Baguio Travel Requirements: What You Need to Know When Traveling to the City of Pines in the Time of the Pandemic

Editor’s note: Due to the local COVID-19 situation and related government restrictions, there may be changes to the operating schedules of the establishments listed below. Please be guided accordingly.

Known for its cold weather and natural wonders, Baguio is a favorite destination among locals (and even foreign tourists) looking for an escape from the humdrum of their daily routines. Located in Benguet in northern Luzon, the so-called City of Pines recorded about 1.7 million tourist arrivals in 2019.

Baguio is approximately 250 kilometers away from the north of Manila, that’s why many Filipino families frequently visit the city. However, due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19 and the ensuing travel restrictions, domestic tourists are required to follow a set of guidelines imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Before you book your trip, check out these Baguio travel requirements.

Who Are Allowed to Enter Baguio?

Residents and local tourists are welcome to go to Baguio if they come from areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) o Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ). On the contrary, tourists coming from areas with heightened restrictions (Enhanced Community Quarantine and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine) are not permitted.

Prior to entering the city, visitors should have a negative RT-PCR, rapid antigen or saliva test (conducted by the Philippine Red Cross) taken 72 hours before their arrival. Moreover, they should present a valid government-issued identification card and register at visita.baguio.gov.ph through scanning QR-coded tourist passes (QTP). Tourists aged 17 years old and below are not required to present the aforementioned documents.

For the antigen test, residents can get it for PHP350 while non-residents or tourists shall pay PHP500 upon arrival at the Central Triage – Baguio Convention Center.

Fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to take the test, but they must present their full-dose vaccination card.

Accessible Entry Points to Baguio

As part of Baguio travel requirements, domestic or non-resident tourists can access Naguillan Road or Palispis (Marcos) Highway to enter Baguio.

LGU-registered Accommodation Establishments

To help you choose where to stay, the local government of Baguio has provided a list of certified hotels with authorization to operate. Residents and domestic tourists are required to sign up via the Baguio VIS.I.T.A website. There are more than 400 establishments you can choose from, including relevant information such as the place’s maximum capacity. Check out the complete list here.

No DIY Baguio Tours

If you are thinking of booking a tour service, you must check with the Department of Tourism’s list of accredited tour groups as part of your Baguio travel requirements. From strawberry picking to thrift shopping at the night market, tourists can select among 47 Baguio tours available at the online travel services Guide to the Philippines.

Dining and Travel Protocols

The province strictly follows the “no face shield, no mask, no ride” policy. This also applies to public transport drivers. F&B establishments are likewise required to follow safety standards and protocols for both employees and dine-in guests.

Before and during your visit, keep in mind that strict quarantine protocols are observed in the city, including wearing a mask and face shield, social distancing, regular washing of hands, and filling out the health declaration form. Those with COVID-19 symptoms are asked to undergo quarantine.