Baguio City & Benguet are those places we never get tired of going. Whether you want to enjoy cold weather during Summer or get even colder during cold season it’s the #1 choice for a quick family get-away.
Our family visited Baguio for three times now and we usually explore the place, checking out the places to go on google and hire a taxi to tour us around (this is much cheaper). I want to take you to a tour with the places that we have visited in Baguio City and take you to a virtual photo gallery tour.
Baguio City is located at Northern Luzon part of the Philippines. It is also commonly called “The City of Pines” because of the abundance of pine tree growing in the area. It is a mountainous city and the original dwellers are called Igorot. Baguio boasts of tourist spots with rich historical and cultural background.
Here, I have compiled the Top Things to do in Baguio City which our family have enjoyed visiting so far, still Baguio have new places to offer; which will be on our next bucket list!
1. Panagbenga Park
Panagbenga Park is a small park located at the corner of Loakan Road and South Drive. Nothing much can be seen here except for lush greeneries and some flowers. Though, we haven’t seen the full Panagbenga Festival, a visit to Panagbenga Park will somehow give you that feel.
2. Town Marker – The Lion’s Head
Of course, I cannot be said to have visited Baguio if you haven’t stopped over at the Lion’s Head. The Lion’s head has been the town’s landmark since the 1970’s. It is a statue which is made of a large rock that is naturally shaped like a male lion which was then carved into a lion’s head by an Ifugao artist named Reynaldo Nauyac.
3. Tam-Awan Village
Our favorite village in Baguio is the Tam-Awan Village or Artists Village. Maybe sooner I can do a blog on our visit to this wonderful village. Inside, you will find paintings, sculptures and a Ifugao hut. The village also have a short eco-trail which will lead you on top of a hill to see the overlooking site of Baguio City. This overlooking hill was once said folks used to check the safety of the Town. Tam-awan Village is a reconstructed Cordillera Village which showcases the arts, crafts and culture of the Ifugao people. It is located at Pinsao, 4 kilometers from Baguio City Center.
4. La Trinidad Public Market
One of our favorite things to do in Baguio was to buy lots of vegetables. Most of the vegetables being sold in Manila comes from here- Benguet which they say the Vegetable Basket of the Philippines. Here at La Trinidad I was able to buy 3 kgs. of broccoli for just P100! When in Manila, a kilo of broccoli would cost you at around P150 – P200. So make sure your pocket is also full, as this is the best time to hoard vegetables. I bought a total of P500 of vegetables goodies, yum yum!La Trinidad Public Market is located at Benguet.
5. Strawberry and Lettuce Farm
Just across the La Trinidad Public Market is the Strawberry and Lettuce Farm. Here, you can pick fresh strawberries and lettuce straight from the farm, have it weighed and buy it directly from the farmers. Bring your kid(s) with you as this is a great experience for them to learn farming.
6. Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls was named as such because of its waterfalls that look like a veil. It is located along Kennon Road. You may easily find the location of the Bridal Veil Falls as it can be viewed along the road. You will have to cross a rusty bridge. At the time we visited here, there are no tour guides, nor entrance fees. We just asked some folks living nearby on how we can get to the falls. And they just show us the bridge that we have to cross, it was a dangerous bridge I tell you because it swings as you walked along. The hardship in reaching the falls, will be replaced with awe and refreshing feel as the falls is magnificent to behold. You can dunk in and swim in its cold water. But of course be always careful while climbing rocks and the deep water. Please comment below if you have an update on this infamous tourist spot in Baguio.
7. Mount Costa
Mount Costa is a new attraction in Baguio. It boasts of 24 gardens and entails families for a nature trip. You have to spent a day to enjoy the tour as this entails walking on its 5,500 meter trails. It is ideal if you will spent an overnight to truly enjoy Mount Costa. Mount Costa is located at Pico-Lamtang Road, La Trinidad, Benguet.
8. Bencab Museum & Eco-trail guided tour
Benedicto Reyes Cabrera or Bencab is a National Artist and popularly known as a master of Philippine contemporary art. You will find his collections at Bencab Museum plus enjoy the eco-trail available for the adventurous types. We spent about 3 hours here at Bencab. I suggest to truly enjoy Bencab spent at least a half-day here, enjoy the falls and the eco trails. Bencab Museum is located at Asin Road, Benguet, a quite winding road down but truly a wonderful experience once you get here at Bencab. Get to know of Bencab Museum at this site Bencab Museum.
9. The colors of StoBosa or the Valley of Colors
10. Hot Springs at Palm Grove Resort
Once you’re done with BenCab Museum, traverse your way down to Palm Grove Hot Springs & Mountain Resort. Here, we enjoyed a quick dip at the swimming pool and enjoyed a really hot steam bath. Be careful as you dip into their hot springs as this is really hot (about 40c). The trick is try to dip as slowly at first as you can then submerge your whole body once it has adopted to the temperature. To know more about Palm Grove check out their Facebook page Palm Grove Hot Springs
11. Night Market at Session Road
Of course our favorite! One of the reasons we kept coming back to Baguio is because of their “wagwag or ukay-ukay”. I really make it a point that I have enough money to spent coz most of my favorite shorts and jackets have been brought here.
