The Ruins in Bacolod are definitely one of the highlights of the city, come day or night. Here’s all you need to know for visiting the dream wedding spot.
How To Get To The Ruins In Bacolod
From Bacolod City, The Ruins are only a 10 minute drive.
We recommend ordering a Grab taxi through the mobile app or renting a scooter and driving yourself.
You can rent scooters in Bacolod for around 300 Pesos per day.
The ruins technically sit in Talisay City but is more commonly known as Bacolod because it lands right on the outskirts.
A great day would be to visit Duyan Cafe for breakfast/brunch and finish with The Ruins in the evening.
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, there are some awesome tours on Get Your Guide available to book in advance.
The Ruins Entrance Fee
Adult – 100 Pesos
Student – 50 Pesos (but should provide a valid school ID)
Senior Citizen – 60 Pesos
Children below 8 years old – 20 Pesos
The Ruins Opening Hours
Daily: 11am – 8pm.
The Ruins are sometimes closed due to exclusive events.
We would therefore recommend checking with the website before your visit.
Best Time To Visit The Ruins + Tips
An hour or so before sunset is one of the best times to visit the Ruins.
The temperature will be cooler and you get to see this magical attraction in daylight and during sunset.
When the sunset arrives the views are stunning and you can get the most spectacular photos of the building and grounds.
It is recommended to visit during the dry season in the Philippines, which usually starts in November and ends around May.
If planning a dream wedding this place is the perfect destination!
What To Pack
The History Of The Ruins Bacolod
Formally known as the Taj Mahal of the Philippines, the ruins is a mansion situated in Talisay, just outside Bacolod City.
The mansion was built in 1920 by a wealthy sugar baron named Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. He had it built as a testament of his love for his Portuguese wife, Cora Maria Osorio Rosa-Braga.
Whilst pregnant with the couples 11th child, Maria had a fall in the family home. Sadly, both mother and unborn child lost their lives.
Devastated and heartbroken by the loss of the ‘love of his life’, Mariano decided to build a mansion in her memory, next to his ancestral home.
When finished, the Mariano and his 10 children moved into the mansion to escape the memories of Maria’s accident in the ancestral home.
The family flourished in their beautiful new home, surrounded with memories of their beloved Maria.
Tell-tale signs of the Mariano’s love for Maria are found throughout the building. For example, there are two ‘M’ letters folded onto each and every post around the mansion’s exterior.
During World War II, the building was burned for 3 days straight by Filipino Guerrillas to prevent the Japanese forces from claiming it as their own and using it as a headquarters.
The three day inferno brought down the roof as well as the wooden floors but the entire skeletal frame remains intact to this day.
Standing majestically in the beautiful grounds, the ruins of the mansion are understandably very special to the people of the Negros Island.
What To Expect At The Ruins Bacolod
The Ruins Bacolod are now open to the public as a tourist destination when they have no exclusive events on.
You will find a wealth of stories as well as history attached to the ruins that are really interesting to discover during your visit.
Also, the entire place with its sprawling gardens, and especially the burnt mansion, make for some stunning photo opportunities.
Within the compound you will find The Ruins Gazebo Restaurant. The restaurant has a selection of food on offer, including All-day Breakfast, Pasta Dishes, Fish Dishes, Pizza, Steak and much more.
In addition there is a souvenir shop for you to find a piece of memorabilia to take away from you visit.
The grounds surrounding The Ruins are beautifully decorated with lanes, gardens and arches, making it a perfect and popular venue for weddings.
We recommend visiting around sunset hours to see The Ruins Bacolod in it’s true beauty.
It’s one of the most famous/photographed destinations in Negros Occidental, and one of the best things to do in Bacolod.
Where To Stay In Bacolod
Luxury – Seda Capitol Central
Located 1 miles from SM City Bacolod, Seda Capitol Central offers modern accommodation in Bacolod.
The property features an onsite restaurant and a bar. Free private parking is available for guests who ride and free WiFi is available in the public areas.
The rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and an iPod dock. A shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries are provided in the en suite bathroom.
Guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant or grab a drink at the bar. Plenty of dining options are available within a 5-minute walk from the property.
Mid-Budget – Stonehill Suites
Situated in Bacolod, 0.9 miles from Negros Museum, Stonehill Suites features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a fitness centre and a bar.
Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property.
The rooms in the hotel come with a kettle. At Stonehill Suites rooms come with a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.
The accommodation offers a à la carte or Asian breakfast.
Budget – LOC Residences Inn
Located in Bacolod, 0.7 miles from Negros Museum, LOC Residences Inn features views of the city.
This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, room service and free WiFi. Private parking is available at an extra charge.
All units at the hotel include air conditioning and a desk.
Panaad Stadium is 5 miles from LOC Residences Inn, while Mambukal Zipline is 18 miles away. The nearest airport is New Bacolod-Silay Airport, 3.7 miles from the accommodation.
For more places to stay in Bacolod, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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