Comprehensive travel blog of Baguio tourists spots, includes how to get there and nearby tourist destinations.
The Baguio City that we see today was designed by the Americans, this is why you’ll find some tourist spots here with American names like Camp John Hay and Burnham Park. After the Spaniards surrendered the Philippines to the United States, they established a hill station in Baguio City because they were beckoned by the pleasant weather and pine-fringed hills here. But long before the said foreigners arrived here, Baguio City was already inhabited by the Kankana-ey and Ibaloi indigenous peoples of the Cordillera Region, an area known as Kafagway back then.
Fast forward today, Baguio is a melting pot of cultures and where the modern and the traditional thrive and blend beautifully. Baguio has long been my favorite vacation spot, yes, it’s now pretty crowded especially during holidays and weekends, but it holds a special place in my heart because this is where I traveled during my first solo trip over a decade ago. There’s this good, unexplainable feeling whenever I visit this bustling city.
If you plan on visiting Baguio, for a few days or as a weekend getaway, here’s a list of some of the top tourist spots in Baguio. If I miss something, feel free to suggest and comment below.
ALSO READ: BAGUIO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS 2021
BEST BAGUIO TOURIST SPOTS
1.BURNHAM PARK
Entrance Fee: FREE
Boat: ₱100 ($2) per 30 minutes (good for 5 persons) + ₱50 ($1) if with rower
Go Kart: ₱50 ($1) per 30 minutes
Chopper: ₱75 ($1.50) per 35 minutes
Open Hours: 24/7
Address: Jose Abad Santos Drive, Baguio City
How to get to Burnham Park: Ride a jeepney with Baguio City – Camp 6 signage. Fare is about ₱10 ($0.20).
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Session Road, Oh My Gulay, Baguio Cathedral, Ukay-Ukay
My friend once told me, if you get lost in Baguio, just go back to Burnham Park and you’ll find your way again. Indeed, she’s right. Baguio has always been special to me, as it is my first solo travel destination over a decade ago. Whenever I feel like getting lost, I travel to Baguio and stroll along Session Road and go people watching in Burnham Park. It may be crowded and chaotic most of the times, especially during weekends and public holidays, but I don’t know why I still feel at peace when I see its timeless beauty.
Burnham Park is situated at the heart of downtown Baguio, fringed by hotels, restaurants, and shops. It’s an ideal place for a leisurely walk due to its paved walkway. This sprawling park was the brainchild of the eponymous Daniel Burnham, who designed the park when Baguio was first developed as a retreat for the US military due to its cold weather. You can actually find his statue at the park’s main entrance, enveloped by a rose garden.
The park features a man-made lagoon surrounded by tropical flowers, where visitors enjoy riding and rowing the swan boats. Also, inside the confines of Burnham Park is Melvin Jones Grand Stadium, fronting the soccer field. This place is often used as venue for concerts, parades, political rally, and Panagbenga Festival, Baguio’s biggest festivity.
2.SESSION ROAD
Entrance Fee: FREE
Open Hours: 24/7 but shops and restaurants will most likely be closed by midnight.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Burnham Park, Baguio Cathedral, Oh My Gulay, Baguio Night Market
One of the top Baguio tourist spots is a famous street named Session Road. Its name is coined from the 1st Session of the 2nd Philippine Commission because this main highway leads to the old Baden-Powell Hall where it was held.
Session Road is divided into 2 areas: Lower Session Road and Upper Session Road. The Lower area is the business hub of Baguio city, fringed with banks, hotels, restaurants, shops, bakeries, and Art Deco buildings. It runs eastward from Magsaysay Street near Malcolm Square through Baguio Cathedral and Governor Pack Road. Meanwhile, the Upper area runs from the Post Office Loop and SM Baguio to Baguio Country Club, Camp John Hay, PMA, and Itogon’s mine areas.
3.UKAY-UKAY
Entrance Fee: FREE
Open Hours: Depends on each shop, but usually they’re open until 8:00 PM only.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Session Road, Burnham Park, Baguio Cathedral, Oh My Gulay
One of the top things to do in Baguio to to go to ukay-ukay or wagwagan. Many thrift shops mushroomed over the years around and near its central business district, offering cheap clothes, jackets, shoes, toys, bags, etc. My go to ukay-ukay shops in Baguio are located at the corner of F.Calderon along Session Road. This place is quite clean compared to other shops, but the apparels are quite expensive compared to the usual ukay-ukay, perhaps because of its popularity.
Bayanihan along Shanum Street is also a pretty famous ukay-ukay haven. Most of the products here are upscale, so expect the price to be quite expensive compared to the usual ukay-ukay prices.
Another great place to shop for ukay-ukay are the shops around U-need Supermart along San Perfecto Street corner Session Road, it’s fronting Malcolm Square.
