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 this beautiful city in the mount; thus, we created the Ultimate Baguio Itinerary Travel Guide.

Post Updated: January 8, 2023: We added minor updates to this post, such as the link for the accredited travel and tour agencies, new itinerary suggestions, and details about the upcoming Panagbenga Flower Festival 2023. Always remember to travel safely and be safe!

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 environment all year round. 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.

Right now, 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. In fact, Baguio City is one of the best-performing cities in controlling the spread of the coronavirus. Nevertheless, the locals adhere to regulations and safety measures to re-open the city again to tourists. Currently, Baguio City has lifted some of its travel restrictions with a few exceptions that travelers need to follow.

Requirements and Steps

If you wish to visit Baguio City, here are the requirements that you need to fulfill:

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, and enter travel and accommodation details if you have one.
3. COVID Test Requirements:
   • Test Before Travel – a negative RT-PCR Test is needed within 72 hours before the visit. Upload a copy of the results on the Baguio Visita Website and bring a hard copy on your visit for validation.
   • Fully Vaccinated Visitors – No need for a recent COVID Test.
4. Wait within 24 hours, and you will receive an email confirmation from Baguio Visita Team. You will also receive a QR-code Tourist Pass (QTP). Always keep a copy of your QR code on your phone. You can also print your QR code, whichever is more convenient for you.

What to Do Upon Arrival to Baguio City

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

1. For holders of Yellow QTP: Proceed to Triage upon arrival. There are two triage locations in the city:
   • CAP Convention Center John Hay Triage (Open 8 am to 5 pm)
   • Baguio Convention Center Triage (Open 24 hours)
2. For holders of Blue QTP: Proceed to your hotel accommodation for document verification.

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

• Checkpoints
• Hotels
• Tourism Establishments
• Tourist spots

Safety Standards in Baguio City

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

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

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: January 8, 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 tours agency is highly recommended before visiting this beautiful city. Please see the link above for the complete list of accredited travel and tours agency.

Baguio Itinerary 1 Day: Exploring East Side Only

This itinerary is suitable for a one-day tour. 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 will follow a southward fashion. The second day will be similar to the Day Tour Itinerary Sample.

The map below presents the places to visit in chronological order 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 be a combination of the two previous itineraries.

It can be challenging to visit Cafe in the Sky. 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 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 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 the 20 best restaurants and cafes in Baguio, so check it out.

Places to Visit 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 and a 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 plan 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 pleasant cool climate. Furthermore, February is the annual festival month of the Panagbenga Flower Festival. This year, the flower festival will be celebrated from February 1 to March 5, 2023.

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 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 January 8, 2023.