Baguio

Baguio, to many, is best known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines", with its cool climate making this a spot to escape the chaotic scenes in Manila. The city is also home to tropical pine forests, lending the city the nickname "City of Pines". It serves as a tourist hub in the Cordilleras, serving as a jumping point to other tourist spots like Mount Pulag, Sagada and Banaue.
Baguio is considered a city separate from the province of Benguet, but it is considered part of Benguet practically, and it is the economic center for both the province and the Cordillera region. Some of the city's tourism promotions also point to nearby La Trinidad, which is both administratively and geographically in Benguet, and is the provincial capital.

History

The city originated as a hill outpost by the Americans in the 1900s. Road connection is provided by the zigzagging Kennon Road, and the city is planned by the noted architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham. Originally intended to be the summer capital of the Philippines, then an American colony, it soon gained its position as a popular tourist destination to many Manileños escaping the heat, noise, and crowds of the metropolis. The city has been badly damaged by the destructive Central Luzon earthquake in 1990, but the city since recovered.

Climate

Lying at in the Cordilleras, Baguio has milder temperatures, and is quite temperate than the rest of Luzon and the country as well. The climate is highland subtropical, with temperatures cooler than the lowlands, and conditions reminiscent of spring. The coldest temperatures ever recorded in the city is . Chilly northeastern monsoon winds from Siberia can cause nighttime lows to drop almost near freezing, with frost forming from moisture turning into ice due to wind chill. Despite its altitude, Baguio has not experienced any snowfall.
The city is best visited during the dry season between November and April, when the northeast monsoon blows through northern Luzon, and rainfall is at its lowest. The cool dry season is Baguio's peak season for tourists. The rest of the year is rather rainy, and it is rather the off season for tourists.

To get to Baguio from outside of Luzon, one would still need to pass through Metro Manila or Clark airport and from there get to Baguio by either of the following ways:

By bus

From Alaminos

• This is the most common and economical way to get to Baguio from Metro Manila. Several bus lines ply the Metro Manila to Baguio route with terminals scattered across the metro. It generally takes about 5-7 hr to get to Baguio by bus. An hour longer than it would by car due to stopovers along the way.

• Victory Liner

  phone: +63 2 727 4534, +63 2 833 5019
  has hourly bus service to Baguio from its Monumento Main terminal in Caloocan City, Cubao and Pasay terminals. Buses are generally modern and air-conditioned but seats are sized generally for Filipinos and tall people would need to take advantage of the various stopovers to stretch their legs. Cost is per person one way (most expensive among Aircon buses going to Baguio). A non-stop deluxe bus service is also available for per person one way, water and snack are served during the trip. Semi-deluxe buses are now included with one stop at Tarlac Shell station, costs around , no toilet inside the bus. Some buses have free WiFi.

• Dagupan Bus

  phone: +63 2 929 6123
  address: New York St., Cubao, Quezon City
  Also serves the Manila to Baguio route via its Cubao Terminal. Buses leave on an hourly basis.

• GenesisBuses depart every hour from Cubao, Pasay, and Avenida bus stations. Since July 15, 2019, they operate a premium bus service (via the expressways) from Parañaque with stops at all terminals of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, between 5AM and 9PM.

From Clark airport

• Partas Bus operates a bus service that stops at Clark airport and heads north from there, departing the airport at 5PM. Get off at Sison,Pangasinan (arrival there around 8PM) and cross the road to the restaurant stop opposite and get on a Victory Liner bus that does a dinner stop there. The fare from Clark airport to Sison on Partas Bus is , then from there by Victory Liner to Baguio is an additional . Travel time is 3 hours Clark to Sison, then 1½ hours Sison to Baguio, plus some waiting time at Sison.

From Angeles City

• Philippine Rabbit operates from Dau Terminal. . Journey takes about 4-5 hr.

By plane

Baguio has an airport, the

Loakan AirportVisibility challenges, its high altitude, and the short runway affects operations to this airport. Platinum Skies is the only commercial operator that serves Baguio, and the rest are mostly small propeller-operated aircraft and helicopters.

