Bacolod City Visitors Guide

This brief guide to Bacolod City will let you know how to get there, what to do, eat, and drink, where to stay, and must-see spots.

ABOUT SEE & DO EAT & DRINK STAY BUDGET ADVICE

ABOUT

Known for its chicken inasal, Bacolod is more than just this tasty dish known all over the country.  It is visited by thousands of tourists every October for its MassKara Festival, one of the biggest festivals in the country which features participants wearing vibrantly colored masks with huge smiling faces.  It is where the city got its nickname the City of Smiles.

In the city are heritage houses which have been opened for tourists.  And being part of the Sugar Bowl of the Philippines, you’d get to taste some of the best desserts and pastries in the country including the famous piaya and napoleones. 

Location

Best Time to Visit

It’s best to visit the Philippines during the dry season.  Dry season in the Philippines spans from November through April.  These are the summer months in this country.

Be aware that temperatures and humidity levels are particularly high in April and May.

The best time to be a beach bum and explore the islands is from March to May.

TIP:  This guide recommends that booking for Bacolod City summer trips should be done as early as possible, at least a month before your travel dates, since resorts get fully booked early.

The period from June to October is the rainy (wet) season and is best avoided due to the high possibility of typhoons. The typhoons can not only be destructive, but most tours and activities are cancelled under such circumstances.  Transportation via plane and boat is also seriously impacted as well.  This happens frequently so beware!

This guide recommends traveling to Bacolod City in April-May or in November-December, just before and just after the rainy season. This will likely bring fewer crowds, yet pleasant weather, and is also a great time to score a travel deal.

Fast Facts

Getting Here

There are many ways to get here depending on your starting point. This guide recommends using the following online tools to identify all the available options and cost for each while in Bacolod City:  Rome2Rio and PHBUS. The following are the major ports of entry for this destination.

Getting Around

The following are the modes of transportation available in Bacolod City …

SEE & DO

The following is your guide to places to see and activities to enjoy while in Bacolod City.

1 | Taste the authentic chicken inasal

Being the home of the tasty chicken inasal, there’s no better place to taste the famous grilled chicken than in Bacolod City.  Head over to Manokan Country, an open-air food complex which houses several hole-in-the-wall restaurants serving chicken inasal and other types of grilled food such as intestines (isaw) and liver (atay).

2 | Learn the history and culture of the province from Negros Museum

Formerly used as the Provincial Agricultural Building in 1925, Negros Museum showcases a collection of old furniture and fixtures as well as artworks of local artists.  It also has a Toy Gallery with toys from around the world.

3 | Experience piaya making

Bacolod City and the province of Negros Occidental takes pride in piaya, a muscovado-filled flat bread believed to be created to promote the sugar industry of the province.  It is a popular product tourists bring to their loved ones back home.  Bongbongs, one of the oldest and famous names in the piaya industry, offers workshops on piaya making.  The workshop is available from Mondays to Saturdays and you can ask for details through their official Facebook page.

4 | Unwind at Provincial Capitol Park and Lagoon

The complex doesn’t only house Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol, the seat of the government of the province, but also a lagoon and sculptures depicting the struggles and life of the people.  It is a popular place for various activities such as aerobics and jogging.  The Capitol building reflecting the wealth of the province during the boom of the sugar industry back in the day is recognized as a National Historical Landmark.

5 |  See the San Sebastian Cathedral

The San Sebastian Cathedral is of Baroque style built in 1876 although the original church made of wood and galvanized iron roof was constructed in 1825.  The church is made of coral stone from Guimaras Island and hardwood from trees in Palawan.  The church has two bell towers but the bells have been removed from the belfry as they’ve been declared a public hazard.  The bells are now on the church grounds.

6 | Visit The Ruins and other ancestral houses

The Ruins is actually located in Talisay but it’s around the border between Talisay and Bacolod City hence often a part of the itinerary of those exploring Bacolod.  The Ruins is the remains of the mansion built by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in memory of his wife Maria Braga Lacson.  The mansion in Italianate architecture built in the early 1900s was set on fire during World War II and its remains have been preserved to what it is today.

In Bacolod City, you can visit other ancestral houses including Daku Balay (Big House) of Don Generoso Villanueva and Mariano Ramos Ancestral house.

7 | Visit the nearby attractions

While in Bacolod City, you can also visit nearby attractions such as Campuestohan Highlands, Mambukal Resort, Lakawon Island, Carbin Reef, and Silay City where around 30 well-preserved ancestral houses are located.

