakfast
05:00 AM: ETD Dumaguete to Bais
06:30 AM: ETA Bais
07:00 AM: Dolphin Watching and Manjuyod Sandbar
11:00 AM: ETD Bais to Dumaguete
12:30 PM: ETA Dumaguete (have a quick lunch)
01:00 PM: Casaroro and Pulang Bato Falls (with red rock hot spring)
06:00 PM: ETD Valencia to Dumaguete

Day 4: APO ISLAND/SIBULAN: Sea Turtles and Twin Lakes

05:30 AM: Wake up time/Breakfast
06:00 AM: ETD Dumaguete to Zamboaguita (45-minute bus ride)
06:45 AM: ETD Zamboguita to Apo (15-30 minute boat ride)
07:-- AM: ETA Apo Island, Dive or Snorkle
01:00 PM: ETD Apo Island to Dumaguete
02:-- PM: ETD Dumaguete to Balinsasayao Twin Lakes (around 30 minutes travel time)
05:-- PM: ETD Dumaguete Airport

Manjuyod Sanbar

Expenses

Here's a breakdown of what it'll cost per day on a 4-day Negros Oriental + Siquijor trip. This only includes expenses that are necessary like fares (except airfare), food, tour guides, entrance fees and accommodation. Tips and other expenses like "pasalubongs" are not included.

Day 1: Dumaguete - Siquijor

Fare - Special trip trike from Sibulan Port to Dumaguete): PhP 100.00 / 4 pax = PhP 25.00
Fare -Ferry Dumaguete to Siquijor PhP 130.00 + (terminal fee PhP 12) = PhP 142.00
Transport - Motorbike 24-hour rental PhP 350.00 + (3L gas PhP 132) = PhP 482 / 2 pax = PhP 241
Food Lunch - Barbeque + Puso rice = PhP 30.00
Accommodation - AC Room:Replica Manor PhP 1250.00 / 4 pax = PhP 312.50
Parking Fees - Cambuhagay: P10 + Salagdoong: P20 = PhP 30.00
Entrance Fees - Enchanted Balete: P5 + Salagdoong Beach: P25 + Tulapos Marine: P25 = PhP 55.00
Food Dinner - Karinderia = PhP 60.00
Total: PhP 895.50

Day 2: Siquijor - Dumaguete

Food Breakfast - Free! LOL! read here why!
Fare - RoRo Siquijor to Dumaguete PhP 130.00 + (terminal fee PhP 12) = PhP 142.00
Fare - Special trike from port to accommodation PhP 100 / 4 pax = PhP 25.00
Accommodation - AC Room in Dumaguete PhP 1200.00 / 4 pax = PhP 300.00
Food Dinner - Any eatery or fast food (or if you have budget try Hayahay) PhP 100.00
Total: PhP 567.00

Day 3: Manjuyod - Valencia

Fare - Trike from inn to Ceres terminal PhP 8.00
Fare - Bus from Dumaguete to Bais PhP 53.00
Food Breakfast - Coffee, pandesal and puto in Bais Market PhP 35.00
Fare - Roundtrip trike Bais - Port - Bais PhP 100 / 4 pax = PhP 25.00
Tour - Dolphin Watching + Manjuyod Sandbar (c/o Mang Jesus) = PhP 2000 / 4 = PhP 500.00
Fare - Bus going back to Dumaguete PhP 53.00
Fare - Trike from Ceres back to inn PhP 8.00
Accommodation - AC Room in Dumaguete PhP 1200.00 / 4 pax = PhP 300.00
Food Lunch - any karinderia PhP 60.00
Fare - Trike from inn to Valencia Jeep terminal PhP 8.00
Fare - Jeep to Valencia PhP 12.00
Tour - Habal-habal Casaroro Falls + Pulang Bato Falls + Red Rock Spring (Dumaguete drop-off after tour) PhP 600 / 2 pax = PhP 300.00
Entrance Fee: Casaroro: P10 + Pulang Bato: P25 + Redrock: P30 = PhP 65.00
Food Dinner - any karinderia again PhP 60.00
Total: PhP 1470.00

