Craving inasal and one thing candy? Bacolod is waving with an enormous, welcoming smile! Put together to indulge not solely in signature grilled hen and irresistible desserts, but additionally within the wealthy tradition and historical past. And in case you’re up for extra, sprinkle in a splash of journey as you give in to the nice and cozy invitation of the Philippines’ “Metropolis of Smiles.”
On this article, we’ll take you thru the prime issues to do and vacationer spots in and round Metro Bacolod, which covers Bacolod Metropolis (the provincial capital of Negros Occidental), Talisay, and Silay. This record additionally contains different noteworthy sights in close by municipalities.
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BACOLOD CITY
Hen Inasal
No journey to Bacolod is full with out sinking your enamel into its signature dish — hen inasal. Deal with your self to the smoky, tangy taste of authentic Bacolod inasal.
On our go to in 2017, Manokan Nation was the place to be for an genuine expertise. It was a posh that housed 24 stalls serving hen inasal and different grilled delicacies. After serving locals and vacationers for over 40 years, it was demolished in February 2025 to provide option to a redevelopment challenge. The unique tenants have been relocated to SM Bacolod’s North Wing Parking Hub, simply throughout its authentic web site.
Well-liked eating places and eateries, which locals swear by, are Aida’s, Nena’s, Lion’s Park, Hen Home, and Sugba Sugba Inasal & Seafood, to call just a few. We’ve tried most of them, and we’ll share extra particulars on every of them in a separate food-centric Bacolod article.
If you wish to totally immerse your self in hen inasal goodness, time your go to in Might, when town celebrates the Bacolod Hen Inasal Competition.
Sweets & Desserts
Bacolod is a haven for candy tooth and dessert lovers. With so many cafés and dessert locations across the metropolis, you’ll by no means run out of decisions! Swing by native favorites like Calea for his or her desserts, Felicia’s for his or her pastries, and Cafe Bob’s for his or her traditional candy bites.
If dessert hopping is in your itinerary, you’re in the correct place! So, go forward and provides in to the tempting array of sugary delights and baked goodies. And, perhaps it’s simply us, pastries and confections are sometimes less expensive right here in comparison with Manila! Once more, we’ll record down all of the cafés and dessert spots we’ve tried and can share extra info in a separate article.
Cansi
When in Bacolod, be certain that to heat up your stomach with cansi! Even within the warmth of summer time, this Negrense specialty is price each drop of your sweat. A steaming bowl of cansi is the go-to consolation meals of the locals. Its taste is a marriage between bulalo and sinigang.
At any time when our group visits Bacolod, a cease (typically two) at Sharyn’s Cansi Home is non-negotiable. Other than the traditional model, we all the time go for the crispy cansi too. And our tummies all the time approve!
San Sebastian Cathedral
The Nineteenth-century San Sebastian Cathedral is greater than only a spiritual construction — it’s a historic landmark discovered within the coronary heart of Bacolod. The unique church, inbuilt 1825, was fabricated from wooden, however the construction we see right now dates again to 1882. It contains a coral-stone facade and two bell towers, which underwent reconstruction within the Sixties. The bells have since been relocated to the Centennial Belfry within the churchyard.
Tackle: 1755 Rizal Avenue, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sunday, 5:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Mass Schedule: For up to date schedules, verify the official Fb web page of San Sebastian Cathedral.
Bacolod Public Plaza
Simply throughout San Sebastian Cathedral sits the Bacolod Public Plaza, a two-hectare inexperienced area the place locals like to unwind — whether or not college students hanging out after class, employees taking a breather, or pals and households having fun with the outside. It additionally hosts varied occasions, together with the MassKara Competition.
On the coronary heart of the plaza stands the music-themed Bandstand, a gazebo-like construction that serves because the centerpiece. Close by, you’ll spot the large “BACOLOD” ground-level marker, the place vacationers can have their picture ops. You’ll additionally discover the “Welcome Bacolod Metropolis” Arch and a few fountains.
