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A Beginner Traveler’s Guide: Visiting Baguio, the City of Pines

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The Philippines is a tropical country and anyone who has lived long enough in this part of Asia will agree that the hottest times of the year can be unbearable – especially if you’re not a big fan of summer outdoor adventures like going to the beach and enjoying the sun.

If you’re one of these poor souls, don’t worry. You can still find your own refuge this summer and experience the best that nature and culture have to offer: by going up north.

The City of Pines

Baguio City, the “City of Pines”, is a “comfortable” holiday destination located in the Province of Benguet. It’s also known as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines” because of its ideal weather especially for city folks who just want to take a break from the oftentimes excruciating summer heat. The temperature can plunge to as low as 7-8 degrees Celsius.

The city is approximately 250 kilometers north of the Philippine capital, Metro Manila. More specifically, it is located on a plateau (1,500 meters high) and is one of few developed cities around this mountainous region.

It’s basically a university town and a mountain-resort in one, but it aside from that, it has a long and rich history that goes back to the pre-colonial period. In fact, its century-old houses and native establishments are witnesses to its colorful story.

Traveling to Baguio for first-timers

Traveling to Baguio city and its nearby towns can be intimidating especially if you’re not used to the long drives or if you easily get car sick. However, don’t let this prevent you from having the best time because the trip will be surely worth it.

Face your fears and get started on mapping out your trip to this cold and cozy northern paradise. Are you ready? Here are the basics that you should know before traveling to Baguio City.

How to get there

If you’ll be coming from Manila, there are several options that you can take in order to get to Baguio. Depending on how much you’re willing to spend and how much free time you have on your schedule.

  • First-Class Bus (PHP 780 as of March 2018)

Terminals Located in Cubao, Pasay, and other parts of Manila.

Buses going to Baguio can be divided into two categories: regular aircon and first-class. If it’s your first time to travel to this part of the Philippines, choosing the latter should be your top option. Why?

First-class Baguio trips only take 4 hours (instead of the usual 8-hour trip) because they have access to a shorter and naturally faster route. Another plus is, bus companies offer extra services such as a special waiting area (airconditioned room, free coffee/water, and comfortable seats). On the road, they offer snacks and refreshments. They also play HD-movies as part of their on-trip entertainment.  Lastly, their seats are equipped with charging outlets so you don’t have to worry about empty batteries for your phone and other gadgets.

Pro Tip: REMEMBER to buy/book your tickets in advance (1-2 months earlier than your planned trip)  especially during holiday seasons and long weekends.

  • Regular Aircon (Php 445 as of March 2018)

Trips start as early as 1:00 AM but you can still catch one leaving as late as 11:55 PM. This is a smart choice for spontaneous road trips with your friends and family since seat availabilities can be secured even without advanced reservations.

The bus will make several stops to pick up a few passengers along a busy major highway, so the travel time takes longer and, depending on the time of the day, heavy vehicle traffic may cause further delays. Most seasoned travelers usually take the night bus so they won’t even notice the long hours on the road.

Pro Tip: For trip schedules (Regular Aircon and First-Class), you can check out this bus company here. 

Going to and getting around the city

Baguio City is a small yet vibrant town. Hotels and other accommodations (inns, Airbnb, hostels, dormitories) are available at the city center or nearby towns. Most tourists within the downtown area usually explore the sites by walking and enjoying the comfortable weather. However, for some destinations that are kilometers away, there are taxi services available (usually will cost you less than a hundred pesos for if traveling within the city).

What to eat

Because of its cool and comfortable weather, Baguio and its nearby towns are the country’s top producers of agricultural products such as fruits and vegetables.  That’s why it’s so easy to find food spots that offer the freshest salads for veggie-lovers out there, and a whole selection of fresh-fruit flavored desserts in almost every restaurant.

Whether you crave classical dishes or mouth-watering comfort food, there are a lot of amazing finds in Baguio that will surely satisfy your hungry tummy. For a romantic and cozy coffee date, there’s a good list of interesting coffee shops around the city that will surely make your afternoons unforgettable.

