Backpacking: Budget Friendly Travel in Baguio City, Philippines

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Baguio city is popularly known as “Summer Capital” of the Philippines as the city is situated at higher altitude of approximately 1,540 meters (5,050 feet) in the Luzon tropical pine forests. The region is also known for its vast selection of mossy plants and orchids which is about 250 kilometers north of Manila (from 4-6 hours’ drive). During summer, tourists from all over the country flock to this city on spending their vacation and enjoy the cool climate weather. Local festivities such as the Panagbenga Festival also attract both local and foreign tourists. The Baguio Flower Festival is held every February which consist of street parades, colorful floats, costumes and native dance displays that has drawn huge crowds to Baguio every year.

Baguio City was established during the Americans occupation in 1900 for its strategic location near Ibaloi village known as Kafagway. It was the United States' only hill station in Asia. The name of the city is derived from the Ibaloi word bagiw meaning 'moss.' The Ibaloi is the indigenous language in the Benguet Region. On average, Baguio is at least eight degrees cooler than any place in the lowlands. This is also the favorite jump-off point for trekkers and mountaineers in search of adventure going up north in Sagada, Banaue and Kalinga.

Activities and attractions must see in Baguio.

Destination: Introducing Baguio City!

How to get there:

Visitors need to keep in mind that it takes at average 4-6 hour drive to get to Baguio. Major roads can get blocked by landslides and it is a safe precaution to drive safely.

By Car from Manila

Take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) from Quezon City until you reach Clark, then change on the new Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) all the way north to Tarlac City, Tarlac. From there, take the old McArthur Highway until Rosario Junction, 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). 

Main highways lead to Baguio City:

1. Kennon Road has an entry point at Rosario, La Union. It is the old road and has the shortest route that cars and buses usually take. Kennon Road is sometimes closed during the rainy season from June to October because of the danger of landslides. Buses and heavy vehicles are banned from Kennon; the route is only open for light vehicles.

2. Marcos Highway has two entry points at Rosario and Pugo, both in La Union, and is favored for its wider lanes 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.

3. Naguilian Road is officially named Quirino Highway although no one really calls it that. Naguilian Road has an entry point at Bauang, La Union and usually taken by travelers coming from northern Luzon provinces and this route takes longer.

4. Halsema Road, passing through La Trinidad Valley - connects Benguet to Mountain Province (Sagada) and Ifugao (Banaue) and other places to the northeast.

5. Baguio-Nueva Vizcaya Road - connects Benguet to Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, and is the newest access road coming from provinces to the east of the city and is a great alternative to Halsema Road.

By Bus from Manila

This is the most common and economical way to get to Baguio City from Metro Manila. Several bus lines ply the Metro Manila to Baguio route with terminals scattered across the metro. We took the Victory Liner Bus Pasay terminal going to Baguio. It has hourly bus service to Baguio from its Monumento Main terminal in Caloocan City, Cubao and Pasay terminals. Due to various stopovers along the way, it takes about 4-6 hrs to get to Baguio by bus. Cost is 455.00 pesos per person one way, air-conditioned. A non-stop deluxe bus service is also available for 750 pesos 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 650 pesos, no toilet inside the Bus.

How to get around:

By Jeepney

One thing advantageous for taking jeepney is if you are in a large group, you can rent the jeepney on a day tour trip to take you around the city and divide the expenses within the group. The minimum cost is 8.00 pesos per person.

By taxi

There are several taxis available around the city. Taxis can also be booked for a whole day tour at 1,800-2,000 pesos for an 8-9 hour 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. Maximum capacity in each taxi is 5 persons (4 passengers, 1 driver).

By car

There are several cars for hire in Baguio and both self-drive and with driver options available. Rates for car rental Baguio companies can go by the hour, the day or by the week. Be ready to have your driver's license if you want to drive around the city.

I. Baguio Tour

1. Camp John Hay

It is one of the recreation facilities in Baguio City. It has 290 fully-furnished rooms in different quaint cottages, 18-hole golf course, horseback riding, camping sites, restaurants with its pine tree-lined roads and beautiful landscaping. Camp John Hay used to be the rest and recreational facility for employees of the military and Department of Defense of the United States. This 690-hectare property was turned over to the Philippine government in July 1, 1991.

