The Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio, and this city often has many tourists and visitors during the summer months of the country. Aside from summertime, visitors also flock the city during the colder months of the year like December. People love the cold and refreshing weather of this city. If you are living near the beach, then a trip to Baguio is definitely a must-do for you to experience a different weather and environment.

Baguio City has so many places to offer to its visitors. You will truly enjoy your stay even if it is only for a few days. This itinerary will help you go to the different locations and tourist attractions of the city.If you plan to go there with your family or friends, this will come in handy. This itinerary is good for 4 days and 3 nights stay in the city.

Day 1

There are several ways to reach Baguio City, the alternatives will differ from what place you are coming from. Baguio City has one airport, which is the Loakan Airport and this is constructed on the top of a mountain. Big commercial planes are not allowed to use the airport because of its limited runway. The flights to the city are scheduled in the morning to avoid the fog that accumulates in the afternoon.

If you are coming from Manila, Baguio is approximately 6-7 hours away if you are riding a bus from Manila to Baguio. It is advisable that you leave Manila at around 11PM at night to reach Baguio early in the morning. You can sleep during the course of your travel and start your activities once you arrive in the city.

If you rode a bus from Manila to Baguio at around 11PM, you will arrive in the city at around 5AM to 6AM. You can now check-in to a hotel to leave your things and eat breakfast. Ridgewood Residence is a great place to stay in the city. This hotel provides a cozy and comfortable accommodation that is suited with the cold weather of the area. Their standard family room that can accommodate 4 persons is at Php4500 per night. They also have an apartelle that is ideal for 4 persons at Php5000 a night. This hotel is located at 17 Julian Felipe St., Baguio.

After checking in your hotel, it is time to fill your stomach. A quick drive to Café by the Ruins in Otek Street will fill your stomach with sumptuous breakfast, lunch and dinner meals. They serve ethnic cuisine such as native chicken, mountain rice and strawberry wine.

After breakfast you can now start touring the city. Since you are just near Burnham Park, it is only logical that you start exploring this area. You will enjoy activities like boating, biking and skating. After some time in the park, you can visit the Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral which is located Session Road.

After your stay in the downtown area of Baguio, move up to Naguilian Area and visit Easter Weaving Room in Easter Road and do some early souvenir shopping. This place showcases the natural beauty of clothes, garments and fabrics that are weaved. The technique used by the weavers is the age-old weaving by hand with the help of looms.

Next stop is the Tam-awan Village in Pinsao Proper, Baguio. The entrance fee is Php50 for adults, Php30 for students (show ID) and Php20 for kids (12 y/o and below). You can visit their craft shop and view their art gallery. You will know more about the culture of the indigenous people living near Baguio City and learn to respect and appreciate their custom and ways. The place provides a serene and calming feeling. The property is open from 8:00AM to 6:00PM. You can have your lunch in the Tam-awan Café they offer several food options from set meals to ala carte. Their breakfast and lunch set meals cost from Php150-Php250. They also offer pastas, sandwiches, desserts, and salads. Visit Arko ni Apo that is just across Tam-awan Village. Different metal works and wood works art gallery are showcased in this place.

Continue your tour with a visit to the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto and this has 252 stairs before you reach the top of the grotto. This Catholic shrine and meditation place offers a serene feeling. The last place to visit is the Ben Cab Museum located at Km. 6 Asin Road. This museum houses different artworks both by known Filipino artists as well as amateurs.

Dinner in a cold weather is best when the food is warm. Try the O-Mai Khan Restaurant found near Café by the Ruins. This place is known for their Mongolian barbecue and hotpot. You will also enjoy their buffet style which allows you to mix your own ingredients. Raw ingredients are lined up and you will get to choose which ingredients to use and how to cook them. Each serving can cost Php160-Php180. Their buffet is at Php180 per person.

Day 2

Your tour today will be in the Camp John Hay Area. Start your day with a breakfast at Little John’s in Camp John Hay. This restaurant doubles up as a convenience store, actually the original idea was a convenience store and the restaurant was just added later on. For only Php250 per head you can enjoy sumptuous meals that consist of soup, American burgers, pasta, salad, baby back ribs and loved chocolate fondue. You can keep your kids busy since their mats are also menus and your kids can actually color them. Coloring materials are provided and the kid’s artwork is posted on the wall of fame.

