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Bacolod [1] is the capital city of the province of Negros Occidental. Known as the City of Smiles because of its Joei de Vivre, Mardi Gras like festival; the MassKara festival which is a spectacular vivid mix of dance, colour and music, not only it is known as the city of smiles but also the Land of Sweet people and it is also known for its culinary heritage where it is famous for its Chicken Inasal and sweet dessert treats.

Barangays

Bacolod city contains of Barangays(Barangay is abbreviated as Brgy.) however it can be also classified into districts or suburbs.

• Downtown Bacolod/City proper(CBD) — The most important district of all is the, it is the site where most of the city's attractions are like the Public Plaza, San Sebastian Cathedral, Negros Museum, Negros Provincial Capitol Building and Lagoon etc., the city proper contains over 41 barangays.
• Singcang was the home of the former Bacolod Airport and this is also where the Goldenfields Commercial complex.
• Estefania — home to Bacolod's new city hall.
• Alijis — where Bacolod Memorial park and St. Jude Thaddeus church is located.
• Punta Taytay — is where Villarosa beach is located
• Granada — where the first settlement of Bacolod was founded
• Other districts include Taculing, Banago, Bata, Granada, Alingalan etc.

Early times

The settlement was set up by Malayan people from the Taga-Ilog and settled on a stonehill (which where Barangay Granada stands today). Later on the Moros attacked early one morning and within a few hours many people had been killed, women raped and houses torn down or burnt. The people then decided to move a little farther from the place down to the shore making the stonehill a ghost town.

Spanish era

Bacolod was made the provincial capital of Negros in 1894. It was the focal point of conflict between the Spanish and the Negrenses in 1898. The commanding officer of the Spanish forces; Col. Isidro de Castro, surrendered to the Filipino forces, and the signing of the Act of Capitulation was carried out at the house of Don Eusebio Luzuriaga which once stood in front of the City Hall.

American rule and Japanese occupation

On March 1899, American forces, led by Colonel James G. Smith, occupied Bacolod. During American Rule, The Rizal Institute was set up in the city in 1903 providing education to the Bacolodnons. La Consolacion College was then set up on 1919 as a private school. The City of Bacolod was officially created on June 18, 1938. Inclement weather meant that the official inauguration had to be postponed twice. It was finally held on October 19, 1938. Bacolod City was occupied by the Japanese forces on May 21, 1942 but was then liberated by the American forces on May 29, 1945.

Modern era

The small settlement grew and emerged as an urbanized city with a population now around 500,000 and named as one of the two Cleaniest and Greenest Highly Urbanized Cities in the Philippines.

Orientation

Bacolod is one of the 13 cities in the province of Negros Occidental, it is the provincial capital of Negros Occidental and the center of commerce and finance in the province. To the east lies the town of Murcia while to the north lies Talisay city and to the south Bago City and to the west of Bacolod is where Guimaras Strait is located. Bacolod is then divided into Barangays or suburbs which can either be also considered as districts, the suburbs are then divided into subdivisions, actually Barangays are residential areas which consists of a community not less than 100 families.

Climate

Climate	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High(°C)	30	31	32	33	33	32	31	30	31	30	30	30
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Low(°C)	21	22	22	24	25	25	24	23	23	23	23	22
Precipitation (cm)	20	10	15	30	122	257	401	363	340	195	134	65
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

There are two pronounced seasons in Bacolod; Wet and Dry seasons. Wet Season or the Rainy Season starts from May and continues until January, with heavy rainfall during August and September. The Dry Season starts on February and ends in April, with April being the warmest month of the year while December is the coldest. The province and the whole country experiences droughts during the dry seasons sometimes in extreme conditions.

People

People from Western Visayas are generally called Illongos' even if they don't come from Iloilo, this is because almost all of them speak the same language however people from Capiz, Aklan at Antique have their own languages but still sound like Illongo or Hiligaynon to be exact and most of it is similar to Illongo. The people from Bacolod are called Bacoleños (pronounced as Bah-ko-len-yos), most of them are the descendants of the people of Panay who are of Malay or Southeast Asian descent, the province where Bacolod is located; Negros Occidental was used to be home to many Negros or Aborgines therefore it was called Negros but today the Malay descent population dominates the city while the Chinese descent population forms a minority of the city.

Faith

Majority of the people are Christians, predominantly Catholic, next to Catholicism, the Baptists and the Iglesia ni Kristo(Church of Christ) members as well as Anglicans and Seventh Day Adventist form the next largest groups while there is a growing population of Muslims who migrated from South Cotabato while the Chinese-descent follow the Taoist faith.

Talk

The majority of the people of Negros speak Hiligaynon or Illongo as their first language as it is the predominant language in the province of Negros Occidental, while there are some who can speak Cebuano and Kinaray-a. Tagalog is also understood as well as English. For visitors, communicating with the people wouldn't be that difficult. The Chinese form a minor part of the population who most speak Minnan or Hokkien with a knowledge of Mandarin.

Hiligaynon has more loanwords than Tagalog, while buying, telling time, some verbs, rooms, objects and many other words and phrases are of Spanish origin, however grammatical structure and adjectives are different from Spanish. English is widely spoken in Bacolod.

Get in

By plane

Bacolod is located 45 minutes South of Manila by plane and 30 minutes west of Cebu. Commercial flights are available daily from Manila and Cebu. 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(ICAO: BCD | IATA: RPVB)[2], which is of international standard. There are buses provided by the airport to the city proper. Contact airport inquiries for details on arrival. If you land from overseas at Mactan-Cebu International Airport you can use Cebu Pacific or PAL Express to Bacolod. Philippine Airlines[3], PAL Express[4], Cebu Pacific[5] and Zest Air[6] serve connections to and from Manila and Cebu. On departing Bacolod, you should pay a terminal fee of ₱200. The new Bacolod-Silay International airport witnessed the arrival of a charter flight from Kazakhstan on January 2, 2009. This was the first international flight to land in the airport. The Airport plans further expansion to handle more flights, both international and domestic and either cargo or passenger flights. Getting in and out By bus: There is a shuttle service from SM City Bacolod to Bacolod-Silay Airport and costs 100 per person, contact the SM management for schedule and more information. By taxi: Taxis have fixed prices provided by the local government. Below listed are the prices which are for getting out of the airport. Establishments and notes Mabuhay Lounge of Philippine Airlines is open to its members in the departure lounge and have some refreshments too. The Departures and Arrivals terminals aren't divided into two, either departing or arriving you can grab a donut, hot dog, coffee or snacks outside the airport. Three Cafes are located inside the departures lounge while two shops selling Pasalubong items and souvenirs are available, Merci Pasalubong is located in the departures lounge while Bong Bong'sis just outside the airport terminal. Maps and brochures are provided by the Department of Tourism of the local government of Bacolod if you don't have one you can pick it up in the arrivals area which is located outside the baggage claim area. A gallery of photos of Negros Occidental is found in the departures lounge. By bus Getting to Bacolod by bus from elsewhere in the province is smooth and easy as there is little chance of congestion on the roads. Arriving by bus from other provinces is also possible; you can use the so called RoRo which means Roll-on and Roll-off. Note: During Holy Week, Christmas and New Year, often buses are cramped, delayed and overloaded it's advisable to avoid traveling by bus during the Holy week and the Christmas season.

