Sipalay City Map
source: Wikipedia
Sipalay City is a 4th class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. Sipalay City boasts some of the most beautiful hidden treasures of the country. These places are very nice to visit because of the little exposure it has received throughout the years. Some of the best travel spots frequently visited by tourists and other local visitors include the Maricalum Mines, the Campomanes Bay, and the Punta Ballo Beach. (sources: wikipedia, dumagueteinfo.com)
We went there with my family last November 4, 2010 to November 7, 2010 to celebrate my birthday. From Bacolod City it is a 4 hour land travel (including stop overs for dinner). We left Bacolod City at around 5:00pm and arrived at around 9:00pm in Sipalay City Proper. Another 15 to 20 minutes rough ride up to Punta Ballo Beach which awaits different beach resorts. In our case, my parents already had a reservation through their friends there. Everything is settled before we went there. But I advise you to bring enough food for your stay for there are no convenience stores in Punta Ballo Beach but at Sipalay City proper there are sari-sari stores everywhere as well as carinderias.
Let me share some pictures..
Early morning walk at Punta Ballo Beach!
Happy Birthday to me!!! ❤
SURPRISE from my siblings!!!
Okay. So the whole day of November 5 is all about swimming, jetskiing, eating, roaming around Punta Ballo Beach..
November 6 (morning). All set for island hopping! Yipee!
So for island hopping prices, there are lots of locals there who would offer you..
but the best thing to do is to NEGOTIATE with them WISELY..
In our case, we are about 15 and we just paid around Php1,500 to Php2,000 for the rent of the whole banca.
OKAY. So what’s with the color coded house at the top of the mountain???
Finally, we have arrived! Sea urchins are everywhere, but you would definitely notice it immediately for the water is very clear. This virgin island should be maintained. I love how unspoiled this island is!
Some “kaartehan” pose at the rock formations and creepy cave. I really don’t like caves, my imagination really runs quickly, thinking that snakes will suddely bite me! eeeeee.. Creeepy!!!
Going back to Punta Ballo Beach, starfish are everywhere!!! So cute! But we have to bring it back to the ocean..
November 7 (morning). We’re going home! Look at our cars! Look at those muddy tires! HEHE
HOW TO GO TO SIPALAY?
Book a flight from Manila to Bacolod. It could be through Philippine Airline, Cebu Pacific or AirPhil Express.
If you’re on a tight budget you could opt to commuting to Sipalay.
You could take Ceres Bus (the bright yellow buses in Bacolod)
source: bacolodcity.gov.ph
Contact Numbers for Ceres Bacolod: (034) 433-4993 / 434-2386 / 434-2387
Travel time riding a bus takes about 4 1/2 to 5 hours. But you could hire a public van if you want a more convenient ride, there are lots of for hire public van/vehicle around Bacolod City.
Just NEGOTIATE WISELY! It could cost you around Php2,000 to Php3,500
ACCOMODATION (price starts at Php1,250):
http://www.nataasan.com/index.html
http://www.sipalay.com/english/index.htm
http://www.artisticdiving.com/index.htm
http://www.robinsoncruse.com/english/sites/preise_resort.htm
Beach.. and everything nice 