You can find a complete list here.

Where to go

Baguio City was one of the tiny colonial settlements established by the Spaniards in 1846. However, aside from its rich history, its natural environment has caught the attention of travelers, artists, and nature-lovers from around the world.

Aside from its fun and interesting Night Market (opens around 9 pm near Burnham Park), here are some of the most famous tourists’ spots in Baguio City that you should check out on your first day:

  • Lion’s Head

It’s one of the most iconic destinations in Baguio. The Lion’s Head, as its name suggests, is a 40-ft statue of the head of a lion. It’s the first tourist attraction to welcome travelers since it’s located along the major highway that leads to the city proper.

  • Mines View Park

The park is actually an observation deck that offers a breath-taking view of the nearby former Gold and Copper mining town of Itogon as well as the Amburayan Valley. It’s a must-visit if you’re on your first day in Baguio not only because of its picturesque scenery, but also because of the small stores surrounding the area that sell souvenirs, native crafts, and even potted plants such as beautiful flowers and succulents.

Baguio is a favorite destination for history and culture enthusiasts who want to experience the living and breathing richness of the province’s indigenous traditions.

Museo Kordilyera, on the other hand, celebrates the cultural identity of the region by providing a place where they can collect, preserve and exhibit the objects and other artifacts that emphasize the uniqueness of the story and history of their people before the colonial era.

Indeed, Baguio City is a magical place where history, culture and natural beauty come together to create a northern paradise that will give you the experience of a lifetime.

A Beginner Traveler’s Guide: Visiting Cebu, the Queen City of the South

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Cebu City has one of the fastest emerging economies in the Philippines, but that’s not what the whole region is known for especially if you ask the millions of local and foreign tourists who frequently visit this central Visayan destination.

The Queen City of the South

Cebu City is a first class municipality located in the province bearing the same name, Cebu Island, in the Central Visayas. It is officially recognized as a high-urbanized city with a population of over 900,000, according to the 2015 data. While all these information can be easily found online, many people – even those who had the chance to visit this tropical destination often ask: why is it called the Queen City of the South?

The title is attributed to its potential as a rising economic power not only in the Visayas but in the entire Philippines. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, it has a booming economy that promises the city’s crown to the royal throne of progress.

Traveling to Cebu City for first-timers

If it’s your first time traveling to Cebu City, you may have a few questions about the basics yet important details that you should know about before booking that plane ticket. Just like any holiday trip, the first step that you should take is to do your homework.

How to get there

If you’re a Filipino or a foreigner who lives in another part of the country, you have different options to choose from if you want to get to Cebu City. Depending on where you’re coming from, the minimum traveling time can be as short as 1 hour.

Local travelers have several options: plane, ferry, or private car. For international and foreign travelers, Cebu island is the home to Mactan International Airport, catering to local and direct international flights from other major countries in Asia.

Going to and around the city

The airport is located in Lapu-Lapu City (30-60 minutes away from Cebu City). From the airport, taxi services (200-300 pesos depending on the traffic situation) are available and will take you to the city proper.

Pro Tip: Two of Philippine’s aircraft carriers offer promo flight tickets on special occasions (New Year, Christmas, National Holidays) so you should be on the lookout for these deals online or on their website.  

A cheaper method prescribed by locals is the bus service, MyBus (located near the Arrival exit doors), which leaves every 20 minutes and will take you to SM City, Cebu where you can take other modes of transportation to your destination within and outside of the city.

Going around the city is as easy as ABC – no pun intended. “Jeepney” and “multicabs”(local public transport vehicle) routes are classified according to different letter-number combinations like 03A, 02B, 01C, and so on. You can find the detailed information and their updated routes on this page.

What to eat

Cebu City is a heaven for foodies and food adventurers especially those who are crazy about fresh and affordable seafood meals – and you can never find this opportunity in other major cosmopolitan Philippine cities. This is because Cebu City is a part of a bigger province that is composed of over 160 smaller islands. In fact, the region itself is known for its several fishing villages.

