Negros Island, Philippines

General information

Negros Island is an island and region in the central Philippines in Central Visayas (aka Region VII) (Negros on the map of the Philippines Island). The island is divided into two inland regions: southeastern Negros Oriental, and Northwestern Negros Occidental. The unofficial capital and largest city is Bacolod.

Negros is not particularly popular with foreign tourists, and is mostly visited by passing from Cebu Island to Siquijor Via Dumaguete, and on even rarer occasions on the way overland to Cebu with Boracay islands Via Panay. Another reason to visit Negros is the small island of Apo (Apo Island) off its coast, known for amazing opportunities for diving and snorkeling.

The reason for the low popularity is most likely that there are no developed beach resorts on Negros yet, although there are beaches. But objectively it is worth saying that there are plenty of interesting places here, and the tourist prospects of the island for those who like untrodden tourist places are very large. Attractions here are mainly natural formations. As in the neighboring and more popular island of Cebu, here they are scattered at a considerable distance from each other, but the main concentration of explored and open places for visiting by mass tourists is in the southeast in the vicinity of the city of Dumaguete (Demaguete), which is the most popular tourist city.

Negros Island

• Pulangbato Falls
• Snorkeling in Dauin
• Red Rock Hot Springs
• Silliman Hall in Dumaguete

Resorts on the island of Negros

• Bacolod / Bacolod (Bacolod on the map). The largest city and capital. There is nothing outstanding except for several architectural and historical attractions in the city, but there is a major port, airport, and the headquarters of the Kanlaon Volcano National Park.
• Dumaguete / Dumaguete (Dumaguete on the map) is Negros Island's most popular tourist destination, but it is not a beach resort. Here it is convenient to stop to get acquainted with the sights of the southern part of the island of Negros Oriental, and visit the island of Apo.
• Apo Island (APO on the map). A small island, belongs to Dumagueta. One of the best places in the Philippines for diving and snorkeling. You can visit in the form of a day tour, or stay for a few days.
• Valencia Village / Valencia (Valencia on the map). A quiet, peaceful town at the foot of Mount Talinis, where it will be much more pleasant to relax than in the noisy and crowded Dumaguete. There are several hotel options in Valencia, but for a long time it is better to rent a house or part of a house there.
• Dauin /Dauin (Dauin on the map). Dauina has a marine reserve for diving and snorkeling, and the closest beach to Dumagueta. If you want to go snorkeling or diving, the best place on the shores of Dumaguete can not be found.
• Bais City (Bays City on the map). It is a moderately developed resort town, the second most popular after Dumaguete in the southeast of Negros. People come here to take a tour to dolphins and whales (you can buy a tour from Dumaguete); walk around the amazing sandy island of Manjuyod Sandbar, which appears only at low tide; visit nearby natural attractions. There are accommodation options and all the necessary tourist infrastructure, but everything is at a minimum.
• San Carlos / San Carlos (San Carlos on the map). An unremarkable city that houses the ferry port to Cebu island, the port of Toledo (schedule - Lite Shipping lines). Bus routes from Cebu City to Bacolod pass through it. A 15-minute boat ride away is the tranquil resort island of Sipaway Island.
• Sugar Beach (Sugar Beach on the map). The best beach on Negros, 3 kilometers long with fine white sand. But as a resort is very poorly developed, the situation is like in the village. There are only a few hotel options on the beach, and the rest of the infrastructure is located in the town of Sipalay nearby.

Map of Negros with resorts

Weather on Negros Island, tourist seasons

This is a year-round resort, it is always warm here, but the rainy season is unfavorable for visiting.

• High season runs from January to May. This is the best time to visit, considered the dry season. There is very little rain at this time, the sky is clear. But sometimes the rainy season is delayed until January, and in some years even until February, so the ideal time to travel is from March to May.
• The low season lasts from June to December. This is the rainy season, but it is not as pronounced as in other Southeast Asian countries. Rains are rare, there are almost no protracted ones, they just happen more often than in the dry season. But what is bad, at this time the sky is often thickly cloudy, there are storms and typhoons.

