Sunday, February 10, 2013

Sample Itinerary for Bacolod-Guimaras-Iloilo

More than a year ago, I embarked on a solo journey to three beautiful places in the Philippines - Bacolod, Iloilo and Guimaras. Some of my friends have been asking for my itinerary on the said trip. That is why I decided to just share it here in my blog  so that anyone planning a 4days/3 nights can also have some ideas.

Day 1 - Bacolod
  • Arrival in Bacolod City and check in at Bacolod Pension Plaza (Cuadra St., Bacolod City)
  • Lunch at Nena's Beth for a taste of the famous chicken inasal (Manokan Country, near SM Bacolod)
  • The Ruins in Talisay City - this is what remained of the grand mansion that Don Mariano Lacson built, following the death of his wife, Maria Braga. Today, it is a tourist attraction for its romantic, yet strong structures.  How to get to The Ruins: From Araneta Avenue (Old Bacolod City Hall), ride a jeepney with the Mandalangan-Lopues route. Alight at Lopues (another landmark is Robinson's Place) and ride another jeepney going to Talisay City. Alight at Bata (Pepsi bottling plant). You will see a signboard here going to The Ruins.  Ride a tricycle and tell the driver to bring you to The Ruins. Fare: Php80 one way.  You can have the driver wait for you since there are not many tricycles going that route. Travel time is around 15 minutes and you'll be transported back in time. Entrance fee is Php60. Best time to go there in the afternoon and wait for the sunset.
  • Calea Cakes located at Lacson Street. Calea is quite famous in Bacolod and there are also many branches throughout.
  • ANP Negros Showroom for souvenirs, also located in Lacson Street
  • If you still have time, you can also visit the ancestral houses in Silay City

Day 2 - Guimaras
  • Bredco Terminal - for ferries going to Iloilo. I took the Supercat, fare is Php320 for tourist class. Travel time is around 1 hour. There are also other ferry companies going to Iloilo. You can choose whatever you like. They have schedules almost every hour.
  • Arrival at Muelle Loney Port, Iloilo. To get a taxi going to the hotel, you can walk until you reach the main street. There are taxis along the port but they charge a fixed rate of Php200 when going to Iloilo Midtown Hotel (which is just near the port).
  • Check in at Iloilo Midtown Hotel - this is near Amigo Plaza (shopping mall) and SM Delgado
  • Ortiz Port in Iloilo City - this is the terminal for pumpboats going to Guimaras. Fare is Php14 if you travel during the day and Php17 if you travel at night.  I think the earliest trip is at 6AM and the last trip is 10PM. Travel time is around 45 minutes.
  • Jordan Port, Guimaras - upon arriving at the port, there are tricycle drivers that offer trips around Guimaras. I don't know their rates because I have already made arrangements with Kuya Jun, a local tour guide. I paid Php1000 for a tour. You can contact Kuya Jun at (0918) 367-1195.
  • Tour around Guimaras: Daliran Cave, Trappist Monastery, Raymen Beach Resort, Smallest Plaza, Guisi Lighthouse and Balaan Bukid. I arrived in Guimaras at around lunch time so I did not get to see as many places as I could have been. So it is ideal to go there in the morning so you can explore more.
  • Raymen Beach Resort - rates are Php400 per hour and Php150 for the succeeding hours. I only availed of the 1 hour tour and I was able to go to the Lawi Marine Turtle Rescue Center, Ave Maria Island and Baras Cave.
  • Back to Jordan Port to catch the boat going back to Iloilo.

Day 3 - Iloilo
  • Travel to Super (Iloilo wet market) - terminal for jeeps going to Miagao Church. Travel time is around  1.5 hours, fare Php50.
  • Miagao Church - UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Other churches you will pass by and can explore:  Molo Church, Tigbauan Church, Guimbal Church
  • Deco's La Paz Batchoy beside SM Delgado
  • Roberto's Siopao located at JM Basa Street - famous for the Queen size siopao
  • Tibiao Fish Spa - located in the lower ground floor at SM Iloilo (they also call it SM Mandurriao). The rate for a fish spa is Php120 for 30 minutes.
  • Take home some biscocho from Reggie's or Biscocho Haus (located at near SM Iloilo Traveler's Lounge)
  • Other suggestions: Museo Iloilo, Iloilo Provincial Capitol and Jaro Cathedral

Day 4 - Manila
  • Back to Manila
Read more of my solo travel adventure to BacolodGuimaras and Iloilo.