Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Review and Travel Itinerary Guide

I wanted to go somewhere historical and so I chose the Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar. It's not your typical historic site, but it features historic houses which were painstakingly transplanted from their original locations to Bagac, Bataan.

I started planning the trip by checking blog posts on Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. My research told me that there were buses at Cubao leaving every thirty minutes. My friend and I met at Nepa Q- Mart in EDSA and walked until we found a Genesis bus heading for Balanga, Bataan. I was very impressed with Genesis since they left on the dot at 6 AM. Their buses are also new and very comfy. The fare is 200 pesos per person and travel time is about three hours. There are no buses going to Bagac from Cubao so you'll have to pass by Balanga, which is like the biggest city (I think) in Bataan. The bus will take you to the Balanga terminal which has jeepneys and buses going to different parts of Bataan like Orion, Abucay, and, of course, Bagac. You'll know that you're nearing the Balanga Terminal once you see the UNTV compound.

I have to say that I was very impressed with the Balanga Terminal. It was clean and very efficient. The jeepneys also leave every thirty minutes (more or less) on time. The drivers also seem to know Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac so just tell them that that is where you are going. You'll know that you're near once you see a government office that has something to do with nuclear power. Sorry, I forgot the name of it. When the driver tells you to get down, you will find a group of tricycles and these babies will take you to the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage resort. The jeepney fare going to Bagac from the Balanga Terminal is 47 pesos and the fare for the tricycle which will take you from the main road to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is 10 pesos.

Going back, the tricycle fare becomes 15 pesos (or was it 20 pesos?) because you will be taken to the jeepney/bus terminal of Bagac (at least that's what I think it was) and not just the main road. The jeepney/bus fare going back to Bagac is around 40 pesos (sorry I can't remember the exact amount). Why is it less going back? I don't know.

We arrived early at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar resort. We were taken to one of the houses that served as a receiving area for the guests. We were then treated to a sweet and very Filipino drink, Sago't Gulaman. I have to say that I was so impressed by the Sago't Gulaman at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. Before waiting for the walking guided tour to start, my friend and I had photos taken in front of the houses.

I had super high expectations of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Bataan. And what happens when you have super high expectations of anything? You get disappointed. Yes, I have to admit that I was disappointed. The houses were relatively well maintained and restored, but I felt like there was still room for improvement.I would've liked it better if the houses were newly painted or at least looked newly painted. Some houses did so I know that it could be done. I also found that only some houses had their interiors well restored and that some houses were empty.

I remember that one guest who brought a foreigner friend requested for the tour guide to speak in English and I felt bad for the tour guide because he obviously wasn't prepared to deliver his tour spiels in English. My recommendation is that Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar advice people (through their website and brochures) that the tour will be conducted in Tagalog and no English will be spoken, or maybe the front desk should disclose that whenever they see a foreigner guest.

The things that I really liked at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar were the cold towels given after the walking tour and the ambiance of being transported back in time.

I know that this place could still be better. One of the few suggestions that I have is to rename it as Las Casas heritage and beach resort. The idea is to let people know that it has a beach. Come on, a Vigan type of resort with a beach, what more could you ask for? I learned from the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar tour that they will be installing gondola rides soon, I hope that they'll plan the route very well and will be able to transport gondola riders to another world. The gondola route would have to be where the canal in Las Casas hosts buildings on both sides and these buildings will have to be right on the canal banks (no grassy areas in between). That is how you create a good gondola experience!

 

When I got home, I looked at the photos I took and realized that Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Bataan was actually nice. I think I was just tired from the almost four hours of traveling just to get there (not to mention dizzy), and that really took all my energy away. So will I go back to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar? Definitely! Next time, I'll bring my mom.

Here are more photos for your enjoyment.

Entrance to the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Bataan is 650 pesos without snacks. The entrance fee is 850 pesos with snacks. Both rates include the welcome drinks, cold towels, and guided tour. They also offer packages with set meals which is 1200 pesos per person. Unfortunately, I don't have any information on what kind of snacks or food they serve.