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Best Things to do in Bacolod: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

The Ruins Attraction in Bacolod | Affordable Condo for Sale in Bacolod - Camella Manors

Discover the City of Smiles

Looking for a perfect place that offers both chill and adventure? If you enjoy a chill laidback atmosphere and at the same time care for some nice thrilling adventure, you will find yourself enthralled in the charming city of Bacolod.

A bustling city in the South, Bacolod offers a wide variety of activities ranging from festivals, food trips, historical tours, shopping galore, and an epic island adventure. Dubbed as the “City of Smiles,” Negrenses are known for their friendliness and warm hospitality evident in their infectious smiles. The capital city of Negros Occidental is also regarded as the “Sugar Capital of the Country” because of its vast sugar cane plantations that supply a large chunk of the sugar industry. The city has also a rich history dating back to pre-colonial period.

An array of destinations and activities await visitors to this vibrant and bubbly city. Hotels, inns, airbnbs, and other accommodations are widely available if you wish to travel for a couple of days. Those who wish to stay or settle can explore many different options like owning an affordable condo in Bacolod. Bacolod is one of the top livable cities in the country and was even named the Top Model City of the Philippines and 2017 and 2019.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on the Top 5 best things to do in Bacolod:

1. Visit historical landmarks and cultural heritage sites

If you are into history and you enjoy exploring museums and cultural heritage sites, Bacolod is a good place to learn and brush up your historical knowledge. The city is home to many historical destinations that will surely throw you back in the past in an instant.

The Ruins
The Ruins Attraction in Bacolod | Affordable Condo for Sale in Bacolod - Camella Manors
Source: Photo by Brian Kairuz on Unsplash

The Ruins is perhaps the most popular and most photographed tourist destination in Bacolod. The once glorious mansion was built by the late Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in 1911 to commemorate the death of his beloved wife who met a tragic death. The place was demolished during the Japanese occupation in fear that it may be occupied by the Japanese soldiers. Today, what remains in the mansion are the majestic ruins and a water fountain found outside, serving as a reminder of its former splendor. The Ruins is widely called as the “Taj Mahal of the Philippines.”

Tourists can visit The Ruins every day from 8am to 8pm. It closes at 4:30pm every Tuesday and Saturday.


Tip: The place is both beautiful in the morning and evening, but the sunset view is something to catch if you want to get that picture-perfect moment.

The Negros Museum
Negros Museum in Bacolod
Source: Photo from The Negros Museum Facebook Page

The museum was inaugurated in 1996 to showcase the rich history of the city and the culture of the past. It houses ancient pieces that include furniture and other antiques from ancestral homes of the wealthy families who lived in elegance and style during the Spanish and American colonial rule in the province. Today, it also shows contemporary art pieces from local artists.

The Negros Museum is open from 9am to 4pm from Monday to Thursday. Guests may only visit through appointment in view of the pandemic.

The San Sebastian Cathedral

This century-old Church built during the Spanish era has a baroque style of architecture. It is made up of coral stones and lime and is considered as one of the beautiful churches in the country. The cathedral is located across the Bacolod City Plaza.

The Balay Negrense Museum
Balay Negrense in Bacolod
Source: Photo from Balay Negrense Official Website

This place is also known as the Victor Fernandez Gaston Ancestral House. Balay Negrense is near Silay City, which is the art hub in Negros. The museum showcases artifacts that reflect the history of the province. Walking around Silay City will make you feel nostalgic of the past because of the many old houses and establishments around. If you are looking for a blast from the past type of experience, visiting Balay Negrense in Silay will be a delightful tour for you. Interestingly, you can see some quaint little cafes in the area that offer good snacks and coffee.

Balay Negrense is open from 9am to 5pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

Church of the Angry Christ in Victorias City

St Joseph the Worker Parish Church is popularly known as the Church of the Angry Christ found inside the Victorias Milling Company. The church features a huge mural of Christ made up of striking colors painted in the altar. The painting was done by Alfonso Ossorio, a Spanish- American, and Benjamin Valenciano

2. Get closer to nature with these awesome getaways

Those searching for a fun nature trip will be delighted to know that Bacolod offers a lot of exciting new adventures that varies from island tours, mountain resorts, and theme parks. Even if you are traveling alone or with your family and friends, there is an awesome getaway waiting for you to be explored.

The Campuestohan Highland Resort
Source: Photo from the Campuestohan Official Website

Enjoy the cool breeze of the mountain side in this popular resort found in Silay City. Campuestohan Highlands offers a breath-taking adventure for the kids and the young at heart. The place has multiple rides, giant action figures, a wave pool with slides, a hang glider zipline, hamster wheel, sky bicycle and a whole lot more. One can’t simply run out of activities to try in this place. Guests can also book a room in the resort’s hotel.

Campuestohan Highland Resort is open every day from 7am to 5pm.

Mambukal Mountain Resort
Source: Photo from Mambukal Official Facebook Page

Mambukal Mountain Resort has all the amenities to give nature lovers a wonderful adventure. Found in Murcia, the resort has a swimming pool, hot spring, camping area, zip line, hanging bridge, bat caves, a butterfly garden, villas, and cottages. Make sure to take a glimpse of the majestic Mambukal waterfalls as it is the most popular attraction of the resort. You can also enjoy other activities like boating at the lagoon or wall climbing.

Mambukal Mountain Resort is currently closed to the public in view of the pandemic.