Tackle: Rizal Avenue, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Negros Museum
If you wish to dive deeper into the area’s tradition and historical past, drop by the Negros Museum. Inaugurated in 1996, it was initially housed within the constructing now occupied by the Provincial Capitol. In 2003, it moved to its current dwelling — the former Provincial Agriculture Constructing, a neoclassical constructing inbuilt 1925.
The museum’s first stage normally hosts momentary artwork displays that includes each native abilities and overseas artists based mostly within the area. In the meantime, the second stage showcases everlasting shows highlighting native historical past, together with the island’s sugar trade, and gadgets that mirror Negrense life-style and tradition.
Because the museum is privately managed, an entrance charge applies. Stroll-ins are welcome!
Tackle: Gatuslao Avenue, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Entrance Charge: Common, P150; Senior Residents, P120; Stdents & Youngsters, P120
Capitol Park and Lagoon
Capitol Park lies in entrance of the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol — the seat of the provincial authorities and the core of the Capitol Central, beforehand named Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Advanced.
Moreover the Capitol Constructing, this verdant city park is dotted with a number of different landmarks and sights, such because the sprawling man-made lagoon flanked by a pair of sculptures, an open-air auditorium, a kids’s playground, the Paghimud-os Monument, and the Negros Occidental Kilometer 0 Marker.
On any given day, you’ll discover locals jogging, feeding fish, picnicking, or just hanging out with pals. Count on it to be particularly full of life on weekends.
Tackle: Capitol Central, Bacolod, 6100 Negros Occidental
Pasalubong Purchasing
Earlier than you permit Bacolod, don’t overlook to buy pasalubong! If you happen to nonetheless can’t get sufficient of the sweets, refill on Negrense delicacies like napoleones, piaya, and barquillos from BongBong’s and Merczi, two staple names in relation to Bacolod memento retailers. You’ll discover quite a few branches of each retailers scattered round Metro Bacolod — even on the airport!
Masskara Competition
If you happen to’re visiting in October, brace your self for a festive and colourful time as town celebrates the annual MassKara Competition, one of many largest cultural festivals within the Philippines! Witness town abuzz with upbeat music, thrilling actions, artwork and commerce exhibitions, vibrant road parades, and naturally, a flood of kaleidoscopic smiling masks!
Kick-started within the Eighties, the pageant served as town’s beacon of hope throughout a troublesome financial disaster, when sugar, the province’s principal supply of livelihood, hit rock-bottom costs. What began as a option to uplift individuals’s spirits has since grown into one of many nation’s most anticipated festivals, drawing each native and worldwide vacationers.
So, let this celebration fill your journey with enjoyable and pleasure. In spite of everything, Bacolod shouldn’t be referred to as the “Metropolis of Smiles” for nothing!
Reminder! When planning your go to, bear in mind to verify the official Masskara Competition Fb web page for the calendar of occasions.
TALISAY CITY
The Ruins
The Lacson Ruins, most famously generally known as The Ruins, is a tangible ode to Don Mariano Lacson’s beloved spouse, Maria Braga Lacson. Within the early 1900s, the patriarch spearheaded the development of the mansion on the household’s huge sugar plantation to honor her reminiscence. Don Mariano tapped native engineer Luis Puentevella to work along with considered one of his sons, Felipe, whom he requested to oversee the development. The mansion was impressed by Italian structure, with its Neo-Romanesque columns.
Throughout the early years of the Second World Battle, native guerrillas have been pressured to burn the mansion down to forestall the Japanese forces from making it their headquarters. The mansion’s skeletal body stays standing to today and is now broadly referred to as “The Ruins”.
At the moment, you may go to and marvel on the former mansion’s structure and construction. If you happen to’re searching for keepsakes, a present store is conveniently situated inside. As you wander by way of the interiors, preserve your eyes peeled for these attention-grabbing particulars:
- A-Grade Concrete. This was the fabric used for the foundations and partitions of the mansion.
