Last Updated on February 8, 2022 by Tina
As more people are getting vaccinated and the number of active cases declines, travel restrictions are starting to ease up. All tourists from the entire country can now travel to Baguio for leisure and tourism.
But before you go, do note that there are procedures to follow when you travel to Baguio under the new normal.
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What You Need to Know When You Travel to Baguio Under the New Normal
Baguio Travel Requirements as of February 8, 2022
- Travelers are required to pre-register through the online registration system Baguio VIS.I.T.A. There is no registration fee. Prepare to upload a copy of your government-issued ID and current photo when you register and create a Baguio VISITA account.
- Be sure to have a copy of your QR-coded Tourist Pass (QTP) (electronic or printed) that will be sent to your email for easy reference at the borders and at tourism establishments.
- Travelers entering Baguio on official business, medical purposes, returning residents, employees/workers, and students shall register at hdf.baguio.gov.ph.
- Vaccination card. Only those with proof of full vaccination are allowed to travel to Baguio for leisure and tourism. Even if travel is approved and issued with a QTP, proof of full vaccination will still be verified at the triage. You will be sent back to your point of origin if you have no such proof. For those coming from Alert Level 3 areas, a negative RT-PCR or antigen test result is also required.
- Minors aged 12-17 are allowed entry even without full vaccination by showing a negative RT-PCR or antigen test result. However, it is not mandatory for children 11 years of age and below. They may have test only at the option of the parent or guardian.
- Proceed to triage located at Camp John Hay or Baguio Convention Center for health declaration validation. Present QTP to triage officers for updating of travel status. Triage is mandatory. Guests without triage confirmation slips will not be allowed to check-in in accommodation establishments.
*A fully vaccinated individual is someone who has received the second dose of the vaccine more than 2 weeks prior to travel.
Related Post: Manila to Baguio by Bus: Travel Requirements, Bus Schedule and Fare
Who Can Travel to Baguio for Leisure and Tourism?
All fully vaccinated tourists including senior citizens and minors from the entire country can now travel to Baguio. All must register at Baguio VIS.I.T.A. Minors may use parent/guardian’s ID during registration.
Visitors below 15 years of age may not be allowed in some private establishments. When allowed, they must always be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
How to Get to Baguio
You can either use
…0000a private vehicle to get to Baguio, request tour transport from your travel agent/operator, or take public transportation to get to Baguio. Victory Liner has daily trips to Baguio from Olongapo City and Cubao, Quezon City. Refer to the picture below for the schedule.
Where to Stay in Baguio
To ensure that the proper safety protocols are in place, the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) recommends that tourists stay in DOT-accredited establishments for the duration of their trip.
Check out this post: Hotels In Baguio City That Are Now Open For Tourists for some of the accommodation establishments that are now open.
Places to Visit in Baguio
Baguio has plenty of attractions for any type of traveler. Here are some of the more popular sites for first-time visitors:
Burnham Park
Burnham Park is considered to be one of the most famous parks in the country. It is located in the center of the city. Tourists can enjoy a boat ride on a rented rowboat in Burnham Lagoon, a man-made lake. This park also has a skating rink, a children’s playground, biking, and a picnic area.
Baguio Botanical Garden
Located between Teacher’s Camp and Wright Park, the Baguio Botanical Garden is a garden featuring a variety of plants and colorful flowers. It features sculptures representing local traditions. There are plenty of nice spots to take pictures of. The garden has plenty of picnic tables and benches.
Wright Park
Wright Park is a large park that is a popular place for horseback riding activity. The park features “Pool of Pines”, a shallow elongated rectangular body of water surrounded by pine trees.
The Mansion
Located across Wright Park, The Mansion is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. Tourists are not allowed to go inside to check the mansion. Visitors are only allowed to enter a little past the gates to take a picture when the president is not in the residence.
Mines View Park
Located past The Mansion and Wright Park, Mines View Park offers a breathtaking view of the Cordillera mountains. You can have your photos taken wearing Ifugao tribal outfits and holding shield and spear here.
Tam-awan Village
Nestled into the hilly mountains of Baguio, Tam-awan Village is a reconstructed Cordillera village with traditional huts, an art gallery and craft shop, a sunset-viewing deck, and a cafe.
