My Baguio City & La Trinidad 3-Day Trip with Only ₱2,500 Budget

Contributed by The Lone Budget Traveler

Baguio is regarded as the Summer Capital of the Philippines because of its unusual cold weather all through out the year. It is one of the few places in the country where you can visit to escape the summer heat and enjoy a chilly weather. Aside from its cold weather, this place also offers a magnificent view of the Cordillera Administrative Region mountain ranges and breathtaking destinations — from its rich heritage to its indigenous culture.

Also read: Baguio Travel Guide for First Time Visitors

How to get there

Victory Bus Line located in Cubao

Hourly trip going to Baguio everyday
Travel time is around 5 hours
Fare is at ₱445 for regular and ₱356 for Student with ID/PWD/Senior Citizen

An option if you’re not on a tight budget and can sacrifice ₱275 for convenience purposes is the deluxe bus (JoysBus) of Genesis Bus Line located also in Cubao.

Free bottled water and a biscuit
Free use of blankets
NO BUS STOPS
Comfortable seats (28seater bus) with CR
3-3.5 hours travel time
Fare is ₱720 (no discounts for Students/PWD/Senior Citizen)

The Journey

Day 1

1. Good Shepherd Place

This is the home of the most famous Ube jam in the country. It is recommended that you buy your jams here because it is a lot cheaper compared to those found in the Baguio city market.

How to get there: Ride a jeepney going to Mines View Park. Jeepney terminal is located at lower session road just in front of the famous bakery in Baguio, Danes Bakeshop. Fare is ₱10.

2. Mines View Park

Things to do

Cordillera region mountain ranges viewing
Try wearing traditional costumes for ₱20 (unlimited use)
Have a selfie with the horses or St. Bernard dogs
Try your luck at the Wishing well
Buy your pasalubong here
Steetfood fest (Pusit!)

How to get there: From Good Shepherd, it is already walking distance going to the park.

3. The Mansion

This is the official place for the President during summer time! For security reasons, visitors are not allowed to roam around the place.

What to do

Take a great shot at the infamous gate of The Mansion. 👌

How to get there: From the park, ride a jeepney which is just beside the entrance of Mines View park and tell the driver to drop you off at The mansion. Fare is ₱8.50.

4. Wright Park

Things to do

Take photos at the beautiful “Pool of Pines”, an elongated rectangular man-made body of water and at the end of the park is the well-known park circle
Buy Natives’ handicrafts
Walk at the wide stairway made of stones that leads you to the horses
Ride a pony if you have extra money

How to get there: From the mansion, cross from the other side of the road. You’re already at Wright Park.

5. Ketchup Community (recently closed)

The area has five restaurants.

Canto
Happy Tummy
Green Pepper
Rumah Sate (Indo-Malay Cuisines)
Rancho Norte (offers exotic Filipino dishes)

**For our part, we ate our lunch at Canto and tried their famous Pork ribs (the serving is big).

How to get there: From Wright Park where ponies are located, just cross to the other side of the road.

6. Arca’s Yard

Arcas yard is located at Tiptop, Ambuklao Rd, Baguio City. This is the best place to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee after a heavy meal! This is a must visit place when in Baguio. ☕🎂

How to get there: From Ketchup Community, hire a taxi that will take you to this place. Fare is around ₱70. If you’re coming from the city town proper, you will need to ride a jeepney that is bound to TipTop Ambuklao RD.

7. Botanical Garden

It is also known as the Igorot village since from here, you’ll be able to see nipa huts that are typically the home for natives back in time.

Things to do

Admire and be fascinated by the garden
Walk inside the Japanese Tunnel used during WWII

How to get there: From Arca’s Yard, ride a jeepney going to city proper and tell the driver to drop you off at Botanical garden. Fare is ₱8.50.

8. The Laperal Whitehouse

Considered as one of the most haunted places in Baguio City. Today, it became a museum showcasing the beautifully made arts and crafts by Filipinos thru the use of Bamboo and wood.

Entrance fee: Regular ₱50 | Student ₱30

How to get there: From Botanical Garden, you can just walk going to this place. Or if you’re tired then you can ride a jeepney just in front of Botanical Garden for ₱8.50.

