A Travel Guide for First-time Travelers to Bacolod

Bacolod City (10° 40′ 12″ N, 122° 57′ 0″ E), known as the “City of Smiles”, is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental, which composes one half of Negros Island. It is located in the Visayas part of the Philippines, an archipelago in Southeast Asia with 7,107 islands.

This city has a rich history — from the bountiful sugar industry, to its downfall, to its rising from the ashes. But its most popular feature are its sweet food and its friendly people. It is home of the Masskara Festival, held every third weekend of October. (READ: Behind Masskara’s Smile)

HOW TO GET TO BACOLOD

Points of Entry:  Bacolod is accessible through the Bacolod-Silay airport. Taxis and shuttle vans are available outside the arrival area that can take you to your hotel. If you are from outside the Philippines, you need to fly into one of the country’s hubs — Manila, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao — before you can get to Bacolod City.

From Manila: By plane, there are several flights everyday that serves the Manila-Bacolod and vice versa route. The flight is around an hour long. You can also opt to take the ship at the Port Area in Tondo, Manila, which will take you around 14 hours or more. If you are to take by private car, you can take the Roll-On Roll-Off (RORO) via the nautical highway that will bring you through six ports and four major islands. (READ: Road Trip to Bacolod)

From Cebu: By plane, it is just 45 minutes from Cebu to Bacolod. Another option is to take the bus, which will travel to the Toledo port and will cross the sea by barge to the San Carlos port. The trip will last to about 6 or more hours.

From Iloilo: Bacolod is accessible from Iloilo for 45 minutes or more via ferry. Bringing a vehicle via barge is about an hour or two long.

From Davao: There are several direct flights from Davao to Bacolod every week. One can also travel to Bacolod from Davao via Iloilo or Cebu.

Websites for flights, shipping and bus schedules:

https://www.philippineairlines.com/
https://www.cebupacificair.com
http://www.supercat.com.ph/
http://travel.2go.com.ph
http://fastcat.com.ph/
http://www.oceanjet.net
https://www.weesam.ph

WHERE TO STAY IN BACOLOD

Here is a list of various hotels in Bacolod City where you can stay during your visit. Choose based on your preference. You can opt for cheap and affordable hotels, or one that can provide you with comfort and convenience.

L’Fisher Hotel/L’Fisher Chalet 14th Lacson Street Bacolod City, 6100 Philippines (+63 34) 433 3731 http://www.lfisherhotelbacolod.com/ READ: 10 Reasons to Spend the Holidays at L’Fisher Bacolod Metro Inn 6th St., Narra Avenue Bacolod City, 6100 Philippines (+63 34) 435 1818 http://metroinnbacolod.com/ READ: Metro Inn Bacolod: A Perfect Holiday Staycation Business Inn No. 28 South Lacson Street, Bacolod City Negros Occidental, 6100 Philippines (+63 34) 433 8877 http://bacolodbusinessinn.com Avenue Suites 12th Lacson St., Bacolod City, 6100 Philippines (+63 34) 435 7777 Palmas Del Mar J.R. Torres Avenue, Bacolod City Negros Occidental, Philippines (+63 34) 434 8987 http://www.palmasdelmarresort.net/ READ: Palmas del Mar: 20 Years of Fun Under the Sun Go Hotels Lacson Street, Mandalagan  Bacolod City Negros Occidental, Philippines (+63 34) 441 0506 http://www.gohotels.ph

