Baguio City, also known as the Summer Capital of The Philippines / City of Pines, is located in Northern Luzon, Philippines (about 4-5 hours drive from Manila, via TPLEX). This is also one of the places that many people include in their bucket list because of its unusual cool weather and breathtaking tourist attractions. There are a lot that you can visit when you go to this place, and most of them are for free. I bet you’ll also have hundreds of photos to take so you better make sure that your camera has enough battery.

We have visited several places in Baguio and I would love to share it with you. This might give you idea on where to go if you have a tight budget or if it is your first time to check on the place.

1. Teacher’s Camp – This was established basically as an event’s center and training venue for teachers. However, they also accept reservation from any organization and even tourist. If you are looking for a cheaper accommodation, then I would suggest this place. Some of our companions have stayed here and they only paid around 250.00 pesos each for their 2 nights stay. Rate is cheaper if you are government employee.

🏨 Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City

🛏 Dormitory Type Room

🚿 No hot shower in dorm but as per the security guard, there is a specific time in the morning that they open their centralized water heater.

🍽 There is no restaurant in this place so if you cannot cook your own food, then you have to go out of the camp and look for restaurants outside (there’s a lot along Wood Road).

🎟 No Entrance Fee when you visit the place

2. The Mansion – The official summer palace of the President of the Philippines, this is usually the place that is visited by many before heading to Mines View. The mansion itself is off limits but people are allowed to take a picture from the outside.

🏠 Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City

🎟 No Entrance Fee

3. Wright Park – Located just in front of The Mansion, this is where you will find the rectangular body of water that they call “pool of pines”. Unfortunately, I did not like the way it looked because I saw some fishes swimming in dirty water. I guess people would appreciate it more if they will have the pool maintained. Anyway, there is also nothing much to do in this place aside from picture taking and horseback riding (with fee). Pine trees on each side of the park are best spots to strike a pose. You may also see some Igorots wearing their native attire and willing to pose for a photograph, but of course with a fee.

🏠 Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City

🎟 No Entrance Fee

4. Mines View Park – One of the most popular tourist destination in Baguio because of the panoramic view of Benguet’s gold and copper mines, and of course the mountains that surround the place, Mines View has also became popular for offering different activities such as horseback riding, picture taking while wearing Baguio’s native costume and/or with St. Bernard dog, etc. You may also start buying your pasalubong when you head to this place as there are really a lot of stores inside and souvenir shops are situated just outside the park. There are also a lot of canteens and restaurants to choose from, aside from different kiosks that sell street foods (I usually buy mango and dip it in their spicy salt).

🏠 Mines View Observation Deck, Mines View, Baguio City

🎟 No Entrance Fee

5. Good Shepherd Convent – Walking distance from Mines View souvenir shops, Good Shepherd Convent offers the most delicious strawberry and ube jam in Baguio. Their products were produced by nuns and part of the money that they generate from their sale are being used to support different charities sponsored by Good Shepherd nuns while some of it are allocated for the maintenance and upkeep of the convent. Aside from the jams, they also have cookies, peanut brittle, coffees, etc. If you are a coffee lover, you should try the civet coffee which they sell for P700.00 (100g). Some of their products are also available in various stores within the city but expect it to be a little more expensive than the convent’s price.

🏠 Gibraltar Rd, Baguio

🎟 No Entrance Fee

6. Philippine Military Academy – One of the best places to visit when in Baguio, PMA allows visitors to roam around the place for just a minimal entrance fee. It serves as an academy and training center for Armed Forces of the country, including the aspiring ones. It has a museum that showcases several military memorabilia and stuffs. We arrived late in the morning but they say that it is best to visit earlier so you’ll have the chance to witness the marching precision of the Cadet Corps of The Armed Forces of the Philippines.

🏠 Fort Del Pilar, Loakan Road, Baguio

🎟 Entrance Fee: P20.00

7. Bell Church – A Taoist Temple that is surrounded by majestic landscape and artifacts about Bhuddism, this Chinese themed attraction is also a must visit place in Baguio. There were kids showcasing their talents in martial arts and doing the dragon dance but I am not sure if they do it regularly or if they were just invited to perform on that specific day.

🏠 FA 347, Bell Church Rd., La Trinidad, Benguet

🎟 No Entrance Fee

🚘 P20 parking fee

8. Valley of Colors – The colorful houses, which according to locals are in a form of a flower. Valley of Colors is really one of the places that most tourists visit because of its attractive view.

