There’s something special about trips that go exactly the way you hoped they would — smooth, effortless, and almost too perfect to be real. Our Baguio adventure was exactly that. From the very beginning, everything just fell into place. I flew all the way from Bangkok to Clark, while my friends traveled from the Queen City of the South, Cebu. We all met at Clark Airport, excited, sleep-deprived, and ready for the cold breeze and mountain views waiting for us up north.
It was my very first time in Baguio, while my friends had already been there a couple of times before. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect at first, but this trip completely changed my standards when it comes to choosing places to travel to. The cool weather, breathtaking views, peaceful atmosphere, good food, and the unforgettable moments we shared made Baguio feel more than just a tourist destination — it felt like a place you’d want to keep coming back to.
This trip became one of those experiences that stay with you long after it ends, and now, I’m excited to share every detail of it here — from expenses, itineraries, places to visit, food spots, travel tips, and all the little moments in between. Cheers to unforgettable memories and spontaneous adventures. 🍃✨
How to get there
Getting to Baguio was actually easier and smoother than we expected. The very first thing to do? Hop on that plane and fly to Clark Airport — the nearest airport if you’re heading to Baguio from other parts of the Philippines or abroad.
From Clark Airport, there are several ways to get to the Summer Capital of the Philippines. You can rent a car, book a van, or take a bus heading north. Since we were traveling as a group and wanted a more comfortable and hassle-free trip, we decided to rent an exclusive van for Php 18,000.00, including both pickup and drop-off.
The van picked us up directly from Clark Airport, and from there, we started our four-hour road trip to Baguio. Honestly, the ride itself already felt like part of the adventure. As you travel farther north, the scenery slowly changes — from busy roads to greener landscapes and cooler weather.
And if you ever get hungry during the trip (which is very possible because four hours is no joke), don’t worry. Along the way, you’ll pass by several fast food chains and stopovers where you can easily grab something through drive-thru or take a quick break before continuing the journey.
By the time we finally reached Baguio, the long ride already felt worth it.
Where we stayed
Choosing where to stay in Baguio was honestly one of the most important parts of planning this trip. When booking an accommodation, aside from the location itself, I always consider the vibe. No to creepy, yes to sunny — if you know what I mean. I’m pretty sure most travelers would agree that we all want a place that feels comfortable, safe, cozy, and accessible to almost everything — food spots, transportation, malls, cafés, and tourist attractions.
That’s exactly why we decided to stay at Azalea Hotels & Residences Baguio.
The location was honestly very convenient. It’s near SM Baguio, Session Road, just a few minutes ride away from Camp John Hay, and very close to Teacher’s Camp as well. Since most tourist spots and restaurants were accessible from the hotel, getting around the city became easier and less stressful for us.
We booked a four days and three nights stay which cost us around Php 20,000.00, already includes free breakfast good for four individuals. And speaking of breakfast — yes, we definitely enjoyed mouthwatering food during our stay. The hotel has a Kuya J Restaurant inside, and that’s where the complimentary breakfast was served every morning. Starting the day with good food before exploring Baguio? Definitely a plus.
One thing I found interesting is that the hotel does not offer air-conditioned rooms. But honestly, you won’t even look for one. Since day one, Baguio already welcomed us with its cold weather. While other places during summer were experiencing 30 degrees of heat, Baguio stayed comfortably around 17 degrees. Imagine needing a jacket in the middle of summer — that’s exactly the kind of weather we signed up for.
Overall, our stay at Azalea perfectly matched the vibe we wanted for this trip: cozy, accessible, relaxing, and truly fitting for a memorable Baguio getaway.
Itineraries
SM City Baguio
We arrived in Baguio late in the afternoon, tired from the long trip but already excited to experience the city’s famous cold weather. After checking in to our hotel and settling into our room for a bit, we immediately prepared ourselves to head out for dinner and do a little exploring nearby.
