Last Updated on August 6, 2021 by Tina
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a resort in Bagac, Bataan in the Philippines that is home to Jose Acuzar’s collection of restored Spanish-Filipino houses. Most of the houses are originals collected from different provinces while some are replicas. The original houses were carefully dismantled then they were carefully restored by the resort’s artist.
You can go on a day tour of the resort and experience history firsthand. Or spend overnight in the resort and stay in one of the hotel rooms or private casas.
The first time I visited this place was in 2017 with my best friends. It was a very spontaneous trip, something that we planned the night before. We had a great time during the trip and enjoyed taking pictures inside the resort. After that trip, I was able to visit the resort again twice in 2019. In February that year, I attended a colleague’s wedding held there.
In December that same year, a friend was in the Philippines to attend his colleague’s wedding. I took him to Las Casas because it is one of the few tourist attractions in Central Luzon that I could think of. I would have taken him to Ilocos Norte (I’m sure he would have loved my birthplace) or Sagada and Banawe, but he was in the country for a few days only and he stayed in Clark because his colleague’s wedding was in Bulacan.
Due to the current situation, Las Casas accepts day tours and stay-in reservations are every Friday and Saturday only until September 30, 2021. And as of the moment, Las Casas is temporarily closed until August 20, 2021, following Bataan LGU’s implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
How to Get to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
By Private Transportation
Bataan is accessible via the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX).
By Public Transportation
Due to the pandemic, public transportation may not be available at the moment.
By Land
There are buses running directly to Balanga town proper from Metro Manila. Take the Genesis Bus to Balanga Bus Station. From the bus station, take the jeepney going to Bagac or Morong (Bagac-bound has a limited time while Morong-bound has a longer time). Upon reaching Bagac, get down at the Filipino-Japanese Friendship Tower and go to the tricycle station. Take a tricycle going to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (Gate 5 entrance).
By Sea
At the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City, the ferry going to Orion, Bataan is located at the Pasay City Esplanade Seaside Terminal (behind Mall of Asia and beside Vikings Luxury Buffet). Take the M/V XGC Express Ferry Boat to Capinpin port in Orion, Bataan. From Orion Port, ride a bus going to Mariveles and get off at Alauli. Then, ride a jeep going to Bagac or a bus going to Morong and get off at the main entrance of Las Casas. You may ride a tricycle from there or you may also get a tricycle at the Filipino Japanese Friendship.
Things To Do In Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
As mentioned above, you can visit Las Casas on a day tour or you can book a hotel or private casa and stay overnight. Weekday tour costs Php 1850 while weekend tour costs Php 2500. The fee includes welcome drinks, cold towel, walking tour, Hotel de Oriente access, and a choice between river cruise or dining credits. Below are some of the things you can do in Las Casas.
Go on a Heritage Walking Tour.
Learn the colorful history of the houses in the resort by joining the heritage walking tour. Tours are available daily and each tour takes about an hour of walking around the property. It is highly recommended that you use footwear that can easily be taken off because guests are asked to remove their footwear as they enter the heritage houses. It is a Filipino tradition as a way of showing respect to the owner of the house.
Go on a River Tour.
Cruise around the property through a fluvial stroll that resembles the gondola rides of Venice by hopping on a Balsa Tour. Leisurely glide along the Umangol River and get surrounded by the presence of brick walls and arched bridges that make the whole experience an intimate and romantic one. The tour is offered separately during night and day with varying rates depending on the time of the year.
Take lots of pictures around the property for your Instagram.
I have a confession to make. The primary reason we visited Las Casas with my friends in 2017 was not really to learn about the history of the houses but to take pictures. The truth is we did join the Heritage Walking Tour but after checking out 2 or 3 houses, we decided not to go on with the tour anymore because it was too hot. Instead, we went to Plaza de Castro to eat and later on went to the batis-inspired swimming pool to hang out and take pictures. Then we rented a golf cart so it will be easier for us to explore the property.
Check out the commercial area at Galleria de Escolta.
The Galleria de Escolta has several shops that you could check out. You can buy uniquely crafted souvenirs at Tiendesitas. Get a taste of Las Casas’ local delicacies at La Panderia. For organic skincare needs, visit Tess the Farmer.
Complete your full Las Casas experience by having a photo shoot wearing traditional baro’t saya and barong at La Casa de la Fotografia. Buy guitars and ukeleles made from the finest woods at Musika, Kwerdas, at Gitara.
Go around the property by trying out the different transportations available.
Take the most common public transportation in the modern-day Philippines, the jeepney, while going around the resort. Jeepney ride inside the resort is free.
Rent a kalesa if you want to experience the traditional mode of transportation during the Spanish colonial era.
Explore the resort at your own pace by renting a bicycle or a golf cart.
Check out the cultural shows and activities in Las Casas.
Las Casas has plenty of cultural shows and activities that you could check out. Some of these are the Carabao Parade and Race, cockfighting, classic Filipino dances, and pocket performances.
Try one of the cafes and restaurants in Las Casas.
If you get tired while exploring the resort, Las Casas has several restaurants where you can enjoy local and international dishes.
Cafe Marivent
Located in Casa New Manila, Cafe Marivent is the main restaurant in Las Casas that serves international cuisine. Signature dishes here are chicken binakol, leche flan a la Maria Clara, and gabi ice cream.
La Bella Teodora
Located in Casa Biñan, La Bella Teodora specializes in authentic Italian dishes. The restaurant’s signature dishes are Risotto de Teodora, Quattro fomaggi pizza and Marinara pasta.
La Casita
La Casita is a coffee shop and bar that serves premium coffee from Australia, housemade pastries, snacks, and light meals. It has an extensive cocktail menu and a wide range of local craft beers.
Cusina ni Nanay Maria
Located in Casa Unisan, this restaurant serves as the home to heirloom recipes and specialty dishes of Nanay Maria. Adobong lumot, pata tim, leche flan a la Maria Clara, and gabi ice cream are the signature dishes here.
Cafe del Rio
Cafe del Rio is Las Casas’ very own tapas bar and is located at Casa Sta. Rita. Signature dishes here are sizzling sisg, gambas a la ajillo, and flavoured coffee.
La Parilla and Pica Pica
Located in Plaza de Castro, La Parilla and Pica-pica serve Filipino street food favorites and beverages. Salabat ng Bagac, Bibingka, and Puto bumbong are the signature dishes here.
Stay overnight at the resort.
Experience the vibe of the period-themed accommodation with modern-day amenities by booking in the hotel rooms or private casas. Here are some of the private casas that you could book:
More Pictures from Las Casas
I hope you liked the pictures and found this post useful. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions regarding this post, feel free to email me or write them down in the comments section.
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Stay safe and observe the minimum health standards at all times.
Bring us to Las Casas de Acuzar when the pandemic is over.
Sure