Top 5 Places to Visit in Sipalay
Sipalay City is a great place to travel for those who love adventure, beaches and spending some time appreciating nature’s beauty. Languages spoken and understood are Hiligaynon, Ilonggo, Cebuano, and English.
Sipalay City is considered as a premier tourist destination in Negros Occidental and is being called as “The Jewel of the Sugar Island” and is also dubbed as the “New Boracay” due to its pristine beaches. It is a must go place to any adventurers, Sipalay has 42 dive sites, truly a haven for divers. They also have caves and falls but most are not yet accessible to the public since these areas need to be assessed before being opened to the public to guarantee safety. For beach enthusiasts, Sipalay has great places to offer for diving, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, boating and even island hopping.
1. Tinagong Dagat
Formerly called as Isla Bonita is one of the places to go to, it really is a hidden wonder, accessible from the highway and situated near the city you would not expect the beauty that is Tinagong Dagat. It is a resort surrounded by Islets that are connected by bridges which are made of wood and bamboo where you can just walk from one islet to another, some even have cottages built on it. There is a viewing deck that has benches installed so that you can take a quick rest before proceeding further. The view from the top is totally breathtaking, you will be able to see all the bridges and Islets you passed by to reach it. All the walking is totally worth it once you reach the top since you can see everything, how the place looks so wonderful in a higher perspective also you can see how clean and well maintained the place is. Other Tinagong Dagat amenities are Bamboo rafting, Island Hopping, Kayaking, Boating and Videoke machine rentals. Entrance fee is 30 pesos for per head (for sightseeing only).
To get there from Sipalay Public Market you need to hire a trike going to Tinagong Dagat Island Resort it is just located along the way to Perth Paradise Resort. The travel time is around 15 minutes and the fare is 300 pesos per tricycle one-way.
2. Punta Ballo
A divine white beach of fine shell sand and a backdrop of hills, but it’s much well known to what lies underwater. It is a great diving spot with at least 10 marine sanctuaries and 42 dive spots, including three wrecks. It’s usually the jumping-off point for diving activities. Punta Ballo has shallow waters, so it is safe for kids to swim in. It is a great spot to watch the beautiful sunset whether you are alone or with your loved ones. To get there from the city center, you can take a tricycle going to one of the resorts lining the shores of Punta Ballo Beach, the fare is P150 per person.
3. Perth Paradise
One of the most photographed resorts due to its favorable topography of Sipalay. It has a beautiful view from the hilltop of the resort, you could see the scattered Islets to its blue-green waters. Perth’s infinity pool is located on the hilltop which greatly compliments the view. There’s also a view deck on the rooftop for a more breathtaking 360 view. You can do activities such as scuba diving, island hopping, jet ski, kayaking, and snorkeling. You might not expect the road leading to the city’s best resorts since the road is not paved yet.
Going there from Sipalay town proper you can just ride a tricycle going to the resort.
4. Campomanes Bay
Is a great tourist destination not just for summer but for any time of the year. This bay still has an existing port the caters pump boats. The enclosed shape of the bay and the presence of the islets provides calm waters even in harsh weather conditions. The bay has coral gardens that house various species of corals and fish. It is a great spot for diving and also good for doing some water sports like jet skiing and kayaking.
5. Sugar Beach
Surrounded by Limestones formations, this beach is considered as a hidden treasure in Sipalay. It is a white sand beach with just a handful of resorts and if you’re lucky you can experience of those stunning sunsets. The resorts can arrange mangrove tours and easy hikes to nearby hilltops and caves. You could also go diving and see fishes and well preserved soft and hard corals. Enjoy swimming the crystal clear waters. There is also a chance that you might spot one of the largest fish in the ocean, the Whale Shark.
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A Bit of History about Sipalay
Sipalay was once used as a garrison for Spanish soldiers guarding the southern corridor of Negros Island. It was also a lookout point for the Japanese when they occupied the country, with the town being used as an outpost by the guerrillas.
It was also known as a Mining town in Negros which spanned roughly four decades, Maricalum Mining Corporation situated at Sipalay is known as the largest Mining company in the country.
How to get to Sipalay
Traveling to Sipalay has two options, one is from Bacolod City which is more or less 4-5 hours by bus and about 3 hours by private car. If you’re traveling from Dumaguete City, it will take more or less 4-5 hours by Ceres Bus and 3.5 hours by private car.
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