NOTE: The MassKara Festival occurs annually every fourth Sunday of October…

EAT & DRINK

The following is your guide to the flavorful food to enjoy and restaurants to try while in Bacolod City.

1 | Aboy’s Restaurant

The top restaurant in Bacolod City based on reviews, Aboy’s is a Filipino restaurant known for their fresh seafood.  The restaurant has a nice friendly ambience and the space is big enough to accommodate several people without being cramped.  You can order from the menu or choose among the already-cooked dishes carinderia (local eatery) style.  The price is a bit expensive for Bacolod standards but considering the quality of foods, ambience, and service, it’s definitely worth it.  Try the grilled blue marlin, grilled squid, and sautéed mushrooms.

2 | Ading’s Pala-Pala Bacolod Seafood Restaurant

Another seafood restaurant in Bacolod City is Ading’s Pala-Pala.  It is one of the restaurants where you can pick fresh seafood from the display and have it cooked the way you want.  With well-lit interiors and native decors, the restaurant has an air conditioned indoor area and an open-air seating.  In addition to nice ambience and great food, the prices are reasonable and service is good making it one of the most recommended spots for seafood lovers.

3 | Bob’s Bacolod

One of the oldest restaurants in Bacolod, Bob’s serves a variety of cuisines including Filipino, American, and Asian.  With four branches within the city and continuously expanding, they surely have become a popular name in the food industry.  Try their sate babi, cheeseburger, and filet mignon.

4 | Chicken House

Wondering where to get your fix of authentic chicken inasal while in the city?  Head to Chicken House where the chicken inasal is the best in the city.  Apart from chicken, they also serve spare ribs and pork barbecue, all at reasonable prices.  The quality of food along with good ambience as well as friendly and accommodating staff make the restaurant a great place to enjoy with family and friends.

5 | Diotay’s

The restaurant has no menu.  You simply pick fresh seafood displayed at the restaurant and have it cooked the way you want it.  You pay for the per kilo of seafood without additional fee for cooking.  While it’s location is a bit hidden, the place is often packed so make sure to come early or make a reservation especially if you are coming with a large group.

6 | Manokan Country

Manokan Country is an open-air food complex lined with restaurants where chicken inasal is the main offering.  There are several hole-in-the-wall restaurants within the complex but the most popular ones are Nena Beth’s and Aida’s.  Aside from chicken inasal, these restaurants also serve other dishes such as fish sinigang and steamed oysters.

7 | Negros Museum Café

Located in Negros Museum, the Negros Museum Café has an elegant setting and lovely ambience.  It serves Filipino and International cuisine and takes pride in using organic and natural ingredients from local farmers.  Their use of regional products is evident in their menu with the names of the dishes such as Cooked Talisay Ham, Bacolod Pork Belly, Mahogany Smoked Chicken, and Pata Negros.  The price range may be higher for local standards but the cafe offers one of the best dining experiences in Bacolod City.

8 | Rau Ram Café

What used to be a small eatery is now a full-blown restaurant serving Vietnamese and Asian Fusion cuisines.  The restaurant may not be easy to get to but people keep on coming back to enjoy their Vietnamese coffee, braised beef, spring rolls, Nasi Lemak, and Pomelo salad.  Rau Ram Café is truly Bacolod’s hidden gem.

9 | 21 Restaurant

21 Restaurant is a nice choice for fine dining experience in the City of Smiles.  The restaurant used to be a hole-in-the-wall snack house serving batchoy but due to its popularity, it expanded into what it is today.  Their menu is a mix of Western favorites such as burger and roast beef to local dishes like binakol, kare-kare, and sinigang.  Looking at its impressive and elegant design, the restaurant seems expensive but it’s actually reasonably-priced and worth it.

KNOWN FOR: Chicken Inasal (Chicken Barbecue) and Piaya, an unleavened flat bread filled with sugar.

WHERE TO STAY

There are many different types of accommodations available in this destination ranging from hostels to luxurious resorts. The following is your guide to our top choices for each range in Bacolod City.

1 | Mainstreet Pension House (Budget)

2 | GT Hotel Bacolod (Mid-Range)

3 | L’Fisher Hotel (Luxury | Resort)

This guide recommends using the following sites to conduct research online of where to stay Bacolod City or for a specific destination:

Book your room with these trusted online booking sites.  Booking online in the Philippines almost always guarantees the best price and a room when you arrive.  We use these sites frequently to get the best prices and enjoy convenient bookings. Click each of the buttons below to find the best place for you at the lowest rates:

TIP: GT Hotel Bacolod is the best property to experience this destination.