Seasons on the island of Negros by month, when it is better to go

Current weather in Negros (Dumaguete) and forecast

How to get to Negros

There are two airports on the island: Bacolod-Silay Airport near the capital Bacolod, and Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport near the town of Dumaguete. Both airports are domestic, accept only flights from the cities of the Philippines: Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro (Cagayan de Oro), Davao (Davao).

From Russia and other countries to Negros is best to get through the nearest Cebu International Airport, and then by bus or ferry 6-8 hours, or through Manila International Airport with a transfer to a domestic flight.

You can pick up tickets to Cebu Airport and other cities in the Philippines using the search form:

Minimum prices for flights from Moscow to Cebu:

Minimum prices for flights from Russia to Cebu:

The island is also well connected by regular ferry service to the islands of Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol, Panay, Mindanao and Manila. The main ports are in Dumagueta and Bacolod, but there are still a few smaller marinas.

From Cebu City, where the nearest international airport is located, Dumagueta and Bacolod can be reached by bus, which are ferried. Buses run frequently throughout the day. See more:

• How to get to Cebu island.
• How to get to Cebu City.
• How to get to Dumaguete.

Attractions on the island of Negros, what to see

Negros Island has a lot of natural formations: a volcano, mountains, waterfalls, caves, hot springs. In our opinion (the authors of the site) there are even more of them here and they are more interesting than on the neighboring and much more popular island of Cebu (see attractions of Cebu island Cebu). Some of them are developed and are tourist attractions, but even more little-known places, not yet open to tourists due to the low popularity of the island. The most famous and accessible places are located in the southeastern part of the island, called Negros Oriental, and they are visited from the tourist center of the island – the city of Dumaguete (see attractions of Dumaguete).

Here are Negros Island's most popular attractions with opening times, costs, and ways to get there:

• Kanlaon Volcano

  Kanlaon Mountain View

  Kanlaon Volcano is the highest mountain on Negros Island, and the third most active volcano in the Philippines. Its height is 2,465 meters. Periodically, it goes into the active phase and closes for visits, as, for example, happened at the end of 2019. Therefore, before you plan to visit it, check if it is open, otherwise you can come to the island of Negros for nothing.

  If the volcano is reopened, it can be visited in the form of a trekking two-or three-day tour together with a group or an individual guide, independent climbing is prohibited. Learn more about Vulcan Canlaon here...

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: permission to visit the volcano 500 pesos (9.03 USD, see Philippine currency and exchange rate), tours from 8000 pesos (145 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: the volcano is located in the North Negros Island 50 kilometers from Bacolod and 176 kilometers from Dumaguete (Kanlaon on the map). It is easiest to get to it as part of ready-made sightseeing tours, which can be bought at travel agencies in Dumagueta, Bacolod, Cebu island, or via the Internet.

• Apo Island

  Sea turtle

  This is a small island off the coast of the southeastern part of Negros Oriental, known as one of the best places for diving in the Philippines. Especially to visit it and dive, people come here from different parts of the Philippines, but mainly from the nearest islands of Cebu and Bohol. Coastal waters are rich in soft and hard corals, a huge number of colored fish, you can see the giant fish Caranx (Giant Trevally). But the most important thing is the almost 100 percent chance of seeing giant sea green turtles, since the waters of the island are their home. There are a couple of diving centers (from 1200 pesos per dive), you can rent snorkeling equipment (100 pesos). Learn more about Apo Island here...

  🕐 Working hours: round the clock, boats go approximately until 17 hours.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 100 pesos Environmental Fee (1.81 USD). Does not depend on the number of days or nights, paid once when leaving the boat on the island.

  🚶 How to get there: Apo is located 30 kilometers from Dumaguete(APO on the map). It is most convenient to visit from Dumaguete in the form of excursions, which are offered in hotels and travel agencies on the street of the city in the center. Cost from 1500 pesos (27.1 USD) for a one-day snorkeling excursion, and from 2500 (45.17 USD) for a diving tour.

