2024 Bacolod Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)

One of the biggest and famous festivals in the Philippines!

Join the annual colorful MassKara Festival in Bacolod, the City of Smiles. Find out about the cultural importance of this festival and what to expect when you take part in the festivities. The MassKara Festival of Bacolod City is one the biggest festivals in the Philippines. Believe it or not, the festival has been giving local and international visitors the chance to have fun, drink, and party on the streets of Bacolod for over 30 years now! The center of the MassKara festival is the big vibrant masks. A lot of barangays and groups are working hard to give world-class performances complete with crafted masks and eye-catching outfits. The music used for the celebration has enjoyed a colorful evolution, just like the festival. From folk songs, the festival now uses a combination of Latin beat remixes as well as Philippine Jazz to grace the street dances. #folkactivities #100waysoftravel

Experience Masskara Festival in Bacolod

**Experience at Masskara Festival in Bacolod City** Attending the Masskara Festival in Bacolod City is an unforgettable experience. The festival, held annually, bursts with vibrant colours, joyful parades, and creative masks that reflect the city's lively spirit. The highlight is the elaborate and colourful masks, each one meticulously crafted with intricate designs and bright hues that bring the streets to life. **Tips for Travellers:** 1. **Timing is Key**: The festival usually occurs in October. Arrive early to secure a good spot for viewing the parades and performances. 2. **Stay Hydrated**: The festival can be very hot and crowded, so drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen. 3. **Dress Comfortably**: With all the walking and dancing, comfortable clothing and shoes are a must. 4. **Try Local Delicacies**: Don’t miss out on Bacolod’s famous food like chicken inasal and fresh seafood. 5. **Engage with Locals**: The festival is a community event, so interacting with locals can enhance your experience and give you insights into the festival’s history and traditions. "Immerse yourself in the vibrant Masskara Festival in Bacolod City! Experience the explosion of colours and joy as the streets come alive with elaborate masks and lively parades. Celebrate the city's spirit through its art and culture—an annual spectacle that truly captures the heart of Bacolod. 🌟🎭 #MasskaraFestival #BacolodCity #ColorfulCelebration"

Unit 4Q, One Regis, Bacolod City

EXPERIENCE THE MASSKARA FESTIVAL OF BACOLOD CITY AT ONE REGIS MEGAWORLD! FREE ACCESS TO ALL AMENITIES: 💎GYM 💎WELLNESS CENTER 💎POOL (Kiddie & Adult) 💎GAME ROOM 💎CHILDREN'S INDOOR PLAY GROUND 💎EVENTS HALL 💎NEAR MALL (walking distance) UNIT INCLUSIONS: Complete Utensils Can cook Fully air-conditioned Refrigerator TV With Netflix/Youtube Free Wifi Free Carpark NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: BACOLOD GOVERNMENT CENTER SPLASH PARK CAMPUESTUHAN #BacolodCity #Masskara #OneRegis

City of Smiles

You can do manu activitues here like exercise such as jogging, you can also date here with your loved ones or bond here with your family. You can also feed fishes here and enjoy the sunset. 1. Address - Capitol Lagoon, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Visayas, Philippines Highlights - Fish pond and park Rating - 7/10 #mytripvlog #bacolod #tripblazers #nationalpark #bucketlistreboot

BACOLOD: CITY OF SMILES

It is the most populous city in Western Visayas. It is popularly known as the City of Smiles because of the MassKara Festival that features magnificent masks with smiling faces that is celebrated every 4th Sunday of October. Locals and visitors are given a chance to party on the street. The City of Smiles is also proud of San Sebastian Cathedral, the city plaza and restaurants everywhere to experience Bacolod Inasal chicken. Truly, In Bacolod you cannot but SMILE. #CelebrateWithTrip#tripblazers#urbanexplorer

CHICKEN DELI: "CHICKEN DELI-CIOUS"

For so many decades, the original Chicken Deli started at Lacson Street cor 8th street, Bacolod City , Negros Occidental in 1983. I ordered the famous INASAL-savory, smoky, peppery and citrus flavored chicken legs marinated and charcoal grilled, with unlimited rice. In short, chicken barbecue with unlimited rice. But what adds the flavor is the chicken oil and soy sauce. For 169php and additional 30php for unli rice and drinks I enjoyed my meal. It is value for money.#foodie#CelebrateWithTrip#tripblazers

