When King Writes

Hey everyone,

This post is going to be different from the rest that I’ve published so far. I feel that an article about Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar needs more videos than photos to truly capture its essence.

Photos alone just wouldn’t do it justice. So, for the rest of this article, I’m going to share video clips from my visit. The only photo you’ll see here is the cover photo (above). 

Also, this article will be different from my usual writing style and format. Instead of a typical travel guide, it’s going to be more like an entry in my diary—conversational and shorter. Enjoy!

Why I Went 

First, I want to tell you why I went to Las Casas.

I’ve been wanting to visit Las Casas for years, but I never got the chance because it’s out of the way and quite far from Manila.

This time, a friend from the US came home and wanted to do something different. She wanted to experience a unique side of the Philippines. Since I’ve always wanted to visit Las Casas, I suggested we go there.

What really drew me to Las Casas is its ideal Spanish-Filipino neighborhood vibe. It’s visually appealing and nostalgic. The setting makes you feel like you’re living in a time when Filipinos would still wear Baro’t Saya and Filipiñanas.

Since Las Casas isn’t a super popular attraction, it’s not the kind of place that locals would flock to during vacations or holidays. There isn’t much information about it online—few posts or reels showcasing what you can do there. This piqued my curiosity. I wanted to experience it for myself, and now that I have, I am going to show you what I experienced.

How to Get There

One of the great things about the Philippines is that, even as a developing country, you can rely on Google Maps and Waze to get you wherever you need to go. 

Las Casas, Filipinas de Acuzar is roughly a 3 to 4-hour drive from Manila. I’ve shared the directions from Manila to Las Casas above. You can expand the map or save it in your GPS for easy navigation.

First Impressions

The first thing I noticed when we arrived at Las Casas was the cleanliness and lack of crowds. I’m not sure if we just lucked out since we went on a weekday, but given that it’s a major attraction in Bataan, it wasn’t as crowded as I expected.

Parking was also not a problem. Parking is free, though it’s a bit of a walk from the parking area to the entrance—about a five-minute walk. The parking is still on-site, located at the main gate. Fortunately, there’s a jeepney service that takes visitors from the parking lot to the building entrance and back again.

Even before I got out of the car, I was already head over heels for the place. It looks so much better in person. Nostalgic is the word that keeps popping into my head. Just looking at how the structures, statues, and greenery are arranged, it feels like a well-planned property. It’s like stepping into a work of art.

Tickets and Admission 

You can book tickets in advance by emailing the sales team. Alternatively, walk in and buy tickets when you get there.

Purchasing tickets on arrival is fairly easy. There’s a ticket booth/office near the boutique stores by the entrance. Just tell them how many people are in your group, pay, and then you’re good to go.

The credit card reader wasn’t working when we visited, so we had to pay in cash. It’s always a good idea to have cash on hand when traveling in the provinces of the Philippines, as card reader signals and Wi-Fi aren’t as reliable as in Manila.

A Day Tour of Las Casas costs PHP 2,500 on weekdays and PHP 2,900 on weekends, per person. Admission includes:

• Welcome Drinks
• Guided Heritage Walking Tour
• Kalesa Ride (horse-drawn carriage)
• Hotel De Oriente Viewing
• Balsa Ride
• Set Lunch*
• Beach Access

*Set lunch for guests before dining before 2 PM. Walk-in guests from 2 PM onwards will receive dining credits instead of lunch.

Historical Significance

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a living museum dedicated to preserving Filipino heritage. 

The site is a collection of meticulously restored Spanish-Filipino houses from the 18th to the early 20th century. Many of the houses are transported piece by piece from different parts of the Philippines and rebuilt brick by brick.

The vision behind Las Casas comes from Jose Acuzar, a Filipino businessman and cultural preservationist. He began this project to save and restore historical homes that were deteriorating or at risk of demolition. 

The goal was to create a space where future generations could experience and appreciate the Philippines’ architectural grandeur and cultural history.

Walking through Las Casas is like stepping back in time. Each casa (house) has its own story, and I loved being able to glimpse into the life and culture of the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. It’s like a history book come alive.

Things to Do

Kalesa Ride

The Kalesa ride is included with your ticket. For those who don’t know, a kalesa is a horse-drawn carriage ride. The carriage will take you around the property, and the ride lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. They have carriages for couples and larger groups.

While enjoying the ride, you’ll see the buildings, beautiful fountains, and greenery. Costumed actors will greet you along the way, some carrying chickens (like “sabongeros” a Filipino term for people who engage in cockfighting), and others dressed as characters like Maria Clara.

The driver will share historical information and fun facts about the property and what life was like in the old times. You can ask questions, and the driver will gladly share more details with you. It’s an enjoyable carriage ride around the property.

