November to February (coolest and driest); February (Panagbenga Festival)
$25-60 USD
Ilocano, Kankanaey, Filipino, and English
Philippine Peso (PHP)
Overview
About Baguio
Baguio City is the summer capital of the Philippines, a highland city in the Cordillera Administrative Region at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. The cooler temperatures — averaging 15 to 23 degrees Celsius year-round — make it a popular escape from the heat of Manila and the lowland cities, particularly during the hot season from March to May.
The city was developed as a hill station by American colonial administrators in the early 20th century, and its street grid, parks, and some of its older buildings still reflect that era of town planning. Camp John Hay, the former American military recreation facility, has been converted into a leisure and commercial complex and remains one of the city's most visited destinations.
Burnham Park, named after city planner Daniel Burnham, is the central green space of Baguio and a focal point for recreation. The park features a boating lake, cycling paths, and open lawns that fill with locals and tourists on weekends. Nearby Session Road is the main commercial artery of the city, lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants and the site of the weekly Baguio City Market.
Baguio is the gateway to the Cordillera highlands and the indigenous Igorot communities that have inhabited the mountain region for centuries. The Benguet and Mountain Province areas surrounding Baguio are accessible as day trips, offering terraced rice paddies, weaving villages, and the remarkable Banaue Rice Terraces several hours further north.
The city has a strong arts culture, with numerous galleries, craft markets, and cultural events. The Baguio City Public Market and the Easter Weaving Room are important stops for visitors interested in traditional Cordillera textiles, silver jewelry, and woodcarvings. The Panagbenga Festival, held in February each year, is a major flower festival drawing thousands of visitors with street parades, float competitions, and performances.
La Trinidad, the neighboring municipality just outside Baguio, is home to the strawberry farms that supply much of the Philippines' strawberry production. Visitors can pick their own strawberries and buy fresh produce directly from the farms.
Baguio has no commercial airport and is reached by road from Manila, a journey of approximately five to six hours by bus or private vehicle via the TPLEX and NLEX toll expressways. Victory Liner, Genesis, and Philippine Rabbit operate regular coaches from Manila. The city also serves as a transportation hub for buses heading further into the Cordillera.
Accommodation
Where to Stay in Baguio
Experiences
Things to Do in Baguio
Strawberry Farm Visit at La Trinidad
A visit to the strawberry farms in La Trinidad Valley, just north of Baguio, where visitors can pick their own strawberries directly from the rows and purchase fresh fruit, strawberry taho, wine, and jam from roadside stalls. The farms are most productive from November to May.
Burnham Park Boating and Cycling
An afternoon at Burnham Park, Baguio's central green space, featuring pedal boat rental on the man-made lake, bicycle hire along the park's path circuits, and picnicking on the lawns. The park is liveliest on weekend mornings and is free to enter.
Camp John Hay Heritage Walk
A guided or self-guided walk through the Camp John Hay Historic Core, the former American military rest camp, exploring colonial-era buildings, memorials, the US Cemetery, and the Bell House. The area is well-maintained with walking trails through pine forest.
Mines View Park
A visit to Mines View Park, Baguio's most iconic overlook, offering panoramic views of the Cordillera mountains and the old gold and copper mines of the Benguet region. The park is lined with souvenir stalls selling indigenous crafts, silver jewelry, and traditional clothing.
Baguio Public Market Shopping
A visit to the Baguio Public Market, the city's largest and most atmospheric market, where vendors sell fresh highland produce including vegetables, strawberries, ube, dried beans, traditional woven goods, woodcarvings, and silver jewelry from Cordillera artisans.
Session Road Café Crawl
A walking tour along Baguio's main commercial street, Session Road, stopping at the city's celebrated café culture — from traditional Filipino breakfast spots serving champorado and tuyo to specialty coffee roasters, artisan bakeries, and creative Filipino restaurants.
Panagbenga Festival Parade
Attendance at the Panagbenga Flower Festival parade held in February, one of the Philippines' largest annual festivals. The Grand Street Dance Parade and Float Parade feature elaborate floats decorated with fresh flowers, indigenous cultural performances, and marching bands.
Easter Weaving Room Visit
A visit to the Easter Weaving Room in the Easter School of Weaving, one of Baguio's oldest craft institutions where weavers produce traditional Cordillera textiles. Visitors can watch the weaving process on traditional looms and purchase authentic handwoven products.
Practical Info
Baguio Travel Tips
Airport
No commercial airport — by road from Manila (5-6 hrs)
Timezone
UTC+8
Currency
Philippine Peso (PHP)
Population
370,000
Information
Frequently Asked Questions
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