MAMBUKAL: OVERNIGHT RELAXATION

I have been to Mambukal Mountain Resort several times in Murcia, Negros Occidental. It is 32 kms away from Bacolod City. For the first time, I decided with my family to spend overnight to enjoy the wondrous nature inherent to the place. There are many things to enjoy in this resort like boating in the man made lagoon, camping, ziplining, trekking to the water falls and most of all, swimming at the hot spring which gives therapy to our tired bodies. With regards to the accomodation, I decided to choose the Family Cottage good for 8-12 people, with 2 spacious rooms, big kitchen, dining area and sala. Overnight rate is 4,000 php. At the entrance, I paid 50php for each tickets. By the way, there is no restaurant inside. Just bring your own kitchen needs and food for your own cooking. Staying at Mambukal is truly relaxing staycation. For the eight of us in this trip is a real value for money. #mountainview#CelebrateWithTrip#tripblazers#MyTripVlog#infinitypool#summervacation#resort

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN BACOLOD CITY 2023

I was moving around Bacolod City on a Chinese New Year 2023, January 22. As I passed by Capitol Shopping Center, Hilado St., Brgy Villamonte, Bacolod City, I found a youth group on their dragon dance that will drive away evil spirits and ushers good luck for the family. I danced with them and accordingly must wake up the dragon. As part of the tradition of the Lunar New Year, I was given a red envelop known as HONGBAO, and I filled in money to ask for good wishes and luck for 2023. "Kung hei fat choi!" #celebratewithtrip#mytripvlog#tripblazers#newyearadventure#chinese new year

City Of Smiles

If you’re looking for happiness in the Philippines, many would immediately direct you to the land of Bacolod. Known as the “City of Smiles,” this northwestern city on the island of Negros is famous for its cheerful people, mouthwatering delicacies and colorful MassKara Festival. This sunny Visayan city is also a tourist’s haven because of its historical landmarks and natural wonders. A trip to this place would almost always be one that you’ll enjoy immensely. In recent years, the people of Bacolod have been blessed with more reasons to smile about. While the city continues to preserve many of its heritage structures and natural sceneries, Bacolod has gradually become more urbanized and progressive. It is an emerging powerhouse in terms of economic activities. Besides tourism and festivals, the City of Smiles now has a lot more to offer its people. If you’re thinking of relocating to the Visayas in the near future, here are some more reasons why Bacolod ought to be on the top of your list of possible home sites. This healthy mix of new and old structures provides varied surroundings in Bacolod. While the city pays homage to its vibrant past, new projects help make it move toward a progressive future. #yearofrabbit #newyearadventure #tripblazers

Ruins

The Ruins Mansion is the remains of an ancestral home built in 1920 by a wealthy sugar baron named Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. Don Mariano constructed the mansion as a testament of his love for his wife, Cora Maria Osorio Rosa-Braga. I bet he didn’t foresee that it would be intentionally burned down later on. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made it so intricately beautiful. Not that I’m complaining. “The Ruins” is just beyond beautiful. While browsing photos of tourist spots in Metro Bacolod online, this was one of the first things to catch our attention. There was something fascinating about this naked concrete structure bathing in the dwindling sunlight. While planning for this trip, we swore we would try to visit it at dusk. And we made it. We were welcomed by the staff of the Ruins. Upon seeing our backpacks, they realized we came straight from the airport. One of the guys even joked, “Sir, hindi po hotel ‘to.” It was a good way to start a conversation. They were very accommodating. They even advised us to leave our backpacks at their station coz it was drizzling and they wanted us to be comfortable. We took their advice, and they looked after our belongings since. #yearofrabbit #newyearadventure #tripblazers

Ruins

The Ruins is the remains of the ancestral home mansion of the family of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson and Maria Braga Lacson. It is situated in Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The mansion was built in early 1900s and inspired by Italian architecture The Ruins was the ancestral mansion of the family of wealthy sugar businessman Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson built on a 440 hectare sugar plantation in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, in the early 1900s in memory of his Portuguese wife Maria Braga Lacson, who died during the birth of their 8th child. During the Second World War, Filipino guerillas burned it down as a countermeasure to prevent the invading Japanese forces from using it as a military headquarters. It burned for three days. The intention was to burn it to the ground Known variously as the "Taj Mahal of Talisay", "Taj Mahal of Negros" and "Taj Mahal of the Philippines", it is in the private ownership of the great-grandchildren of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson and Cora Maria Osorio Rosa-Braga. They have preserved it in its ruined state, among operational farmland, as a tourist attraction that can be visited for a fee or hired for events. It is open to daily visitors from 8am to 8pm for am entrance fee of PHP100 for adults, PHP 50 for students and PHP20 for children. #2023travelwish #mytripvlog #urbanexplorer

