landmark
Burnham Park
Designed by Daniel Burnham in 1909. Rent a rowboat on the central lagoon or rent a bicycle on the southern track.
问问 Parley菲律宾
Baguio
Pine-scented mountain air and Cordilleran craft.
introduction
Overview
Baguio sits 1,500 meters above sea level in the Cordillera Central mountains of Luzon. Pines cover the steep hillsides, and mountain fog settles over the grid after sunset. Taxis run on strict meters, while color-coded jeepneys connect hill neighborhoods to the central market. You come here for cool air, Igorot woodcarvings, and highland coffee.
Arrival via JoyBus
JoyBus non-stop executive coaches run from Manila to Baguio in 4 to 5 hours. Reserve seats online at least three days prior.
UNESCO Craft City
Baguio joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2017 for its traditional Igorot weaving and silver craft.
Strictly metered taxis
Baguio taxi drivers turn on meters automatically and return exact peso change without prompt.
Baguio
Lawrence Ruiz · CC BY-SA 4.0
Session Road & City Center — Walkable city hub with steep side streets, vintage bakeries, and busy transit terminals.
patrickroque01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Camp John Hay — Quiet pine forest zone with manicured lawns, historic cottages, and high-end dining.
Elmer B. Domingo · CC BY-SA 3.0
Gibraltar & Mines View — Residential ridge near Mine's View Park, offering cool breezes and craft shops.
Elmer B. Domingo · CC BY-SA 3.0highlights
Highlights
landmark
Session Road
The main commercial artery lined with art deco facades. Closed to vehicle traffic every Sunday for street performances.
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landmark
Baguio City Market
The central market for highland produce, Benguet coffee beans, and Igorot woven textiles. Buy fresh strawberries before 09:00.
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Camp John Hay
A former US military rest station turned pine reserve. Features walking trails, golf courses, and preserved colonial cottages.
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landmark
Mine's View Park
An overlook facing the abandoned gold and copper mines of Itogon. Expect dense crowds between 10:00 and 15:00.
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On the map
areas
Where life happens
Session Road & City Center
Walkable city hub with steep side streets, vintage bakeries, and busy transit terminals.
Central locationStreet foodTransit access
取舍Engine exhaust and vehicle horns peak during evening rush hours.
附近Burnham Park and Baguio City Market
问问 ParleyCamp John Hay
Quiet pine forest zone with manicured lawns, historic cottages, and high-end dining.
Pine shadeQuiet nightsResorts
取舍Requires a taxi or car for every trip into the city center.
附近Yellow Trail and Forest Bathing Trail
问问 ParleyGibraltar & Mines View
Residential ridge near Mine's View Park, offering cool breezes and craft shops.
Valley viewsWeaving centersCraft shops
取舍Narrow roads lock up completely during weekend peak hours.
附近Good Shepherd Convent and Wright Park
问问 ParleyGreen Valley & Bakakeng
University district and south approach with budget guesthouses and valley views.
Budget staysStudent cafesQuiet hills
取舍Steep hills require heavy walking or frequent taxi rides.
附近Saint Louis University Bakakeng Campus
问问 Parleyfood
Cordilleran produce and Benguet coffee
Highland agriculture shapes Baguio dining. Cool mountain temperatures allow Benguet farmers to cultivate strawberries, fresh cabbages, and Arabica coffee beans that do not grow in lower Philippine provinces. Cordilleran dishes rely on smoking and salting techniques. Etag—pork cured in salt and smoke—flavors local soups, while pinikpikan remains a traditional Cordilleran chicken dish cooked with highland herbs.
- Strawberry Taho at Sunrise
Street vendors carry warm pots of silken tofu with strawberry syrup around Burnham Park starting at 06:00.
- Good Shepherd Ube Jam
Nun-operated Good Shepherd Convent produces Baguio's famous purple yam jam. Sales fund youth scholarships.
