Contributed by The Lone Budget Traveler
Baguio is regarded as the Summer Capital of the Philippines because of its unusual cold weather all through out the year. It is one of the few places in the country where you can visit to escape the summer heat and enjoy a chilly weather. Aside from its cold weather, this place also offers a magnificent view of the Cordillera Administrative Region mountain ranges and breathtaking destinations — from its rich heritage to its indigenous culture.
Also read: Baguio Travel Guide for First Time Visitors
How to get there
Victory Bus Line located in Cubao
- Hourly trip going to Baguio everyday
- Travel time is around 5 hours
- Fare is at ₱445 for regular and ₱356 for Student with ID/PWD/Senior Citizen
An option if you’re not on a tight budget and can sacrifice ₱275 for convenience purposes is the deluxe bus (JoysBus) of Genesis Bus Line located also in Cubao.
- Free bottled water and a biscuit
- Free use of blankets
- NO BUS STOPS
- Comfortable seats (28seater bus) with CR
- 3-3.5 hours travel time
- Fare is ₱720 (no discounts for Students/PWD/Senior Citizen)
The Journey
Day 1
1. Good Shepherd Place
This is the home of the most famous Ube jam in the country. It is recommended that you buy your jams here because it is a lot cheaper compared to those found in the Baguio city market.
How to get there: Ride a jeepney going to Mines View Park. Jeepney terminal is located at lower session road just in front of the famous bakery in Baguio, Danes Bakeshop. Fare is ₱10.
2. Mines View Park
Things to do
- Cordillera region mountain ranges viewing
- Try wearing traditional costumes for ₱20 (unlimited use)
- Have a selfie with the horses or St. Bernard dogs
- Try your luck at the Wishing well
- Buy your pasalubong here
- Steetfood fest (Pusit!)
How to get there: From Good Shepherd, it is already walking distance going to the park.
3. The Mansion
This is the official place for the President during summer time! For security reasons, visitors are not allowed to roam around the place.
What to do
Take a great shot at the infamous gate of The Mansion. 👌
How to get there: From the park, ride a jeepney which is just beside the entrance of Mines View park and tell the driver to drop you off at The mansion. Fare is ₱8.50.
4. Wright Park
Things to do
- Take photos at the beautiful “Pool of Pines”, an elongated rectangular man-made body of water and at the end of the park is the well-known park circle
- Buy Natives’ handicrafts
- Walk at the wide stairway made of stones that leads you to the horses
- Ride a pony if you have extra money
How to get there: From the mansion, cross from the other side of the road. You’re already at Wright Park.
5. Ketchup Community (recently closed)
The area has five restaurants.
- Canto
- Happy Tummy
- Green Pepper
- Rumah Sate (Indo-Malay Cuisines)
- Rancho Norte (offers exotic Filipino dishes)
**For our part, we ate our lunch at Canto and tried their famous Pork ribs (the serving is big).
How to get there: From Wright Park where ponies are located, just cross to the other side of the road.
6. Arca’s Yard
Arcas yard is located at Tiptop, Ambuklao Rd, Baguio City. This is the best place to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee after a heavy meal! This is a must visit place when in Baguio. ☕🎂
How to get there: From Ketchup Community, hire a taxi that will take you to this place. Fare is around ₱70. If you’re coming from the city town proper, you will need to ride a jeepney that is bound to TipTop Ambuklao RD.
7. Botanical Garden
It is also known as the Igorot village since from here, you’ll be able to see nipa huts that are typically the home for natives back in time.
Things to do
- Admire and be fascinated by the garden
- Walk inside the Japanese Tunnel used during WWII
How to get there: From Arca’s Yard, ride a jeepney going to city proper and tell the driver to drop you off at Botanical garden. Fare is ₱8.50.
8. The Laperal Whitehouse
Considered as one of the most haunted places in Baguio City. Today, it became a museum showcasing the beautifully made arts and crafts by Filipinos thru the use of Bamboo and wood.