• Casaroro waterfall or Casaroro (Casaroro waterfall)

  Casaroro falls in Dumagueta

  This is a large beautiful 30-meter waterfall, the most full-flowing and most popular with tourists in the vicinity of Dumaguete. At the foot of KNA there is a pool with cool but not icy water, where you can swim. But be careful, the flow of water from above is very strong, it is better not to swim under the Jets. Around the waterfall itself there is no infrastructure, tables, and shops, there is only a cafe at the very beginning of the trail to it. Learn more about Casaroro falls here...

  🕐 Working hours: 08:00-16:70.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 30 pesos (0.54 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: the waterfall is located in the vicinity of Dumaguete 15 kilometers on the slope of Mount Talinis (waterfall on the map). It is best to get here by rented transport, you can get to the very entrance, there is free parking and a cafe. But you can get there by transport with transfers. From Dumaguete from the market area by jeep for 24 pesos you need to get to the town of Valencia (Valencia). There you have to transfer to the habal-habal motorcycle taxi. Motorcycle taxi drivers ask for 150 pesos, but you can bargain up to 100, or 200 for a round trip with waiting. It is better to immediately agree on a round trip, otherwise there is a chance to go back on foot.

  When you reach the entrance, you need to leave the transport, and then only on foot. From the parking lot directly to the waterfall will have to walk 10-30 minutes. The road is simple and well equipped, there are railings and bridges, but it will take a long time to descend and climb in the opposite direction. The last 50 meters to the pool at the foot you need to go on the stones and partly in the water, but if you do not want to swim, you can not do it, but just enjoy the views from the side.

• Twin Lakes and Balinsasayao National Park

  Twin Lakes and Balinsasayao National Park in Dumagueta

  The two Twin Lakes in the craters of the extinct volcano and the forests around them are recognized by the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park. This is one of the most visited natural attractions in the Dumaguete area, however, not always the expectations of tourists are justified. Visiting them, of course, is definitely worth it, just do not wait too much. Here you can go on a boat (kayak-150 pesos/hour, boat-250 pesos/hour) or just enjoy the views from the shore, having a picnic . But it is more interesting here rather than the lakes themselves, but the surrounding nature and a walk through the National Park. There are beautiful views along the way and there is even a small waterfall, Olayan Falls, and between the Lakes is a bird watching tower. Learn more about the Twin Lakes and Balinsasayao National Park here...

  🕐 Working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00, visitors to the park are stopped at about 15:00 due to darkness. Because of the weather, it's best to head here in the morning.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 100 pesos (1.81 USD) + 12 per thousand.

  🚶 How to get there: the Twin Lakes and the National Park are 30 kilometers from Dumaguete (lakes on the map). Most often they are visited from Dumaguete, but you can also from other resorts. Negros, tours are offered everywhere.

• Pulangbato and Red River waterfalls / Pulangbato & Red River Falls)

  Pulangbato and Red River waterfalls in Dumagueta

  Two small waterfalls are located on the territory of the Recreation Complex with a cafe, sun loungers, a swimming pool and an artificial pool at the foot of the Red River waterfall, a suspension bridge. The waterfalls themselves are so-so, not very beautiful and large and just for them you should not go here. But to come to rest for a few hours to splash a little in the pool and sunbathe is quite possible. Learn more about Pulangbato and Red River waterfalls here...

  🕐 Working hours: 09-00-17:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 100 pesos (1.81 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: the waterfalls and the complex are located 15 kilometers from Dumagate (waterfall on the map). You can get here only by rented transport, motorcycle taxi or tricycle. The last few kilometers of the road are very bad, sometimes it goes into a dirt road, but you can drive with caution. The road is being repaired.