Acaciahotel bacolod

Great hotel, with good location to mall and terminal. nice and polite staff and this time I upgraded my room to executive suite. really recommend this hotel and price is nice too.#Hotelstay #hotel #travel #bacolod #vacation

Compuestohan

I have visited several times Campuestohan Highland Resorts together with our whole family. Obviously, our kids really love the place so early this year we’ve we went back again to the resort and to have a late celebration for my sister’s 50th Birthday. Campuestohan is one of the colorful attractions and famous tourist destinations in Negros Occidental. Situated on the boundaries of two of the most progressive cities in the province – Bacolod City and Talisay City, Campuestohan Highland resort is standing in a 5-hectare property that radiates the splendor of Mt. Makawili. Campuestohan is standing 800-meter above sea level. I really love to be at the resort because it extends a breathtaking scene of nearly half of the entire province of Negros Occidental and even that of Panay Island. Most of the time, the weather in the resort is downright cool while one can interpret the seemingly merciless heat in the plains below. The climate at Campuestohan is comparable to Tagaytay and Baguio, especially during the dark time or early dawn. During the cool time of the year, early morning or late in the afternoon, one can even go through the fog shrouding the place. #2023travelwish #mytripvlog #tripblazers #2023travelwis

SAMGYUPSALAMAT: UNLIMITED MEAL TO REMEMBER

#CelebrateWithTrip I craved for food "sulit" which means value for my money in Bacolod City. I walked in Lacson Street and found the Korean Restaurant in Fordland 2 Bldg. 11th-12th, offering unlisamgyup. I was so enticed with this korean food adventure with kimchi, seasoned soybean sprouts, spinach, spicy cucumber salad and fish cake as side dishes. More so, the lettuce wrapping for meat was served with the meat like Dae-pae, Beef samgyupsal, Buljib ready for grilling. Plus, yum yum of sauces blended with vegetables and fruits such as sesame oil and Gochujang sauce. The food is "sky is the limit". Yes, what about this lunch for two hours?#korean food#mytripvlog#foodie#celebratewithtrip#samgyupsal

WISHING CANDLES: DREAMS COME TRUE!

Trip.com does not ONLY fly us for food, arts, beaches, sceneries, enjoyments and shopping. Our trip can also bring us to Religious experience. Visiting San Sebastian Cathedral, Redemptorist Church, San Diego Church, Sacred Heart Church, and St. Anthony the Abbot Church make me realize this journey "not only as TOURIST BUT PILGRIM". My finiteness makes me acknowledge God' presence. In every church, I make my wishes with candles lighted. It will be dreams come true. My meaningful experience makes this journey memorable. It is not only about the place but the MEMORY.#pilgrimage#churches#prayer#journey

THE RUINS: A TESTAMENT OF LOVE

I always hear about the Ruins in Talisay, Negros Occidental. Just in time, I arrived in Silay airport. Then I hired a taxi and about 20 minutes I reached my destination. I paid an entrance and a guide explained to me about the Ruins. According to the guide, it was built by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in honor of her love for Maria Braga who died when she was pregnant on her 11th child. As such, the title The Ruins as Taj Mahal of the Philippines which reminds that testament of love-Mariano and Maria until the end. TRIP.COM to book and fly with confidence via Air Asia VALUE FOR MONEY. A trip to remember. #ruins#bacolod#taj mahal#mansion

MAMBUKAL HOTSPRING: DOOR TO MT. KANLAON

Everytime I visit Negros Occidental, I cannot but visit Mambukal Volcanic Hotspring in Murcia. It is a long ride of almost an hour and a half from Silay International Airport but long travel leads me to refreshing dip to its beautiful and therapeutic hotspring. A 45 minutes of dip on the water gives me an experience of healing and relaxation from a stressful works of the urban life. Mother Nature always gives us a way of in-touchness to our need to rest and enjoy life to the fullest. Life is beautiful. Trip.com can help us book in confidence to Bacolod through Air Asia: VALUE FOR MONEY!#infinitypool#mountainview#hotsprings

Bantayan Park!

