Bacolod is the largest city on Negros and the capital of Negros Occidental, known as the "City of Smiles" and home of the MassKara Festival, held in the third week of October. It is also a city of local delicacies — piaya, cansi, napoleones and chicken inasal — and much of a visit here is spent eating, walking and moving between the downtown core and the newer commercial areas.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple. The historic downtown sits around the city plaza and Central Market, with streets such as Cuadra, Luzuriaga, San Sebastian, Mabini and Rosario-Amapola running through it. Lacson Street is the main commercial spine, lined with hotels and restaurants, while the reclamation area around the SM City Bacolod complex holds newer large-scale development. The Ceres southbound bus terminal and the airport road sit outside the centre. This guide covers which of these areas to base yourself in, and what kind of accommodation you will find at each budget level.
Best areas to stay in Bacolod City
1. Downtown around the city plaza and Central Market
This is the historic core, where Cuadra Street, Luzuriaga Street and the area next to Central Market cluster together. It suits first-time visitors and budget travellers who want to be within walking distance of the plaza, the market and the older streets, and it is where the widest choice of inexpensive pension houses and small hotels is found.
Accommodation here ranges from fan rooms with shared bathrooms to air-conditioned doubles with private bathrooms and cable television. Expect some street and market noise, and note that several places in this area sit on or immediately off the main downtown streets, so ask for a room away from the road if that matters to you.
2. Lacson Street and the Capitol area
Lacson Street is the city's main commercial avenue, running past the Capitol area at its northern end. It suits visitors who want restaurants, cafes and larger hotels within easy reach, and it is a reasonable base for both first-time visitors and those travelling on business.
You find mid-range and upscale hotels along this stretch, including larger properties with full facilities. The trade-off is that this is a long avenue rather than a compact neighbourhood, so where exactly you stay along it affects how much you will walk or ride to reach the downtown sights.
3. Reclamation area and the SM City Bacolod complex
The reclamation area, around the SM City Bacolod complex on Palanca Street, is the city's newer commercial zone. It suits travellers who prefer modern, large-scale hotels and shopping within the same complex, and it works well for those who value easy access to a mall and organised transport over historic streets.
Accommodation here is predominantly mid-range and upscale, in larger buildings. It is not the downtown core, so plan on taking a vehicle to reach the plaza, the market and the older parts of the city.
4. Araneta Street and Roxas Street area
The corner of Araneta Street and Roxas Street is the setting for one of the city's larger hotels, with a swimming pool and gym among its facilities. This area suits travellers looking for a full-service stay with leisure facilities, and it is a practical base if you want to be within reach of both the downtown streets and the commercial spine.
As with Lacson Street, this is a road-corner location rather than a walkable quarter, so expect to use transport for most trips to the sights.
5. Burgos Avenue extension and the southbound bus terminal area
The Burgos Avenue extension and the area near the Ceres southbound bus terminal suit travellers who are passing through — those heading onward to other parts of Negros or arriving by bus — as well as visitors who want a quieter, less central base. Accommodation here includes mid-range hotels, some of them well equipped and conveniently placed for the terminal.
This is not a sightseeing base in itself; you will need transport to reach the plaza, the market and the restaurant streets.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: dormitory beds in hostels, and pension houses offering fan or air-conditioned singles and doubles, often with private bathrooms, cable television and sometimes free wifi. These are concentrated downtown, particularly around Cuadra Street, Luzuriaga Street and the streets near the plaza and Central Market.
- Mid-range: air-conditioned rooms in small and medium hotels, typically with private bathrooms, hot and cold showers, cable television and often a coffee shop or bar. Found along Lacson Street, San Sebastian Street, Burgos Avenue extension and near the southbound bus terminal.
- Splurge: larger full-service hotels with extensive facilities such as swimming pools, gyms, suites and in-room safes, minibars and wifi. These cluster along Lacson Street, Araneta Street and in the reclamation area around the SM City Bacolod complex.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself downtown around the city plaza and Central Market. It puts you within walking distance of the historic core, the market and the older commercial streets, and it has the widest range of accommodation at the lowest prices. From there you can easily reach Lacson Street and the newer commercial areas when you want them.
Frequently asked questions
When is the busiest time to visit Bacolod?
The MassKara Festival is held during the third week of October. If you plan to travel then, arrange accommodation well ahead, as demand across the city rises for that period.
Which area is best if I am arriving or leaving by bus?
The area near the Ceres southbound bus terminal, off Burgos Avenue extension, is the most convenient for onward travel, and there are mid-range hotels nearby. The downtown area around Central Market is also practical if you do not mind a short ride to the terminal.
Where should I stay if I want restaurants and nightlife within walking distance?
Lacson Street is the main commercial spine and has the densest concentration of restaurants, cafes and larger hotels. The downtown area around the plaza also has eating places close by, though on a smaller scale.
Do I need to worry about noise or hills when choosing a room?
Downtown rooms near Central Market and the main streets can be affected by street and market noise, so request a room away from the road. The city's original settlement was on hilly ground, but the main visitor areas described here — downtown, Lacson Street, the reclamation area and the bus terminal area — are on the flat, so hills are not a practical concern for most stays.
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