BUDGET

Suggested Budget

Use the chart below to get an idea of how much to budget daily.  Actual amounts will depend on YOUR travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages … some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less. Prices are in USD.

Travel Costs

Accommodation

A bed in a hostel dorm costs from 350 PHP ($7 USD), but smaller dorms can cost from 500 PHP ($10 USD).  For a private double, prices start around 700 PHP ($14 USD).

Most budget hotels begin at 700 PHP ($14 USD) per night for a double room and usually include free wifi and breakfast.  For a three-star hotel, prices begin around 1,400 PHP ($28 USD) per night.  AirBnB is also widespread throughout the country, with private rooms starting from as little as 500 PHP ($10 USD) per night.  For entire apartments, expect to pay at least 1,400 PHP ($28 USD) per night.

Resorts and luxury accommodations vary greatly from 1,400 PHP ($28 USD) to 5,000+ PHP ($100+ USD).  However, there are some really nice resorts and luxury accommodations which are surprisingly affordable.

We use and recommend booking online to save money using HostelWorld, Agoda, Booking.com, and AirBnB. 

Food

Local food is extremely cheap, with street food costing under 50 PHP ($1USD).  For an inexpensive meal at a local restaurant, prices start around 100 PHP ($2 USD).  For a meal at a mid-range restaurant with drinks and table service, expect to pay from 200 PHP ($4 USD).  Knowing that their target customers are primarily tourists, Western food venues can be pricey compared to Filipino food.  Also, some of the ingredients need to be imported, which contributes to the higher cost. Western food (burgers, pizza, pasta, etc.) is much more expensive but is still relatively affordable at around 200 PHP ($4 USD) for a meal and drink.

Fast food like McDonalds will cost around 200 PHP ($4 USD).  A beer at the bar will cost around 50-100 PHP ($1–2 USD).

A week’s worth of groceries will cost between 300-600 PHP ($6-12 USD) per person.  However, food in this country is so inexpensive, and kitchens & refrigerators are hard to come by, I don’t recommend cooking your meals here since there is plenty of delicious street food to eat at very cheap prices. You won’t make it as good as they do and the food is too delicious to miss!

Transportation

There are many modes of transportation available in the Philippines and each varies greatly. 

Public Transportation is cheap.  Bus services on the islands are inexpensive.  Local buses (called jeepneys) are the most common type of transportation in towns and cities. The fare is usually between 7-25 PHP ($.20–.50 USD).

On islands without a bus system, a taxi or tricycle is the only form of transport with fares starting at 50-500 PHP ($1-$10) USD for short trips. 

Taxis are everywhere, and they’re very cheap.  Most fares shouldn’t cost you more than 500 PHP ($10 USD) around town.  

To get between islands, you’ll need to take a boat or to fly.  There are ferries that connect the island together since they aren’t too far apart but, generally speaking, flights are the most realistic option. 

Flights between islands usually cost about 2,000-3500 PHP ($40-70 USD).  However, this isn’t the cheapest way to travel.  It’s only recommended if you have limited time. 

We recommend booking online to save money using: Skyscanner, momondo, Kayak, kiwi.com.

Attractions & Activities

Most attractions and activities in the Philippines are pretty cheap. Most attractions throughout the area are FREE to enter, though some of the more well known and popular ones cost 5-100 PHP ($.10-$2 USD) to enter. 

Depending on the activity, most day tours only cost around 1,000-1,500 PHP ($20-30 USD), oftentimes less.  You have more bargaining power if you go with a group. If you are expecting to do some climbing, remember to pack some warm layers. It gets cold at the top!  

Other activities such as Island Hopping, scuba diving, helmet diving, swimming with whale sharks, jungle trekking, canyoning, ATVs, jet skis, wakeboarding, cruises, parasailing, horseback riding, cultural experiences, and tours can cost as much as 1,250-5,000+ PHP ($25-100+ USD).

The Philippines is one of the least expensive places to learn how to scuba dive. Learning to scuba dive usually costs about 15,000-20,000 PHP ($300-400 USD), but often includes FREE accommodation for the duration of the course, which lasts three or four days.