By car

From Manila to Baguio by car, take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) from Quezon City until Clark and then exit to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), then to the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) up to Urdaneta, Binalonan or Pozzorubio in Pangasinan. From there, you will drive the old McArthur Highway until Rosario, La Union. Motorists drive through the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Pangasinan and La Union (if via Marcos Highway) or Benguet (if via Kennon Road). Of the three main routes leading up to Baguio, the scenic Kennon Road is the shortest, taking only three-quarters to one hour from the foot of the mountains in Rosario, Pangasinan. Marcos Highway starts in Pugo, La Union (a little further to the northwest from Rosario) and takes about one hour but is a wider, less winding road with a more gradual uphill incline and is safer in the rainy season. It has spectacular vistas of the South China Sea on a clear day. Naguillan Road is usually taken by travellers from the north and will take longer.
All three roads can get blocked by landslides and Kennon Road with its long winding stretches is both scenic and dangerous. If you want to drive to Baguio, it would be best to hire a Filipino driver for this purpose. Most rental car companies in the Philippines offer chauffeur driven rentals in addition to the usual self-driven rentals. Visitors need to keep in mind that while it takes at average 6-7 hr to get to Baguio by car, it takes much longer during holiday weekends like Holy Week.

By jeepney

Similar to Manila, jeepneys ply various routes within Baguio and its immediate surroundings. Majority of jeepneys going out of the city (P.M.A., Country Club, etc.) are stationed in Burnham Park where they normally load passengers to their destinations. It is possible to a rent a jeepney but it is not advisable when trekking long distances.

By taxi

More convenient for tourists perhaps, taxis are also common but once you are in the outskirts may be a bit hard to come by.
Taxis abound in Baguio. The rate is for the first , with / increments thereafter. All Baguio taxi cabs are painted white and have the proper identification markings on them. Maximum capacity in each taxi is 5 persons (4 passengers, 1 driver).
Taxis can also be booked for a whole day tour at for a 8-9 hr tour of all the main attractions in and around town. Find a taxi at the Tourist Information Counter at the Victory Liner terminal or through your place of accommodation.

By car

Car rental in Baguio is a good option for short out-of-town trips and traveling around the city. There are several agencies offering car hire in Baguio and there are self-drive and with driver options available. To rent a car in Baguio you should have an international driver's license. Baguio usually involves navigating a series of winding mountain roads.The traffic is on the right side of the road. As the Session Road and the public market have a very limited parking space, consider leaving your car outside the city center. Rates for car rental Baguio companies can go by the hour, the day or by the week.

• Burnham ParkGo for a walk or go rowing on Burnham Lake. Visit the recently renovated Rose Garden or have fun with the kids in the Burnham Park Playground.

• Camp John HayThis former R&R facility for American military personnel during the American occupation was turned over to the Philippine Government in 1991. Now under the auspices of the Bases Conversion & Development Authority (BCDA), Camp John Hay is a sort of country club complete with an 18-hole golf course, horseback riding and camping, among other activities. A condotel is in operation. Renovations in the resort have added different activities such as a paintball arena and zip-lining. This place can get very crowded on weekends.

• Mines View ParkEnjoy the view of the beautiful mountain scenery with other various attractions. If you're looking for the special "Man-In-A-Barrel" souvenir and other phallic souvenirs you will find them here.

• Philippine Military AcademyThe Philippines' premier military cadet training center. It is recommended to visit P.M.A. during Saturdays as this is where the cadet groups practice field activities. The "Hundred Night Show" is a yearly play conducted by cadets and officers during December.

• Session RoadThe main thoroughfare of Baguio, where most of the city activity is centered. SM mall and Burnham Park are walking distance.

• Lion's Head

  address: Kennon Road, Camp 6
  Limestone sculpture of a lion by the Baguio chapter of the Lions Club. It is carved by Ifugao artist Anselmo Bayang Day-ag and is considered as the Baguio's "entrance marker" for tourists coming from south of the city.

