Things To Do In Baguio - Summer Capital of the Philippines, Benguet
Have you been to Baguio lately? It used to be colder even during noontime a few years ago but when we went back there this March, the cold breeze is no longer felt city-wide except if you are in Burnham Park, Dominican Hill, Our Lady of Lourdes, etc. Replacing trees with buildings, this country's Summer Capital may lose its crowning glory, hopefully not. If you want to go or go back to Baguio and experience the same colder climate, per my colleague who's from there, go there between January and February. Also check out Hotels in Baguio.
THINGS TO DO IN BAGUIO
Baguio City is home to Panagbenga Festival (Flower Festival) happening every February. There are a lot of things you can do in the city. Some of the places you can visit and things to do in Baguio are: Wright Park, The Mansion House, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, Burnham Park, Mines View Park, Teachers Camp, Bell Church, Fort del Pilar (PMA), Camp John Hay, Kennon Road View Deck, Lion's Head, Baguio Botanical Garden, the nearby Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, etc. Play the video below to see some of the places we'd been to when we went there after our niece's wedding.
BURNHAM PARK
Burnham Park is one of the most popular attractions in Baguio City and this park has a lot to offer. You can go there for rest and relaxation but why rest when you can ride the variety of rides available there. If you want, try lake cruising. The climate in Burnham Park is colder and one of the best tourist spots in Baguio City. Entrance is free and rides start at P100 per hour (if my memory serves me right).
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| Burnham Park - Baguio City, Benguet |
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| Burnham Park Baguio City Benguet |
WRIGHT PARK
Another popular tourist spot in Baguio is Wright Park. Situated opposite The Mansion House, this park can be seen as a background in one of the songs you sing during your videoke session (especially during the VCD/DVD days). There are souvenir shops inside this park. Entrance is free. You can try wearing an Igorot costume there for a minimal fee of 20 pesos.
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| Wright Park Baguio City |
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| Wright Park Baguio City |
THE MANSION HOUSE
This is another popular attraction in Baguio City. Situated opposite Wright Park, The Mansion House is the official summer palace of the President of the Philippines. So, this explains the guards on duty and the restricted areas. Entrance there is free.
MINES VIEW PARK
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| The Mansion House - Baguio City, Benguet |
MINES VIEW PARK
Mines View Park is yet another popular tourist attraction in Baguio City. This park gives you a glimpse of the mining town of Itogon. In here, you can also try wearing the Igorot costume for a minimal fee of 20 pesos.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES GROTTO
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| Mines View Park Baguio City |
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| Trying Igorot Costume at Mines View Park, Baguio City |
Another popular attraction in Baguio City on Dominican Hill Road, Mirador Hill is Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto. To reach the shrine and to have a true pilgrimage experience, you must climb 252 steps but if your driver knows his way around the hill and you just wanted to go direct to the shrine, he can bring you to the top. You get to have a good glimpse of the city from up there.
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| Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto |
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| Baguio City View - You get a bird's eye view Baguio City from Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto |
DOMINICAN RETREAT AND VACATION HOUSE AKA DIPLOMAT HOTEL
Built and constructed as a vacation house in 1913, this building was finished in 1915 and was later home to Colegio del Santissimo Rosario from 1915-1917 and was later named Diplomat Hotel from 1972-1986. In 2004, it was declared a cultural property by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. You can also get a good glimpse of the city from up there.
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| Dominican Retreat and Vacation House aka Diplomat Hotel - Baguio City |
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| Diplomat Hotel aka Dominican Retreat and Vacation House - Baguio City |
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| Baguio City View from Diplomat Hotel aka Dominican Retreat and Vacation House |
STRAWBERRY FARM
The Strawberry Farm is not in Baguio City but is just a few minutes away from the city. It is located in the town of La Trinidad, Benguet. Aside from strawberries, you can buy fresh vegetables there as well. Eateries and souvenir shops can also be found there.
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| Strawberry Farm is one of the attractions nearby Baguio City, located in the town of La Trinidad Benguet |
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| Strawberry Farm - La Trinidad, Benguet. |
FORT GREGORIO DEL PILAR (PMA) | CAMP JOHN HAY (CJH) | THE MANOR AT CAMP JOHN HAY
Back in 2004, me and my brother-in-law went to Baguio and the climate is way colder back then. Thought of putting some of my pictures from that trip which included: Camp John Hay, The Manor at Camp John Hay, Fort Gregorio del Pilar, home to Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and Burnham Park.
PLACES TO STAY IN BAGUIO CITY |
| Fort Gregorio del Pilar home to Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Picture taken way back 2004 |
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| Fort Gregorio del Pilar home to Philippine Military Academy (PMA). Photo taken 2004. |
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| Camp John Hay Baguio City |
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| The Manor at Camp John Hay Baguio City way back 2004. Click the picture for room rates. |
There are a lot of places you can stay in Baguio City. You can book online via agoda.com or any other booking websites. Please find below map for hotels you want to stay in Baguio. Always read reviews before hitting that reservation/pay button. If you are booking a tour, the tour operator may include the accommodation in their package.
HOW TO GO TO BAGUIO VIA MANILA
If you are from other parts of the world, you can go to Baguio by booking a flight for Manila via Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, Philippine Airlines, etc.
We booked a van from Manila when we get there but please find below where to commute your way there from Metro Manila. You can also book a Baguio Tour Package from King and Joy Travel and Tours. (I have personally used this tour agency when I went to Ilocos with my colleagues and I can highly recommend them).
Please find below the list of buses plying the route Manila to Baguio City. Travel time is 6 hours, fare is P450. (Source: Baguio City Budget Travel Guide). Rates and numbers may change without prior notice. Travel time is less than 6 hours if you travel by van or if you are using your vehicle.
Dagupan bus at Cubao (02) 727-2330
Genesis bus at Cubao (02) 709-0803
Joy bus at Cubao and Pasay (02) 733-8622, (02) 853-3115
Victory liner at Pasay, Caloocan and Cubao (02) 727-4688
We booked a van from Manila when we get there but please find below where to commute your way there from Metro Manila. You can also book a Baguio Tour Package from King and Joy Travel and Tours. (I have personally used this tour agency when I went to Ilocos with my colleagues and I can highly recommend them).
Please find below the list of buses plying the route Manila to Baguio City. Travel time is 6 hours, fare is P450. (Source: Baguio City Budget Travel Guide). Rates and numbers may change without prior notice. Travel time is less than 6 hours if you travel by van or if you are using your vehicle.
Dagupan bus at Cubao (02) 727-2330
Genesis bus at Cubao (02) 709-0803
Joy bus at Cubao and Pasay (02) 733-8622, (02) 853-3115
Victory liner at Pasay, Caloocan and Cubao (02) 727-4688
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