Bacolod City Travel Guide

WHAT TO DO BACOLOD FOR 3 DAYS

On our Bacolod City travel guide, we went to explore the city in the Philippines known for its name as the City of Smile. We went to explore Bacolod tourists, a visit to the mountain of Campuestohan Highland Resort, witness the ancient architecture of The Ruins and visit San Sebastian Church. Aside from this Bacolod is also known as the country’s local provider of sugar cane which in turns to be processed as refined sugar

BACOLOD CITY TRAVEL GUIDE – TABLE OF CONTENTS

Where Is Bacolod City
Bacolod City
How To Go Bacolod City
Bacolod-Silay Airport
Best Time To Travel Bacolod City
Getting Around The City
Where To Eat In Bacolod
Where To Go In Bacolod
Where To Buy Pasalubong
Final Thoughts For Bacolod
Bacolod City Travel Guide Itinerary

Where Is Bacolod city

Bacolod City is located in the Visayas region of the Philippines, specifically in the northwestern part of the island of Negros. It is the capital of Negros Occidental, a province known for sugar canes plantation in the region. Bacolod is situated along the coastline of the Guimaras Strait, facing the island of Guimaras, which separates it from the nearby Panay Island.

Bacolod City

Bacolod is often called the City of Smiles due to the warm and friendly nature of its residents. The city’s charm also extends to its famous MassKara Festival, a lively annual event celebrated with colorful masks, street dancing, and various cultural activities. The MassKara Festival is held every October, and it is the most significant cultural event in Bacolod.

How To Go Bacolod City

The city is accessible by air through Bacolod-Silay Airport, which serves domestic flights and connects Bacolod to other major cities in the Philippines, like Manila and Cebu. Here are the list of common way how to get there.

BY AIR

Bacolod-Silay Airport is the primary airport serving Bacolod City. It is located about 15-20 kilometers from the city center, in Silay City. Visitors can fly directly to Bacolod-Silay Airport from major cities like Manila, Cebu, Davao, and other key locations in the Philippines.

From Manila to Bacolod: The flight typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
From Cebu to Bacolod: The flight is about 45 minutes.

BY FERRY

Bacolod is well-connected to nearby cities via ferries, especially from Cebu and Dumaguete.

From Cebu to Bacolod: Ferries operate regularly between Cebu City and Bacolod Port. The journey usually takes around 2 to 3 hours, depending on the type of ferry.
From Dumaguete to Bacolod: Ferries are also available from Dumaguete in Negros Oriental. The trip typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

BY BUS

If you’re traveling from other cities in the Visayas or Mindanao, you can take a bus to Bacolod. There are several bus companies that operate routes to Bacolod from places like Cebu, Dumaguete, and Iloilo.

From Iloilo to Bacolod: It’s a popular route, and buses typically take around 1.5 to 2 hours to travel from Iloilo City to Bacolod via the Dumangas-Bacolod route.
From Cebu: You can take a bus to the nearest ferry terminal, then cross by ferry to Bacolod, where you can continue by bus to the city center.

How To Go from Silay Airport to Bacolod

The Bacolod-Silay Airport is located in Silay City, which is around 15-20 kilometers (about 9-12 miles) away from Bacolod City. To get from Bacolod-Silay Airport to Bacolod, you have several transportation options:

Taxi
Taxis are readily available at the airport exit, and they will take you directly to your destination in Bacolod. Travel time: Approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Private Car or Ride-hailing Apps (Grab)
Visitors can also arrange for a private car or use Grab, the popular ride-hailing service in the Philippines. Travel time: About 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Public Vans (V-Hire)
There are also vans for hire (often called V-Hire), which offer shared rides from the airport to Bacolod City. The van terminal is just outside the airport, and you can easily find these vans ready to depart when they fill up.

Best Time To Visit In Bacolod City

November to March, Bacolod experiences the dry season, making this period a great time to visit for pleasant weather. The temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C which is perfect for exploring the city’s historical sites, nature parks, and nearby attractions.

DRY SEASON
(November to March)
Average Temperature: 27°C
Hottest Month: May

WET SEASON
(June to October)
Average Temperature: 31°C
Highest Rainful Month: July

Our last visit to Bacolod was in the month of July and as expected it was not good. When we arrived at the airport we were greeted with a heavy downpour of rain, luckily after 30 minutes, the rain manages to settle. So during our entire 3-day stay in Bacolod, the weather was mostly cloudy which end up us staying at the hotel.

Getting Around In Bacolod City

In Bacolod City, there are various transportation options to help you get around, whether you are exploring the city or traveling to nearby areas. Here are the main types of transportation available:

Jeepneys
The most common and affordable way to get around Bacolod. The jeepney routes connect to key areas of the city such public Plaza, Shopping Malls , etc.
Taxis
It is the convenient way to travel within the city to reach nearby malls, hotels, and transport terminals.
Private Cars / Ride-hailing (Grab)
Visitors who prefer comfort and convenience, the popular ride-hailing service in the Philippines – Grab is available in the city.

Where To Eat In Bacolod

Our Bacolod City travel guide shows you to visit popular seafood restaurant-Aboy’s Restaurant, Nena’s Rose Chicken Inasal, cake shops like Felicia’s Pastry Shop, and Calea Pastries and Cake, and taste of local Filipino food Quan Delicacies.

Quan DELICACIES

3 La Salle Avenue, Bacolod City
Opening Hours: 8:00am-7:00pm (DAILY)

Quan Delicacies s known for its Filipino food delicacies serving a wide range of products such as Napoleones. Dulce de leche, Puto, Kutsinta, Cassava Cake, and Suman. They have a dining area that has innovative interior design and good lighting. Their food menu is also creative which includes Palabok, Lomi with Braised meat. So far, with a lot of stores popping up in Bacolod, Quan delicacies have the best delicacies we’ve tasted in Bacolod.

