HERE’S TO BAGUIO!
Exploring Baguio, even in only two days, is a check off my bucket list. Commonly known as the “Summer Capital” and the “City of Pines”, under the scorching heat of the summer in the whole country, Baguio’s weather remains temperate. It’s no wonder that lots of people go there during summer, especially those from Manila just to escape the heat.
I couldn’t contain my excitement during the planning stage of this trip. It’s my first time traveling solo. All thanks to the services of Victory Liner and Genesis Bus companies, getting to Baguio from Manila is very convenient.
HOW TO GET FROM MANILA TO BAGUIO?
- Victory Liner has bus terminals in Cubao, Caloocan, and Pasay, while Genesis has terminals in Cubao and Avenida. You can choose whichever is near you. For this trip, I went with Victory Liner in Pasay terminal as they were recommended to me by a friend.
- From Paranaque Manila, I booked a Grab to Victory Liner’s Pasay bus terminal. I bought a ticket for the next hour trip as soon as I arrived. Luckily, they have an hourly trip to Baguio which is very convenient.
- From Manila, the travel time is almost 7 hours for a day trip. It’s shorter if you opt for a night trip. The earlier you are, the better. I took the 9:00 AM bus and arrived at 3:30 PM in Baguio. It so happened that during this trip, Friday was declared a holiday, so it was a long weekend. There’s a sudden flux of tourists that made the travel time longer. It usually just takes 6 hours from Manila to Baguio.
- The bus ticket costs P501 as of December 2018
- In going back to Manila from Baguio, the same hourly bus schedule applies. The terminals of both bus companies are walking distance from SM City Baguio. More information about bus schedules and fares can be found in the terminals.
Anyone can make the most out of their trip to Baguio for 2 days or 48 hours. It depends on how wise you are in maximizing your time. Many people from Manila spend their weekend there to escape the city, and that proves that you can stay for merely 2 days and still see many places and spots. The itinerary below was how I was able to maximize my stay there for a couple of days.
Day 1:
Day 1 was getting around the places that were near my hostel. I asked around on how to get to places through jeepneys.
1. BURNHAM PARK
ATTRACTIONS:
Biking, Boating in the lake, Walking and sightseeing in the park, Souvenir shops, Trying local delicacies in nearby restaurants and cafés
Designed and named after Daniel Burnham, this park is located in the downtown, and it’s only a jeepney ride from my hostel. Apart from that, it was very easy to find because it’s one of the most famous parks in the Philippines. A large Christmas tree at the center with beautiful Christmas lights added beauty to the place. There are lots of activities you can try here like biking, boating in Burnham Lake, and more. There’s an option to rent a bicycle or a boat from the locals. There are several souvenir shops around for take-home presents.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Depending on where your hostel or hotel is, look for jeepneys with BURNHAM PARK signage. Based on experience, this can be found easily.
2. RIZAL PARK
ATTRACTIONS:
Rizal monument, Local restaurants
When in Burnham Park, never miss the opportunity to have a look at the Rizal Park which is only a few steps away from Burnham Park. If you’re wondering what’s in there…it’s really just a small space with ferns and grass beds where locals love to rest or stop by after some walking. At the center is a monument with Rizal’s face (National Hero) and few inscriptions about him.
HOW TO GET THERE?
No need to ride any jeepney. Just walk your way to it.
3. SESSION ROAD
ATTRACTIONS: Shopping district for all types of souvenirs and local delicacies, Cafés and Restaurants, Department Stores, Bazaars, Boutiques, Hotels
Session Road is the commercial center of Baguio. It is divided into Lower and Upper Session Roads, and the Lower being known because it’s where most commercial businesses are. So whenever you hear people say Session Road, it refers automatically to the Lower Session Road. This road also connects to some major roads of Baguio so it’s normally congested especially during weekends.
HOW TO GET THERE?
From Rizal Park, Session Road is a 13-minute walk or approximately 950 km. Not really bad if you’re up for some walk and sightsee along Session Road.
4. SM BAGUIO
ATTRACTIONS:
Shopping Mall
The mall was so alive the moment I entered that I had to include it here in the list. Everywhere I looked, I felt that Christmas was really in the air. Like any other malls during Christmas season, it’s full of Christmas decors and different Christmas activities.
HOW TO GET THERE?
From Session Road, you’ll have to walk 280 m or 4 minutes all the way to the Upper Session Road to find SM City, Baguio.
DAY 2:
For Day 2, my host offered me a tour package together with another solo traveler. Some of the spots were far from my hostel, so I took this opportunity. You may inquire with your host or other tour providers for a package if you want to, however, if you are planning to stay in Baguio for more than two days, feel free to visit these places by yourself.