As advised by a friendly stranger we met earlier, we took a PUV going to SM City Baguio. And honestly, that short jeep ride already gave us our first real taste of Baguio life.
When we arrived at SM City Baguio, one thing instantly caught our attention — the mall is actually non-airconditioned. But tell you what, we were still freezing. That’s how cold Baguio was, especially compared to the usual tropical weather we were used to. Imagine walking around a mall while needing a jacket even at night.
We spent some time roaming around, appreciating the chilly breeze and the relaxing atmosphere. Of course, we also took a few photos outside the mall with the beautiful moon shining brightly in the background — one of those simple moments that somehow felt extra special in Baguio.
After wandering around for a bit, we went up to the second floor and decided to have dinner at Bonchon. Warm food plus cold weather? Definitely the perfect combination after a long day of traveling.
By the time we finished dinner, the taxi queue outside had already become extremely long. Since there were no more PUV available after 8 PM, we decided to simply book a Grab going back to the hotel — which honestly became one of the most convenient ways for us to get around Baguio during our stay.
Mt. Camisong Forest Park and Events
Our first day in Baguio was all about scenic views and trying out one of the most talked-about attractions in Benguet — Mt. Camisong Forest Park and Events located in Itogon, Benguet.
From our hotel in Baguio, it took us almost an hour to get there. We booked a Grab ride which cost us around Php 700.00 one way. Since we wanted to save a bit on the way back, we decided to experience commuting like locals and rode a public vehicle back to the city which only cost us Php 80.00 — definitely a huge difference.
Mt. Camisong is one of those places that instantly excites and amazes you the moment you arrive. The mountain views, cool breeze, and relaxing atmosphere make the place visually impressive. Of course, one of the main highlights there is the famous Instagrammable glass floor attraction. It gives you that thrilling feeling of standing above the cliff while enjoying the breathtaking view around you. But if you’re someone who’s afraid of heights, this spot might make your knees shake a little because the cliff below is very visible.
The place is also tourist-friendly since they have cafés and restaurants available inside the area, so there’s no need to worry when hunger strikes after walking around and taking countless photos. They also sell souvenirs if you want to bring home a little remembrance from the trip.
To be fair, Mt. Camisong is definitely a must-visit destination when you’re in Baguio or Benguet — but personally, I’d say it’s best enjoyed for half a day. It’s beautiful, relaxing, and worth experiencing, though staying too long might make the excitement wear off after a while.
Mines View Park
Since it was still a bit early for us to head back to the hotel after our Mt. Camisong adventure, we all agreed to squeeze in another famous tourist spot in Baguio — the iconic Mines View Park.
From Mt. Camisong, we rode a public jeepney and got dropped off somewhere near Burnham Park. At first, we planned to explore the area a little longer, but since there wasn’t much happening at that time, we decided to continue the day and head straight to Mines View Park instead.
Known for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Benguet gold and copper mines in Itogon and the beautiful Cordillera mountains, Mines View Park is definitely one of those places you shouldn’t miss when visiting Baguio. We arrived there around 2 PM and paid an entrance fee of ₱10.00 per head before entering.
The view itself was beautiful and relaxing, especially seeing the mountain ranges stretch endlessly in the distance. Of course, one of the most popular activities there is wearing the traditional Cordillera attire for photos — yes, with corresponding fee. Even though the place was packed with tourists, we still managed to take some decent photos and enjoy the experience.
But based on our experience, I’d highly recommend visiting Mines View Park early in the morning if you want a more peaceful atmosphere and better photo opportunities. By afternoon, the crowd gets really heavy, making it a bit challenging to move around and take pictures comfortably.
Still, despite the crowd, the experience was worth it. It felt nice ending the day surrounded by cool mountain air, scenic views, and little moments that made the trip even more memorable.
Nonno Guido’s Ristorante
Our second day in Baguio felt straight out of a movie — calm, foggy, and a little magical.