12. Kennon Road View Point
Along Kennon Road, you can stop by here at their Mountain View. Here you can see vast vegetation of different vegetables like lettuce, carrots and many others. Be careful though, as stairs are slippery and this is still a high cliff.
13. Wear Igorot costumes at Mines View
Mines View Park is one of the places that is always at #1 in Baguio itinerary. Here, you can take a photo wearing Igorot costumes. Last time we went here, that aside from taking photos with the horse or the Labrador, is that there also “pasalubong items for sale” plus cactus plants for sale at a very affordable price. I bought 3 succulent cactus at a price of P100.
14. Burnham Park
Ride a boat, or rent a bicycle here in one of the most sought tourist spot in Baguio.
15. Baguio Botanical Garden
We visited this Botanical Garden twice, the 1st time was just a quick tour, then the 2nd time around we really spent some time exploring the whole park. The things to see at Botanical Garden was enough for me to do another blog (I’ll update it soon!). Explore the area as there more than flowers and trees. Now, it also have other interesting statues, plus the “pasalubong shops” here offers a very cheap price compared to other pasalubong center in Baguio. Here I can buy keychains for just P10 each, or sometimes 20 pcs for P100, a kid’s guitar for P100, and also succulent cactus for just P35.
16. The Mansion
The Mansion is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. Nothing much to do here, unless maybe you go inside The Mansion with the President haha! But for ordinary tours, a tourist is allowed to take a photo in front of The Mansion, just a little distance from the gate – this is if the President is not in residence.
17. Philippine Military Academy
Or simply the PMA, is one of the interesting places to visit in Baguio. But to truly have a feel of the PMA you should visit here at a time that soldiers do their early morning jogging routine. Inside PMA, you will see old army vehicles, trucks and airplanes.
18. Benguet Public Market
My favorite part of Baguio! Here you can buy goods at a much cheaper price. The last time we visited I bought the following:
- 3 assorted bonnets at a price of P100
- 3 pcs. native (wooden) place-mats for P100
- 3 pcs. scarf for just P100
- Good quality broom for just P120
My favorite part of traveling is buying local products. I usually hoard goods since I know these comes at a very cheap price, plus to support the small businesses in the area.
19.Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
Climbing up the Lady of Lourdes Grotto, would be a great way to start your Baguio trip. At the top, you will see the view of the whole town of Baguio City plus a good start to reflect before you continue your travels.
20. Bell’s Church (Baguio Chinatown)
21. The Good Shepherd
22. Laperal House
23. Tree Top Adventure
Enjoy fun, adrenaline adventure at The Tree Top Adventure! (More photos and info updating soon)
24. SM Baguio
25. Butterfly Sanctuary
26. Wright Park
27. Camp John Hay & Camp John Hay Mile Hi Center
28. Cemetery of Negativism
29. The tunnel at Asin Road, Benguet
30. Teacher’s Camp
31. Choco-Late De Batirol
32. Good Taste Cafe & Restaurant
33. Enjoy dining in at Volante
34. Host an event at the Crown Regency Hotel
To summarize the ultimate list of Top Things to do in Baguio City
1.Panagbenga Park
2. Town Marker – The Lion’s Head
3. Tam-Awan Village
4. La Trinidad Public Market
5. Strawberry and Lettuce Farm
6. Bridal Veil Falls
7. Mount Costa
8. Bencab Museum & Eco-trail guided tour
9. The colors of StoBosa or the Valley of Colors
10. Hot Springs at Palm Grove Resort
11. Night Market at Session Road
12. Kennon Road View Point
13. Wear Igorot costumes at Mines View
14. Burnham Park
15. Baguio Botanical Garden
16. The Mansion
17. Philippine Military Academy
18. Benguet Public Market
19.Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto 20. Bell’s Church (Baguio Chinatown) 21. The Good Shepherd 22. Laperal House 23. Tree Top Adventure 24. SM CityBaguio 25. Butterfly Sanctuary
26. Wright Park
27. Camp John Hay & Camp John Hay Mile Hi Center
28. Cemetery of Negativism
29. The Tunnel at Asin Road, Benguet
30. Teacher’s Camp
31. Choco-Late de Batirol
32. Good Taste Cafe & Restaurant
33. Enjoy dining at Volante
34. Host an event at the Crown Regency Hotel
*Will update this blog post soon, promise!
Check this out for your sample Baguio Itinerary:
Do you think your place should be on my list? Send us a message at jenny.transportqueen@gmail.com.
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