Prices of bus fares to Bacolod from Silay-Airport Destination Price Alijis 450 Ayala 400 Bangga Cory 400 Banago 425 Bata 400 Capitol Heights 425 Donya Juliana 425 Eroreco 400 Fortune Town(e)/Estefania 450 Georgina 400 Goldenfields 450 Granada 575 Greensville 400 Mandalagan 400 Mansilangan 500 Palmas del Mar 475 San Miguel Brewery 450 San Sebastian 425 Sugarland Hotel 450 Sum-ag 425 Taculing 525 Tangub 475 Therese Homes 425 Villa Angela 425 Villamonte 400

• Ceres Liner Ceres Rd., Barangay Mansilingan Main office:+63-34-4460681/4460686, North Terminal:+63-34-4334993, South Terminal:+63-34-4342387 +63-34-4460636 Trips within the Negros island costs from about ₱80-₱300 depending on the distance of your destination, trips outside Negros Island using the RoRo service costs from ₱250-₱400.Provides RoRo services and provides daily services to and from Escalante, San Carlos, Hinoba-an, Don Salvador Benedicto, Canlaon, Culipapa, Bayawan, Binalbagan, Toledo City, [[Zamboanga City]], [[Cebu City]], [[Dumaguete]], [[Kabankalan]], [[Cadiz]], they have 2 terminals in Bacolod, South and North Terminal.

Bus terminals

There are two major terminals in Bacolod, both operated, owned and used by Ceres liner.

• Ceres Southbound Terminal Ceres South Terminal Luzuriaga St +63-34-4460681/4460686 Buses departing for and arriving from Dumaguete(via Mabinay) arrive and depart in this terminal
• Ceres Northbound Terminal Ceres North Terminal From China Bank you will already see the entrance of Lopez Jaena St., walk to the street and you will see the Terminal Lopez Jaena St +63-34-4334993 Buses departing for and arriving from Cebu(via Toledo or Tabuelan), San Carlos(via Don Salvador Benedicto), Bayawan(via Cauayan and Sipalay) and Kanlaon City(via La Carlota, La Castellana, Moises Padilla).

By boat

Bacolod Seaport serves inter-regional trips from major destinations of Manila and Iloilo. Iloilo seaport is just 45 minutes from Bacolod and is one of the easiest to access because every hour there's a trip.

• Ocean Jet http://www.oceanjet.net Economy Class: Single ₱275.00 ; Business Class: Single ₱375.00. Prices and Schedules might change subject to prior notice. marketing@oceanjet.net
• Weesam Express http://www.zimnet.com/weesam/php/booking.php
• Supercat http://www.supercat.com.ph/index.asp

Puerto Princesa City, Cagayan De Oro City, General Santos City, Dipolog City, Manila, Zamboanga City, Butuan City, Iligan City, Ozamiz City, and Surigao City routes are available. SuperFerry [7] and Negros Navigation[8] serve routes to and from these cities.

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. The city's layout isn't suitable for walking, fortunately, its layout is the most suitable for using cars, arguably Bacolod has one of the best road layouts in the whole country and traffic only happens sometimes and seldom, traffic usually occurs in the CBD and when road reparation is ongoing.

By jeepney

Jeepneys were originally based on US military jeeps that were converted into public transport. This is the fastest and cheapest mode of transportation in the Philippines, an equivalent of the bus. Fares ranges from ₱8-₱10. Most of the Jeepney routes travel to and from Downtown Bacolod. Senior Citizens and Students (Children/Teenagers) can ask for a discount which is around ₱5-8. Most of the jeepney routes' destinations are; Central market and Libertad. Central Market is where the downtown area is located, while Shopping is where San Agustin college, Riverside Hospital and University of St. La Salle is located.

Routes

• Airport Subdivision - Central Market
• Alijis - Central Market
• Homesite - Central Market
• Fortune Town - Central Market
• Punta Taytay - Central Market
• Donya Juliana - Central Market
• Mansilingan - Central Market
• Punta Taytay - Central Market
• Sum-ag - Central Market
• Sta. Fe - Central Market
• Taculing - Central Market
• Villamonte - Central Market
• Shopping - Libertad
• Bata - Libertad
• Banago - Libertad
• Tangub - Libertad
• San Dionisio - Libertad
• Granada - Libertad

By car

Getting around the city by private car or taxi is quick and affordable. There are no problems with traffic jams at all because of the good road layout of the city. Around Bacolod the taxis have a flagdown rate of ₱30 and ₱2.50 for every 300 meters thereafter. Filipinos usually give the change as a tip but it is not mandatory, if the meter states ₱87.50, they typically give the entire 100 bucks.

Taxis: Bee Gees +63-34-4461675 Faith Taxi +63-34-4410702 San Nicholas Taxi Services +63-34-4343834 Rent-a-car: Nyla Rent-A-Car +63-34-4331049 Meca Rent-A-Car +63-34=4440795 .

By tricycles

Tricycles (Rickshaw) is Another alternative to taxis, rickshaws in the city carry no more than 5 passengers and are affordable. Fares depend on the distance of your destination, tricycles are mostly found lurking in the downtown and outside subdivisions. Auto rickshaws are better than manual rickshaws.

Historical sites

There are a number of historical attractions in Bacolod showing the history of the city and the Province of Negros Occidental.

• Fort San Juan Gatuslao St. & Burgos St The Fort served as a jail for prisoners during the Spanish era. Now it is used as a Provincial Jail.
• Fountain of Justice Just in-front of Old City Hall Free as it is for public viewingThe Fountain of Justice is the site where Jose Luis de Luzzuriaga's residence used to stand, it was where the Spanish forces surrendered Bacolod to the Filipino forces. During the night it is illuminated by lights, it is the usual meeting place for protesters and rallies alike.
• Iron Dinosaurs (Vintage Steam Locomotives) La Herencia Entrance and Bacolod Murcia Milling Co. compound Locomotives were used in Bacolod as a mode of transport for the sugar canes, thus they were part of making Bacolod the sugar bowl of the Philippines.
• Mariano Ramos Ancestral home Burgos St
• Bacolod Public Plaza Rizal St The plaza is like the Bacolod version of Central park but the smaller version, fountains are scattered around the plaza and a gazebo stands in the middle and they are actually the main attractions, just like other parks, trees are scattered around it. The last but not the least, the '''Unknown Soldiers Monument''' also known as '''Theodore Vinther Monument''' is found here. It is the common place where events like the MassKara festival is held as well as other activities such as ''Arnis''(Filipino martial arts) and other martial arts practices usually happen, it is also a hub for joggers and people doing aerobics during the morning.
• Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Building and Lagoon Gatuslao St. corner Lacson St This is the official seat of the provincial government and served as the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II and formerly was the Negros Museum. The building is of Romanesque architecture and also has a nice surrounding park and lagoon, which includes the ''Ang Paghimud-os'' statues done by Eduardo Castrillo, ''"Ang Paghimud-os"'' is a Hiligaynon word for "The Struggle". The building is considered the most impressive building in Bacolod.
• Lizares-Rodriguez Mansion Lizares St
• The Ruins Talisay City The remains of a Spanish-era sugar plantation that was burned by the owners before Japanese forces could seize it during WWII. All that is left of the mansion is its stone skeleton. It is a popular destination for wedding photo shoots. The grounds have beautiful flower beds. It might give you a feeling that you're somewhere in the countryside in countryside of Europe perhaps.

Religious sites

Churches are a big part of life for a Filipino and all have historical, spiritual and religious meaning.

