We’d been talking about Bacolod for years. I’d heard stories of its famous chicken inasal, the smiling people, and the wide sugarcane fields, but somehow, it always felt just out of reach. Finally, we decided to go for it – a 4-day, 3-night family trip with my husband, son, and parents in tow. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but as it turns out, Bacolod surprised us in all the best ways!
This is the story of our journey from the long drive out of Mactan, the mountain highway crossing, settling into a sky-high Airbnb, to family adventures in resorts, malls, and restaurants. If you’re planning your own Bacolod trip (especially with kids and parents), I hope our experiences give you a clear picture of what’s in store.
The Journey: Getting to Bacolod
Our trip began in Mactan, Cebu. We packed up our trusty Innova, waved goodbye to home, and drove across the island to Toledo City. From there, we boarded the FastCat Roro to San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
Total cost: Php 4,070. The breakdown went like this: Php 2,520 for the Innova, Php 168 CPA port fee, Php 135 city ordinance fee, and the rest for passenger fares.
Once the ship docked in San Carlos, the real beauty began. Driving along the Negros Occidental Eco-Tourism Highway was almost surreal. Kilometers of lush greenery, mountain terrain, and endless sugar plantations greeted us.
Coming from the busier, more compact landscapes of Cebu, the wide-open views felt like a deep breath of fresh air. By the time we reached Bacolod, I was already impressed. The streets were wide, clean, and well-maintained, and the whole city carried a kind of calm progressiveness that reminded me of how different it was from my home city, Tacloban (which is a can of worms I’d rather not get into right now).
Day 1: Settling In
Sitari Residences Airbnb
We checked into Sitari Residences, our Airbnb home for the next three nights. Free parking (a win already!) was on the 3rd floor, and from there, we went down to reception to get our elevator keycard. The staff were polite and helpful, pointing us toward the mailboxes where the cards were kept.
The moment the elevator doors opened on the 20th floor and we stepped into our unit, we were floored. Almost 360-degree views of Bacolod City stretched out before us. Traffic trickling along Lacson Street, distant lights twinkling, and the rest of the skyline glowing softly against the night sky. As of this writing, Sitari might be the tallest building in Bacolod, and the views definitely made it feel that way.
The unit itself felt cozy and premium. The scent of air freshener hit us as soon as we entered, instantly setting the mood. My parents took the master bedroom, while the 3 of us squeezed happily into the second bedroom with a bunk bed. My son quickly claimed the top bunk, excited to have his own little “fort.”
Wi-Fi was fast, Netflix was ready, and my dad wasted no time claiming the couch and turning on the TV. Also, there were 2 toilets (though we could only shower in 1), so that was nice.
Dinner at Boodie’s Bistro
By then, we were starving. With my dad’s limited mobility, we needed somewhere close by, so Google pointed us to Boodie’s Bistro. I read all the reviews, checked their Facebook page to make sure it was legit. It turned out to be a gem! It was slightly tucked away from the main road (Lacson St), but it served food that was both affordable and delicious.
We ordered a few dishes: grilled chicken salad, KBL (kadios, baboy, langka), lasagna, lumpia shanghai, and beef salpicao. Every dish was flavorful, warm, and came out quickly. Only one other table was occupied that night, making it feel like a private little discovery.
It was the perfect way to kick off our Bacolod adventure: good food, relaxed vibes, and the comfort of knowing we’d found our home base for the next few days.
Day 2: Highlands & History
Campuestohan Highland Resort
When you research things to do in Bacolod and nearby areas, one place pops up again and again: Campuestohan Highland Resort. Located in Talisay, about 35 kilometers from the city, it’s perched on the mountainside, surrounded by sugarcane fields and rooster farms.
The drive was smooth, but the higher we went, the foggier and colder it got. Suddenly, the massive Guinness World Record-holding rooster statue loomed out of the mist, along with dinosaurs, castles, and all sorts of quirky structures! Campuestohan is nothing if not eclectic.
Entrance was Php 250 per person, and the place was packed as summer break had drawn in families from all over. We found a cottage to settle into, then let Marco run off to the pool. Despite lifeguards on duty, we stayed close, watching him dive in happily while the rest of us just soaked in the cool mountain air. We didn’t want to swim because the water didn’t look clean at all. Plus, I could smell the chlorine from a mile away. Anyway, Marco was fine all by himself; he made a new friend - a boy about his age. Even though he didn’t understand Hiligaynon, they still played. Kids are flexible like that. 🙂
For lunch, we ate at the main restaurant behind the Dino Park. The food was affordable (it was our first time trying cansi!), and with the fog swirling around, it almost felt like dining in Baguio City. Later in the afternoon, a thunderstorm rolled in, forcing everyone out of the pools. We used the time to dry Marco off and wander around the other side of the resort, where the kids' playground was.
There was a foam party going on at the wave pool, but we didn’t join. Watching the energy from the sidelines was fun enough. Marco joined a group of kids feeding an ostrich (the staff put food on pails attached to a long pole), so it was an amazing experience for him. We had some ice cream and snacks as well while walking around this side of the resort.
Confession: after a while, the giant rooster's endless "Manok Ni Cano Gwapo" chant had me questioning my life choices. It was so annoying. It was super loud, and they played it every minute. 😂
We also wanted to go on the giant slides that were near the giant gorilla statue, but it was still under construction. Hopefully, it will be done next time we visit Campuestohan! By 4 PM, the crowds had thinned, the parking lot was emptying, and we decided to move on.
