15 Destinations Near Baguio City

Dubbed the “Summer Capital of the Philippines”, Baguio became one of the well-known tourist destinations in the Philippines. Aside from its cold weather and numerous pine trees, Baguio is famous for its Panagbenga Flower Festival, no doubt, visitors come and go.

Over the years, especially in the peak season, Baguio has become too crowded and congested. Traffic has become a big issue and sometimes, classes and work are suspended due to this predicament. So if you’re looking for a destination over the weekend or a side trip after your Baguio Tour. Here’s a list of some places to go within proximity of the City (30 minutes- 2.5 hours travel time range).

Disclaimer: Please note that the expenses and breakdown of prices may vary.

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1. Sayangan, Atok, Benguet

Travel Time: The bus ride is 1.5 hours from Baguio City (Slaughterhouse Terminal). There is also another transportation option, a UV Express in KM5- Shell Station, La Trinidad, Benguet.

Highlights:

• Experience Atok’s cold weather.
• Get to see different varieties of floras and witness a thousand cabbage roses bloom at Northern Blossom Farm.

Travel Expenses:

• Bus – 60 PHP (student) / 73 PHP (regular)
• Entrance Fee to the farm – 200 PHP per head.

A detailed blog here: Get the Feel of the Cordilleran Blossoms – Sayangan, Atok, Benguet, Philippines

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2. Mt. Ulap, Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet

Travel Time: 1 hour (Jeepney located beside Jollibee – Center mall)

Highlights:

• Test your endurance and hike Mt. Ulap to see exquisite scenic views of some parts of Cordillera, Mt. Sto. Tomas, and Philex Mines.
• Reach the highest peak with 1846 mASL.

Travel Expenses:

• Registration fee = 100 PHP per head
• Local Guide Fee (1 guide: 7 persons)
  Dayhike = 600 PHP
  Overnight Camping = 1,000 PHP
• Campsite fee (Overnight Camping for groups of 10 persons and below) = 800 PHP

A detailed blog here: Reaching the Clouds – Mount Ulap, Itogon, Benguet, Philippines

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3. Mt. Kalugong Cultural Village, La Trinidad, Benguet

Travel Time: 30-45 minutes (La Trinidad Jeepney Terminal at Magsaysay Road)

Highlights:

• Get a 100% stress-free moment and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Encounter mother nature, hear the birds chirping, and see different floras and faunas.
• Hike to see Mt. Kalugong’s peak. It was named after the Ilokano word “kalong” which means “hat” since it has a rock formation sitting at the top of the mountain which looks like a hat.
• Drink coffee at Kape-an.
• You can pass over the other mountains for a more extreme hike like Mt. Tayawan and Mt. Yangbew.

Travel Expenses:

• Entrance: 50 PHP per person
• Jeepney Fare: 17 PHP

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4. Winaca Eco-Cultural Village, Tublay, Benguet

Travel Time: 45 minutes – 1 hour (Jeepney at Magsaysay Avenue)

Highlights:

• Unleash the kid inside you and try different adventures like high rope courses, zip line, fishing, mudslides, and more! Experience all these at a very cheap price!
• Get a close encounter with nature in their Eco Trail.
• Try foods and beverages at Green House Cafe and Restaurant.

Travel Expenses:

• Entrance Fee:
  Adult 50 PHP
  Children Php 35 PHP
• Activities:
  High Ropes Course: 160 PHP
  Wall Climbing: 50 PHP
  Zipline: 150 PHP
  Mudslide: 150 PHP

Visit their Facebook Page here: Winaca Eco-Cultural Village and Forest Homes

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5. Benguet Waterfalls

Travel Time: 30 minutes- 2.5 hours

God bestowed the Cordillera Region with majestic mountains, chilly rivers, numerous hills, and varieties of flora and fauna. No one can resist to discover its beauty. Also, Benguet offers numerous lovely falls, here’s the list:

1. Bridal Veil Falls, Camp 4, Kennon Rd., Tuba, Benguet
2. Colorado Falls, Twin Peaks, Tuba, Benguet
3. Towing Falls, Sablan, Benguet
4. Hydro Falls, Camp 6, Tuba, Benguet
5. Budahaw Falls, Sablan, Benguet
6. Bayokbok Falls, Tuel, Tublay, Benguet
7. Badi Falls, Sagubo, Kapangan
8. Pajekpek Falls, Calew, Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet
9. Binanga Falls, Shilan, La Trinidad, Benguet
10. Suyok Falls, Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet

Please NOTE: Some of the falls are closed for now (due to safety reasons) or hard to reach. Some of the falls I tried on the list are extremely adventurous and death-defying. Having a local guide is recommended. You can read other blogs and reviews for more information.

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6. BenCab Museum, Asin Road, Tuba Benguet

Travel Time: 30-45 minutes

Highlights:

• See different arts, crafts, interesting sculptures, and paintings (mostly about Cordilleran culture).
• Try Cafe Isabel (the food here is delicious but expensive) and relax while witnessing the tranquil view BenCab has to offer.
• You can also have an Eco trail tour.

Travel Expenses:

Entrance fee rates:

• General Admission – 150 PHP
• Students – 120 PHP (with valid ID)
• Senior Citizens and PWDs – 80 PHP (with valid ID)

Visit their Website here: BenCab Museum

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7. Mt. Jumbo/ Mt. Yangbew, La Trinidad, Benguet

Travel Time: 30-45 minutes (take a jeepney going to Upper Tomay, La Trinidad)

Highlights:

• Dubbed the “Little Pulag of La Trinidad”, hike and see a stunning view of the Salad Bowl of the Philippines.
• Hike early and see the amazing colors of the sunrise.
• You can camp to have an overnight stay.

