San Carlos City, Philippines
Region: Pangasinan
Geographic Coordinates: 15.928100, 120.349000
Temperature Range: 24.0°C to 35.0°C (75°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. Wet season is from June to November, while dry season is from December to May. Temperatures range from 24 to 32 degrees Celsius.
Population: 205424
Language: Filipino
San Carlos City is a bustling city located in the northern part of Negros Occidental, Philippines. The city covers an area of approximately 45 square kilometers and is famous for its rich history, Diverse culture, And breathtaking natural scenery. One of the main attractions in San Carlos City is its stunning beaches. Visitors can enjoy crystal clear waters at Punta Ballo Beach, Taisan Beach, And Palampas Beach. These beaches offer ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling as well as sunbathing or relaxing under a beach umbrella.
San Carlos City also has a rich cultural heritage with several historical landmarks that reflect its past. The San Carlos Borromeo Church was built during the Spanish colonial period and features intricate carvings on its wooden doors & ceilings that are truly remarkable to see up close. The agricultural industry plays an essential role in the economy of San Carlos City with vast sugarcane plantations spread throughout the region. Visitors can take tours around these plantations to learn about how sugar cane is grown & processed into sugar products like molasses or rum.
Apart from agriculture, Other industries such as manufacturing, Retail trade & tourism contribute significantly to the local economy’s growth rate. Some notable companies operating within this region include Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc., Universal Robina Corporation (URC), Nestle Philippines Inc., Among others.
The people living in San Carlos City are friendly and hospitable towards tourists from all over the world who visit their town regularly throughout each year due to various festivals they celebrate annually like Pasalamat Festival celebrated every April which honors their patron saint St.Charles Borromeo; Kawayan Festival held every July which showcases bamboo products made by locals; Sinulog Festival held every January featuring street dancing & colorful parades. San Carlos City offers something for everyone whether you’re interested in history or just want to soak up some sun on one of their beautiful beaches.
With its rich cultural heritage, Friendly locals, And stunning natural scenery, San Carlos City has become one of the top tourist destinations in Negros Occidental.
- San Carlos Borromeo Church – This church is a historical landmark that has been present since the Spanish colonial period.
- Mag-aso Falls – A famous tourist attraction that features a stunning waterfall surrounded by lush greenery.
- Gawahon Eco-Park – An eco-park that offers various outdoor activities such as hiking, ziplining, and camping.
- Bago Mountain Range – A picturesque mountain range that provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
- Palampas River – A river that offers river rafting adventures for thrill-seekers.
- Handumanan Museum – A museum showcasing the history and culture of San Carlos City.
- Sipaway Island (Refugio Island) – An island paradise located off the coast of San Carlos City known for its white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
- Lake Danao – The second largest lake in Negros Occidental province with clear water suitable for fishing or boating activities.
- Agriculture: San Carlos City is known for its vast agricultural land and produces crops such as sugarcane, rice, corn, vegetables, and fruits.
- Manufacturing: The city has several manufacturing plants that produce sugar products such as refined sugar, molasses, and muscovado.
- Tourism: San Carlos City has several tourist attractions such as the Malatan-og Falls, Pata-an Mountain Resort, and the Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club.
- Retail: There are several malls and retail stores in the city that cater to the needs of residents and tourists alike.
- Services: The city offers a range of services including healthcare facilities like hospitals and clinics; banking services with branches of major banks present here; educational institutions like schools offering primary education to higher education; transportation services like buses or jeepneys for commuting within or outside town limits etc.
- The establishment of San Carlos City as a town in 1901 during the American colonial period.
- The construction of the San Carlos Sugar Central in 1926, which became one of the largest sugar mills in Asia and contributed to the city’s economic growth.
- The Japanese occupation during World War II, which resulted in significant damage to the city and loss of lives.
- The birthplace of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, who was born in Lingayen Road, San Carlos City on March 18, 1928.
- The establishment of Pangasinan State University (PSU) – San Carlos Campus in 1979, which offers various academic programs and has become an important institution for higher education in Northern Luzon.
- The election of Mayor Julian Resuello as president of League Of Municipalities Of The Philippines (LMP) National Chapter from 2004-2007.
- In recent years, San Carlos City has become known for its eco-tourism destinations such as Bolo Beach and Binmaley River Cruise that attract both local and foreign tourists alike.
