From Wikitravel

Bacolod [1] is the capital city of the province of Negros Occidental. Visit for the warm atmosphere, climate-wise and people-wise (the city's catch phrase is "city of smiles"), and also for beaches, great food and history.

[edit] Get in

Bacolod is located 45 minutes South of Manila by plane. Commercial flights are available daily. If flying in to the Ninoy Aquino international airport in Manila you will have to change planes for the 45 minute hop to Bacolod. You will land at the new Bacolod-Silay Airport of international standards, and could use the bus to get to the city proper.

[edit] Get around

Transportation within the city and to adjacent towns is by taxi or jeepney (local equivalent of a bus). Bus liners as well as rental cars are also available for travel.

[edit][add listing] See

• Negros Museum. Located in the old agriculture building close to the capitol building. View artifacts related to the sugar industry that began as the the main industry of the province in the 1800s. It also houses an international doll collection. The building is close to a large park, locally referred to as the "lagoon" because of an artificial pool within the park, on Lacson street.

[edit][add listing] Do

Join the festivities during the Masskara Festival (masskara, the Ilonggo word for mask). A big annual Mardi Gras like event celebrated every 3rd week of October. Each of the city's barangays (districts) joins the competition for the fiercely competitive best costumed group. Lots of food and handicraft stalls, street dancing and beer at the Bacolod city plaza area.

Go bowling or play billiards at Negros Superlanes and Entertainment Center at the Goldenfield Commercial Complex.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Handicraft stores sell locally crafted goods. The ANP Showroom on 9th, corner Lacson Streets has a large selection and is conveniently located.

• Local artwork; paintings, etc. See "The Monk" by local artist Dennis Ascalon.

• Check out the fresh flower stalls. Vendors are clustered in front of the San Sebastian cathedral at the Bacolod city plaza.

• Check out the Robinson's, Gaisano City and SM City Malls. Most of the merchandise there is cheap or the same price in the US.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• A must-eat dish is the fresh lumpia (fresh spring roll; not fried). A delicately exquisite treat wrapped in a paper thin translucent crepe filled with fresh coconut tree heart (ubod), pork and shrimp with a garnish of scallion.

• Other local delicacies batchoy, piyaya and pinasugbo are all worth sampling. Check out the Virgie's, Mercy and Bongbong's shops.

• Bob's on North Drive for the friendly service and local fare. One of the oldest family-favorite restaurants.

• Carlo Restaurante Italiano (at the Goldenfield's complex). Italian, steak. Try the garlic smothered steak.

• Also try the famous local barbecue chicken called inasal (literal translation "cooked over the fire"). Lots of good local restaurants specialize in local fare. ;one of the most local area that has been the most oldest restaurants is the "manokan coutry" Try Aboy's for its inasal. Imay's for a wide variety and open-air dining.

• Jo's Chicken Inato is a great choice for fantastic chicken inasal served in a very "native" style. The food is served on a large banana leaf and typically silverware is not provided unless requested. This is truly a great place to eat for someone who doesn't want to eat something too exotic, but wants to try a native flare.

• For the non-gastronome, there's always the local McDonald's or Dunkin' Donuts.

• For a western taste locals, expats and tourists visit "IMBISS" near Lopues east mall. Famous for German sausages, Fish n chips and other local and international specialities.

• Seafood is good at Ting-Ting's North Drive and Pala-pala at 18th Street Lacson.

• Take Inasal to-go at Bacolod Chicken House Singcang. You can call them ahead and specify to have them wrap it good especially if you plan to take food on the plane. They're inasal doesn't lose its juiciness and is not that oily. Reheating using microwave for inasal is not recommended, instead use a steamer.

• Favorite Japanese restaurant is Kaisei along Lacson Street. The prices are reasonable and has a relaxed atmosphere. But if you want to go with Japanese Buffet, try out Inaka, Lacson Street. The food is good, has a wide variety of choice and priced favorably.

• For local native delicacies, Quan is a must with their famous Cuchinta and Puto

[edit][add listing] Drink

• the preferred beer is San Mig Light which is served at almost any restaurant.
• You might also try Tanduay, a very famous rum. Nice to pair with coke and ice.
• The local tuba would give you the best of a local exotic drink from fermented coconut juice.
• Bar hop at Goldenfield Commercial Complex and party at MO2 Restobar!
• Classier bars are at Breizh along Lacson St., Mandalagan and Moravia beside Riverside Hospital.
• Great Bacolod sisig can be found at KSL or Kubo Sa Lawn where they serve ice cold SanMig Light.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

All are 2 to 3 star type hotels by Western standards.

• * Casino Filipino Hotel Bacolod, Casino Filipino Hotel and Casino Goldenfield Commercial Complex,Singcang, Bacolod City, Philippines, ☎ +63(034)434-8901 up to 10 (chf@info.com.ph, fax: +63(34)434-4433), [2]. Rooms are airconditioned, with cable television, private bath, and refrigerator Average rate is $73.  edit

• Grand Regal
• Kundutel
• Sugarland
• Planta Centro
• Luxur Place (formerly Bacolod Convention Plaza)
• L'Fisher, the old reliable.
• The Sea Breeze, closer to the main city area.
• The Sylvia Manor[3]. The Sylvia Manor is a 52 room boutique hotel located in Bacolod's throbbing business district with the SM Shopping Mall and Bacolod City Hall just around the corner. They have excellent Wi-Fi coverage within the premises.
• Circle Inn[4]. Along Lopez Jaena Street in a quiet compound, the hotel is clean, modest and near the bus terminals. The prices are competitive to Business Inn rates and the first hotel to have complimentary in-room high-speed internet connection as well as Wi-Fi access in the lobby and coffeeshop. Its Executive Wing rooms are comparable to higher star hotels.

[edit] Contact

For local news while in Bacolod, buy a copy of the English daily paper, the Visayan Daily Star [5].

[edit] Stay safe

Bacolod is a lot safer compared to Manila. As always common sense is the rule when travelling. Taking the taxi or renting cars or vans daily is better and quicker.

[edit] Get out

• Visit Balay Negrense in neighboring Silay city for a tour of a 19th century house, now a museum. While in Silay check out the local Catholic church building circa early 1900s and old ancestral homes. Also the great local pastry shop, El Ideal, that has been around since the 50's.

• Mambucal resort located in adjoining Murcia town. The resort is on a higher elevation that the city hence having a cooler average temperature. It's main attraction are its natural hot springs

• Mt. Canlaon National Park.

• Jomabo Island Paradise Beach Resort in Escalante.

• Lakawon Beach Resort in Cadiz.

• Trek/Hike at Patag, Silay City or at Guintubdan in La Carlota/Bago.

• Punta Bulata White Beach Resort & Spa. Secluded resort with long stretch of white sand beach, abounding marine life, native and modern asian inspired guest rooms. Beautiful.

• Salas Park located a few minutes from Mambucal Resort. Best to see during the night, where it overlooks the City of Smiles. The trip to the park is what locals call, little Baguio with all the zig-zag and steep roads. You would also be surrounded with old pines, mahogany and the cool air. Best for hikers too. A local guide is available to bring you to various springs and falls. Come to discover.

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