2. Session Road

It is the main commercial hub and business central district of the city. Session Road is so named because it was the site of the Philippine Commission's first session. This is where you will find department stores, banks, movie houses, and bazaars. There are also some hotels, bakeries, restaurants, newspaper stands, bookstores, boutiques, cafes, and studios along Session Road.

3. Mines View Park

The park overlooks the mining town of Itogon, particularly the abandoned gold and copper mines of the Benguet Corporation and the view of the beautiful mountain scenery. There are also souvenir stores selling t-shirts, local food products and handicrafts items.

4. Philippine Military Academy

Philippine Military Academy is the school of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Tourists are can view the PMA museum and their training ground where you will witness the marching precision of the Cadet Corps of the Armed Forces of The Philippines.

5. Burnham Park

It is a 32.84 hectare urban park, a man-made lake known as Burnham Lagoon where tourists can enjoy, sit back and relax with the charming environment and a numerous activities to love.

Burnham Park has 12 different facilities for recreation and relaxation that are available in the park:

• the man-made lake with rowboats for hire that folks refer to as the Burnham Lagoon(100 pesos per hour)
• the Children's Playground
• the Skating Rink
• the Rose Garden
• the Orchidarium
• Igorot Garden
• Melvin Jones Grandstand
• the Athletic Bowl
• a Picnic Grove
• the Japanese Peace Tower
• Pine Trees of the World
• Sunshine Park.

6. Strawberry Farm

Strawberry picking with the family is a unique experience you can enjoy.  It is best to try the fresh strawberry picking in the months of January to May in La Trinidad Valley, Benguet. The strawberries you pick fresh from the vines are more expensive compared to the harvested fruits within the farm. This is because the strawberry vine is so delicate that owners avoid the potential damages that the pickers can potentially harm the plant (they have their standard technique in picking).

Fresh Strawberry picking from the vines – 300-350 pesos per kilo
Fresh Strawberry harvested within the farm - 100-120 pesos per kilo
Strawberry Taho – 20-25 pesos per pc
Strawberry Ice Cream – 15-20 pesos per pc

7. Baguio Cathedral Church

It has its distinctive pink exterior, twin spires and stained glass windows make it a popular tourist attraction in Baguio.

8. Shopping at Public Market

Tourists visit in the city of pines won’t be completed without shopping in the public market. It has a wide array of inexpensive souvenir items, locally made products such as delicacies, handicrafts and other items for sale you name it.

9. The Kennon Road

Kennon Road (formerly, the Benguet Road) is a roadway in Benguet province connecting the mountain city of Baguio to the lowland town of Rosario in La Union province and is commonly known as "Zigzag Road". There are beautiful and scenic sites along Kennon Road such as the Bridal Veil Falls, Bued River gorge, Twin Peaks, Colorado Falls, a pedestrian suspension bridge, the sculptured limestone lion's head, and the spectacular view from the observation deck at the upper end of Kennon Road.

10. The Lion Head

This is the famous landmark in the Kennon Road. The Lion's Head measures 40 ft. (12 m) in height. The forerunner of the man-made Lion's Head was a "large rock" described to be "naturally shaped like a lion", which prior to 1972 was the landmark that tourists observe along Kennon Road towards Baguio City.

11. Wright Park

One of the interesting activities in the park is Horseback riding. It costs 300 pesos per hour plus a guide fee if you want to ride beyond the park. There are 200 available horses to choose and it features the rectangular man-made pool of water with tall pine trees and decorative street lights line both sides of the access road beside the pool. You can also pose for a souvenir photograph with the native Igorots dressed in their native attire or you may also wear the traditional Igorot costume with them for only 20 pesos per person. 

12. Botanical Garden

When visiting the Botanical Garden, you will find a group of Igorots at the main entrance who are dressed in their authentic native attire and regalia who will be more than happy to pose with visitors for a souvenir picture for a small amount of fee (below 100 pesos). Also known as the Igorot Village, the Botanical Garden features native huts typical of the type of Igorot dwellings found in the Cordilleras. The village is said to capture the ethnic spirit and cultural legacy of the Igorots. Igorot rituals and dances are sometimes conducted in the area.

Happy Travels!

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