A Perfect 2 Days Bacolod Itinerary

A Perfect 2 Days Bacolod Itinerary

Looking into the  most treasured cities and islands, you may come across a place called Bacolod City. Though it may not be the most popular destination in the Philippines, it still ranks one of the most visited cities in the country.

There are many Bacolod tourist spots are definitely worth exploring. We will tell you what´s the best time to visit Bacolod City, places to stay in Bacolod City to stay and what to eat in Bacolod City.

Read here best restaurants in Bacolod, beaches in Sipalay and where to stay in Bacolod City!

SIM CARD AT MANILA AIRPORT

I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Manila airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Manila. Read here Philippines sim card for tourist and best Philippines eSim

WHERE TO STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES

You can get accommodation starting from 800-1000 PHP (less than $20 USD) for a room in a guesthouse. Can you imagen if you are two of you traveling in the Philippines, it will be $10 USD each.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING AND AGODA!

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

How To Get There

GETTING TO BACOLOD CITY BY PLANE

If you are getting to Bacolod by plane is a 45-minute plane ride away from the capital city of the Philippines, Manila. Once you get to Bacolod-Silay Airport, you will then take a 20-minute shuttle or taxi ride that will take you to the heart of Bacolod.

Most of the tourists traveling to Bacolod come from Iloilo City and  Manila, but there are also plenty of foreign visitors in the city throughout the year. There are airlines like Philippines Airlines with flights from Manila, Davao and even from Clark (where we are based, in Angeles City) We bought a cheap airfare Clark-Bacolod City for 4000 PHP the three of us with Philippine Airlines one way ticket. And also Cebu Pacific Air offers flights from those coming from Manila and Davao.

GETTING TO BACOLOD CITY FROM THE AIRPORT

If you are getting to Bacolod City from the airport. You should know that the airport is located in Silay City, 15 kilometers far from Bacolod City. If you are riding a van will cost you 150 PHP per person and it will drive you to SM which is in the city center of Bacolod.

Click here to get a discount booking your private transfer from the airport with Klook!

There are also available Grab and taxis. Grab could be your best option if you are traveling with more people. Grab prices are around 350-500 PHP. Taxis are available for 450 PHP. Just choose the option which adapts better to your comfort and budget.

Read here how to get from Cebu to Bacolod!

GETTING TO BACOLOD CITY BY FASTCRAFT FERRY FROM ILOILO

If you’re getting to Bacolod City from Iloilo. You can take a fastcraft ferry with regular schedules to and from both islands. The fees vary but the cheapest one you can get as a tourist is around $4.50 USD only. to $6 USD depending on the ferry company that you choose for your trip.

One of the many great things about traveling to Bacolod is how everything is really cheap and affordable! From the food and fares, this city’s affordability will keep your budget intact and will allow you to enjoy different things to do in Bacolod!

GETTING TO BACOLOD CITY FROM GUIMARAS ISLAND

If you are getting to Bacolod City from Guimaras Island. You have to ride a jeepney to Libertad Market from Central Market, the ride is 8.50 PHP per person. From Libertad Market you have to walk to SaveMore where jeepneys leave to Pulupandan. The journey takes almost an hour and it costs 30 PHP to the ferry port.

The ferry going to Sibunag in Guimaras leaves early morning before 8 am. The ferry going to San Lorenzo leaves at 11 am, so take note of the schedule since there is only one boat leaving daily. The boat takes an hour and it costs 100 PHP for an adult and 50 PHP for a 6 years old if you are traveling with a kid and we were doing going from Bacolod to Guimaras Island.

We had hard time riding this boat and the water was coming inside since it’s so windy getting to San Lorenzo in Guimaras Island. Maybe it’s better if you choose the other route coming from Iloilo City. Just expect a hard ride if you ride the boat. It’s limited to 55 people but they also add motorbikes, sacks and we think is overloaded based in what we saw apart of getting dizzy during the ride.

Read here how to get from Bacolod to Boracay!

TRANSPORTATION AROUND BACOLOD CITY

Since Bacolod is a highly urbanized city, you can easily go from one place to another through jeepneys, taxis, Grab taxi, tricycles, motorcycles and shuttle cars/buses. However, for first timers, riding a jeepney could get a little confusing because you would have to be familiar with the routes if you are to ride one.