- Benguet Arabica Beans
Buy whole bean Arabica coffee directly from roasters in Baguio City Market's dry section.
history
A short history
Baguio began as an Ibaloi settlement called Kafagway. American colonial administrators built Baguio as a hill station in 1900 to escape Manila's summer heat. Architect Daniel Burnham laid out the city grid with wide parks and winding roads adapted to the mountain topography. The city endured major damage in World War II and survived a catastrophic magnitude 7.7 earthquake in 1990.
- 1945
World War II Surrender
General Tomoyuki Yamashita surrenders Japanese forces at Camp John Hay, ending World War II in the Philippines.
- 1990
Luzon Earthquake
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake destroys key hotels, forcing major rebuilding of city infrastructure.
- 2017
UNESCO Designation
Baguio becomes the first Philippine city named to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Crafts and Folk Art.
where to stay
Where to stay
Choose your accommodation based on how you plan to navigate Baguio's steep terrain. Stay near Session Road or Burnham Park if you want to walk to restaurants and transit terminals without relying on taxis. Choose Camp John Hay or Gibraltar if you prefer pine trees and cool nights over central convenience.
- First-timers & walk-seekersSession Road & City Center — Step out directly to markets, restaurants, and jeepney hubs.
- Families & slow travellersCamp John Hay — Pine shade, quiet roads, and space for walking without heavy traffic.
- Craft seekersGibraltar & Mines View — Close to weaving centers, silver artisan shops, and scenic ridges.
Baguio的哪个街区适合我的行程?
transport
Getting around
Baguio sits at the terminus of three major mountain roads: Kennon Road, Marcos Highway, and Naguilian Road. Long-distance buses from Manila drop passengers at terminals in the city center. Within Baguio, metered taxis and route jeepneys move all local traffic.
从Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL)出发
- Bus4–6 hours₱600–900
JoyBus and Victory Liner run non-stop luxury buses with toilets from Pasay and Cubao terminals.
- Private transfer4–5 hours₱4,500–6,000
Uses TPLEX express highway. Toll fees add roughly ₱800 to the total fare.
Harrison Road closes daily from 21:00 to 02:00 for the night market. Taxis divert around Burnham Park.
Jeepneys depart from fixed bays behind Baguio City Market. Base fare is ₱13 paid in cash upon boarding.
cost
What things cost
Baguio remains more affordable than Manila for food and local transport. Taxis operate on strict meters without price negotiation. Fresh highland produce at the city market costs significantly less than in coastal regions.
- Plate of Pinikpikan: ₱180–250
Traditional Cordilleran chicken soup served in local highland eateries.
- Fresh Strawberries (1 kg): ₱250–350
Prices at Baguio City Market are lower than farm tourist shops in La Trinidad.
- Strawberry Taho: ₱40–50
Warm silken tofu dessert sold by walking vendors near Burnham Park.
- Jeepney Base Fare: ₱13–20
Covers short intra-city routes across central Baguio neighborhoods.
seasonality
When to go
NOV – FEB
Coolest weather with temperatures dropping to 11°C. Reserve hotel rooms two months ahead.
人流
Rain
MAR – MAY
High summer escape season for Manila travelers. Traffic builds up heavily on weekends.
人流
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JUN – AUG
Heavy monsoon downpours and landslide risks along mountain highways. Hotel prices hit annual lows.
人流
Rain
SEP – OCT
Transition months with morning clearing and afternoon fog. Ideal for uncrowded city walks.
人流
Rain
practicalities
Good to know
- Market Morning Rush
Arrive at Baguio City Market before 08:00 for the fresh daily catch of Benguet strawberries and vegetables.
- Layered Clothing
Temperatures drop sharply after 17:00. Pack a jacket or sweater even during summer months.
- Good Shepherd Convent Cash Only
The famous ube jam stand accepts cash payments only and sells out by noon on holiday weekends.
- Pedestrian Crosswalk Priority
Baguio drivers stop for pedestrians at marked crosswalks, a habit enforced by city traffic police.
- Session Road Sunday Closure
Session Road closes to motor vehicles every Sunday. Local artists and musicians set up along the asphalt.