• San Sebastian Cathedral, the Centennial Bells and the Palacio Episcopal Rizal Street http://www.dioceseofbacolod.org/ The Cathedral was first planned by Fr. Gonzaga whos started building it by collecting coral but died without completing it. It was then continued by the Government and the Priests and was completed in 1894. Now the coral-made Cathedral is covered by cement.*
• St. Jude Thaddeus Shrine Barangay Alijis This young church is dedicated to St. Jude Thaddeus; the patron Saint of the Hopeless, drop by this church and offer your prayers.
• San Antonio Abad Church.
• Carmelite Monastery Mandalagan, Lacson St Just a walk from Robinson's Bacolod +63-34-29083 carmeljtbacolod@gmail.com The Carmelite monastery is obviously home to the order of Carmelites, the monastery is open for people who want to see the church, you can drop your prayers and wishes in some boxes are around the church which will be hopefully granted by the prayers of the nuns. Do some exploring around the compound, meet the nuns and observe how they live.
• Lupit Church Lacson St. and Lizares St Just near Neg. Occ. high school and Paglaum sports complex Its magnificent architecture is obviously European inspired, its high ceilings and its tall antena like building might let you think you're inside a Gothic church but built with cement. Its interiors are much appreciated and from the outside might let you think it's a town church back in the United States in a remote town, even though it's a church it looks much like a cathedral, the church too has a mini chapel in the side of the church.
• Barangay sang Virgen Chapel Sta. Clara Subdivision This magnificent and spectacular chapel is designed by Archbishop Norman Campus, the chapel features a mosaic of the ''Barangay Sang Birhen''(Barangay of the Virgin) made of 95,000 shells by Leticia Sia Ledesma, other images of saints, stations of the cross and altar pieces made out of 30,000 shells too.
• Pope John Paul II Monument PJPII Tower Reclamation Area Near SM Bacolod City A newly built monument for Pope John Paul II. This monument stands where Pope John Paul II celebrated mass to over 1 million people on 1981, that time the area was still barren land. The reclamation area is expected where major companies would set up skyscrapers as well as offices.

Museums and Galleries

• Museum Negrense De La Salle University of St. La Salle (63)34-4345998 Monday to Friday 8:30am - 12:00pm, 1:30pm -5:00pm
• Negros Museum Gatuslao St (+63)34-4349505 http://www.negrosmuseum.freewebspace.com/ 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.
• Dizon Ramos Museum JRR Foundation 42 Burgos St Near the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital +63-344348512 http://www.dizonramosmuseum.com Tu-Su 10.00-12.00 & 13.30 to 16.00 Adult: ₱30.00, Students with Identification card: ₱10.00 The first 1950 lifestyle museum in the Philippines, formerly the house of Raymundo L. Dizon Sr. and Hermelinda V. Ramos. The main lifestyle exhibit is on the second floor and on the ground floor are seven galleries. One shows how Bacolod looked in previous times; others are: The National Artist gallery, The Holy Land Collection, The Alunan - Puentebella Dolls Collection, Rudy Dizon horse figures, Bro. Roly's crystal collection and the Masskara collection of ABS-CBN that was turned over to the museum.
• Orange Gallery Lacson St just before Lopue's Mandalagan Showcases the work of local artists.
• Christmas Village San Juan St Near Sylvia Manor hotel Opened only during Christmas season Accepts donations of any kind and gives them for charityThis is the work of a man collecting figurines and collections for 17 years, the details of the miniature model of a Christmas village are incredible, cliffs, lakes, mountains etc. are done carefully and hand painted by the man himself. The owner travels every year and collects figurines and displays it in the village. The miniature village might make you imagine how Santa's village in North pole might be. You're not suppose to take a picture however chances of luck might happen when he'll turn his back and you can flash a picture, if you're obedient but if you don't have a chance to do that, it's alright the owner sells souvenir pictures and postcards.

Wildlife and Nature

• Eco-Garden (Eroreco).
• Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation Inc. (NFEFI) South Capitol Road Next to Hall of Justice +63-344339234 info@negrosforests.org http://negrosforests.org/ A movement of concerned citizens in conserving the forests of Negros Island as well as animals that are in threat of extinction raised to a foundation which we know now as Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation Inc. Visit the foundation and see their rare warty pigs, leopard cats, spotted dear, bleeding heart pigeon and many more animals which most are endangered. Help the foundation by adopting an animal or tree or either become an NFEFI volunteer.
• Buro-Buro and Bucal-bucal Springs Located in the outskirts of Bacolod, Buro-Buro and Bucal-bucal springs which is popularly known as Bucal-Bucal which means boil however the water isn't hot but cool, they have an artificial swimming pool and a natural pool and some mini waterfalls nearby the artificial pool where you can get a natural massage from nature. Huts are available if you need them and the place is ideal for family barbecues, reunions, outings etc.
• Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park This natural park is a home to many endangered animals, such as Bleeding Heart Pigeon, Negros Fruit Dove and many more which makes it an ideal birdwatching spot.
• Bacolod Western Visayas Clonal Nursery Barangay Alingalan +63-34-7070425 FreeThe nursery features different kinds of plants that are important and part of the reforestation program of Negros Occidental. Contact the city hall for more information because it requires permission in visiting the nursery as most of the plants are of high importance.

Do

Fiestas and Events

January/February

• Bacolaodiat Festival: Spring Festival celebrated by the Filipino-Chinese community in Bacolod. This is held in the main plaza. Bacolaodiat is derived from the words "Bacolod" and "Laodiat"; a Hokkien word for "Sinadya" in Hiligaynon, meaning "Celebration". The Chinese New Year of Bacolod. Rows of stalls form the chopsticks alley which served Chinese cuisine, Kinengkoy is shown which is a comedy and musical show, live bands also play, aside from chopsticks alley and live bands, the display of Chinese culture and cookfest is also held.
• Kali-Kalihan Festival: Kali-Kalihan is a festival which commemorates the Filipino martial art; Kali, and also the ancient beliefs of the tribe concerning nature spirits. The Kali-Kalihan festival happens in Don Salvador Benedicto in November. If you happen to be in Bacolod, check out one of the highlights of the exhibition; Coal Walking.
• Baybaylan Festival: Not far from Bacolod is the city of Bago, which hosts the Babaylan fiesta, held every February 19. This fiesta commemorates the life and times of the ancient tribes that lived in the area. From their local legends, music, handicraft and religious beliefs, it is a showcase of the history of Negros.

March

• Sinigayan Festival: The Sinigayan festival commemorates the thanksgiving fiesta in honor of St. Joseph. The celebration is held with dances, crafts and skills of the Negrense. This happens every March in Sagay City and is also commemorated in Bacolod and nearby towns.

April

• Panaad sa Negros: "Panaad sa Negros", held every April in Bacolod City is considered as the "mother of festivals" in the province of Negros Occidental. It represents the festive nature of the Negrense, and commences with a mass, which is then followed by a banner and displays of every town and city in Negros. Firework displays also are held during the festival and there is a showcase of local delicacies of the province.

May

• Pasasalamat Festival: A festival similar to Thanksgiving of the United States. The festival is held in La Carlota City, a city not far away from Bacolod. The festival has a long tradition starting from olden times when the natives would give thanks to Elemental Deities for giving a bountiful harvest. These days the festival is commemorated by colorful parades which provides a glimpse of the religious beliefs of the locals.
• Ugyonan Festival: Ugyonan Festival or Snake Festival commemorates the spirit of Bayanihan or co-operation. Dances, sports contests and programs showcasing the culture of Negros are done during this festival.

