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Baguio
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.
Travel to Baguio, visa requirements
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:
Buses to Baguio
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 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 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.
- 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.
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.
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 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.
Get around
By jeepney
Similar to Manila, jeepneys ply various routes within Baguio and its immediate surroundings.
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 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.
Baguio attractions and sightseeing
- 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.
- Philippine Military Academy
- Burham 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.
City tours
- 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.
Shopping, Baguio souvenirs
- 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.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
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:
- 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.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Baguio has a fine selection of accommodations, mostly cozy pension houses and small hotels that reflect this Philippine province's delightful homey atmosphere.
- Atenara House, 40 Navy Road, Baguio City, ☎ +074-446-9808, [4]. Beautiful bed & breakfast with a fantastic location, between the top tourist attractions and the commercial center, friendly, comfortable & reasonable priced. Great for seminars, large groups, honeymooners, with bonfire barbecue options. Best rates on official website start at US$12/person.
- Burnham Hotel Baguio, 1 Calderon Street, Baguio City, Philippines, ☎ +074-442-2331, [5]. The rooms at the Burnham offer warmth, comfort, and a feeling that you never left home. The ambience is a throwback to the yesteryears, when life was simpler, making you forget your cares. Best rates on official website start at US$20.
- El Cielito Inn Hotel, 50 North Drive, Baguio City, Philippines, ☎ +637-443-4846 (fax: +632-250-6020), [6]. Enchanting views and exciting finds are just a short walk away from Baguio's El Cielito Inn. Best rates on official website start at US$42.
- Ferionnil Pension House and Dormitory, 140 T. Alonzo Street, Baguio City, ☎ +63-74-443-6763. checkout: 12 PM. A cheap and very basic local place to stay near the Lizardo Trans bus terminus - convenient if you need to catch an early bus. 1,000 - 1,400 pesos (equiv. to US$20-28) depending on room type, including breakfast.
- Hotel Elizabeth, No. 1 J. Felipe St., cor. Gibraltar Rd., Baguio City, Philippines. Hotel Elizabeth. Comfy. Cozy.
- Hotel Veniz, One Abanao St., Baguio City, ☎ +63-74-446-0700 (fax: +63-74-446-0704), [7]. Hotel Veniz...affordable comfort & class...over 100 air-conditioned rooms and suites...at the foot of Session Road, across Burnham Park, within Baguio's main shopping district! Gem in the heart of Baguio! We Pamper! Best rates on official website start at 1000 pesos.
- Microtel Inns and Suites Baguio, Upper Session Road, Baguio City, ☎ +63-74-619-3333 (fax: +63-74-619-3344), [8]. This Baguio hotel offers clean and comfortable rooms at very affordable prices that no other hotels in Baguio can match. Best rates on official website start atUS$36.
- Baguio Country Club. Rooms here are usually restricted to members or sponsored guests.
Electricity
Baguio uses 110 V @ 60 Hz like USA, but doesn't this 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.
Contact
Internet
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 an hour.
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 3 hours, 15 minutes.
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