Everyone knows someone who has plans to travel to Baguio soon. We can’t blame the tourists — the City of Pines is a magical place, and we can’t get enough of it! But the best part is that Baguio is also such a welcoming destination, so much so that travellers can easily bring home pieces of it for their loved ones. Not sure what to get for your family and friends? Take this Baguio pasalubong list with you and shop away!
Also read: Baguio Travel Guide 2022: Best Things to See, Eat, and Do
Edible Baguio pasalubong items
1. Strawberry products
While Baguio City doesn’t grow strawberries (surprise, surprise!), it imports the juicy fruit from its neighbouring town, La Trinidad. So, when in season (March to April), the city offers strawberries at modest prices. Aside from the fruit per se, Baguio also markets delicious strawberry products. Think beyond strawberry jam; there’s also wine, crinkles, shortcakes, and even craft beer!
Buy Baguio strawberry preserve for ₱85 here.
2. Ube jam
Baguio pasalubong lists always include ube jam — in particular, Good Shepherd ube jam, thanks to its distinct buttery texture and sweet flavour. Of course, there are other local brands you can support, too (most of which are cheaper than the famous Good Shepherd).
Buy Good Shepherd Ube Jam for ₱440 here.
Also read: Where to Buy Ube Jam: 9 Stores That Offer Delicious Purple Yam Jam
3. Sundot kulangot
Once you get over its funky name, you might find sundot kulangot addicting. It has a sugary and nutty flavour, far from what its name might suggest. It only bears such a name because of how it begs to be eaten: You have to pick it from the tiny shell, just like how you would pick your nose. A disgusting picture, but definitely a delightful experience.
Buy sundot kulangot for ₱65 here.
4. Peanut brittle
As far as munchies go, peanut brittle tops our list of Baguio pasalubong items. You can purchase this in various jar sizes, making it a must-buy for travellers who have a number of friends (or officemates) to whom they want to give tokens.
Buy Romana special peanut brittle for ₱220 here.
5. Choco flakes
Another safe and affordable Baguio pasalubong, choco flakes come in large jars that go as cheap as ₱100. Among the many choco flakes brands in the market, Mika’San is the most popular. You can also get them in milk flavour or an assortment of milk and chocolate.
Buy Mika’San Choco Flakes for ₱250 here.
6. Lengua de gato
Have friends who love biscuits? Get them lengua de gato, a melt-in-your-mouth snack that pairs perfectly with coffee. Speaking of which…
Buy Good Shepherd lengua de gato for ₱420 here.
7. Coffee
Arabica beans grow abundantly in mountainous regions, so Baguio has easy access to some of the sharpest and tangiest beans in the country. From Sagada to Kalinga to Benguet, the Baguio Public Market offers the best roasts. As for where to find them, trust us — your nose will lead the way.
Drop by Garcia’s Pure Coffee or Kape Umali, which sit right next to each other. Both shops let you choose flavours and grind sizes, but you can opt to purchase beans to keep the coffee fresh for as long as possible.
Buy whole or ground Baguio coffee beans for as low as ₱79 here.
Also read: Cafes in Baguio: Where to Get the Best Coffee and Hot Chocolate in the City of Pines!
8. Honey
Another Cordilleran product, honey in Baguio is a lot cheaper than in most cities. A healthier alternative to sugar, this makes a great pasalubong item for anyone. Just a tip: Make sure you get your money’s worth when buying honey. Beware of fake honey at the market: Pure honey only smells mildly fragrant, like flowers.
Buy a 250ml bottle of Baguio honey for ₱150 here.
9. Wine
From tapeuy (fermented rice wine) to strawberry, guyabano, blueberry, and bugnay, Baguio has a long list of wine flavours. They make excellent pasalubong items, too, since you can find them in small bottles that won’t even cost you ₱100.
Buy a 750ml bottle of Baguio wine for ₱295 here.
10. Longganisa
Whether you like your longganisa pungent or sweet, Baguio has a variety that would suit your palate. The garlic Baguio longganisa tastes similar to the famous Vigan longganisa; the Baguio de recado longganisa is a sweeter variety, with a flavour reminiscent of hamon.
Also read: 10 Best Longganisa in the Philippines & Where to Get Them
11. Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are exceptionally cheap in Baguio as most of them grow abundantly in the highlands. (You can buy a kilogram of lemon for ₱20!)
Tip: Store produce in breathable packaging to avoid having them rot on your way home. You might consider having them wrapped in newspapers and then storing them in paper bags.
Buy Baguio fruits and vegetables here.
12. Raisin bread
A luxurious treat to the taste buds, the Baguio Country Club’s raisin bread has always been a crowd favourite. It’s especially good when paired with a good cup of coffee or hot chocolate, especially during the rainy season. Make sure to bring a loaf home for your loved ones — and yourself.
Also read: Where to Eat in Baguio: Top Tips for the Wandering Foodie Heading Up North
Non-edible Baguio pasalubong items
13. Brooms
Baguio brooms are the quintessential pasalubong for the titos and titas. The best and softest of their kind are made in Kapangan, Itogon, Kibungan, and Sablan — Benguet towns that grow buyboy, or tiger grass, which is used in weaving soft brooms.
Buy Baguio brooms for ₱99 here.
14. Wood carvings
Wood carving goes way back into Baguio’s heritage. Case in point: The Igorots have a tradition of carving out bulul, a male or female figure that they believe guards their rice crops.
Nowadays, many Igorots continue to practise wood carving; most of them do so for the tourist trade. In fact, you can find various forms of woodcraft around the Baguio City Public Market — one of the most famous being the barrelman, a palm-sized figure that conceals a special surprise. (Warning: NSFW).
Buy Baguio wood carving items here.
Also read: Philippine Souvenirs: 21 Trendy Gifts and Tokens to Take Home with You
15. Flowers
Baguio flourishes with fresh flowers of many kinds: sunflowers, marigolds, orchids, hyacinths — the list goes on. The cool climate of Baguio allows the blossoming of such abundant flora; in fact, every February, the city holds a Panagbenga Festival (flower festival) to celebrate the season of blooming.
Buy herb seeds and other planting essentials here.
Where to buy Baguio pasalubong items
As a tourist destination, Baguio has countless pasalubong hubs. You will find makeshift stalls around bus stations, fancy shops in malls, and even random kiosks along its streets. But the best places to buy Baguio pasalubong items will always be its markets.
The Baguio Public Market is a treasure trove of pasalubong items. From affordable trinkets to fragrant coffee beans, the area carries all sorts of souvenirs. Like most public markets, this centre has a wet section and a dry section, but it also has a space that solely offers tokens — keychains, baskets, T-shirts, and brooms are all available here.
To get the most bang for your buck, explore the public market before purchasing anything. Once you’re done canvassing, you may find that some sellers offer fruits and vegetables for a lot less than others.
Also read: Where to Stay in Baguio: 12 Airbnb Homes For All Budgets
With all these Baguio pasalubong options, which one will you be bringing home? Let us know in the comments section!
