Baguio Hotels

Baguio Hotels

Baguio can be a stop off on the way to Sagada. Filipinos often rave about this town as the summer get away from the heat of Manila but it can be kind of expensive for backpackers.

Internet is cheap (20 pesos an hour) and Pizza Hut sells slices of pizza in front on the sidewalk for 49 pesos a slice.

Hip cafes line the main drag where good food can be had for under 200 pesos.

Ripe oranges are 5 to 10 pesos, apples 10 peso, breads starting at 2 peso and all sorts of other stuff.

There are plenty of roadside vendors along the way to Sagada if you are heading that way but it’s always a good idea to have some snacks along for backup.

If you are motion sickness prone it would be possible to feel a bit queasy on the bus ride.

In Baguio there isn’t any cheap
accommodation especially if you arrive during the flower festival.

The Baden Powel Hotel near the victory liner bus station has rooms starting at 1500 peso. The location is great and the hotel itself has a lot of historic charm.

I arrived unknowingly during the flower festival one year and had to settle for a room for 3000 peso. (20 nights lodging at some places in the mountains, it brought a tear to my eyes)

There is an area for camping during the festival where some Filipinos will go to have a weekend camp out and not break the bank.

A square pond is in the middle of the park where boats shaped like swans where young men impress their dates with their paddling skills.

The Hotel 45 is on # 62 Sessions St., the main drag in Baguio, and a short walk from the bus stop at the top of the hill near Baden Powel. Rooms start at 450 for a dreary cell no windows but I sprung for the 650 peso one with 2 big widows overlooking the street.

I don’t like to piss away money but I really need my window.

The Diamond Hotel (16-E Jacinto St.) across from the city market near the Lezardo Bus terminal has rooms are 400 to 800 peso depending on if you want an in room cr, cable tv or whatever.

It might be a handy place to stay if you are going on the bus to Sagada first thing in the morning.

Lezardo leaves from the nearby Dangwa terminal which is kind of hidden behind the mall. res 074-443-8575

The Flower Festival attracts lowlifes from around the country so keep an eye on your stuff.

Baguio is a paradise for many but I try to spend as little time there as possible.

Baguio Hotels