Baguio Itinerary: Ultimate Travel Guide 2023

Baguio City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines. Filipinos love visiting this place because of its cool climate, stunning views, affordable food, and rich culture and heritage. Our team regularly travels to this beautiful city in the mountains; thus, we created the Ultimate Baguio Itinerary Travel Guide.

Post Updated: September 7, 2023: We updated the travel requirements mandated by Baguio City’s tourism office. We also added the new 24-hour tourism hotline for any concerns. You can call the tourism office at (074) 446 2009. Additionally, we created a Google Map List of places to eat and tourist spots to visit that you can add to your smartphone for easier access. Head to the best restaurants and places to visit section of this post.

Baguio City: Basic Information and Brief History

Baguio is a highly urbanized city located in the province of Benguet. It is also known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines due to its chilly year-round environment. The city sits 4810 feet (1466 meters) above sea level, and its location is conducive to cultivating different root crops and vegetables.

Baguio City is also abundant in history. During the American Colonial Period in the 1900s, the US Military used Baguio as a hill station. Daniel Burnham, an urban designer, plans the whole city’s distinct layout. Unfortunately, during World War II, the Japanese attacked Camp John Hay, turning the city into ruins.

Currently, Baguio City is one of the most famous tourist spots in the country. But, who could imagine this mountainous city has a lot of historical moments that shaped the Philippines today?

Baguio Travel Requirements 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected tourism not just in the Philippines but also around the world. Tourism is one of the economic sources of Baguio City, dramatically influencing people’s livelihood. As the city tries its best to recover from the pandemic, the local government decided to lift some of its travel restrictions to accommodate more tourists around the world.

Before visiting Baguio City, you need to have the following:

1. QR-Code Traveler’s Pass (QTP)
2. Vaccine Card/Certificate

Create a Visita Account and Generate QTP

To generate a QTP needed for your travel, please follow these steps:

1. Create a Baguio Visita Account at http://visita.baguio.gov.ph/
2. Click ‘Schedule a Visit.’
3. Create and schedule your travel by filling out the fields of information given (travel details, accommodation, travel agent details, place of origin, transportation details, and vaccination category), then click the “PROCEED” button.

As per Baguio’s tourism office, registration through the Visita Website is still mandatory for non-residents and non-employees of Baguio City. Additionally, group registration is also available on the Visita Website. You can do that by doing the following:

1. Inside your Visita Account, go to My Travels.
2. Click the ‘Add a Companion’ button and type the details needed.

Please visit the Baguio Visita Website at http://visita.baguio.gov.ph/ for more details. You can also contact their 24-hour tourism hotline at (074) 446 2009 for any concerns.

Baguio Accredited Travel and Tours Agency

For a seamless travel experience in Baguio City, we recommend contacting a Baguio-accredited travel agency or tour guide before your visit. You can access the list of accredited travel agencies and tour guides through this link: https://visita.baguio.gov.ph/explore/6. The local government recommends contacting a tour guide or travel agency before your visit.

Baguio Itinerary

It is important to have a planned itinerary for every vacation. This is vital for everyone to experience a seamless and hassle-free trip. Exploring Baguio City is easy. With proper planning, we can visit the city’s best spots efficiently. This section will feature several itineraries that will fit your needs.

Update: September 7, 2023: These itineraries are designed for DIY purposes. You can still check out these itineraries, which will give you an idea of where to go and what to visit in Baguio City. Again, contacting a travel and tour agency is highly recommended before visiting this beautiful city. Please see the link above for the complete list of accredited travel and tour agencies.

Baguio Itinerary 1 Day: Exploring East Side Only

This itinerary is suitable for a one-day tour. It is designed for travelers who plan to visit Baguio City as a side trip (for example, coming from Sagada). It explores the city’s east side with a mix of chill and adventurous notes. The day will start at the stunning view of the Amburayan Valley in Mines View Park and ends in a relaxed way at Starbucks Camp John Hay.

Check the map below for the location of each tourist spot or restaurant mentioned. The map enumerates the places in chronological order.

Baguio Itinerary 2 Days 1 Night: Exploring Part of Baguio + La Trinidad and Tuba in Benguet

The 2 Days 1 Night Baguio Itinerary explores the tourist spots outside Baguio City with a combination of the previous example. The first day will start at the luscious Strawberry Farm of La Trinidad in Benguet and follow a southward fashion. The second day will be similar to the Day Tour Itinerary Sample.

The map below chronologically presents the places to visit for Day 1 of the 2D1N Baguio Itinerary. Day 2 is similar to the previous itinerary, so check the last map for reference.

Baguio Itinerary 3 Days and 2 Nights: Exploring Baguio and Certain Parts of Benguet

This Itinerary explores the popular tourist spots and never-seen places in Baguio. The first day of this Baguio Itinerary will explore the outskirts of the city, specifically the elusive Café in the Sky. The rest of the days will combine the two previous itineraries.

