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More than the usual traveling and making memories all over the world. Travel Reviews, Photos and more.

Moevenpick Hotel, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines

A five-star Mediterranean-inspired beachfront hotel that combines a true lifestyle experience, cool vibe and relaxed chill out spaces.

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New 7 Wonders of Nature: Underground River and Puerto Princesa City's Other Wonders

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Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia - Truly Asia!

Formerly known as Jesselton and now often referred as 'KK' within the country and internationally, Kota Kinabalu is a popular destination for most travelers visiting Sabah and Borneo region, offering so much of Malaysian attractions...

FUNtastic Gibitngil Island, Medellin, Cebu, Philippines

Cliff Diving? Beach Zipline? Kayaking? Well, you can experience these in this newly discovered Tourist Destination in Northern Cebu - Funtastic Island in Gibitngil Island, Medellin, Cebu, Philippines! Read my review about the place, the rates, how to get there, etc.

Boracay Island Escapade

Get some sun-kissed skin within this beautiful paradise found in Aklan, Philippines. Named as one of the Best Beach and Island Destination in the World by known Travel Magazines and Sites, Boracay Island's White Beach tops on my list!

Discover the Beauty of Bohol

Chocolate Hills, Tarsier, Prony the Python, Loboc River, Panglao Island - everything in one place, Bohol, Philippines! Discover the beauty of one of Central Visayas' top tourist destination with lots of eco-adventure as well. See my shots!

Sinulog Festival, Cebu City, Philippines

One of the Grandest Festival not just in the Philippines but in South East Asia - Cebu City's Sinulog Festival! The Queen City of the South welcomed thousands of visitors from different parts of the world just to experience this one-of-a-kind event in the Philippines!

September 13, 2015

When in Bacolod: 9 Things You Shouldn't Miss in the Philippines' City of Smiles! (Attractions, Food, Festival & More!)



Bacolod is a highly urbanized, capital city of Negros Occidental province in Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Known as the "City of Smiles" with a relatively friendly environment, Bacolod topped the 2008 list of "Best Places to Live in the Philippines" by MoneySense Magazine. One notable scene in the area are hectares of sugarcane plantation, remarkably a City of sweets (and sweet people! :)). Bacolod can be reached by air via Bacolod-Silay International Airport (1-hr flight from Manila, 30-minute from Cebu), by sea via Banago Wharf and BREDCO Port (servicing other Philippine destinations like Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro) and by land via RORO routes.

Traveler's Couch shares to you some of the most visited attractions, activities and restaurants in Bacolod City, Philippines.
(click the photo to enlarge)



#9. Mambukal Mountain Resort

A 1200ft-above-sea-level resort, blessed with exceptionally beautiful natural features. It boasts a number of hot sulfur springs and serves as the gateway to Mt. Kanlaon National Park.
(Click here for Mabukal Resort rates)

Photo: Mambukal Mountain Resort (Hot Spring) - Bacolod City, Philippines

Photo: Mambukal Mountain Resort

PHOTO: Mambukal Mountain Resort (Hot Spring) - Bacolod City, Philippines 
PHOTO: Mambukal Mountain Resort (Hot Spring) - Bacolod City, Philippines


#8. The Capitol - Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

Known as The Capitol Park and Lagoon, it is one of the iconic landmarks of Bacolod and the province of Negros Occidental.

PHOTO: The Capitol - Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines


#7. Sharyn's Cansi House

Let's go native and try one of Bacolod's best restaurants - Sharyn's Cansi House. They serve Cansi, a Negrense soup dish made of boiled bone, beef shank or bone marrow and flavored with langka and the souring agent batwan.

PHOTO: Sharyn's Cansi House - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: Sharyn's Cansi House - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: Boiled Bone Marrow @ Sharyn's Cansi House - Bacolod City, Philippines


#6. Felicia's Pastry Cafe

One of the best dessert places in Bacolod,  serving different variety of sweets that make you fall in-love more with the city! 

PHOTO: Felicia's - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: Felicia's - Bacolod City, Philippines 
PHOTO: Felicia's - Bacolod City, Philippines 
PHOTO: Felicia's - Bacolod City, Philippines


#5. Bob's Restaurant

A well-known restaurant chain in Bacolod, with a wide selection of great food and a "go-to" for locals and visitors alike. Don't forget to try the Napoleones, Fruit Punch and the Mongolian Buffet!

PHOTO: Bob's Restaurant - Bacolod City, Philippines 
PHOTO: Bob's Restaurant - Bacolod City, Philippines



#4. Calea Pastries and Cake

One of the most visited dessert places in Bacolod,  cakes and sweets paraded in a very enticing display. They won't call it "City of Sweets" for nothing eh.

PHOTO: Calea - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: Calea - Bacolod City, Philippines



#3. Campuestohan Highland Resort

A 5-hectare highland resort in between Talisay City and Bacolod City, this is a perfect getaway for family and friends. Take a dip in the pool, a selfie with the superheroes and giants, strolling at the gardens, horseback riding or an adventure with a 340-meter zipline.

PHOTO: Campuestuhan Highland Resort - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: Campuestuhan Highland Resort - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: Campuestuhan Highland Resort - Bacolod City, Philippines 
PHOTO: Campuestuhan Highland Resort - Bacolod City, Philippines 
PHOTO: Campuestuhan Highland Resort - Bacolod City, Philippines 
PHOTO: Campuestuhan Highland Resort - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: Campuestuhan Highland Resirt - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: Campuestuhan Highland Resort - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: Campuestuha Highland Resort - Bacolod City, Philippines



#2. The Ruins - Bacolod

A mansion that was built in the early 1900’s, The Ruins is a picture-perfect backdrop and a magnificent sight to see when in Bacolod.

PHOTO: The Ruins - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: The Ruins - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: The Ruins - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: The Ruins - Bacolod City, Philippines 
 PHOTO: The Ruins - Bacolod City, Philippines

PHOTO: The Ruins - Bacolod City, Philippines


#1 MassKara Festival

An annual festivity held every third weekend of October or or the closest weekend to October 19 (city's charter anniversary), MassKara (a combination of the English word “mass” and the Spanish “kara,” meaning “face”) is the biggest masquerade party in the Philippines. The event portrays the steadfast character of the Negrenses and Filipinos, a happy face and big smile despite of the challenges in life.

PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines
PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines 
PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines 
 PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines


PHOTO: MassKara Festival - Bacolod City, Philippines

Those are just few of the many things to try and explore when visiting the City of Smiles!

Special thanks to Meca-J Tours Bacolod (my dear friend Eunice) for guiding us around the city.
For high quality car/van rentals and shuttle services in Bacolod City, you may contact them via:

Mobile No.: (+63) 918 928 2560
Telephone No.: (+63) 34 476 0358, (+63) 34 441 6008
E-mail: mecaj.bacolod@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Mecajbacolod
Website: http://meca-j.com/
Office Address: Phoenix Gasoline Station, Araneta St, Bacolod City


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About the Author

Engr. Moon Ray Lo is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. He is currently working as an Oracle EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), B2B and eCommerce Systems Analyst. He likes blogging, landscape photography, travel and graphics design. [ For inquiries, suggestions and concerns, CLICK HERE to Contact Engr. Moon Ray Lo ]

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