Melo Villareal
2023 Travel Guide to Bacolod City for First-time travelers
Bacolod City is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental. Also known as the “City of Smiles“, Bacolod celebrates its yearly MassKara Festival during the 3rd week of October. The City is also known for its culinary heritage, including its Chicken Inasal (a kind of roast chicken on skewers) and sweet dessert treats found all over the city.
In this Bacolod Travel Guide, I have listed some of the most interesting Bacolod City tourist spots, things to do and see, a Sample Itinerary, the Best Hotels in Bacolod, and nearby Cities.
Best time to visit Bacolod
If you’re looking for the warmest time to visit Bacolod, the hottest months are April, May, and June. The busiest month for tourism in Bacolod is October, during the famous Masskara Festival. Hotel prices and flights are more expensive during the festival month, though you can save if you book your hotel and airline ticket in advance.
How to get to Bacolod
Bacolod’s airport is not located within the city but within the Metropolitan Area of Bacolod in the City of Silay. The old airport, located in Singcang, was replaced by a bigger airport with air bridges — Bacolod-Silay International Airport(ICAO: BCD | IATA: RPVB).
Bacolod City is 45-60 minutes Southeast of Manila and 30 minutes west of Cebu by plane; the airport is connected to the two cities by local airlines — AirAsia, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific. There are also flights from Clark (1 hour travel time) and Davao City (1.5 hours travel time).
AirAsia Flight Schedule for Manila to Bacolod
Manila – Bacolod (Z2 603) / 8:20 (Depart) / 9:40 (Arrive)
Bacolod – Manila (Z2 604) / 10:10 (Depart) / 11:30 (Arrive)
Manila – Bacolod (Z2 605) / 16:05 (Depart) / 17:25 (Arrive)
Bacolod – Manila (Z2 606) / 17:55 (Depart) / 19:15 (Arrive)
Manila – Bacolod (Z2 607) / 19:40 (Depart) / 21:00 (Arrive)
Bacolod – Manila (Z2 608) / 21:30 (Depart) / 22:50 (Arrive)
How to get to Bacolod City Center from Bacolod – Silay Airport
- Shuttle Service – This is the most recommended transport from Silay Airport to the City Center. Fare costs P150 (about $3) per person.
- Tricycle and Jeepney or Bus – This is the most affordable option but not the most comfortable mode of transport. You can take a tricycle ride just outside the airport to Silay City Center. The fare costs P100 (about $2) per person. Once you reach the City Center, ride a Bus or Jeepney to Bacolod North Terminal. The fare to Bacolod North Terminal is P15 per person. From the North Terminal, take another Jeepney ride to Bacolod City Center.
- Taxi or Grab Taxi – This is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Bacolod City Center, but it’s also the most expensive. The fare costs P250 to P500 (about $5 to $10) per person.
Getting Around Bacolod City
Taxis, buses, and Jeepneys are the top three transportation options you can use within and nearby cities in Negros Occidental. Car Rental companies can also be found inside the airport or in Shopping Malls.
Hotels in Bacolod City
Avenue Suites
Address: Lacson St, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Phone: 0917 311 5018
(Check Rates and Availability)
Check our Avenue Suites Review
Seda Capitol Central
Address: North Capitol Road, Lacson Street, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Phone: (034) 703 8888
(check rates and availability)
Planta Centro Bacolod Hotel & Residences
Address: Corner of Araneta and Roxas Street, Araneta Ave, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Phone: (034) 468 0400
(check rates and availability)
Looking for a list of the best hotels in Bacolod City? Visit Agoda to save time and money on your hotel selection with millions of reviews and options to choose from.
Best Places to Eat
- Pala-Pala Market
- Manokan Country
- Ideal Bakery in Silay
- Calea
Bacolod Tourist Spots that you should include on your Itinerary (including nearby Cities)
The Negros Museum
Learn everything about Negros by visiting The Negros Museum
Located in Gatuslao St in Bacolod City, The Negros Museum is a well-curated Museum that showcases various artworks, relics, and artifacts that best describe this city’s glorious past. The museum not only represents the historic artworks but also encourages recent story-based contemporary art innovatively created by local artisans. The Museum also has a souvenir shop that sells local artworks and handicrafts made by local artists.