• Red Rock Hot Springs / Red Rock Hot Springs

  Red Rock Hot Springs Dumagueta

  These are swimming pools equipped for swimming, filled with natural hot water from the bowels of the neighboring Mountain. The water is believed to have healing properties, and it does have a slight smell of hydrogen sulfide, like most healing bathing Springs. However, there are no restrictions and recommendations on the time of bathing, and no information is provided on its properties and radioactivity, so it can be assumed that bathing here is more for pleasure than really for treatment. Learn more about Red Rock hot springs here...

  🕐 Working hours: 07:00-20:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 70 pesos (1.26 USD).

  🚶 How to get there: the springs are located 14 kilometers from the center of Dumaguete (Hot Springs on the map). You can get here only by rented transport, motorcycle taxi or tricycle.

• Tierra Alta Resort amusement park and zipline

  Tierra Alta Resort Dumagueta

  This is a Greek-styled amusement park with a swimming pool, gazebos for recreation, a restaurant, sun loungers, and a lighthouse-observation deck, operating at the hotel of the same name. Not only guests of the resort can relax on its territory, but also those who wish from the outside for a fee. For some, perhaps the most interesting thing here is the longest zipline on the island of Negros, the total length of the tracks is 600 meters. For the zipline will have to pay separately from the entrance fee of 250 pesos.

  🕐 Working hours: the complex is open from 08:00 to 20:00, the zipline is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entry 500 pesos (9.03 USD), zipline 250 pesos.

  🚶 How to get there: located 8 kilometers from the center of Dumaguete on the way to the hot springs and to the waterfall Pulangbato and Red River (amusement parks on the map).

• Mag-Aso volcanic steam

  Mag-aso volcanic spring in Dumaguete

  Volcanic source Mag-aso (Mag-Aso Volcanic Steam or Sulphur Nountain) is an unusual natural formation, the output of hot water and steam from the bowels of the Earth from an inactive volcano. Very hot water with a pungent smell of hydrogen sulfide escapes from crevices in the rock and flows into the river right next to the highway leading to the Red Rock Hot Springs. Here you can stop for a few minutes, and even try to cook eggs in natural boiling water, if you buy them in advance in the village or in Dumaguete. A couple of kilometers before this spring on the other side of the river there is another such hot water outlet, but it is less well known.

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located 14 kilometers from the center of Dumaguete on the way to the hot springs and to the waterfall Pulangbato and Red River (Mag-aso source on the map, and small source on the map).

• Lake Balanan / Lake Balanan

  Lake Balanan in Dumaguete

  Balanan, in our opinion (the authors of the site), is much more beautiful and interesting than the famous Twin Lakes Twin Lake, but it is little known and rarely visited by tourists. The reason for this is most likely the remoteness from Dumaguete and other resorts of the island of Negros, and a very bad road to it. But if you have enough time, we recommend visiting it for a whole day or half a day to relax and have fun. You can even stay here for the night in a guest house or camping with your tent. But to come here for a few minutes just to look at it and take a selfie, perhaps not worth it: too long and difficult road. Learn more about Lake Balanan here...

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 50 pesos adults, 25-children, free on Tuesday.

  🚶 How to get there: the lake is located 60 kilometers from Dumaguete (Lake on the map). Most of the way is on an excellent asphalt road, but the last 11 kilometers is a terrible road that will take 30-60 minutes.

• Baslay Hot Springs

  Abandoned Baslay Hot Springs in Dumaguete

  Hot springs were once paid and well equipped for taking hot therapeutic baths in natural hot water from the bowels of Mount Talinis. But after the typhoon, this place was abandoned, and not even all the locals know about its existence, and can tell you that the springs are no more. In fact, they exist, and they can be visited completely free of charge. True, there is one thing: the place of Hot Springs is really unfortunate and dangerous. They are located on the mountainside in a place where very often there are strong winds that easily break trees. This may be why the sources have not been recovered, Be careful here. Learn more about Baslay hot springs here...