- San Carlos Museum showcases the history and culture of San Carlos City.
- Bago River Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area with diverse flora and fauna.
- San Sebastian Cathedral is a historic church built in 1835.
- Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial Shrine is a monument dedicated to the city’s founding father.
- Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Park and Lagoon is a scenic park with a man-made lagoon.
- Mag-aso Falls is a picturesque waterfall located in Barangay Oringao.
- Balay Negrense Museum is an ancestral house turned museum showcasing the lifestyle of Negrense families during the early 1900s.
- The Ruins are iconic mansion ruins that have become one of the popular tourist spots in Bacolod City, which is just about an hour away from San Carlos City.
- Mambukal Mountain Resort is another popular tourist attraction located in Murcia, about 30 minutes away from Bacolod City.
- Panaad Stadium serves as home to various sports events and festivals, including MassKara Festival held every October in Bacolod City, Philippines.
- San Carlos City Fiesta is celebrated every November 4th in honor of the city’s patron saint, Saint Charles Borromeo.
- Sinulog Festival is held every third week of January to commemorate the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines and to honor the Santo Niño (Child Jesus).
- Pintaflores Festival is a colorful and vibrant festival that showcases street dancing, floral floats, and traditional costumes. It is celebrated every November 5th.
- Buglasan Festival is a month-long celebration that highlights the culture and tradition of Negros Oriental Province. It features various events such as beauty pageants, street dancing competitions, food fairs, and more.
- Pasalamat Festival is a Thanksgiving festival held every September to give thanks for bountiful harvests and good fortune.
- Karansa Festival is a dance festival that features participants wearing colorful bird costumes while performing traditional dances. It is celebrated every September 29th.
- Tawo-Tawo Festival is a unique festival where people dress up as scarecrows to drive away pests from rice fields during planting season. It is held every February 11th.
- Halad Inasal Festival – A thanksgiving event for all their blessings received throughout the year by offering chicken dishes called inasal or grilled chicken on skewers cooked over hot coals on bamboo sticks with vinegar sauce or sinamak.
- Inasal – grilled chicken marinated in vinegar, calamansi juice, and other spices
- Kakanin – various rice cakes made from glutinous rice and coconut milk
- Lechon – roasted pig served during special occasions
- Pancit Molo – a soup dish with dumplings filled with ground pork and shrimp
There are also many popular restaurants in San Carlos City that offer delicious food options:
- Aboy’s Restaurant is known for their seafood dishes such as grilled squid and kinilaw (ceviche).
- Bongbong’s Pasalubong Center and Restaurant offers local delicacies such as piaya (sweet flatbread) and napoleones (layered puff pastry).
- L’ Fisher Hotel Cafe Bob’s Deli & Pie Shoppe serves pastries, sandwiches, coffee, and pies.
- Nena’s Rose Chicken Inato Haus is famous for their chicken inasal.
- Rekado ni Nanay Restaurant offers Filipino comfort food such as adobo (meat stew) and sinigang (sour soup).
- San Carlos City Plaza is a public park situated in the center of the city, offering visitors a playground, benches, and a fountain.
- Bantug Lake Ranch is a recreational resort that provides horseback riding, fishing, and boating activities.
- Don Salvador Benedicto Eco-Tourism Park is a nature park located in the nearby town of Don Salvador Benedicto that boasts hiking trails and picturesque views.
- Rapha Valley Organic Farm and Garden Resort is an eco-resort that offers organic farming tours, cooking classes, and wellness activities.
- Pintuyan Beach Resort can be found along the coast of San Carlos City and offers swimming, snorkeling, and diving activities for guests to enjoy.
- Mount Kanlaon Natural Park is a protected area situated in Negros Occidental province with hiking trails leading to the summit of Mount Kanlaon.
- Gawahon Eco-Park can be found in Victorias City with camping sites available for visitors as well as zip lines and nature trails to explore.
- Mambukal Mountain Resort can be found in Murcia town featuring hot springs pools for relaxation as well as hiking trails leading to waterfalls for exploration.
- Balay Negrense Museum showcases local history and culture within an old ancestral house built during Spanish colonial times which has been converted into a museum for public viewing.
- Cueva de la Virgen Cave System offers spelunking adventures through its cave system complete with stalactites, stalagmites, and underground rivers providing adventure lovers with plenty of excitement!
