SIPALAY TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG: Exploring the Hidden Jewels of Sipalay, Negros Occidental (with How To Get There, Things To Do, Where To Stay, Expenses and More!)

Few months ago, I've been inviting friends to check this place called Sipalay in Negros Occidental. Because of our conflicts in schedule we kept on canceling and rescheduling the trip. But since it's a long weekend for me, I just decided to do it solo and hit the road way to PARADISE!

How to Get to Perth Paradise Resort in Sipalay

Around 1:00am, I went to Cebu bus terminal to start my solo adventure. If you are from Cebu, there are no direct bus to Sipalay. You need take via Bacolod route and ask the bus assistant to drop you in Kabankalan. Total travel time is 6 hours with a rate of Php 500 which already includes the barge fee to Sibulan.

Upon arriving in Kabankalan Terminal, transfer to different bus going to Sipalay. Estimated travel time is 2 hours and bus fare is 105 pesos. I decided to sit near the driver so that I can ask him to drop me at Sipalay Centro. I arrived in Sipalay around 1:00 pm.

At Sipalay Centro, there are motorbike drivers that will approach and ask you where to go. I took a trike (for 100php) to bring me at Perth Paradise for about 3 kilometers smooth road and 1 kilometer rough road. The resort is located at the mountain part of the city where you will pass by rocky roads. Bumpy trip it is! Well, that's fine experiencing heavenly bliss will never be a walk in the park.

For convenient tours, you can contact Kuya Dado (09217865615), he was the one who accompanied me and took some of my photos.

Perth Paradise Resort

I arrived at Perth around 2:00pm. The resort staff were very friendly and greeted me with smiles. I ask the front desk officer what is their cheapest room since I'll be checking in alone. She suggested to the Cabana for 1,000php rate which is actually good for 2 persons. It's a good deal! The cabana is located just near lagoon a perfect spot to wake up with calm sea and cricket sounds. Such a mystique place indeed!

SEE ALSO: Hotels and Resorts Guide

Perth is on of the best spots for picture taking with the islets as background. They have this infinity pool to swim while waiting for Mr. Sun to bid his good bye for the day. The 125 steps was worth it, the view up there left me breathless. I have this entire pool for myself! As Honey confirmed, I was the only one who booked for that day.

After swimming decided to rest and get ready for an early tour tomorrow.

Enjoying Sipalay

I woke up at 5:00am (which is normal everytime I travel) to grab my morning coffee and had a "me time" at the pool side. Played my "The Well Pennies" playlist . It was good solitary moment while watching locals sailing on a small boat to catch some fish.

On a failed attempt the weather didn't cooperate and started to drizzle but it didn't stop me to swim. The moment was a trip down memory lane remembering how I play under the rain when I was still a kid. The serenity and tranquility of the place was just so perfect!

I had my breakfast; or shall I say "seafood breakfast" after my morning swim. Perth has its own resto that offers wide range of seafood meals at a fair rate pf 160-200 pesos per meal.

Just right after my sumptuous breakfast, I prepared for check out and moved to Loretto's Lodge located at the city proper. (Tip: Make sure to get the number of the driver to fetch you back in Perth, since the transpo going back to city proper is a challenge.)

Loretto's Lodge

A room at the lodge costs Php 500 per night. It's an air conditioned room with its own bathroom and veranda. I talked to Ate Luz and asked some tips and she proudly suggested places to visit. She also confirmed that I was the only one booked for that day. This travel is literally going "solo."

At around 12 noon, i prepared my stuff and contacted Kuya Dado to start our tour.

[ Click here to Search for Hotels and Resorts in Sipalay ]

Tinagong Dagat

This place is known for its foot bridges that connected the islet together. They call it a hidden sea sprinkled with a dozen of islets covered with green trees and sea grass beds. Kuya Dado lead the way to get the best spot to view the connecting islets. It was exhausting great time up there.

Punta Ballo Beach

After sweating it out we then drove our way to Punta Ballo Beach (no entrance fee). Its a 30-minute ride from city proper where you'll find a beach with brown sugar-like sand. The scenery was surreal! Still and clear water and I was trying to imagine how this would look like if the sand was white (since I'm a fan of white sand). I took a few walk at the beach and voila! I found a hammock, decided to sit and took a moment of chill.

We drove back to the city after few snaps and had my late lunch at the famous Chicken Ati-atihan. For a rate of 85php chicken barbeque and unlimited rice, that was a good lunch!

Sunset Watching

I asked the waiter where's the best spot for sunset? She told me they have a public bay that I can walk for 10mins from the city proper. I was under the impression that the place will be a crowded since it's in a public bay. But I was wrong.
I was at the bay around 4:00pm. Tried to talk to fisherman at the bay area. I walked at the beach to the southern end and I met kids playing around . I bought fish balls and isaw and shared it with them while enjoying the sunset.

It reminds me of how beautiful the simple life in the province is.

I started my walk back to the city proper and had my dinner at Pakals near Ceres bus terminal. For only 60php per meal I had buttered shrimp, crab meat with free soup for dinner (yes seafood again). At around 7:00 pm, I walked (yes walk, it's a safe place) back to the lodge to rest and prepare for an early trip the next day.

Traveling Back Home

There's one direct trip to Cebu from Sipalay via Dumaguete route for 8 hour travel. Ride a Ceres bus that leaves 5:15 am in Sipalay for 555php fare rate (barge fee from Sibulan to Liloan port included). Since I still have my energy, I told the driver to drop me in Dumaguete instead to meet a friend.

SEE ALSO: Dumaguete City Travel Guide

Traveling solo to a new place delivers such unexpected twists and turns — some wonderful and some downright shitty. You miss a flight, you get on the wrong bus and you end up walking on the wrong "barangay." You have to be prepared to just roll with it. Never has a lesson taught me the importance of patience, of smiling, of sucking it up and remembering the world does not revolve around me. It also taught me to be nicer both in travel life and in real life.

[ Click here to Search for Hotels and Resorts in Sipalay ]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Thor Pardinas is a lover of life, travel and fun. He always considers himself a free spirit with a gypsy soul, surrendering gratefully to wherever life takes him. Follow his awesome travels and adventures on his Facebook page La Vida De Un Gitano and on his Instagram account @iamthorp.