Important: Wikitravel is exploring a license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0, please give your consent or refusal here.

From Wikitravel

Baguio [1] is a city on the Cordillera mountain range in the middle of the island of Luzon, in the Philippines. Due to its cool mountain weather, Baguio is considered the summer capital of the Philippines. Because of its many pine trees it is also called the City of Pines.

Baguio mountains, as seen from Mines View Park

[edit] Get in

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

[edit] By bus

From Manila

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 to 7 hours to get to Baguio by bus. An hour longer than it would by car due to stopovers along the way.

• Victory Liner [2] has hourly bus service to Baguio from its Monumento Main terminal in Caloocan City, Cubao (+632 727-4534) and Pasay (+632 833-5019 to 20) 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 just 450 Pesos per person one way (Most expensive among Aircon buses going to Baguio). A non-stop deluxe bus service is also available for 700 Pesos per person one way, snack is 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.
• Dagupan Bus, Edsa cor. New York St., Cubao, Quezon City, Tel. +632 929-6123, 928-5639, 727-2330, 727-2287. Also serves the Manila to Baguio route via its Cubao Terminal. Buses leave on an hourly basis.

From Clark airport

• Partas Bus operates a bus service that stops at Clark airport and heads north from there, departing the airport at 5:00 PM. Get off at Sison (arrival there around 8:00 PM) 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 193 pesos, then from there by Victory Liner to Baguio is an additional 90 pesos. Travel time is 3 hours Clark to Sison, then 1 1/2 hours Sison to Baguio, plus some waiting time at Sison.

From Angeles City

• Philippine Rabbit operates from Dau Terminal. 250php. Journey takes about 4 to 5 hours.

[edit] By plane

At present, there are no commercial flights into Baguio.

[edit] By car

From Manila to Baguio by car, take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) from Quezon City until Clark and then hop on to the new Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) all the way north to Tarlac City, Tarlac. From there, it's back to 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). Of the three main routes leading up to Baguio, 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 are intent on driving 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 hours to get to Baguio by car, it takes much longer during holiday weekends like Holy Week.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By jeepney

Similar to Manila, jeepneys ply various routes within Baguio and its immediate surroundings.

Jeepney traffic in the centre of Baguio

[edit] 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. Currently, the rate flags down at Php25.00 for the first 500 meters, with Php1.50/100 meters 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 1,800-2,000 pesos for a 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.

[edit][add listing] See

• Camp John Hay - the 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 now a sort of country club complete with an 18-hole golf course, horseback riding, camping and many more. A condotel has also been in operation since 2001.
• Session Road - the main thoroughfare of Baguio, where most of the city activity is centered.
• Mines View Park - enjoy the view of the beautiful mountain scenery and get photographed with DOGLAS (yeah, that's the right spelling) the St.Bernard.
• Philippine Military Academy
• Burnham Park - go for a walk or go rowing on the small lake (100 pesos per hour).
• Strawberry Fields - go strawberry picking which is a jeepney ride out of the main city.
• Riverside Hotel - Enjoy Hot Spring Swimming Pools in a Valley surrounded by Lush Green Vegetation and stay the night (just 19Km from City Center), near the two Asin Tunnels drilled into the mountain facade by the Spanish colonizers using prisoners of war during the second part of the 19th century, one 158 feet and the other 95 feet long (starting at 1,300 pesos per night).

[edit][add listing] Do

• 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 - at Wright Park and its surroundings. It costs 300 pesos per hour (150 pesos for half an hour), plus a guide fee if you want to ride beyond the park.

• North Haven Spa, 21 Avelino Street, Ferguson Road, Baguio City, ☎ (6374) 3005022. 10:00am-10:00pm. Pride of the north when it comes to a unique spa experience. Aside from the usual Thai, Swedish and combination massage, treat yourself to a Baguio Strawberry, Benguet Coffee or Cordillera Rice scrub. Guaranteed to give you that soft silky skin. All spa treatments will make you feel completely refreshed and enlivened. Detoxify and regenerate your energies in the quiet of a dry sauna. For that distinct Cordillera sensation, try out these pleasures from the Mountain Province: Gisgisto, the indigenous head massage or the Dagdagis or Kolkolis, the region’s traditional foot massage using runo sticks to stimulate the soles of the feet for that feeling of complete balance and harmony in the whole body. These are just a few of North Haven's offerings for a relaxing Baguio get-away. P350-P1950.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Peanut Brittle, Strawberry Jam, Sesame Crunch and Ube (purple yam) Jam - from the Good Shepherd Convent, 15 Gibraltar Road, Baguio City, +6374 442-3865.

• 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.

For unknown reasons phallic sculptures in wood or stone are common in gift shops. A popular novelty gift is the man-in-the-barrel. I won't spoil the surprise, but suffice it to say the same children advisory applies.

[edit][add listing] Eat

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:

• Forest House Bistro & Cafe, Great food, great music, great service. This is one of the must-try restaurants in the city. Visit Forest House located at 16 Loakan Road, near Nevada Square.

• Star Cafe & Restaurant, 39 Session Road, Baguio City. A Baguio landmark right on Session Road. This restaurant has been serving delicious Chinese food well before the dawning of the fastfood age.

