If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path place for your holiday in Negros Occidental, then Sipalay is the perfect city for you to be. The uninhabited white sand coasts that surround this city will surely be a paradise for you and for anyone who loves to have an uninterrupted, relaxing holiday.
Sugar Beach is the Natural Attraction to be
Sugar Beach is the main attraction in the area, providing a peaceful haven for any travelers from all over the country and the world. In fact, this beach is one of the most precious secret the Philippines has to offer. The beach faces the west, allowing anyone to enjoy a glorious sunset every day.
For the more adventurous, you can ask the locals for directions towards the remote beaches of equal beauty, specifically the Bolisan Beach near Langub village and the Tagbac Beach where you have to first go through minutes of hiking through rocky path.
Man-Made Attractions
If you’re really into visiting man-made attractions, the city has interesting places to offer. You can check out the Maricalum Mining Corporation, which is now non-operational, to explore the site of one of the Philippines’ biggest mining companies. Don’t worry, it’s currently operating as a park and you have a safe platform from where you can look down to view the entire mine.
Festivals
Festivals are common in the Philippines, and Sipalay won’t be left behind.
During the last week of March, the city celebrates its Charter Anniversary with the “Pasaway sa Sipalay” festival where performers from various Barangays gather together to showcase stunning streetdancing in exotic costumes.
In December 18 to 20, your Christmas holiday can be more fun with the city’s annual “Handuraw Festival” meant to provide excitement and merry making to locals and tourists alike.
Each of the Barangays in Sipalay also has its own festivals celebrated during specific times of the year. Be sure to engage in the fun and excitement wherever the festival is.
What You Can Do
Aside from enjoying the beaches, you can also visit the dive spots and snorkeling areas surrounding Sipalay. Check out the PADI center located on Sugar Beach to enquire about your diving options. As for snorkeling adventures, the diveshops and even the locals can show you the way.
Kayaking is also an interesting activity to engage in. Many resorts have the equipment to provide you with this sport.
There aren’t tourist shops on Sugar Beach but there are small family-run stores in the villages where you can buy basic toiletries, snacks and beers. You might want to purchase the things you need first in the city center before heading to the beach resorts.
How to Get to Sipalay
When you want to get to this city, you will either have to go through Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental, or through Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental. Both of the cities are around 200 kilometers away from Sipalay. Regular buses are available for PHP200 from both cities. It’ll take around 5 hours to travel from Bacolod while it’s a 6-hour trip from Dumaguete.