• Panagbenga: The Baguio Flower Festival is held every February. Street parades, colorful floats and costumes and native dance displays have drawn huge crowds to Baguio every year.
• Horse back riding: Wright Park and its surroundings. It costs per hour ( for half an hour), plus a guide fee if you want to ride beyond the park.
• Baguio City Night Market: Harisson Road, Session Road, and surrounding streets. Around 11PM, when the normal hustle of the city cools down, the night market takes to the street. Buy clothes, shoes, and accessories at low prices. Make sure to bring a tumbler of coffee to fight off the cold as you peruse their goods.

• North Haven Spa

  phone: +63 74 3005022
  address: 21 Avelino Street, Ferguson Rd
  Aside from the usual Thai, Swedish and combination massage, you can have a Baguio strawberry, Benguet coffee or Cordillera rice scrub, an indigenous head massage or the Dagdagis or Kolkolis, the region’s traditional foot massage using runo sticks to stimulate the soles of the feet.

• Spa de belles fleurs

  phone: +63 74 424 1230
  address: 5th floor ES Clemente Bldg. Otek St
  Body and facial treatments. “Spa de Belles Fleurs” means spa with beautiful flowers in English.

• Good Shepherd Convent

  phone: +63 74 442 3865
  address: 15 Gibraltar Rd
  Baguio City. Peanut brittle, strawberry jam, sesame crunch and ube (purple yam) jam.
• Woven articles - various articles ranging from wristbands and bookmarks through hand bags and rucksacks to slippers, all hand woven.
• Wood carvings - rice god figurines, traditional Ifugao houses and other nice carvings made from hard wood.

Malls & supermarkets

• Porta Vaga Mall

  phone: +63 74 304-0109
  address: Session Road
  Also hosts a Robinsons Supermarket.

• SM City Baguio

  phone: +63 74 6197838 42
  address: Luneta Hill, Upper Session Road
  A large shopping mall in Baguio. It hosts a SM Supermarket. This mall is unusual among most Philippine malls you generally find because it lacks air conditioning; instead, cooling is provided by Baguio's naturally cold air.

• Puregold Supermarket

Baguio has the usual fastfood joints that are so ubiquitous in major Philippine cities. For a true taste of Baguio, have a bite at the following establishments:

• Café by the Ruins

  phone: +63 74 4424010
  address: 23 Chuntug St., Baguio City
  Quaint ambience, hearty salads, pastas and juices and good coffee or tea.

• Forest House Bistro & Cafe

  address: 16 Loakan Rd
  Great music, great service.

• Good Taste Cafe and Restaurant

  address: Rajah Matanda St., Baguio City

• Pizza Volante

  address: Session Theatre Building, Session Road
  Traditional Italian Pizza and Pasta.

• HB Bistro

  address: 92 T. Alonzo St
  Serves a mixture of traditional Filipino dishes like sisig, adobo and chicharon, as well as western food like pizza and pasta. Also has free WiFi, 2 soundproof karaoke rooms, a PS4, and free usage of board games.

Baguio has a fine selection of accommodations, mostly cozy pension houses and small hotels that reflect this Philippine province's delightful homey atmosphere.

Budget

• Darlyn's Transient House

  phone: +63 918 520 8006
  address: AB028 SLU Subdivision, Ambiong, La Trinidad
  five huge rooms that could accommodate three to five guests each. A 20-minute taxi ride away from the different points of interests in Baguio.

• Upstairs Bed and Bath Hostel.

  phone: +63 74-4464687, +63 9328784687
  address: Leonard Wood Road.
  has 90 beds in dorms. common hot and cold water bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi. A nice place for backpackers.

• Babs Place Baguio Transient Inn

  phone: +63 9233498481
  address: 508 Hillside road
  Single/double rooms.

• Baguio Harisson Inn

  phone: +63 744427803
  address: 37 Harrison Road
  Double room with own bathroom.

