Baguio City, the Summer Capital of the Philippines, is one of the most visited places in the country, and we’re almost certain that you’ve already been there at least once in your life.
The thing is…you probably haven’t tried touring the city our way! In that case, we present to you the Ultimate Baguio City Travel Guide to make your next trip to the city even more memorable!
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10 Things to Do in Baguio – Summer Capital of the Philippines
Baguio City isn’t just about strawberries and cold weather! It’s a great city filled with beautiful culture and breathtaking views. Here’s a list of things to do in the city!
Your trip to Baguio City is incomplete if you have not been to these tourist spots:
#1 Visit Mines View Park
This park is one of the most visited places in Baguio City – the summer capital of the Philippines. It’s got pasalubong centers, street food, and a breathtaking view of the Cordillera mountains.
#2 Go on A Boat-Adventure at Burnham Park
This place is one of Baguio City’s main tourist attractions. Most guests opt for biking and boating around the area, but there’s a hidden spot inside the park: a skating rink!
#3 Take a Scenic Stroll at Wright Park
Unleash your inner cowboys by going horseback riding in Wright Park! This park is also near The Mansion (although you’ll have to take a steep flight of stairs), another Baguio tourist spot.
#4 Buy Goodies at Good Shepherd Convent.
Ever got teased “pasalubong naman ng ube jam!” by your friends upon learning that you’ll be going to Baguio? We’ve all been there. Here is where you can buy the best ube jams and strawberry jams around the summer capital of the Philippines! Every purchase you make will also help impoverished students be sent to school.
#5 Explore Baguio’s Christmas Village
This seasonal attraction is one of the hidden gems of Baguio. Located inside Camp John Hay, you can experience a winter wonderland for only Php 120.00! (Entrance fee may change without prior notice).
Here are other tourist spots in Baguio City that you should check out:
- Baguio Botanical Garden
- Baguio Cathedral
- Session Road
- Diplomat Hotel
- Lourdes Grotto
- Tam-awan Village
- Igorot Stone Kingdom
#6 Visit Art Galleries/Museums
Baguio City is one of few creative cities in the Philippines recognized by UNESCO. This could only mean that there is an abundance of artists keeping the art scene in the area thriving. Here are some galleries you should check out:
- BenCab
- Oh My Gulay!
- Ililikha
- Cafe by the Ruins
- Museo Kordilyera
- Baguio Museum
#7 Check Out the Baguio’s Sunday Market
Every Sunday, the entirety of Session Road is closed for vehicles to make way for the Sunday Market. Vendors, buskers, and small businesses may set up a stall in the middle of the road to entertain customers. Guests can also express themselves through chalk art which can be drawn on the road.
#8 Go on a Hike
We get it, going to and from Session Rd. is already a hike, but if you feel like you need to go somewhere more peaceful, you can head to the trails in Camp John Hay. Most trails are beginner-friendly to help you enjoy being connected to nature.
#9 Visit La Trinidad
Did you know that La Trinidad supplies most of the strawberries you buy from Baguio? This municipality is just one jeepney ride away from the city, and from there, you can visit some of the tourist spots in town. If your visit is right in time for harvest season, you can visit the farm and pick strawberries for yourself!
#10 Valley of Colors SightSeeing
You wouldn’t want to miss taking a photo from this spot! This place is made from houses painted in various vivid colors which will make your eyes dance in curiosity when you set sight on them.
Where to Shop in Baguio – Summer Capital of the Philippines
Ukay-Ukay Edition
Baguio is a tourist haven; that one is for sure. But, what everyone does not know is that it’s an ukay-ukay sanctuary as well! While you’re bound to find something cute and affordable with the ukay-ukay stalls in the main streets, we’ll let you in on the best places in Baguio to go thrift shopping!
Hilltop
If you’re looking for a new pair of boots or sneakers, Hilltop is the place to go! Most of the stores in the area sell footwear, so you’ll surely find something that’ll fit you and your style! If done right, you can even score a pair of heeled boots for Php 100.00.
To go there, just ask the taxi driver to drop you off at Hilltop. If you’re commuting via a public jeepney, you can alight near the public market and ask around for directions to Hilltop.
Skyworld Commercial Center
This old department center turned ukay-ukay hub sells everything you’ll need for a great outfit, from head to toe. The place has three floors of ukay-ukay stalls, so it’s advisable to allot an hour or two in shopping. You can score a cute sundress for Php 50.00 here!
This place is located at Session Rd., near Greenwich and Pizza Volante.
Night Market
If you still have enough money and energy to go out at night, you should head over to the night market at Harrison Rd. Ukay-ukay stalls usually dominate the night market, but if you find your stomach rumbling while shopping, there are tons of street food to choose from at the end of the road.
Ukay-ukay prices range from Php20.00-Php100.00 per piece of clothing.
For directions, you can ask a taxi driver to drop you off at “night market”. You can also walk to the area from Session Rd., by taking a left turn after Jollibee Session Rd.
You may like to read: A Thrifter’s Guide To Baguio City’s Night Market
Establishments Along Session Rd.
Should you find yourself aimlessly walking around Session Rd., you can head over to some of the stalls along the road. It’s a little more expensive than what you’ll find in other ukay-ukay hubs, but most of the items are branded, so you’ll still make good deals.
Where to Stay in Baguio – Summer Capital of the Philippines
Should you find yourself in the city, you should allot two days or more to tour the city. Anything less will feel insufficient! But let’s face it, accommodation aren’t exactly cheap. Here are some types of lodgings (some are very affordable!) you can find in the city:
Transient Homes
Transient homes are one of the most affordable lodgings you can find in the city. They’re usually small and accommodating, resembling a nice home. Since these businesses are usually small and privately owned, rates start at Ph 350.00/night depending on the place.
