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The Philippines

September 5, 2019 by Jeremy

Bacolod for the Budget Traveler: 4 Thrifty Ways to Enjoy the City of Smiles

Tourists heading for Bacolod with the expectation that it is a sleepy and underdeveloped city will find themselves in for a surprise; the capital of Negros Occidental is lively and thriving, highly urbanized and densely populated. It was named Best Place to Live in the Philippines by MoneySense magazine in 2008, and Top Philippine Model City by The Manila Times in 2017. 

The accolades alone make it a place worthy of a visit, though “highly urbanized” doesn’t mean that you’ll have to shell out a significant amount of money to enjoy yourself. Thrifty travelers will find Bacolod a budget-friendly holiday destination. Below are our tips for a worthwhile trip to the City of Smiles without breaking the bank: 

Stay in a Pension House

Instead of spending a good chunk of change on a hotel room, look towards pension houses instead. Many of them are centrally located at the heart of the city, and rooms typically won’t cost an arm and a leg. These affordable options are a great way to save on costs and keep within your budget; and though the on-site facilities and amenities are more basic than what you’d typically find in a full-fledged hotel, you still will be coming back to clean and comfortable rooms after a day of sightseeing. Ong Bun Pension House is one of our recommendations for no-frills accommodations that don’t skimp on quality service, though there are many other options in Bacolod City.

Dine at Manokan Country

Bacolod is famous throughout the country for 3 things: the vibrant Masskara Festival, held annually every October; the local sweet delicacy known as piaya, an unleavened piece of flatbread filled with muscovado sugar; and chicken inasal. You would do yourself a disservice if you didn’t have this local grilled favorite where it originated from, meaning that a visit to Manokan Country is a must for any trip to Bacolod. 

Manokan Country is the local government’s way of consolidating dozens of inasal stalls previously operating out on the sidewalks into a single complex, for public safety and to legitimize businesses. Each stall has a unique take on the dish, and there is heated debate on which stall makes the best inasal, but it’s safe to say that no matter which one you head into, you’ll be well fed. Begin the meal with a plateful of grilled oysters, a popular appetizer in Manokan Country, and then dig into your chicken—most stalls allow you to choose which part of the bird you’d like to dine on. 

For the complete experience, try isaw or atay, skewers of chicken intestine and liver basted with special seasonings and grilled over charcoal. Best of all, the food is cheap—plates typically cost less than a hundred pesos, exclusive of rice and drinks. 

Visit Mambukal Springs Resort

These hot sulfur springs are now under government management, making them one of the cheapest attractions in Bacolod, with a pay-per-use system of the facilities after a 50-peso entrance fee. Picnic huts are either 300 or 600 pesos depending on the size. Use of the swimming and warm sulfur dipping pools is 50 pesos. Zipline and canopy walk are both priced at 50 pesos. The resort was built by a Japanese man in 1927, which means that there is an ofuro or Japanese bathtub on the premises, as well as a bathhouse built in the neo-classical style that is over 90 years old. 

Use of both facilities start at a hundred pesos. Families and large groups can opt to stay on-site at one of the many accommodation options—there are family cottages and villas available for rent, as well as a tourist lodge. LGU cottages are by far the most cost-effective option, with available airconditioned rooms for couples, 4 persons, and 6 persons that start at 900 pesos. It is believed that a warm soak can relieve muscle tension and promote clear-headedness; the sulfur in the water is also known to have healing benefits for irritated and infected skin, such as in the case of eczema and rashes. 

See The Ruins

What was once an impressive mansion built in the Italianate style of architecture is now a tourist destination that draws hundreds of visitors every year. Built in the early 1900s by a wealthy sugar baron named Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in memory of his late first wife, only the façade remains standing today after Filipino guerrillas burned the structure down in order to prevent its use by the invading Japanese in the Second World War. 

Now privately owned by the Don’s great grandchildren, the grounds and gardens have since been restored and are fastidiously maintained, making it an excellent location for photos and video shoots. For an entrance fee of 100 pesos, you are free to explore the area, though you may also hire a tour guide to tell you more about the mansion’s history. 

Some of the most iconic dishes and sights one can find in Bacolod don’t come with a steep price. Here, you’ll find a lot of things to do, see, and taste without compromising your budget or the quality of your holiday.

