Introduction
Bacolod is known for its rich history, friendly locals and affordable prices. While there are plenty of things to do and see in this city, your budget will definitely be put to the test if you don’t take my tips into account.
Bacolod on a Budget: How to Make the Most of Your Trip
Bacolod is a city in Negros Occidental, Philippines. It is known as the City of Smiles due to its friendly people and as the Sugar Capital because it’s the center of the country’s sugar industry.
The city has many beautiful places to visit and things to do on your trip. Here are some tips for how you can make the most of your time there:
1. Hire a private car for airport pickup and drop-off.
- Make sure the driver is safe and reliable.
- Make sure the car is in good condition.
- Agree on a price before you get in.
- Have a way to contact the driver if there are any problems, like a phone number or email address you can use to reach them while they’re driving (this will save time and frustration).
2. Stay in the city center, save money on transportation
Bacolod is a small city, so it won’t take you long to get from one end to the other. However, if you’re staying in one of the more expensive hotels on Rizal Avenue or along Lacson Street and want to explore other parts of town, consider staying closer to those areas instead. If you don’t mind taking public transportation (and I recommend it), there are plenty of budget accommodations within walking distance from the city center.
There are also several bus routes that run through Bacolod City proper: some connect with major destinations like Dumaguete City and La Carlota Airport; others go directly into Central Visayas’ capital cities–Iloilo City and Cebu City–or cross over into Negros Oriental Province via Sipalay City or Bais City
3. Plan your route ahead of time
Planning your route ahead of time is an important aspect of budget travel. This will not only help you save money, but it can also make your trip more enjoyable by ensuring that you don’t miss anything important along the way. Here are some tips for planning a good route:
- Research different modes of transportation and their costs before booking any tickets or making reservations online. If there’s more than one way to get from point A to point B within a city or region, look into each option so that you know which one will work best for your needs (and budget).
- Read reviews from travelers who have already taken part in similar activities as those planned for your own itinerary–this can help determine whether or not certain excursions are worth spending money on during this particular trip!
4. Avoid peak hours and traffic jams
Avoid rush hour and traffic jams. Bacolod is a city with its own rhythm, and you’ll find yourself adjusting quickly to its rhythms if you’re staying for more than just a day or two. You can avoid peak hours by getting out of the city early in the morning (before 8 AM), or heading back into town after dark (after 6 PM). Also try avoiding holidays, weekends and school holidays when possible–the crowds will be bigger then!
5. Eat out at restaurants where locals eat (not touristy ones)
The best places to eat are the ones with a lot of people in them, so try to get a recommendation from a local.
- You can also try asking for recommendations at your hotel or hostel, as they often have their own favorite spots that aren’t necessarily on TripAdvisor or Foursquare.
- Don’t be afraid to venture off into some unknown areas of town and check out an obscure-looking establishment–it may just be your new favorite place!
6. Use a pre-paid SIM card for calls and Internet access
If you’re staying in Bacolod for a few days and want to use your phone, consider buying a pre-paid SIM card. They’re cheap and easy to set up, and they allow you to call back home or use the Internet while on the go. You can get one at the airport or in town–just look for stores that sell cell phones or electronics like computers or cameras.
You’ll need to activate it before using it by calling *133# on your device (the local number). When prompted with an automated voice response system in English or Filipino (depending on where you bought your SIM card), enter 2222# followed by 1#; this will activate your account over SMS messaging service so that calls are free within Bacolod City limits until midnight of day two after activation.*
You can visit Bacolod without spending much money by using some simple tips
- Hire a private car for airport pickup and drop-off. This will cost about 1,500 pesos (around $30). The public buses to the city center are cheaper but take longer, so it’s worth paying extra for your own ride if you’re traveling with luggage or have other things planned during your stay in Bacolod City.
- Stay in the city center, save money on transportation costs: If you’re staying at one of our hotels near downtown Bacolod City (like Hotel Kimberly), we can arrange pick-up service from and drop-off back to our hotel at no additional charge! We’ll even give you discounted rates on tours around town so that everything else feels like an adventure without breaking the bank 🙂
Conclusion
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Bacolod and see all the beauty that it has to offer. We know that it can be expensive to travel, but with a little planning and research, we think it’s possible for everyone!