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is better to visit during daylight hours from 8 to 16 hours. And don't stay here too late – it's dangerous.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: you can only get to the springs by rented transport or taxi, go by Navigator, from the center of Dumaguete 25 kilometers (sources on the map). The road leads good, asphalt through the villages. In the place marked on our map, there is a cafe and a platform where you can leave transport. You can leave it for free, sometimes the local kids ask for parking 10-50 pesos, as you bargain. From the parking lot, a concrete path to the Springs goes into the forest and down the mountainside.

• Dauin beach and marine sanctuary

  Snorkeling in Dauin

  On the beach of the town of Dauin there is a marine reserve, and this is one of the few places near Dumaguet where you can swim (not counting waterfalls, of course), sunbathe, and do good snorkeling (there is equipment rental). If you are lucky, then in addition to many colored fish and a coral reef, you can see sea turtles here, there are quite a lot of them. In general, the fish and corals here are already just a few meters from the shore, so this beach can be envied by others much more famous. And it is believed that here are the best sunsets.

  🕐 Working hours: during daytime.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 50 pesos.

  🚶 How to get there: Dauin and the beach are 15 kilometers from the city center (Beach on the map). You can get here not only by taxi or rented transport, but also by buses. From the main bus station Dumaguete during the day every 15-30 minutes there are passing buses to Bayawan, Sipalay or Hinobaan, you need to get off in the center of Dauin near the market, and go to the beach 5 minutes on foot.

• Mount Talinis

  View of Mount Talinis, photo flickr.com

  It is the second highest mountain on the island of Negros after the volcano Canlaon (Canlaon). Aozvysha in 1903 meters 20 kilometers from the city. A hiking trail leads to the summit, which can be overcome during a one-day or two-day hiking/trekking tour. On the route you can visit Twin Falls, Mountain Lakes Lake Yagumyum and Lake Nailig, a source of hot volcanic water, and many more interesting things. You can climb independently or as part of a tourist group. Learn more about Mount Talinis here...

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is better to start climbing at dawn at 5-6 in the morning.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free, tours from 1000 pesos.

  🚶 How to get there: the summit is located 20 kilometers from the center of Dumaguete (mountain on the map).

  There are several routes to the mountain, but the most "trampled" are two: from the village of Valencia (Valencia) from the side of the casaroro waterfall; from Dauin.

• World War II Museum / Cata-al World War 2 Museum

  Dumagueta World War II Museum

  The museum is located in the small town of Valencia, and it is usually visited on the way to the casaroro falls or mount Talinis. This is a small private museum, which contains a large collection of items left after fierce battles during the Battle of the Visayas from March 18 to July 30, 1945. between the armies of the United States and Japan. Most of the artifacts are found in the vicinity of Dumaguete and on other islands, but there are also loosely related to the war, including those from the USSR and Russia post-war times. Learn more about the World War II Museum here...

  🕐 Working hours: 08:00-17:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free, you can leave donations in the box.

  🚶 How to get there: the museum is located on the Main Street at the entrance to the village of Valencia (Valencia) 8 kilometers from Dumaguete (Museum on the map). The most convenient way to get here is by rented transport, tricycle or motorcycle taxi, but you can also get there by regular jeepneys for just 24 pesos. Jeepneys to Valencia from Dumaguete depart from the main market.

• Mag-Aso Falls

  Mag-Aso Waterfall

  Locals believe that this is the most beautiful waterfall on Negros, and perhaps it is. The purest water falls and rolls in several streams into a pool of turquoise water, and around the forest and mountains stretch. Even the road to the waterfall is very picturesque. But it is very far from Dumaguete and even further from Bacolod, so you should not go here just to see. Usually people go to Mag-aso for the whole day to relax, swim in the waterfall pool, have a picnic, and walk around the neighborhood.

  🕐 Working hours: 08:00-17:00.

  💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: 50 pesos.

  🚶 How to get there: located 120 kilometers from Dumaguete and 100 from Bacolod (waterfall on the map).