Day 4: Apo Island - Sibulan

Food Breakfast - Coffee, bread, noodles PhP 35.00
Fare - Trike from inn to Ceres terminal PhP 8.00
Fare - Bus from Dumaguete to Malatapay PhP 25.00
Transport - Round trip boat to Apo Island PhP 2000.00 / 4 = PhP 500.00
Entrance Fee: Apo Island PhP 100.00
Tour Guide: Apo Island PhP 300.00 / 4 = PhP 75.00
Others (optional) : Snorkel P100 + Life Vest P100 = PhP 200.00
Fare: Bus + Trike back to accommodation PhP 33.00
Food Lunch: PhP 100.00
Fare: Jeep from Dumaguete to La-laan, San Jose PhP 15.00
Tour: Habal-habal roundtrip Twin Lakes Balinsasayao PhP 400 / 2 pax = PhP 200.00
Fare: Jeep and trike going back to inn PhP 23.00
Total: PhP 1114.00

Total Expense: PhP 4,046.5

What are you waiting for?

The quiet town of Valencia in Negros Oriental is visited by travelers and tourist because of its two beautiful and stunning waterfalls. The most photographed and hard to get Casaroro Falls and the uniquely beautiful Pulangbato Falls, which is also referred as "Twin Falls" or "Malabo Falls".

Casaroro x Pulangbato

How To Get There

Both waterfalls are located in Valencia, which is around 9 kilometers from Dumaguete City. The waterfalls are located in different barangays so they are a little far from each other, but both have the same option on how to get there.

In Dumaguete City, take a tricycle to the jeep terminal bound to Valencia. The fare is around PhP 8.00.
Ride the jeep bound to Valencia and tell the driver you will be going to Casaroro or Pulangbato Falls. The fare is PhP 12.00 and travel time is around 30 minutes.
In Valencia, you can hire a "habal-habal" to go to both of the waterfalls, or either Casaroro or Pulangbato.
Alternatively, you can hire a motorcycle in Dumaguete City and just go to the waterfalls by yourself. You can just ask for directions.

Jeep bound to Valencia

Habal-habal rates usually start around PhP 200.00 per person for a trip to one waterfall and PhP 300.00 for both waterfalls or just try to negotiate with the price.
You can contact Kuya Fernando at +63 999 456-0396 or Kuya Elvin at +63 935 991-4969 for habal-habal services.
The last trip of jeepneys from Valencia to Dumaguete is around 5 PM. If you missed the last trip back, you could ask your habal-habal to get you back to Dumaguete for an additional fee.

Casaroro Falls

From the town proper in Valencia, Casaroro Falls is around 15-20 minute habal-habal ride. It was a rough ride going to the waterfalls before when there isn't a concrete road yet, fortunately, now, the entrance of the waterfall is very accessible. The real challenge is the hike from the entrance going to the waterfall. By the way, there is an entrance fee of PhP 10.00 per person before entering. The habal-habal drivers usually act as the tour guides to get you to the waterfalls.

Road going to Casaroro Falls

Under construction road near the entrace

Welcome to Casaroro Falls

Rest area in the entrance

The hike going to (especially the uphill hike going back) the waterfall is not a walk in the park (my friend almost fainted) LOL! From the entrance, there is a concrete stair that has around 300+ steps going to the ravine. After the steps, you will through small streams and huge rocks. There was a concrete trail before, but it was destroyed by a flash flood when a typhoon hit the town.

300+ steps here we come!

Stream along the trail

After getting through some huge boulders, we finally reached the waterfalls. Casaroro Falls welcomes us with its beauty. It stands around 100-feet tall. The natural pool has a greenish color because of the vegetation surrounding it. You can swim in the natural pool, but be sure not to go closer to the area where water drops because it is very strong.

There it is!

