BAGUIO BIRTHDAY TRIP (2025)

4/21/2025 12:31:00 AM

Last February 2025, we went on a 3D2N trip to Baguio City—yes, again! If you’ve been following my blog or YouTube, you probably know by now that my yearly Baguio tradition started way back in 2016. I had plans to return in 2020, but the pandemic put those on hold. I finally made it back for my birthday last year, and of course, I couldn’t resist going again this year!

I really miss the cold weather, the food, and the laid-back lifestyle in Baguio. One of the reasons I keep coming back is to experience how the city feels during different months—each visit brings a unique vibe, especially with the changing weather. It’s like rediscovering Baguio all over again every time.
Back again in Baguio last Feb 2-5, 2024 for my 36th Birthday.
Previous BAGUIO BLOGS. Feb 2016. Nov. 2016. 2017. 2018. 2019. 2024.
Baguio City, located in the province of Benguet, is known to have a coolly climate because of its geography. It’s basically located in the northern part of the Philippines, up in mountains of Benguet.

About a month before our trip, I booked our tickets online through Victory Liner and chose the ROYAL BUS (Sleeper Bus) again. I had a great experience with it last year, so I didn’t think twice about riding it again. This time, we booked the 12 AM schedule—unlike last year when we took the 2 AM trip. I noticed that the 12 AM bus was a lot more packed, which I wasn’t expecting. Still, the overall experience was comfortable and convenient, just like before.

We left Manila around 12 AM, and I was pretty comfortable throughout the ride. The sleeper bus was spacious enough for me to get some rest, especially since the seat could be fully reclined. They also provided free water, snacks, and a blanket (which you can keep—such a nice touch!). Each seat came with a charging port, roomy leg space, and privacy curtains, which made the ride feel more cozy and personal.
I was so excited for the trip that I had a hard time falling asleep, though! 😅 We arrived in Baguio at around 3:45 AM, a bit earlier than expected—which was a pleasant surprise!
For this trip, I actually booked a 4D3N stay so I could arrive earlier in the morning. Since there was no early check-in available, we headed straight to our transient accommodation at Summer Pines Residences, which is about a 10-minute ride from the city.

This time, we stayed in a condo-type unit located on one of the lower floors of the building. I wanted to try something different for this trip, so I went with this option. Once we arrived, we settled in and slept until lunchtime—it was cozy and had all the essential amenities we needed, which made the stay convenient.

However, one downside for me was the location. Being on a lower floor, the unit didn’t have any windows or access to natural air, which made it feel a bit closed off. Still, it was a comfortable place to rest and recharge.

After checking in, we rested until around 12 PM before heading out for lunch. We ate at Little Milkyway, located inside the Ili-likha Artist Village near Session Road. This spot has become my go-to every time I visit Baguio—I absolutely love their vegan dishes and the generous serving sizes. The food is always satisfying, and the artsy, cozy atmosphere of the place just adds to the experience.

After lunch, we headed to Mirador Heritage and Eco Park, located on Mirador Hill. I’ve seen so many tourists visiting this spot, so I was really curious to experience it for myself.

It was my first time there, and honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this beautiful! The place had such a peaceful and scenic vibe—perfect for unwinding and soaking in Baguio’s natural charm. Definitely worth the visit!
For dinner, we finally got to try the famous Agara Ramen—a spot I’ve been wanting to visit every time I’m in Baguio, and I’m so glad I finally did this year!

Honestly, I wish I had tried it sooner because it was hands down the BEST RAMEN I’ve ever had! The servings were huge and the flavors were absolutely delicious. It totally lived up to the hype, and I’m already looking forward to going back on my next trip!
Had a late sleep that night so woke up late for my BIRTHDAY! Bought my fave Strawberry Shortcake from Viscoz.

Had our lunch again at Little Milkway in Ili-Likha Artist Village.

After dinner, we took a chill walk at the Botanical Garden. I first visited this place back in 2012, and it was nice to see how much it has improved over the years. The renovations are ongoing, and the garden is really starting to look beautiful and well-maintained.

Since we went on a Tuesday afternoon, it was pretty quiet—almost too quiet. The place felt a bit empty and eerie at times, especially because it’s such a large area. I wanted to explore the upper part of the garden, but since there weren’t many people around, it felt a bit scary to go further alone. Maybe next time with more company!
Next, we dropped by Hot Cat Café along Yangco Road, which is tucked behind the well-known Mt. Cloud Bookstore. Unfortunately, the café was closed when we got there, which was a bit of a letdown.

Still, we decided to hang out for a bit, had a quick drink outside, and just enjoyed the chilly Baguio vibe. It was already around 6 PM and starting to get dark—and super cold—so we eventually decided to head out and call it a night.
Later that night, we decided to head over to SM Baguio. I wanted to stroll around while soaking in the chilly weather. We made our way to the huge balcony on the top floor, where we just relaxed and enjoyed the stunning view. The cold was really refreshing—it was around 17 degrees at that time, which made the experience even more special.

For dinner, we went at the Night Market along Harrison Road, which is always a must-visit in Baguio. Since it was the start of the Panagbenga Festival, there were tons of food stalls set up around Burnham Park. It was a bit early when we arrived, so the crowds were still light, which gave me the perfect opportunity to try a bunch of different foods. My absolute favorite was the Korean street food—I loved it so much, I went back three times! Definitely a highlight of the trip!

After eating, we decided to take a relaxing stroll around Burnham Park. The last time I visited was back in 2012, and honestly, I usually avoid this area because it can get really crowded and touristy. However, this time it was much quieter, which made the walk much more enjoyable. It was nice to wander around at night, but I couldn’t shake off a bit of paranoia due to some dark, isolated spots around the park. So, we ended up cutting our stroll short and decided not to chill there for too long.
The next day, we checked out early and left our bags at the SM Baguio Tourist Baggage Center. It was my first time using this service, and it turned out to be super convenient for a small fee.
For brunch, we headed to Oh My Gulay, located in the La Azotea Building on Session Road. This spot has been iconic for years, and I’ve always wanted to visit. The restaurant has a cozy treehouse-like atmosphere on the top floor, and they specialize in delicious vegan dishes—a perfect place to enjoy some healthy, flavorful food!

After brunch, we decided to take a leisurely stroll along Session Road. To kill time, we visited the local church, had a cozy coffee break at a nearby café, chill at Ili-Likha again and then made our way to the market to pick up some pasalubong (souvenirs) to bring back home. Had another tambay at the balcony in SM Baguio again.

Then went to Victory Liner an hour before our departure time. Went back to Manila at 5pm and arrived at around 9:30pm.

I really had a fun time during my 2025 trip to Baguio, especially since I got to revisit the places I’ve missed, and I also explored some new spots this time around. My main goal was to really enjoy the moment, but to be honest, it felt a little bitin since I was rushing again.

I’m hoping to return during the ber months to experience a different type of weather. For sure, I’ll be back later this year, and I’m hoping I can fully relax and enjoy everything even more next time!