Baguio is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines and not for the reason you might be thinking…
Most people think of deserted, white sandy beaches when they think about traveling to the Philippines. But Baguio is high up in the mountains and surrounded by lush forest. It’s often called “The Summer Capital of the Philippines” because of its cooler summer weather.
Baguio has everything apart from the beach. The weather is ideal, the natural landscape is INCREDIBLE, the nightlife hoppin’, and there are a heap of traditional shops and tourist attractions throughout the city.
Despite all these attractions, not a lot of people tend to visit this city. So you might have some trouble finding the best places to stay in Baguio.
But don’t you worry about a thing; you have me! I’ve explored this incredible mountain city and found the best areas to stay. Lucky for you, I’ve compiled them into this one-stop-shop guide on where to stay in Baguio; to make your life a heck of a lot easier.
You’ll not only find the best areas to stay but also my top accommodation picks and things to do in each. By the end of this guide, YOU will be an expert on the areas of Baguio and all ready to book your trip.
So, without further ado – let’s get into the good stuff and find out where is best for you in Baguio.
Looking for a specific place to stay? These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Baguio.
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Venus Parkview Hotel | Best Hotel in Baguio
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Baguio for nightlife, this is a great choice. It’s right in the city center and close to bars, restaurants, and clubs, and offers recently refurbished rooms with all the necessities. There’s a restaurant on site as well as a booking desk for your convenience.
3BR Hostel | Best Hostel in Baguio
This hostel in Baguio is close to the city center and offers a comfortable place to stay on a budget. The staff are friendly and do their best to foster feelings of comfort and welcome in the hostel and the furnishings are clean, modern, and suitable for a short or long stay.
4BR Panoramic View | Best Airbnb in Baguio
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Baguio for families or friends, this is a great choice. The home can fit between 9 and 14 people comfortably and offers simply stunning views across the city and the mountains. There are 3 bedrooms and one bathroom as well as a well-stocked kitchen where you can prepare meals together. It’s one of best Airbnb’s in Baguio for sure.
Burnham Park
The streets around Burnham Park make up the best area in Baguio to stay in if you want a stress-free holiday. It’s the safest area of the city and offers easy access to transport, including the central bus station.
Salud Mitra
Salud Mitra is another area close to the city center that offers easy access to all the restaurants, shopping areas, and hotels. It’s a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Baguio for your first time as it’s close to everything and offers an authentic taste of the city.
Engineers Hill
Engineers Hill is part of the city center, so it’s a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Baguio for nightlife. It’s filled with trendy restaurants and eateries as well as bars and even karaoke bars in case you’re feeling brave.
Travelling to Baguio is an epic addition to any Philippines Backpacking itinerary. It doesn’t have neighborhoods as most people understand them. Instead, it consists of 129 barangays that are led by their own captains and a council. Baguio is a fairly small city, so 129 barangays might seem like a lot. And although there’s been a lot of talk about merging the barangays, nothing has been done about it so far. But you can still find some great areas to stay in during your trip.
The Burnham Park area is the best neighborhood to stay in Baguio. It’s the city center and filled with cultural and historic attractions, eateries, and places to stay at every budget point. It’s also convenient to the rest of the city because of the transport links.
Camp John Hay is the second area you should consider for your trip. It’s close enough to the city to be convenient but offers more natural surroundings.
The third area is a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Baguio with kids. Salud Mitra is close to the city center and lots of entertainment options and offers easy access to eateries and shopping. In fact, you’ll probably be overwhelmed with all your choices when you stay in this part of the city.
And the final area is Engineers Hill, where you’ll find a vast array of restaurants, cultural attractions, and shops. You’ll find some of the best places to stay in Baguio in this part of the city no matter what your budget looks like.
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Baguio’s 4 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
Let us help make your trip trouble-free with this Baguio neighborhood guide.
#1 Burnham Park – Where to Stay in Baguio First Time
The streets around Burnham Park make up the best area in Baguio to stay in if you want a stress-free holiday. It’s the safest area of the city and offers easy access to transport, including the central bus station. Burnham Park itself is the most popular attraction in the city and it’s also a great place for the locals to relax and enjoy a spot of nature in the middle of the city.
