Baguio is also known as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines” because of its cool weather. For most people, this makes it the perfect place to travel to during summertime! It is also called the “City of Pine” because of the many pine trees you will see when you visit. The cool weather not only attracts tourists during the summer, but it also makes it a popular destination during BER months (September up to December).
The ‘Panagbenga’ (Flower) Festival there is extremely popular with tourists, and it’s also said that more tourists attend the festival than locals. If you want to experience a city where it feels like an air-conditioner is always on wherever you go, then this Baguio travel guide is for you!
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How to get to Baguio?
The best way to get to Baguio is through a bus. To get started, visit any online bus-booking site to get an accurate number for your travel expense. For example, a bus fare from Manila to Baguio starts at PHP 475 that may take about 4 to 6 hours of travel.
You can also rent a van if you plan to go to Baguio. No worries, because there are also online booking sites for vans! According to baguiovacationrentals.net, the cheapest rate for a van rental is around PHP 1200 for each guest of 13 people for two days and one night, without accommodations included. It may take approximately 4 to 6 hours of travel as well.
Where to go in Baguio?
So, you finally arrive at Baguio. What do you do next? Look around, of course! If this is your first time visiting, then here are some Baguio tourist spots you can explore.
Camp John Hay
Camp John Hay is the most popular among all of the Baguio tourist spots. It is where you can visit the Treetop Adventure, which offers a variety of choices on extreme rides such as the ‘Superman’ (get launched from a 150ft tower and zip your way around!) and ‘Silver Surfer’ (a fun place to glide between one treetop to another). They also offer more relaxed attractions like ‘Skywalk’ (where the Baguio highlands view will take your breath away) and ‘Trekking’ (enjoying the beauty of nature at your own pace).
You can also visit the Cemetery of Negativism, a place where you can metaphorically ‘bury’ all of your negative feelings and be motivated to see more positivity in life. In addition to this, you can also go hiking at the stunning Yellow Trail Hike while enjoying the beautiful surrounding that it offers.
Burnham Park
There are a lot of amazing things you can do in Burnham Park. For starters, it would be nice to take a walk or do a bit of jogging while surrounded by gorgeous trees, bushes, and flowers.
You can also do some relaxing self-reflection activity, such as peacefully sitting on a bench while staring at the mist forming above Burnham Lake early in the morning. Another great option is to rent a boat if you want to go to the lake or ride a bike if you prefer to stay on land.
Wright Park
Wright Park is also known as the ‘Ride Park’ because of the horseback riding activity that it offers. It is the most popular attraction in Wright Park. If you want to experience being able to ride a horse in a gorgeous landscape, then this is the best place for you!
Even if you do not know anything about horses yet, you can rest easy since there will be a “ponyboy” or a guide who will watch out for you and the horse during the whole ride. You could also take pictures in front of The Mansion (the official summer palace of the President of the Philippines) or at the land covered in pine trees.
Session Road
Session Road is the commercial center of Baguio City. If you take a walk there, you will probably have a tough time deciding where to eat because there are so many restaurants to choose from!
There are also various Ukay-Ukay shops (clothing thrift stores) where you can find great deals for reasonable prices. Another good option would be to window shop in Porta Vaga and the SM mall. Aside from that, you could also visit the Baguio Cathedral after taking long walks at Session Road.
Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd is a shop located at Gibraltar Road, Baguio City. The most popular food you can buy here is the tons and tons of flavors of jams on jars! Some signature choices are the Ube Jam, Strawberry Jam, Mango Jam, Blueberry Jam, and Orange Marmalade. You can also purchase other types of pasalubong (take-home goodies) here, like Lengua de Gato, Baguio Snowballs, and Peanut Brittle.
Here’s a fun fact: the reason why the prices in this shop can get a bit high is that their products support the scholarships of the students in need. Imagine buying a sweet treat for yourself while helping other people! Who knew life could get this good?