Bantayan Park has many restaurants and cafes down the road strip. A beautiful water view right in front of you as you eat. The community always has something going on in the park. The weekends can be much crowded, but a great experience in all.

campuestuhan island resort in bacolod city this experience is super enjoyable and memorable with family and friends I hope to go back in this place 💜💜 super love it ❣️❣️❣️

Load Yourself Up in Bacolod

#celebratewithtrip One of my favorite destination in the Philippines is always the Visayas region. And when in Central Visayas, one should not miss going to Negros Occidental. Bacolod, the city capital of Negros Occidental is located on the northwest coast of Negros Island. There are a lot of things to see here. First is the 19th-century San Sebastian Cathedral stands beside Bacolod Public Plaza. The original bells of the church are currently on display beside the churchyard. Another place to go is the Dizon-Ramos Museum. It is a 1950s placed with memorabilia and photographs of the prominent family that once lived there. Finally, one should not miss The Capitol Park and Lagoon. It has a gorgeous lake and 2 golden water buffalo statues.

the Tam-awan Village

If you're into nature tripping, this is the place for you to explore. It's a small village, like a cultural village. There's a short trek. The basic entrance fee is Php60 for adults, Php40 for students, and PhP30 for children below 10 years old. Children 3 years old and below may enter for free. #bucketlistreboot

last august 25th until august 31st .. I visited bacolod city in the Philippines , it was so relaxing holiday, the food was great , had a great weather experience. .. #philippines2022 #beachlife

Magikland at Bacolod 🧡

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” #gooutside #themepark 💕 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡 Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind. 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡 For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.

Jomax Peak at Don Salvador Benedicto

There’s nothing quite like an adventure in the mountains, being surrounded by nature’s giants. The achievement of reaching the summit, the epic views along the way, the feeling of weightlessness as you ski down, the sense of awe as you are immersed amongst the wilderness. The mountains have the ability to conjure up our most primal emotions and feelings. It is, therefore, no surprise that life is often compared to the mountains, with its many ups and downs and challenges. “I see every person as a mountain of sorts; we can see how they look from afar, but will never know them until we explore.” 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕 #skiadventure

Bacolod - The City of Smiles in the Visayas

As the second largest city in the Visayas after Cebu, Bacolod is busy and vibrant! It is famous for the Masskara Festival in October and that's the origin of the nickname City of Smiles. Too bad I visited it in July. I arrived in Bacolod Banago Port by ferry from Iloilo, but I flew back to Manila. Most people with at least 2 days in Bacolod will include The Ruins. I had only 1 day, so I concentrated around city centre. - Major sites .. Public Plaza & San Sebastian Cathedral (you can see going to church of a big thing of the locals), Capitol Park & Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol (stunning building), museum and mansion related to the sugar tycoon family, and etc. - I am into industrial scenes and have heard about the sugar industry in Bacolod including the Ramos family, whose affluence can still be seen. From the plane, I can see vast sugarcane plantation. - Within very city centre, there are 2 large malls: SM and Ayala. I can feel student vibes probably due to 2 large universities located in the city limit. I stayed at Mainstreet Pension House booked through trip.com app 2 hours before check in because I wasn't sure if I will catch the ferry on time. I crossed fingers that the property had received my booking info. Fortunately the check in was smooth! It was a decent place with very warm owner.

Negros Occidental, Bacolod City.

Balokon Spring Resort (1st pic)is located at: Purok Kulasi, Brgy. Kumaliskis (Along the highway), Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Bantayan Bago (second pic)The place to be (and eat!) when visiting Bago City good live music on Friday night, enjoy the music and fresh food and relax on The Sea Wall. Palmas Del Mar Resort (Last Pic) A getaway for yourself and your family doesn't need to cost much. Why pay P150 per person for entrance and swimming when you don't intend to swim? And why limit your food options to the resort's menu (although Casa Noble is well known for good food) when you can save money by bringing your own food? Less than 15 minutes from downtown Bacolod City, Palmas del Mar is truly your resort next to home. Rooms for 2 begin at P1,500. All rooms have a view and a balcony or a terrace so you can watch your little ones in the pool while relaxing in your own private space.. Get out of the concrete jungle and the traffic. You don't need to drive for hours to chill out by a pool in a nature park beside the sea. Palmas is so near you can just up and go today or tomorrow with your family or friends.

