Philippines Guide

The Mines View Park is a highly recommended tourist spot to visit when in Baguio. The place is a must see for all visitors. Here’s what you can expect when you visit the Mines View Park.

A trip to Baguio won’t ever be complete if you won’t ever get to Mines View Park. You’ll be treated to a really breathtaking view of Benguet’s gold and copper mines and the beautiful contours of the Cordillera mountain region. The Mines View Park is the most visited spot in all of Baguio.

Mines View Park is just four kilometers from downtown Baguio. It’s just a jeepney ride away and is very accessible. If you plan to go to Mines View Park you should plan ahead to go there in the earlier part of the day. The regular afternoon fog might restrict your view of the landscape in the Mines View Park if you come there late in the afternoon.

The Mines View Park used to be a mining area for small-scale miners before the American occupation. Most visitors usually visit the place after making a stop at the Mansion or the Wright Park. An observation deck can be found in the Mines View Park. To get to the observation deck visitors will have to take the winding stone-covered stairway, which is right next to the parking area. The steps on the stairway can be quite slippery after some rain, so be very careful.

There are benches for visitors where they can rest and enjoy the view. For about Php 10 you can rent binoculars and take a spectacular view of the nearby valley and mountains. Native Igorot tribesmen also frequent the Mines View Park and would be willing to pose for a picture with the tourists for a few pesos. They may even rent their outfit to some tourists who would like to try them out.

At the entrance of the Mines View Park are stalls and cafes that cater to visitors. You can buy native handicraft, silver products, jewelry, and a variety of souvenirs. You’ll sure be tempted to sample the abundant strawberries, grilled or steamed corn on the cob, and other food served at the snack bars and small stores found at the Mines View Park.

A kilo of strawberries would cost around Php 150, but prices change every now and then. The food costs as much as regular food including the coffee.

A short walk from the Park is the Good Shepherd Convent where you can get delicious jams and native delicacies. While at the Mines View Park you might like to try horseback riding. Horses at the Mines View Park can be rented for a small fee. This is a favorite activity among the little kids.

If you want to see Baguio’s best, make sure to visit the Mines View Park first. You’ll get a panoramic introduction of what Baguio has to offer.

Tags: Luzon, Horseback Riding, Filipino, Scuba, Filipino, Visayas, Tourism

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Baguio (derived from the Ibaloi word for moss) is the Summer Capital of the country. Baguio City is otherwise known as the City of the Pines — it is a highly urbanized first class city established by Americans in the 1900. It was incorporated as a city in September 1, 1909.

Baguio City is home to a presidential mansion, a supreme court office, and legislative offices. Baguio is also the capital of the Cordillera Administrative Region of the Philippines.

At an altitude of 1500 meters, Baguio is nestled in a tropical pine forest which is eight degrees cooler than any lowland area on the average. Baguio seldom exceeds 26 degrees centigrade (about 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit) even during the hot summer months. From November until May, Baguio turns into a tropical paradise as greens become more distinct emphasized by the beautiful terrain marked by low verdant knolls and hillocks. The cool climate, the panoramic views of lovely flowers and foggy hills is enough to delight the soul. This makes Baguio a favorite summer destination by local and foreign tourists.

The tourist sites in Baguio City include Burnham Park (named after the city’s planner Daniel Burnham), the Baguio Cathedral, Session Road (the city’s commercial center), Baguio Grand Mosque (caters to thousands of Muslim families), Camp John Hay, the Philippine Military Academy, an Orchadium, Asin Hot Springs, and a whole lot more.

Baguio City has 109 hotels, inns, and lodging houses totaling to about 4,700 rooms available for rent. There’ll be times when these lodging facilities will be way packed with visitors and tourists during the peak summer season. Due to the demand on lodging, local residents may allow visitors to rent a room in their homes or even just let tourists stay as guests.

Cost for lodging in Baguio would be from Php 500 to a whopping Php 4,000 for the whole stay. That is pretty much the average cost when compared to lodging rates in Manila. Baguio City also has 1,117 restaurants so you don’t have to worry about your dining needs.