But it sure sounds like an adventure, right? After all, the good thing about getting lost is meeting the friendliest people. The Hiligaynons of Bacolod will never hesitate to give you directions and talk to you if you need any help!

DAILY BUDGET TO VISIT BACOLOD CITY

Those visiting Bacolod City are in for a treat. Many of the food and hotels in the city are inexpensive but more than satisfying. A full meal in the city can go for as low as 80 PHP per person while a bottle of beer can be bought for around 50-65 PHP. Restaurant food can be bought for around 500-800 PHP for two people. Pretty cheap, right? And if you only have 20 PHP in your pocket and you’re feeling pretty hungry, you can even buy plenty of street food with your cash.

Those who are looking for budget hotels in Bacolod and can find one on a promo for around 500-900 PHP. Three-star establishments go for around 1,000-2,000 PHP. That’s only $19-38 USD! For those who want a more luxurious stay, you can check in at very nice hotels at around $50-120 USD. You can also try AirBnB in Bacolod City.

You can also book your accommodations through Agoda or Booking.

Click here if you want to get your discount booking activities in Bacolod with Klook!

Bacolod Itinerary

Day 1 Bacolod Itinerary

From resorts to churches to old buildings, Bacolod City and its neighboring communities have so much to offer visitors.

For your first day in your itinerary in Bacolod we recommend you to go around the city. There are beautiful parks. You can visit San Sebastian Cathedral. And in the afternoon you can spend the day in the resort. We recommend you two options: Mambukal Resort in Murcia and Campuestohan Highland Resort. It will be great to spend the day with your family and friends.

At night for your first day in your Bacolod itinerary we recommend you to visit Manokan country. There are many dishes to try in Bacolod. Inasal chicken was our favorite one. But we also loved Cansi a tasty soup and oysters. For dessert and coffee you can visit Calea where you will find many cakes to choose from.

SEE SAN SEBASTIAN CATHEDRAL

Located in downtown Bacolod City, San Sebastian is a famous church all over the country. Many Filipinos visit this church to attend mass there at least once in their lives. What makes the cathedral so special, you ask? Its stone structure was officially built in 1876 and was made with coral stones from Guimaras and hardwood from Palawan. After almost a century, it has been renovated several times and has transformed to the architectural beauty it is today. The interiors can fill you with solemnity and awe at the same time.

HAVE AN ADVENTURE AT MAMBUKAL RESORT IN MURCIA

Located 1,200 meters above sea level, this mountain resort is a unique getaway that travelers from all over the world will surely enjoy. From trekking the 7 waterfalls to riding a zipline to wall climbing, Mambukal Resort has so many activities to offer! Apart from that, the food here is delicious and perfectly matches the cool, breezy atmosphere of the entire place. For those who just want to relax, they have a warm sulfur dipping pool, a boat lagoon, a butterfly garden, hot springs and the Mambukal River.

There is an entrance fee of 1 USD for adults and there are plenty of accommodations to choose from. You can also avail packages to make the most of your trip that cost from 14 to 28 USD. Murcia is only an hour away from Bacolod.

EXPLORE CAMPUESTOHAN HIGHLAND RESORT

A truly exciting resort to visit, Campuestohan Highland Resort is a sight to behold. Not only does it offer lots of fun-filled activities, the resort itself is beautifully structured.  There are tepee-shaped and igloo-shaped camp houses, a mini train, pools for adults and children, a wave pool, huge playgrounds and a hanging bridge. Other delightful installation include the Heroes Hall where you can find statues of different characters like The Hulk, Wonder Woman, Thor, and even Elvis Presley. They also have a massive King Kong statue that actually roars so loud, it can be heard all around the resort.

Campuestohan rests 800 meters above sea level and the weather there is comparable to the country’s coldest spots like Tagaytay and Baguio. There are many activities that you can try to keep yourself warm and occupied. There’s the hamster wheel, sky bicycle riding, a zip line, horse back riding, bungee trampoline, and many more! There’s also a spa and a restaurant pavilion for those who just want to chill and relax.

