Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
If you’re looking for a change from beach trips and are looking forward to an immersive, historical-themed vacation, the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan, recently named the best historic hotel in the Asia Pacific by Historic Hotels Worldwide, should be on your list.
A 400-hectare property, it’s composed of 63 heritage homes where you can relive the old-world charm of Philippine history. Aside from spending a day or two in the ancestral structures as if you’re truly living in the past, you can also enjoy a variety of activities in the resort, from day and night tours to a balsa river cruise.
Most of its casas or houses date back to the Spanish colonial period
Casa Balayan II
Image credit: @lascasasfilipinasdeacuzar
Transferred from their original locations, the heritage houses in the resort have been restored to their new glory. Most casas like these usually only allow tourists to view them from the outside, but you can actually stay the night in any of them.
Most of the structures date back to the Spanish colonial period, such as the Casa Balayan II, built in the 1800s, and the Casa Baliuag, which was built in 1898 originally facing the Baliuag Church in Bulacan. Some of the houses were built around the beginning of the 20th century, such as the Casa Jaen II and Casa Meycauyan.
Inside the Casa Meycauyan
Image credit: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
The heritage house prices, from P28,000 (~USD552.98) a night, may not be the easiest for your wallet if you’re on a budget, but the resort also offers historical-themed hotel rooms at a more affordable price, starting at P7,000 (~USD138.92) per night.
Walk on cobblestone streets during day & night tours
Image credit: @lascasasfilipinasdeacuzar
To learn more about each of the ancestral houses while you stroll along the resort’s cobbled streets, you can also check out the walking day & night tours (price upon request) on offer. Each hour-long tour comes with a tour guide.
Casa Biñan, inherited by Teodora Alonzo, mother of Jose Rizal
Image credit: @lascasasfilipinasdeacuzar
Eat your breakfast while on a balsa river cruise
Image credit: @lascasasfilipinasdeacuzar
You can also explore the resort not just by walking tours, but also by riding a balsa or bamboo raft on water. The balsa river cruise (P600, ~USD11.91 per person) will take you from the resort’s River Umagol to Estero de Binondo, so you can marvel at structures bearing wall murals located across the rivers.
A balsa breakfast river cruise, as well as a balsa night river cruise, are also available for you to choose from.
Ride a kalesa
Image credit: @lascasasdilipinasdeacuzar
The resort’s kalesa ride also offers us a chance to experience the mode of transportation our grandfathers and mothers were used to during their time. Each ride is P75 (~USD1.49) per person for 15 minutes, and you can choose to take a day or night ride.
Attend workshops & enjoy other activities
Craftsmen at Las Casas, Dapitan Bar
Image credit: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
Las Casas wouldn’t be what it is now without the skilful artists behind its every detail. You can witness them at work, or attend a workshop with them to learn a thing or two about their craft. One of the workshops available is the fiberglass mosaic workshop (P1,000, ~USD19.86 per person), which will allow you to create a mosaic you can take home.
Other activities you can sign up for include beach activities such as going to a pawikan nursery and hatchery and water activities such as banana boat riding. And when you’re famished from all the fun, you can eat at restaurants serving various types of dishes, from local to international cuisines.
Bataan’s Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
Showcasing our history through the grand beauty of our heritage houses, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is indeed a must-visit for anyone who wants a romantic getaway with valuable lessons of the past.
On top of it all, various activities from balsa rides to day tours will also make your visit to the resort fun, exciting, and filled with memories.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
Address: Brgy. Ibaba, Bagac 2107, Bataan
Mobile: 0917 872 9361
Website
Also check out:
- Bale Batu, little Cambodia of the Philippines
- Infante Ancestral House in Negros Oriental
- Things to do in Binondo, oldest Chinatown in the world
Cover image adapted from: @lascasasfilipinasdeacuzar, @lascasasfilipinasdeacuzar, and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
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