For a most unusual experience, dip into a sulphure hot spring, or taste the delectable tiger prawns grown in the fish ponds. And for relaxation,play a round of golf on the premier courses of Bacolod Golf or shoot a few rounds at the target range.

Bacolod is also a tropical paradise with its quaint coastal scenery. The crystal waters surrounding Llacaon Island just off the northern tip of Negros Occidental is the perfect spot for diving, fishing and snorkeling. And if you prefer hot springs and cool waterfalls, the mountain resort of Mambocal is a must see.

On your way home, grab some baked: goodies and sweets from the local bakeries.

Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental, and the biggest city in the Western Visayas region, is the gateway to the Philippines' sugar lands. Also known as the City of Smiles, it is a city that offers a rich and exotic blend of tastes, culture and tradition. It is especially known for its great local cuisine. This sprawling city, with its numerous estate mansions and monuments (which were once built from sugar wealth) has a relaxed suburban charm about it.
You can reach it by a 1-hour plane trip from Manila. There are also buses that leave Dumaguete for Bacolod daily (the trip usually takes 9 hours) and ferry boats from Manila or Iloilo.

For those who want to go nature tripping in Bacolod, Mt. Kanlaon offers great hiking possibilities. A trek will lead you through mountain rainforest into a dwarf forest and by some small lakes to a beautiful view of Kanlaon's main crater. If you want to climb this 2465-meter high mountain, you can ask for the assistance of the Negros Montaineering Club. There are also lovely beaches and resorts on offshore islands: Mambucal Resort has sulfurous hot springs and a cool mountain stream; Sta. Fe Resort, a few kilometers from the city, has a small zoo with quite a few interesting animals; Jara Beach Resort in the south has cottages and rooms with tiled baths along the water, fine seafood, and an artificial beachfront area. Visiting golfers are also welcome at the Negros, Bacolod, and Vicmico Golf and Country Clubs. Tennis courts and bowling lanes are also available.

For those who opt to visit historical sites, Bacolod also boasts of antique houses and old churches that date back to the Spanish time. You can visit the old San Sebastian Cathedral, built in 1876. The Bacolod City Plaza, which is right next to it, is where cultural events and performances are often held. From the cathedral, you may pass the ruins of Fort San Juan, which served as a jail for prisoners during the Spanish era and was where Spanish friars were incarcerated after the 1898 revolution. The Provincial Capitol Building, built in the 1930's, is one of the most impressive in the country because of its Neo-Roman classic style architectural design. It is the seat of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental. This structure also houses the Sugar Museum, where you will find exhibits of objects and machinery that had to do with the development of the sugar industry in the province. You will also see here models of a steam locomotive, hacienda furniture, and paintings of scenes taken from village life in Negros before the arrival of the Spaniards. The Sta. Clara chapel is also a must-see. It is a wood and capiz shell chapel made from intricate shell mosaics and decorated with saints. The Rizal Elementary School is the first school established by the Americans in 1901. To date, it boasts of a "Rizal Mini-Park," constructed to commemorate the centennial year of Jose Rizal's death. If you want to shop and browse, your first stop should be the Central Market. You will find good quality handicrafts, baskets, and antiques.

Bacolod abounds with restaurants, most of which offer Negrense cuisine. Try the local specialty, the manok inasal-chicken barbecue cooked the delicious Bacolod way.

There are lots of different places to stay-from inns to pension houses to hotels. There are also several night spots, discos, and sing-along bars for those who want to enjoy the city's nightlife. The Goldenfield Commercial Complex is among the most popular places to go, as it houses entertainment venues as the Casino, the Super Bowling Lanes (the biggest in the Visayas), the Quorum Disco, and the Hot Spot, which features live music nightly.

Bacolod's biggest annual event, the Maskara Festival, is a Mardi Gras-like celebration that features masked and costumed street dancers, with fairs and carnivals. This is held on the third week of October, and coincides with the city's Charter Day celebration.

Philippine Airlines offers daily flights from Manila and Cebu. Flying time is 1 hour & 5 mins. from Manila and.35minutes from Cebu.

Victorias Milling Co. Mambocal Mountain Resort.Island.

Bacolod Golf &Country Club. Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club. Marapara Golf & Country Club, Mountain climbing at Mt. Kanlaon. Target shooting. Gaming at Casino Filipino.

Travel by seas from Iloilo to Bacolod by Sea Angels.