Baguio City is one of the most visited cities in the northern part of the Philippines. It was built up in 1909 during the American Colonization.
Baguio City has been famous to local and international tourist due to good weather, warm people and various places of interests that can be explored with. The city was once known as the Summer Capital in the Philippines and it was also awarded as one of the cleanest and greenest city in the country.
The currency being used in this city is mainly Philippine Peso. The common language used are Tagalog and English. Other dialects used includes Ilocano, Kan-kana-ey, Ibalio, and Pangasinense.
In order to enjoy your visit to this wonderful city, I have listed top 15 most recommended places of interests that you and your family could explore with.
1. Horseback Riding at Wright Park in Pacdal
It is advisable to visit this place during January to first week of June and from early part of September to December of the year. This place will be very colorful. The hire of the horses depends on the type of horse you would like to ride with. They have different sizes.
If you are a beginner, they have their Pony boys (horse care taker) to assist you but with additional charge though.
2. Photo Session in front of the iconic The Mansion Main Gate
This is a very popular structure in Baguio City. This is actually one of the Palaces in the country where the Philippine Presidents stay whenever he/she visits Baguio City.
Visitors are allowed to enter the mansion but with some restrictions for security purposes.
3. Nature encounter at the Botanical Garden
Usually, this place is where you can have an encounter with these beautiful and fresh local flowers in Baguio City. Picking of flowers are strictly not allowed.
The city government of Baguio (CEPMO) is in charge in implementing these rules.
4. Cycling at Burnham Park
Burnham park has a wide space for cycling. This is very fun. It is well visited specially during School and Public Holidays including public events like Panagbenga, Baguio day etc. Majority of kids and young adults like to visit this place.
It is not hot and the air is clean.
5. Boating at the Burnham Park Lake
This is an exciting park for everyone to unwind and relax. You can walk around the lake or even take a boat for about PHP80-150 per boat. The boats are well maintained and sometimes decorated during Panagbenga Festival. It's worth visiting for.
6. Site viewing at Mines View Park
Mines view park is where you can see a view of the mountain side of some parts of Benguet Province like Philex Mining Corporation. Aside from this area, there are a lot of small stalls within the area for you to buy Baguio and Benguet products. Mostly. you can buy T-shirts, key chains, bags, accessories and the like.
7. Baguio Hanger Market
This market is where you can buy fresh vegetables from Baguio City and mostly from Benguet province like Tublay, Mankayan, Tuba, Atok, Bugias, La Trinidad, Sablan, Tuba and other nearby municipalities.
Hanger market is also connected to the dry section where you can see different "pasalubong" (Baguio-Benguet products) for your family and friend when going back to your hometown/ home country.
8. Baguio Cathedral Church
One of the iconic Catholic Churches of CICM in Baguio City. Some of the famous Philippine actress/ actors usually used this church for their marriage vow.
This is located just beside the long stretch of Baguio City Session road near to SM City mall.
9. Baguio Museum
This museum is where you can find original artifacts that showcases the different cultures in Baguio City and nearby municipalities of Benguet and some parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region.
This place is nearby to SM City Baguio and just beside the Sunshine Park and Department of Tourism - Cordillera Office.
10. Baguio Flower Festival
This festival is one of the most colorful festivals in the Philippines. It is where visitors can enjoy watching different artistic floats made out of flowers and various types of ornamental plants in Baguio City and nearby province like Benguet.
Baguio Flower festival is usually celebrated during February until the first week of March of the year and is being spearheaded by the City Council of Baguio City in partnership with the Department of Tourism- Baguio City.
11. Street Parade During Panagbenga
These are typical Igorot dancers who usually performs during Panagbenga Street Dancing parade in heart of the City of Baguio (Session Road to the Center Mall area and go straight to Melvin Jones or at the Baguio City Athletic Bowl).
12. Teacher’s Camp
This places is where you see a lot of pine cones and pine trees. If you intend to go for photo shooting with pine tress, you might consider visiting this place.
Its very relaxing and cooling place by the way.
Other places you may consider to go and explore:
13. Baguio Camp John Hay
14. Lourdes Groto
15. Ukay Ukay and Night Market along Session Raod, Hilltop, and Melvin Jones.
How To Get Baguio City:
A. Coming from Overseas:
If you are coming from overseas, the recommended option for you is to take public bus from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to get to public bus terminals to Baguio City along Pasay or Cubao (Genesis and Victory Liner bus companies). Genesis Bus Company actually allows a deluxe service straight to Ninoy International Airports but majority of the buses are fully booked.
So back from the terminal, you can take taxi to get to Pasay City terminals and from there take the bus which you wish to board to. Other service provider could also be the Dangwa Bus Transit with a station at Dangwa Flower Market in Dimasalang. The trip is only during night time.
The ride is about 8 hours with at least one or two bus stop depending on the request from other passengers.
The airport in Baguio City is not in operation for domestic flights. So hopefully the local authority can make it active to be more convenient to local and international travellers.
B. Coming from Pangasinan / Tarlak/ Pampangga/ Lowlands Area:
You can take any local bus like Genesis or Victory line to get to Baguio City. It is just one ride.
C. Coming From Ilocos Region
There are also other bus service coming from Ilocos region, you can take Farinas or Partas including Philippine Rabbit Bus company to get here.
D. From nearby towns/ municpalities of Baguio City.
You can take public transport such as jitneys to Baguio City. All jitneys will link to the City Centre and it will very convenient for you to get to these destination. Taxis are also available to help you get around the city.