This park was named by Daniel H. Burnham, the American architect who originally planned the city itself. It’s the oldest park in the city and has many features that attract travelers and locals alike. If you’re ever bored while you’re in the city, you can head down to the park for people-watching or to try out a range of activities. And the Baguio accommodation options that you’ll find around the park are varied to suit every budget.
Baguio Holiday Villas | Best Hotel in Burnham Park
This hotel is in one of the best areas to stay in Baguio if you want to do lots of sightseeing. It’s close to Burnham Park and other top attractions as well as to transport links. The hotel offers a beauty center, luggage storage, and comfortable villas with private bathrooms. This is also a great choice if you’re trying to decide where to stay in Baguio with kids as they have connecting villas for larger families.
The Heritage Mansion | Best Luxury Hotel in Burnham Park
Located in one of Baguio’s best neighborhoods, this hotel is within a short drive of the airport and offers 4-star luxury. It has a Jacuzzi, free internet, a beauty center, massage services, and air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms. It’s also close to eateries and shops so you won’t have to go far for a great meal.
The Wanderlust’s Haven | Best Airbnb in Burnham Park
This bright, modern apartment is one of the coolest places to stay in Baguio. It’s right in the center of the city and offers enough space for up to 7 guests. The apartment has a private bathroom, kitchenette, and all the modern furnishings you’ll need during your stay.
Things to See and Do in Burnham Park:
- Head down for a picnic in the park.
- Have a more active afternoon playing tennis or basketball in the park.
- Wander around and check out the local flora.
- Eat at the local restaurants like Solibao Restaurant, Cholo’s Gastro Park, or Canto Bogchi Joint.
- Grab some cash and head out to do some shopping.
- Check out the local nightlife at Rumors, Alberto’s Music Lounge, or Baguio Angel’s Super Disco Club.
- Check out the lovely Baguio Cathedral.
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View on Osprey View on REI#2 Camp John Hay – Where to Stay in Baguio on a Budget
The Camp John Hay area was once a military base set up by the United States Armed Forces. It’s now a popular tourist destination as well as a forest watershed reservation. This means that the area is protected and offers a beautiful slice of nature in the middle of the city. This is what makes Camp John Hay one of the best places in Baguio to stay if you want to be in a more natural setting.
As a tourist area, the Camp John Hay area has plenty of eateries and restaurants where you can try the local food. It’s also very close to the center of the city, so you can head in there to see the attractions or explore. And there are a wide range of accommodation options in this area too, which makes it a great choice whether you’re deciding where to stay in Baguio on a budget or not.
Camp John Hay Forest Cabin | Best Hotel in Camp John Hay
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Baguio on a budget, this is a good choice. It offers easy access to attractions like the Baguio Mansion House and Baguio Cathedral and is a short trip from the city center. There’s a restaurant on site where you can grab a meal and the rooms are comfortable and modern.
Le Monet Hotel | Best Luxury Hotel in Camp John Hay
This hotel in Baguio offers luxurious accommodations in a convenient area. The hotel has a sauna, indoor pool, a day spa, and free Wi-Fi as well as all the modern conveniences. Breakfast is served daily and there are two restaurants on site that serve delicious local meals.
Clean, Modern Furnished Studio | Best Airbnb in Camp John Hay
Located in one of Baguio’s best neighborhoods, this modern studio has enough space for up to 2 guests. It offers a kitchenette, cable, hot and cold shower, and access to a second and third floor terrace that offers amazing views. It’s also within walking distance of John Hay Techno Hub.
Things to See and Do in Camp John Hay:
- Check out the Bell House, a historic structure situated at the heart of the camp.
- Explore the history of the area at the History Trail and Secret Garden.
- Make sure you wander down to the Amphitheater near the Bell House to see the amazing multi-terraced gardens.
- Spend some time at the Lost Cemetery, established in the 1980s.
- Check out the John Hay Technohub.
#3 Salud Mitra – Best Neighborhood in Baguio for Families
Salud Mitra is another area close to the city center that offers easy access to all the restaurants, shopping areas, and hotels. It’s a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Baguio for your first time as it’s close to everything and offers an authentic taste of the city.