4.BAGUIO NIGHT MARKET
Entrance Fee: FREE
Open Hours: 09:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Burnham Park, Baguio Cathedral, Oh My Gulay,
About 1,081 stalls open from 9:00 PM to 02:00 AM along Harrison Street, it is popularly known as Baguio Night Market and a key tourist attraction in Baguio City. It is a popular tourist attraction in the city where vendors sell old and new apparels, goods, decors, and food at reasonable prices. It was founded about a decade ago as a means for the traders who don’t have stalls to earn a living. But recently, officials of the city are thinking of relocating it, because of the heavy traffic it causes.
5.OH MY GULAY
Entrance Fee: FREE
Open Hours:
Monday – 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday- 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Food Prices: Starts at ₱130 ($2.56)
Address: 108 La Azotea Building Session Road, Baguio
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spot: Session Road, Burnham Park, Baguio Cathedral,
Oh My Gulay Restaurant is a famous tourist attraction at the heart of Baguio’s situated on top of the La Azotea Building beside BDO along Session Road. This artsy restaurant is owned by the National Artist for Film – Kidlat Tahimik. The food here are vegetarian, and are just okay, nothing special, but the architecture, the artsy interior and the artworks exhibited in the restaurant are the main scene here. Most of the furniture, real plants and trees are also sprinkled around this quite small place, plus there’s also a uniquely-designed wooden ship here. Oh My Gulay displays a variety of paintings, mosaics, and sculptures created by local artists.
6. ILILIKHA ARTISTS VILLAGE
Another creation of Kidlat Tahimik (Eric de Guia), a National Artist for Cinema is Ililikha Artist Village. Situated in Assuption Road. It’s also a restaurant, just like Oh My Gulay café. It’s a good place for photo op, but it’s reserved for customers only. So, please, order food here if you want to take photos. Ililikha Artist Village is made of assorted materials, crafted by many Ifugao artists and wood carvers.
(Photo by Ililikha Artists Village FB Page)
Entrance Fee: FREE
Open Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Address: #32 Assumption Road, Brgy. Kabayanihan, Baguio City
How to get to Ililikha Artists Village: Make your way to Session Road. It’s about a 5 minute walk from there. Make a turn to Assumption Road.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral, Burnham Park
7.BAGUIO CATHEDRAL
Entrance Fee: FREE
Address: Mt. Mary Hill, Cathedral Loop, Baguio City, Benguet
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Session Road, Burnham Park, Baguio Cathedral, Ukay-ukay,
The famed pink Romanesque revival-inspired church with twin spires and belfry is one of the top Baguio tourist spots. Baguio Cathedral stands proudly on Mount Mary Hill, formerly called Kampo. This biggest church in the city is dedicated to Our Lady of the Atonement. It survived the bombing back in 1945 and served as an evacuation center during that time, thereby saving many lives.
8.FOOD TRIP
Don’t miss trying out the artsy local restaurants while you are here, it’s definitely one of the top things to do in Baguio! It may not be known as a food haven like Pampanga or Cebu, etc., but since it’s a melting pot of cultures, you’ll be pleasantly surprised if you go on a food trip. I’ll create a separate blogpost, probably in the future, but to give you an idea, some of the best known restaurants here includes: Good Taste, Café by the Ruins, Maeve Café at Ilikha Artist Village, The Farmer’s Daughter, Grumpy Joe, Foggy Mountain Cookhouse, among others.
9.BAGUIO MUSEUM
Entrance Fee: ₱40 ($0.80)
Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: Baguio Tourism Complex, Governor Pack Road, Baguio City
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Museo Kordilyera – UP Baguio
The charming Baguio Museum’s architecture is inspired by the traditional Ifugao home is another famed Baguio tourist attraction. It was built in 1975 and situated at the corner of Governor Pack Road and Harrison Road. Displayed here are various tribal artifacts, dioramas, and educational clippings that will introduce you to the history, culture, and indigenous people of the Cordillera Region (Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, and Mountain Province).
10.MUSEO KORDILYERA – UP BAGUIO
Entrance Fee: (adults) ₱60/$1.18, (non-UP students) ₱30/$0.59, (UP students and admin staff) FREE, (seniors and PWDs) 20% off
Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: UP Drive, Governor Pack Road, Baguio City
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Baguio Museum
One of the newest tourist attractions in Baguio formally opened last January 2017, is the Museo Kordilyera, situated inside the confines of UP Baguio.
11. LAPERAL HOUSE
Entrance Fee: ₱50 ($1)
How to get to Laperal House: Take a jeepney bound for Mines View Park at the terminal in Gov Pack Road. The jeep will pass through Teacher’s Camp, laperal Whitehouse, Pink Sister’s Convent, Botanical Garden, The Mansion, Wright Park, Good Shepherd, and Mines View Park. Fare is approximately ₱10 ($0.20) and travel time is about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from downtown Baguio for around ₱100 ($2).
