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Looking for summer ideas with your family or friends for this summer?
Images: Joy Cuales (L); Jomax Peak (R) Facebook pages
Negros Island has many wonders waiting to be discovered all year round. But exploring is better in summer when the sun's out, and the weather is perfect. Now that the heat is taking over, it's the best time to have a quick getaway! Whether it's a trip to a sandbar or a night in the mountains, these exciting summer activities in Negros will surely fit your summer plans. Read on and see Yoorekka's suggested list of summer vacation ideas in Negros!
1. Sunbathe at the white sandbar of Sagay.
Recommended place: Carbin Reef, Sagay City, Negros Occidental
Travel time: 2 to 3 hours from Bacolod
Entrance Fee: PhP50/person
Let people know you had a great summer vacation by showing off your tanned skin.
Photo source: Che Ann Martir
Carbin Reef is a 200-hectare marine sanctuary part of the 32,000-hectare protected seascape of Sagay. Perfect for swimming and sunbathing far from civilization, this unspoiled beach Sagay has a picturesque tongue-shaped sandbar and crystal clear waters. The sandbar offers postcard-worthy views and has only several cottages for guests and visitors on day trips.
The best time to visit the island is during the dry season so that you can make the most out of the stunning white sand and turquoise waters. Visitors are encouraged to use coral-friendly sunblock to protect the coral reefs surrounding the sandbar. Also, take care not to bask under the sun for too long—you wouldn't want to go home with painful skin burns!
2. Marvel at the various waterfalls of Negros.
Recommended place: Mag-aso Falls, Sitio Dug-anon, Barangay Oringao, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
Travel time: Three hours from Bacolod
Entrance Fee: PhP50/person
Summer is more than just sea, sand, and sun—take a dip under the incredible waterfalls.
Image: @deeygnacio_official
If you are looking for summer getaway alternatives to crowded beaches and fully-booked resorts, drive three hours away from the metro and immerse under the curtain of waterfalls in Kabankalan. Besides the enchanting waterfalls, the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere at Mag-aso Falls will also charm you—as will the fact that going to this place won’t hurt your wallet!
If you're swimming under the 12-foot-high waterfall, use floaters or inflatables; this reminder applies especially to children. If you are not confident enough to dip at the powder-blue water, there is also a man-made pool near the waterfalls. Cottages are also available for groups visiting for a day vacation and rooms for those who want to spend a night.
3. Camp in the mountains and feel the cold breeze.
Recommended place: Jomax Peak, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental
Travel time: One hour and 30 minutes from Bacolod
Tent Fee: PhP350
Have some cheap thrill at the mountains for your summer vacation.
Image: Jomax Peak Facebook page
If you love the idea of being in a high location where you can see everything, add camping in the mountains to your ‘things to do in summer’ list. You will be assured of excellent views, from panoramic mountain scenery to an unfiltered luminous sky at night. Jomax Peak is the best place to set up your tent and feel the fantastic breeze day and night.
You and your friends can find solace for a few hundred pesos since the place accommodates only a set number of people to provide privacy and peace. You can also bring your food or have the staff cook it for you, and the entrance and accommodation fees you paid already comes with unlimited coffee and water. The place gets even more beautiful at night when silence and the starry sky take over.
4. Swim with turtles!
Recommended place: Apo Island, Dauin, Negros Oriental
Travel time: Six to eight hours from Bacolod
Entrance Fee: PhP100 (outside Negros guests); PhP25 (Negros residents); PhP5 (seniors and PWDs)
Do things not everyone can: swim with just about as many turtles as you want.
Hop on a small boat to this small volcanic island and swim with turtles. Apo Island is a marine sanctuary that the local government of Dauin strictly protects. It would help if you had a local tour guide to enter the island, and you must abide by the rules.
The snorkeling tour should be on your summer bucket list. Besides the gorgeous coral reef, a plethora of fish, and clear blue waters, you will see three types of turtles swimming around: Green sea turtles, Hawksbill turtles, and leatherback turtles. If you have time, you can also walk over to Cogon on the other side of the island to see spectacular views of the island’s coasts.
5. Chill in cafés by the mountain.
Recommended place: Duyan Café, Lantawan, Silay-Patag Road, Silay City, Negros Occidental
Travel time: One hour from Bacolod
Recommended budget: PhP320 (includes transportation fees and allowance for food and drinks)
You might as well give the cafés a chance to make your summer simply memorable.
Image: Duyan Café Facebook Page
Is getting wet and staying under the sun not your thing? Then have a little road trip with your friends and head to Duyan Café. If you want to escape the rising temperature in the lowlands and have a breath of fresh air, this café is the perfect place to do so. Food and coffee with a view is the cafe's specialty, so seats are arranged to give guests the best picturesque views of the mountains.
Your day trip can either be spontaneous or planned; either way, you're sure to have a great time during your visit. What's more, you can visit this place any time of the year—whatever the occasion or season, you can let your weary soul find rest in the mountains.
February 2022 Update: Duyan Cafe still hasn’t officially reopened. Follow them on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/cafeduyancafe, to be the first to know when they resume operations!
Remember to check the weather and travel advisories before going through with your plan. And as always, don't forget to have fun even while you make your way to these summer spots!
Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more exciting activities and travel spots in Negros!
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on March 10, 2020.
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