You’ll also find a wide range of restaurants in this area, from brewpubs to local eateries. And the shopping is great too, and ranges from huge shopping malls to more local night markets. This is also the best area in Baguio to stay in if you want to see all the local cultural attractions.
Bloomfield Hotel | Best Hotel in Salud Mitra
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Baguio for families, then this is a good choice. It’s a short walk from attractions like the Baguio Cathedral and offers a sauna, beauty center, terrace, and BBQ area. The rooms are comfortable and include a kitchenette, private bathroom, and a mini bar.
Microtel by Wyndham Baguio | Best Luxury Hotel in Salud Mitra
This hotel in Baguio is clean, modern, and located in the center of a busy urban area. It’s surrounded by shops, boutiques and tourist attractions, so is ideal for anyone wanting to explore. The rooms are modern and include a spa bath and the hotel offers on-site parking, laundry facilities, restaurant, lounge bar, and a tour desk.
Cozy Studio | Best Airbnb in Salud Mitra
If you want to be close to the city center, then this studio is in the best neighborhood in Baguio to stay in. It’s just moments from attractions like the Baguio Cathedral and surrounded by restaurants and shopping areas. The condo has a private bathroom and enough sleeping space for up to 3 guests.
Things to See and Do in Salud Mitra:
- Eat at some of the popular local restaurants like the 2600 Gastropub or the Rose Bowl.
- Go to the Emilio F. Aguinaldo Museum to learn about this national hero and first president of the Philippines.
- Head over to the Harrison Road Night Market for shopping and cheap souvenirs.
- Have a look at the distinctive pink façade of the Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral.
- Grab snacks or essentials at the enormous SM City Baguio.
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Grab an eSIM!#4 Engineers Hill – Best Area to Stay in Baguio for Nightlife
Engineers Hill is part of the city center, so it’s a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Baguio for nightlife. It’s filled with trendy restaurants and eateries as well as bars and even karaoke bars in case you’re feeling brave. This is one of the more populated areas in the city, but the population is still under 2,000, so you shouldn’t feel too crowded!
Engineers Hill is a fairly small area, but it’s popular with tourists. That’s why you’ll find a range of Baguio accommodation options at every price point.
Baguio LeFern Hotel | Best Hotel in Engineers Hill
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Baguio for your first time, this budget hotel is a good choice. It’s within walking distance of attractions like Burnham Park and offers laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, and clean, modern rooms.
El Cielito Inn | Best Luxury Hotel in Engineers Hill
Surrounded by restaurants, boutiques, and tourist attractions, this hotel is one of the best places in Baguio to stay if you want to be in a nearly perfect location. It offers car hire, a booking desk, and massage as well as luxurious rooms with a spa bath and kitchenette. There’s an in-house restaurant serving local delicacies and breakfast is served each morning.
Dome House | Best Airbnb in Engineers Hill
Whether you’re trying to decide where to stay in Baguio for one night or for a longer visit, this is a good choice. You’ll have the Dome House all to yourself and enjoy the clean, modern furnishings and proximity to local shops and restaurants. The house is suitable for 4+ people and is within walking distance to the city center.
Things to See and Do in Engineers Hill:
- Head out to one of the local karaoke bars like The Rabbit Hole Bar and KTV Lounge.
- Try some of the many local eateries such as Kalapaw, Yes Pho, or Inihaw Republic.
- Wander over to the Baguio Museum to learn more about the area’s history and culture.
- Check out what’s on at the Baguio Convention Center.
- Relax in Sunshine Park.
- Walk into the city center to take in the sights and try some new restaurants.
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Hide Yo’ Money!FAQ about Finding a Place to Stay in Baguio
Here’s what people usually ask us about the areas of Baguio and where to stay.
What To Pack For Baguio
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
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Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hotel Packing list for even more top packing tips!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Baguio
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Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Stay in Baguio
If you want to have a truly unique trip, then visit Baguio, a place that few of your friends have ever seen. While you’re there, you’ll be treated to amazing mountain vistas, strange and delicious food, and a climate that’s tailor made for outdoor activities. And you should make sure that you spend your nights at one of the coolest places to stay in Baguio, just to make your trip complete.
- Check out our ultimate guide backpacking around Philippines.
- Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in Philippines.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
- Our in-depth Southeast Asia backpacking guide will help you plan the rest of your adventure.
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