One of the places you must see in the Philippines is Baguio City. And it’s not just the cool climate that draws tourists to the place, it’s the beauty of the city itself. One feels close to nature when visiting what people call as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines”, and here in this article, we will highlight some of the most popular tourist destinations in Baguio, together with some tips you should follow when you’re staying there.
First stop is Burnham Park. There are lots of things to do here. You can choose to just jog around the area and enjoy the nice breeze, bike (there are bikes for rent in the park), go boating at the lake, go to the park’s playground for the kids to enjoy, or lay down your mat, have a picnic or just lie down to read a book.
During festivals (such as the Panagbenga during February), there are tens of dozens of stalls (tiangge, in the local dialect) set up. Nearby is an old building housing what Baguio is also famous for: ukay-ukay. The term literally means to “dig up”, and what you dig through is the piles of used clothing, shoes and other articles selling for a very low price.
Session Road is also a popular choice for tourists. This stretch is the business center of the city, and you can find a lot of restaurants to eat in, each offering an array of culinary delights, and a host of other establishments (bars, clubs, banks, cafes, boutiques, among others).
Mines View Park is where you go to for a magnificent view of the hills and valleys of the city. Nowadays, there are also a lot of shops built near Mines View Park, so you will not have a problem deciding what to buy as souvenir.
The Strawberry Farm, which is a few minutes away from the town proper, is where tourists go for their fill of fresh strawberries. Picking them yourself is quite an experience, tasting them fresh off the farm is double the fun.
Vegetables is incredibly cheap in Baguio City, so if you’re a vegetarian, then the Baguio City Market is your haven. Fresh broccoli, watercress and parsley is dirt cheap, so you might want to buy some and cook up something healthy and delicious while you’re there. In the late afternoon comes the ukay-ukay peddlers at the market in Hilltop, which locals and tourists alike flock to to get the best bargains.
The taxi is also pretty cheap in this place. The flag down only costs Php25.00 or roughly half a dollar. Plus the taxi drivers are known to be friendly and helpful, so there should be no worries of being duped out of your money. So it’s a pretty good choice if you want to get around a lot. There are jeepneys, of course (the local Philippines transportation) which costs a lot less, and will help you really feel the local atmosphere. There is a wealth of places to stay. Upon arriving, you will not fail to notice people with signs saying “Transient” or “Lodging”, and it’s up to you if you want to save by staying with the houses of the local people or at a hotel, and there are several of them around the town proper.
Those are just some of the things and tips to keep in mind if you are planning a trip to Baguio City. Find some cheap airline tickets to the Philippines, it is guaranteed to be an experience of a lifetime.
Ang strawberry! Plus the Ube Jam! Fresh from Baguio! The best of all!
Yeah, the Peanut Brittle my uncle always bring home when he goes to Baguio , ofcourse my fave Strawberries 😀
Oh, I wanna go to Baguio this summer 😀