This is the third part of my review of my study in Baguio from August 2023 to February 2024. This time, I would like to make a general review in my own way from the aspect of “entertainment”. Please refer to the previous articles on “Housing,” “Food,” and “Study.
- Baguio does not have much entertainment…?
- The Only Thing Baguio Lacks
- Baguio’s Atmosphere and People
- People tend to go out at night because it is safe.
- The range of entertainment varies depending on the season.
- Mountain Climbing: Recommendation [★★★★★]
- Beaches: Recommendation [★★★★★]
- Walking around town: Recommendation [★★★★☆]
- Visiting cafes: Recommendation [★★★☆☆☆].
- Tourist Attractions in Baguio: Recommendation [★★★☆☆☆].
Baguio does not have much entertainment…?
“Cebu” and “Baguio” are definitely the two major places to study in the Philippines. When you look at websites that compare these two places, you will surely see the following
“Baguio has less entertainment, so you can concentrate on your studies.
I don’t completely agree with this. I do not completely agree with this. Since I have only studied in Baguio, I cannot compare it to Cebu or other areas, but there are many places to play.
There are many mountains, the ocean is only 2 hours away (and it is a mecca for surfing), there are many fashionable cafes in the city, and there are a good number of hot springs and massage facilities…. Also, Korean men often go golfing.
Baguio is compact, but I have the impression that it has everything. I enjoyed just walking around the city and discovering new things every day. It is also fun to experience the local way of life by visiting local supermarkets and buying fruits at the market.
The Only Thing Baguio Lacks
The only thing missing, however, is a store for Japanese products. No matter who I asked, I could not find any information about such stores, and even I could not find any after I went around the city to some extent. I think this is a great business opportunity.
The urge to eat “miso,” “takoyaki sauce,” or “men-tsuyu” flavors that appear from time to time is hard to satisfy.
If you are a fan of “miso,” “sauce,” or “mentsuyu” flavors, I recommend you bring something with you. However, you can order them from places like Manila through the online shopping site (app) “Lazada“.
Baguio’s Atmosphere and People
The atmosphere of the city as a whole and the personalities of the local people are factors that influence the desire for entertainment in Baguio.
The first is that Baguio is a calm city. This plays a role in curbing the desire to have fun. In my experience, it is quiet wherever you go.
Perhaps this is due in large part to the fact that smoking is strictly regulated and drinking is only allowed in permitted areas. Somehow, smoking and drinking seem to be connected to entertainment, don’t they? It’s not that you can’t do it at all, but it’s more difficult than in other places.
Second, I have the impression that “people in Baguio are kind and serious.
It is a well-known story that cabs in Baguio do not rip you off, and I have not seen many business-minded people in the stores around town. It may be true to say that there is a lack of energy, but the people are quiet.
In downtown Asian cities, people often imagine that bars, pubs, and other places where you can drink alcohol cater to Westerners with money, but in Baguio, you rarely see Westerners. However, you rarely see Westerners in Baguio, so there may be a lack of such lively stores.
People tend to go out at night because it is safe.
I have talked about the city of Baguio and the personalities of the local people, but it can be said that Baguio is safe because of this environment. Therefore, nightlife is relatively safe. There are surprisingly many spots for drinking and karaoke.
The school where I stayed is a so-called “semi-Spartan” style, with a curfew of 10 p.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends. I would not say until 3 am, but it was no problem to walk on the street near the center of town at around midnight.
The famous drinking spots are a bit far from the city center, so a cab is necessary, but it is easy to get there as a 15-minute ride costs about 200 pesos (about 540 yen). Therefore, enjoying drinking alcohol is one of the entertainment supported by the safety of the city.
The range of entertainment varies depending on the season.
When considering studying abroad, you should take into account the season. My recommended season to stay in Baguio is from November to March. This is the dry season and it rarely rains. I feel that it rains only one day a month or so.
When I arrived at the end of August, it rained all the time. It is said that the so-called rainy season begins in May and lasts until October. August and September are also typhoon season in Japan, and typhoons come from the southern part of the country. The Philippines is directly affected by typhoons.
