10 Things to Do in Baguio When It Rains
- Visit Balanghai ni Ikeng Theatre
- Check out indoor galleries at BenCab Museum
- Sip hot chocolate at Choco-Late de Batirol
- Read rare books at Mt. Cloud Bookshop
- Do beer tasting at Baguio Craft Brewery
- Go ukay-ukay shopping at the Night Market on Harrison Road
- Learn about the province’s indigenous communities at Museo Kordilyera
- Stay in and bundle up in the Manor at Camp John Hay
- Get a massage at the North Haven Spa
- Rejuvenate and beautify at PrettyMe Wellness Clinic and Spa
Baguio is hailed as the Philippines’ summer capital due to its cool climate that beats the typical summer heat. But, did you know that you can enjoy a rainy day in this province too?
We rounded up some of the best rainy-day activities in Baguio below. Read on to learn more!
1. Visit Balanghai ni Ikeng Theatre
Address: Ili-Likha Artist Village, Assumption Road, Baguio City
Contact No.: 0995 798 1983
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm
Balanghai ni Ikeng was constructed in 2018 by renowned film director and writer Eric de Guia, also known as “Kidlat Tahimik.” The whole theatre showcases indigenous wood crafts made from trees that have fallen after typhoons that hit Baguio.
The national artist constructed the theater to showcase Filipino indie short films. Check out Ili-Likha Village’s Facebook page to see the latest shows.
Pro tip:
Check out the other sights and activities the village has to offer. Order hearty meals in the numerous restaurants or check out the artwork of the village’s artists.
2. Check out indoor galleries at BenCab Museum
Address: Km. 6 Asin Rd, Tuba, 2603 Benguet
Contact No.: (074) 442 7165
Operating hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bencabmuseum/
Rates:
- General Admission – P150
- Students – P120
- Seniors / Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) – P100
BenCab Museum is one of the best museums to visit when you’re in the vicinity of Baguio and Benguet. The museum is the home to National Artist Benedicto Cabrera’s, or BenCab, personal works; as well as works done by other artists.
The museum has exhibits on modern contemporary art, sexuality and human anatomy, and the history of the Cordillera tribes.
Pro tip:
Eat at the museum’s Café Sabel. Order their bestsellers such as BenCab’s Chicken Paprika or desserts like the turon with vanilla ice cream or lava cake.
3. Sip hot chocolate at Choco-Late de Batirol
Address: Igorot Park, Camp John Hay, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Contact no.: 0916 375 6510
Operating hours: Saturday – Monday 7:30 am – 9 pm, Tuesday – Friday 8 am – 9 pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chocolatedebatirolbaguio
Choco-Late de Batirol is one of the best cafes to go to if you want a mug of hot chocolate on a rainy day in Baguio.
The cafe makes its hot chocolate using melted cacao placed on a copper pot mixed using a wooden whisk called “batirol.” These tools make the chocolate thicker and more flavorful than usual hot chocolate drinks.
You can also get classic Filipino meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. However, they are more known for their snacks like the turon, suman, and bibingka, which are good for pairing with their hot chocolate.
Pro tip:
They offer off-menu meals for a limited time, so make sure to ask for their special menu.
4. Read rare books at Mt. Cloud Bookshop
Address: 1 Yangco Road, Corner Brent Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Contact no.: (+63) 74 424 4437
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:30 am – 8:00 pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mtcloud/
Rates: Free admission
Book lovers can get local, foreign, and rare books at Mt. Cloud Bookshop. The bookshop also offers other items such as souvenirs and events like open mic sessions.
They have unique names for the sections for easier browsing. Their stationery items are by the “Death by Cuteness” table, the fiction titles in the “Imagined World” section, and the history and social sciences texts in the “Lessons Not Learned” section.
Pro tip:
The bookstore lets readers skim through the book before buying – something popular bookstores don’t allow. Make sure to make full use of it before purchasing.
5. Do beer tasting at Baguio Craft Brewery
Address: 4 Ben Palispis Hwy, KM 4, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Contact no.: 0962 052 7750
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday, 3 pm – 2 am
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BaguioCraftBrewery/
The Baguio Craft Brewery is considered the first microbrewery/taproom north of Metro Manila. The brewery’s bestsellers are their handcrafted fruit beers: Passionfruit, Strawberry, and Kiwi.