The resort has a $12 USD entrance fee and is open from 7 AM to 6 PM for those not staying in the resort’s cabins. Each activity also requires a small fee but the entrance fee already comes with access to the resort grounds, swimming pool, hanging bridge and playgrounds.

Click here to get a discount booking your entrance fee at Campuestohan Highland Resort with Klook!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN BACOLOD BEFORE YOUR TRIP WITH BOOKING AND AGODA!

INASAL CHICKEN

Inasal is Bacolod’s pride and joy, making it the #1 must-try food in the city. This unique version of charcoal grilled chicken originated in Bacolod and is cooked with a marinade of calamansi, coconut vinegar, pepper and annato. All these herbs and spices give inasal its unique flavor that people from all over the world fall in love with. Since Bacolod is inasal‘s hometown, there’s no better place to try it than here. Head on out to Manokan Country, Bacolod’s street market that specializes in this delightful chicken dish. There are a few places where you can try chicken always full of people! For sure it’s the best place to go for dinner. Prices of orders are around 100 PHP chicken and rice!

CANSI

If you’ve ever heard of bulalo, it would be easy enough for you to imagine what cansi is, the Ilonggo version of said Filipino dish. For those who think those two words sound made up, bulalo and cansi are basically dishes cooked with the same main ingredient: beef shank. However, the shank isn’t necessarily the highlight of cansi. The star is actually the bone marrow, which can be eaten by using the wrong end of your spoon/fork to scoop the marrow from the bone. Even shaking the bone downwards to let the marrow fall out might do the trick! Prices for order is around 350 PHP and it’s a complete soup full of meat that can be share for a few of you.

OYSTER

There are oysters available in Manokan Country apart from the popular Inasal Chicken. The prices is 60 PHP for a dish and it’s quite big the order. So delicious for a cheap price!

CALEA

Our favorite place for dessert and coffee. You can fine delicious cake for 100 PHP and there are so many flavors to taste. Great place for a coffee, it’s located in the popular Lacson Street where you will find many restaurants around.

Day 2 Itinerary in Bacolod Talisay City

For the second day in your Bacolod itinerary. You can visit Silay just 30 minutes driving from Bacolod. Apart from the ruins you can go around the city visiting Balay Negrense, Bernardino Jalandoni Museum and San Diego Cathedral.

For snacks you have to try Ideal Bakery an ancestral house during the day. And for dinner there are more dishes to try in Bacolod like Kinilaw and Lumpiang.

MARVEL AT THE RUINS IN TALISAY CITY

The Ruins is an iconic destination in the region and the entire country as well. Recently, more people have come to visit this historic place because of its beauty. It’s truly an Instagram-worthy spot! Historically speaking, this Italianate mansion was created for Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. It was his way of commemorating his Portuguese wife after she passed away from giving birth to their 11th child. Crazy, right? The Ruins sits on a 440-hectare sugar plantation owned by the aforementioned baron. It was eventually burnt down to prevent Japanese forces from using it as their headquarters during the Second World War. What stands today is what’s left of the building, which still looks beautiful and majestic despite it being “ruined.”

Now, it can be visited daily from 8 AM to 8 PM for an entrance fee of less than 2 USD per person. You can also hold special events in its gardens.

Click here to get a discount booking a Silay Heritage tour with Klook!

GO AROUND SILAY CITY

You can find Silay City in the North of Bacolod. Silay, so much as Bacolod, has a beautiful history and a rich culture. The city is filled with ancestral homes and mansions, old building and historical sites which makes it quite popular among tourists visiting Negros. The city’s vintage look reels in visitors who enjoy architecture and are interested in taking lots of beautiful photos.

There are many wonderful places to visit in Silay. The following spots are some of the closest ones to the city’s public plaza and can be easily explored by yourself or on a tour.

Click here to get a discount booking a Silay Heritage tour with Klook!

BALAY NEGRENSE 

Previously the mansion of sugar baron Victor Fernandez Gaston, this 19th-century building has been turned into a museum. It now houses beautiful pieces of furniture and has officially been declared a heritage house by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 1994. Locals and tourists love visiting this mansion because of its creepy vibe and the wonderful story behind it. It is also the first museum in Negros Occidental.

