Baguio City Guide

Philippines

Baguio City Guide

Cordillera Administrative Region

Baguio is a mountain city in the Philippines known for its cool weather and pine trees. It’s a popular spot for tourists and remote workers who want a break from the tropical heat. The city mixes nature with local culture and has a relaxed pace compared to bigger cities.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Food is diverse with local dishes like Pinikpikan and Strawberry Taho, plus international options. Vegetarian and vegan choices are growing.

Local Dishes:
Pinikpikan, Strawberry Taho, Fresh strawberries
International Cuisine:
Korean, Japanese, American
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
6

Nightlife is relaxed with bars, pubs, and karaoke spots mainly around Session Road and Marcos Highway.

Coffee Culture
Excellent
8

Strong coffee scene with many cafes, local roasters, and cool weather for enjoying hot drinks.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is appreciated though not mandatory. Common amounts are 5-10% in restaurants and rounding up taxi fares.

Top Attractions
Burnham Park
park
City park with gardens, boating, and open spaces.
Mines View Park
sightseeing
Scenic viewpoint with souvenir shops.
The Mansion
historic
Government guesthouse with Spanish colonial style.
Wright Park
park
Park with horse rides and pine trees.
Session Road
shopping
Main street with shops and cafes.
SIM Cards

Local SIM cards can be bought at mall kiosks or authorized stores from Globe and Smart. Registration requires an ID or passport.

Available at:
Mall kiosks
Globe stores
Smart stores
Recommended Apps
Grab(transportation)
Foodpanda(food)
Lazada(shopping)
Shopee(shopping)
GCash(finance)
PayMaya(finance)
Waze(navigation)
Google Maps(navigation)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

City is mostly clean, especially in tourist spots. Waste collection is regular and recycling efforts ongoing.

24/7 Services
Good
6

Some 24/7 stores like 7-Eleven, pharmacies, and fast-food outlets. Night clinics available.

Groceries
SM Supermarket
Puregold
Savemore

Major supermarkets offer international products but with limited variety. Fresh goods are available at the public market. Supermarkets usually open 8 AM to 9 PM.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Cards are accepted in malls, supermarkets, and bigger restaurants. Smaller shops and public transport usually need cash, so it's best to carry some money on hand.

ATMs

ATMs from major banks like BDO, BPI, Metrobank, and Landbank are common in malls and commercial areas. Foreign cards may be charged fees.

Schools
International

Baguio hosts schools like Saint Louis University and University of the Cordilleras, plus international schools like Brent International School. Many offer English instruction.

Available Schools:
Saint Louis University
University of the Cordilleras
Brent International School Baguio

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
7
Available Spaces:
Co.lab Baguio
Daily and monthly passes with meeting rooms and community events.
The Co-Working Space Baguio
Flexible workspace with amenities.
WorkSpace Baguio
Private offices and coworking desks available.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Excellent
Cafe by the Ruins
Popular café with good Wi-Fi and atmosphere.
Arca's Yard
Quiet spot known for coffee and ambiance.
Grumpy Joe
Comfortable café with reliable internet.
Hatch Coffee
Specialty coffee and work-friendly environment.
Oh My Gulay!
Vegetarian café with creative space.
Bo's Coffee
Local chain with multiple locations.
Starbucks
Multiple branches with Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
Baguio City Public Library
Offers quiet rooms and Wi-Fi for work.
Hotel lobbies
Many hotel lobbies have comfortable working areas with Wi-Fi.
University libraries
Some offer guest access; check local policies.
Digital Nomad Community
Good
6

A growing but small digital nomad community connects online and meets in cafes and some co-living spaces.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
9

Baguio has many parks and green areas, offering great outdoor and running spots.

Running
Excellent
8

Good running routes around parks and resorts with fresh air and safe paths.

Gyms
Available

Gyms and athletic facilities serve various fitness interests including track, weight training, and cardio.

Available Gyms:
Fitness Edge Gym
Anytime Fitness Baguio
Gold's Gym Baguio
Baguio Athletic Bowl
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis courts available at clubs like Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay.

Padel
Limited
4

Padel courts are rare but may be found in some private clubs.

Yoga
Good
6

Yoga studios and wellness centers offer classes and spa services with English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Dojos teach Taekwondo, Karate, Arnis, with some boxing and Muay Thai classes. English instructors vary.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing due to the tropical climate.

Water Sports
Poor
3

Limited water sports like paddle boating in Burnham Park Lake; more options at coastal areas.

Surfing
Excellent
8

Surf spots in nearby La Union, about 1-2 hours drive. Good for all levels with many surf schools.

Diving
Poor
0

No diving in Baguio; coastal dive spots are several hours away.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
7

Baguio has public and private hospitals with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies like Mercury Drug and Watsons are widespread for basic meds.

Hospitals:
Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center
Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital
Pharmacies:
Mercury Drug
Watsons
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is treated and generally safe to drink, though many prefer bottled or filtered water for extra caution.

Common Scams
Taxi overcharging without using a meter, Fake tour guides, Pickpocketing in crowded areas

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
8

Parks, playgrounds, and family attractions are easy to find. Baby supplies are available in major stores.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
7

Generally accepting city with some inclusive venues; legal protections are limited nationally.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Many parks allow pets on leash; some pet-friendly accommodations and vet services available.

Communities
Baguio Expats (expat community)
Baguio Food Trip (food community)
Baguio City Tourism Office (official)
What's Up Baguio (local info)

Quick Facts

Population
366,358
Power Reliability
Good
7/10

Power is generally reliable but occasional outages happen during typhoons or heavy rains, usually resolved in a few hours.

Beach Access
Available

Closest beaches are in La Union, about 1-2 hours away, popular for surfing and resorts.

Mountains
Available

Baguio sits in the Cordillera mountains with accessible trails and hikes for different skill levels.

Languages
English(90%)
Tagalog(90%)
Ilocano(70%)
Kankanaey(30%)
Ibaloi(20%)
Emergency
911
National Emergency Hotline
117
Police
117
Fire
117
Ambulance

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
High Risk
7

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Wet season
June, July, August, September, October
Heavy rain and occasional typhoons can affect travel and power.
Fog
November, December, January, February
Frequent fog during cooler months may reduce visibility.
Haze
March, April, May
Haze from forest fires or pollution can occur in the dry season.

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