The longstanding Laperal House is believed to be a haunted house, that is why is it usually featured on popular TV shows. Constructed in the 1930’s by Roberto Laperal, it is built of narra and yakal wood and exhibits a Victorian architectural flair. It used to be a vacation house of the Laperal family until it was occupied by the Japanese soldiers during the World War II and used as a barracks. It is alleged that the warriors tortured many spies and raped many women here, leading to the rumors of the ghost sightings, who are purportedly the victims.
In 2007, Lucio Tan, a Filipino-Chinese business man purchased the residence and transformed it into a tourist spot in Baguio. Six years later, Tan Yan Kee Foundation turned it into a Bamboo Foundation museum where bamboo and wood local artworks are displayed.
12.CAMP JOHN HAY
Entrance Fee: FREE
Address: Camp John Hay, Baguio City
How to get to Camp John Hay: Take a jeepney en route to Scout Barrio, Loakan, or Kias-PMA. Their jeepney terminal is situated at the east side of Burnham Park across Tiong-San Department Store, Harrison Road. Best to ride a taxi though, as it is more convenient. I paid less than ₱100 ($2) to get there by cab.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots:Cemetery of Negativism, Bell House, Bell Amphitheater, Tree Top Adventure Baguio
Camp John Hay is synonymous to Baguio and one of the best tourist spot in the pine city. This place is surrounded by pine trees and serves as a forest watershed reservation. It was established by the Americans as a military reservation on a site owned by Ibaloi leader Mateo Cariño. During the World War II, the Japanese warplanes bombed the gates of Camp John Hay. Later on, it became the headquarters of General Tomoyuki Yamashita during the Japanese occupation. It is here where Yamashita surrendered. After the devastating war, Camp John Hay was transformed into an airbase by the American forces, until it was returned to the Philippines. Today, Camp John Hay is undoubtedly one of the most scenic tourist spots in Baguio.
TIP: Photo above was taken at The Manor Hotel in Camp John Hay, it’s walking distance from Cemetery of Negativism. If you are not staying there, you can just eat at the cafe or restaurant there and have your photo taken there.
13.CEMETERY OF NEGATIVISM
Entrance Fee: Part of the ₱75 – $3 (part of the Camp John Hay Historical Core Entrance Fee).
Address: Camp John Hay, Baguio City
How to get to Cemetery of Negativism: Take a jeepney en route to Scout Barrio, Loakan, or Kias-PMA. Their jeepney terminal is situated at the east side of Burnham Park across Tiong-San Department Store, Harrison Road. Best to ride a taxi though, as it is more convenient. I paid less than ₱100 ($2) to get there by cab.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Bell House, Bell Amphitheater, Camp John Hay, Tree Top Adventure Baguio
While you are in Camp John Hay, don’t miss the Cemetery of Negativism or the Lost Cemetery. It’s a unique kind of cemetery as no dead person is buried here, instead, it’s meant to remind people to bury their negative traits. It was established by the former commanding general John Hightower sometime in 1980. The cemetery is not really eerie, it is beautifully surrounded by towering pine trees and just walking distance to the age-old Bell House.
One of the reminders engraved on the stone marker here is:
“Negativism is man’s greatest self-imposed infliction, his most limiting factor, his heaviest factor.”
14.BELL HOUSE
Entrance Fee: Part of the ₱75 – $3 (part of the Camp John Hay Historical Core Entrance Fee).
Address:Camp John Hay, Baguio City
How to get to Bell House: This is within Camp John Hay and walking distance to the Cemetery of Negativism. Ride the jeep bound for Scout Barrio, Loakan, or Kias-PMA. Their jeepney terminal is situated at the east side of Burnham Park across Tiong-San Department Store, Harrison Road. Best to ride a taxi though, as it is more convenient. I paid less than ₱100 ($2) to get there by cab.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Bell Amphitheater, Cemetery of Negativism, Camp John Hay, Tree Top Adventure Baguio
This historic house is inspired my American colonial architecture. It was named after General Franklin Bell who converted Camp John Hay into a military resort. This modest building served as the residence of the Commanding General of the Philippines.
The Bell House is embraced by a garden, a pine forest, and the Bell Amphitheater, a beautifully manicured garden with concentric circles as steps. Interestingly, these steps was designed using indigenous Ifugao terracing technology.
Don’t miss the totem pole with the heads of the figures of Admiral George Dewey, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Secretary John Milton Hay, William Cameron Forbes, President Theodore Roosevelt, General Franklin Bell, Lieutenant Colonel L.W.V Kennon, Mayor E.J Halsema, General Douglas MacArthur, and Major Angelito Hernandez, the men from Camp John Hay who shaped Baguio. This fascinating history lesson totem pole was created by Ernesto Dul-ang, it’s right before the entrance to the Bell Amphitheater.