Strong drop of water

Waterfall cascade

The beautiful Casaroro Falls

Pulangbato Falls aka Malabo/Twin Falls

This waterfall is located in Brgy. Malabo which is also the reason as it is also known as Malabo Falls. From Casaroro Falls, it is around 30 to 45-minute habal-habal ride going to Pulangbato Falls. Unlike Casaroro Falls that needs a little effort to go, Pulangbato is just a few meters away from the road.

Welcome to Pulang Bato Falls

Along the highway, you will see a steam that is coming out of the ground and on the side of the hill that has a sour sulfuric smell, which is like rotten eggs. We stopped for a while to check it out and have some pictures. The steam is probably caused by the nearby Mount Talinis, also known as the Cuernos de Negros.

Smells like rotten eggs

Steam coming from the hill

Pulangbato is located inside a resort so there is an entrance fee of PhP 25.00 per person. There is actually three waterfalls found inside the resort. As you enter the resort, you will immediately see the first one which is a little small. On the left side of the little waterfall and a few meters away is the main waterfall which is really covered with big and little red rocks. The third one is above the main waterfall, but we didn't have the chance to see it.

Resort entrance fee and other rates

The little waterfall

The main waterfall

Twin falls

The water in the main waterfall is very nice, not so cold and not so warm. But be sure to remove your clothes when you take a dip since it might get red stains. Comfort rooms and shower rooms are available in the resort and you can also take a dip in their natural pool.

Pulang Bato Falls

Water is really nice

Natural pool in the resort

A perfect way to end the day is to also have a dip in nearby hot spring. Red Rock Hot Springs is located just along the highway going to Pulangbato Falls. Just don't be surprised that the water here is also red too. Entrance to the hot spring is PhP 30.00 per person. Shower rooms and comfort rooms are also available.

Red Rock Hot Spring

Entrance of the hot spring

The color of the water is still caused by the sulfur

The water is really hot

Cheers from Valencia!

Have you ever had a food trip in Iloilo? Explore the island of Guimaras and taste its sweetest mango? How about a trip to the city of smiles and experience the happiest festival in the Philippines? If not, here's a travel guide and itinerary that can help you out!

How To Get There

Iloilo City is located in the province of Iloilo in Panay Island, Western Visayas and just beside it is the island of Guimaras. Bacolod City is located on the northwestern coast of the Province of Negros Occidental or Negros Island Region now.

Guimaras Island is seen from Iloilo City Hall

FROM MANILA/CEBU- ILOILO
Air and sea travel are available from Manila/Cebu to Iloilo. Direct flights from NAIA/Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Iloilo International Airport is around 45 minutes. Taking a ferry is much longer. From Manila to Iloilo, it is around 22 hours and 14 hours From Cebu

By air, PAL, Cebu Pacific, CebGo and AirAsia have Manila/Cebu to Iloilo flights. Cebu Pacific and AirAsia usually have promo flights that are cheaper.
In Iloilo Airport, there are shuttles that you can ride to the city proper/SM Iloilo for PhP 50.00 or cab that can take you directly to your accommodation for PhP 300.00.

By sea, you can check 2Go Travel for Manila and Trans-Asia Shipping Lines and Cokaliong Shipping for Cebu for pricing and schedules.
At the port, you can take a jeep going to the city proper

Iloilo City Hall

FROM MANILA/CEBU/ILOILO - BACOLOD
Bacolod is accessible by air travel from Manila and Cebu and sea travel is available from Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo. It's a 45-minute flight from Manila and 30-minute flight from Cebu. Sea travel from Manila is around 21 hours. Land travel is also an option when coming from Cebu. For Iloilo, it is around an hour ferry ride.

For air travel, Major airlines mentioned above have flights to Bacolod. The airport is located in Silay City, 15-20 minutes away from Bacolod City.
By land travel from Cebu, you can take a Ceres bus bound to Bacolod.
Fast crafts have routes from Iloilo to Bacolod vice versa.