Mines View Park
One of the best places to view the iconic highlands of Baguio would no doubt be at Mines View Park. One glance at the spectacular sight of various Cordillera mountains is sure to take your breath away, especially during the daylight. There are a few giant rocks on the paths, so it is best to watch your step when walking here.
You can make the walk more enjoyable by buying souvenirs at the shop, such as keychains, T-shirts, and other items that will surely make you remember the trip fondly. In addition to that, one of the best parts of going to Mines View Park will be eating some Strawberry Taho outside after a long walk while appreciating how beautiful the place is.
Diplomat Hotel
Commonly called the Old Diplomat Hotel, this place will surely provide an exciting visit for those who love Philippine history, old-fashioned architecture, and most of all, scary stories. Taking the first step inside almost feels like being transported back in time, as everything there looks far from the modern city designs that most of us know.
Diplomat Hotel was initially a vacation house for American friars and nuns of the Dominican Order, but it also served as a refugee camp for Filipinos during World War II. History enthusiasts will surely appreciate visiting this place because of the many untold stories behind its seemingly timeless walls.
Bell Church
Bell Church is a Taoist temple located at La Trinidad, Benguet. For those who are fond of temple architecture, this is the place for you! While it is not directly in Baguio, the location is close enough to be considered a neighbor. Once you see the beauty inside the place, the visit will surely be worth it.
Besides being known for its spiritual representations, Bell Church also informed people about important events like calamities from within the vicinity. While most tourist spots are swarming with people talking and wandering about, Bell Church is quite the opposite. The peaceful, gorgeous atmosphere in this place is sure to calm your soul from all the stress and noise commonly experienced in the city.
La Trinidad Strawberry Farm
When going to the area around Baguio, never forget to get a bag of delicious strawberries that are fresh and locally produced before you leave. If you ever wonder where it came from or how they harvest it, going to La Trinidad Strawberry Farm will surely be enjoyable for you!
The most anticipated part about going to the strawberry farm is they allow you to harvest the strawberries yourself if you want to. The best time to visit will be from November up to May. Picking strawberries yourself is an unforgettable and fun experience!
Colors of StoBoSa
Whether you are an art enthusiast or appreciate the sight of vibrant hues, the Colors of StoBoSa is a sight you will enjoy. It is officially called the StoBoSa Hillside Homes Artwork, and it certainly lives up to its name. The houses were made into a single artwork by the Tam-awan Village group and are considered a local tourist attraction due to their eye-catching visuals.
There is no place as Instagram-able as the Colors of StoBoSa. Keeping the memory of seeing such a creative and aesthetically pleasing artwork is certainly something that people cannot forget. You can visit it at Bontoc Rd, Pico, La Trinidad.
Where to Stay in Baguio
CV Bed n Bath
If you’re looking for an affordable place to stay in Baguio, CV Bed n Bath is one of the best options. Located at the heart of the city in Alonzo Street, it gives easy access to most of the places you’d want to visit while providing all necessities with a homey atmosphere during your stay.
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ZEN Hostel 3BU Baguio
If you’re searching for a place with a traditional-looking vibe, then this is the place for you. ZEN Hostel 3BU Baguio, with its signature Baguio aesthetic design, offers mixed dormitory rooms that are ideal for solo or pair travelers with the option of bunk beds or single beds. The place can be found at 120 Upper Bonifacio St in Baguio City Proper.
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Bed and Bath at Station 120
With its clean and modern design, Bed and Bath at Station 120 offers solo rooms and triple bedrooms at affordable prices. Its location at Lower General Luna Road is ideal for those who want to take walks at Burnham Park and those visiting the Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral since both are nearby.
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OYO 734 Baden Powell Hotel
If you plan to go towards Session Road, OYO 734 Baden Powell Hotel is the best place for you! Besides being located within walking distance of Session Road, its commercial vicinity allows guests to roam around the city conveniently. The hotel also has free wifi, offering a range of rooms such as standard double to quadruple. You can find the place at 26 Gov. Pack Road, Baguio City Proper.