Balsa Ride

The Balsa Ride is another tour, but this time on the river. It lasts around 30 minutes to an hour. The duration varies depending on the pace set by your tour guide and how much time he gives you to roam around the destination (more about this below).

You will view some of the houses from the water, revealing beautiful perspectives that can’t be seen from land. 

The tour includes a stop at a stunning event place only reachable by boat. It offers unobstructed views of the rest of the property. There is also a pool at this location where staying guests can swim. 

You’ll learn about the fascinating process of moving entire homes from one place to another, as many of the houses are original structures that were relocated to Las Casas. 

The area is adorned with iconic statues and figures, especially around the Catholic church. If I were Catholic, I’d love to get married there!

Walking Tour

The walking tour lasts about an hour and is led by a local guide dressed in a period costume. What I love about this tour is that you get to go inside the homes and explore the furniture and interiors. The guide shares fascinating stories about the former owners, events that took place in the homes, and secrets you won’t find in history books.

You will tour 2 to 3 homes. One of the houses has a unique feature—a peephole from the second floor. The guide explained that it used to function like an early surveillance system. When someone knocked on the door downstairs, you could see who it was from the second-floor peephole (we got to try it, a fun experience!)

The tour guide was fantastic. He showed us hidden spots on the property that we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. These included a hidden garden and beautiful, aesthetic areas behind some buildings. It’s a tour that reveals the hidden gems while making you appreciate the rich history of Las Casas even more.

Eat

There are six eateries in Las Casas, and we had the chance to eat at two of them. While lunch is included in the ticket, you are free to try the other restaurants. They are a bit pricey, but I think it’s worth it. There is a variety of options, including alcohol, fresh juice, and food for both lunch and dinner.

Each restaurant has a unique interior, so it’s also interesting to explore them if you want to see the different designs. Like everywhere else on the property, the waiters wear period costumes and greet you in Filipino, adding to the overall immersive experience.

Shop

Shopping at Las Casas is more about finding unique souvenirs rather than a traditional shopping experience. You can purchase items like magnets, Filipino-style fans, and local snacks to take home as mementos.

Additionally, there are street vendors selling snacks such as Filipino “dirty” ice cream. Despite the name, it’s not actually dirty; it’s just a local term for traditional ice cream sold on the streets. These treats add to the charming and authentic experience of exploring Las Casas.

Other activities

I wish we stayed longer. There are more things to do:

• Cultural shows
• Movie night
• Biking (golf carts also available)
• Horseback riding
• Water activities at the beach (jet ski, kayak, yacht rentals, etc.)
• Carabao race
• Balsa dinner along the river
• Traditional Filipino massage
• Arts and crafts workshop
• Board games, chess, and billiards
• And more!

Accommodation 

I didn’t stay at Las Casas, so I can’t provide a firsthand review of the accommodations. However, from what I know, you have the option to rent an entire casa (house) or book a hotel room, with the latter being more affordable.

There are many casas (houses) to choose from, each beautiful and unique, offering various views. Some houses overlook the river, others have garden views, while some hotel rooms provide beach views.

We were allowed to peek inside one of the unoccupied guest houses. Though I didn’t take any photos, it felt like stepping into a traditional Filipino home. 

The house featured a traditional bed, wooden floors, large Filipino-Spanish windows, and a relaxing common area reminiscent of a Filipino home during the Spanish colonial period.

Tips

• If I were to go back, I would probably wear a traditional Filipino costume. It would be nice to take aesthetic photos with that beautiful background.
• Travel light if you’re just going for a day trip. There are no lockers for rent, so whatever you bring, you’ll have to carry with you unless you leave it in the car.
• Comfortable shoes are a must because there’s a lot of walking.
• It’s always hot in the Philippines, so wear light, breathable clothing—maybe a sleeveless shirt and breezy pants.
• Arrive early to experience as many activities as possible.
• If you’re planning to have lunch or dinner there, reserve a table in advance. The restaurants aren’t very big, and there might be a crowd.
• Book your time for the balsa ride and horse-drawn carriage, especially when there are many visitors.
• Tipping: We gave tips to the tour guide, boat, and horse-drawn carriage drivers.

Final Thoughts

I say Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is worth visiting even though it’s far from Manila because you can’t find anything else like it in the country. Every detail is beautifully thought out, making it a true work of art and a love letter to Filipino heritage.

If you’re taking a foreigner around the country, this is one of the best attractions worth the money and the time. It transports you back to a simpler time when life was prettier, and I truly appreciate environments like this. 

I would compare it to the Living History Museum in Williamsburg, U.S., where there are costumed people, traditional homes, and activities that make you feel like you’re living in that era.

I will definitely come back again, especially now that they’ve added new activities. I also want to stay for a night or two, as the place is pet-friendly too!