15.TREE TOP ADVENTURE BAGUIO
If you’re looking for adventure in Baguio, head to the Tree Top Adventure Baguio. Established in 2010, this place offers exciting adventures for adrenaline junkies, such as superman ride (150 meter high), canopy ride, tree drop adventure (rappelling down a 60 foot tree), and trekking and skywalk.
RESERVE HERE
Baguio Tree Top Adventure Rates:
Canopy Ride: ₱200 ($4)
Tree Drop: ₱150 ($3)
Skywalkand Trekking: ₱50 ($3)
Superman Ride: ₱300 ($6)
Silver Surfer Ride: ₱200 ($4)
Combo Packages:
Canopy Ride + Superman Ride: ₱500 ($10)
Canopy Ride + Siver Surfer: ₱400 ($2)
Canopy Ride + Superman Ride + Silver Surfer: ₱700 ($16)
All Rides: ₱900 ($18)
16.BAGUIO BOTANICAL GARDEN
Address: 37 Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City
Entrance Fee: FREE
Open Hours: Daily 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
How to get to Baguio Botanical Garden: Take a jeepney bound for Mines View Park at the terminal in Gov.Pack Road. The jeep will pass through Teacher’s Camp, Laperal Whitehouse, Pink Sister’s Convent, Botanical Garden, The Mansion, Wright Park, Good Shepherd, and Mines View Park. Fare is approximately ₱10 ($0.20) and travel time is about 10 minutes.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Wright Park and The Mansion
A classic tourist spot in Baguio City is the Botanical Garden, also called Centennial Park. At the entrance, you’ll be welcomed by the amazing bronze sculpture featuring the Cordillera indigenous people, the Chinese, the Japanese, and the Americans working together. This masterpiece was crafted by Ben-hur Villanueva, a Filipino Artist. There’s not much to do here, but it offers a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of Baguio City. As the name suggests, this place is sprinkled by plants and surrounded by pine trees. It also houses an Art Gallery and souvenirs stalls.
17.WRIGHT PARK AND THE MANSION
Entrance Fee: FREE
Horseback Riding: ₱ 300 ($6) per hour or ₱200 ($4) per 30 minutes
How to get to Wright Park and The Mansion: Take a jeepney bound for Mines View Park at Gov.Pack Road. The jeep will pass through Teacher’s Camp, Laperal Whitehouse, Pink Sister’s Convent, Botanical Garden, The Mansion, Wright Park, Good Shepherd, and Mines View Park. Fare is approximately ₱10 ($0.20) and travel time is about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from downtown Baguio for around ₱100 ($2).
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Botanical Garden
Wright Park is known for its horse-back riding for beginners, it’s an age-old tourist spot in Baguio. Here, you’ll find stables full of colorful horses taken care by the “Pony Boys”, horse owners. You can try riding one for beginners for ₱300 ($6) per hour or ₱200 ($4) per 30 minutes. This park is clad by pine trees and plants, don’t miss the canal where the water reflects the pine trees.
Right across Wright Park is The Mansion. This massive summer place for The President sits beautifully in a well-manicured lawn. Going inside is no longer allowed, but can take souvenir photos outside.
18.MINES VIEW PARK
Entrance Fee: FREE
How to get to Mines View Park: Take a jeepney bound for Mines View Park at Gov.Pack Road Terminal. Fare is approximately ₱10 ($0.20) and travel time is about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from downtown Baguio for around ₱100 ($2).
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Good Shepherd,
After the Mansion and Wright Park, the usual stop when traveling around Baguio is Mines View Park. Back in the days, when you mention Baguio travel, Mines View Park immediately comes to mind. It is one of the most famous tourist spots in Baguio then. This family-friendly place still attracts tourists to date despite being tagged as a tourist trap. There’s an observation deck where tourists can soak in the view of the Itogon mining town hugged by pine-fringed massif, as well as a glimpse of Amburayan Valley. Several activities, souvenir shops, and silver stores have sprung up here, including the popular photo op with the St. Bernard dogs and colorful horses. Only accredited dogs of the members of the Mines View St. Bernard Dog Association are allowed to ensure the safety of dogs and visitors. You can also rent a traditional Cordillera outfit like headdress, bahag, vest, and spear and have your photo taken with Itogon mountains as backdrop.
19.GOOD SHEPHERD BAGUIO
Entrance Fee: FREE
How to get to Good Shepherd Baguio: Ride a Baguio – Plaza – Mines View jeepney at Gov.Pack Road. Fare is about ₱10 ($0.20) and travel time is about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from downtown Baguio for around ₱100 ($2).
