Money – ATMs – Money Changers
Of course, you will need money to buy anything in Bacolod. To be able to buy, you need to convert your money to local Philippine currency. That is not at all a tough job to do because money changers and international ATM consortia are available city-wide. It is not at all difficult for any visiting tourist to possess local money. There are many different ways they can change their money to Philippine peso so it becomes easier for them to shop and buy their way through the best seats at the local restaurants, which by the way offers the most delectable recipes.
Internet Providers
You should not worry about having no link to the world if you are settling down to or visiting Bacolod City. There are Internet providers that will service your online connection.
LaSalTech, Inc. is the leading Internet service provider in the city. It is a franchisee of Mosaic Communications, Inc., which boasts of the most advanced, the most extensive Internet infrastracture. Other Internet providers in the province include 1stSpeedCom, Internet Haven, and TeleGlobal of the Philippines, Inc. among others.
Visa for Foreign Tourists
For foreign nationals who decide to pay a visit to Bacolod, a Philippine tourist visa will be required. However, if you come from nearby countries such as Hong Kong and other member-countries of ASEAN or Association of South East Asian Nations, all that you need is a passport. To be safe rather than be sorry, you must check first with the Philippine Embassy regarding the required travel documents before deciding on a trip to Bacolod City.
For those whose intention is to settle down rather than just visit Bacolod City, you must obtain a Permanent Resident visa, which can be done by marrying a Filipino spouse. If that is not possible, you may resort to obtaining visa extensions.
Visa Extensions
Obtaining visa extensions to be able to enjoy Bacolod and the Philippines in general for all it’s worth is very easy. Initially, tourists may be entitled to 21-day or 59-day visa from your country of origin. In case the visa validity of three to six months expires, you may obtain visa extensions from the local immigration offices for a fee. You may extend your visa again and again by paying the price but you must leave the country at least once a year if you are not entitled to a permanent resident visa. A visa run, which is quite ordinary for some other South East Asian countries such as Thailand, is all about complying with the local rules regarding foreign visitors.