Provincial Capitol of Negros Occidental

Ferry Terminal in Iloilo

FROM ILOILO/BACOLOD - GUIMARAS
Guimaras island is between the island of Panay and Negros. The only way to get to the island is via sea travel from Iloilo and Bacolod since there are no commercial flights available here.

From Iloilo, go to Parola/Ortiz Wharf then take a boat ride to Guimaras. The boat fare is PhP 14.00 per person and travel time is around 15 minutes.
From Bacolod, go to Pulupandan Wharf then take a pump boat to San Lorenzo, Guimaras. Travel time is around 45 minutes and the fare is PhP 75.00.

Ortiz Wharf in Iloilo

Where To Stay

In Iloilo City, most accommodations are hotels, hostels, and pension houses, while, in Bacolod and nearby towns, there are hotels, pension houses, and resorts. In Guimaras, accommodations are mostly beach resorts. Here are some places you can stay.

ILOILO

Jaro Bellevue Pensionne (Jaro): +63 033 320-9521 to 23 (Recommended)

Ong Bun Pension House (City Proper): +63 910 433-5048 / +63 033 335-1271

River Queen Hotel (La Paz): +63 033 337-6667 / +63 033 335-0176

Urban Inn (La Paz): +63 908 874-9976 / +63 033 329-6724

Injap Tower Hotel (City Proper): +63 922 382-1635 / +63 33 330-7111

Jaro Bellevue Pensionne

GUIMARAS

Raymen Beach Resort (Alubijod Beach): +63 918 520-7271 (Recommended)

Baras Beach Resort (Alubijod Beach): +63 918 520-7271

Alobijod Cove (Alubijod Beach): +63 922 862-6972

Camp Alfredo (Sibunag): +63 908 123-2977

Raymen Beach Resort

BACOLOD

Pleasant Travelers Pension House: +63 907 942-7202 / +63 034 435-2934 (Recommended)

Saltimboca Tourist Inn: +63 932 877-9488 / +63 034 432-3617

Star Plus Pension Inn: +63 033 433-2949

Mo2 Days Inn: +63 034 707-4368

L’Fisher Hotel: +63 034 433-3731

Guest's accommodation in Mambukal Resort

Where To Eat

This trip is more of a food trip than a travel trip! LOL! Anyways, here are some food establishments and restaurants that I have tried out and I suggest that you try it too!

Netong's La Paz Batchoy, La Paz, Iloilo City - For authentic La Paz Batchoy, I recommend this place. It's located just inside La Paz Public Market.

Netong's La Paz Batchoy

Madge Cafe, La Paz, Iloilo City - The best native coffee in town! Perfect to pair with that Batchoy. Also located inside La Paz Public Market.

Madge Cafe

Roberto's, JM Basa St. Iloilo City - Try out their huge siopao! A nice food establishment along JM Basa St.

Roberto's

Patpat’s Kansi House, Jaro, Iloilo City - Kansi is the Ilonggo version of bulalo. The restaurant is located on Dalan E. Lopez road, near Jaro Plaza.

Patpat's Kansi House

Pitstop Restaurant, San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras - This restaurant is known for its Mango Pizza. If the restaurant is full, you can also try the nearby restaurant The Grillers.

The Grillers by Pitstop

Aida's Chicken, Manokan Country, Bacolod - One of the famous restaurant in Manokan Country which serves the best and authentic Bacolod chicken Inasal.

Manokan Country (Aida's with that big chicken statue at the left)

El Ideal Bakery, Rizal St, Silay City - One of the oldest bakery in Negros Island and home of the Guapple Pie.

El Ideal Bakery

Calea, Lacson St, Bacolod City - For dessert lovers, you must definitely try their cakes, especially the White Chocolate Cheesecake, don't ask just do it!

Calea Pastries and Coffee

Aboy's Restaurant, Liroville Subd, Singcang, Bacolod - One of the popular restaurants in Bacolod, I really liked their seafood dishes!

Aboy's Restaurant

Attractions and Activities

Make the most out of your Iloilo, Guimaras and Bacolod trip by seeing some of these attractions and doing some of these activities!