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Mines View
After a visit to Mines View Park, make time for Good shepherd Baguio nearby. This convent is pretty popular for its delicious food products especially the best-selling Good Shepherd ube jam. The production of this sought-after ube jam started sometime in 1976 when Sister Fidelas Atienza, as suggested by a friend, started making ube halaya similar to that of Tantamco’s, the original maker of ube halaya in Baguio. As time goes by, she perfected it and student workers started helping stir the ube. Nowadays, they are said to use machines for easier processing, but the ube jam undoubtedly remains mouth-watering, and one of the best souvenirs from Baguio.
20.BELL CHURCH
Entrance Fee: FREE
Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
How to get there: Ride the jeepney bound for La Trinidad at the jeepney terminal. Get off at the jumping off point to the Bell Church, near the border of Baguio City and La Trinidad. It’s near the Valley of Colors (Stabosa Colorful Houses). Fare is roughly ₱15 ($0.30). Walk for a few minutes to Bell Church.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Stobosa Colorful Houses,
If you are headed to Stabosa Colorful House (Valley of Colors) or to La Trinidad Baguio, the jeep that you’ll take will pass by the Bell Church. Thus, you can drop by at this distinctly Chinese Buddhist temple on your way there or on your way back to Baguio city.
The Bell Church is an old temple established in 1960 by the Chinese immigrants from Guangzhou (formerly Canton, China) headed by Ng Pee. It is situated in Brgy.Balili La Trinidad, Benguet, near the border of Baguio City.
I remember visiting Baguio over a decade ago, and I told myself I wanted to see something different, so I went to the Bell Church. When I first set foot on its ground, I feel like being transported to a different place. Everywhere I look it’s distinctly Chinese, the ornate pailou, the towering pagoda, the dragons, and the images of Buddhas and saints.
21. STOBOSA COLORFUL HOUSES (Colors of Stobosa)
Entrance Fee: FREE
How to get there: Ride the jeepney bound for La Trinidad at the jeepney terminal. Get off at the jumping off point to the Bell Church, near the border of Baguio City and La Trinidad. It’s near the Valley of Colors (Stabosa Colorful Houses). Fare is roughly ₱15 ($0.30). Walk for a few minutes to Bell Church.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Bell Church
When you visit Baguio and Benguet, you’ll most likely notice the house-fringed hills that clad the city. A rising tourist destination is Stobosa, composed of 3 sitios: Stonehill, Botiw-tiw, and Sadjap in Brgy.Balili, La Trinidad. The site is now referred to as the Colors of Stobosa, known for its colorful houses, which is somehow inspired by the Favelas of Rio de Janiero in Brazil. The solar artist Jordan Mang-osan led a team of Tam-Awan Vilage artists, including Ged Alangui, Jenny Lorenzo, and Clinton Aniversaryo with the help of the DOT Cordillera Region and Davis Paint to revitalize the area as part of the RevBloom (revitalize and bloom) campaign. They painted almost all the houses (except for the original blue house) here as if it is one big mural as homage to what they believe as the area of origin of mountains of sunflowers and limestone rock formations. The residents here hoped that through this, their livelihood will be boosted.
22.LA TRINIDAD STRAWBERRY FARM
How to get to La Trinidad Strawberry Farm:
Make your way to Shuntag Road in front of Baguio City Hall. Ride the jeepney en route to La Trinidad and tell the driver to drop you off at La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. Fare is ₱15 ($0.30) per person. Alternatively, you may take a cab from Baguio City to La Trinidad Strawberry Farm for roughly ₱160 ($3) – ₱200 ($4), good for 4-5 persons.
Entrance Fee: FREE
Strawberry Picking: ₱500 ($10) per kilo
Baguio is the first place in the Philippines known for strawberries that are grown in Benguet. Strawberry picking is one of the top things to do when in Baguio and Benguet. The La Trinidad Strawberry Farm is situated in Brgy.Betag, a high altitude place, best for growing strawberries. It is actually owned by the Benguet State University who leases the land to farmers for strawberry cultivation. Lettuce and other vegetables are also grown here. You can go strawberry picking for ₱500 ($10) per kilo.
The best months to for strawberry picking in Benguet are November to February when strawberries are ripe for picking. March is also a good time to visit since it’s the month when the locals celebrate the Strawberry Festival.
Also, you can buy strawberry product souvenirs here like Strawberry wines and jams, and other Baguio souvenirs.