Travel Expenses:

Registration Fee:

• Adults- 30 PHP
• Students – 25 PHP
• Foreigners – 50 PHP
• Campers/ Overnight Stay – 100 PHP

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8. San Juan, La Union

Travel Time: 2-2.5 hours

Highlights:

• Learn and experience a flourishing surfing culture at the “Surfing Capital of the North.” San Juan offers two surfing seasons, July to October & November to March.
• Pitch a tent.
• Beach Bum.
• Pub Crawl.
• Try different cafes and restaurants. There are plenty of dining options in here. Here are some of the most recommended places to eat and have your fill of great food: Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel, Surf Shack, Gefseis Greek Grill, and El Union Coffee.

Travel Expenses:

• Bus Fare- 104 PHP (Baguio to Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union)
• Surf Lessons – around 400 PHP/hour (includes surfboard and professional instructor)

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9. Tangadan Falls, San Gabriel, La Union

Travel Time: 2-2.5 hours

Highlights:

• Have a long and tiring hike. The trek to Tangadan Falls is really hard, you need to exert effort to leap, balance, and walk but after this, it will surely be worthwhile.
• Have an exhilarating experience. Expect to have a memorable experience. All the things you will experience will be worth remembering because the beauty of the waterfalls is surreal. The water is clean and has a strong pounding sound. The bliss pool at the bottom was varnish clear and cold.

Travel Expenses:

• Fare going to San Fernando: 80 PHP – student from Baguio (Partas)
• Jeepney going to San Gabriel: 26 PHP
• Tricycle going to drop-off point: 10 PHP per person (3-5 people per trike)
• Tour Guide: According to what is agreed, probably 100 PHP per person. (Required)
• Registration Fee: 30 PHP (Adults); 20 PHP(Children)
• Life Vest Rate: 50 PHP
• Bamboo Raft Rental: 20 PHP per head

A detailed blog here: Cascades from the Blue Sky – San Gabriel, La Union, Philippines

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10. Grape Farm Picking at Bauang La Union

Travel Time: 1.5-2 hours
Highlights:

• Pick fresh and abundant grapes straight from the farm. You can walk through the vineyards and take photos.
• Here are different lists of Grape Farms in Bauang, La Union:

1. Gapuz Grape Farm
2. Lomboy Grape Farm
3. Mangguera Grape Farm
4. Calica Grape Farm

Travel Expenses:

• Bus Fare – 88 PHP
• Bus Fare going to the farms: 10 PHP (you can take a jeepney too)
• Some of the grape farms offer a free entrance, some collect 50-150 PHP

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11. Bahay Na Bato, Luna, La Union

Travel Time: 2-2.5 hours
Highlights:

• See unique stone art and a beautiful collection of fantastic carvings and sculptures.
• Note: Only the Kamay na Bato is open to the public.

Travel Expenses:

• Entrance Fee: 30 PHP

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12. Luna Pebble Beach and Baluarte Bell Tower Ruins

Travel Time: 2-2.5 hours

Highlights:

• Luna is called as “The Pebble Capital of the North” because of its bottomless resource of different multicolored pebbles.
• Along the Pebble beach, you can see a piece of history – Baluarte Bell Tower ruins.

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13. Different La Union Beaches

Travel Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

La Union offers exquisite beaches, it is also a good destination for quick getaways. Here are some of La Union beaches to try:

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14. Pugo Adventure (PUGAD), Pugo, La Union

Travel Time: 30-45 minutes

Highlights:

• Are you an adventure lover? Or planning for a family or Barkada outing, team building, or company outing? Pugo Adventure is the best place for you, aside from the numerous pools, there are unlimited adventures to try like swimming, 3 zip lines (400meters, 250meters, 250meters,), rappelling, trekking, wall climbing, ATV, and more!

Travel Expenses:

• ENTRANCE FEE – PHP 200.00 for adult kids 4 ft below PHP 150.00
• Activities:
  1. Zipline 1 (400 PHP)
  2. Zipline 2 and 3 (250 PHP)
  3. ATV rides (350 PHP/head)
  4. Wall Climbing (150 PHP/head)
  5. Rappelling (150 PHP/head)
  6. Australian Rundown (250 PHP/head)
  7. Paintball (400 PHP w/ 50 paintballs)
  8. Giant Swing (250 PHP/head)

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15. San Fabian Beach, Pangasinan

Travel Time: 1.5 hours

Highlights:

• Have a quick beach getaway with your family or friends.
• San Fabian Beach offers a gray to black sand. The waves are calm and good for kids.
• NOTE: Since it is open to the public, the beach is a bit crowded.

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More destinations you might want to try: (and to be checked on my bucket list)

1. Paterno & Bengaongao Caves, Ambongdolan, Tublay, Benguet (1-1.5 hours)
2. Tayug Sunflower Eco Park, Pangasinan (2-2.5 hours)
3. Immuki Island, Bacnotan-Luna-Balaoan Rd., Bacnotan, LU (2-2.5 hours)
4. Aran Cave, Camp 3, Tuba, Benguet (30 minutes)
5. Mt. Tabayoc, Kabayan, Benguet (2.5 hours)
6. Mt. Timbak, Atok, Benguet (2.5 hours)

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