The Ruins
On our way back to Bacolod, we made a quick stop at The Ruins, the famous remains of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson’s ancestral home, built in the early 1900s and burned during World War II to prevent Japanese forces from using it as headquarters.
The grounds were beautiful, with perfectly manicured gardens and that iconic shell of a mansion standing proud against the sky. Entrance fees were Php 150 for adults, Php 100 for seniors, Php 80 for students, and kids under 8 free.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to linger. Marco was tired and cranky, completely uninterested in the history or photo ops. So we snapped a few quick shots, admired the view, and called it a day.
Scarborough Seafood
Back at the condo, too drained to go out again, we ordered Scarborough Seafood via Grab. It was exactly what we needed: hearty food, no fuss, and the chance to relax with Netflix playing in the background.
Day 3: City Comforts
Church & Lunch
We started Day 3 by attending the English worship service at the FY Manalo locale in Bacolod City. Afterward, we had breakfast at the condo (thank you, leftovers), then debated where to have lunch.
Our first choice was Aida’s Inasal, but the air-conditioned section was packed and the heat outside was unbearable for my dad. So we settled on Lechoneria in SM City Bacolod instead. Pricey, yes, but the lechon was excellent, crispy skin and all. Hunger trumped photo ops. We only managed one quick food shot before devouring everything.
SM Bacolod & Kidzoona
The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering around SM. The highlight was Kidzoona, an indoor playground where Marco could burn off energy while my parents rested their legs. Watching him zip around from one corner to another made me tired just looking, but he was in his element. 😂
We also picked up local treats and pasalubong: napoleones, piaya, butterscotch, and cheese tarts. Bacolod’s reputation as a city of sweets was well earned.
Dinner: Aida’s Inasal
We weren’t giving up on Aida’s Inasal, though. That evening, my husband and I went back, placed our order, and while waiting, walked over to Ayala Mall for coffee at Café Bobs. The alfresco area was lively, the perfect little date before grabbing our takeout and heading home.
Back at the condo, we finally experienced the real deal: Bacolod chicken inasal.
It was everything people say and more. Juicy, smoky, perfectly charred, with flavors that clung to your fingers. The chicken oil added that extra kick, and the portions were surprisingly generous. We ordered more than we could finish, which turned out to be a blessing because inasal leftovers make the best breakfast.
That first bite was my inasal awakening. Now, I cannot eat chicken barbecue the same way. I need it to be cooked the Bacolod inasal way. Good thing there are plenty of inasal restos in Cebu!
Day 4: Last Morning
Our last morning was all about slowing down.
We headed to the pool (if I remember correctly, it was on the 6th floor of Sitari) and found ourselves completely alone. The sky was clear, the water temperature perfect, and Marco couldn’t wait to jump into the deeper pool. We raced each other, splashed around, and just enjoyed the view of Bacolod waking up around us.
After an hour, we showered, packed up, and polished off the last of our inasal. Checkout was at 11 AM, and leaving felt bittersweet. Our Sitari Airbnb had been the perfect home base. It was convenient, comfortable, and with views that made you feel on top of the world.
But the journey wasn’t over. Our next stop was Iloilo, so we drove out to board the Tri-Star Roro to Dumangas, Iloilo. Total cost this time: Php 1,756 (with the Innova costing Php 1,000, arastre fee Php 386, plus passenger fares and terminal fees). Another adventure awaited us, but Bacolod had already carved out a special place in our hearts.
Practical Tips for Families Traveling to Bacolod
- Getting there: If you’re bringing a car from Cebu, the FastCat route via Toledo-San Carlos is reliable, though factor in port fees and passenger fares. For Iloilo connections, Tri-Star Roro to Dumangas is a good option (it’s first-come, first-served, so no reservations).
- Where to stay: Condos like Sitari Residences are great for families. Multiple bedrooms, full amenities, and views that rival any hotel. Plus, free parking!
- Food to try: Don’t skip Aida’s Inasal. Order extra. You’ll thank yourself the next morning. Napoleones and piaya are must-buy pasalubong.
- With kids: Resorts like Campuestohan and indoor play areas like Kidzoona are perfect outlets for their energy.
- With seniors: Pick accommodations and restaurants with easy access. Having a car makes moving around much more manageable.
Final Thoughts
Bacolod turned out to be everything I didn’t know I was looking for in a family trip. It was clean, spacious, and progressive, but still carried that laid-back provincial charm (a bit similar to Dumaguete in this regard). The food was consistently good, the people warm, and the city itself easy to navigate even with seniors and a child in tow.
If I had to sum it up, Bacolod is a city that welcomes families. Whether it was my son giggling in the pools of Campuestohan, my dad relaxing in front of Netflix after dinner, or all of us tearing into plates of chicken inasal, the memories we made here felt effortless and real.
Would we go back? Absolutely! In fact, I can already picture us sitting in that 20th-floor Airbnb again, planning the next day’s adventure while the lights of Lacson Street flicker below.
Have you ever been to Bacolod? Did you also have your own “inasal awakening”? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments. Also, check out my blog on the Iloilo leg of our trip!