Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
A whole old town of Spanish-era houses, taken apart across the country and rebuilt piece by piece beside the sea in Bataan.
Quick answer
- What it is: a heritage resort of Spanish-era Filipino houses, dismantled in their home towns and rebuilt in Bagac, Bataan.
- Size: a property of around 400 hectares by the sea, opened to the public in 2010.
- Best way to see it: a guided heritage tour, which tells the story of each house and the families who lived there.
- Getting there: about three hours by road from Manila.
- The debate: some heritage advocates object to moving old houses away from their original towns.
Why it is a wonder
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is one of the strangest and most beautiful places in the Philippines. Over two decades, developer Jose “Jerry” Acuzar bought old houses from towns around the country, had them taken apart, moved and rebuilt in Bagac, Bataan, on a property of around 400 hectares by the sea. The result, opened in 2010, is a complete Spanish-era town of stone-and-wood bahay na bato mansions, cobbled streets, a river and a plaza.
It is also controversial. Heritage advocates point out that these houses were part of real towns and would ideally have been saved where they stood.
Beat the crowds
- Stay the night and walk the streets early, before day visitors arrive.
- Come on a weekday; weekends and holidays are busy with tours and weddings.
Getting there
Las Casas is about three hours by road from Manila, via the expressway to Bataan. Most visitors drive or join a tour with transport included. See our guide to getting around the Philippines.
A perfect day
- Join the heritage tour to hear the stories behind the houses.
- Ride a calesa, a horse-drawn carriage, along the cobbled streets.
- Cross the river on a bamboo raft or the stone bridge.
- Watch the sunset over the West Philippine Sea from the beach.
Through the seasons
- November to April: the dry season, best for walking tours.
- June to October: the rainy season, with typhoon risk on this exposed coast.
Respect the place
Treat the houses as museums: don’t touch fragile furniture or climb on railings, and follow your guide. For heritage still in its original setting, see Vigan.
Photo gallery
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit on a day trip?
Yes. Day tours are available, though many people stay overnight in one of the restored houses to see the streets in the quiet early morning and evening.
Are the houses original?
Many are original houses that were taken apart and rebuilt, while others are replicas or partial rebuilds with new materials.
Why is it controversial?
Some heritage advocates argue that old houses should be restored where they stand, as part of their towns, rather than moved to a private resort.
What else is nearby?
Bataan's Second World War sites, including Mount Samat, and the beaches of Bagac and Morong.
Anilao
The birthplace of Philippine scuba, where divers hunt for tiny, impossibly colourful creatures a few hours from Manila.
We checked this guide against the 3 sources listed below. Last updated 14 November 2026. Basis: researched from official sources. Written and edited by Delfin, with AI-assisted research (how we work). Prices, hours and rules change, so confirm before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
