When we think of the Philippines, the first thing that comes to mind are images of heavenly white sand beaches, clear and clean waters and huge palm and coconut trees…That is why the city of Baguio surprises most of its visitors. 1,450 meters above sea level in the Central Cordillera region, it is nicknamed “The Capital of Summer” and “The City of Pines”, because of its cool and pleasant tropical climate and the many pine trees that surround it.From Baguio you can enjoy some of the most spectacular views of the country, and enjoy the many tourist attractions the city has to offer, visit its traditional shops and bargain at the markets, try out its many activities and experience its vibrant nightlife.
If you want to visit Baguio, we recommend that you stay in the city centre , which is the main tourist area, and contains the highest concentration of restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs , tourist attractions and hotels to stay in.
If you are interested in knowing where to stay in Baguio , you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in Manila, where to stay in Bocaray and where to stay in Cebu.
The center, the best area to stay in Baguio
The city of Baguio is a unique place.It was founded by the Americans in 1909 as the summer capital, and its location, natural charm and people make it very different from what we are used to seeing in the Philippines. It was formerly inhabited by the indigenous tribes of the Philippines, and in the town of Igorot you can still admire their traditional houses and customs. It is now known as the summer capital of the Philippines, mainly because of its cool climate; it has a very homely atmosphere and there are many small and cozy hotels to stay in.Without a doubt, the downtown area is the best place to stay: it’s the safest place in town, and has the best transportation connections -including the central bus station- This area also has the most tourist services and the most competitive prices, so you won’t find it too expensive: there are prices for all budgets.
If you decide to stay in downtown Baguio, you can visit many amazing places, such as the Mansion House – which is located on Leonardo Wood Road – the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines; it has some parts that are open to tourists, including a fascinating museum that houses several pieces of art collected over the years by former presidents, and very close to the President’s residence you can see the Botanical Garden, an open-air museum that displays a wonderful collection of all kinds of flowers and plants.You should also visit Burnham Park, which is the heart of the city and one of the main tourist centers in the area, and which is named after the American architect Daniel H. Burnham, who designed much of the architecture of Baguio in the past.
The park also has all kinds of areas for playing tennis or basketball, cycling and having a picnic, so it’s the ideal place to spend a nice day with the kids and to see a garden full of unusual plants and flowers, and to eat in one of the many restaurants located in privileged places.Another tourist attraction is Camp John Hay, used by the US army during the occupation, named after President Roosevelt’s Secretary of State: it is a very quiet place, and is now used for golf, tennis, bowling, basketball or volleyball.You can also go horseback riding, visit the butterfly sanctuary, camp or stay at one of the hotels in the area. If you visit the city in February, don’t miss the Flower Festival, which attracts hundreds of visitors for its shows and concerts.
If you want to fill up your shopping bags, go to Session Road, an area absolutely full of shops, where you will find many small traditional craft shops selling all kinds of jewellery, fabrics, clothes, silver and wooden objects… You can also enjoy many markets during the weekend, where local products are sold – vegetables, meat, fruit…On these streets you will find all kinds of restaurants where you can try traditional Filipino food, but also offer you Chinese, Japanese and some European food, and many bars and clubs where you can enjoy the nightlife of the area. The center, especially the areas of Leonard Wood Road and around Burnham Park, has an excellent selection of pleasant and affordable hotels, with all kinds of customer service.
Hotels in Downtown Baguio
Other areas to stay
East Baguio
If you do not want to stay in the centre you can stay in East Baguio, which is close to the city centre, has good public transport links and is another particularly safe area.It has magnificent views of the valleys, mountains and the mining town of Itogon, so it is a great place for those who want to take good pictures.
In this area you will also find some markets open on weekends, where you can buy all kinds of souvenirs, as well as food stalls and other tourist attractions.The most touristy streets are Gibraltar Road and Arellano Street, where you will find all kinds of restaurants, shops and a wide variety of accommodation for all tastes.