BERNARDINO JALANDONI MUSEUM

Famously known as the “Pink House,” this ancestral home has been a National Historical Landmark since 1993. It’s unique color and architecture attracts many visitors, all of whom give nothing but praise to the museum. Completed in 1908, the house is a beautiful combination of Silaynon architecture and European furnishing. Bernardino Jalandoni Museum showcases the richness of Philippine history and how great its foreign influences were as well.

SAN DIEGO PRO-CATHEDRAL

Easily distinguishable from all other churches in the province, San Diego Pro-Cathedral is the only church in Negros Occidental that has a dome. If you’re wondering what a pro-cathedral is, it’s basically a runner up to the existing cathedral in the province, the San Sebastian Cathedral. Though it ranks at second place in this respect, it is still a beautiful building that attracts many tourists. It was designed by an Italian architect and was built in 1925.

EL IDEAL BAKERY 

Another oldie but goldie in Negros is El Ideal Bakery. It is the oldest bakeshop and restaurant in the entire province, and is located in the Cesar Lacson Locsin Ancestral House, another heritage site. Here, you can enjoy all kinds of meals served with bread or rice. Pastries and delicacies abound for tourists to enjoy; there’s piaya, angel cookies and all sorts of pies. You will definitely want to eat your heart out in this local favorite.

KINILAW

This seafood fish famous all over the Philippines is said to be comparable to ceviche. In essence, though, kinilaw (literally “eaten raw”) refers to the process of using vinegar’s acidity to cook meat or fish. It is more commonly used with fish and is served with other souring ingredients like green mangoes. It is then seasoned with pepper, chili and onions. It does well as an appetizer but is more ideally served with beer as pulutan (finger food). With the abundance of fresh fish in Bacolod, kinilaw isn’t hard to find.

LUMPIANG BACOLOD

Also known as lumpiang sariwa or lumpiang ubod, this delicacy is literally just fresh spring rolls and is abundant in Bacolod. Unlike the more typical preparation of spring rolls, lumpiang bacolod is not friend and is eaten with a soft wrapper, special peanut sauce and vegetables inside. This dish is pretty common all over the country and is a popular merienda or mid-day snack.

More Days Bacolod Itinerary

If you have more days in your itinerary in Bacolod you can relax outside the city visiting waterfalls just one hour outside the city.

After Bacolod you can continue the itinerary visiting Iloilo City one of our favorite ones. Just one hour by speed ferry. You can also visit Gigantes Island and Guimaras Island.

PULANG TUBIG WATERFALLS

Pulang Tubig (literally “red water”) can be found in a protected area called the Northern Negros Natural Park. The park is surrounded by lush forests and several river systems that make the area a tranquil sanctuary, perfect for those who want to be one with nature. To reach Pulang Tubig, you need to go trekking from a lovely community called Patag, which is 20 minutes away from Silay City and about an hour-long ride from Bacolod City. Aside from the majestic waterfalls, the park is also home to native birds, deer, bats and different local plants.

Where To Stay in Bacolod

There are over a hundred pension houses and numerous very accommodating hotels in Bacolod City. These accommodations can be found all over town and have easy access to the best tourist spots. Here’s a short list of pension houses, hotels in Bacolod City along with the cost of stay per night:

THE SUITES AT CALLE NUEVA

With breakfast, Wifi and all the comfort that you need for an affordable price: P1000 per night for a single room and P1500 for a double room.

Click here to check their availability!

MAINSTREET PENSION HOUSE
Double room (good for 2 persons) – P900 / night
Triple room (good for 3 persons) – P1,200 / night

L’FISHER HOTEL (4-STAR HOTEL)

The pool area with infinity pool is so beautiful. Ideal for a getaway and prices are starting: Rooms per night costs from P2,000.

Click here to check their availability!

CIRCLE INN

It’s located close to downtown and these are the prices: Standard room twin (good for 2 persons) – P2,300 / night
Standard room queen (good for 2 persons) – P2,300 / night and Deluxe room twin – P3,200 / night.

Click here to check their availability!

SEDA HOTEL (4-STAR HOTEL)

A very modern and new brand in Bacolod: Rooms per night costs from P4,000

Click here to check their availability

There you have it, guys! Hope you liked our Bacolod itinerary. How long will you travel around Bacolod? Let us know in the comments.

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Happy Travels!