October

• Masskara Festival, 3rd Week of October: A big annual Mardi Gras-like event celebrated every 3rd week of October. Each of the city's barangays (districts) joins the fierce competition for the best-costumed group. Lots of food and handicraft stalls, street dancing and beer at the Bacolod city plaza area. "Masskara" means "Mask" in Hiligaynon and Tagalog. The use of colorful masks with large smiles represent the nickname for the city, "City of Smiles", the masks are usually the icons for the festival and sometimes Bacolod City.

November

• Pinta Flores Festival: This festival happens in November. Its origins are a strong tradition during the Spanish times of welcoming visitors through dancing. The dancers are covered in tattoos and flowers.

December

• Pyromagic Festival: Held in the SM City Bacolod, launched by the mayor on 2007, held for two days in 2 separate weekends with 6 contestants which will fight for the pyromagic title. This is a must catch as skies spectacularly shine as fireworks are lit up.

Sports

Football is popular throughout Bacolod; thus it is Known as the "Football city of the Philippines". It has been notable for hosting the 23rd Southeast Asian Games Men's football. The Panaad Stadium is used for tournaments and such events. There are three golf clubs in the province of Negros, two located in Bacolod. For bowling, badminton, tennis enthusiasts and people who miss bowling and billiards, you don't have to worry as there are alot of commercial establishments which offer services to those activities. For those who want to try hardcore games, shooting ranges are around the city while for those who want to see and experience the Sabong or Filipino cockerel derbies, there is a stadium where derbies are popularly held. Tai Chi is practiced in Yuan Thong temple. The Capitol Park and Lagoon is popular for joggers and people doing aerobics during the morning.

Resorts and Spa

• Carribean Water Park Goldenfield West Side, Goldenfield Commercial Complex, Singcang +63-34-7096059 info@caribbean-waterpark.com http://www.caribbean-waterpark.com 08:00-22:00 Entrance fee, 4 years old and above: ₱50, Below 4 years old: ₱50, cabins and huts cost from ₱400-₱1,000The water park has the first water slide and biggest water slide in the whole of Negros Occidental, The water park's amenities are a pool with a depth of 4 feet as well as a kiddie pool with a depth of 2 and a half feet including a jacuzzi, the main pool has 2 slides; the first is 30ft high and the other is a 40ft, a pirate ship wreck replica is erected in the main pool where kids can explore. Function rooms, locker rooms, huts and air conditioned rooms are available for rent.
• Grand Royal Spa San Isidro Building, 6th St http://www.grandroyalspa.com/ ₱150-₱500Offers the Filipino alternative healing; ''Bentosa Cupping'', they also offer facial spa, body scrub and massage less than ₱500.

| style="vertical-align:top;width:50%;" | Sport Facilities:
Golf

• Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, Inc. Bata Subdivision +63-3428257 This Golf club has 18-holes, with a panoramic view of the Mount Mapara and Patag.
• Bacolod Golf and Country Club Hacienda Binitin, Murcia +63-3429945 bacgolf@bacolod.worldtelphil.com +63-3425995 Guests must be sponsored/accompanied by a member.

Bowling

• Super Bowling Lanes Goldenfield Commercial Complex +63-344350059
• Lopue's East Bowling Lanes Villamonte

Lawn Tennis

• Center Court Tennis Courts Magsaysay St +63-34-4344705
• Montevista Tennis Association Barangay Montevista

Badminton

• Pong Hang Badminton Center Capitol Subdivision +63-34-4333632

Billiards

• MO2 Goldenfields Commercial Complex Araneta St, Singcang
• Lopue's East Billiards In Lopue's East Department Store Burgos-Circumferential Rd +63-34-4335288

Tai Chi

• Yuang Thong temple Burgos St., 6th Rd Tai Chi is done during Sundays from 7:00am to 8:30am Is a Mahayana Buddhist temple, if you haven't seen Tai-chi before, this is your chance to see it.

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• Sta. Fe Resort Barangay Granada +63-34-4341456/4321073 http://www.staferesort.com/ staferesort@gmail.comBuilt in the 1940s it is the first resort in Bacolod, not only it is the first resort in Bacolod but the only resort with a chapel, mini zoo with crocodiles, rare birds, monkeys and other animals, a complete gun facility and probably the best hangout for families, friend and reunions in the city, pools are also accessible in the resort while dorms and rooms are available for rent if you need them. Sta. Fe isn't only a resort but also caters to conventions. It's other facilities include tennis and volleyball courts and other sporting facilities.
• Palmas del Mar

Casinos

• Casino Filipino Golden Fields Commercial Complex +63-344348901 Operated by PAGCOR, the most popular casino in Bacolod.
• Slot Machine Arcade Lacson St As the name says, it only offers 89 slot machines, if you get tired of playing slots go to Casino Filipino.

Other

People watching is legal and free however if people catch you staring at them for a long time it might be considered rude and suspicious. While Window shopping is a popular hobby for Filipinos, it is free and legal, usually window shopping is conveyed with ice cream or any kind of food you can carry while walking around.

Learn

Bacolod is the seat for many universities in Negros Occidental, ESL (English as Second Language) learning centers are open in the city making it in the toplist for cities for ESL programs along with Manila and Cebu and for the past few year an influx of foreign students who have chosen to study in Bacolod. According to statistics about 93% of the total population is literate.

Colleges

• Bacolod City College
• Colegio de San Agustin San Agustin B.S. Aquino Drive +63-34-4342471/4342475 Info@csab.edu.ph +63-34-4339187 http://www.csab.edu.ph Established on 1965, the college offers courses on nursing, technology, engineering, computer, and arts.
• La Consalacion College LCC Adjacent to San Sebastian Cathedral and next to Bacolod Public Plaza Rizal St and Gatuslao St http://www.lcc.edu.ph/ Established on 1919, the college provides Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education. The college specializes and is known for its Hospitality Management courses as well as courses in Architecture.
• Riverside College Riverside http://www.riverside.edu.ph
• STI College Bacolod STI 2nd Floor Era Mall 26 Lacson St http://www.sti.edu/campuses.asp?id=66 STI College Bacolod and STI Education Center, is a leading IT and ITES education provider in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental. STI Bacolod is a member of the STI Education Network with branches all over the Philipines.

Universities

• University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos UNO-R Libertad Lizares St http://www.uno-r.edu.ph/ This University was founded by Dr. Antonio A. Lizares and Dr. Francisco Kilayko in the 1940s and was named "Occidental Negros Institute". It was then acquired by the Agustinian Recollect Friars in the 1960s and renamed as University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos. Today the University provides Colleges of Nursing, IT, Business and Accountancy, Engineering and, Arts and Sciences.
• University of St. La Salle USLS Behind Doctors Hospital C.L. Montelibano Rd http://www.usls.edu.ph/ Was established in 1952 by seven American Brothers, the institution was elevated to university status in 1988, with the College of Engineering, College of Education, College of Nursing, College of Law and the Graduate School.
• West Negros University WNU Burgos-BBB Sts, Bacolod City http://www.wnu.edu.ph

Buy

Bacolod is famous for its Piaya, Biscocho, squid flakes, Guapple pie and its Pina-Sugbo. Great souvenirs from Bacolod are its sweet delicacies, dried squid or Uga. These are often bought by most Overseas Filipino workers as a Pasalubong; meaning a souvenir. Shell craft, Wood craft and ceramic wares are also good buys. Antique wooden statues of saints are one of the best buys, even though if you're not Catholic or religious, it is good keeping as a collection, antique stores are scattered around the city however they are difficult to spot, Casa Grande Antiques, Requerdos de Bacolod and Sarlee’s are some of the famous antique stores in the city. Hablon; a shimmery fabric produced locally and was popular in the 60s, it still is one of the best buys.

