Planning to go somewhere cool and relax with the family? Here’s what you should know before making your Baguio itinerary.
What you can read in this article?
- Baguio City in the new normal
- Sample Baguio itinerary
- Tips for traveling to Baguio with the whole family
Baguio City, known as the summer capital of the Philippines, provides tourists with a respite from the extreme heat in the metro during the months of April and May.
Its cooler climate is one of the top reasons why Baguio has become a popular destination among local and foreign tourists.
But due to the COVID-19 crisis, Baguio was placed on total lockdown last summer. Tourists were not allowed to go to the city.
Recently, the city has loosened its restrictions and Baguio is now open again for tourists across Luzon, including Metro Manila. That’s great news, right?
“You can finally experience the beautiful city of Baguio and feel the cold breeze weather this holiday season and next summer,” said City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong.
But in light of the pandemic, the government has established a set of safety protocols for those who want to visit the city.
Visiting Baguio in the new normal
Travel requirements
To keep everyone in Baguio safe (locals and tourists alike),
Before you make your Baguio itinerary, you need to know the new guidelines and protocols. Here are the 4 reminders before you and your family head up to the city of pines..
- Before you enter Baguio City, their local government has health protocols reminders and rules for the tourists. The local government requires the tourists to have negative rapid test results for COVID-19 before entering their city.
- Another requirement you should know is that you need to register for a Baguio Visita account on on their website.You will be asked to provide some details about your trip including your point of origin, purpose of travel, mode of transportation, your travel dates, your hotel or contact person in Baguio.
- You will also need to accomplish a health declaration form, where you are asked questions about your current health (whether you’re experiencing symptoms), exposure history, and other clinical information.
- After completing the Health Declaration Form and uploading your hotel booking and detailed itinerary, your application will be reviewed, which can take up to 24 hours.
- They will email a QR-Coded tourist pass that you will use upon entering the city. You will also use this QR-Code for every transaction you will make in the city and for every stopover.
Make sure that you follow all the steps and protocols by the local government of Baguio City and the Department of Tourism so you will have a smooth journey and experience.
If you have any questions about their process, please visit their website where you can see all the guidelines you need to know. If you already registered and you got negative results for COVID-19, you’re all set to experience the beautiful city of Baguio.
Getting to Baguio from Manila
Baguio City’s amazing landscape
Every Baguio itinerary starts with a long bus trip o a long car ride. A trip to the northern city costs less than many other Philippine destinations because it can be reached by land from Manila. With the convenience of highways and new roads, the drive to Baguio now only takes four to five hours when traffic is light.
Before you can actually take public transport, Victory Liner buses offer several scheduled trips up north throughout the day. These depart from their Cubao, Caloocan, Pasay and Sampaloc terminals. Regular aircon bus fare is PHP 445, while a first class trip costs PHP 715 per person.
But since the pandemic, there are many restrictions on traveling to stop the spread of the COVID-19 in the provinces. Limited bus trips are available at the moment, so better call the bus company to be sure.
However, traveling with a private vehicle is the best thing to do at this time to limit your exposure to the virus.
Driving to Baguio from Manila will take you through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), then through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
After you pass the Tarlac exit, you only have about 10km of road left to traverse before you reach MacArthur Highway. This road will take you through four more Tarlac towns and Pangasinan province, up to Rosario, La Union. There are designated stopover allowed by the DOT.
At the Rosario Junction, you have the option of proceeding to Kennon Road to take the old zigzag path up to Baguio, passing by the iconic lion head, or driving a few more meters down the road to the entrance of Marcos Highway.
Getting to Baguio from Manila is easy
Arriving in Baguio
Upon arrival in Baguio, all tourists must proceed to the triage. The location of the triage center depends on the color of your QTP.
For fully-vacccinated individual, you have to present your vaccination card or certificate. Meanwhile, for non-vaccinated visitors age 18 and above, you need to submit a negative Covid-19 test result. The test must have been done 72 hours prior to your arrival schedule. If you haven’t taken a COVID-19 test yet, you may opt to take it upon arrival.
