• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Sleep
• Electricity
• Get out

Baguio [1] is a city on the Cordillera mountain range in the middle of the island of Luzon, in the Philippines. Due to its cool mountain weather, Baguio is considered the summer capital of the Philippines. Because of its many pine trees it is also called the City of Pines.

Baguio mountains, as seen from Mines View Park

[edit] Get in

To get to Baguio from outside of Luzon, one would still need to pass through Manila or Clark airport and from there get to Baguio by either of the following ways:

[edit] By bus

From Manila

This is the most common and economical way to get to Baguio from Metro Manila. Several bus lines ply the Metro Manila to Baguio route with terminals scattered across the metro. It generally takes about 5 to 7 hours to get to Baguio by bus. An hour longer than it would by car due to stopovers along the way.

• Victory Liner [2] has hourly bus service to Baguio from its Monumento Main terminal in Caloocan City, Cubao (+632 727-4534) and Pasay (+632 833-5019 to 20) terminals. Buses are generally modern and air-conditioned but seats are sized generally for Filipinos and tall people would need to take advantage of the various stopovers to stretch their legs. Cost is just under 400 Pesos per person one way. A non-stop deluxe bus service is also available for 600 Pesos per person one way, snack is served during the trip.
• Dagupan Bus, Edsa cor. New York St., Cubao, Quezon City, Tel. +632 929-6123, 928-5639, 727-2330, 727-2287. Also serves the Manila to Baguio route via its Cubao Terminal. Buses leave on an hourly basis.

From Clark airport

• Partas Bus operates a bus service that stops at Clark airport and heads north from there, departing the airport at 5:00 PM. Get off at Sison (arrival there around 8:00 PM) and cross the road to the restaurant stop opposite and get on a Victory Liner bus that does a dinner stop there. The fare from Clark airport to Sison on Partas Bus is 193 pesos, then from there by Victory Liner to Baguio is an additional 90 pesos. Travel time is 3 hours Clark to Sison, then 1 1/2 hours Sison to Baguio, plus some waiting time at Sison.

[edit] By air

Asian Spirit (As of June 2007)flies Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Manila to Baguio. The flight takes only 50 minutes and lands in Loakan Airport which is about a 20 minute ride south of the city center. A return ticket costs 6,000 pesos.

[edit] By car

The only motorway from Manila to the south to get to Baguio via car is using the North Luzon Expressway which extends until Sta. Ines, Pampanga and there is no more motorway beyond this, only narrow roads such as the McArthur Highway. Visitors need to pass through the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Pangasinan to get to Baguio quickly from Manila and the south. As much as driving is not advised for tourists in Manila, it is doubly risky to do it going to Baguio. There are three main routes leading up to Baguio by road, Kennon Road is the shortest taking only 30-45 minutes to climb from the foot of the mountain, Marcos Highway takes upto 1 hour to climb and Naguillan Road is 3 hours longer. All three roads can get blocked by landslides and Kennon Road with its long winding stretches is both scenic and dangerous. If you are intent on driving to Baguio, it would be best to hire a Filipino driver for this purpose. Most rental car companies in the Philippines offer chauffeur driven rentals in addition to the usual self-driven rentals.

Visitors need to keep in mind that it while it takes at average 6-7 hours to get to Baguio by car, it takes much longer during holiday weekends like Holy Week.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By jeepney

Similar to Manila, jeepneys ply various routes within Baguio and its immediate surroundings.

Jeepney traffic in the centre of Baguio

[edit] By taxi

More convenient for tourists perhaps, taxis are also common but once you are in the outskirts may be a bit hard to come by.

Taxis abound in Baguio. Currently, the rate flags down at Php25.00 for the first 500 meters, with Php1.50/100 meters increments thereafter. All Baguio taxi cabs are painted white and have the proper identification markings on them. Maximum capacity in each taxi is 5 persons (4 passengers, 1 driver).

Taxis can also be booked for a whole day tour at 1,800-2,000 pesos for a 8-9 hour tour of all the main attractions in and around town. Find a taxi at the Tourist Information Counter at the Victory Liner terminal or through your place of accommodation.