Where to exchange?

Money exchangers lurk around the streets of Downtown Bacolod (CBD) and are easy to spot, if you walk into those streets some of them will yell "Dollar exchange!" or they'd come forward and ask you, you can spot some major money exchangers with their self owned stalls. If you don't feel safe in exchanging with money exchangers, you can either go to pawnshops or banks for an alternative and safer option. Most money exchangers accept American dollars (USD) and Euros (EUR), before leaving your origin, exchange your money to dollars to avoid difficulty in finding a money exchanger that exchanges your local currency to Philippine pesos but if you don't want to exchange dollars but want to keep your local currency, go exchange your money in major banks to pesos. Tip: Ask the exchange rate first and ask other money exchangers, compare rates and see the highest, go for the highest exchange rate.

Banks

• Allied Bank They have branches in Araneta St., Libertad and Locsin St Araneta +63-34-4350646, Libertad +63-34-4339645, Locsin +63-34-434049
• Banco de Oro They have branches in Gonzaga and Araneta St Gonzaga +63-34-4344965, Araneta +63-34-4351809
• Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Luzuriaga St +63-34-4333207
• Metro Bank They have branches in Gonzaga St., Gatuslao St., and BS Aquino drive Gonzaga +63-34-4350822, Gatuslao +63-34-4341284 and BS Aquino drive +63-34-4345809
• Philippine National Bank PNB Lacson St., Amelia Ave., and Araneta St Lacson +63-34-432-1603, Amelia Avenue +63-34-4320398, Araneta +63-34-4350316
• United Coconut Planters Bank Lacson St., Libertad, San Juan St., and BS Aquino drive Lacson +63-34-4337521, Libertad +63-34-4350278, San Juan +63-34-4342461, BS Aquino +63-34-4341370

Where to buy, shopping centers and malls

Air conditioned shopping malls are on the rise in Bacolod. If you feel uncomfortable in shopping in the wet and dry Central Public Market, malls are the alternative. Among all mall companies, Lopue's has the most branches as well as the oldest malls in the city.

• The University Courtyard Nearby Univ. of St. La Salle The courtyard is home to many clothing stores, a bookshop, a beauty saloon and restaurants. It usually is where most students' hangout after school.
• Terra Dolce This is an arcade like mall where many clothing shops are.
• 888 Chinatown Mall Gatuslao St A newly opened Mall in Bacolod, most of the products sold inside the mall are Made in China therefore called as Chinatown Mall, opened on August 8, 2008. Its interiors are some like Chinese and might make you feel you're in Chinatown but in a mall version.
• ANP Showroom 9th corner, Lacson Street, Bacolod City Most of the items are priced above average, expect to pay at a high rate however the price you pay is worth it as the store sells souvenirs better than the ones you buy outside.A store that sells handicrafts made by proud Negrenses, it is the best source for souvenirs from MassKara masks, key chains etc. Aside from the Lacson street branch, they also sell their products in Merci's Pasalubong in Bacolod-Silay International Airport in the departures area.
• Pottery Village, Brgy. Pahanocoy,
• Recuerdos de Bacolod arts and antiques One stop shop showcasing antiques such as statues of ''Santos''; Saints, and woodwork.
• The Central Market is a best option for affordable souvenirs such as Native handmade products, Sweet delicacies and Uga. This is the best place to bargain.

Big 3 malls, the Big 3 malls consists of the most popular malls in the city as well as the largest malls. The big 3 malls are a one stop shop area where you can buy popular brands and popular fastfood chains and they are owned by the largest mall companies in the country.

• Gaisano City Araneta Ave Infront of Gran Regal Hotel
• SM City Bacolod Luzuriaga St. and Fr. M. Ferrero St The mall is divided into two buildings; Northwing and Southwing. Fastfood chains such as McDonald's, Jollibee and Pizza chains such as Pizza Hut are located here, from all the malls and shopping centers in Bacolod, this may be the best as its air conditioning is good as well as its interiors and architecture are modern. A department store and a supermarket store is also available, ACE hardware is also open. Facilities include a department store, supermarket, cinemas, food court, appliance center and has over 119 stores functioning.
• Robinson's Bacolod

Pasalubong Centers are usually like mini-Supermarkets but sell only Pasalubong products such as Piaya, Biscocho, etc. There is an abundance of them in the city.

• Bong Bong's Pasalubong UTC Mall, Araneta St, Purok Lechonan +63-34-435-1672 http://www.bongbongs-piaya.com This maybe more popular than Merci Pasalubong however they offer less options, their specialty is their ''piaya'' and ''barquillos''. They have a lot of branches in Bacolod however their stores are located in Araneta street and Gaisano City.
• Merci Pasalubong SM City/Gaisano Bacolod/Araneta Street/Lopez Jaena/Lacson Street Lacson Street:+63-34-7091788, Araneta Street:+63-34-7071400, Lopez Jaena:+63-34-4334753 http://www.merci.com.ph/ ₱10-₱100Merci's specialty is piaya and biscocho. They have a number of branches around Bacolod.

Eat

Much of the Bacoleño cuisine is shared with the Western Visayan province of Panay. In the modern times, Bacolod has a number of growing Oriental and Western restaurants but still the people maintain their native cuisine. Sud-an is Illongo for Mains while Kan-on is Rice, it also means Will Eat.

• Lumpiang Ubod/Fresh Lumpia (fresh spring roll; not fried). A must-eat dish, delicately exquisite treat wrapped in a paper thin translucent crepe filled with ubod; fresh coconut tree heart, pork and shrimp with a garnish of scallion.
• Inasal: meaning "cooked over fire", is a local version of Barbeque. Pork or Chicken. It is cooked with red achuete or annatto seeds, which gives its reddish hue color and brushed on oil and cooked over the fire. It's cheap and affordable as well as delicious.
• Kalamayhati: Sticky sweet dessert made from Glutinous rice and coconut milk and cooked over low heat till it becomes sticky. It's the local version of rice cake.
• Napoleones: Napoleones originates from France where it is known as Mille-feuille, known as Napoleon in the United States, aside from Inasal, Bacolod too is popular for its Napoleones -well actually Silay not Bacolod -, the European dessert isn't that so famous but considered as the best in the Philippines, the French had brought the custard filled pastry to the island and taught the people how to make it. Roli's bakeshop is popularly known for its Napoleones as well as Virgie's homemade products.
• Piyaya: Piyaya is a sweet bisuit and kind is the thin version of mooncakes. It has fillings such as ube(yam) and caramel.
• Pinasugbo: Banana sliced thinly coated with brown sugar and deep fried; a local version of Banana Fritters.
• Uga: or dried fish is one of the best and most appetizing foods for most of the bacoleños. Its salty taste makes it delectable, not only for the mouth but also for the smell and for the eyes. Some people might have allergies after eating this.