- Veranda Lighting/Chandeliers. The unique electrical pipes have been embedded within the ceiling, the identical approach we use right now, leaving no uncovered wires.
- Small Arched Window. This used to attach the kitchen to the eating space for the graceful dealing with and supply of meals.
- Picket Flooring. The floorings have been long-span, two-inch thick hardwood planks, stretching constantly from the principle entrance (going through the fountain) to the eating room.
- Ground Tiles. All tiles you see within the mansion are authentic.
- Belvedere. This was once an upstairs room going through west — a terrific spot for the household to view the sundown.
Past the mansion, you’ll discover an expansive backyard with a fountain, a grotto, a café, and The Ruins marker. Close to the principle entrance lies the fantastically landscaped Marapara Backyard, the place you may calm down and snap extra images. It’s also possible to strive the recent sugarcane juice for P100. The stall is situated close to the doorway, between the café and the mansion’s ruins.
The Ruins isn’t just a vacationer attraction but additionally a sough-after venue for weddings, photoshoots, and different occasions.
Tackle: Don Mariano L. Lacson Freeway, Barangay Zone 15, Talisay, 6115 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Day by day, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM. This will likely change, so it’s greatest to verify the official Fb web page for bulletins earlier than going.
Entrance Charge: Adults, P150; Senior/PWD, P100; College students, P80; Youngsters (Under 8y/o), FREE.The way to Get to The Ruins: From Bacolod Metropolis, take a contemporary/conventional Jeep to Bata. Alight at Acropolis Backyard, then hail a tricycle to Octagon Village. Inform the motive force you’re going to The Ruins. Alternatively, you may simply guide a Seize trip for P150 – P200.
Campuestohan Highland Resort
About an hour from Bacolod metropolis middle, Campuestohan Highland Resort is a well-liked family-friendly vacation spot within the cool highlands of Talisay. Combining the ideas of a theme park and a mountain getaway, it boasts swimming swimming pools, playgrounds, rides, and zip strains. Formally opened in Might 2014, it was acknowledged by the Division of Tourism in 2023 as one of many prime locations within the area.
The resort park is marked by gigantic buildings — essentially the most iconic of which is the Manok ni Cano Gwapo lodge, which bagged the Guinness World Report for the biggest constructing within the form of a hen on September 8, 2024. It measures 34.931m in top, 12.127m in width, and 28.172m in size.
You’ll be able to both do a day journey or keep in a single day in one of many cabins. If you happen to’re solely occurring a day journey and you like to journey conveniently, you may guide a tour from Klook! This already contains the round-trip transportation between Bacolod and Campuestohan, driver/information, insurance coverage, and bottled water.
You need to use our promo code THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK for as much as P300 OFF or TPTKLOOK5 for as much as P500 OFF. These codes would possibly change sooner or later, so greatest to only go to thepoortraveler.internet/klook to redeem up to date low cost codes!
Tackle: Sitio Campuestohan, Barangay Cabatangan, Talisay, 6115 Negros Occidental
Day Journey Hours: Day by day, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Day Journey Entrance Charge: Common (3y/o and above), P20/head; Youngsters (2y/o and beneath), FREE. This covers using the swimming pool and youngsters’s playground.
In a single day Charges and Different Charges: Test the official Fb Web page. As of writing, the charges for day journey cottages, actions/rides, and in a single day lodging are listed within the cowl picture.The way to Get to Campuestohan Highland Resort: Head to IMART Caltex East, the place the terminal for the Campuestohan Shuttle providers is situated. The fare is P90 per individual. Journey time is about an hour. Test the resort’s Fb web page for the up to date journey schedules.
SILAY CITY
Silay Ancestral Homes
If you’re flying to Bacolod, chances are high you’ll first set foot in Silay, because the airport is located right here. You would possibly as effectively discover town, proper? Silay is sort of a dwelling open-air museum, with its exceptional assortment of well-preserved ancestral homes and historic landmarks.
