Baguio has always been a popular destination for Filipino families, especially during the summer and Christmas seasons, thanks to its cool and comforting weather.
I had been there once before, many years ago—and for the longest time, I never thought of going back. Not because I had a bad experience, but because it simply didn’t live up to what I imagined.
🕰️ My First Impression of Baguio (2007)
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| with my friends back in 2007 |
Back in March 2007, I was excited for my first trip to Baguio. I had heard so much about the city that I arrived with very high expectations. I imagined mountains covered in trees and peaceful scenic views.
Instead, what stood out to me were the houses built along the mountains. At the time, it felt overwhelming and disappointing. Travel blogs and social media content weren’t as common back then, and I didn’t know how to research destinations the way we do now. That first impression stayed with me for years.
👨👩👦 Returning as a Wife and a Mom (2025)
Fast forward to September 2025—eighteen years later. I’m now married and a mom to a little boy. With so many travel posts online, my husband became curious about Baguio and suggested we go there as a family.
He had seen photos and videos that made the city look warm, cozy, and family-friendly. I agreed, this time with no expectations. My only goal was for my husband and son to experience the cool weather and enjoy a change of pace.
🚌 The Journey: Cubao to Baguio
We booked the JoyBus, and the trip from Cubao only took about four hours. Traveling with a child isn’t easy, and it was only after becoming a mom that I truly understood how different it is to travel with an infant.
Thankfully, the ride was smooth and comfortable, which made the journey much less stressful.
Travel Tip:
When traveling with kids, choose buses with clean restrooms, comfortable seats,
and minimal stops.
🚕 A Pleasant Surprise: Taxi Culture in Baguio
One of the biggest changes I noticed in Baguio was how organized and disciplined the city felt—especially the taxi drivers.
If you’re from Manila, you know that taking a taxi often comes with certain expectations: overcharging, rudeness, or being asked for extra fees. When we took a taxi from the bus terminal to our Airbnb, I was already bracing myself.
To our surprise—especially my foreigner husband, who often argues with taxi drivers in Manila—the driver charged us exactly what we owed and gave us the correct change.
This wasn’t a one-time experience. Every taxi driver we encountered was honest, polite, and professional. It made commuting surprisingly stress-free.
🏡 Our Stay: Gia’s Transient House in Loakan
We booked an Airbnb called Gia’s Transient House, located in Loakan, past Loakan Airport. I didn’t expect much, but the house turned out to be cozy, clean, and perfect for our small family.
It overlooked the mountains, and the evenings and early mornings were very cold—something we genuinely enjoyed.
What We Loved
- Quiet surroundings
- Mountain views
- Cold weather perfect for resting
The Challenges
- Narrow and steep roads
- Construction in the area
- Goats and dogs roaming around
- No nearby sari-sari stores
Taxis usually don’t go up to the house, so we had to walk to the main road to catch one. Grab was the only option if we wanted to be picked up directly.
Travel Tip:
Buy groceries before heading back to the house. Once you’re there, you’ll want
to avoid unnecessary walks.
🍳 Cooking, Takeout, and Budget Travel
There were nights when we ordered dinner through FoodPanda just to save ourselves from another uphill walk. Most days, however, we cooked and even grilled our meals.
This turned out to be the cheapest—and honestly the best—way to stay in an Airbnb, especially when traveling as a family. There’s a small talipapa before Loakan Airport where we bought vegetables, fish, fruits, and other essentials.
🤍 Kind Hosts Make a Difference
The owners of Gia’s Transient House were incredibly friendly and accommodating. On our last day, they even drove us down to the main road so we could easily catch a taxi to the bus terminal.
Small gestures like that mean so much, especially when traveling with a child.
📍 Places We Visited in Baguio
Even while taking things slow, we managed to visit several attractions:
- Burnham Park
- Mines View Park
- Mount Costa Gardens
- La Trinidad Strawberry Farm
- Valley of Colors
- Bell Church
- Mirador Heritage & Eco Park
- Lourdes Grotto
- Baguio Botanical Garden
We also walked near the Good Shepherd Convent—not to shop, but simply to enjoy a peaceful morning stroll.
Despite the cool weather, we were often exhausted. Walking while carrying a toddler really takes a toll.
🍽️ Food Highlights
Food was one of the highlights of our trip. We tried Patch, Purple Pad Thai, Canto, and Chimichanga—twice.
Canto and Chimichanga easily became our favorites. I’ll be writing separate posts about the places we ate and the attractions we visited.
👶 Traveling With a Toddler
Not all places in Baguio are stroller-friendly, so we decided not to bring one. Instead, we used a shoulder carrier.
My son always wanted me to carry him—not his dad. It was exhausting, especially with all the walking, but I still enjoyed the experience despite the sore shoulders and tired arms.
Travel Tip:
When traveling with toddlers, plan fewer activities and allow more rest time.
🧓 Plans That Didn’t Push Through
Originally, we were supposed to travel with my sister and my senior-citizen mom. Unfortunately, due to a typhoon and travel issues from Marinduque, they had to cancel.
In the end, it was just the three of us—and that turned out to be just right.
❄️ Slow Days, Quiet Nights
Because the house was far from the city, once we went out in the morning and returned in the afternoon, we usually stayed in. We rested, bundled up, and enjoyed the cold weather.
There was no pressure to go out again or see more places—and that felt refreshing.
❤️ A Changed Perspective
One of the most surprising parts of this trip was how much my husband fell in love with Baguio. He loved the cool weather, the people, and the discipline he felt throughout the city—even the strict waste segregation rules at the house.
By the end of our stay, he was already talking about coming back and joking about retiring there someday.
This trip wasn’t about doing more or seeing everything.
It was about slowing down.
About resting.
About enjoying small, quiet moments as a family.
Years ago, my disappointment came from expectations. This time, I came as a mom—with different priorities.
Baguio didn’t need to impress me.
It simply gave us space to breathe.
Sometimes, places don’t change.
We do.
🌿 Lakwatserang Ligaw Quote
"✨ Motherhood taught me that travel isn’t about going far—it’s about slowing down enough to feel everything. 💖"
📢 Share This Post
📌 Have you ever returned to a place and felt differently the second time around?
Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to read your story.👇
Watch out for my upcoming posts about Baguio City :)
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