1. LOURDES GROTTO
ATTRACTIONS:
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, 252 steps to the hilltop, Top view of the city, Cheap souvenir shops
Located on Mirador hill, this shrine serves as a place of prayer and meditation for Catholic locals and tourists. The Lourdes Grotto features a big statue of the Virgin Mary. We walked 252 steps all the way to the top to reach the statue.
HOW TO GET THERE?
From Burnham Park, walk until the intersection of Abanao St. and Zaldueta, to the left you will see several jeepneys plying to different routes. Look for Dominican Hill Road signage in the jeepney’s front, and confirm if it passes either Lourdes Grotto or Dominican Hill since these two attractions are on the same route. Let the driver drop you off at the foot of the stairs of Lourdes Grotto.
In going back to the city, just take the same public transportation as it only follows one loop or route.
2. DOMINICAN HERITAGE HILL AND NATURE PARK
ATTRACTIONS:
Historic hotel, Offers a spectacular view of Baguio, Nature park
Also known as Diplomat Hotel from the locals, it’s an abandoned building atop Dominican Hill. American friars, with the intent to build a vacation house in Baguio begun constructing this building in 1913. It is now rumored to be haunted due to its long and brutal history. Not long after it’s construction, it was set up as a seminary school but was closed after a couple of years. The top of the building provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the city, while the insides offer views of a vintage stone crucifix, an old fountain, and more. Today, it’s undergoing rehabilitation and is open to the public for visits. This place was featured on some television programs.
HOW TO GET THERE?
From Lourdes Grotto, you can walk to the Diplomat Hotel.
3. BENCAB MUSEUM
ATTRACTIONS:
Arts on display by the famous Benedicto Cabrera and other talented artists in the country
Benedicto Cabrera or BENCAB is a famous contemporary artist in the Philippines. He has widely exhibited around the world and has won several awards on his arts, and is a beneficiary of National Artist award given by the President of the country. The museum houses all of his interesting artworks and collections together with the other contemporary artists in Manila.
HOW TO GET THERE?
From the city, take a jeepney to Asin Road. This will stop right in front of BenCab.
4. PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY “PMA”
ATTRACTIONS:
Vintage Military weapons, museum
Philippine Military Academy or PMA is a school of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and it has become a tourist spot in Baguio where visitors can view some vintage tanks and historical military weapons. I got to explore the grounds and visit the PMA museum. One tip, make sure you wear appropriate footwear (no slippers) when entering the school. If you don’t, you won’t be allowed to get in.
HOW TO GET THERE?
From the jeepney terminal in Burnham Park, walk your way to Perfecto street, then look for a jeepney with a signage PMA or Green Water. Before you ride, confirm with the driver if it will go all the way inside PMA. Some jeepneys with PMA route don’t enter the PMA, so make sure you get one route that goes inside.
5. MINES VIEW PARK
ATTRACTIONS:
Panoramic view of the city
If you’re looking for a place to view the whole of Benguet, Mine’s View Park is a good place to be. It offers a spectacular view deck of the Cordillera Mountains as a backdrop for that mountaintop shots. You can pay for a shot with full Cordillera regalia by wearing headdresses, vests, and tapis for a complete Benguet experience. Souvenir shops are also everywhere varying from shirts, food, carved artifacts, and plants like succulence.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Locate Mabini street which is near Harrison Road, and your landmark is the BPI bank that is located on that street. From there, walk uphill to lower Mabini street until you reach the jeepney terminals bound to Mines View Park.
6. THE MANSION
ATTRACTIONS:
President’s Palace
No. This isn’t a house of someone prominent in Baguio. This is actually the summer palace of the President of the Philippines. It is a Spanish inspired mansion that also serves as a venue for important events in Baguio for the President or a holiday home for him.
HOW TO GET THERE?
From the terminal in Mabini, you can take the same jeep bound to Mines View Park via The Mansion or a jeep bound to Pacdal.
TIP: Visit Wright Park which is across just The Mansion. It’s a boardwalk with a long pool lined with tall pine trees on each side. It creates a nice view of a reflecting pool in the water and offers a quiet setting.
7. TAM-AWAN VILLAGE
ATTRACTIONS:
Garden in the sky, and a glimpse of how traditional Cordillera people live
This little village showcases the traditional Ifugao huts and Baguio’s art and culture. It’s a reconstructed village on a hill where some natives still live. After I paid the entrance fee, I was given a map that showed the different routes to take to explore the village.
HOW TO GET THERE?
From the city, head to the jeepney station in Kayang Street. Look for a jeep with the sign Baguio Long-Long Tacay Tam-Awan Vicethe Versa, and make sure to let the driver know that you will get off in Tam-awan Village.
Baguio never disappointed me, and surely it’s the same with other travelers. There are more places to see there other than the ones I mentioned. If you have time, go and visit them or do DIY travel.
I hope when you visit Baguio, you’ll enjoy your stay just as I enjoyed mine.
Good luck with your adventures! 😊
Inday <3