Aboy's Restaurant

Singcang, Liroville Subd
Opening Hours: 9:00am-10:00pm (DAILY)

Aboy’s Restaurant is the homegrown restaurant in Bacolod that served Filipino local cuisine like Lechon Paksiw, Bicol express, Sisig, and Bulalo soup. They also serve seafood such as crab, squid and, scallops, and the famous blue marlin which highly recommended to eat. Restaurant ambiance was good and food service was great while the location was a bit difficult to navigate but when you reach the place it can compensate as it has a homey and relaxing atmosphere. The taste was good, while the food price ranges from Php 70 – Php 400. If you happen to come to Bacolod, this is a much visit place to taste the best seafood place.

How To Get There
The best way to visit the place is to ride a taxi or private car since the location is quite far from the main access road.

Nena’s Rose Chicken Inasal

No. 6 Burgos Extension
Opening Hours: 9:00am-10:00pm (DAILY)

Bacolod visit won’t be complete without trying their famous Chicken Inasal – also known as grilled chicken with special spices and the sauce that make it savory. One restaurant that stands out from the rest is Nena’s Rose Chicken Inasal which offers chicken inasal much tastier and juicer that makes it delicious, not to mention they have garlic rice which adds the mouthwatering experience. Aside from chicken inasal they also offer Fresh Oysters “Talaba” which is serve as an appetizer. The price of the food ranges from Php15-Php110. Overall they offer great tasting chicken inasal and oyster in Bacolod.

Felicia's Pastry Shop

6th St.Doll Building Bacolod City
Opening Hours: 9:00am-10:00pm (DAILY)

Felicia’s Pastry Shop is known for cakes and pastries in Bacolod City. We had our coffee and tasted their chocolate cake. The sweetness is just right It was not too sweet, but it was pleasing and delectable at a given good price.

Calea PASTRIES AND CAKE

Lourdes Bldg., Lacson Street
Opening Hours: 10:00am-10:00pm (DAILY)

Bacolod’s visit won’t be complete without a slice of cake from Calea Pastries and Cake, which is the most famous cake and pastry shop in Bacolod. They offered a wide variety of cakes, pastries plus coffee which is very delicious and has a unique taste. The most popular sought to order was Blueberry Cheesecake and paired it with a cup of Americano which was the best. We also ordered ice cream chocolate cake and definitely, it was tasteful and mouth-watering. I believe the chocolate was well refined and very rich.

Where To Go In Bacolod

Bacolod City has plenty of attractions that showcase its rich culture, history, and natural beauty. Here are some top places to visit when in Bacolod:

Campuestohan Highland Resort

Sitio campuestohan Barangay, Talisay City
Entrance Fee: Php150 (Adult and Children above 2 years old)
Opening Hours: 7:00am-6:00pm (DAILY)

Campuestohan Highland Resort is the most popular theme park in Bacolod, which is located 27 km from the city of Bacolod. The park offers a ride in a sky bike experience, zip line, rope course, horseback riding, hamster wheel, grand carousel, and mini train. It caters to people with different interests both young and old, and for families and friends who want to unwind and enjoy. They also have lodging houses for overnight accommodation and restaurant pavilion which serves a wide variety of foods.

How To Get There
The most convenient way to reach the resort is by private car. We highly recommend availing on Klook Campuestohan Highland Resort Tour where offer private tour day package and free pickup to any hotel within Bacolod service.

The Ruins

Talisay City, Negros Occidental
Entrance Fee: Php 150
Opening Hours: 9:00am-8:00pm (DAILY)

The Ruins is an ancestral house by the family of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson and Maria Braga Lacson. The mansion-like structure is preserved where is built in a huge land near the sugar plantation.

How To Get There
Riding local public utility jeepney will be quite a hassle as the place is located far from the main road. It is recommended to hire a private car or ride an air-conditioned taxi to reach the Ruins.

San Sebastian Cathedral

Rizal Street, Bacolod City
Opening Hours: 6:00am-7:00pm (DAILY)

San Sebastian Cathedral is one of the 19th-century church in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. The exterior and interior structure represents its beauty and grandeur built during the Spanish era. It is located in the heart of the Bacolod which is just in front of Bacolod Public Plaza, also it is walking distance to the famous Manokan Country.

Where to buy Pasalubong

BongBong’s Piaya and Baraquillos and Merzi
Our Bacolod City travel guide won’t be complete without a visit to two of the most famous pasalubong shops BongBong Piaya and Merczi. These two shops are widely known for selling the best Bacolod products such as Piaya, Baraquillos, and Napoleones. Almost in every famous street in Bacolod, we can see these local shops that are selling local food delicacies. For us, nothing beats Bong Bong’s Piaya and Butterscotch. On the other hand, Merczi Napoleones and Biscocho are our highly recommended delights.

FINAL THOUGHts

With this Bacolod City travel guide, we have visited the popular tourist landmarks such as The Ruins and Campuestohan Highland Resort. On top of that we went to dine the famous Chicken Inasal and local dessert Calea Pastries and Cake. Our trip to Bacolod was mainly to attend a friend’s wedding and at the same time to visit a close friend of ours who is currently residing in Bacolod. The three days trip was considered a somewhat short family vacation for us. Soon, we will be back to explore the wonderful city, warm culture, and delicious food. And hopefully, we can experience to travel by land with the kids but maybe not too soon because for sure they will get tired immediately to sit on the bus for long hours. We had fun and enjoyed our short trip.

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