Before heading to Baguio, I spent hours scrolling through travel videos on social media looking for places worth visiting. That’s when I came across Nonno Guido’s Ristorante, and instantly, I knew it had to be included in our itinerary. The towering pine trees, the thick fog surrounding the area, and the cozy atmosphere completely caught my attention. It looked peaceful, dreamy, and honestly magical.
Located in a secluded area in La Trinidad, Benguet, Nonno Guido’s Ristorante is an Italian-inspired restaurant nestled beautifully in the woods. The place itself already feels like an escape from the busy city. With its rustic décor, cold breeze, and fog slowly covering the pine trees, the entire atmosphere felt surreal and relaxing.
Aside from the ambiance, the food did not disappoint either. They served luscious and satisfying meals at surprisingly affordable prices, making the experience even more worth it.
To get there, we booked a Grab — which, by the way, became our most reliable transportation throughout our Baguio trip. Since we planned to visit several places that day, we negotiated with the driver to stay with us as our private tour driver for the whole day, and we agreed to pay him ₱500 per hour.
We had our lunch at Nonno Guido’s and truly enjoyed the peaceful vibe of the place. After that, our original plan was to continue the adventure and visit the Dragon Treasure Castle. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans for us. Right before we were about to pay for the entrance tickets, the rain suddenly poured heavily, so we decided to cancel the trip instead.
Rather than forcing the itinerary, we simply asked our driver to drop us back at the hotel. Honestly, even though the day didn’t fully go as planned, it still turned out memorable. Sometimes, good food, cold weather, foggy pine trees, and good company are already enough to make a day special.
Night Market in Baguio
One of the highlights of our Baguio trip was definitely experiencing the famous Night Market along Session Road on our second night.
The moment we arrived, the entire street already felt alive — crowded with locals and tourists, lined with endless stalls, street food vendors, ukay-ukay finds, and people casually walking around while enjoying the cold Baguio weather. Honestly, it felt like there was something for everyone there.
Of course, we immediately went into shopping mode. We bought sweatshirts, jackets, and other cozy pieces at very affordable prices. And let’s be real — when you’re in Baguio, buying extra jackets somehow becomes part of the experience already. The best part? You can find really good items without spending too much.
Aside from shopping, we also enjoyed trying different street foods around the area. From tempura to balot and almost everything in between — name it, they probably have it there. Walking around while eating hot street food in the middle of Baguio’s cold weather just hits differently.
What I loved most about the night market is that it feels like everything you need is already there, and most of them are being sold cheaply. Whether you’re looking for clothes, souvenirs, snacks, or simply wanting to experience Baguio’s nightlife, Session Road Night Market is definitely a must-visit.
And if you’re a thrift shopper like me, trust me — you’ll enjoy every minute of it.
Cafe Khawa
Our final wander day in Baguio felt both relaxing and bittersweet — one of those days where you try to enjoy every remaining moment because deep inside, you already know the trip is about to end.
Even before our Baguio trip started, I was already spending hours checking maps online, looking at distances between our hotel and different tourist spots. Somewhere during one of those random searches, the name “Cafe Khawa” suddenly caught my attention. Curious, I hovered over it, thought the place looked nice, then immediately searched for it on TikTok to get a better look.
And just like that, it officially earned a spot on my Baguio bucket list.
So on our final wandering day — a Monday — we decided to finally visit the place. We contacted the same Grab driver we had previously negotiated with and asked him to take us there. The journey itself already felt like an adventure. The roads became narrower, with endless uphill and downhill turns, surrounded by pine trees and mountain views that made the long ride feel scenic instead of tiring.
Eventually, we finally arrived at Cafe Khawa.
But unfortunately, things didn’t exactly go as planned.
The restaurant area that offers the best overlooking view was closed that day because they do not operate on Mondays. Honestly, we were a little disappointed at first because that was the exact spot we were excited to experience after seeing it online.