[edit] See

• Camp John Hay [3] - the former R&R facility for American military personnel during the American occupation. Was turned over to the Philippine Government in 1991. Now under the auspices of the Bases Conversion & Development Authority (BCDA), Camp John Hay is now a sort of country club complete with an 18-hole golf course, horseback riding, camping and many more. A condotel has also been in operation since 2001.
• Session Road - the main thoroughfare of Baguio, where most of the city activity is centered.
• Mines View Park - enjoy the view of the beautiful mountain scenery and get photographed with DOGLAS (yeah, that's the right spelling) the St.Bernard.
• Philippine Military Academy
• Burnham Park - go for a walk or go rowing on the small lake (100 pesos per hour).
• Strawberry Fields - go strawberry picking which is a jeepney ride out of the main city.
• Riverside Hotel - Enjoy Hot Spring Swimming Pools in a Valley surrounded by Lush Green Vegetation and stay the night (just 19Km from City Center), near the two Asin Tunnels drilled by the Spanish colonizers using prisoners of war during the second part of the 19th.century, one 158 feet and the other 95 feet long (starting at 1,300 pesos per night).

[edit] Do

• Panagbenga - the Baguio Flower Festival is held every February. Street parades, colorful floats and costumes and native dance displays have drawn huge crowds to Baguio every year.

• Horse back riding - at Wright Park and its surroundings. It costs 300 pesos per hour (150 pesos for half an hour), plus a guide fee if you want to ride beyond the park.

[edit] Buy

• Peanut Brittle, Strawberry Jam, Sesame Crunch and Ube (purple yam) Jam - from the Good Shepherd Convent, 15 Gibraltar Road, Baguio City, +6374 442-3865.

• Woven articles - various articles ranging from wristbands and bookmarks through hand bags and rucksacks to slippers, all hand woven.

• Wood carvings - rice god figurines, traditional Ifugao houses and other nice carvings made from hard wood.

For unknown reasons phallic sculptures in wood or stone are common in gift shops. A popular novelty gift is the man-in-the-barrel. I won't spoil the surprise, but suffice it to say the same children advisory applies.

[edit] Eat

Baguio has the usual fastfood joints that are so ubiquitous in major Philippine cities. For a true taste of Baguio, have a bite at the following establishments:

• Forest House Bistro & Cafe, Great food, great music, great service. This is one of the must-try restaurants in the city. Visit Forest House located at 16 Loakan Road, near Nevada Square.

• Star Cafe & Restaurant, 39 Session Road, Baguio City. A Baguio landmark right on Session Road. This restaurant has been serving delicious Chinese food well before the dawning of the fastfood age.

• Café by the Ruins, 23 Chuntug St., Baguio City, Tel +6374 4424010. Quaint ambience, hearty salads, pastas and juices and good coffee or tea to top it off. What more can you ask for?

• Barrio Fiesta, upper Session Road for authentic Filipino food.

[edit] Sleep

Baguio has a fine selection of accommodations, mostly cozy pension houses and small hotels that reflect this Philippine province's delightful homey atmosphere.

• http://www.CityTravelHotelBaguio.com/

[edit] Electricity

Baguio uses 110 V @ 60 Hz like USA, but this doesn't go very far beyond the city center. The airport, for example, is 220V. If staying in the Baguio area, always ask first! If your equipment is 110-125V, merely crossing a street corner can cause it to be damaged or even catch fire. There are no signs indicating where 110V ends and 220V begins.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Internet Access (Internet/Computer Shops)

In university towns like Baguio, you'll have no trouble finding cheap and fast internet access. Internet access centres have spread like a rash across the town, and on thoroughfares like Session Road you'll see dozens of signs hawking various establishments. Expect to pay 15-30 pesos (less than a dollar) an hour. Not only will you find Internet access, you will also find cheap gaming stations.

[edit] Get out

Take a bus heading north to Sagada from the Lizardo Trans bus terminal. The first bus is at 6:00 AM and there are several services afterward. The fare is 220 pesos and the ride takes 6 to 8 hours.