• Mount Ainside Lodging House.

  phone: +63 9273395888
  address: 51 Bokawkan Road
  Single/double rooms with outside bathroom.

• Baguio Village Inn

  address: 355 Magsaysay Road
  Clean single/double rooms with common bathroom. has free wifi.

• 456 Hotel

  address: Session Road
  Fan single/double room with own bathroom.

• City Light Hotel

  address: 245 Upper General Luna Road.

• Safari Lodge

  phone: +63 74 4422419
  address: Leonard Wood Road
  Single/double rooms with own bathroom

• YMCA Hostel

  phone: +63 74 4424766
  address: Post office Loop

• Baguio City Guest House

  address: Pinesville Subdivision Kias block 10 Lot 2
  A bed in a dorm, free Wi-Fi, terrace.

Mid-range & splurge

• AIM Conference Center Baguio

  phone: +63 74 442-8878
  address: Igorot Lodge, Camp John Hay
  27 hotel rooms and 6 cottages. Does not have a restaurant.

• Atenara House

  phone: +63 74 446 9808
  address: 40 Navy Road
  Deluxe and 2-bedroom suite with balcony, living area and kitchen. Coffee shop, lobby lounge, tour services, spa and massage services.

• Azalea Residences

  phone: +63 2 535 0519
  address: No. 7 Leonard Wood Loop, Barangay M. Roxas
  Deluxe and two bedroom suites with balcony, living area and kitchen. Coffee shop, lobby lounge, tour services, spa and massage services.

• Burnham Hotel Baguio

  phone: +63 74 442 2331
  address: 20 Calderon St
  Friendly staff and cool lobby. The location is quite noisy, the rooms are old and broken down, and it is much more expensive than other choices.3days

• Baguio Burnham Suites Hotel

  phone: +63 74-4242211,+632-5844137, +632-9150055
  address: No.6 Kisad Road, Baguio City

• Golden Pine Hotel and Restaurant

  phone: +63 2 740 8975, +63 2 732 1919
  address: Corner of Carino Sreet and Yandoc Street, Baguio City
  24-hr room service, business center, car park, coffee shop, laundry service, dry cleaning, restaurant, shops, tours, Wi-fi in public areas, massage services

• Mount Tepeyac Residences

  phone: +63 9063715532, +63 74 4423772
  address: 177 Leonard Wood Rd
  1940s vacation house nestled amid a well-preserved pine-clad hill. Accessible by public transport or by foot. There are 20 clean and cozy rooms, each with cable TV, telephone, private toilet & bath with 24 hr hot shower, and room service.

• City Travel Hotel Baguio

  phone: +63 74 445 0456
  address: 15 Kisad Rd
  Efficient and courteous staff.

• El Cielito Inn Hotel

  phone: +63 7 443 4846
  address: 50 North Drive

• Ferionnil Pension House and Dormitory

  phone: +63 74 443 6763
  address: 140 T. Alonzo St
  Near the Lizardo Trans bus terminus.

• Hotel Cosmopolitan

  phone: +63 917 578-3273
  address: 1 Bokawkan Road cor. Naguilian Road
  A boutique hotel on top of one of the Baguio mountains.

• Hotel Elizabeth

  phone: +63 2 912 2691
  address: #1 J. Felipe Street corner Gibraltar Street
  A/C rooms and suites equipped with private balcony and internet. Room and massage services and fitness room/gym.

• Hotel Veniz

  phone: +63 74 446 0700
  address: One Abanao St.
  Over 100 A/C rooms and suites within Baguio's main shopping district.

• Lyn's Baguio Transient Homes

  phone: +63 91 58133144
  address: 79B City Camp Alley
  Hot shower, 24-hr running water, Wi-Fi zone, complete cooking utensils, refrigerator, sala, fan, veranda with scenic view, garage.

• Microtel Inns and Suites Baguio

  phone: +63 74 619-3333
  address: Upper Session Road
  Clean and comfortable rooms.