23.TAM-AWAN VILLAGE
Entrance Fee: (Adult) ₱60 -$1.18, (Senior/Student) ₱40 – $0.79, (Kids under 10 y.o) ₱30 – $0.59, (Kids under 3 y.o) FREE
Picnic Fee: ₱200 – $4 for group of 10 persons (entrance fee excluded)
Bonfire (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM) : ₱120 – $2.37 (entrance fee excluded)
Use of Hut without beddings: ₱500 – $10 hut per day (entrance fee excluded)
Function Fee: ₱8,000 -$157 per day (maximum of 40 persons)
How to get to Tam-awan Village:Make your way to Kayang Street. Take the jeepney with “Long-Long” or “Tam-awan” signage. Tell the driver to drop you off at Tam-awan Village. Fare is roughly ₱10 ($0.20) per person.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Arko ni Apo Gallery
Situated in Pinsao Proper, Tamawan Village is the place to go in Baguio if you don’t have the luxury of time or resources to trek to the remote villages of the Cordillera. This place was founded by Chanum Foundation Inc. sometime in 1998 as sort of a living museum where visitors can witness and experience a place reminiscent of a traditional Cordillera village. Here, you’ll find around 7 Ifugao huts (namely, Bangaan Hut, Dukligan Hut, Anaba Hut, Nagor Hut, Batad Hut, and Kinakin Hut) and 2 Kalinga houses from Bugnay and Luccong, made of indigenous materials such as cogon and pinewood. Tourists can also stay in one of these houses for ₱500 ($10) per person.
If you are an art lover, you’ll be amazed at the interesting local art pieces on display and for sale here. Tamawan Village has become a haven for workshops and exhibits to foster deeper understanding of the Cordillera heritage.
24.ARKO NI APO
How to get to Arko ni Apo: Make your way to Kayang Street. Take the jeepney with “Long-Long” or “Tam-awan” signage. Tell the dirver to drop you off at Arko ni Apo. Fare is roughly ₱10 ($0.20) per person.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Tam-awan Village
Just across Tam-awan Village is Arko ni Apo Gallery, owned by Benhur Villanueva, a legendary local sculptor and painter whose works were exhibited in Paris, New York, Havana, etc. Taking photos is prohibited, so you have to see the sculptures in person. It was closed during my last visit, but I was able to enter it back in 2010.
25.IGOROT STONE KINGDOM
One of the new Baguio tourist spots that is slowly gaining attraction is the Igorot Stone Kingdom. This latest park in Baguio, situated along Long-Long Street in Pinsao Proper Village, flaunts the new and old Igorot Culture and tradition as well as the values of the Cordillera People. The towering stone wall is reminiscent of an old-world castle and its key attraction is the tower that portrays the story of Gatan and Bangan of the Igorot Legend.
Among the main attractions at the stone kingdom is a tower that depicts the fantasy story of Gatan and Bangan, an Igorot man and woman who survived the great holocaust, a fertility stone tower, and a Kabunyan (Igorot God) tower.
Entrance Fee: (Adult) ₱100 -$2, (Senior/Young Adults) ₱80 – $1.58
Open Hours:
How to get to Igorot Stone Kingdom: Make your Otek Street. Take the jeepney with “Long-Long” or “Tam-awan” signage. Tell the driver to drop you off at Igorot StoneVillage. Fare is roughly ₱10 ($0.20) per person. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to Igorot Stone Village, fare is roughly ₱70 ($1.39) – ₱100 ($2), depending on where you are coming from.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Tam-awan Village, Arko ni Apo Gallery
26.BENCAB MUSEUM
Entrance Fee: (Regular) ₱150- $3, (Student) ₱120 -$2.36, (PWD/Seniors) ₱100 – $2
Open Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
How to get to BenCab Museum: Make your way to the jeepney terminal in Kayang Street near Baguio City Hall. Ride the jeepney bound for Asin Road. Fare is ₱13 – $0.26. Tell the driver to drop you off at Bencab Museum.
Bencab Museum is owned by National Artist for Visual Arts – Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, a painter and print maker, who is dubbed as a master of contemporary Philippine arts. Bencab Museum, another must-see tourist attraction in Baguio, is situated in Asin Road with a breath-snatching view of the pine forest, garden, farm, and the surrounding mountains. This contemporary museum houses a collection of his works, and other Filipino contemporary artists. Here, you’ll also find varied indigenous crafts, sculptures, and arts of the Cordilleras.
Despite being born in Manila, Benedicto Cabrera has long been fascinated by Baguio and the Cordilleras, where he chose to live and nurture his artistic career. As per the official website of Bencab Museum, this place is committed to the promotion of the arts, and the preservation, conservation, and protection of the environment and the heritage of the Cordillera Region.
Below the museum, you will also find an artsy café, Café Isabel where you can enjoy some drinks and meals. Take note that outside drinks and food aren’t allowed in the museum premises.
