While Bacolod may be known to tourists for its MassKara Festival and as a great place for a food trip (have you checked out our top 10 list of Bacolod restaurants to try?), it is also an ideal spot to explore, go on an adventure, and experience the wonders of the Philippines. Tucked away in the northwest coast of Negros Occidental, Bacolod offers wonderful experiences you can enjoy with friends and family or even as a solo explorer: from pristine beaches and picturesque mountain views to beautiful historic mansions.
If you’re taking a trip to the Philippines and planning to visit different places around the country, consider these 10 things to do and see in and around Bacolod that just might convince you to include it in your itinerary.
1. See The Ruins
First-timers in Bacolod should never miss out on a visit to The Ruins. Dubbed as the Taj Mahal of the Philippines, The Ruins is a famous Negrense landmark because of the love story and tragedy behind it. A sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, built the mansion in 1920 in loving memory of his wife who died during childbirth. However, it was burnt down in the 1940s during World War II to fend off a Japanese raid. With its walls and roof gone completely, the frame of the mansion remains standing proud and tall to this day within a 440-hectare sugar plantation. Its grounds are open for visitors to enjoy narrative tours of the mansion’s ruins and walk around the beautiful landscape that surrounds it. There is also a restaurant situated within the vicinity for those who want to linger around the majestic place a little longer.
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2. Immerse in Spanish colonial lifestyle at Balay Negrense
If you’re interested in a little bit more history during your trip to Bacolod and its neighboring towns, include Balay Negrense as one of your stops. Built in 1897, it is among only a handful of Heritage Houses recognized by the National Historical Institute in Negros Occidental. Standing strong for over 120 years and counting, the ancestral house was transformed into the first museum of Negros during the ’90s, giving visitors a look into the lifestyle of wealthy sugar barons during the country’s Spanish colonial era. The house is located 10 minutes away from the Bacolod-Silay International Airport in Silay City, which was dubbed “The Paris of Negros” as it was where arts and culture thrived in the region. Balay Negrense is a Spanish and American-influenced structure filled with vintage memorabilia and furniture.
3. Eat chicken inasal at Manokan County
Bacolod is well-known as the origin of the famous chicken inasal. That said, along Father M. Ferrero St. across SM City Bacolod is Manokan Country: a strip of stalls and hole-in-the-wall restaurants that specialize in the tasty grilled chicken dish. The inasal houses are lined up one after the other, ready for your picking: Aida’s, Nena’s Beth, Carmen, and more. Typically, the restaurants display their menus at the entrance so you can decide which one to try. Aida’s Manokan in particular is one of the OG inasal restaurants, where you can enjoy some of the juiciest, tastiest chicken inasal meals in the city on the cheap. All stalls are open-air and fairly simple for that authentic inasal by the roadside experience. Come with an empty stomach and good company.
4. Thrift at 888 Chinatown Square
Various cities around the Philippines have its own Chinatown that locals and visitors alike gravitate to go shopping, and Bacolod’s own Chinatown does not disappoint. 888 Chinatown Square is a busy mall where locals and tourists alike go bargain-hunting, as many of the items you find here are incredibly affordable. A highlight would be the thrifting areas (which take up two whole floors), where you can find everything from vintage designer pieces to street style and early 2000s goodies that can spruce up any look. More often than not, the prices range from P20-P200, depending on the brand and quality of the items, but you can always tawad (haggle) your way to a lower price. You and your travel companions will definitely have a blast getting each other’s opinions on your finds and maybe even competing over desirable pieces or who ends up spending the least by the end of your bargain retail therapy session.
5. Explore Negros Forest Park
If you’d like an up close and personal encounter with Bacolod wildlife during your trip, go to Negros Forest Park, formerly known as Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation Inc. This wildlife sanctuary and conservation facility protects a handful of Negros’ critically endangered species. The park’s goal is to educate the public on the importance of wildlife protection and the necessity for local conservation. That said, what better way to grow a love for animals than to encounter them? At Negros Forest Park, locals and tourists alike can come and see resident animals face to face, like the Visayan Leopard Cat, the Rufous Headed Hornbill, and the Negros Bleeding-Heart Pigeon. Explore the park, listen to stories from conservationists, and see (or occasionally, even touch) these special animals during your visit.
6. Visit Bantug Lake Ranch
Once a private farm and orchard, the Bantug Lake Ranch is now a safe haven for visitors who seek the great outdoors. Filled with natural greenery and man-made amenities, it’s where Bacolod visitors can bask in nature comfortably. Create lasting memories with your family or friends during your visit here by trying out various activities together, like fishing in the man-made lake, horseback riding, swimming, strolling through the paths, and indulging in tasty meals at their rustic in-house restaurant. More recently, they even built villas for people who want to stay longer than a day.
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7. Chill at Lakawon Island
Lakawon Island is a small island off the coast of Cadiz, a neighboring city that’s a little over an hour away from Bacolod. Known for its pristine white sand, crystal clear waters, and Asia’s first-ever floating bar, Lakawon is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. Though it’s not a mainstream vacation spot, those who’ve visited Lakawon say that it can compete with resorts in Boracay and Palawan as the resort has been well-maintained to this day. If you want to include a beach stop in your Bacolod visit, this place is it. You may go on a day trip or stay for a night or two at the Lakawon Island Resort and Spa if you want to maximize the island experience. Definitely check out the floating bar TawHai, where you and your loved ones can enjoy a 360-degree view of the ocean while partying or simply relaxing.
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8. Experience nature at Mambukal Resort
For a more nature-inspired adventure when in Bacolod, just take 45-minute drive to Mambukal Resort, where you can enjoy the natural wonders of Negros. It is surrounded by volcanic hot springs and waterfalls, as the resort is situated right at the foot of Mount Kanlaon, one of the Philippines’ active volcanoes. Visitors often enjoy a swim in the earth-warmed pools of water and experience the river-dining experience, where you can eat while your feet are submerged in the river’s flowing water. Because the resort is located near the forest, you can also look forward to close encounters with rare wildlife species. A visit to Mambukal Resort is definitely one for the books.
9. Hike to Mag-aso falls
The Mag-aso Falls is a breathtaking sight and offers an experience that’s worth the two-hour drive from Bacolod City to Barangay Oringao in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. A “Mag-Aso Falls” signage there marks the beginning of your journey. It’s considered a hike because of the 108 steps you need to take to the falls, so make sure you’re dressed comfortably and ready for a little physical activity. Once you reach the falls, you and your travel companions can enjoy the marvels of the ultra-blue water and 120-foot-high waterfall. You can take a dip where the falls drop or in the pools around the area.
10. Drive up to Don Salvador Benedicto
Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB), located in the middle of the Northern Negros Occidental Mountains, is another notable tourist spot close to Bacolod that you should consider adding to your itinerary. Just a little over an hour away from Bacolod, here you can enjoy a majestic view of the mountains at a number of restaurants and cafes that offer delicious local food. Among the popular spots are Kusinata, which serves traditional, home-cooked Filipino food; and Terraza Cafe, known for its local coffee and Instagram-worthy spots. There are also a number of resorts and B&Bs to choose from in the area, like Rapha Valley, Amari, and Vista Villa DSB, should you wish to stay longer to rest and recharge before you drive back down to the city. It’s the perfect backdrop for family bonding and a relaxing way to cap your Bacolod trip.