🏠 Barangay Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet

🎟 No Entrance Fee

9. Botanical Garden – Also known as the Igorot Village, Botanical garden is a good place to just sit and relax or stroll along the pathways while enjoying the numerous plants and trees. The garden also features nipa huts that are the same as the Igorot’s shelter in Cordillera. Outside the Garden, I saw some Igorots who were posing for a photograph with tourist and asking for a fee. It would really be of great help if you take a picture with them as they were all old women (more than 70 years old, i think) who were enduring the heat of the sun to earn.

🏠 37 Leonard Wood Road, Baguio, 2602 Benguet

🎟 No Entrance Fee

10. Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto – Well, going to the grotto may require you to climb 252 steps, but if you can’t, like me and my companions, you have the option to drive a winding and narrow road so you only need to make few steps to the top. When you get there, you can light a candle and offer a prayer. One thing that also caught my attention was the prayer book that they placed at the entrance of the church. Many prayers were written, and some were made a decade ago.

🏠 Dominican Hill Rd., Baguio, 2100 Benguet

🎟 No Entrance Fee

11. Ben Cab Museum – Taken from the name of the Master of Contemporary Philippine Art, Mr. Benedicto Cabrera, Ben Cab museum houses several artworks made by himself, and some by other artists. Taking pictures is ok (camera flash is not allowed), but videos are not. They also have staffs roaming around the 4-storey museum to monitor and assist the visitors. They also have a restaurant so you don’t have to worry if you came here during meal time.

🏠 6 Asin Rd., Tuba, 2602 Benguet

🎟 P100

🍽 Cafe Sabel is located inside the museum

12. Burnham Park – The most common tourist attraction in Baguio (for me), Burnham Park is known for offering some water activities through its man-made lake. There were also several kiosks that sell different products such pasalubong, clothes, etc.

🏠 Jose Abad Santos Dr., Baguio 2600 Benguet

🎟 No Entrance Fee

In addition to above, you may also pay a visit to these places, if you still have time:

13. Dominican Heritage Hill and Nature Park – Commonly known as Diplomat Hotel or Dominican Hill Retreat House, this abandoned structure is located atop Dominican Hill. This might be the least visited place in Baguio because it is believed to be a haunted hotel. I’ve heard a lot of scary stories about the place so I really had this eerie feeling while we were inside. However, when we headed to the rooftop, I was amazed by the overlooking view of Baguio City. Diplomat Hotel is open daily, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

🏠 Dominican Hill, Diplomat Road, Baguio City

🎟 No Entrance Fee

14. Sinot Asin Hot Spring Resort – There were actually a lot of private hot spring resorts along Asin but we chose this because it was cheaper and we can use all pools (hot tubs, lap pool, kiddie pool) anytime we want, without paying for additional cost. You can cook your foods here. They have available grillers that you can use for free, but of course, you have to buy your own charcoal. We also brought rice cooker and we were allowed us to use it.

By the way, this resort is a non-smoking area.

🏠 Asin, Tuba, Benguet (you will pass by Ben Cab Museum)

🎟 P100 per person + P300 cottage fee

Aside from the tourist attractions, here are some of information that may also be of help to you.

Mode of Transportation:

Victory Liner (From Pasay to Baguio) – P455

Genesis Premium Bus (From Baguio to Pasay) – Around P800

1 day Van Rental in Baguio: P3,500

Taxi Rate: Depends on your destination. You can book a taxi using Grab App

Note: If you will be bringing your car, expect that fuel costs higher (almost P10 difference compared to Manila price) so you better gas up before heading to the place.

Accommodation:

Casa Isabelina – This is just walking distance from Teacher’s Camp and Botanical Garden. Their staffs are very accommodating, and you can text them if you want to order meal for breakfast.

Restaurant:

Choco-Late de Batirol – this is the best place to try hot choco drink that’s made of local cacao beans. We actually went to this place for lunch but of course, we also took the opportunity to try their specialty, the choco-late de batirol. The cafe is just located in Igorot Park, Camp John Hay, Baguio City.

Must Try/Buy:

1. Strawberry from Strawberry Farm

2. Strawberry/Ube Flavored Ice Cream

3. Good Shepherd’s Ube Jam

4. Kalinga Musang/Civet Coffee

You might also want to try their strawberry flavored taho.

If you are also looking for a budget travel, you may book a day tour package via Klook. Just click on the link below for details:

https://www.klook.com/activity/8543-day-trip-to-baguio-manila/?aid=3112

By the way, some places were visited on a different travel date. I added new information so you can choose which place you think would fit your schedule.

There you go! That sums up our vacation in Baguio. Hope I was able to help you finalize your itinerary. Have fun when you get there!