Always book your tours and activities when you arrive.  Stick to travel agents who are selling on the ground. If a travel agent won’t negotiate with you, move on to the next until you find one that will.  Booking tours online is almost always more expensive. 

Typical Costs in Bacolod City in 2023:

• Hostel Dorm Bed: 250-350 PHP ($5–7 USD) night
• Budget Hotel:  700 PHP ($14 USD) night
• Mid-Range Hotel:  1500 PHP ($31 USD) night
• Street Food: 50-150 PHP ($1–3 USD) meal
• Restaurant Meals: 200-300 PHP ($4–6 USD) meal
• Local Beer: 50-100 PHP ($1–2 USD) bottle
• 1.5L Bottle of Water: 38 PHP ($.75 USD) bottle
• Jeepney Ride: 7-25 PHP ($.20–.50 USD) ride
• Tricycle Ride:  20-100 PHP ($.5-2 USD) ride
• Taxi: 75-500 PHP ($1.50-10 USD) ride – use GrabTaxi app
• Long-Distance Bus Ride: 400-500 PHP ($8–10 USD) ride
• Public Ferry Ride: 200-300 PHP ($4–6 USD) ride
• Domestic Flight: 2,000-3,500 PHP ($40–70 USD) flight

DOWNLOAD: Budget Planner Template

ADVICE

The following is some of our best advice on traveling to Bacolod City.  Learn what you need to know BEFORE you go!

Tips & Hacks

he following are our Top 10 Tips when visiting this destination in the Philippines:

• Be aware that a tourist VISA is only 30 days. You can extend it upon arrival, or within the first 30 days, for an additional 30 days for a fee of approximately 3,000 pesos.
• Don’t buy into the fear factor. The Philippines has an unjustified reputation of being a dangerous place. It’s true there are security guards everywhere, but that is to deter theft.
• Manila is NOT the Philippines. Get outside of the cities to see the real Philippines.
• Don’t over plan. Boats, buses, and even airplane schedules are notoriously unreliable. Be flexible.
• Check the weather. The weather varies greatly throughout the Philippines daily.
• Typhoons can have a huge impact on your plans. Account for this when planning your trip.
• It’s not cool to raise your voice or show outward frustration in public.
• Be polite at all times. Realize that your country’s sense of humor may be different from Filipino humor and take this into account when interacting with Filipinos and while in public places.
• Things move at a slower pace. Accept it … don’t get frustrated … but do account for it.
• Don’t drink the tap water… but stay hydrated! Save money by buying large bottles (6-10 liters) of water and using it to fill your water bottle or hydration bladder in your backpack.

For a complete list of our travel tips & hacks, check out the following guide and be sure to download a FREE copy for yourself.

VIEW & DOWNLOAD: The Ultimate Travel Tips & Hacks Guide for the Philippines

Money Matters

The Philippines has its own currency called the Philippine Peso. Banks, ATMs, and money-changers can be found on the island. If you are exploring the neighboring islands or provinces, make sure to bring enough cash that will last until the next time you get to an ATM or bank since most tours, transportation, and budget accommodations only accept cash.

READ MORE: Money in the Philippines: Everything You Need to Know

Health & Safety

Crime

While overall the Philippines is a safe country to visit, as is Bacolod City, you need to use common sense just as you would in any country, especially when traveling, and in a city, town, or area you are unfamiliar with.

Consult your hotel or resort front desk as they are more likely to give you reliable information than a random stranger on the street. Be careful when approaching strangers and selective about who you approach. Always pay attention to your gut feeling and follow it.

READ MORE: How to Avoid Scams & Thieves in the Philippines

Safety

There are many things to consider when traveling in order to stay safe … things that we may not be accustomed to during our normal everyday lives. The following are articles about tips on how to stay safe while traveling in the Philippines:

• 6 Common Accidents to Avoid  
• How to Beat the Heat in the Philippines
• Taxi Safety Tips: Dos and Don’ts
• Motorbike Safety Tips
• Beach & Ocean Safety Tips
• Sun Safety Tips  

TIP: The best way to avoid problems and stay safe is to travel with a local resident.

Health

Staying fit & healthy can be challenging when traveling in the Philippines. 

The tropical Philippines climate requires you to prepare for illnesses that you may not normally be accustomed to. 