27.LOURDES GROTTO
Entrance Fee: FREE
How to get to Lourdes Grotto: Make your way to the jeepney terminal of jeepneys bound for Dominican Hill. Ask the driver if it will pass by Lourdes Grotto, ride the jeepney, and tell the driver to drop you off at the foot of the stairs to Lourdes Grotto.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Diplomat Hotel
One of the popular tourist spots in Baguio is the Lourdes Grotto that was established in 1907 by the Spanish Jesuits. It is said to be a replica of the miraculous Lourdes Grotto in France. Since it is standing on top of a pine-fringed Mary Hill, you need to climb 252 steps to reach it. Visitors usually light candles, say a prayer, and meditate when they reach the top.
28.MIRADOR HERITAGE PARK
This is probably the most popular new Baguio tourist spot now because it’s reminiscent of Japan – from the Bamboo Forest that’ll remind you of Arashiyama Forest in Kyoto to the red torrii. Mirador Heritage Park also has limestone rock gardens with glorious pine trees. Inside, you’ll find the Baguio Bamboo Eco-Park, an instagrammable spot at St.Francis Xavier Seminary. And of course, the Mirador Hill’s Place Peace Memorial flaunts a red torrii gate with a hanging bell that is actually a repurposed bomb dropped during the World War II. The view here is majestic especially during foggy days and during sunset. This new Baguio tourist attraction is situated in Mirador Jesuit Villa and Retreat House, the same area as the Lourdes Grotto.
Entrance Fee: ₱50 -$1, Parking fee ₱25 ($0.50)
Open Hours: Daily 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mirador Heritage Park), the Bamboo EcoPark opens at 8:00 AM.
How to get to Mirador Heritage Park: Take the jeepney en route to Dominican Hill. Fare is roughly ₱10. Alternatively, you may also take a taxi to Mirador Heritage Park, fare is about ₱70-₱100.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Spots: Lourdes Grotto, Diplomat Hotel
29. DIPLOMAT HOTEL
How to get to Diplomat Hotel:
Make your way to the jeepney terminal of jeepneys bound for Dominican Hill. Ask the driver if it will pass by Diplomat Hotel, ride the jeepney, and tell the driver to drop you off at the path going to Diplomat Hotel.
Nearby Baguio Tourist Attraction: Lourdes Grotto
Another famous Baguio tourist spot is Diplomat Hotel or Dominican Hill Retreat House, known by many as a haunted building because of its tragic past. It’s officially declared as a historic site in 2013. The Diplomat Hotel was originally designed as a vacation house for the American Friars of Dominican Order, hence the name of the hill. But upon completion in 1915, it was registered as a college called Collegio del Santissimo Rosario for tax-exemption purposes. Two years later, due to lack of enrollees, it closed down and was returned back to the original plan – a vacation house.
During the World War II, the building was taken over by the Japanese soldiers, who made it as their barracks. It is said that they raped, tortured, and killed refugees, nuns, and priests. Eventually, the Americans bombed a portion of the Diplomat Hotel and the Japanese soldiers committed suicide.
In 1973, the Diplomat Hill was acquired and turned into a hotel, managed by Baguio-based businessman Tony Agpaoa. Unfortunately, he died due to a heart attack.
30.IFUGAO WOODCARVER’S VILLAGE
While tourists usually know Asin Road for Bencab Museum, sculpture lovers flock here for the Ifugao Woodcarver’s Village, also called Itogon Woodcarver’s Village. Based on anecdotes, the history of Ifugao woodcarving traces its roots in the village of Hapao in Hungduan. But after the World War II, due to the increasing demands of foreign tourists to take home local handicrafts, five migrants from Hungduan and Banaue migrated here and brought some Ifugao woodcarvers. Thus, the Ifugao Woodcarver’s Village was born. Most of the woodcarver’s shops are concentrated along Asin Road. Here, you can buy high quality Ifugao sculptures, wood craft, and other local handcrafted products. The woodcarver’s can also made to order goods.
Interestingly, they also celebrate the Pa-ot Festival in Asin Road to celebrate the Ifugao woodcarvers’ skills in creating, as well as honor the old Asin Munpa-ot (carvers). The residents here dance the streets during the festivity wearing their crafts, like spears, shields, and carved fertility statues.
31.BRIDAL VEILS FALLS
There’s a waterfall in Baguio? Yes. It’s found along Kennon Road, so if you’re using a private vehicle, you might want to drop by the Bridal Veils Falls. It’s a few steps away from the highway via a metal hanging bridge. The waterfalls is quite tall, and makes for a great photo op.
32.LION’S HEAD (KENNON ROAD)
If you are using Kennon Road on your way to Baguio, you might notice the popular Lion’s Head, constructed by the Lions Club members of Baguio. It is said that the limestone, which is naturally shaped like a lion’s head, was prepared by a group of engineers and was first carved by Reynaldo Lopez Nauyac, an Ifugao artist and woodcarver. The statue itself has undergone several renovations over the years.