The Negros Museum
Address: Gatuslao St. Bacolod City
Phone: 034 434 5552
Price: adult/child P40/20
Operating Hours: 9am-6pm Mon-Sat
Related Article: The Negros Museum in Bacolod City
Provincial Capitol Lagoon
Walk around the Provincial Capitol Grounds
Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Building and Lagoon is the official seat of the provincial government and served as the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II and formerly was the Negros Museum. The building is of Romanesque architecture and also has a nice surrounding park and lagoon, which includes the Ang Paghimud-os statues done by Eduardo Castrillo, “Ang Paghimud-os” is a Hiligaynon word for “The Struggle.” Just like Luneta Park in Manila, Kilometer Zero can be found in Bacolod Capitol Grounds. Interesting sculptures can be found in the lagoon, which is also a work of art by the famous Italian sculptor Francesco Riccardo Monti who also did the sculptures on the roof of the Metropolitan Manila Theater.
Bacolod Cathedral
Visit San Sebastian Cathedral or Bacolod Cathedral
San Sebastian Cathedral, also known as Bacolod Cathedral, is located along Rizal Street across the Bacolod City Public Plaza. Bacolod Cathedral has a baroque architectural style and is one of the century-old churches found in Negros Occidental. Made up of coral stones and lime quarried from Guimaras Island and Palawan wood, this church is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the province.
The Ruins in Talisay
Listen to the love story at “The Ruins” in Talisay City.
The Ruins in Talisay City is one of the most visited landmarks in Negros Occidental. It was built by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson following the death of his first wife, Maria Braga. Today, the building is now a monumental landmark for its beautiful structure and romantic past. The Ruins is open daily to the public from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm. The Ruins can also be rented for special events such as weddings, family reunions, etc.
Related Story: The Ruins in Talisay City, Negros Occidental
The Church of Angry Christ Altar
Discover the Church of the Angry Christ in Victorias City
This church became popular inside Victorias Milling Company in Victorias City because of its controversial wall-sized mural with vibrant colors and striking art strokes. The painted altar combined the Spanish-American painter Alfonso Ossorio’s artistry with Filipino artist Benjamin Valenciano.
Related Article: Church of the Angry Christ in Victorias City
The Balay Negrense Museum
Visit the Heritage Houses in Talisay City
Silay City is often called the “Paris of Negros” due to its artists, cultural shows, and a large collection of perfectly preserved heritage houses. Around the City, more than thirty heritage houses have been declared historical landmarks. Just like Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Silay is the second city in the Philippines that has been declared a Museum City.
Related Articles:
Masskara Festival Street Dancer
Enjoy Masskara Festival
MassKara Festival is one of the grandest and most colorful week-long festivals held yearly in Bacolod City. The Festival climax is a mardi-gras parade where revelers don elaborate masks and costumes and dance to Latin rhythms Rio de Janiero style. This Festival is held on the third week of October and coincides with the city’s Charter Day celebration.
Authentic Bacolod Chicken Inasal
Eat authentic Inasal at Manokan Country
A trip to Bacolod is not complete without visiting Manokan Country to taste Bacolod’s trademark chicken inasal. Manokan Country is an entire street of a hole-in-the-wall restaurant selling various grilled foods, including the famous Bacolod Chicken Inasal.
Related Article: Authentic Bacolod Chicken Inasal at Manokan Country
Buy Piaya and other Pasalubong items from Bacolod.
Before you leave the City, your last stop should be in a pasalubong shop where you can buy souvenir items and delicacies that are genuinely Negrense. Piaya, Barquillos from Sugarlandia Pasalubong Shop, Cheesecakes from Calea, and Bacolod’s famous Napoliones.
These are just some of the interesting Bacolod Tourist Spots I visited during my recent Bacolod Trip. There’s more to explore in Bacolod, and I already have my itinerary for my next visit. I will update this Bacolod Travel Guide very, very soon:)
Published on: Apr 1, 2014
Updated June 6, 2020
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