Baguio Itinerary: Ultimate Travel Guide

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 visits this beautiful city in the mount; thus, we decided to create the Ultimate Baguio Itinerary Travel Guide.

Post Updated: November 9, 2020 – we rewrite more than half of this article and added the updates and safety guidelines from the local government of Baguio City. Please take note of the updates and follow the safety protocols. Always remember to travel safe and be safe!

Baguio City: Basic Information and Brief History

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

The city is also abundant in history. During the American Colonial Period in the 1900s, the US Military use Baguio as a hill station. The distinct layout of the whole city is planned by Daniel Burnham, a successful architect and urban designer. During the World War II, the Japanese attacked Camp John Hay which turned the city into ruins.

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

Clockwise starting Top Left: Baguio Cathedral, Cafe in the Sky, Valley of Colors, BenCab Museum, Mines View Park, Camp John Hay.

New Normal Guidelines in Baguio City 2020

Travel Update in Baguio City 2020

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 and it greatly affects the livelihood of the people. In fact, Baguio City is one of the best performing cities in controlling the spread of the coronavirus. The locals adhere to regulations and safety measures in order to re-open the city again to tourists.

As of November 9, 2020, Baguio City is now open for tourists from Luzon Island only. The following items are now allowed in the city:

• Tourists of all ages are now allowed to visit Baguio City, as long as they are healthy and with no symptoms
• Up to 500 tourists per day are allowed inside the city
• Staying in own, relative’s or friend’s house
• Long-term vacations

Baguio City Travel Guidelines and Requirements

If you wish to visit Baguio City, here are the guidelines that you need to follow:

1. Create a Baguio Visita Account at http://visita.baguio.gov.ph/
2. Enter the details needed and upload your valid ID and latest ID picture on the website. Schedule a visit, enter travel and accommodation details, fill out health declaration, and choose COVID-19 test option. There are two options for COVID-19 testing before visiting Baguio City:
   • Test Prior to Travel – a negative RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen Tests are allowed within 72 hours. Upload a copy of the results on Baguio Visita Website and bring a hard copy of it on your visit for validation.
   • Test Upon Arrival – Rapid Antigen Test will be done at the triage center in Baguio City with a fee of PHP 1,300 (USD 26)
3. Wait within 24 hours and you will receive an email confirmation from Baguio Visita Team. You will also receive a QR-code Tourist Pass. Always keep a copy of your QR-code on your phone. You can also print your QR code whichever is more convenient to you.

What to Do Upon Arrival to Baguio City

Here the steps and things to do once you arrived in the city of Pines:

1. Proceed to Triage upon arrival. There are 2 triage locations in the city:
   • CAP Convention Center John Hay Triage (Open 8am to 5pm)
   • Baguio Convention Center Triage (Open 24 hours)
2. Show QTP (QR-code Tourist Pass) to triage officers
3. Proceed to your hotel accommodation.

It is important to keep your QTP with you at all times. You need to present your QTP in:

• Checkpoints
• Hotels
• Tourism Establishments
• Tourist spots

Safety Standards in Baguio City

Our blog’s tagline in this time of the pandemic is Travel Safe. Be Safe. We encouraged everyone to be a responsible tourist. Please respect and follow the following safety standards of Baguio City.

• Wear face mask and face shield
• Maintain physical distancing
• Wash or sanitize hands always
• If possible, avoid crowded places.

The whole process from registration to triage to enjoying your stay in Baguio City is summarized in this video. Please check it out:

Baguio Accredited Travel and Tours Agency

For seamless travel experience in Baguio City, we recommend contacting a Baguio-accredited travel agency or tour guide before your visit. It is required by the local government to include a contact person or travel agency prior to your visit. Here’s a complete list of accredited travel and tours agency, tour guides, hotels, accommodations and many more:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SJkUh2hB2_u0m1tMSAoKPis6w7DV8E2btw72VhhpNgw/edit?fbclid=IwAR3rGNQocfzISzyLTdtwBBiWbceIazXaviASbDlHNtDQzd3LwBx43WimE00#gid=0

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. In this section, we’ll feature several itineraries that will fit your needs.