But instead of dwelling on something we couldn’t control, we simply explored the other areas of the place — and thankfully, it was still breathtaking in its own way. The cool weather, mountain air, and relaxing atmosphere were more than enough for us to enjoy the moment. Of course, we also took several photos before eventually deciding to leave and continue the day elsewhere.
Afterward, we asked Kuya driver to drop us off at a café, which eventually led us to Starbucks inside Camp John Hay. For the entire trip that day, we paid around ₱600.00 for the transportation.
We spent some time relaxing there before eventually having dinner at Yellow Cab Pizza. And honestly, their carbonara was so good. The chicken was delicious too — definitely one of those meals that became unexpectedly memorable during the trip.
After dinner, we stayed for coffee for about an hour or two, just casually talking, resting, and enjoying our final night in the city before heading back to the hotel.
But of course, we couldn’t leave Baguio without visiting the Night Market one last time.
And there we were again — roaming around Session Road, checking stalls after stalls, and somehow convincing ourselves that we still needed more sweatshirts, jackets, sweaters, and random finds even though our luggage was already suffering.
Honestly, I think that final night perfectly summed up our Baguio trip: spontaneous, cozy, slightly chaotic, food-filled, and full of simple moments that quietly became unforgettable memories.
The Wrap-Up
And just like that, our Baguio trip finally came to an end.
Now, the end is near — and I guess the best way to start this final story is with our last morning routine in the City of Pines.
We woke up early and prepared ourselves for breakfast once again at the Kuya J Restaurant inside Azalea Hotels & Residences Baguio. Honestly, one thing I’ll truly miss there is their brewed coffee. It was so good that I ended up drinking two cups almost every single morning during our stay. Paired with Baguio’s cold weather? Perfect combination.
But unlike the previous mornings, this breakfast felt different.
This was our departure day — the day we would finally leave the north behind. In just a few hours, we’d be saying goodbye to the pine trees, the cold breeze, the foggy atmosphere, and the peaceful feeling that somehow made Baguio feel comforting and slow-paced. Soon, all of these would simply become memories we’d revisit while lying in our beds back home.
Before officially leaving, my friends decided to do one final wrap-up shopping at SM City Baguio. Of course, no trip is complete without bringing home pasalubong and little presents for family and friends. They returned to the hotel before 1 PM, just in time for our departure.
At exactly 1 PM, the van picked us up from the hotel and started the four-hour drive back to Clark Airport — the very same place where our journey began a few days earlier. We arrived there around 5 PM.
During the drive back to the city, I found myself quietly staring outside the window most of the time, mentally saying goodbye to every scenic view we passed by. The mountains, the pine trees, the fog, the roads we once found unfamiliar — somehow, they already felt sentimental after only a few days.
And just before heading to the airport, we spent some time at Starbucks, where we were treated to one last gift from the trip: a beautiful sunset.
At that moment, one thought instantly came into my mind:
“Beauty exists even in goodbyes.”
Our flight back to Cebu was scheduled at 11 PM, and we intentionally left the hotel early because I still had a scheduled meeting to attend online. But funny enough, just a few minutes before it started, the meeting got cancelled. So there we were — already checked in early at the airport with nothing else to do but wait for boarding.
And of course, no trip ever ends without at least one chaotic moment.
Since we bought a lot of clothes from the thrift shops and night market, we decided to check them in using a sako handbag instead of a proper luggage bag. Big mistake.
When we finally arrived at Mactan-Cebu International Airport and claimed our baggage, the bag was completely destroyed.
So yes — lesson learned: never use light bags for checked baggage ever again.
And that’s how our Baguio trip officially ended — with beautiful memories, lots of jackets and sweaters, endless stories, scenic views, spontaneous moments, and one destroyed bag to remember it all.
I’m not sure if I missed sharing something from this trip, but if I did, feel free to comment down below or hit me up on Messenger. Until the next adventure ✈️🍃