9. Pink Sisters Convent

A very solemn place where you can pray and talk to God.

How to get there: From Laperal Whitehouse, it is already a walking distance going to the convent (5 to 10 minutes walk). Just ask the locals as to where the convent is located since it is not along the highway.

10. SM Baguio

Largest shopping mall in Baguio.

How to get there: From Pink sisters, you will be able to see SM. It will take you around 10 minutes of walk going there. An option is to catch a jeepney for ₱8.50.

11. Baguio Cathedral

It is the biggest Catholic church in the city.

How to get there: Exit from SM and walk down going to Baguio post office. From there, walk straight.

12. Session Road

It is considered as the heart of Baguio since it is the centre for business of the city. In here, you will find different restaurants that offer natives to foreign cuisines.

How to get there: From the Cathedral, it is a two-minute walk going to Session Road.

Things to do

Try Vizcos restaurants strawberry shortcake
Try Teahouse’s Palabok, Streamline cake or its famous Chona’s delight
Try dining in at the infamous Volante restaurant
Walk slowly from upper to lower Session Road. Enjoy and take photos!

13. Melvin Jones/Burnham Park/Rose Garden

Things to do

Biking/Boating (Fee depends whether it is peak season or not. If peak season, Dec to May, they charge ₱100 for 30 minutes. Otherwise, your ₱100 pesos is for unlimited time.)
Skating @Baguio Skating Rink located at the park
Picnic
Watch Football game at Melvin Jones
Enjoy the scenery

How to get there: From lower Session Road (DBP bank), walk towards Hotel Veniz. From there, you’ll be able to see the park and the garden.

14. Goodtaste Restaurant (Dinner)

Food is palatable. Big servings. Affordable price. This is the most well-known resto to the locals.

How to get there: From Rose Garden, walk towards the path going to the Capitol or just ask the locals where is this restaurant. It will only take you around 5 minutes of walk.

15. Camp John Hay

A beautiful resort in the mountain. You can tour around the place and even visit the Manor House. Within Camp John Hay, you can find different restaurants and cafes. During Christmas season, a Christmas village is built as an additional attraction for the place.

How to get there: From Igorot Park (near Hotel Veniz) ask the locals where is the jeep bound to Camp Johnhay. Fare is ₱8.50.

Also read: Baguio City Travel Guide: Food, Stays & Sights

Day 2

16. Tam-Awan Village

How to get there: Ride a jeepney bound to Quezon Hill located at Baguio City market (back of Abanao Square) and just in front of Dane’s Bakeshop. Fare is ₱8.50.

17. Ben Cab Museum

It is a place where arts, crafts and collections of Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab) are displayed. The museum preserves the culture of the indigenous people of Cordillera Administrative Region.

How to get there: From Tam-awan Village, you can hire a taxi to get you to the museum. Fare is around ₱100. Another option is to go back to Baguio City market and ride a jeepney bound to Asin road (terminal is across the terminal for jeepney bound to Quezon hill) for ₱11.

18. Night Market

Things to do

Ukay-ukay shopping!
Streetfood fest!

How to get there: Located at Harison road Baguio City, in front of Melvin Jones. Night Market stats at 9pm onwards.

Day 3

19. Strawberry Fields

How to get there: Ride a jeepney located at the back of Centermall. You can either ride a jeepney bound to Buyagan or Pico La Trinidad. Fare is at ₱14.

20. STOBOSA Mural Arts

How to get there: From the strawberry farm, walk towards the highway road. From there, ride any jeep that is bound to Baguio City. Just tell the driver to drop you off at the painted houses.

21. Bell Church

How to get there: From STOBOSA, just walk straight to La Trinidad Arc. From there, you will be able to see the temple.

22. The Old Diplomat Hotel

How to get there: Ride a jeepney bound to Dominican Hill. Terminal is at the public market, at the back of Abanao Square. Fare is ₱8.50.

23. Lourdes Grotto

This is the place for devotees of Lourdes. It is recommended that you start at the foot of the stairway. Be ready for 252 steps upward.

How to get there: From Diplomat hotel, walk down straight to this place.

24. BOOKENDS

BOOK LOVERS, you can also visit this place. You can get a good book for a very cheap price!

How to get there: From Jollibee Harison Road, just walk up straight.