Sugarland Hotel Araneta Street, Singcang Bacolod City, 6100 Philippines (+63 34) 435 2691 to 99 http://sugarlandhotel.com Planta Hotel Corner Araneta & Roxas Sts., Bacolod City, 6100 Philippines (+63 34) 468 0400 http://www.bacolodplantahotel.com/ Circle Inn Lopez Jaena & Malaspina Sts., Capitol Shopping Center, Bacolod City 6100 Philippines (+63 34) 709 9111; (+63 34) 709 9009 http://www.circleinnph.com Saltimboca 15th St., Bacolod City 6100 Negros Occidental, Philippines (+63 34) 432 3617 READ: Homey Saltimboca Tourist Inn The Inns Bacolod by Oriental 18 San Juan Street Barangay 13, Bacolod City, 6100 Philippines (+63 34) 7042756 to 57 http://bacolod.theorientalhotels.com READ: Your Stay, Your Rule at The Inns Bacolod Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod M City Bacolod Complex Reclamation Area Block 12 Palanca, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental (+63 34) 706 8888 READ: Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod is now open

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN BACOLOD

You can create an itinerary based on the attractions below. Or, you can also refer to my post Five Days Around Bacolod, Silay, Talisay for an idea on how you can explore Bacolod and its vicinity.

Urban/Town Proper

• City Plaza – see the daily activities by the locals and spot some interesting statues that have been there for many years.

• Central Market – try the local coffee shops and stores that have become institutions in their own right.

Nature/Adventure

• Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation – visit a piece of nature tucked within the city where animals are cared fore. It is located near the Provincial Capitol area (READ: Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation: Nature in the City)

• Sta. Fe Resort – enjoy a swim at the city’s oldest resort (READ: Sta. Fe, Bacolod’s Oldest Resort)
• Forest Park Resort – cool off in one of the pools and see some of the animals kept here (READ: First-time in Bacolod Forest Park Resort)

Historical/Cultural/Religious

• San Sebastian Cathedral – this heritage structure is the seat of the Diocese of Bacolod

• Negros Museum – know the history of the province through a visit at the Negros Museum

• Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol – another heritage building in the city. Right in front of the Provincial Capitol is the man-made lagoon and park.

• Panaad Park – visit the booths of all 32 towns and cities of the province of Negros Occidental. Check out their products and attractions in their booths. (READ: First-time in Panaad sa Negros Festival Part I and Part II)

BACOLOD CITY IS ALSO THE GATEWAY TO

Beaches

• Punta Ballo beach and Tinagong Dagat, Sipalay City – go on an island hop and enjoy the beautiful beaches, as well as the many snorkeling and diving sites. (READ: Sipalay City Island Hopping)

• Lakawon Island, Cadiz City – roll on the white sand beach or simply bask under the sun in this private island where you can be away from the crowd while you can have fun on a floating bar called Tawhai. (READ: First-time in Lakawon Island)

Mountain attractions

• Mambukal Resort, Murcia – trek to the falls, hike to the mountains, or take a dip at the hot spring. Mambukal has plenty to offer and you can even stay the night here. (READ: First-time in Mambukal)
• Rapha Valley, Don Salvador Benedicto – another place to spend a night or two. This is a vegan’s or organic food-lover’s haven. But be sure to book in advance prior to your visit. (READ: First-time in Rapha Valley)
• Campuestohan Highland Resort, Talisay – get near to the mountains, spend the night here, enjoy a swim in one of the pools, do some of the activities being offered here, and bond with your family and friends. (READ: First-time in Campuestohan)

Other sights

• Peñalosa Farm, Victorias – advanced booking is also required in this organic farm, where you can enjoy farm tourism and know more about zero-waste farming. (READ: First-time in Peñalosa Farms)
• The Heritage Houses, Silay – travel back in time and see how Negrenses lived during olden times. (READ: Negros Bloggers go on a Silay Heritage Walk)
• The Ruins, Talisay – learn the story of the Lacson family through this mansion. (READ: First-time in the Ruins, Talisay)

WHERE TO EAT IN BACOLOD

There are plenty of restaurants in Bacolod. In fact, one of the main things many travelers to this city enjoy is going into a food trip. From international cuisines to local dishes, Bacolod has many spectacular eateries. (READ: Global Food Trip in Bacolod Restaurants and Eat’s More Fun in Bacolod)

Below are restaurants that are homegrown in Bacolod that you will love to try.