You must bring either a hard copy of your COVID-19 test result taken 72 hours prior to arrival, or a testing form if you opted to get a COVID-19 test upon arrival.
Baguio itinerary: Family-friendly accommodations
Hostels and dorm-type rooms provide travelers with cheaper accommodation options in Baguio
No Baguio itinerary is complete without taking into account the countless hotels, hostels, and homes for rent that you can choose from in Baguio City.
Among the more popular options are Baguio Country Club, The Manor at Camp John Hay, Hotel Elizabeth, El Cielito Inn, Baguio Transient Apartment, and Baguio Burnham Suites. This is before the pandemic but now you have to book ahead of time and schedule it.
If you are in search of more budget-friendly accommodations, you can try Teacher’s Camp, which offers 2-bedroom cottages for PHP 1,600 a night. There is also Tuvera Pensions House, which is located near the Victory Liner terminal and has private rooms good for five persons at only Php 1,500 a night.
Another option is AJ’s Pension House, where you can get a private room for as low as PHP 1,200.
Horseback riding is a favorite family activity in Baguio
Baguio itinerary on a budget – 3 days, 2 nights
Looking to visit Baguio this holiday or next summer? Check out this budget-friendly 3-day, 2-night itinerary that’s perfect for a family of four.
Baguio Itinerary: Day 1
- Depart from Manila via private car or a rental car (It can cost you around 7,000 for 4-5 persons. The price may vary depending on the travel agency that you’ve booked too, or if you choose to rent a private car on your own. It the minimum charge for private of private and rental cars. But it can be changed depending on the travel agency because sometimes its included in their travel package)
- Arrive in Baguio
- Check-in at the hotel or accomodation of your choice
- Climb up to Lourdes Grotto
- Spend the afternoon at Burnham Park (Php 100 for a 30-minute boat ride, Php 40 for 1-hour bike with side car rental)
- Check out the Baguio City Market
- Explore Session Road
- See SM Baguio
- Visit Baguio Cathedral
- Dinner at Teahouse (Budget – Php 400)
Shop for local goods at the stalls in Mines View Park
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Baguio Itinerary: Day 2
- Breakfast at Pizza Volante (Budget – Php 400)
- Visit Wright Park (Horse ride – Php 200 per person for 30 minutes), The Mansion and the Botanical Garden
- Lunch at the Ketchup Food Community (Budget – Php 500)
- Visit Good Shepherd and Mines View Park
- Pass by the Pink Sisters Convent
- Dinner at Good Taste Restaurant (Budget – Php 400)
The Mansion is a favorite stop for photo ops among vacationers
Baguio Itinerary: Day 3
- Breakfast at 50’s Diner (Budget – Php 300)
- Go around Camp John Hay
- See the PMA grounds and Panagbenga Park
- Check out from hotel
- Lunch at Ebai’s Cafe & Pastry (Budget – Php 400)
- Depart from Baguio via Victory Liner (Php 1780 for 4 persons, 1 way)
Total trip budget – Php 13,920 (Php 3,100 per day for 2,784-3,480 4-5persons)
When in Baguio, have your fill of fresh, juicy strawberries
Baguio itinerary travel tips
- Make sure you have the essential for health protocols. Face mask, face shield, and alcohol. Remember to always sanitize.
- Don’t forget your QR-code tourist pass, it a must! You can not go around Baguio without it.
- Practice health protocols mandated by the Department of Health, like social distancing.
- Be prepared for cool weather in the early mornings and evenings. Make sure to pack warm clothes for you and your children to wear.
- Grab some fresh strawberries to enjoy from the market.
- Don’t forget to try the strawberry taho being sold by vendors along the side of the road, as well as the hot noodles and grilled corn sold along Session Road at night.
- Make sure that your entire group wears comfortable shoes because there is sure to be a lot of walking involved during your trip.
- Many of these destinations are within a 10-20 minute walk from each other. Ask around and walk whenever possible to save on transportation costs. You may also go from place to place by way of the jeepney, which will cost you less than taking a taxi.
Source:
The Poor Traveler