Entrance fee: Regular ₱50 | Student ₱30
How to get there: From Botanical Garden, you can just walk going to this place. Or if you’re tired then you can ride a jeepney just in front of Botanical Garden for ₱8.50.
9. Pink Sisters Convent
A very solemn place where you can pray and talk to God.
How to get there: From Laperal Whitehouse, it is already a walking distance going to the convent (5 to 10 minutes walk). Just ask the locals as to where the convent is located since it is not along the highway.
10. SM Baguio
Largest shopping mall in Baguio.
How to get there: From Pink sisters, you will be able to see SM. It will take you around 10 minutes of walk going there. An option is to catch a jeepney for ₱8.50.
11. Baguio Cathedral
It is the biggest Catholic church in the city.
How to get there: Exit from SM and walk down going to Baguio post office. From there, walk straight.
12. Session Road
It is considered as the heart of Baguio since it is the centre for business of the city. In here, you will find different restaurants that offer natives to foreign cuisines.
How to get there: From the Cathedral, it is a two-minute walk going to Session Road.
Things to do
- Try Vizcos restaurants strawberry shortcake
- Try Teahouse’s Palabok, Streamline cake or its famous Chona’s delight
- Try dining in at the infamous Volante restaurant
- Walk slowly from upper to lower Session Road. Enjoy and take photos!
13. Melvin Jones/Burnham Park/Rose Garden
Things to do
- Biking/Boating (Fee depends whether it is peak season or not. If peak season, Dec to May, they charge ₱100 for 30 minutes. Otherwise, your ₱100 pesos is for unlimited time.)
- Skating @Baguio Skating Rink located at the park
- Picnic
- Watch Football game at Melvin Jones
- Enjoy the scenery
How to get there: From lower Session Road (DBP bank), walk towards Hotel Veniz. From there, you’ll be able to see the park and the garden.
14. Goodtaste Restaurant (Dinner)
Food is palatable. Big servings. Affordable price. This is the most well-known resto to the locals.
How to get there: From Rose Garden, walk towards the path going to the Capitol or just ask the locals where is this restaurant. It will only take you around 5 minutes of walk.
15. Camp John Hay
A beautiful resort in the mountain. You can tour around the place and even visit the Manor House. Within Camp John Hay, you can find different restaurants and cafes. During Christmas season, a Christmas village is built as an additional attraction for the place.
How to get there: From Igorot Park (near Hotel Veniz) ask the locals where is the jeep bound to Camp Johnhay. Fare is ₱8.50.
Also read: Baguio City Travel Guide: Food, Stays & Sights
Day 2
16. Tam-Awan Village
How to get there: Ride a jeepney bound to Quezon Hill located at Baguio City market (back of Abanao Square) and just in front of Dane’s Bakeshop. Fare is ₱8.50.
17. Ben Cab Museum
It is a place where arts, crafts and collections of Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab) are displayed. The museum preserves the culture of the indigenous people of Cordillera Administrative Region.
How to get there: From Tam-awan Village, you can hire a taxi to get you to the museum. Fare is around ₱100. Another option is to go back to Baguio City market and ride a jeepney bound to Asin road (terminal is across the terminal for jeepney bound to Quezon hill) for ₱11.
18. Night Market
Things to do
- Ukay-ukay shopping!
- Streetfood fest!
How to get there: Located at Harison road Baguio City, in front of Melvin Jones. Night Market stats at 9pm onwards.
Day 3
19. Strawberry Fields
How to get there: Ride a jeepney located at the back of Centermall. You can either ride a jeepney bound to Buyagan or Pico La Trinidad. Fare is at ₱14.
20. STOBOSA Mural Arts
How to get there: From the strawberry farm, walk towards the highway road. From there, ride any jeep that is bound to Baguio City. Just tell the driver to drop you off at the painted houses.