Heritage/City Tour in Iloilo - Iloilo is very rich in culture and heritage. The city is home to many Spanish-colonial churches, ancestral houses, and century-old monuments and structures. There are a lot of things you can see walking around the city! You can also read our walking tour in this post.

Jaro Cathedral

Food Trip in Iloilo - Aside from the Spanish-colonial churches and century-old structures, Iloilo is also famous for its signature Ilonggo dishes. Try the famous La Paz Batchoy and other dishes like Kansi, Pancit Molo, and Biscocho.

La Paz Batchoy

Dinagyang Festival! - Celebrated every January, Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City. A popular and one of the most awaited event in the festival Ati Tribe competition. The city also hosts the Paraw Regatta Festival every February where many Paraw (a Visayan double outrigger sail boat) races.

Explore Guimaras! - Have a land tour via motorcycle or multi-cab. You can visit different tourist destinations like The Smallest Plaza, Windmills in San Lorenzo, Holy Family Hills, Trappist Monastery, Guisi Lighthouse and many more.

Windmills around San Lorenzo, Guimaras

Island Hopping in Guimaras! - See the natural beauty of Guimaras by having an island hopping tour. Visit the beautiful islets and pristine white-sand beaches of the island.

Island hopping

Taste the Sweetest Mango - Taste one of the sweetest mangoes in the world. You also try the famous Mango Pizza in Pitstop Restaurant.

Mango Pizza!

Visit The Ruins in Talisay - Have a romantic dinner or lunch in one of the most famous landmarks in Negros Island.

The Ruins of Talisay City

Have an Ancestral Tour in Silay's Museum Houses - Visit the 'Paris of Negros Island' to see some of its ancestral houses.

Museum house of Silay City

Food trip again! - Be sure to taste the pride of Bacolod, the 'Chicken Inasal' in Manokan Country in Bacolod and satisfy that dessert craving in Calea.

Desserts at Calea

Chicken Inasal

Mambukal Mountain Resort in Murcia - If you're looking for an adventure then you should go to this resort in Murcia, Negros Island. The most popular activity here the hike to the seven waterfalls, but there are also other activities you can try that you can read here.

Mambukal Resort

Masskara Festival! - Dubbed as the happiest festival in the Philippines, Masskara Festival is celebrated every October. A week long of celebration and party in the main street of Bacolod City. It's raining Chicken Inasal!

Electric Masskara!

Itinerary

This is our 5-day, 4-night itinerary for our Iloilo-Guimaras-Bacolod trip. The activities included on our trip can be pushed to a 4-day itinerary, but since we also went to the Masskara Festival, we added an extra day to it.

Day 1 - Hello Iloilo!

09:00 AM - ETA Iloilo International Airport
10:00 AM - Check-in to hotel (45 minutes to 1-hour ride from airport to city proper)
12:00 NN - Lunch at Tatoy's Manokan Seafood Restaurant or PatPat's Kansi House
01:00 PM - City Tour!
08:00 PM - Back to hotel/inn

Day 2 - Explore the island of Guimaras!

06:00 AM - Wake up call/Breakfast at Netong's La Paz Batchoy
07:00 AM - ETD Iloilo to Guimaras (15-20 minute boat ride)
07:30 AM - ETA Guimaras/Register at tourist information center
08:30 AM - Guimaras Island Tour!
06:00 PM - Check-in at beach resort and rest

Day 3 - Island Hopping in Guimaras!

05:30 AM - Wake up call/breakfast
06:00 AM - Island hopping!
09:00 AM - Finished island hopping/Free time
12:00 NN - Checkout to resort/Lunch
02:30 PM - ETA Iloilo Port
04:30 PM - ETD Iloilo to Bacolod (1-hour ferry ride)
05:30 PM - ETA Bacolod City
06:00 PM - Check-in to hotel/Dinner (stay out for MassKara Festival)

Day 4 - Maayong aga Bacolod!

