Your Peculiar Baguio Travel Guide

Baguio City, also known as the "City of Pines" or the "Summer Capital" (of the Philippines), is a mountainous town in the Luzon part of the Philippines. Notable for its cold temperature, strawberries, and pine trees (things that are uncommon for a tropical country).

Yours truly at the Botanical Garden in Baguio City

To say nothing of this place is well-admired by Filipinos and even foreigners. So, since this place is a famous spot already, I presume that most of you have already read some travel guide blogs. Yet, this blog is a guide for you to have a relaxing time in Baguio.

Here are the list of relaxing things to do in Baguio:

1. Dine at Pizza Volante

Trying on delicious food is always on the agenda. Pizza Volante is one of the famous pizza restaurants in Baguio.

Check my previous blog on Pizza Volante. READ: Click here

Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza at Pizza Volante, Baguio City

2. Boat riding at Burnham Lake

Burnham Park is one of the historical parks in the Philippines and one of the most popular. On the other hand, Burnham Lake, also known as "City Lake". It is an iconic man-made and century-old lake.

The iconic Burnham Lake, Baguio City

Paddling at Burnham Lake is one of the famous must-try activities if you visit Baguio City. Something that you shouldn't miss.

3. Eat Strawberry Ice Cream and Strawberry Taho

As stated above, besides the cold weather and pine trees, Baguio is also famous for Strawberries. So, leaving Baguio without trying the delicious Strawberry Ice Cream and Strawberry Taho is a no-no.

Strawberry and Purple Yam Ice Cream at SM Baguio City and
the Strawberry Taho bought just near our hotel

What is Taho?

Taho is the staple comfort food of most Filipinos, made from silken Tofu and tapioca pearls with a sweet syrup (commonly vanilla syrup, but there are lots of substitute ingredients, for example, in Baguio: it's Strawberry syrup or Purple Yam syrup).

4. Botanical Garden

If you are a person into flowers, then this place is for you as there are a variety of flowers to see. Since Baguio is a cold place, some flowers are uniquely beautiful. Plants that only grow in colder regions.

Baguio Botanical Garden

Other than flowers, there are also some things to enjoy. For instance, take a picture at the replicas of famous landmarks in some countries, such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco (and more), and experience wearing the traditional Igorot (indigenous people) costume.

5. Camp John Hay Starbucks

Imagine a serene ambiance with cold weather, the pine trees surrounding the area, and a cup of good coffee at hand. It's perfection!

Camp John Hay Starbucks, Baguio

Bonus entry. Last but not the least . . .

Strawberry Picking at La Trinidad, Benguet

Geographically speaking, Benguet is not a park of Baguio City anymore, and La Trinidad is a first-class capital of the province of Benguet. It is known as the strawberry and rose capital of the Philippines.

However, the strawberry farm in La Trinidad is quite close to Baguio City. It is more or less just 30 minutes away via taxi or modern Jeep (the means of transport we used in visiting the place). So, no wonder if people think of Baguio, it is always associated with strawberry.