• Paladin Hotel Baguio

  phone: +63 74 4422408
  address: 136 Abanao Extension, Corner Carino St.
  Also provides a venue for business meetings or conferences and events.

• Ridgewood Residence

  phone: +63 2 2996411, +63 74 4466295
  address: 17 Julian Felipe St, Barangay Lualhati
  Apartelle rooms aside from its standard and suite rooms.

• Sevilla I. Gammad

  phone: +63 92 28313352, +63 91 58133144
  address: 79-B City Camp Alley, Barangay City Camp
  Apartments can accommodate from 2-15 people/apartment. Each has its own private CR with hot shower, sala with TV, kitchen with LPG cooker. Scenic view from terrace.

• Summer Place Hotel

  phone: +63 74 446 5400-01, +63 02 7838355
  address: KM 288 Marcos Highway

• Tiptop Vacation HomesEach of the guest rooms and apartments in Tiptop Vacation Homes include fully-furnished home equipment such as cooking facilities and cable TV. Wireless Internet access is available in some areas. Barbecue grille is also available, perfect for the cold weather.

Most of the night life is centered at Nevada Square where numerous bars are clustered ranging from "hot-babe" hotspots to chill-out bars, this is the place to be. There are some good bars outside the square like Urban Sessions and Purple which is a stone's throw away from Nevada Square. 18 BC (Fridays - Reggae Night, Saturdays - Acoustic Night) and Padi's Point draws out bargoers with their regular band.

Internet access (computer shops)

Baguio has its fair share of Internet cafes scattered around Session Road with Netgear Internet Shop being the closest from Session Road. Many of the malls within the area also have their own Internet cafes but it is generally expensive. Expect to pay around per hour when going to internet shops outside malls. Hotels, restaurants, and malls are now offering free WiFi nowadays so if you're able to find a nice spot you can just waste your time surfing the web.

Laundry

Many of the hotels do not have laundry service and finding a place to get your clothes washed can be difficult.

• Elegant Washers Laundry Shop

  phone: +63 74 423-0432
  address: #31 Bonifacio St
  Ring the bell at the front desk if you don't see an assistant.

• Lala Laundry

  address: Luna Ave.
  You may have to let out a howler if no one is at the front desk.

• Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center

  phone: +63 74 661 7910
  address: Marcos Highway Rotunda, BGH Compound
  Government Hospital

• Benguet General Hospital

  phone: +63 74 442 3165
  address: Halsema Highway, La Trinidad
  Government Hospital

• Notre Dame De Chartres Hospital

  phone: +63 74 424-3361, +63 74 619-8530
  address: General Luna Road
  Private Hospital

• Saint Louis University-Hospital of the Sacred Heart

  phone: +63 74 442 5700
  address: Assumption Road
  Private University Hospital

• Pines City Doctor's Hospital

  phone: +63 74 442 4308
  address: Magsaysay Avenue
  Private University Hospital

• Sto. Niño Jesus Medical Center

  address: #28, Lower P. Burgos Street
  Private University Hospital

As a number one rule, always secure your belongings. Keep your passports/visas/important papers at the hotel safe (if there is one available at your hotel) or in a safe place. Cellphone snatching and purse dippers are a problem but common sense and safety can keep you safe.
Crime normally increases during the holidays and Panagbenga as thousands of people visit Baguio City.

• La Trinidad (Benguet)
• San Fernando (La Union)
• Vigan
• Dagupan
• Sagada
• Mount Pulag in Benguet is the highest mountain in Luzon (2922 MASL) and a very popular hiking destination with its stunning scenery and "sea of clouds" views of the Cordillera mountain range. Different trails offer a diverse range of difficulty and days required. A must-visit trekking destination for outdoor enthusiasts travelling in the Philippines. TrailAdventours () arranges trips to Mt. Pulag either from Manila or Baguio City.

Take a bus heading north to Sagada from the Lizardo Trans bus terminal. The first bus is at 6AM and there are several services afterward. The fare is and the ride takes 6-8 hours.