The Balaring Mangroves
Balaring Mangroves in Bacolod
Balaring Mangroves in Bacolod

The Balaring Mangroves is home to the longest bamboo bridge in the Visayas. There are mangroves surrounding the both sides of the 500-meter long bridge. At the end of the trail, there is a 30-foot bamboo tower which will enable one to see a panoramic view of nature and the sea.

Capitol Park and Lagoon

The Capitol Park and Lagoon is hard to miss with its grandeur structure. Right in the heart of Bacolod City, it houses the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol that has the Office of the Governor. Around the area, there are also sculptures and a monument by renowned artists. The man made lagoon is a fine place to relax and stroll. It has a beautiful sunset as nighttime comes.


Lakawon Island
Photo by Louie Martinez on Unsplash

If you’re looking for the perfect place to experience island life near Bacolod, Lakawon Island boasts of powder white sand and crystal clear waters minus the crowd. In addition, the Lakawon Island is located in Cadiz.

The 16-hectare island offers many  activities including the famous Taw Hai Floating Bar. It is Asia’s largest floating bar.

You can enjoy a bunch of activities like swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle board, banana boat, and other water activities.

3. Eat your heart out

From the freshest seafood to the most irresistible cakes, Bacolod has a lot to offer for those looking for a unforgettable gastronomical treat. If you’re down for an all-out food trip, ready your tummies because it’s going to be one epic feast.

Inasal
Famous Chicken Inasal in Bacolod
The Famous Bacolod Chicken Inasal

Undoubtedly, the most sought after food in Bacolod, the Chicken Inasal is definitely a must-try for everyone. The popular chicken dish has in fact reached Manila because of the goodness of the original Bacolod inasal recipe. You can find chicken inasal places in many parts of the city.

 Seafood

Many restaurants across Bacolod offer the freshest seafoods because of its abundance in the area. In most dining spots, you can choose from a variety of seafood and have it cooked for a minimal charge. You can also choose to order food and have it cooked without going to the seafood market.

Kansi

The Kansi is a native Bacolod dish. It has the beef bone marrow and vegetables as its primary ingredients. Many say that it is like Bulalo but with a more sour flavor like Sinigang. If you want to enjoy a hot flavorful soup with a twist, you must definitely try the Bulalo.

Cakes and Pastries
Cakes and Pastries to end a good and hearty meal.

A good meal pleasantly ends with a good dessert. True to its name of being the “Sugar Capital,” there are tons of good restaurants in Bacolod that offer cakes, pastries, and desserts. Best paired with a coffee, you can choose to try all-time favorites such as sansrival, avocado cake, and Chocolate mud pie.

4. Shop for local handicrafts

Source: Photo from the Association of Negros Producers Official Website

The Negros Showroom is the place to go if you want to check the local arts and crafts of the city. It offers hand-made accessories, clothing made from local materials, and handicrafts. Moreover, you can buy souvenir items and local delicacies for pasalubong. Lastly, you can bring home the famous Masskara Festival memorabilia which is the hand-painted mask.


5. Party in Masskara Festival

The MassKara Festival in Bacolod

Celebrated every month of October, Bacolod’s Masskara Festival is one of the most colorful and joyous festivals in the country. Tourists flock to the capital city to witness the street party similar to a Mardi Gras with all its pomp and glory. The Masskara Festival centers on big bright masks, highlighted with the dance competition of different groups.

Like the Masskara Festival, life indeed in Bacolod is colorful and bright. The city exudes vibrancy in every aspect, making it an ideal place to live and settle in. Aside from the rich culture, the city is also a good place for investments. Outside Manila, Bacolod is one of the key investment destinations in the country. Its fast- growing economy is home to many IT and BPO companies. This is what makes Bacolod a booming city.

Finding an affordable condo in Bacolod

RFO Condo in Bacolod - Camella Manors Bacolod - Aerial Community Perspective
RFO Condo in Bacolod – Camella Manors Bacolod – Aerial Community Perspective

Explore life in Bacolod with Camella Manors. Camella Manors Bacolod, the pioneering project of Camella Manors in the Visayas, is opening units in Buildings 1 and 2 this 2021 ready for occupancy. Camella Manors Bacolod is a 1.1 hectare mid-rise condominium development that offers a condo-resort community experience.

Those looking for an affordable condo in Bacolod will find the best value for their investment in the many amenities of Camella Manors Bacolod which include a swimming pool, kiddie pool, fitness gym, club house, playground, and commercial strips. There is also 24/7 security to ensure the safety of everybody. Animal lovers will be delighted to know that it is a pet- friendly community.

In addition, Camella Manors Bacolod offers the perfect synergy of comfort and luxury. It is strategically located near malls, hospitals, schools, tourist attractions, and business districts. It is located 15 minutes away from the Bacolod- Silay International Airport.


RFO Condo in Bacolod - Camella Manors Bacolod - Building Facade
RFO Condo in Bacolod – Camella Manors Bacolod – Building Facade

Camella Manors Bacolod is also the first project of Camella Manors in the Visayas to become part of Vista Land’s communicity in the region. In the first and second quarter of this year, it will award units to investors in the Ibiza and Majorca buildings, both 7-storey buildings. Each building houses studio and 1-bedroom units measuring 30.36 sq. m. The pre-selling of condo units of the third building, Capri, will also begin sometime soon. Unlike the first two buildings, the Capri will house condo units with its studio measured at 23.76 sq. m.

To know more about Camella Manors Bacolod, click here. You can conveniently reserve a unit with us through our hassle-free online payment facilities.

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