21. Bell Church
How to get there: From STOBOSA, just walk straight to La Trinidad Arc. From there, you will be able to see the temple.
22. The Old Diplomat Hotel
How to get there: Ride a jeepney bound to Dominican Hill. Terminal is at the public market, at the back of Abanao Square. Fare is ₱8.50.
23. Lourdes Grotto
This is the place for devotees of Lourdes. It is recommended that you start at the foot of the stairway. Be ready for 252 steps upward.
How to get there: From Diplomat hotel, walk down straight to this place.
24. BOOKENDS
BOOK LOVERS, you can also visit this place. You can get a good book for a very cheap price!
How to get there: From Jollibee Harison Road, just walk up straight.
Baguio-La Trinidad Itinerary
Day 1
2am – ETD Victory Cubao
7am – ETA
7am – Checked in/Breakfast/Prep for Day 1 Adventure
9-9.20am – ETD/ETA to Good Shepherd
9.20-9.40am – Tour around Good Shepherd
9.40-10.20am – Mines View Park Tour
10.20-10.30am – ETD/ETA from Mines view park to The Mansion
10.30-10.45am – Photo Ops at The Mansion
10.45-11.30am – Tour and Photo Ops around Wright Park
11.30-1pm – Lunch at Ketchup Community (Canto)
1-1.15pm – ETD/ETA at Arca’s Yard
1.15-2.30pm – Photo Ops at Arca’s Yard
2.30-2.45pm – ETD/ETA at Botanical Garden
2.45-4.15pm – Tour and Photo Ops at the Garden
3.15-3.30pm – ETD/ETA at Burnham Park and Rose Garden
3.30-6.30pm – Biking/Boating
6.30-8pm – Dinner at Goodtaste
8-8.30pm – ETD/ETA at Camp Johnhay
8.30-10pm – Christmas Village and Camp Johnhay at Night
10pm onwards – Lights Off
Day 2
8am – Wake up
8-9am – Breakfast/Prepare for Day 2 Adventure
9-9.30am – ETD/ETA Tam-awan Village
9.30am-12.30pm – Photo Ops/Trek
12.30-12.50pm – ETD/ETA Bencab Museum
12.50-3pm – Photo Ops/Tour around the Museum
3-3.30pm – ETD/ETA Baguio Town Proper
3.30-4.30pm – Late Lunch
4.30-9pm – Back to Home to rest
9-12pm – Baguio Night Market and Night Life
12mn onwards – Lights off
Day 3
8am – Wake up
8-9am – Breakfast/Prepare for Day 3 Adventure
9-10am – ETD/ETA Strawberry Field
10-11am – Photo Ops/Strawberry Picking/Lettuce Picking
11-11.30am – ETD/ETA STOBOSA Mural Art
11.30-12:00nn – Photo Ops at STOBOSA Mural Art
12-12.15pm – ETD/ETA Bell Church
12.15-1pm – Photo Ops at Bell Church
1-2.30pm – Lunch at Jack’s Restaurant
2.30-3pm – ETD/ETA at Old Diplomat Hotel
3-4.30pm – Photo Ops
4.30-6.30pm – ETD/ETA at Lourdes Grotto
6.30-7.30pm – Enjoy the solemnity of the place
7.30-8pm – ETD/ETA Baguio City Town Proper
8-10pm – Dinner/Pack up things
10pm-4am – ETD/ETA at Cubao via Victory Bus
Summary of expenses
Note: Our accommodation was free since my parents rented an apartment in Baguio because my brother was home from studying. However, there are transient houses in Baguio City for ₱250 per head. Or you can try to book ahead of time at Hotel 45 located at Session Road. It has a matrimonial bed for ₱500 that is good for two with a common CR. If you want to have a private CR, it will cost you additional ₱400. Contact Number: (074) 304 2963
Also read: 4D3N Banaue Sagada Baguio DIY Itinerary and Travel Guide
So there you go fellas. I hope this article helps you with your Baguio trip planning!