They also have finger food options available – the perfect pair to a glass of beer.
Pro tip:
Tell the staff your flavor preferences. They’ll give you a free taste of one of the beers before you buy a glass.
6. Go ukay-ukay shopping at the Night Market on Harrison Road
Address: CH7W+359, Harrison Rd, Baguio, Benguet
Contact no.: 0907 331 4409
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday 9 pm – 12 am, Wednesday 9 pm – 2 am
Home to countless “ukay-ukay” or secondhand stores, Baguio is popular for its Night Market at Harrison Road, where shoppers can get new and secondhand branded items at low prices. You can get preloved branded clothes for as low as 100 pesos apiece!
Food stalls are also available, should you get hungry while shopping.
Pro tip:
Make a list and bring sufficient cash so you don’t spend beyond or fall short on money while shopping. Bring a secure bag as well to place the items that you buy.
7. Learn about the province’s indigenous communities at Museo Kordilyera
Address: University of the Philippines Baguio Campus, 30 Gov. Pack Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Contact no.: (074) 423 0119
Operating hours: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm
Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/upbmuseokordilyera/
Rates:
- General admission – P 60
- Non-UP students – P 30
- Senior citizens / PWD – P 48
Museo Kordilyera highlights the culture and history of the indigenous people of the Cordillera region. Its permanent exhibits feature traditional clothing, everyday items, and wood carvings used by the ethnic groups.
Apart from its permanent exhibits, UP Baguio scholars also conduct related lectures, themed exhibitions, and cultural performances in the museum.
Pro tip:
The museum’s limited-time exhibit changes every six months. Stay updated on the latest ones through the museum’s Facebook page.
8. Stay in and bundle up in the Manor at Camp John Hay
Address: Ordonio Dr, Camp John Hay, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Contact no.: (074) 424 0931
Operating hours: Monday – Friday, 7 am – 9 pm
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/themanoratcjh/
The ultimate staycation place in Baguio is the Manor at Camp John Hay. The hotel offers everything for your comfort and peace of mind – a secure location with recreation centers, shops, and restaurants.
The Manor also offers special activities during holidays. Make sure to make the most out of these when you schedule your stay at the hotel.
Pro tip:
The rooms do not have air conditioning units in them because the hotel believes in providing guests with an authentic Baguio experience by letting them enjoy the natural air. When the room feels hot, ask the receptionist for an electric fan.
9. Get a massage at the North Haven Spa
Address:
- Casa Vallejo branch: Session Rd, Baguio, Benguet
- Ferguson Avelino-Main: Ferguson Road, 21 Avelino, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Contact no.:
- Casa Vallejo branch: 424 8112/ 0917 508 1349
- Ferguson Avelino-Main: 300 5022/ 0917 506 1349
Operating hours:
- Casa Vallejo branch: Monday – Sunday, 9 am – 9 pm
- Ferguson Avelino-Main: 300-5022/ 09175061349 (9 am-8 pm)
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/NorthHavenSpa/
North Haven Spa offers massages that aren’t your typical Swedish, shiatsu, and deep tissue massage. The spa offers native massages like the Tal-Talad-Tad body massage, Gis-Gis-To head massage, and Dagdagay foot massage.
The spa also uses local products in its services. It offers scrubs using Benguet products like Baguio strawberries, Benguet coffee, and even Benguet rice.
Pro tip:
If you want a private room for your massage, go to the Ferguson branch since it is the largest North Haven Spa branch in the city.
10. Rejuvenate and beautify at PrettyMe Wellness Clinic and Spa
Address: Mezzanine PNB Building Session Road, (At the main entrance take the stair going up, across Jollibee and Mcdo ), Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Contact no.: 0977 473 3870
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrettyMeWellness/
PrettyMe Wellness Clinic and Spa is Baguio’s first one-stop clinic for your beauty needs. It’s a great spot for pampering if the weather isn’t agreeing with your initial plans.
The spa is known for its Japanese Atama Head Spa service, a holistic head treatment that deeply cleanses your hair and scalp.
Pro tip:
If you have had any hair treatment done such as coloring or keratin treatment, wait a week before booking a Japanese atama head spa. The head spa’s detoxing treatment might lift the color or chemicals used during the hair treatment.