07:00 AM - Wakeup call/Breakfast
08:00 AM - Visit The Ruins in Talisay
10:30 AM - Tour at Silay's Museum Houses
12:30 NN - Go back to Bacolod/Lunch at Aboy's
01:30 PM - Freetime/Explore around Bacolod City, after all, it's Masskara Week!
06:00 PM - Dinner at Manokan Country
07:00 PM - Watch Electric Masskara Parade/Party!

Day 5 - Mambukal Waterfalls and Going Home :(

06:00 AM - Wakeup call/Breakfast
06:30 AM - ETD Bacolod to Murcia (travel time is around an hour or more)
08:-- AM - Hike the waterfalls of Mambukal Resort
12:00 NN - Lunch/Go back to Bacolod
01:30 PM - Prepare and pack up
02:00 PM - Buy Pasalubong!

Masskara Festival

Expenses

Here's a breakdown of our expenses during our trip. This only includes necessary expenses like fares, food, tour guides, entrance fees, and accommodations. Tips and other expenses like "pasalubong" are not included.

Day 1: Iloilo

Fare (Van from airport to SM Iloilo): PhP 50.00 per person
Food (Lunch at Fastfood): PhP 100.00 per person
Fare (Taxi from SM Iloilo to Jaro): PhP 70.00
Accommodation (AC Room at Jaro Bellevue): PhP 800 per night for 2 = PhP 400.00
Fare (Jeep from Jaro to City Proper): PhP 7.00 per person
Food (Snacks at Roberto's): PhP 75.00 per person
Entrance Fee (Museo Iloilo) : PhP 50.00
Food (Dinner at Patpat's Kansi House): PhP 100.00 per person
Fare (Jeep from Fort San Pedro back to inn): PhP 10.00
Total: PhP 862.00

Day 2: Iloilo and Guimaras

Fare (Jeep from Jaro to La Paz): PhP 7.00 per person
Food (Breakfast at Netong's and Madge Cafe): PhP 120.00 per person
Fare (Jeep from La Paz to Ortiz Wharf ): PhP 10.00 per person
Fare (Boat from Iloilo to Jordan, Guimaras): PhP 14.00 per person
Tour Fee (Triycle land tour in Guimaras): PhP 1300 good for 2-4 = PhP 1300.00
Food (Lunch at The Griller's Restaurant): PhP 800.00 good for 2 = PhP 400.00
Entrance Fee (Parola Lighthouse): PhP 20.00 per person
Accommodation (Fan room Raymen Beach Resort) PhP 950 per night for 2 = PhP 475
Food (Dinner at Raymen's restaurant): PhP 115.00 per person
Total: PhP 2461.00

Day 3: Guimaras, Iloilo, and Bacolod

Food (Breakfast at Raymen's restaurant): PhP 80.00 per person
Tour Fee (2-hour Island Hopping): PhP 650.00 good for 2-4 = PhP 325.00
Entrance Fee (SEAFDEC): PhP 25.00 per person
Food (Lunch at Rayment's restaurant): PhP 150.00 per person
Fare (Tricycle from Raymen to the main road): PhP 25.00 per person
Fare (Jeep from the main road to Jordan Port): PhP 30.00 per person
Fare (Boat from Jordan Port, Guimaras to Ortiz Wharf, Iloilo): PhP 14.00 per person
Fare (Tricycle from Ortiz Wharf to the main road): PhP 15.00 per person
Fare (Jeep from the main road to Ferry Terminal): PhP 8.00 per person
Fare (Fast craft roundtrip Iloilo-Bacolod-Iloilo): PhP 460.00 per person
Entrance Fee (Terminal Fee): PhP 30.00 per person
Fare (Tricyclce from Bacolod Port to SM Bacolod): PhP 25.00 per person
Dinner (Street foods): PhP 50.00 per person
Accommodation (AC Room Pleasant Travelers): PhP 1280.00 good for 2 = Php 640.00
Total: PhP 1877.00