In Baguio, where there are many nature-oriented activities, it is better to have many sunny days. Going to the mountains or the sea during the rainy season is not an option. If that is the case, you will have more of an advantage in terms of entertainment during those seasons in facilities where you can play indoors in a more urban setting.
However, during the rainy season, not only do you not have the motivation to go out in the first place, but there are many places where you will have a hard time in your daily life. It is true that you can divide the time you can’t go out and concentrate on your studies by staying in school, but the risk of power outages increases, so you must be prepared for a certain amount of inconvenience.
From here, I would like to make an independent evaluation of the recommendations for entertainment and activities in Baguio. However, I am not very proficient in this area, so this is just for reference….
Mountain Climbing: Recommendation [★★★★★]
Baguio is a mountainous city, so mountain-related activities are abundant. Some mountains can be climbed in as little as 45 minutes, while others require an overnight stay at the foot of the mountain and 8 hours of climbing each way. It is nice to be able to choose a destination that suits your level.
The moderate exercise and the sense of accomplishment of reaching the summit is a nice break from what would have been a day full of studying. Baguio is at a high altitude to begin with, so it is relatively easy to get a great view of the city. Even though I had not had much experience in mountain climbing in Japan, it made me think that occasional mountain climbing was a good idea.
And there are many ways to enjoy the mountains. Not only just climbing, but also going to see the sunrise and sunset, taking pictures with illuminations, archery, spending time at a cafe at the top of the mountain, horseback riding, etc… You will never get bored of these challenges because they will entertain you in such and such a way.
Beaches: Recommendation [★★★★★]
The beach takes about 2 hours at the closest point, but it is a distance that can be planned as a day trip at all. I think in many cases you rent out a van, but when I planned it, a 10-passenger van will pick you up and drop you off at the designated location for 4,000 pesos (about 10,600 yen) round trip.
And it still reminds me that the Philippines is all about marine activities. It is refreshing to feel the everlasting summer temperature of over 30 degrees Celsius, which you cannot feel in Baguio, and you will be reminded of the comfort of Baguio’s temperature.
San Juan, on the west side of Baguio, is said to be a sacred place for surfing. I have heard that it is not a great place for professional surfers, but it is just right for beginners. Many people who surf for the first time often say, “I want to go back!” I have often seen people who surfed here for the first time become captivated by the place.
Walking around town: Recommendation [★★★★☆]
Walking around a foreign city is also a good experience. If we talk only about Baguio, it is easy to go out because the temperature is relatively calm. And the city is compact, so major shopping facilities are densely located. Cabs are also inexpensive.
However, what stands in the way is Baguio’s steep hills. Because of the city’s structure, it is said that tricycles cannot run in Baguio, and you will run into hills wherever you go. For those who are healthy and have no problems, it may be a good exercise, but for those who have a hard time, it may be a tough scene.
Visiting cafes: Recommendation [★★★☆☆☆].
It is often said that Baguio has wonderful cafes. It is true, and there are cafes of various concepts. There are cafes with spectacular views, cafes built like something out of Ghibli, cafes on top of mountains, and many other unique and photo-worthy cafes.
However, as someone who was never really into them, I can say that you could have the same experience in Japan…? I am afraid I can’t help but give you my opinion that you can have the same experience in Japan. Moreover, famous cafes are located on the outskirts of the city and are sometimes hard to get to…. However, if you like it, there are many spots that will satisfy you!
Tourist Attractions in Baguio: Recommendation [★★★☆☆☆].
There are several famous tourist spots in the center of Baguio. Stone temple-like things, flower parks, beautifully colored streets, ghost hotels, etc…. However, none of them lack impact! That is my honest impression. Of course, it is fun, but….
I once saw an English page that introduced a “Baguio Sightseeing Model Course,” and it said that after breakfast, we should go to XX area in the suburbs. I remember thinking, “What? It is true that there are many attractive tourist attractions in Baguio’s surrounding areas. So, tourist attractions in Baguio are like “hmmm.