Pro Tip: Rent a transient home that is near town, so you can save money from riding a taxi every time you go out.
1. If you have a budget for your accommodation, you can go for something more luxurious and deluxe, like a hotel. There are tons of hotels around the city, ranging from boutique hotels to multiple-starred establishments. Do take note that most of the hotels in Baguio City are far from town; making it more appropriate for a staycation rather than just a place to sleep in while you tour the city.
2. Inns are perfect for solo or duo travelers. They’re affordable and offer just what you need for the night—a comfortable place to sleep. Most inns are located near town, so you won’t have to worry about transportation.
Where to Eat in Baguio – Summer Capital of the Philippines
Cafés.
Whether you just want to chill or get your coffee fix, there are tons of cafés you can choose from in the city. A lot of these cafés have al fresco dining with a nice balcony for you to enjoy the cold weather and the cityscapes.
Related: 10 Cafés In Baguio For Coffeeholic Travelers!
Restaurants.
Whatever you’re craving for, there’s probably a restaurant in Baguio City dedicated to that certain cuisine. There are tons of restaurant around the city that you’ll have to try—make it a part of your itinerary to eat somewhere new at least once a day! We promise you won’t regret it!
Related: Where To Eat In Baguio With A Nice View
Unlimited Samgyupsal Spots.
Suddenly craving for Korean BBQ? No worries, there are a lot of Korean restaurants around the city. Some restaurants also offer unlimited Korean BBQ with a buffet for a very reasonable price.
Street Food.
One thing we love about Baguio – the summer capital of the Philippines? The street food. You can find your usual street food carts selling fish ball, kikiam, and kwek kwek around the city, but if you know where to go, you can also find stalls that sell corn dogs, green mango paired with bagoong, and our favorite—Korean street food.
How to Get to Baguio – Summer Capital of the Philippines
Contrary to popular belief, going to the summer capital of the Philippines is actually fairly easy. With extended expressways and bus liners opening its doors again for tourists, heading to Baguio is now a hassle-free experience!
If you’re going to Baguio via a Bus…
Victory Liner
There are two Victory Liner terminals around the Metro, but you’ll want to head to Cubao for this one. They have 12 daily trips from Cubao to Baguio, and 12 daily trips from Baguio to Cubao. Bus fare from Cubao to Baguio and vice-versa costs Php 576.00
JoyBus
You can also take a Genesis Bus/JoyBus to Baguio. They have 6 daily trips from Cubao to Baguio and 12 daily trips from Baguio to Cubao. You can take your pick between a deluxe or a regular bus, just schedule your ticket according to your preference.
If you’re going to Baguio via a private car…
A usual bus trip to Baguio would take at least 6 to 7 hours’ worth of drive. By private car, the drive can be cut in half. Just make sure that you have your GPS applications with you for smooth road sailing to the city.
Requirements for Entering Baguio – Summer Capital of the Philippines
After almost two years of staying indoors, travel requirements have finally laxed and tourist cities are slowly welcoming guests back. Baguio City is one of the first places that opened their doors for tourists again.
Here are some of Baguio City’s requirements for tourists to enter the city:
1. QR code from Baguio Visita. You can sign up and schedule your visit on the Baguio Visita website (visita.baguio.gov.ph). Once approved, you will get a QR code which will be scanned when you arrive in the city.
2. Guests must be fully vaccinated. Don’t forget to present your vaccination card or certificate upon entering the city. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated minors may enter, as long as a negative RT-PCR test is presented. On the other hand, partially vaccinated or unvaccinated adults will be refused entry.
3. Triage upon Arrival. All guests will undergo the triage before entering Baguio City. Prepare your QR codes, vaccination card/certificate, and other documents needed for verification.
Please do note that as of the moment, only 4,000 tourists are allowed to enter the city per day. It’s a first come, first serve basis, so make sure to travel early!
Summer Capital of the Philippines – Travel Tips and Tricks
You have limited choices in transportation in the city. In Baguio City, you can only choose between a jeepney or taxi. If you have enough budget for transportation, then taking a taxi is encouraged. But, if you feel like saving up, riding a jeepney would be beneficial for you. If you ever get lost while riding a jeepney, just remember that most jeepney lines are located near SM Baguio or Burnham Park. From there, you can trace your steps back to your accommodation.
If you’re also planning to take the jeepney, some jeepney lines get real long at night. So, if your lodging is a bit far from town, you should plan your activities in the morning instead.
Be mindful of the traffic.
Baguio City may not be as populated as the Metro, but it’s a city nonetheless, and on Monday mornings, heavy traffic ensues. If you’re planning to go sightseeing on a Monday, or the weekends, where more tourists arrive, be sure to pack a little extra patience for the traffic jams that you will experience.
Always bring an umbrella with you.
To say that the weather in Baguio is unpredictable is an understatement. It could be shining in the morning and raining in the afternoon, or vice versa. Whatever you think the weather would be for the day, trust us when we say to never forget to bring an umbrella with you!
Be Prepared
If you’re going to Baguio City anytime from December to February, get ready for the chilly weather. It’s the coldest months of the year, and temperature can drop up to 8°C. Combat the cold by doubling your layers of clothes!
Now that you’ve read through all of that, the only thing you’ll need to do is head to the Summer Capital of the Philippines! Think that we’ve missed something? Comment down your suggestions below!
