Bacolod, the City of Smiles
Bacolod feeds you well and smiles while it does: the capital of Negros Occidental is the island’s food-and-festival heart, famous for chicken inasal, the vivid MassKara Festival each October and an easy-going pace we never tire of.
Its gateway is Bacolod-Silay Airport, about 15 km north-east of the city, a 30 to 40 minute drive in.
Around the city are some of Negros’ signature sights: The Ruins in Talisay - the skeletal Italianate mansion that glows at dusk - the heritage houses and old sugar wealth of Silay, and, up in the mountains at Murcia, the Mambukal resort.
A private car makes airport meet-and-greets, city food trails and day trips out to these sights simple and unhurried - your driver knows where the good inasal is, too.
How to get to Bacolod
- Airport transfer & city car (what we arrange)~30-40 min from BCD
Meet-and-greet at Bacolod-Silay airport and a private car for the city, The Ruins, Silay or Mambukal at your pace. Request a quote for the fixed fare.
- Airport shuttle / taxi (public)~30-45 min
Shuttles and taxis run from Bacolod-Silay into the city, but for day trips out to The Ruins, Silay and Mambukal a private car with a waiting driver is far simpler.
What to expect
Chicken inasal
Bacolod is the home of Filipino grilled chicken inasal; Manokan Country is the classic place to try it.
The Ruins, Talisay
A striking skeletal mansion set in gardens just outside the city, especially beautiful lit at dusk.
Silay heritage
Ancestral houses and old sugar-baron wealth in nearby Silay, an easy heritage half day.
MassKara colour
Each October the city fills with masked, dancing crowds for one of the country’s most vibrant festivals.
Best time to visit
Pleasant year-round; October brings the MassKara Festival and the biggest crowds. Dry-season months (roughly February to May) are best for day trips out to Mambukal and the coast.
Bacolod: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Bacolod-Silay airport to the city?
Bacolod-Silay Airport is about 15 km north-east of Bacolod, a 30 to 40 minute drive. We meet you at arrivals with a name board and take you straight to your hotel, then a private car makes day trips to The Ruins, Silay and Mambukal easy. Request a quote for the fixed fare.
What is Bacolod known for?
Chicken inasal, the MassKara Festival, and the warm City of Smiles welcome, plus nearby sights like The Ruins in Talisay, the Silay heritage houses and the Mambukal mountain resort in Murcia.
Can I travel between Bacolod and Dumaguete?
Yes, but they are at opposite ends of the island. The usual land route is via Mabinay and takes around 6 hours by car or bus. Tell us your plan and we will quote a private car; many travellers instead fly into the hub nearest their destination.