• Café by the Ruins, 23 Chuntug St., Baguio City, Tel +6374 4424010. Quaint ambience, hearty salads, pastas and juices and good coffee or tea to top it off. What more can you ask for?

• Barrio Fiesta, upper Session Road for authentic Filipino food.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

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

• Atenara House, 40 Navy Road, Baguio City, ☎ +074-446-9808, [3]. Beautiful bed & breakfast, between the top tourist attractions and the commercial center. Great for seminars, large groups, honeymooners, with bonfire barbecue options. Dormitory rooms for penny-pinching backpackers, other rooms priced in the $40 to $120 (large groups) range, with breakfasts included. Best rates on official website start at US$8/person.  edit

• Burnham Hotel Baguio, 20 Calderon Street, Baguio City, Philippines, ☎ +074-442-2331, [4]. how much rooom with a 2 bed will stay for 3days and 2 nights Best rates on official website start at US$20. (,3days) edit

• Chalet Tepeyac, 177 Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600, ☎ +63 74 444 6846, +63 74 442 3956, [5]. Chalet Tepeyac Baguio is an original 1940’s vacation house nestled amid a well-preserved pine-clad hill. It is conveniently located midway between exclusive Baguio landmarks and teeming downtown area accessible by public transport or by foot. There are twenty spanking clean and cozy rooms, each with cable TV, telephone, private toilet & bath with 24-hour hot shower, and room service. Best rates on official website start at PHP 1,860.00.  edit

• City Travel Hotel Baguio, 15 Kisad Road (Across Burnham Park)Baguio City, Philippines, ☎ +63-74-445-0456 (fax: +63-74-445-04574). City Travel Hotel is located within the city proper right across Burnham Park and has of amenities for both leisure and business travelers. Manned with an efficient and courteous staff. City Travel Hotel vows an imparallel service to the guest... and this starts with a warm smile... Best rates on official website.  edit[6]

• Citylight Hotel, 245 Upper General Luna Road Baguio City (Near Baguio Cathedral), ☎ 074 444 7544 to 47. Affordable Comfy and cozy. near to SM city baguio, session road and the baguio cathedral.  edit

• El Cielito Inn Hotel, 50 North Drive, Baguio City, Philippines, ☎ +637-443-4846 (fax: +632-250-6020), [7]. Best rates on official website start at US$42.  edit

• Ferionnil Pension House and Dormitory, 140 T. Alonzo Street, Baguio City, ☎ +63-74-443-6763. checkout: 12 PM. A cheap and very basic local place to stay near the Lizardo Trans bus terminus - convenient if you need to catch an early bus. 1,000 - 1,400 pesos (equiv. to US$20-28) depending on room type, including breakfast.  edit

• Hotel Elizabeth, No. 1 J. Felipe St., cor. Gibraltar Rd., Baguio City, Philippines. Comfy and cozy.  edit

• Hotel Veniz, One Abanao St., Baguio City, ☎ +63-74-446-0700 (fax: +63-74-446-0704), [8]. Affordable comfort & class with over 100 air-conditioned rooms and suites at the foot of Session Road, across Burnham Park, within Baguio's main shopping district. Best rates on official website start at 1000 pesos.  edit

• Microtel Inns and Suites Baguio, Upper Session Road, Baguio City, ☎ +63-74-619-3333 (fax: +63-74-619-3344), [9]. This Baguio hotel offers clean and comfortable rooms at very affordable prices that no other hotel in Baguio can match. Best rates on official website start atUS$36.  edit

• Summer Place Hotel, KM 288 Marcos Highway, Baguio City, ☎ +63-74-446-5400-01; +63-02-7838355 (fax: +63-74-446-0560), [10]. Best Hotel in Baguio City.  edit

• Baguio Backpackers, [11]. In a budget? finding a place to stay on your trip in Baguio? We'll find a place for you that suits your specifications. We'll be glad to help you pick. inquiry is FREE. Don't hesitate to ask. For any questions, email baguiobackpackers@yahoo.com  edit
• Ridgewood Residence, 17 Julian Felipe Street, Barangay Lualhati (near The Mansion), ☎ 02-2996411 or 074-4466295, [12]. Tucked in a place away from the bustling noise of the city, it is perfect for a serene and peaceful vacation. The place is very cozy and welcoming. The hotel also provides apartelle rooms aside from its standard and suite rooms. Service is incomparable.  edit
• Baguio Village Inn, 355 Magsaysay Rd.. checkin: 12pm; checkout: 12pm. Extremely clean, basic, quiet, situated on a busy street. Common shower area but very clean. Approximately 15-20 minutes walk to downtown (Session Rd.) 300 php per night 300 php.  edit

[edit] Electricity

Baguio uses 220 Volts.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Internet Access (Internet/Computer Shops)

In university towns like Baguio, you'll have no trouble finding cheap and fast internet access. Internet access centres have spread like a rash across the town, and on thoroughfares like Session Road you'll see dozens of signs hawking various establishments. Expect to pay 15-30 pesos (less than a dollar) an hour. Not only will you find Internet access, you will also find cheap gaming stations.

[edit] Get out

Take a bus heading north to Sagada from the Lizardo Trans bus terminal. The first bus is at 6:00 AM and there are several services afterward. The fare is 220 pesos and the ride takes 6 to 8 hours.