Restaurants and cafes

This guide uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget	Below ₱100
Mid-range	₱100-₱200
Splurge	₱200+

Just like most major developed/developing cities of the Philippines, Bacolod too caters too international cuisine either oriental or western. Most of the restaurants and cafes in Bacolod are located along Lacson St. while most of the inter-continental and fusion cuisine is found in Piazza Sorrento which is also in Lacson St. Mexican, Thai, Italian and European cuisine is catered to people here but people craving for Korean, Japanese and Chinese cuisine don't have to freakout if they're hungry as many restaurants cater East Asian cuisine. Open air restaurants in Bacolod usually serve native Filipino cuisine at a low and affordable price, fastfood chains are usually found dominating the malls like Robinson's, Gaisano Bacolod City and SM City Bacolod. A newly opened branch of Starbucks is found along Lacson St., the first branch in whole of Negros Occidental. Bacolod is an urbanized city meaning there wouldn't be hard time finding classy and high class quality type of food.

Budget

• Jo's Chicken Inato Reclamation Area, Gustilo St 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 dish.
• Marby Plaza Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod A great choice for people who wants to save money.
• Ting-Ting's Native Restaurant Shopping Get to Ting-Ting's native restaurant if you want your taste buds and tummy to be satisfied with Bacoleño cuisine without hassle, food is cooked same as it is cooked at home difference is you won't be cooking. The place is open air and fresh air fills the open air area which is suitable for brunches and lunches. It is affordable and cheap too.
• Manokan Country Fr. M. Ferrero St A row of stalls and restaurants are found here, this is the best place to eat at a affordable price, the Chicken Inasal festival was held here on last 2009. Eat with your hands and take a bite of the famous Chicken inasal which is served with garlic rice. Some famous Inasal restaurant branches are found Bacolod Chicken Inasal, Bacolod Chicken Deli, and Mang Inasal.
• Pala-Pala Market 18th Aguinaldo St (+63)34-4339153 ''Pala-pala'' is a place where you can buy fresh seafood in the wet market then go to a restaurant nearby and have it cooked at an eatery nearby and offers affordable prices. From oysters to crabs to blue marlins are all guaranteed fresh and a blue marlin might cost less than P200. Note there are two pala-pala markets in Bacolod.
• Erika's Cup East Block, Villa Angela It would hard to find fried ice cream in Bacolod and it is not so common in the country fortunately Erika's cup serves fried ice cream, along with fried ice cream on their menu is also ice cream of course. People complain it's expensive because of the small proportions they serve however it's worthwhile trying fried ice cream for once in a lifetime.
• Royal Caribbean Jamaican Patties La Salle Ave Well they serve Jamaican cuisine however it doesn't mean international cuisine should be expensive, priced from ₱50-₱100As the name suggests, the restaurant serves Jamaican cuisine and their specialties Burger Steak, Classic Pattie and Cheese burst. It might be the only restaurant in the city to serve Jamaican and Caribbean food perhaps.
• Imbiss Burgos St ₱100-₱200It serves international cuisine, the must try is their sausages, their specialties include Hungarian Sausage, Pizza Al Tonno, Veal Bratwurst, Garlic Sausage, Pizza Magarita, and Pizza Filipinas.

Mid-range

Restaurant below cater some dishes not exceeding ₱300.

• Apollo Restaurant Hilado St The oldest Chinese Restaurant
• Bascon Cafe C.L. Montelibano St Just near Univ. of St. La Salle Cafe that serves pastries and cakes, hop in if you have a sweet tooth.
• The Blue Mexican Piazza Sorrento, Lacson St +63-34-3437474 Serves Mexican cuisine.
• Inaka 21st Lacson St Opp. Cafe Bob's 21 and next to 21 Restaurant (+63)34-4344045 Japanese Buffet, the food is good, has a wide variety of choice and priced favorably.
• Krua Thai Restuarant Piazza Sorrento, Lacson St Krua Thai restaurant serves authentic Thai cuisine, located in Piazza Sorrento, their interiors are of Thai inspired to make you feel as if you've stopped in Thailand just for a minute. The place isn't crowded much, suitable for romantic dinners.
• L'Kaisei Express SM City Bacolod 30-200 PesosL'Kaisei opened a smaller branch in SM City Bacolod which is much more accessible and affordable. They serve typical Japanese cuisine and they also serve ''Bento Boxes'' which is like a package of rice and viand which costs 90 pesos to 150 pesos. Sushi, Californian Maki etc. are also available.
• Kuppa Hilado St Across St. John's Institute High School When it comes to coffee and tea talk, Kuppa tops the best, they serve Spanish chocolate and milk that actually is delicious. Their gelato too is worth trying, along with the tea, coffee and gelato, wouldn't it be better if you dined in too? they don't only offer tea and coffee on their menu but you can also dine in too and have a taste of their dishes.
• Mu Shu 20th Lacson St (+63)34-4350972 http://www.mushubacolod.com/ Bar and Restaurant which serves a fusion of Asian cuisine. Try their Pritchon or Pritong Lechon (prito means "fried" and "lechon" means roast - usually the whole pig) and a good sampling of Southeast Asian dishes like Pad Thai, Hainanese Chicken, Nasi Goreng and drinks to match.
• Roli's Bakeshop Roli's Arcade, La Salle Ave Roli's bakeshop is popularly known for its for their ''Napoleones'' or ''Mille Fuielle'' or either ''Napoleons'', a creme puffed pastry originated from France and brought to the city.
• Quan Araneta St (+63)34-4323702 A good place for native delicacies, Try their Cuchinta and Puto..
• Sweet Greens Lacson St Serves Organic food as well as sell organic food too.
• Bob's Benigno S. Aquino Drive Right in front of Riverside Medical Center 434-2409 less than $10One of the oldest restaurants in Bacolod, the restaurant serves typical Filipino authentic cuisine with a classy ambiance and wonderful interiors.

Splurge

Restaurant below have some dishes not exceeding ₱500-₱600 or more.

• Italia Restaurant 23rd San Agustin St 034-4323704 italia_restaurant@yahoo.com 10AM-9PM Serves pizza straight from the brick oven, a wide range of pasta dishes and Angus steaks. Also offers a good variety of fine wines.
• 21 Restaurant 21st Lacson St Serves great seafood which is directly taken from a specially built aquarium. It serves Authentic Filipino cuisine with a high class taste.
• Cafe Uma Lacson St Their price list might be too expensive for you that it will make your pockets have holes, well actually no, the cafe charges at an expensive rate however it's worth the price because serve is served in large portions and are temptingly delicious. The cafe usually serves international cuisine, from quesidillas to pasta they have it all to satisfy your cravings.
• Carlo's Ristorante Italiano at the Goldenfield's complex Italian Restaurant, other than the usual pasta scene in the menus of Italian restaurants, they also serve steak and known to be the best in town.
• L'Kaisei 10th Lacson St A good Japanese restaurant with reasonable prices and a relaxed atmosphere.
• Vienna Kaffeehauz and Vienna Coffee bar Mayfair Plaza, 12th Lacson St. / Gaisano City, Araneta St Kaffehauz: 08:00-00:00, Coffee bar: 10:00-21:00 Serves authentic Viennese and Austrian cuisine as well as their own coffee. It serves their own brand of coffee with 11 kinds from Espresso to Vienna's eiscoffee. It currently has two shops in Bacolod; Vienna Kaffeehauz in Mayfair Plaza and Vienna Coffee bar in Gaisano City.

