Bataan Travel Guide: LAS CASAS FILIPINAS DE ACUZAR

Travel back to the 18th century the Philippines when you step foot in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar which directly translates to “The Houses of Acuzar”. Home to Jose Acuzar’s collection of beautifully and meticulously restored Spanish-Filipino houses, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar grand display of the best of Filipino heritage and culture. Just 2.5 hours away from Manila- Las Casas offers so much awestruck beauty and well rounded day tour activities that’ll definitely make your day pretty memorable.

Each casa comes from an elite and prominent accessory attachment that has its own story to tell. Be in awe of the distinctive Filipino craftsmanship used in the restoration of each of the houses.

Hertz Recommended Options to Stay

HOTEL ROOMS

They have their in-house hotel sections that are beach fronting in which remains authentic to its Spanish-Filipino roots yet allows you to indulge in the comforts of modern amenities. Like flat screen TVs, A/C, mini-fridge, and Wifi.

The option of the beach-view room or plaza-view room

BATHROOM
One full granite bathroom with separate bathtub and shower
Hair dryer

BED FEATURES
Extra beds available

ROOM AMENITIES AND SERVICES
Air-conditioned room, in-room safety deposit box

ROOM FEATURES

ENTERTAINMENT
Television with cable channels, DVD player upon request

Hotel rooms can go as low as 4,600php/ 95USD and as high as 7, 500php/160USD each room comes with breakfast.

PRIVATE CASAS (HOUSES)

Now if you want something grand and want a whole casa (house) to yourself and your loved ones you may rent out their whole heritage house. Price depends on how big, grand and extra amenities per house has.

What to DO

Las Casas de Acuzar offers two (2) types of day tours:

• Walking Heritage Tour (1,500php/30USD)

With the Walking Heritage Tour, go back in time and get a glimpse of 18th-century Philippines by viewing the casas in the resort

•      All-Day Tour (2,000php/ 40USD)

Heritage walking tour, river cruise, kalesa ride, family-style lunch, and access to the Hotel de Oriente. Minimum of 5 people to avail this package.

Now, there are plenty of things to do around the area, but we’ve listed 5 phases of activities you shouldn’t miss.

PHASE 1: TAKE THE HERITAGE TOUR

A guided 1-1.5 hours walking tour comes with your day entrance or should you be staying for the night. You’ll be acquainted with around 4 casas (houses) that have very deep attachments of the story to each location.  The tour follows these schedules: 8.30am, 9.30am, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm.

Expect centuries-old heritage houses and relics with interesting stories being foretold during the walking tour. There are seasonal art galleries that feature various contemporary artists.

To end the heritage show you will be ushered to a beautiful courtyard near the rice fields to watch a cultural show is more like a high school play with decent performances. It just doesn’t stand out like many other performances we have seen in other places

PHASE 2: THE ESTERO DE BINONDO TOUR

This tour will take you back to the old Binondo settlement where an Estero (canal or waterway) slithers through the buildings and ancestral houses like the ones in Europe. This you shouldn’t miss. It is amazing how every corner of the canal tunnels, casas (houses) and carvings are meticulously handmade and you can see the precision of the details.

PHASE 3: RANDOMLY ENJOY ACTIVITIES AND FESTIVITIES

You can do the tour, ride the tram, go swimming, etc. We also got to watch a carabao race, folk dances, palo sebo, spider fights and other interesting things. After doing the walking tour, watching the carabao race and walking all over their space it’s quite amazing that on top of their beautiful landscape around their beach resort is also quite nice to sit down and wait for the sun to set. A perfect pausing statement.

Where to Eat

All restaurants have beautiful fixtures and trinkets of antique memorabilia.

The La Bella Teodoro is Las Casas De Acuzar’s in-house Italian restaurant. Armed with an elegant ambiance. Stoned walls, high ceilings, gigantic chandeliers, antique paintings, collector’s item memorabilia and everything else in between.

Café Marivent takes a traditional approach to Filipino and Spanish cuisines, offering popular items such as  Gambas Rebosadas, Salpicao con Setas, Paella Valenciana, Paella Negra, Puchero, Crispy Pata, Kalderetang Baka, Pork Binagoongan, and so much more.

Hertz Recommended Vehicle

For this trip, we recommend booking our Nissan Almera under the Intermediate Sedan Class.

This sedan top of the line model with its refreshed exterior design, larger-than-life cabin and cargo space, interior comfort, and strong air-conditioning, each drive opens up the road of new possibilities and opportunities for you and your loved ones.  Making your travel going to Bataan comfortable.

Las Casas de Acuzar has a beautiful myriad of landscapes, It boasts a huge private beach and some amazing architectural beauty. The staff is very well trained, the tour of the property is informative. Plus points out that they have pretty strong wifi signal all around their grounds and surprisingly even on their beach area.

You can see the dedicated advocacy of the owner of this place and how passionate he or they are with this project. We’re highly recommending Las Casas de Acuzar to be visited, being in that place is an experience itself.  The heritage community’s architecture continues to astonish visitors at its intricacy and perpetual splendor. You may book it through this link.

Driving Directions:

• Use Google Map or Waze. Normally you’ll take the Balintawak exit, NLEX then take the San Fernando Exit drive your way to Bagac, Bataan. Approximately 2.5-3 hours of travel time.

This is place is more than a weekend destination. It is an appreciation of our past as Filipinos, a homage to a long-lost beauty now immortalized in wood, stone, and Filipino creativity. Go for that much-awaited road trip and experience this place yourself and let Hertz take you to your next destination! #HertzPH #JourneyToYourDreams

Find Las Casas de Acuzar is located in Brgy. Ibaba, Bagac | Bataan, Bagac, Luzon 2107, Philippines

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This post was written by crystal