Let’s Go mga Lods sa Bacolod!!!

BACOLOD ITINERARY ✈ SIPALAY 🇵🇭 Day 1 🛫4:00AM Flight to Bacolod 🛬4:45 Arrival at Silay Airport 🚐Ride Van going to South Terminal 🚎5:00 Ride bus going to Sipalay (5 hrs travel) 🏝10:00 Arrival at Sipalay 🦐10:15 Lunch @ Fish Tank Seafood Restaurant 🛺11:15 Start of Tour Places to visit: -Campo Quino Bay -C-View Resort -Tinagong Dagat -Perth Paradise 4:30 End of Tour Pahatid kayo sa sakayan ng van papuntang Bacolod City. Ride taxi going to North Terminal 10:30 Last trip of bus going to Escalante then baba sa Cadiz Proper. Look for RL apartelle. Check in and rest. LAKAWON ISLAND 🇵🇭 Day 2 5:00AM Wake Up 6:00 Ride tric going to Cadiz Viejo Port 7:30 First trip of boat going to Lakawon Island 8:00 ETA Lakawon Island Resort 🏊‍♂️Swimming 🏝Exploring the island 📷Picture taking 10:30 Lunch 1:30PM Depart Lakawon 2:00 Travel back to Cadiz Viejo Port then go back to RL Apartelle and check out 3:00 Ride Ceres bus going back to North Terminal. Ride tric going to the Ruins. 4:30 ETA The Ruins (Mabilisang photo ops) 4:50 ETD Departure The Ruins. Ride tric going to Bacolod Port. Ride supercat going to Ilo Ilo. Catch the last trip going to Ilo ilo at 5:15. 🗒Note : Nung araw na yun 245php lang ang one way going to iloilo syempre bumili na rin kami ng ticket pabalik 280php para iwas hassle. Orig price is 480 up to 495php.(yung pabalik na ticket kahit anong date mo sya pwede gamitin 1yr yta expiration nun?) 7:00 ETA Ilo Ilo city. 7:30 Check in @fine rock hotel for 2 nights and rest . 🔎Lakawon Island P350 🔎Tawhai Floating Bar P300(optional) 🔎The Ruins P100 GIGANTES ISLAND DAY 3 2:00AM Wake up Call 3:00 Van will pick up from the hotel going to carles port (Reserve Gigantes day tour in facebook. They will communicate for third party van service if you want to avail) 7:00 ETA Carles Port 8:45 Registration at Tourism office 9:00 Adventure begins as we start the island hopping ISLANDS TO VISIT: 10:00 Cabugao Gamay ✔ ➡the most photograph spot in Gigantes. ➡Picture taking ➡swimming ➡a little bit of rock climbing. 11:00 Bantigue Isle Sand bar May mga bata dun na magaling mag picture for free! kayo na bahala mag bigay kahit magkano. Kaso tinataasan nila yung exposure sa cam hahaha. 11:30 Antonia Beach ✔ ➡Snorkeling and swimming plus picture taking. 12:00PM Lunch will be served at the resort. 1:30 Tanke (Enchanted Lagoon)✔ ➡swimming and Cliff diving to an open sea. 3:00 End of Tour 4:00 BACK TO BANGKAL FORT 4:10 ETD Tagbac Terminal 7:00 ETA Tagbac Terminal 7:15 ETD Hotel GARIN FARM ILOILO🇵🇭 Day 4 4:00AM Wake up 5:00 Ride taxi going to Molo Terminal. Ride van going to Garin Farm 7:30 ETA Garin Farm 10:30 ETD Garin Farm Go back to hotel and check out. Ride tric going to Ilo ilo Port, ride supercat going back to Bacolod 4:00 ETA Bacolod Port Free time then check in. Enjoy! 😀🤙🏽 #beachlife #campingglamping #foodie #urbanexplorer #summervacation

who love arts?

If you are into arts, i recommend you to visit the orange project museum at the art district in Bacolod City. #bacolod #art Gallery

Magikland at Bacolod City

Happiest Place on Bacolod City 🥰💕

mountain life

it’s always peaceful up in the mountain where falls keep flowing down #mountainview