Baguio, Philippines 🇵🇭
#587
16.41199, 120.593371
Nomad Score:
61%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Baguio City, known as the 'Summer Capital of the Philippines', is located in the northern part of Luzon, surrounded by mountains and pines. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 350,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of around 20-25 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Philippine Peso (PHP); 1 USD ≈ 57 PHP |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally drinkable, though bottled water is preferred by most residents. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include Globe and Smart, offering 4G LTE services. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Local banks include BDO, BPI, and UnionBank; international cards accepted widely. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local guesthouses, and apartment rentals. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless transactions are growing but cash is still widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include The Forest Lodge and Baguio City Hostel. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Hive and Baguio Coworking Space are great spots for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Artsy Cafe offers a peaceful environment with good coffee and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular meetups for digital nomads can be found on local Facebook groups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Baguio Expats and Digital Nomads Group on Facebook hosts various gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the most popular ride-hailing app in Baguio. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Local shops like Baguio Bikes offer rentals for exploring the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The nearest beach, San Juan, is approximately 3 hours away by bus. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly to major cities. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Major international carriers at Clark International Airport, about 3 hours away. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major access via the Marcos Highway and Kennon Road. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | The main transport hub in Baguio is the Victory Liner Bus Terminal. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | No formal transit passes; jeepneys and buses operate on a cash basis. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses operate frequently to neighboring cities such as La Trinidad and Tuba. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center provides comprehensive healthcare. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Soul Spa and The Yoga Room offer various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Anytime Fitness provide extensive workout facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats such as Ezy Laundry and The Laundry Room are available. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodpanda operates widely for food delivery in the city. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the famous Baguio strawberry shortcake and Pinikpikan chicken. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Green Farm offers a range of vegetarian-friendly meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café by the Ruins serves popular desserts and pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Session Road and the public market are great for budget shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Shopee are popular e-commerce platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Services like GrabMart deliver groceries from local stores. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Options include The Mansion and Don Carlos Pub. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Baguio Craft Brewery is known for its local beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine Depot offers a selection of fine wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food is abundant around Night Market along Harrison Road. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | For Asian dishes, check out the restaurant, Chaya. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Burnham Park and Mines View Park are essential tourist spots. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Baguio Museum and Tam-Awan Village showcase local art and culture. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Baguio Cathedral and The Mansion. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Baguio Cathedral is a significant landmark for worshippers. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Panagbenga Festival is celebrated every February with vibrant flower parades. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Explore the original neighborhood near Burnham Park. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | For performances, check out The Fortunato Halili Theater. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Baguio Public Market is famous for its fresh produce and textiles. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music events often occur at places like The Walls Bar. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Artwork can be found along session road and around parks. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local cooking classes are available at Good Taste Restaurant. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Explore galleries like the BenCab Museum. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Philippine Military Academy is a notable site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Baguio is known for its Igorot culture and practices. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Visit Camp John Hay for nature trails and a relaxing atmosphere. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Mt. Pulag National Park is a popular destination for hikers. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Botanical Garden offers scenic paths for walks and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mines View Park is famous for breathtaking views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Baguio Cathedral area has great spots for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Places near Camp John Hay allow for bonfires during designated times. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | LBC and JRS Express offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Places like iRepair provide gadget repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Check out sports complexes around Burnham Park. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language centers offer classes at the University of the Cordilleras. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Baguio City Library provides quiet study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Various barangay centers host cultural activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Check out GG Gaming Lounge for esports. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Baguio, but nearby La Union has options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₱70,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₱2,800,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₱55,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ₱2,200,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₱65,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₱3,900,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₱50,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ₱3,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ₱60,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₱4,800,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ₱45,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₱3,600,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Regular corporate tax rate is around 30%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Typically, the withholding tax on dividends is 10%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residential taxpayers are subject to progressive tax rates. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 35%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax (VAT) rate is 12%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Philippine tax laws apply to foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Property tax is based on the assessed value of real property. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Transfer tax is generally 0.5% and may vary depending on the property price. |