33.NORTHERN BLOSSOM PARK
If you have the luxury of time, you can make a side trip to Northern Blossom Park from Baguio, which is situated in Brgy. Sayangan in Atok, Benguet. This place is peppered with colorful flowers rarely seen in most parts of the Philippines. The view of the surrounding massif here will make you feel alive and appreciate nature more.
For a detailed direction to Northern Blossom Park, check out my comprehensive blog below, click the lin.
ALSO READ: NORTHERN BLOSSOM PARK TRAVEL GUIDE
HOW TO GET TO BAGUIO
MANIL TO BAGUIO BY BUS
Baguio is now open to tourist, so yes, you can now travel to Baguio by bus or private vehicle. Several bus lines travel to Baguio, like Victory Liner, Genesis Bus, and Joy Bus. But as of 2021, what’s available is the bus schedule from Manila to Baguio via Victory Liner.
You can book a bus to Baguio through the link below. Best to book in advance as buses to Baguio tends to get full especially during weekends and holidays. And unlike before the pandemic, the bus schedule now is limited. When booking through the link below, make sure to change the date to your preferred date and pick a number of passenger before you hit submit.
BAGUIO BUS TICKET: RESERVE HERE
MANILA TO BAGUIO BUS SCHEDULE
Victory Liner also has daily buses departing from their Cubao Terminal to Baguio City, regular fare is ₱576 ($12) and First-Class Fare is ₱800 ($16). If coming from Olongapo, bus fare is ₱581 ($12). For their online booking, it’s only available 3 months in advance. Another option is to go to Victory Liner Cubao Terminal and book a ticket there. Best to do this a few days in advance to secure a seat, because Baguio buses are usually fully booked especially on weekends and holidays.
Here’s the Victory Liner bus trip schedule to Baguio:
| CUBAO TO BAGUIO | BAGUIO TO CUBAO |
| 09:00 AM | 08:00 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 01:00 PM |
| 03:00 PM | 07:00 PM |
| OLONGAPO TO BAGUIO | BAGUIO TO OLONGAPO |
| 07:40 AM | 09:00 AM |
| 11:30 AM | 04:00 PM |
GETTING AROUND BAGUIO
BAGUIO BY TOUR PACKAGE
If you want a hassle-free tour of Baguio, there are several DOT-accredited tour operators in Baguio. It is best to book a tour with them. If your time is limited, you can also book a day tour from Manila to Baguio through the link below.
- Baguio Day Tour from Manila: BOOK HERE
- Baguio Instagram Walking Tour: RESERVE HERE
- Baguio Historical Walking Tour: RESERVE HERE
- Baguio Creative Walking Tour: BOOK HERE
BAGUIO BY TAXI
Touring by taxi in Baguio is also a good option, that’s because taxi drivers in Baguio are generally honest, they would use the meter and give you the exact exchange. The current flag down rate is roughly ₱35 ($0.70) for the first 500 meters, with ₱2 ($0.040) per 100 meter increments thereafter. Baguio taxi tour rate depends on how many hours you plan to tour Baguio. Usual rate pre-pandemic is ₱200 ($4) – ₱250 ($5) per hour, good for 4 persons. Make sure you agree on the price with the driver first before you hop in.
BAGUIO BY JEEPNEY
You can also hire a jeepney in Baguio to see some of the new Baguio tourist spots, as well as the classic destinatons. This is good if you want to do a DIY Baguio Travel, but make sure you know the Baguio jeepney routes (which is quite confusing) to avoid getting lost.
If you are a large group, say group of 10 or more, you can also hire a jeepney to tour you around Baguio. The usual rate is around ₱1,000 ($20), good for 10 persons.
WHERE TO STAY IN BAGUIO
Baguio is peppered with hotels for all types of budget. I recommend staying near Burnham Park or Session Road as it is near to most establishments. But I also stayed once near at a hotel near Mines View Park, and the view of the pine trees and the mountains there was calming (see picture above). If you are really on a tight budget, you can go for dorm rooms.
CHEAP BAGUIO HOTELS
Baguio Holidays Villa
Location: Legarda Road, Baguio City
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE
Bed and Bath @ Station 120
Location: Lower General Luna Road, Baguio City Proper
Zen Hostel 3BU Baguio (dorm rooms)
Location: Upper Bonifacio Street
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE
City Center Hotel
Location: Session Road, Baguio City Proper
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE
Travelite Express Hotel
Location: Baguio City Proper
Mines View Park Hotel
Location: Mines View Park
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE or RESERVE HERE
OTHER PHILIPPINE TOURIST SPOTS:
BACOLOD TOURIST SPOTS
GUIMARAS TOURIST SPOTS
SAN VICENTE PALAWAN TOURST SPOT
LA UNION TOURIST SPOTS