Strolling the streets of Silay, particularly town middle, provides you a glimpse of the opulent life-style of sugar barons within the early 1900s. In actual fact, greater than thirty ancestral homes have been declared historic landmarks, making Silay a worthy vacation spot for historical past fanatics. Right here’s an inventory and map from the official Silay Tourism Workplace Fb web page. On our final go to, we have been quick on time, so we solely managed to see the next:
- Balay Negrense Museum, or Victor Fernandez Gaston Ancestral Home. The Gaston household lived right here from 1901 to 1927. It was inaugurated because the Balay Negrense Museum on October 6, 1990, and later declared a Nationwide Historic Landmark by the Nationwide Historic Institute in 1994. Since 2023, the museum has been quickly closed for renovation.
- Bernandino Lopez Jalandoni Ancestral Home (Museum). Accomplished in 1908, it was declared a Nationwide Historic Landmark on November 6, 1993. Entrance Charge: Common, P150. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Manuel Severino Hofileña Ancestral Home (Museum). Constructed within the Thirties, it was the primary home in Silay to open its doorways to the general public again in 1962. It was inscribed as a Nationwide Historic Landmark on April 6, 1993. Entrance Charge: Common, P150. Opening Hours, Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Cesar Lacson Locsin Ancestral Home (El Preferrred)
- Josefita Tionko Lacson Ancestral Home
- Manuel De La Rama Locsin Ancestral Home
- Carlos Arceo Ledesma Ancestral Home
- Kapitan Marciano Montelibano Lacson Ancestral Home
- Maria Ledesma Golez Ancestral Home
- Generoso Reyes Gamboa Ancestral Home
- Digna Locsin Consing Ancestral Home
- Teodoro Pig-ao Morada Ancestral Home
- Benita Hara Ancestral Home
- Herardo Sigaton Gaston Ancestral Home
Subsequent time, we’ll make it our aim to finish the record. A number of the homes, notably these alongside Rizal Avenue, are leased to companies. Different notable buildings on the principle highway are:
- Cine Silay
- Lino-Lope Severino Constructing
The way to Get to Silay Metropolis: From Bacolod metropolis middle, take a contemporary/conventional jeep (by way of Bata, Mandalagan, or Northbound) to the North Bus Terminal (P15-20). Then, take a Ceres bus to Silay (P35). Alternatively, if you wish to journey conveniently, you may simply guide a Seize for round P350.
Cinco de Noviembre
This historic marker commemorates the Negros Revolution, often known as Cinco de Noviembre, which ended Spanish rule on the island in 1898. The Farmacia Locsin, which used to face on this web site, served as the key headquarters of the natives who plotted the revolution, which led to the institution of a short-lived republic ruled by the Negrense individuals. The republic got here to an finish in February 1899 with the arrival of the American forces.
The marker additionally bears the names of the revolutionary leaders:
- Nicolas Golez
- Leandro Locsin
- Timoteo Unson
- Melecio Severino
- Vicente Gamboa
- Olympia Severino
Tackle: Cinco de Noviembre Avenue, Silay Metropolis Heritage Zone, Silay, 6116 Negros Occidental
San Diego Professional Cathedral
The San Diego Professional-Cathedral stands as a testomony to Silay’s deep Catholic heritage. It’s the solely domed church in Negros Occidental and the solely pro-cathedral outdoors Metro Manila, making it a must-visit landmark within the metropolis. Its designation as a pro-cathedral was made official in December 1994.
The current Romanesque construction was accomplished in 1927 by way of the initiative of sugar baron Don Jose Ledesma, who additionally employed Italian architect Lucio Bernasconi to design the church.
Tackle: Zamora Avenue nook Rizal Avenue, Silay Metropolis Heritage Zone, Silay, 6116 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sunday, 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Mass Schedule: For up to date schedules, verify the official Fb web page of San Diego Professional-Cathedral.