Aside from its local delicacies, there is a long list of restaurants serving international cuisines like Korean, Japanese, Italian, and even Middle-Eastern food places – but nothing beats the juiciest and tastiest lechon Cebu, or roasted (whole) pig.

Cebu’s lechon is not only the best roasted pig in the Philippines, but is also the best in the world, according to the internationally acclaimed chef, Anthony Bourdain.

Where to go

Did you know that Cebu City is the oldest city in the Philippines? It is also recognized as the very first island where Spaniards built a settlement before establishing a solid control over the country centuries ago. Their long and rich history makes the city interesting not only for history geeks but also for curious travelers.

There is a long list of Spanish-inspired government and religious establishments around the city, as well as residential buildings designed after Spanish architectural styles. However, what catches most of its visitors’ attention are the mighty and still standing post-war memorials located at the heart of the city.

Here are some of the most famous historical tourists’ spots in Cebu City that you should check out on your first day:

  • Fort San Pedro

Location: Plaza Independencia, Cebu City

Fort San Pedro is the oldest military defense structure in the Philippines built in the early 17th century. It was under the command of the first governor of the colony, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi until its downfall when Filipino revolutionaries successfully infiltrated the structure at the end of the 19th century. It was then used as a stronghold and now serves as one of the most precious reminders of the region’s courage and heroism.

  • Magellan’s Cross

Location: Magallanes Street, Cebu City

This famous religious site is housed in a chapel near the city center. According to historians, it’s a wooden Christian cross mounted by the Spanish and Portuguese explorers in 1521 under the command of Ferdinand Magellan. According to locals, the cross possesses miraculous healing powers.

Outside the chapel are women and children selling candles for offering, and older women singing songs of worship and good luck to those who are kind enough to offer donations in exchange for a ritualistic prayer-dancing.

  • Colon Street

If your idea of fun is interacting with the locals and enjoying the unique and genuine vibe of the city, then Colon Street should be first in your itinerary. However, for first-time travelers, it’s advisable to experience this insider culture with a local who knows their way around the place – because it could get really crowded and overwhelming.

Colon Street is a historical place in Cebu City, and is known as the oldest and shortest national road in the country. It was named after the famous explorer, Christopher Columbus.  At present, it’s a home to many local fashion stores, movie houses, old local restaurants, and many smaller establishments.

Cebu City is a buzzing metropolis that has successfully kept its historical and nostalgic charm. Traveling to this part of the Philippines can be the most exciting and unforgettable getaway that you’ll ever experience, either for a family trip or a solo adventure.

Happy travels!

7 Reasons Why You Should Travel To The Philippines

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Asian countries have always been popular tourism destinations. Not only do they offer a wide range of different experiences and adventures, but many also find that the budget is not burdening.
The Philippines is one of the countries worth visiting. Why? Because it has got a lot of things to offer. Below are the top seven reasons why:

1. Beaches

The country has got thousands of islands, which means a vast collection of pretty beaches. Sometimes people have their own ideas of a perfect beach. Some may look forward to romantic sunsets, others a chance to snorkel and enjoy underwater beauty and the others an experience to swim with the giant whale sharks. With thousands of choices, it will not be impossible to find one that matches your personal criteria. As long as you do not mind browsing a bit, it will be easy to find out that the best sunset can be found in Boracay, the beautiful reefs in Palawan, and the whale sharks in Cebu.

2. One-stop holiday destination

If beaches are not for you, there are still other natural wonders awaiting to be explored: volcanoes and rice terraces.
UNESCO has, in fact, listed the rice terraces in the northern Luzon to be one of the world’s heritage sites. Beyond the beauty that the paddy fields offer, the geographical conditions in the area, like the cliffs and waterfall, also allow an exciting trekking adventure for its visitors.
As for the volcanoes, there are two well-known sites: Camiguin in Mindanao and Mount Mayon in Bicol. When visiting the inactive volcanoes, tourists can try climbing the volcanoes, yet be aware of mini eruptions that may happen. To be on the safe side, it is better to hire a guide who knows the areas well. After all, climbing the volcano(es) can be rewarding and soothing, what with the agenda of bathing in natural hot tubs or springs nearby afterwards.

