Jerico Saquing

Beat the Heat in Baguio The temperatures in the Philippines during summer can get very hot. That’s why places such as Tagaytay, Sagada, and Baguio are the frequent destinations of locals and tourists alike because of their cool weather. Among these cool places, Baguio is the most popular. Baguio is not known as the “Summer capital of the Philippines” for nothing. The average temperature in Baguio ranges from 15-23 degrees Celsius. It can even get lower as 13 degrees Celsius in December. Although the cool weather is what the tourists are after, Baguio has a lot more to offer. The city is littered with parks, museums, gardens, and many more tourist spots. So, if you plan to visit this cool city, pack lots of sweaters, gloves and the like. Get ready to chill out in Baguio as we give you this guide for you to experience the full wonders that Baguio can offer. To get to Baguio, you can travel by bus, plane or your own vehicle. Bus and private vehicles are the most common form of transport that travelers choose when they go to Baguio. This is because there is only 1 flight daily from Manila to Baguio. Travel time by land is estimated to be just under 5 hours. Hotels are reasonably priced in Baguio so you won’t have a hard time booking one especially if you are on a tight budget. Or if you just want to save money in lodgings in order to be fully used in sightseeing and buying a lot of strawberry jams or fresh vegetables. After arriving in Baguio, to cope with the cold weather, you can eat noodles, lugaw or any soup so you will not freeze up. Hotels and transients in Baguio generally don’t have aircon as it will be useless and redundant. Don’t forget to cover up with 2 or 3 layers of clothing and stay hydrated as you enjoy the sights and all. Speaking of which, here are the top places to visit in Baguio that you shouldn't miss! Camp John Hay Baguio was originally a place the American soldiers built during the American occupation in the country. They set bases in Baguio one of which is Camp John Hay. You will experience what it was like during the occupation as you visit the historical Bell house, the Cemetery of Negativism, the Secret Garden, and the Amphitheater. The place is also crawling with blushful flowers that blend in perfectly with the cool weather. If you are in Camp John Hay, try their Tree Top Adventure. This adventure parks offer zip-lining courses with treetop climbs and cable car rides. BenCab Museum This museum is located outside the city proper which features the personal collection of National Artist Benedicto Cabrera. He is hailed as a master of contemporary Philippine art. His art is not only known locally but also globally. This private museum is a feast to the eyes with not only his collection but also the architectural design of the building itself. Art people will really appreciate this museum as they can get a lot of inspiration while visiting the museum. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience so make sure you don’t miss this museum. Burnham Park This is perhaps one of the most popular parks in not only Baguio but in the entire country as well. This park is perfect for the family as they have boats to rent as well as bikes. You can enjoy the park as a family in order to relax. Mines View Park A park where you can do just about anything. From sightseeing, eating, shopping, horseback riding and many more. But what’s really popular is the overlooking view of the mountains of Baguio which is a sight you can only appreciate in person. Sometimes covered in mist and pine trees, the scenery is truly spectacular. Botanical Garden This place is perfect for profile photos as they have the widest and most beautiful sets of flowers in the country. But what’s even more interesting is that this place is rich with history. You can visit the Chinese Pavillion which is a bridge that serves as a reminder of Baguio’s friendship with foreign countries. There are also places like the Buddha Statues that are lined up on the path to the Japanese tunnel. This place is just too good to pass up, so do try to include this to your places of interests.