So how do we get to Baguio? We can travel by air to Baguio’s Loakan Airport (located 20 minutes south). Flights from Manila to Baguio are scheduled only during the morning since visibility drops down to zero when the afternoon fog starts to form. The flight from Manila to Baguio is approximately 50 minutes.

If you want to drive to Baguio then you’ve got about six hours of driving ahead of you — if you take the Kennon Road going up to Baguio City. The Kennon Road is truly as scenic as it is dangerous to travelers since it winds through a narrow steep valley. It is the fastest route compared to the Marcos Highway (which will take you about fifteen minutes longer to get to there) and the Naguilian Road which may add three solid hours to your travel.

If you plan to go to Baguio by bus the regular bus companies that can take you there are the Philippine Rabbit, Partas, Victory Liner, Dangwa Tranco, Dagupan Bus, Saurog Transit, Genesis, and Greenland. The average bus fare would cost around Php 300 but that can change depending on the bus company and if you’re traveling to Baguio on a first class trip or not.

If you’re looking to find a way to beat the summer heat in the Philippines go to Baguio and enjoy a fun-filled cool summer.

Tags: Divers, Scuba, Filipino, Snorkeling, Philippines, Travel Philippines, Baguio

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Fun in the sun isn’t for everybody. Summer isn’t just going to the beach and catching the perfect wave. The heat, at times, can be excruciating. Sometimes, a change in temperature is what one needs to relax and have a vacation.

In the Philippines Baguio is considered to be the summer capital of the country. Because of its location at a higher elevation there is a cooler climate than the metro. It is the perfect alternative destination to those seeking refuge from the summer heat.

Traveling to Baguio can be quite a ride. It takes 8 - 10 hours to get there via the Kennon road. This happens to be the most historic and scenic route to Baguio. It is best to travel during the early morning on a weekday to avoid traffic. Along the way, the North Luzon Expressway is equiped with various pitstops for meal and bathroom breaks.

One of the most remembered times of Baguio city is the devastating earthquake during the early 90s. Several people were killed with others injured and lost because of the natural disaster. Many of the city’s structures were destroyed into piles of rubble strewn about the ground. Many doubted if Baguio could recover from this tragedy. Doubters were set at ease as the citizens and several investors slowly restored Baguio to bring back tourists and travelers.

Baguio has also become a haven for bargain shoppers. Ukay-ukay, as most locals call it, is the very reason fashion lovers head to Baguio. Great prices on the trendiest items and a variety of choices make it only more attractive to visitors. Haggling and patience is needed to find the perfect clothes and get the full experience when bargain hunting in Baguio.

Ukay-ukay stalls are located near Session road which is one of the busiest areas in the city during daytime and nighttime. It is lined with various restaurants serving international cuisine ranging from Italian, Spanish, Chinese and of course Filipino style delicacies. Familiar fast food restaurants are also here for those on a budget. At night, Session road comes alive with the lights from bars and restaurants for people in search of a good time.

For the old fashioned, Baguio has a wide range of historic and cultural sites. The Botanical Garden (Igorot village), Mines View Park, Camp John Hay, and Baguio Cathedral are only a few of the attractions that Baguio has to offer.

Visitors can also head to the oldest park in Baguio for a look at history and for some fun. Burnham Park is perfect for picnics and strolls along the lush pine trees. Horseback riding, hiking in the nature trails are also available for nature lovers. Of course, there is always that great scenery to take a picture of for aspiring photographers to add to their photo albums.

Before leaving Baguio, it is a must to head to the marketplace and stock up on fruits and vegetables. Strawberries are quite the favorite gifts to bring home for friends and families. The vegetables are fresh, cheap and even taste better than those one could buy in the high end supermarkets in Metro Manila.

Going to the beach isn’t the only thing one could do in the summer. There are other ways to relax and enjoy oneself. Nature lovers, bargain shoppers, cultural explorers all have something to experience in Baguio. Sometimes, a change in temperature is the best vacation to have. Baguio gives the chance to relax and cool down during the summer.

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