The counterintuitive pitch
Everyone warns you off Baguio in the rainy season. We're here to say: go. The air is cold (16–20°C), the pine smell is sharper, the Session Road crowd shrinks by 70%, and the cafés — which are 80% of why anyone comes to Baguio anyway — are more pleasant than ever when the rain is hitting the roof.
The only thing you miss is some of the outdoor stuff (Mines View during a downpour isn't fun). Trade-off we'd make every time.
Getting there without losing Friday night
- Victory Liner Pasay / Cubao — 6 hours, ₱600–₱750. Book the 9 p.m. or 11 p.m. for a morning arrival.
- Joy Bus (premium) — 5 hours, ₱950. Seats recline properly; worth it for overnight.
- Private car — 4–5 hours via TPLEX. Gas about ₱1,500 round-trip.
Day 1 — Cafés between showers
Start at Café by the Ruins Dua for breakfast (the original closed after renovations; the Dua location is fully open). Order the longsilog and a camote cinnamon roll. Walk Session Road; when the rain starts, duck into BenCab Museum for 2 hours — it's genuinely world-class.
Afternoon: Hatch Coffee on Romulo Drive for a flat white and the banana muffin. If the rain's pausing, go to the Mansion and Wright Park for the horseback-riding photo (₱250 for 30 minutes). End at Oh My Gulay — the five-floor vegetarian restaurant tucked inside La Azotea building, which is visually a trip.
Day 2 — Good Shepherd, Camp John Hay, and home
Good Shepherd's ube jam, strawberry jam, and alfajores are Baguio pasalubong institutions. Proceeds go to scholarships for indigenous girls. Line forms early (by 9 a.m.); order in advance at goodshepherd-baguio.com and skip it.
Camp John Hay for the pine-tree walks and Chocolate de Batirol café (thick tsokolate, ₱120). Lunch at Pine Tree Hotel's Amare La Cucina nearby — Italian by a Cordillera chef, wood-fired pizza, bookings recommended.
Where to stay
- The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay — pine-surrounded, ₱5,500/night
- Azalea Residences — apartment-style, kitchenette, ₱4,200/night
- Baguio Country Club — old-school, for members and their guests
- Ivory Hotel — mid-range, walkable to Session, ₱2,400/night
Frequently asked questions
How cold does Baguio get in rainy season?
16–20°C during the day; down to 12°C at night in August. January is colder still (down to 8°C at night). Pack a jacket regardless.
Is Baguio safe during typhoons?
Landslides can close certain mountain roads (Kennon Road is regularly closed). Stick to Marcos Highway for the way home if a typhoon is within 2 days. Check DPWH advisories.
Where can I buy strawberries in Baguio?
La Trinidad Strawberry Farm (20 min from city center). ₱100 entrance to pick your own in season (Dec–May). Baguio Public Market has them year-round for ₱180–₱300/kilo.
What's the best pasalubong in Baguio?
Good Shepherd ube jam, strawberry jam, and alfajores. Choco-Late de Batirol for drinking chocolate tablets. Baguio Craft Brewery for local IPAs if you have insulated packaging.
Should I rent a car in Baguio?
Not usually. Parking is painful, traffic on Session Road is slow, and Grab + tricycles cover most places. Rent a car only if you're doing La Trinidad + Mines View + Tam-awan in one day.