The following are our Top 10 Tips for Staying Healthy while Traveling in the Philippines:

• Maintain a Balanced Diet
• Stay Hydrated but Only Drink Bottled Water
• Get Plenty of Rest
• Allow Your Body Time to Adjust 
• Keep Active
• Sanitize Often 
• Be Aware of Food Safety Concerns
• Take Your Vitamins
• Practice Safe Sex
• Be Prepared Should You Get Sick

READ MORE: Stay Healthy in the Philippines: How to Avoid Getting Sick

Staying Connected

You need to have a local-based SIM card in order to stay connected when in the Philippines. Network giants such as Globe and Smart have SIM cards you can use to make calls, send text messages, and also to connect to the Internet. A SIM card costs around 50 PHP ($1 USD) and usually comes with a FREE load worth 50 PHP ($1 USD). You can buy a card containing a code you can enter on your phone to replenish your load or buy an electronic load that is available almost anywhere in the city.

While you may not have problems with signal strength when in the city, it is not always the case when on islands or in remote areas of a province.  So when arranging for transportation pick up, say when renting a boat to take you to and pick you up from the island, it would be best that you make it clear what time you need to be picked up before the boatman leaves.

Recommended Travel Apps

Apps for smartphones and tablets can be useful both before you leave and while you’re traveling.  Most are available for iPhones and Android phones.

The following are our Top 10 most useful travel apps on our smartphones when traveling in the Philippines:

1. Grab (taxis/ride shares)
2. Angkas (motorbike ride-hailing)
3. WhatsApp (phone calls)
4. Skyscanner (flights)
5. Rome2Rio (transportation)
6. Agoda (accomodations)
7. Booking.com (accomodations)
8. AirBnB (accomodations)
9. Traveloka (flights, accomodations, activities)
10. Klook (attractions & activities )

Be certain to download and set up apps BEFORE leaving on your trip to make certain each is installed and working properly.

For our complete list of travel apps that we use and recommend while traveling in the Philippines, checkout our checklist below.  Download a FREE copy for yourself as a PDF.

READ MORE: The Ultimate List of Travel Apps for the Philippines

Itinerary

Trying to decide what to do when traveling to a destination for the first time can be a bit overwhelming given your lack of familiarity with the place along with all of the available options. 

We’ve created the following itinerary to help simplify the process and ensure that you get the most out of your trip.  Although we provide a 7 day itinerary for this destination, it can always be adjusted to fit the length of your trip.

VIEW: Bacolod City 7-Day Travel Itinerary

Packing Checklist

The secret to a successful and stress-free trip is to start by using a packing list.  This will reduce anxiety from the start and ensure that nothing important is forgotten when packing.   To make this process easy for you, we’ve created a detailed packing list.  Click the link below to download it for FREE now. 

Carrying your checklist with you during your travels can be useful when repacking, by helping to ensure that you do not leave anything behind.

VIEW & DOWNLOAD: Our Ultimate Packing Guide & Checklist

Things to Remember

This guide recommends to take note of the following while traveling in Bacolod City or in the Philippines in general.

Smoking

There is a nationwide ban which prohibits smoking in public places including indoors, the streets, on sidewalks, in restaurants , and on public transportation, requiring smokers to use designated smoking areas.  Selling tobacco to and purchasing from or for minors is also prohibited. Violators are subject to fines (up to 5,000 PHP | $100 USD) and even 4 months in prison.

Alcohol

The minimum legal drinking age is 18.  Alcohol such as beer and hard drinks can easily be bought in grocery and convenience stores.  The most common alcoholic beverage is beer, generally served cold.  Local alcoholic drinks include tuba (coconut wine which is usually very strong) and potent moonshine-like clear liquors made from sugar or fruit.  Imported beer, wine, and name brand hard alcohol are available but expensive.

Drugs

Drugs are illegal in the Philippines.  Don’t use, buy, or sell any non-prescription drugs while in the Philippines … not even marijuana.  It is considered an especially heinous crime to buy from, for, or sell drugs to children.  The penalties are severe … up to and including death.

Nudity

Public nudity is illegal in the Philippines and is not tolerated.  Most locals consider it offensive.  There are laws which prohibit provocative and erotic clothing and swimwear, therefore carefully consider your clothings and swimwear choices to make certain they are not too revealing.

Foreigners & Expats

If you are not a Filipino citizen, remember that you are a guest when visiting this country … be certain to act accordingly.  Respect the people, their customs, and the environment and wlidlife. You can be deported and banned … so behave … but have fun and enjoy all that this wonderful destination has to offer.

READ MORE: Practical Information about the Philippines

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