Dietary restrictions

Christians will not find it hard eating in Bacolod however Muslims and Jews will find it difficult, Bacolod being a Christian city, Halal and Kosher options are difficult to find unlike the bustling streets of Metro Manila. Hindus, Vegetarians and Vegans will too find it hard however just request not to put certain things which are restricted for you to consume. A list of vegetarian restaurants is showed below.

• Bacolod Veggies and Health Food corner Centroplex mall, Downtown Bacolod Opposite Central Market Operated by Seventh Day Adventists, mock meat, soy milk and whole wheat bread is also available as well as buffet etc.
• Sian Tian Health Food Center Burgos St near YMCA ₱35-45Typical Chinese restaurant and sells mock meat.
• Veggielicious Chinatown 888 Mall food court Sun-Thur:10am-7pm, Fri:10am-3pm, Sat:closed. A Vegetarian fast food restaurant which sells burgers etc.

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. For native alcohol, the local tuba is made from fermented coconut juice. Great Bacolod sisig can be found at KSL or Kubo Sa Lawn where they serve ice cold SanMig Light.

Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs

Goldenfield commercial Complex has been home to many bars, pubs, nightclubs as well as casinos for the past few years and is considered where the best nightlife comes to life in Bacolod city. Other than Goldenfield, bars and pubs as well as nightclubs are scattered around the bustling city. If you're in Goldenfields you can either barhop, Goldenfields might give you like a mini-town which is just home to restaurants, a water park, clubs and bars. Dress code is applied and compulsory in some bars, pubs and nightclubs, wear casually and not so revealing if you don't wanna end up behind bars, usually dresscodes include; "No Flipflops/Slippers, No Sleeveless shirts".

• Bar 21 21 Lacson St A bar that not only has a partying and club scene but also fine dining.
• Breizh Cafe Lacson St. It doesn't have much nightlife in it however it's the best place where you can sit down and drink. If you want some private party, a karaoke television (KTV) rooms are available.
• Draft Bar 21 Lacson St Behind Bar 21 A bar where a non-stop drinking till you drop scene is seen.
• Gypsy Tea Room Lacson St Corner of Piazza Sorento Beers, cocktails and appetizers are served here and surprisingly ''"Shisha"'' is available here, henna tattoo, permanent tattooing and palm reading are also available which might you think you're somewhere in a street in the Mid-East.
• Offshore Bar Araneta St Metrodome Bands play live acoustic here and they serve '''Absinthe''' also, a popular destination for those who wanna listen to acoustic music while sitting back and drinking.
• MO2 Restobar Goldenfield Commercial Complex One of the most popular party venues for nightlife, located in the bustling commercial complex of Goldenfield. It's usually a crowded bar.
• Mu Shu Lacson St In the day an Asian restaurant, in the night a nightclub, chairs and tables are moved aside to create a dance floor, the DJ makes the room alive and parties don't end even when in sunrise.
• Piazza Sorento Lacson St It's not that lively in the night though, it's more lively in the day. A huge building with inter cafes, jewelers, restaurants, boutiques, cafes and bars.
• Saltimboca Bar Lacson St. Not your usual destination if you wanna party or get good drinks however some mini concerts for charity is held here for kids who are cancer patients. If you prefer to just sit down, drink, relax and listen to music this is your typical destination.
• Zagu is one of the most popular cold drinks in the city. This can be bought in different outlets, in SM, Robinsons, or during their sponsorship at various schools and events.

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget	Under ₱1,000
Mid-range	₱1,000 to ₱1,500
Splurge	Over ₱1,500

The following are 2 to 3 star type hotels by Western standards ($25-75):

Budget

• GK ERH Village Experience Life with the Poor! darrylwilsonjr@gmail.com ₱250-₱750
• Bascon Hotel Gonzaga St. and Lacson St ₱500-₱1,100
• Circle Inn Hotel and Suites Lopez Jaena – Malaspina Streets, Capitol Shopping Center +63 34 709 9111 http://www.circleinnph.com rates on official website start at PHP 980Offers 85 spacious accommodation rooms, all of which have Internet access, cable television, and refrigerator and mini-bar. Some of its amenities include coffee shop with a 24-hour bar and snack service, plunge pool jacuzzi, massage service.
• Check Inn Hotel Luzuriaga St +63-34-4323755 http://www.checkinn.com.ph/ ₱850-₱1,750Bascon hotel has 91 fully air conditioned, showers, cable tv, laundry, gym, restaurants, a rooftop garden as well as free WiFi connection. This might be the best option for those who want to save money as it has almost all the facilities of what a mid-range and splurge hotel might have.
• M02 Days Inn Goldenfields Commercial Complex ₱888-₱1,300
• Sea Breeze Hotel San Juan St +63-344337370 seabreeze_ph@yahoo.com +63-344337994 ₱945-₱1,750
• Tamera Plaza Inn 79 Lacson St +63-34-4321708 tameraplazainn@gmail.com +63-34-7090886 ₱850-₱1,700Located in Lacson street it has a WiFi connection, restaurant, laundry service, shower, cable TV, a bar and coffee shop. The hotel also serves free breakfast.

Midrange

• East View Hotel Carlos Hilado Circumferential Road corner Esperanza Diola St +63-34-4330596 http://www.eastviewhotel.com Bacolod City's modern hotel that has 66 rooms, conferences and banquet rooms, and an independent restaurant Bluegrass Café Bar and Grill that serves international cuisine.
• Northwest Inn Rizal St. and Mabino St +63-34-4344077 northwestinn_ph@yahoo.com ₱1,140-₱2,740
• O Hotel Bacolod Executive Inn Hotel San Sebastian St and Locsin St +63-34-4337401/4337404 +63-34-433-7442 http://www.ohotel.com.ph/ ₱1,200-₱4,00055 Air conditioned rooms with cold and hot showers, a deposit safety box, telephone and refrigerator, laundry service, cable TV, coffee shop and bar, aside from their own facilities, a Banco De Oro ATM is available.
• The Sylvia Manor San Juan St http://www.sylviamanor.com 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.

Splurge

• Casino Filipino Hotel Bacolod Casino Filipino Hotel and Casino Goldenfield Commercial Complex Singcang +63-34-4348901 up to 10 chf@info.com.ph +63-34-4344433 http://www.casinofilipino-online.com/bacolod.php Average rate is $73Rooms are airconditioned, with cable television, private bath, and refrigerator
• East View Hotel Carlos Hilado Circumferential Road Corner Esperanza Diola St ₱1,400-₱4,500
• L'Fisher Hotel 14th Lacson St +63-34-4333731/4333739 lfisher@globelines.com.ph http://www.lfisherhotelbacolod.com/ 14.00 12.00 $60 - $400 Perhaps the most known hotel in Bacolod, this hotel has been popular for many years and probably considered a first class hotel and most of the locals might suggest it for accommodation while staying in Bacolod however it's more expensive compared to other hotel but the price is worth it. Rooms vary, executive suites have king sized beds, walk in closets, dining areas, receiving area etc., while cheaper rooms have ordinary facilities such as a cable TV, refrigerator, a dresser etc.
• Luxur Place Magsaysay Ave +63-34-4344551 http://www.luxurplace-bacolod.com ₱1,500-₱3,000
• Planta Centro Bacolod Araneta St corner Roxas St +63-34-4680400 reservations@bacolodplantahotel.com +63-34-4680408 http://www.bacolodplantahotel.com ₱1,650-₱7,200A newly built first class hotel, the hotel has a swimming pool and a gym, rooms have an electronic safe, cable TV, minibar, WiFi connection and hair dryer.