El Preferrred
Housed in Cesar Lacson Locsin Ancestral Home, El Preferrred is the oldest bakery in Silay. It nonetheless serves home made merchandise and different native delicacies, together with their signature guapple pie — a mix of guava and apple pie. It’s also possible to purchase pasalubong right here!
Tackle: 118 Rizal Avenue, Silay Metropolis Heritage Zone, Silay, 6116 Negros Occidental
Opening Hours: Day by day, 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
If you wish to cowl the highlights of Metro Bacolod in a single go, you may guide a tour by way of Klook!
This contains entrance charges, lunch, bottled water, information/driver, primary insurance coverage, and round-trip transfers. The stops embody:
- Provincial Capitol Constructing & Lagoon
- Balay Negrense
- Ramon Hofileña Ancestral Residence
- Silay Professional Cathedral and Mini Ruins
- Lunch at Manokan Nation or Balaring Floating Restaurant
- Cinco De Noviembre Mark Level
- Bernardino Jalandoni Museum
- Balay ni Tana Dicang
- El Preferrred Bakery
- The Ruins
DAY TRIP FROM BACOLOD
Mambukal Scorching Springs
Mambukal Resort & Wildlife Sanctuary is geographically located within the municipality of Murcia, however is ruled and managed by the Negros Occidental Provincial Authorities. Nestled on the foot of Mount Kanlaon, the resort is well-known for its therapeutic scorching springs.
The highlights are the Heat Sulfur Dipping Pool, the Japanese Ofuro, and the almost century-old Ishiwata Bathhouse (inbuilt 1927), which gained a Pillar Award on the 1st Philippine Tourism Awards (PTA) of the Division of Tourism (DOT) on September 8, 2025. The bathhouse is quickly closed for renovation.
Different sights embody seven waterfalls, a boating lagoon, a kiddie and grownup pool, and a small pool. You’ll additionally discover facilities, akin to tenting grounds, picnic areas, Conference Corridor & Lodge, Spa Natura, meals park, day journey huts, in a single day lodging, and a clinic.
Mambukal is about an hour away from Bacolod Metropolis, with direct buses from Libertad. If you’re an enormous group and touring with youngsters and aged individuals, take into account reserving a tour with Klook! That is inclusive of round-trip transfers, insurance coverage, native information/driver, and entrance charge.
Tackle: Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, 6129 Negros Occidental
Day Journey Hours: Day by day, 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Entrance Charge: Adults, P140/head; Youngsters (11y/o and beneath), 80. The charges already embody the 20-peso environmental charge and using the swimming swimming pools and the dipping pool. If you wish to entry the Japanese Ofuro, you might want to pay an extra P100 per individual.
In a single day Charges and Different Charges: Test the official Fb Web page for the up to date charges.The way to Get to Mambukal Resort: Make your option to the Mambukal – Bacolod Bus Terminal in Libertad. It’s throughout Savemore Libertad. Board a bus certain for Mambukal. The bus stops proper on the entrance gate of the resort. The fare is P60 per head, and the journey time is over an hour.
Word: The final journey for the bus heading again to Bacolod Metropolis is 5PM.
Don Salvador Benedicto
Searching for mountain views and pine bushes simply 40 minutes from Bacolod Metropolis? Welcome to Don Salvador Benedicto, the Summer season Capital of Negros Occidental! Our buddy, Mark Roa, who hails from Bacolod, advised this vacation spot after we requested for suggestions. Sadly, we couldn’t squeeze it into our final journey on account of time constraints, however that provides us the right excuse to go to once more! Have you ever been right here? We’d love to listen to your ideas within the feedback.
WHERE TO STAY IN BACOLOD
The capital of Negros Occidental, Bacolod Metropolis makes a superb base for exploring Metro Bacolod and its neighboring cities. It provides a variety of lodging throughout totally different budgets and kinds, so that you’ll by no means run in need of choices. Listed here are among the top-rated motels in Bacolod Metropolis in accordance with on-line traveler evaluations.
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