In Camp John Hay, you will see that there are so many things that you can do. If you are into playing golf, you can try their 18-hole golf course. Learning the history of the camp can be learned easily by following the History Trail. This takes about 30 minutes and you’d end at the Bell Amphitheater. The amphitheater is designed to be a venue for different concerts and other performances. The structural design of an amphitheater provides good acoustics in a natural setting.

A visit to the Bell House, vacation quarters turned museum will show you the different architecture and lifestyle of the people who lived here a hundred years ago. The veranda of the house has a stunning panoramic view of the mountain ranges of Benguet on a clear day.

Bury all your negative thoughts and feelings in the Cemetery of Negativism. This places was designed by Base Commander Major John Hightower, he believed that negativism is man’s limiting factor, heaviest burden and self-imposed infliction. As you go along the different graves, you will be amused by the different epitaphs.

Experience different butterfly species up close with Camp John Hay’s Butterfly Sanctuary, this garden allows you to be up close with butterflies and even catch them. The caretaker of this garden will also tell you more about butterflies. They allow you to touch and catch them but you must be gentle to prevent hurting them. Entrance fee to the area is Php40 and you can stay here all day.

Head on to Forest House Bistro and Café for lunch which is near Camp John Hay along Loakan Road, this cozy place allows you eat your lunch while listening to soothing music. Fill your appetite with their international and local cuisine. Their house specialty is Bagnet, an Ilocano pork dish is a must try. After your main course, indulge in their array of pastries and bottomless Forest House coffee.

Visit the Philippine Military Academy located in Loakan Road, Baguio. You will get to see PMA cadets practicing their drills or if you’re fortunate witness their graduation ceremony. You can explore the PMA Museum and stroll in their manicured grounds.

Take a tour of Balatoc Mine and experience the life of a miner. This is located in Balatoc, Virac, Itogon, Benguet. Their entrance fee is Php250 for adults, Php150 for students. You will ride a mine train to enter the mine and explore the cave. Miners will show you how to mine for minerals and ores. There is also a simulated explosion. All these plus you get to wear a hard hat and is equipped with Wellingtons.

You can have dinner at Pizza Volante located in Session Road. This is open 24 hours a day and they serve pizza, pasta and drinks. The house specialties are Pasta Puttanesca and Vegetarian Pizza. For a budget of only Php300-Php500 you and your friends are filled with sumptuous meals and drinks.

Day 3

You can have your breakfast at your hotel and start your day early to tour the La Trinidad Strawberry Farms. It is approximately 30minutes to 45minutes away from Baguio. Upon arriving in La Trinidad, go to a strawberry farm and you can pick strawberries for a small fee. You can also buy souvenirs like strawberry jam and strawberry wine here.

For lunch you can visit Rito’s along Marcos Highway. This restaurant serves bulalo and crispy pata. You can also find vegetable dishes, sandwiches, goat meat, grilled food and more. Meals here cost around Php150 and up. Wright Park is another tourist park that you should visit. This park is a good place to take pictures, especially for those who are into photography. Children and adults will enjoy riding ponies. Just across this park is The Mansion, another tourist attraction of the city. There is a mini museum that holds memorabilia and artworks collected by different presidents. This is also the location of the official residence of the President of the Philippines in Baguio City.

A visit to Baguio City is not complete if you have not visited Mines View Park. Their observation deck alone provides a panoramic view of Benguet’s mines and surrounding mountains. Stalls at the entrance of the park sell different souvenirs and items proudly made in Baguio.

You can have your dinner at Rose Bowl located along Harrison Road. They are one of the pioneer and posh restaurants in Baguio City. They serve family-style Chinese cuisine at reasonable prices. A meal can cost around Php250.

Day 4

Your last day in the city of pines can be spent having a leisurely walk along its known parks near you or souvenir shopping. Good Shepherd Convent sells the famous ube jam of Baguio. You will love the sweet and creamy texture of the jam. This is ideal to be used as topping of halo-halo, spread for sandwiches, or plainly eating it as it is.

Baguio City Market sells almost anything. The place boasts its cleanliness and cool environment. You can also find great deals and bargains for items (especially if you are good with haggling). This place is ideal for last minute shopping for souvenirs and gift items. Your stay in Baguio may be short but you know that the memories will be treasured forever. The long ride can be tiring but the environment and weather of the city can relieve you from your pains and aches.