RegionUsable guide

Negros

Island in the Philippines

Photo: Paolobon140, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Negros (pronounced: NEHG-rawss) is a large island in the Visayas, the island group that forms roughly the central third of the Philippines.

Getting there and around

Getting there

Bacolod and Dumaguete are the main transport hubs; each has an active airport and a seaport with many ferries. See those city articles for details.

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Getting around

The vivid yellow Ceres buses (both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned) go to all of the cities and most towns on the island, and in some areas, jeepneys are also used between cities and towns near each other.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Bacolod-Silay International Airport

Bacolod City · International · BCD

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Cities

Bacolod

The most populous city of Negros, known as "The City of Smiles" because of the MassKara Festival celebrated annually in October. Also famous for its sweet delicacies and chicken inasal (BBQ chicken).

Dumaguete

A hip university city in the island's southeastern tip. A major tourist destination with more foreign retirees than any other city in the country.

Silay

Are old mansions your thing? Highly interested in history? This city north of Bacolod has a lot to offer for history buffs. Also home to the main airport of Negros Occidental.

Kabankalan

A coastal city with some resorts.

Bais

A coastal city that serves as a jump-off point for whale and dolphin watching in the Tañon Strait.

Guihulngan

Coastal town and regional center, about 100,000.

Sipalay

The Negros equivalent to Western Visayas' Boracay, it offers one of the region's best beaches and nice summer resorts. In other words, a Negrense paradise for beach bums.

San Carlos

A port town with ferries to Cebu Island.

Read before you go to Negros

Articles and travel topics about Negros and Philippines.

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

ProvincesNegros contains two provinces, each of which occupies a part of the island and some nearby islets:

Understand60 sqkm. Both Luzon (main island of the north) and Mindanao (main island of the south) are much larger in both area and population.1 million for Palawan.

Get inBacolod and Dumaguete are the main transport hubs; each has an active airport and a seaport with many ferries. See those city articles for details.

Get aroundThe vivid yellow Ceres buses (both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned) go to all of the cities and most towns on the island, and in some areas, jeepneys are also used between cities and towns near each other.

EatNegros has a strong claim as the culinary heart of the Philippines, shaped by centuries of sugar culture and some of the most fertile volcanic soil in the archipelago.

SeeNegros rewards slower exploration and outings rather than a checklist approach. The island's most visible landmark is Kanlaon Volcano, the highest peak in the Visayas and visible from much of northern Negros Occidental.

DoDiving and snorkelling around Apo Island and the Dauin marine sanctuary are among the most popular activities on the island.

DrinkNegros is not known for a strong bar culture outside of Bacolod and Dumaguete. In smaller towns evening options are limited to local stores and occasional videoke bars.

SleepAccommodation on Negros ranges from international standard hotels in Bacolod and Dumaguete to basic pension houses and guesthouses in smaller towns.

Stay safeNegros is generally safe for travellers.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Negros" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Negros", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Paolobon140, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

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