Bob’s B.S. Aquino Drive, Bacolod City +63 34 434 2409; +63 34 709 1307Ripples Restaurant L’Fisher Hotel 15th Lacson St., Bacolod City +63 34 433 3730 Negros Museum Café Gatuslao St., Bacolod City +63 916 9086641 Rau-Ram Café Purok Marapara 1, Zone 2, Brgy. Bata Bacolod City +63 34 708 9036; +63 943 4923750 18th St. Pala-Pala Restaurant 18th Aguinaldo St., Brgy. 4, Bacolod City +63 34 433 9153; +63 34 709 1267 Café Bob’s 21st Lacson Sts., Bacolod City +63 34 707 0001; +63 34 709 1091 Izumi Authentic Ramen Nolan Bldg., B.S. Aquino Drive, Bacolod City +63 34 917 325 2686 Delicioso Wine Food Coffee Restaurant Lacson St., Mandalagan Bacolod City +63 34 435 0504 Tyrol Restaurant Mayfair Place, 12th St., Bacolod City +63 34 703 1878 Felicia’s Pastry Café and Steak Room Restaurant 6th St., Narra Avenue Bacolod City +63 34 433 6586

Welcome Home Foundation’s Natural Garden Café Consuelo Ave., Villa Valderama Mandalagan, Bacolod City +63 927 816 8757; +63 34 441 203121 Bar and Restaurant 21st Lacson Sts., Bacolod City +63 908 8913588, +63 34 433 4096 Imay’s Bar and Restaurant 6th St., Narra Avenue Bacolod City +63 34 434 4700; +63 34 434 5113 Quan Delicacies La Salle Ave., Bacolod City +63 34 434 6379 Café Uma Paseo Verde, Lacson St. Mandalagan, Bacolod City +63 34 709 9966; +63 34 432 3853 Fogo Grill O Residences, Lacson St., Mandalaga, Bacolod City +63 34 432 6130 Fresh Start Robinsons Place Central Citywalk, Lacson St. Mandalagan, Bacolod City and SM City Bacolod North Wing, Bacolod City Manokan Country Fr. M. Ferrero St., Reclamation Area, Bacolod City Calea Pastries and Coffee Balay Quince, 15th Lacson St., Bacolod City +63 34 435 8413; +63 34 433 8664 Quino’s Café Unit 5, Ascalon Bldg., Mandalagan, Bacolod City +63 34 441 6003

TIPS ON

1. Getting around – it is easy to get from one point of Bacolod to another. Apart from taxis and tricycles available almost everywhere, there are also different jeepney routes that you can try when you commute. Bacolodnons are friendly people, so do not be afraid to inquire. Still, be sure to ask people who can be trustworthy. If you prefer tour packages, you can message the author as she has friends who are accredited tour guides (namely, Maricar Dabao, Betsy Gazo, and Artie Lacson.)
2. What to buy – food is the primary product in Bacolod. But if home is a bit far away and you do not want to carry perishable goods, buy a mask at Jojo Vito’s Design Gallery (READ: Masks at the Jojo Vito Designs Gallery). Also, you can visit OISCA in nearby Bago City and buy their silk products (READ: Silk Making at OISCA Bago).
3. Must-try – commodities in Bacolod are basically affordable and cheaper compared to other megacities. You should at least try the cakes and sweet delicacies in Bacolod, even in small quantities. Visiting a sugar plantation is also something interesting that you might want to experience.
4. Language – while majority can understand and speak English, it is advisable to learn a little bit of Hiligaynon, the mother tongue of those living in Bacolod. The tone is singsong and very friendly. Here are a few phrases:
   1. Good morning – Maayong aga
   2. Good noon – Maayong udto
   3. Good afternoon – Maayong hapon
   4. Good evening – Maayong gab-I
   5. Let’s eat – Kaon ta
   6. Delicious – Namit
   7. How much…? – Tag-pila…?
   8. Thank you – Salamat
   9. How do I get to…? – Paano ko makakadto sa…?
   10. Very nice – Nami gid

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