Update: November 9, 2020: These itineraries are designed for DIY purposes. You can still check out these itineraries and it will give you an idea on where to go and what to visit in Baguio City. Again, it is highly recommended to contact a travel and tours agency before visiting this beautiful city. Please see link above for the complete list of accredited-travel and tours agency.

Baguio Itinerary 1 Day: Exploring East Side Only

This itinerary is good for a one-day tour. It explores the east side of the city 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 will follow a southward fashion. The second day will be similar with the Day Tour Itinerary Sample.

The map below presents the places to visit in chronological order for Day 1 of 2D1N Baguio Itinerary. The Day 2 is similar for the previous itinerary, so just check the previous 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 in the elusive Café in the Sky. The rest of the days will be a combination of the two previous itineraries.

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

These are our sample itineraries. We used this itineraries in Baguio City for the last 3 years and we hope this information will guide you in planning out your next Baguio City Getaway. Now that you know our itineraries, it’s time for you to see our recommended hotels, restaurants, and other tourist spots to visit in this marvelous city.

Best Hotel in Baguio

When it comes to 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. Take a look on our recommended hotels and stays in Baguio.

Our Choice: Microtel by Wyndham Baguio City

This is our most favorite hotel in Baguio City. Microtel is a three-star hotel which provides exemplary 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 it’s also accessible to different tourist spots in the city. They also have a free breakfast buffet included in the room package.

Microtel’s rates are a little bit 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 up to 50% off. Click this link to see the discounted rates in Microtel.

A Cheaper Choice: Upstairs Bed and Bath (Currently not Accredited)

As of November 9, 2020, this establishment is not yet accredited. Looking for a cheaper alternative? Then check Upstairs Bed and Bath. This place is also great for groups. They have a dorm-type room which can accommodate up to 6 people, but you’ll be sharing a common toilet and bathroom with the other travelers. This family room for 6 people costs around PHP 2,400/night. They also have a private room with its own toilet and bath for 2 people at PHP 1,600/night. Check their Facebook Page for more details.

Check out Agoda to see more discounted hotels and accommodations in Baguio City.

Best Restaurants in Baguio

Baguio City is also best when it comes to food trip. Most restaurants here offer big servings at an affordable price. The servings are so huge that you can share it with your 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 in time in the 50s and enjoy 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. We listed 20 best restaurants and cafes in Baguio in this article so check it out.

Places to Visit in Baguio

Baguio City has a good number of tourist attractions great for family bonding or spending time with friends. You will surely enjoy exploring these places while savoring the cold climate of the city. Here are five tourist spots that 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 and list, you can check our 10 Baguio Tourist Spots to Visit article. It’s a trending article that you should read, and it can also help you in planning out your vacation in Baguio City.

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 comforting cool climate. The month of February is the annual festival month of Panagbenga Flower Festival.

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

Any additional travel tips in Baguio City?

• One important keyword: Follow. Follow your itinerary, follow the safety standards of the city, and follow your travel and tours agency.
• Wear comfortable clothing in the middle of the day. It gets really warm especially at noontime.
• Bring your jackets. The night is colder than you think and wearing a jacket is an added layer of protection against the freezing cold climate of the city.
• Always keep yourself hydrated. Exploring the city on foot is quite taxing especially when you become dehydrated. Always bring your water bottles with you.
• Always bring a small bag. In traveling, you might be bringing a big 30L to 40L backpack full of clothes and things you need for the next days of your trip. Of course, you will not be bringing your heavy bags with you during the tour. Keep your main bag on your hotel room or accommodation. Bringing a small bag is helpful in exploring the city without the excess weight.
• Prune down food serving. The servings are huge here in Baguio. Always order what you can eat and avoid having leftovers. In case you have leftovers, take it out and give it to the people in need.
• Reservations are king. It’s better to reserve things in advance prior to any trip or activity. There are a lot of travelers visiting the city everyday and full accommodation is a common problem. Always reserve 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 in 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? Share it to your friends and let us know in the comments section for any updates and suggestions for this post. This post was originally written by Blaine Lucero on February 7, 2019. Updated by Leo Ceasar on November 9, 2020.