As of September 7, 2023, Cafe in the Sky is closed to the public. We suggest being flexible in your itinerary and visiting other city breakfast cafes.

The map below features the places to visit for Day 1 of the 3D2N Baguio Itinerary. Kindly check the maps posted above for Days 2 and 3 of this trip.

These are our sample itineraries. We have used these itineraries in Baguio City for the last five years, and we hope this information will guide you in planning your next Baguio City Getaway. Now that you know our itineraries, it’s time to see our recommended hotels, restaurants, and other tourist spots in this marvelous city.

Best Hotel in Baguio

When choosing your accommodation, you must consider your budget and preferences. We are here to explore Baguio, not to hit the sack all day in our hotel room. That’s why a cheap yet comfortable room is enough. So please take a look at our recommended hotels and stays in Baguio.

Our Choice: Microtel by Wyndham Baguio City

This is our favorite hotel in Baguio City. Microtel is a three-star hotel that provides outstanding comfort and service to its guest. What we like the most about this place is its location. Microtel is located beside Victory Liner Bus Station and is also accessible to different tourist spots in the city. They also have a complimentary breakfast buffet included in the room package.

Microtel’s rates are slightly expensive, and their standard deluxe room costs around PHP 4,000 a night. But with Agoda, you can book a room online at discounted rates of up to 50% off. Click this link to see the discounted rates in Microtel.

Best Restaurants in Baguio

Baguio City is also best when it comes to food trips. Most restaurants here offer big servings at an affordable price. The servings are so huge that you can share them with friends and family. Here are five of our recommended restaurants and cafes that you should try:

1. Good Taste Restaurant – Best 24-Hour Restaurant. This food place offers a variety of Filipino Cuisine with huge servings at an affordable price!
2. Oh, My Gulay! – An artsy place and restaurant located at the heart of Session Road in Baguio.
3. 50’s Diner – Travel back to the 50s and enjoy the food of the American Era.
4. Baguio Craft Brewery – Chill at night and have a glass of the best-tasting crafted beers in the city.
5. Lemon and Olives – The First Greek Restaurant in Baguio City!

For more details and a complete list of our recommended food places in Baguio, check out our trending post: Where to Eat in Baguio. In this article, we listed more than ten restaurants and cafes in Baguio, so check it out. If you would like to add a list on your Google Maps on your smartphone, click this link and follow the list that will pop up on your phone: https://goo.gl/maps/P9rsKR7oEC6ebDmf7

Tourist Spots in Baguio

Baguio City has many tourist attractions that are great for family bonding or spending time with friends. You will surely enjoy exploring these places while savoring the city’s cold climate. Here are five tourist spots you can visit in Baguio City:

1. Burnham Park
2. Baguio Cathedral
3. Camp John Hay
4. Mines View Park
5. Tam-Awan Village

For more details, you can check our 18 Baguio Tourist Spots to Visit article. It’s a trending article that you should read, and it can also help you plan your vacation in Baguio City. You can also add and follow our tourist spot list on Google Maps on your smartphone. Click this link to add our list on your smartphone: https://goo.gl/maps/Kyz7NE8CWdQcPtQk8

Other Information

When is the Best Month to Visit Baguio City?

It is best to visit Baguio during December, January, and February. These periods are also the most congested since travelers all over the country want to experience a pleasant cool climate. Furthermore, Baguio City celebrates the Panagbenga Flower Festival annually in February.

Visiting Baguio City during March, April, and May is also good, but it will be slightly warmer than the previous months. Avoid visiting Baguio City from September to November due to heavy rains, and some major highways are impassable because of the increased risk of landslides.

Any additional travel tips in Baguio City?

• One important keyword: Follow. Follow your itinerary, the city’s safety standards, and the travel and tour agency.
• Bring your jackets. The night is colder than you think, and wearing a jacket is an added layer of protection against the city’s cold climate.
• Always keep yourself hydrated. Baguio City is a high-altitude city, and you might experience altitude sickness if you explore the place on foot. Always bring a water bottle with you to avoid getting altitude sickness.
• Always bring a small bag. In traveling, you might bring a big 30L to 40L backpack full of clothes and things you need for the following days of your trip. Of course, you will not be getting your heavy bags with you during the tour. Keep your main bag in your hotel room or accommodation. Bringing a small bag helps explore the city without the excess weight.
• Reservations are king. It’s better to reserve things in advance before any trip or activity. Many travelers visit the city daily, and full accommodation is a common problem. Always book your accommodation in advance, it’s better this way than letting yourselves stay in the street braving the cold night.
• Have an open mind and be responsible. We are all visitors to this place; be sensitive and respect their culture, values, and norms. Avoid throwing trash and be responsible.
• If you wish to contact any tourism officials in Baguio City, you can visit their tourism Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/baguiotourism/.

Did you find this post helpful? Please share it with your friends, and let us know in the comments section for any updates and suggestions for this post. This post was initially written by Blaine Lucero on February 7, 2019. Updated by Blaine Lucero on September 7, 2023.