Baguio for Filipino locals is a simple Philippine travel adventure.
Our family travels to Baguio at least once or twice a year. The Philippines has a generally hot climate and there are only a few getaway destinations in the country where you can find cooler weather. Baguio in the mountain province is one of them. From our home, it takes us about minimum 5 hours ( if we travel very early or very late) to maybe 8 hours during rush hour including food, gasoline and rest stops. Travel time is much improved because of the new SCTEX highway(about 45 mins on this road). It is less interesting than the old route because there are absolutely no eating places, gasoline stations or rest stops along the way. Cuts your travel time by a lot though. You know you are in Baguio when you see this Lion Head along the Zig Zag road.
Here is a hodge podge of simple Baguio adventures :
1.
Horseback riding
One of Baguios MUST DO for kids (and adults) is horseback riding. Wright park used to be the place to go ( and still is) but now there are many other venues where you can experience the horseback riding adventure in this tourist destination. For kids, its actually just the thrill of going around the circle or sometimes exploring the up and down roads. They get a thrill out of choosing their horse by size, name or even color ! My daughters love the "pink" horses. Cost is just about 300 pesos an hour.
2. Good Shepherd
I believe all if not most of Baguios visitors make a stop at
Good Shepherd to buy food pasalubongs (souvenir gifts for those left at home) and food products for themselves of course.
Our favorites are : Ube jam, strawberry jam, cashew brittle and Alfajores ! This place has improved a lot thru the years in terms of facilitating sales. They have a large picture menu board with prices of all their products so you can write your orders before getting in line.
They even have a scanner and POS system now! Progress indeed!
I tried their refreshing Strawberry juice
(20 pesos) and it was okay. Strawberries are abundant in Baguio when they are in season. Peak season for the best strawberries is January/February.
3.Mines View Park
Am not sure why they call it a park. I honestly don't recall seeing any park there. Maybe I just never noticed because the whole place is filled with hundreds of stalls selling Baguio souvenirs.
4.Shopping
So many little inexpensive things to buy in Baguio aside from the usual knitted sweaters and flannel blankets!
Walis (brooms)
Depending on where you buy it or what kind you buy, prices range from 3 for 100 pesos to 195 each. Like Good Shepherd products, almost everyone that visits Baguio comes home with a Walis. Brooms in Manila mostly come from Baguio anyway so better to buy directly from the source for more variety!
Sunglasses
There are also so many cheap sunglasses being sold on the streets. They are carried on wooden boards complete with hand mirror so you can check if it fits your style.
String Yarn Puppets
Sold in the streets at 40 pesos each. The kids love it every time we buy them one. It doesn't last long though after the strings get all tangled up
Plants
Small potted plants (specially cactus) are being sold everywhere. They don't last long too when you bring them down to Manila but I usually can't resist buying a few specially those tagged lucky plant!
Choco-late de Batirol
Delicious local Hot chocolate ! See my other
blog for more about this and the restaurant in my MUST DO Baguio list.
SilverAccessories
Baguio is famous for silver. So cheap here. A silver bangle bracelet set is about 250 pesos only. They are also sold everywhere. These ones were being sold by a street vendor.
Baguio Chorizo
Next to Spanish Chorizo, I think Baguio Chorizo is the best! I grew up looking forward to this comfort food whenever we go up to Baguio. They used to come in small round balls. My new favorite brand is Tuvera found in the local market. Same Baguio flavor but in BIG sizes. The Best if you like sweeter and less spicy Chorizo.
Wooven products. 
There are lots of these in the form of rugs, placemats, and bags etc.
Tantamcos Lengua de Gato
Am so addicted to this! They should not call it Lengua de Gato because people expect it to be wafer thin and its not. It is more like butter cookies. Doesn't matter really.. its so gooood!
Everlasting
These are dried flowers (hence "everlasting") made into a neclace. They are usually hang on religious statues as offerings. Am not sure what else people use them for but they look so pretty specially up close.
I think I miss Baguio already making this long post! Let me find some of those pasalubongs I bought and have a midnight snack!
Our family travels to Baguio at least once or twice a year. The Philippines has a generally hot climate and there are only a few getaway destinations in the country where you can find cooler weather. Baguio in the mountain province is one of them. From our home, it takes us about minimum 5 hours ( if we travel very early or very late) to maybe 8 hours during rush hour including food, gasoline and rest stops. Travel time is much improved because of the new SCTEX highway(about 45 mins on this road). It is less interesting than the old route because there are absolutely no eating places, gasoline stations or rest stops along the way. Cuts your travel time by a lot though. You know you are in Baguio when you see this Lion Head along the Zig Zag road.
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