Baguio City

Contrary to popular belief that the Philippines is all warm and tropical, there are actually places in this country that will shock you on having a very cold climate and one of that is Baguio City! It is one of the most famous tourist spots known for its cool weather and its awesome mountain view.

About 6 hours away from Manila, Baguio City  is on the Northern part of the Philippines that is bursting with color, culture and lots of fun activities for children of all ages.  You can hit the road to Baguio by bus or driving your own car. Enjoy the zigzag view of the road as you pass by some hilly mountaintops.

The best thing to do when you’re in Baguio is to shop till you drop! This is the place where you can snag totally awesome great bargains when it comes to clothing, food and souvenirs! For less than P100 which is around $2, you can already purchase a nice and trendy brand new denim jacket!

Speaking of jacket, if you are not used to the cold weather then I have to warn you to wear those jackets and even layer your outfit because you will totally freeze especially in the morning and at night! The great thing about Baguio is that you are never going to sweat walking for a mile or two as you experience fresh air while doing that.

Now if you’re looking for a great place to stay during a vacation in Baguio, then Camp John Hay has no competition to making that decision. It’s a massive manor house turned into a hotel for tourists and other local guests with lots of exquisite amenities that will surely enjoy.

One of the famous things that this manor is known for is their golf club! Many golf cup series in the Philippines were held here. You’d even have the chance to play with the President of the Philippines and other known personalities in this country when you spend your vacation here.

The dining experience in Camp John Hay is definitely a must to try out especially their in-house restaurant- Le Chef. You can visit it everyday from 6 am )and grab those delicious banana pancakes for breakfast) to 11pm (as you enjoy some their healthy midnight snacks). But of course if you don’t want to go outside your hotel room, the best part would be these two awesome words- Room Service.

Coming to Baguio City is not complete without visiting the Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad which is a half an hour drive away from the city proper of this town. You can ride a jeepney with the sign that says “La Trinidad” and ask the driver to take you to the Strawberry Farm. You won’t exactly go down to the field itself as you’ll still need to cross and walk after that ride, but don’t worry because I can guarantee you that it’s not that far and that you’ll enjoy the breeze while doing so.

This farm allows you to pick your strawberries as they hand you a basket for you to fill it up. The price is according to the weight of the strawberries that you have gathered. It’s definitely one of the most memorable experiences that people love during their stay in Baguio.

Another known fun activity in this city is horseback riding. Don’t worry if it’s your first time do it because you’ll have a guide who will assist you with the ride. The price is for only P300 (around $5) and it’s usually for an hour ride! You can check out Wright Park Riding Circle for more information on their fees and regulations.

Baguio is known for their strawberry jams, peanut brittles and others sweet candies that are good to give as gifts as you go back home. And if you love to have some gourmet meals, then you can always check out SM Baguio City which is biggest mall that they have.

It’s a pretty well developed city that IT companies and other foreign corporate  accounts are investing here so the crowd is definitely diverse. So if you want to experience the Philippines on a very cold climate, checking out Baguio City is a must!

Written by World Wide Travel Guide