Friday 9 PM - We queued for the 2 AM slot for the direct bus trip to Bacolod City at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. We weren't able to secure a slot for the 11:30 PM departure because it was full when we arrived. The travel time took about 7-8 hours. Bus Fare is Php 550 (includes boat fare)
Bacolod also has an airport which is not far from the city proper.
It was around 7 AM when we reached San Carlos City port. We had to meet someone in the city but we were just so late. So, we needed to tweak our itinerary immediately. We realised that the bus will pass by the road to Mambukal Mountain Resort. Hence, at around 9:30 AM, we got off at the junction for Mambukal Resort.
Mambukal Resort
How to get there
This famous mountain resort is 35-45 minutes drive from the Bacolod city. It's located in the sleepy town of Murcia. Jeepneys and buses that ply this route are located at Libertad Public Market. The fare is about Php 35 per person.
Mambukal Mountain Resort is known for its hot springs, waterfalls, and great scenery. They also offer a number of activities;
- Lagoon kayaking/boating for Php 30 per person per 30 minutes.
- Trekking to the 7 Falls
- Spa
- Zipline
Mambukal is operated by the LGU. Hence, the fees are of affordable rates. The entrance fee is Php 50 each. There is also a minimal charge for those who wish to enjoy their swimming pools.
They also offer overnight accommodation for those who wish to stay for the night. Check out the rates below:
There is no corkage fee at the resort. It's highly advisable to bring your own food and drinks. There is also a dedicated grill area available for guests. But, you can also dine at the available hole in the wall places outside the resort. The resort also operates their own restaurant.
But if you want to stay in Bacolod City, check out the cheapest offers from Agoda!
Campuestohan Highland Resort
We were fairly behind our itinerary. We left Mambukal at around 2 PM. And clearly, the good gods of travel weren't on our side. We unluckily boarded a PUJ that ran on half-clutch for a good 45 minutes! Believe it or not, the driver drove a paved, traffic-free, 6-7km road for more than an hour. It was slower than your current internet plan! The PUJ was in good running condition but he wanted to distance himself from the first few PUJs before him. Thus, explains the stupid act.
Anyway, instead of getting off at Bacolod city to take the hourly shuttle to Campuestohan which is located at Caltex iMart across McDonald's east. We opened our Google maps and looked for an alternate route.
After a short "i-am-not-sure-should-we do-it?" moment, we've decided to get off at an unfamiliar corner in Murcia. The map showed a faint line that connects Murcia to Campuestohan and this convinced us to take the leap.
Unsure of our new route, we started the search for our next ride. We stood there for about 15 minutes whilst trying to hail a tricycle that may take us to Campuestohan. Finally, a tricycle driver offered his services; our knight in a sweat-soaked cotton tee on his rusty but trusty metal horse. He was the only brave soul that accepted our made-up, dubious, and untested route. And, it was priced at Php 600.
The driver was uncertain of his way to the resort. Fortunately, locals were kind enough to help. We arrived at Campuestohan after a bumpy 45-minute ride over a badly rutted road.
The life-like dino, Zipline - induced screams, and the murderous UV rays of the sun greeted us upon arrival. We paid Php 150 to see the colourful tipi huts, hobbit-like houses, roaring dinosaurs, and a sea of curious people. It was actually a summer weekend which explains the high volume of guests.
There are several things to do at Campuestohan.
- Take lots of Instagram worthy photos.
- Swim in their wave pool; enjoy the foam bath for Php 150 per person
- Do outdoor activities such as Sky Bicycle (Php 100), zip line (Php 200), rope course (Php 200), Cable Hamster Wheel (Php 100)
- Picnic and camping
If you want to spend the night, please contact Campuestohan directly at http://www.campuestohanhighlandresort.com/
A group of 6 may book their rooms for as low as Php 5,000 per night.
We only stayed for under two hours because it was crippling hot. Plus, we needed to be at our next destination before sunset.
The Ruins
This could be the most iconic landmark of Bacolod to date. You simply don't miss the chance to see the historical ruins of the Lacson mansion. According to Roger, an ex-TV reality show winner and The Ruins official tour guide, this mansion was the prized possession of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, a wealthy sugar baron of Bacolod.
