Baguio

Cool Mountain Escape in Luzon

Baguio sits high in the Philippines’ Cordillera mountains at around 1,500 meters above sea level. The city experiences cooler temperatures year-round compared to most of the country, making it a popular summer escape for locals and visitors alike. Its streets are lined with pine trees and its markets sell fresh strawberries and local crafts. Baguio’s history as a former American hill station shows in its architecture and layout. Today, it remains known for cultural events, music festivals and access to hiking trails like those leading up to Mount Pulag.

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City in Philippines

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.3

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	4

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken in Baguio. Most locals, especially those in tourism and hospitality, can communicate fluently, making it easy for international travelers to get around and ask for help or directions.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Baguio Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

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Known for cool mountain climate and gardens. Walk scenic parks, visit markets and viewpoints and enjoy relaxed highland atmosphere.

Place score

6.3

Best at:

Mountains

Walkable

Local cuisine

Street food

Natural sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

❤️ 7

Couples

Philippines – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Philippine Peso (PHP) £1 ≈ ₱85.07
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are increasingly common, especially in larger cities and tourist areas, but cash is still widely used in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in the Philippines, but it is appreciated. 10% is standard in restaurants. Small tips are welcome for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited in many areas, but alcohol consumption is allowed in licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but smoking indoors in public spaces is generally prohibited.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Grab
Other:	The Philippines is known for its stunning beaches, unique wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. Be mindful of the weather, as typhoon season can affect certain regions.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Baguio, Philippines

☀️

Jan

🔥

Feb

🌦️

Mar

🌦️

Apr

⛈️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

⛈️

Sep

⛈️

Oct

🌦️

Nov

🔥

Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May, Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Panagbenga Flower Festival, all February: parades with flower floats at weekends, hotels book out months ahead

April and Holy Week: Filipino school holidays bring heavy domestic crowds, traffic jams and high prices

Landslides and road closures on the mountain approach roads are most likely during typhoons, July to October

Don't miss

🛶 Stroll through Burnham Park and rent a rowboat on the lake
🍓 Shop for local crafts and strawberries at Baguio Public Market
⛪ Visit the iconic Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral
🌲 Walk among towering pines at Camp John Hay
🌸 Admire vibrant flower displays at the Baguio Botanical Garden
🥤 Warm up with strawberry taho from a street vendor

You've been here?

Why travel to Baguio?

If you’re looking for a refreshing break from the lowland heat, Baguio’s mild climate and lush scenery are irresistible. The city is alive with color – think blooming flowers, bustling markets and art-filled villages. There’s a nostalgic charm in its American colonial architecture, cozy cafés and winding pine-lined roads. Baguio isn’t just about sightseeing; it’s about savoring strawberry taho at sunrise, wandering through creative spaces and soaking up mountain views at every turn. But it’s not all perfect: Baguio can get crowded during peak seasons and the city struggles with air pollution and waste management. Still, its lively festivals, friendly locals and endless things to do make it a must-visit for anyone curious about the highland heart of the Philippines.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Baguio Botanical Garden
2 Baguio Cathedral
3 Philippine Military Academy
4 Mansion House

🎡Places for activities

1 Baguio Country Club
2 BenCab Museum
3 Camp John Hay
4 La Trinidad Strawberry Farm
5 Tam-Awan Village

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Balili River
2 Baguio Botanical Garden
3 Burnham Park
4 Eco-Park (ongoing construction)
5 Valley Bread
6 Mines View Park
7 Dominican Mirador
8 Mount Costa
9 Wright Park

🛍️Shopping

1 Public Market Magsaysay Entrance
2 Good Shepherd Convent View Deck
3 La Azotea Building
4 Mile Hi Center Parking
5 Harrison Night Market
6 Porta Vaga Mall
7 Session Road
8 SM City Baguio

🎈Events

Panagbenga (Flower Festival)
Baguio Arts Festival
Christmas Village
Session Road in Bloom
Holy Week Processions
Strawberry Festival (nearby La Trinidad)
Filipino-American Friendship Day
Baguio City Charter Day
Ukay-Ukay Festival
Halloween at Camp John Hay

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Knowledge before you go

Pack a light jacket; evenings get surprisingly cool here.
Avoid weekend traffic from Manila; travel midweek for smoother arrivals and shorter queues.
Bring cash for markets and jeepneys; card payment isn’t universal outside malls.
Visit during Panagbenga in February for flower parades, but book hotels far ahead.

How to travel to Baguio

From Manila, Baguio is most commonly reached by bus‑several companies offer comfortable, air‑conditioned trips (5–7 hours). Victory Liner and Genesis JoyBus are popular choices. If you prefer to drive, the scenic expressways make for a smooth road trip. The nearest airport is in Clark, Pampanga, with onward bus or car travel to Baguio.

Access summary

From Manila (NAIA): Direct buses via expressways, usually 4–6 hours.
From Clark Airport: Intercity buses to Baguio, typically around 3–4 hours.
Loakan Airport has limited/suspended commercial flights; most visitors still arrive by bus.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Baguio

Baguio offers a wide range of accommodations, from charming heritage hotels and cozy cabins to modern lodges and budget hostels. Many places offer lovely views or garden settings. Book early during festivals and holidays, as rooms fill up fast.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

John Hay Hotels Forest Wing - Formerly The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay

9.0

John Hay Hotels Garden Wing - Formerly The Manor at Camp John Hay

9.0

The Orchard Hotel Baguio

8.9

Azalea Hotels & Residences Baguio

8.5

Le Monet Hotel

8.7

Pines Stay Condotel Near SM & Burnham Megatower 4 (NOT A HOTEL)

8.8

G1 Lodge Design Hotel

9.2

Paladin Hotel

8.4

Hotel Elizabeth Baguio

8.8

Microtel by Wyndham Baguio

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Baguio

Getting around Baguio is easy with jeepneys, taxis and tricycles readily available. The city is compact, so many attractions are walkable if you don’t mind the hills. For longer trips or exploring nearby areas, taxis are affordable and metered. Expect some traffic during weekends and holidays.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-79 %

Daily expenses in Baguio are around 79% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-19 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to PHP) is 19% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£18	£39	£96
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£8	£21	£49
🍝 Food per day	£9	£16	£43
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£2	£4

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£5.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.90
🍟 Fast food combo	£2.20
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.70
☕ Cappuccino	£1.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.20
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£2.60
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£9.50
🤧 Cold medication	£2.50
💇 Basic haircut	£1.15

Safety information overview

General safety

Baguio is generally safe for tourists, with low rates of violent crime. Usual precautions apply: watch out for petty theft in crowded areas and keep an eye on your belongings, especially in markets and festivals.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are good, with several hospitals and clinics available. Air quality can be an issue on busy days and the city is working to improve waste management. Tap water is not recommended for drinking — opt for bottled or filtered water.

Accessibility

Baguio’s hilly terrain and uneven sidewalks can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Some attractions are accessible, but many require walking or climbing stairs. Public transport is reliable but not always wheelchair-friendly.

Tap water

Tap water is generally not safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available and most hotels provide drinking water. Hydration is important, especially when walking around in the cool, dry air.