Respect

See Philippine's Respect section for more information

People who are elder than you (old enough to be your elder brother/sister or father/mother) - even if that person is a driver, janitor or maid etc. - you should call them Manong for Males or Manang for females before their common name like; Manong Jeremy or Manang May Ann, Manong can be shorten to Nong and Manang to Nang. If that person is old enough to be your grandfather call them Lolo for males or Lola for females before their common name like; Lolo Isidro or Lola Estrella. Bacolodnons are traditionally liberated when it comes to clothing except Muslims and Iglesia ni Kristo members who both are conservative religious people, wearing shorts in public are OK but no very short ones if you don't want to attract attention and trouble, wearing bikinis in Beaches are OK and you would expect no trouble however you might get attention too.

Contact

Dialing code for the Philippines is +63 while local area code for Bacolod is 34.

By phone

Public phones have never existed and no one knows if they will exist ever. Buying a Sim card is cheap, easy and no hassles, you don't need a verification of any kind and they cost about ₱90 and up per Sim card and are sold by Smart and Globe which are the two largest networks, Talk n Text, Sun Cellular and TM Mobile are other major networks. Sending text abroad cost ₱15/text while sending it within the Philippines cost ₱1/text.

By media

For local news while in Bacolod, buy a copy of the English daily paper, the Visayan Daily Star [9], Sun Star Bacolod[10] and the Negros Daily Bulletin[11] is also avaialble. WiFi hotspots are available in most hotels.

By net

Internet shops outside malls they charge every hour; about ₱15 per hour, while shops in malls charge per minute. Hundreds of internet cafes sprawl all over the city. SM Bacolod City has free WiFi access however be careful because your PC might be snatched but don't worry, malls in Bacolod have security guards in all their entrances and exits.

Internet cafes

• net.aXs La Salle Ave. +63 34 433 5248 24 Hours Offer domestic and international calls/fax in addition to internet access, scanning, printing, photo-uploading (and CD-Burning) along with other cybercafe-related services.

Stay Healthy

Eating in Bacolod is safe however avoid eating streetfood which is not as clean as those in Singapore and Taipei and had been criticized by many for its unhygienic practices. If you want to eat streetfood you better buy it inside malls or shopping centers. Tap water comes from springs which is the reason why the city doesn't get water shortages during droughts. Dengue fever is an common issue especially during the summer season, apply mosquito repellent and avoid wearing t-shirts and shorts during the afternoon, wear sleeves and pants instead.

Hospitals

Riverside Medical Center is somewhat the city's most modern and advanced of all hospitals and might also pass western standards however the price of health is expensive here. Public hospitals are crowded while the Sanitarium hospital run by the Seventh Day Adventists is clean and neat, they also sell vegetarian and vegan food.

• Bacolod Sanitarium and Hospital Taculing +63-34-4334831/4334836
• Dr. Pablo O. Torre Sr. Memorial Hospital Riverside Medical Center Infront of Bob's cafe B.S. Aquino Drive +63-34-4337331/4337349 [http://www.rivermedcenter.net] Considered to be the only first class hospital in the city.
• Philippine National Red Cross +63-34-4348541 +63-34-4341344 http://www.rivermedcenter.net/

Pharmacies

• Mercury Drug Aranet St. corner Luzuriaga St Araneta +63-34-4336604 https://www.mercurydrug.com/
• Negros Grace Pharmacy Have many branches around Bacolod.

Dentist clinics

Clinics are easily found in Bacolod, some are located in malls while most of the hospitals have a dentist.

• DentalHub Bacolod 2nd floor, MC Metroplex Bldg., B.S. Aquino Drive 0900-1500 Is part of the Philippine Dental Association, offers services even in emergencies and opens during weekends.
• Mendez Dental Clinic Ground Floor Mayfair Plaza Lacson St 0900-1800 Part of the Philippine Dental Association, aside from general teeth problems they also serve people who have gum disease. Open during weekends.

Restrooms and toilets

Restrooms and public toilets are rare and lack in the city, fortunately restaurants and malls don't charge toilets.

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 as most of the crimes in the Philippines today are done in tricycles and jeepneys. However there isn't a 100% Safe place, if travelling, tour in large groups 3-5 might do as there might be people around you, you may never know what they'll do to you. Be careful during the Masskara Festival. Don't display your MP3s, iPhones, iPods, phones, laptops or valuable things that will catch a snatcher's attention, keep it safe inside your bag and put it out when you'll take pictures. Don't bring bags or large purses while in night, just bring your phone and a small wallet that'll fit in your pocket to avoid being a victim of crime. Beggars usually are around the downtown area they inhabit in the plaza area and if they see you look rich, they'd approach you and annoy you asking you for money, ignore them if you have to and just go straight to your destination.

Emergency

• Police Magsaysay Ave., Barangay Taculing 166/+63-34-4341412
• Fire San Juan St., Barangay 8(located in the CBD) 164/+63-34-4345022

Get out

Nearby towns and cities within the province is accessible by land, Panay island is just 45 minutes away using ferry from Bacolod port.

Within the province

Bacolod is the provincial capital of Negros Occidental, just like every capital in the world it is crowded, polluted and everywhere you turn around you see development. Refresh yourself by getting out Bacolod, the nearby municipalities and cities are much quieter and away from the noises and pollution, abundance of beaches and springs are what the province can be proud of. Traffic isn't part of the Negrense's vocabulary, the province has one of the best road plannings in the country meaning getting to other cities wouldn't take your whole life. Buses are the best mode for getting around the province while jeeps are affordable but are not suggested for foreigners, the best thing is to do is to rent a car or a van if you're travelling as a group or family.

• Bago City — The main attractions they have to offer are the Kipton twin falls as well as mountain resorts, an ideal destination for trekkers.
• Cadiz city — Popular for its white sand beach;Lakawon beach, an island off the coast of Cadiz.
• Escalante city — Discover the diversity of ecosystems which is one of the richest in the island of Negros and one of the last surviving ecosystems in the island, see the mangroves and the sea grass along the shores as well as remnants of corals
• La Carlota — Trek and hike in Guintubdan.
• Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park is a natural reserve in Canlaon City, the highest point in the Visayas and a favourite spot for Spiritualists and Mountaineers and Catholics during the Holy Week. The reserve is surrounded by flora and fauna, animals found here are deers, boars etc.
• Murcia — See Mamabucal Resort, 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.
• Punta Bulata White Beach Resort & Spa - Secluded resort with long stretch of white sand beach, abounding marine life, it is often unknown to many.
• 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.
• Silay — Known as the Paris of Negros because of its European styled hundred old houses which are well preserved and made as historical monuments.

Further destinations

Buses are the most comfortable and affordable travelling outside the province however jeepneys are cheaper but not suggested for tourists, second to buses are RoRos and ships, trips are available daily from the main port of Bacolod; Bredco port.

• Guimaras — taste its one and only temptation; mangoes which are known to be one of the sweetest in the world.
• Dumaguete
• Bais city
• Iloilo City — 45 minutes by ferry from Bacolod, this city is the provincial capital of Iloilo, it's main attraction is the Miag-ao Church which is a UNESCO world heritage, it is also famous for its Dinagyang festival.
• Apo Island — just off the coast of the city of Dumaguete, this island is popular for divers and tourists alike.

Related Information

• Negros Occidental
• TRAVEL.COM Forums

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