This tourist attraction is now known as the Taj Mahal of Bacolod or even in the Philippines. It is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM for a minimal fee of Php 100 per person.
How to get there
Since the drop-off area of the Campuestohan shuttle is at a gas station across McDonald's East, we hailed a tricycle and paid Php 150 for a one way trip to The Ruins. Alternatively, you can use Grab, a ride-hailing app, to get to the tourist spot. Also, there are vans that are ready to take you back to the city for Php 50 per person.
Manokan Country
Hands down to the best Manok Inasal (chicken barbecue) that I have ever tasted in my whole existence. Manokan Country is a strip of hole-in-the-wall chicken barbecue stands. This famous food place is located right across SM Bacolod.
There are a lot of BBQ places in Manokan Country. Since we did our research, we had to choose between Nena's and Aida's. These two are the most recommended places to eat in Bacolod. Aida's occupies a bigger space in Manokan Country. Hence, we chose this place so we can be seated immediately.
Unlike Mang Inasal, they don't offer set meals or even unlimited rice. They sell their chickens per piece. Aside from the famous chicken barbecue, you may also order pork barbecue, chorizo, and various chicken innards that will be grilled to perfection. They also offer fresh oysters for Php 50 per serving.
You may be thinking that people are just over exaggerating about how good Bacolod Inasal is. Well, honestly, they're not good, they're super, goddamn, fuck-other-chickens-great! I'll be raving about this inasal for the rest of my life. What sets Bacolod Inasal apart from other BBQ places is their chicken oil. It's that yellow, sometimes orange, condiment that sits on our table. Diners would usually drizzle the chicken oil on their rice. It makes your rice really sinful but extra delectable.
Where to stay in Bacolod City?
This isn't really a problem because the city offers diverse accommodation that ranges from hostels to luxurious hotels. It really depends on your preference. Below are some of the most recommended hotels
Go Hotels Bacolod
White Hotel Bacolod
GT Hotel Bacolod
Hometown Hotel Bacolod
For other discounted Hotel options, please click below:
Side Trip To Lakawon Island
On our second day, we woke up at 7AM and went to Ceres North Terminal (from the city center, ride a PUJ that plies the Bata - Libertad route). Upon arrival at the terminal, look for the bus that will take you to Cadiz City. Inform the driver to drop you off at Martesan Terminal or simply the terminal for Lakawon Island. We paid Php 105 for a 1 1/2 hour airconditioned bus ride.
Take a tricycle ride for Php 120 per trip for 5-6 people. Inform the driver to take you to Brgy Cadiz Viejo port.
Once there, go directly to the registration area. You'll have to input your names on their website. You'll have to choose between sight-seeing (day trip) or overnight stay. Entrance fee to Lakawon Island is Php 320 each. This includes 2-way boat transfers. If you want to rent a cottage, it starts at Php 600.
If you want to enter Tawhai Floating Bar, there's a separate fee of Php 250 each. The bar provides food and drinks at affordable prices. Also, they've skipped on cash transactions. They'll provide you with a reloadable card to purchase drinks and food.
The island looks okay. It's not bad, but not the best either. The sand is really nice and clean, though. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectation considering that we paid Php 550 for the entrance fee. But, the island is still beautiful and relaxing.
We left the island around 3 PM since we needed to be in Cebu before Monday.
Alternative Route from Lakawon Island to Cebu
We waited for a Ceres Bus across Martisan Terminal that'll take us to Escalante City. Inform the bus attendant to drop you off at BDO, before the rotunda, in Escalante City. We paid Php 59 for the bus ticket. Once you arrived, a group of tricycle drivers will swarm the bus once it stops. They'll offer to take you to Escalante port for a fee. Inform the tricycle driver to take you to Barcelona Port. The fare ranges from Php 120 - Php 240 per trip.
We arrived at the port 30 minutes before departure. The slow boat departed at 5PM. we paid Php 130 for the boat fare. We reached Tabuelan, Cebu around 7PM.
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