“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson.
With so many beautiful cities and provinces in the country, choosing just one as your next summer destination can be overwhelming.
However, instead of spending countless hours pondering where to go, why not travel to a place regarded as the Summer Capital of the Philippines?
Known for its cool air and delicious strawberry taho, Baguio City is where local and foreign tourists flock for the summer or Christmas. This hilly travel destination has a lot to offer in terms of sights and activities to do. More importantly, it is an excellent place to visit if you wish to escape summer heat. The city lies in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon and enjoys cool temperatures all year. Baguio City remains a favorite summer destination owing to its fresh air, majestic pine trees, and cool climate—all excellent reasons to visit this beloved city. Beyond that, however, there are several other reasons make it such a compelling city to visit. If the cooler temperature and pine trees are not enough to convince you to make Baguio City your next summer destination, perhaps the reasons below will:
a.) Cool, chilly weather, even at the height of summer
Most tourists are already well-aware that Baguio is known for its cool and chilly temperature, but what they do not know is that the city stays cool—even at the height of summer. Baguio has a recorded temperature that is at least eight degrees cooler than Metro Manila, with February being the coldest month of the year (temperatures as low as seven degrees). The temperature may not be as chilly when March and April roll in. However, it is still significantly colder than what you can experience in the city. That said, the cooler temperature can be a refreshing break from the unbearably humid weather of the metropolis.
b.) The Food
While not necessarily a gastronomic destination, Baguio is still one of the best places in the Philippines you visit for its awesome and delicious food. What makes it even better is that it always offers something new and fresh. Of course, you should never overlook the classics, but that does not mean never trying something new during your visit. If you are wondering where to go in Baguio, one of the restaurants you must visit is Cafe by Ruins and Hill Station, which offers some of the city’s best grub and is renowned for its ambiance. Food communities are prevalent in Baguio, so you can be sure that you will never run out of restaurant and cafe options whenever you are in the city.
3.) The Public Market
One of the best things about visiting Baguio is the unbeatable deals you get from shopping at their public market. They have fresh vegetables priced reasonably or much lower than how much you would have gotten them for in the city. Aside from fresh vegetables and fruits, you can buy various souvenirs for your friends and loved ones back home. The public market also sells local delicacies, woven stuff, and coffee beans. That said, shopping at the public market one of the things to do in Baguio City for most tourists.
4.) The city is rich in arts and culture
Not many visitors and tourists know this, but Baguio City was hailed as a creative city by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2017. That in itself makes the city a compelling place to visit. You can experience so many things in the city, from crafts and folk art expressions to silver craft, tattooing, and weaving. Indeed, it is no wonder that Baguio City’s artistic culture is one of the most recognized in the country. So if you visit Baguio City with your kids, bring them to BenCab Museum, Kidlat Tahimik’s Ili-Likha Artists Village, and Tam-Awan Village to learn more about the Cordilleran people’s distinct and rich culture.
5.) Perfect place to relax
No matter the time of the year, Baguio City is the perfect place to relax. From the cool temperature to the various tourist spots, you can do plenty of things in the city that allow you to unwind. That said, Baguio has always been the first choice of destination for families and friends who wish to spend several days just relaxing in cool weather over getting a tan at the beach. The city offers you plenty of things to do, such as picnics at the park, bicycle and horseback riding, and leisure riding. Encourage your children to disengage themselves from their gadgets and other electronic devices to experience playing outdoors in the fresh air. You may even wish to bring your own badminton set and picnic basket and visit Camp John Hay or Burnham Park.
It does not matter how often you have been to the city; there are still plenty of things to do. In fact, you may even find yourself wishing to extend your stay by a day or two just so you can experience and enjoy more activities.