BenCab Museum
BenCab Museum is a museum that houses National Artist ben Cabrera’s art collection in a four-level building. It also has a cafe that features family recipes by BenCab. There is also an eco-trail where you can hike around the garden and the forest in front of the museum.
Camp John Hay
Camp John Hay was formerly a military base of the United States Armed Forces. It is now a tourist destination and a forest watershed reservation in Baguio. Le Monet Hotel, The Manor at Camp John Hay, and Forest Log Cabin are within Camp John Hay. There are plenty of things that you can do here such as trek through the pines, have a picnic, try the Tree Top Adventure, visit the Butterfly Garden, dine, or go shopping.
Diplomat Heritage Hotel
The Dominican Hill Retreat House, commonly known as Diplomat Heritage Hotel is an abandoned structure on top of the Dominican Hill. There are many ghost stories and urban legends surrounding this hotel. But this place has nice hilltop views.
Laperal White House
The Laperal Mansion or Laperal White House is another structure in Baguio believed to be haunted. It is just beside the Teachers’ Camp. The house is not open to the public. It used to house an art museum.
Where to Eat in Baguio
Baguio has a lot of restaurants that serve great food. There are way too many restaurants that you might have a hard time deciding where to eat. Here are some recommendations on where to eat in Baguio:
Good Taste Cafe and Restaurant
Good Taste is one of the go-to restaurants of the Cordillerans. It is a restaurant that serves Chinese and Filipino Cuisine. They serve delicious food at a very affordable price. The original Good Taste Restaurant is located behind Baguio Center Mall. They have a branch at Otek St., just a 3 minute-walk from Burnham Park. Their bestselling dishes include buttered chicken, beef broccoli, and Lechon chop suey.
Hill Station
Hill Station is located on the ground floor of Casa Vallejo. It is a fine-dining restaurant that serves dishes that blend the spicy flavors of Asia with the taste of Old World Europe and New World America. They also serve yummy desserts.
Pizza Volante
Located along Session Road, Pizza Volante serves Italian food. They serve really good pizza and for dessert, I highly recommend their Choco Vanilla Affair. It’s a freshly baked chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream.
Related Post: Where to Eat in Baguio? Try These 20 Restaurants On Your Next Visit to Baguio City
Tea House Restaurant and Bakeshop
Another favorite of the locals of Baguio, Tea House is a restaurant known for its pancit dishes and cakes. It is a small restaurant located along Session Road. Their Chona’s Delight is a must-try. It’s a fluffy sponge cake bits with lots of creamy caramel.
Oh My Gulay Artist Cafe
Oh My Gulay serves delicious and affordable vegetarian food. It is located on the fifth floor of La Azotea Building along Session Road but is currently undergoing renovation. But Oh My Gulay “Bassit” is temporarily operational at Ili-Likha located along Assumption Road. Their Tandang Sora Parmigiana, breaded eggplant over whole wheat bread with special sauce, is my favorite here.
Cafe by the Ruins
Cafe by the Ruins is one of the most famous restaurants in Baguio. It is located along Shuntug Road across Baguio City Hall. It is a cafe built over the ruins of a World War II building. This restaurant serves authentic local dishes that showcase the region’s culture such as Pinikpikan and Bagnet with Padas Bagoong.
Sizzling Plate
Located in Session Road, Sizzling Plate offers a wide variety of delicious sizzling choices. The place is spacious and cozy. However, they have poor ventilation so be prepared to smell like grilled meat after a meal. Their sans rival is highly recommended.
Central Park Restaurant
Central Park Restaurant is a restaurant that specializes in authentic and modern Chinese and Asian cuisines such as dimsums, dumplings, congee, rice toppings, and hotpot. They serve good food at an affordable price.
I have more restaurant recommendations in Baguio in my post 20 Restaurants to Try On Your Next Visit to Baguio City.
Hope you found this guide useful. Leave a message below for any inquiries and suggestions. And please remember to observe the minimum health standards at all times. Observe physical distancing. Avoid crowded places. Wash your hands regularly. Wear a face mask properly. Let us help stop the spread of the virus.
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Missing Baguio! 😀
Me too! Muni-muni sa Burnham 😁