If your concept of rest and relaxation involves the sun and the sea, then the white sand beaches of Negros Island are your ideal vacation spots. You can grab a dose of some invigorating “vitamin sea” at the many islands in Negros Occidental, one of which is Carbin Reef.
Why go: Carbin Reef is a 200-ha. marine sanctuary in the center of the 32,000-ha. Sagay Marine Reserve. It is a vast, tongue-shaped, white sandbar where you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or simply frolicking in the sand. The reef looks like your typical virgin island, but underneath the waters, you can witness breathtaking coral formations and colorful fishes.
How to get there: Sagay City is approximately 82 km northeast of Bacolod City. Tourists coming in by plane can take a shuttle (Php75 to 100 per head) or a taxi upon arriving at Bacolod-Silay International Airport. Ask to be dropped off at the Bacolod North Bus Terminal where Bacolod-Sagay buses are waiting.
For tourists traveling by boat, you can take a taxi from the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation (Bredco) Port to the Bacolod North Bus Terminal. Bus fare from Bacolod to Sagay is at PhP170. Travel time is around two to three hours.
Upon arriving at Sagay City Bus Terminal, take a tricycle to Old Sagay Port and ask to be dropped off at Sagay Tourism Office. Fare is at PhP25 to PhP30. You will need to register at the tourism office to take a ferry going to Carbin Reef. The fare is PhP1,200 for 10 people. Other fees include entrance fee (PhP100), snorkeling fee (PhP250), and cottage fee (PhP300 to PhP500).
As of February 2021, Carbin Reef still hasn’t officially reopened.
If adventure is what you’re looking for, you can head out to Campuestohan Highland Resort. Here, you can experience an adrenaline rush in some of the heart-thumping activities the resort has to offer!
Why go: Campuestohan Highland Resort is one of the best summer getaway destinations in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. It is a five-ha. property with a breathtaking view of Mt. Makawili. Adventure seekers can try out a number of insane rides such as the Sky Bicycle, where you can show your biking prowess while being suspended on air. The Hamster Wheel ride lets you run or walk inside a wheel hung from cables several stories high. They also have a Vikings ride, obstacle course, and bungee trampoline.
How to get there: Talisay City is just a 32-minute drive from Bacolod City. You can take a taxi to the Villa Angela Arcade parking lot where shuttle services depart every 9:00 AM. Rates are at PhP190 per person. You can also rent a private vehicle that fits 15 people for PhP1,500, which is good for a day trip inclusive of pick-up and drop-off service.
If you just want to stay under the shade and commune with nature, then you have different options to choose from. Negros Occidental has wide, mountainous forests where various nature-inspired destinations exist. One of them is Mambukal Mountain Resort.
Why go: Mambukal Mountain Resort is one of the premier tourism destinations in Negros Occidental. It is owned and operated by the provincial government. It spreads over 23.6 ha. of land and is surrounded by a wealth of natural beauty. It also serves as a gateway to
Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park. Mambukal boasts of a number of waterfalls and sulfur springs. The resort has facilities you can enjoy like swimming pools,
local restaurants, a boating lagoon, a spa, a butterfly sanctuary, and a lot more.
How to get there: Mambukal Mountain Resort is located in the municipality of Murcia, which is a 35-minute drive from Bacolod City. From Bacolod-Silay Airport or Bredco Port, take a taxi and ask to be dropped off at the northwestern side of the
Libertad Public Market where you can find jeepneys going to Mambukal. Jeepney trips to Mambukal run from 7:20 AM to 7:00 PM. Fare is about Php35 per person. Resort fees include entrance fee (PhP50), cottage fee (PhP900 to PhP1,500), swimming pool (PhP50), canopy walk (PhP25), boating (PhP30), and butterfly garden (PhP25).
Go to
Yoorekka for more summer destinations in Negros!
Which of these summer destinations in Negros will you be visiting? Let us know in the comments section below!
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on March 01, 2018.
Consumer News