However, if you are not into nature, big shopping malls and street foods can be a different kind of adventure in the country. For great shopping experiences, you can go to Manila or to Quezon where the South East Asia’s biggest shopping mall is located. Alternatively, you can also try visiting the world’s fourth biggest shopping mall in Pasay.

3. Local people

Many who have visited the country seem to find that the locals are nice, friendly people with a good sense of humour. Even the traditional people who still live in tribes welcome wefie invitations. Some others have reported polite treatment from the locals as they constantly address tourists with miss, ma’am, sir, etc. Additionally, over 90% of the Filipinos speak English. With less language barrier, blending in appears to be easier to do.

4. Affordability

This is especially true for tourists coming from the United States and European countries. With the different currencies, everything in the Philippines may seem affordable. The rent for some great bungalows right on the beach is around $35. Even the price for alcoholic drinks is reasonable. Some 0,5l drinks is for sale at $0.5 while the 0,7l bottle costs $2. Practically, it is fun to have a holiday in the country as there is nothing to hold back, including your spree for good drinks.

5. Local taste

Not only are they cheap, but they can also take your culinary experiences to the next level. Mostly dominated by pork, some of which is either grilled or fried, the country’s most popular dishes come with healthier options, like sinigang, which refers to tamarind based soup garnished with a lot of kinds of meat and vegetables and balut, which is a boiled duck egg. While foreigners may find the first dish agreeable to their taste once they get used to the sourness, many find the second one repulsive or at least challenging to eat. Balut has indeed gained its notorious reputation for a long time as it is not common for people outside the Philippines to dig in an already anatomically complete duck embryo from its egg shell.

Not keen on trying the dishes? Not to worry, the country also has halo-halo as its most favourite dessert. The reason for the love of this dessert is obvious: it is colourful, healthy with kidney beans, coconuts and some other local ingredients and refreshing with the ice cream on top.
If you do not fancy the combination, eating just the local fruits can be appealing for your taste buds. The pineapples. mangoes, papayas, durians, and coconuts are simply fresh and tasty.

6. Non-extreme weather

The Philippines is a tropical country with around 26.6° C yearly temperature on average. With such friendly temperature, tourists can easily adapt to the country’s weather although rainy season is to be expected from June to October. The best time to go is between November and May.

7. It has one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

The Underground River is a 8km navigable river in the island of Palawan, in western Philippines. It’s the longest river underground and boasts incredible geological formations, lagoons and caves.

Perfect beaches. Friendly locals. Beautiful nature. Non-Extreme Weather. Plus, it’s a cheap country to travel, you’ll get a great value for your money. So, there you go, the seven main reasons why the Philippines is a must-visit country.

How to Go to Kalanggaman Island in Palompon Leyte?

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walking at Kalanggaman sandbar

The long white sandbar of Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte.

Kalanggaman Island is truly a paradise for beach lovers. I’ve been there twice. My latest visit was just last week (March 30-31, 2015). You can check out some of the enchanting photos of Kalanggaman island, its long white sandbar and its clear waters in my previous post (you can also read some useful tips before going to Kalanggaman Island in that article). For everyone who wants to experience the island’s charm and beauty this summer or anytime of the year, here’s how you can go and visit Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte. [Read more…]

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FAQ.ph stands for Facts, Answers and Questions about the Philippines. It is an online place where you can read interesting facts, useful answers and frequently asked questions about our country, its places, events and people. Our mission is to share stories that will help Filipinos and the world gain knowledge about everything in the Philippines, including its beautiful spots, rich history, unique society, and solutions towards the nation's progress.

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