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Things to do In Baguio
Here is a list of things that you can do when in Baguio. We will be excluding things that only happen on special occasions, such as attending the Panagbenga Festival or Christmas village events. These will be the things that you can do in Baguio at any time of the year.
Shopping
You can go on a window-shopping shopping spree in Baguio. There are a lot of thrift stores or Ukay-Ukay where you can bargain to get the best deals. You can also look for brand new things inside malls like SM or Porta Vaga. The Ukay-Ukay is not the only place where you can bargain. There is also the Night Market, which is located along Harrison Road from 9 pm until 4 am.
Strolls
Strolling means having a leisurely walk, and you can do just that at Burnham Park or Wright Park. You could take your time walking while enjoying the natural view of those parks. The best time to walk in the park is in the morning because it is colder and the place has fewer people. You could also take a stroll along Session Road while looking for something to eat.
Food trip
Here are some foods you can try or give as a “pasalubong” when you leave Baguio.
Lengua de Gato
Lengua de Gato translates to “cat’s tongue”. These are Filipino butter cookies with a shape resembling the tongue of a cat, hence the name. It has a simple, subtle flavor that some find irresistible and is often a staple pastry for most people.
Strawberry Taho
Taho is a dessert composed of silken tofu, brown sugar, and sago pearls. You can also choose between Strawberry or Ube flavor instead of plain brown sugar. The Strawberry Taho at Baguio is iconic since it adds a unique spin on the classic flavor that everyone seems to like.
Ube Jam
Ube jam is a dessert made out of boiled purple yam. While Ube is already a trademark sweet from the Philippines, it gets even better when turned into jam! You can get this at Good Shepherd or the Public Market.
Lomo Ribs
You can get the best Lomo ribs at a restaurant called Canto. This iconic dish is best with some salad and mashed potatoes, making it the perfect meal to eat after a long day of walking.
Peanut Brittle
Peanut Brittle is also known as candied roasted nuts. These are flat pieces of roasted peanuts covered in light corn syrup. Either as a whole piece or broken into parts, Peanut Brittle is a handy snack that you can eat with ease wherever you go
Understanding Unique Cultures
The best place to experience the Cordilleran culture is by going to Tam-awan Village. Most of the things you will see here are authentic and natural. You could also pay to learn the basics of some arts like solar drawings, paintings, sculptures, and you can also have your face drawn on the spot.
You could pay to sleep inside the huts or hike around the village for free. You can also experience Igorot culture in Wright Park. You can take a picture of yourself in Igorot attire or take photos with local elders. You can also buy Igorot handicrafts as a souvenir for your visit.
Where to Eat in Baguio
Let’s take another food trip, but this time we will be looking at where to eat in Baguio. If you ever find yourself asking where to eat in Baguio, then here are some suggestions to help you decide.
Habibis Grill
The most popular foods offered here are shawarma and kebab. Its location is just across the Baguio City Hall.
Good Taste
The most popular food here is their buttered chicken. This restaurant is at Otek Street, Baguio City.
Canto
The most popular dish here is the Lomo ribs. You can find this restaurant at 25 Kisad Road, Baguio City.
Lemon and Olives
The best-seller here is Moussaka. This restaurant is at 26 Outlook Drive, Baguio City.
Here is one final piece of advice when going to Baguio: don’t just bring clothes for cold weather. While it’s true that Baguio mostly has a cool temperature, it can get pretty hot there too. It might be super chilly when it’s raining or during early mornings, but it could also get warm when sunny days arrive. We hope that this Baguio Travel Guide helps you. Have a happy trip!
OTHER TRAVEL GUIDES:
Boracay Travel Guide
Palawan Travel Guide
Cebu Travel Guide
Dumaguete Travel Guide
Ilocos Travel Guide
Baler Travel Guide