Posted in Budget Travel, The Philippines ·
September 14, 2013 by jfalbelda

Top Reasons To Visit The Philippines

The Philippines is the next big boom country in South East Asia. With both modern urban centers and pristine nature and beaches, it makes a fantastic place for vacation. Much of Philippine culture and history was influenced by three foreign rulers: the Spanish who ruled for over 500 years, the Americans who came around in the 19th century, and the Japanese who took control for three years during World War II. Known as the “Pearl of the Orient”, there are many fascinating things that make the Philippines worth traveling to. Here are several reasons why “It’s more fun in the Philippines” (that’s the official slogan if you didn’t know!).

beach in Philippines

Reason 1: Visit premiere cities Manila, Cebu and Davao

Manila, Cebu and Davao represent the three major divisions of the archipelago. Manila is the center of commerce in Luzon. Cebu, the heart of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines, is the principal city in Visayas and the oldest Spanish city founded in the country. And finally, there is Davao, the safest city and fastest growing city the Philippines. Davao City is the chief metropolis of Mindanao and a place where Muslims and Christians live at peace

Reason #2: Experience the best beach vacations

One of the top reasons to visit the Philippines is definitely its beaches. Many foreigners come solely for the fantastic beach resorts in the Philippines, especially the ones in Visayas and Northern Mindanao. The best place to go to for a little fun in the sun is El Nido on the island of Palawan. Its capital, Puerto Princesa, is home to the Puerto Princesa Underground River which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was recently listed as one of the world’s natural wonders.

Reason #3: Celebrate Christmas seasons the Filipino way

Filipinos are very well known for their close family ties, so gatherings are common sightings during the holidays. Tourists who decide to stay in the Philippines during Christmas are likely to end up in a local’s house as they are welcomed to join their midnight dinner party. Filipinos have a reputation for being extremely hospitable.

Reason #4: Meet some of the friendliest people on earth

One of the top reasons to visit The Philippines for many tourists is the people. Filipinos are very warm and friendly. Curious glances are common as well as endless smiling. Vacations are never dull for tourists in the Philippines, mainly because of its happy-to-have-you inhabitants.

 

Posted in The Philippines · Tagged Beach, Beaches, Luxury Travel, Manila, Philippines, The Philippines ·
December 2, 2012 by jfalbelda

The Quest for the Perfect Guitar in The Philippines

When I travel to the emerging world, (more often than not on my sojourns), I like to take advantage of my “spending power”. While I’m not buying diamond rings and Louis Vuitton neckties (stuff like that costs more in third world countries anyways), I do try and purchase other things that I would normally shell out for in America like eye glasses, custom-made clothes and instruments.

Hand-made shirts from Thailand

Hand-made, custom shirts I got made in Thailand for $45 total!

I really discovered this truth when I was in Mexico last year for a Radiohead concert. I had been recently disappointed when I headed to a LensCrafters in Miami (chain glasses store in America) and found out my new pair would come out to over $400 with the upgraded lenses. I decided that was just too much for what I was getting and left disheartened and still blind.

Well, the next week when I was strolling the streets of Mexico City and saw a whole strip of eyeglasses stores, I popped into one, found two pairs I liked more than anything I saw in the states, got a free eye exam and upgraded lenses for $90 total, Bam! Read More »

Posted in The Philippines · Tagged Cebu, Cebu City, clothes, glasses, Guitar, Mactan Island, Magellan, mexico city, Spanish, Spanish Colonists ·
October 7, 2012 by jfalbelda

Cock Fighting in The Philippines

Cockfighting in General Luna, Siargao

The ash from my cigarette fell between my legs as I wiped the beading sweat from my brow. I thought to myself, “it must be 110 degrees in here” as I sipped my warming beer for a little relief from the blanketing humidity.

I looked out around the cockpit at the local Filipinos chit chatting with one another, eating oiled peanuts and most definitely arguing who they thought was going to be the big ticket bird that day. I asked the guy next to me when he thought the first fight would start and he said once the first two cocks are matched and fitted with blades outside, they’ll bring them in and the rest of the spectators will follow. Read More »

Posted in Budget Travel, The Philippines · Tagged Asia, Cock Fighting, Crazy Experiences, The Philippines ·
September 19, 2012 by jfalbelda

Ridin’ Hogs in Bohol, Philippines

motorbike in the Philippines

I read in my Rough Guides travel book about the Philippines  that one of the best the things to do is rent a motorcycle in Bohol and let the road take you where it will, I was immediately interested. While I own a scooter in Miami, I have never actually ridden a real motorcycle, i.e. one that involves changing gears manually.

I was lucky enough to drive the trike of a taxi driver in Baler Beach, but I was pretty god awful at shifting I must say. Well, when a Filipino guy outside my hotel in Alona Beach, Bohol Island offered me to rent his 125 cc motorcycle for the day, I jumped at the chance. Read More »

Posted in Inspiration, The Philippines · Tagged Alona Beach, Baler, Bohol, motorcycle, Outdoors, The Philippines ·
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JeremyWelcome to Top Spot Travel.com! Your source for all things travel from budget holidays to 5-star resorting, you can find it all here, and hopefully crack a smile while you're at it. Enjoy!
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