Baguio City, long known in the Philippines as “the City of Pines”, is no longer merely a summer destination for tourists looking to beat the tropical heat. With the increasing population density of Metro Manila, and the development of facilities and conveniences in Baguio City, more and more people are looking for the right house in Baguio City to move into.

While the boom in housing was somewhat slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, potential homeowners are still interested in finding a home or condo in Baguio City to move into. If anything, the reduced population density compared to other urban areas has made it quite a draw. Here’s what you need to consider if you’re looking for a house in Baguio City.

Proximity To The City Center

A forest getaway home sounds incredible until you realize how difficult it can be to access places such as supermarkets, hospitals, and banks if you live too remotely from the city. Before committing to purchasing or renting a property, ask experienced real estate agents in Baguio about how far it will take to get to these vital areas by car or through public transportation.

Size Of Desired Property

If you’re looking at a house or condo in Baguio City, you also need to consider having enough space for everyone who will be residing with you. Perhaps 36 sq.m. is just fine for two people, but this will definitely not be enough condo space for a larger family. The larger the amount of space you’ll need, the more expensive the property and the more limited your options may be.

Size considerations also apply to parking space, if you have a vehicle. Find out how much a parking slot will be in your prospective developments and factor that into your final budget for a home.

Length Of Stay In Baguio City

The longer you’ll stay in Baguio City, the more those two factors above matter. If you’re planning to permanently reside in Baguio, you’ll have to invest in maintenance, improvements on the property, and consider the ease of any daily commuting. Transient visitors who may be renting a property for a month or two may not be as concerned with these issues. Simply put: If this is your forever home, you may as well invest in a quality property.

Talk to real estate agents in Baguio to find the best properties for your stay. They’ll give you complete information about the state of your potential home’s utilities and maintenance. They can also help you find the best furnished, semi-furnished, or bare units if you choose to rent instead.

The place where you end up living will have a massive impact on your daily wellbeing. If the Summer Capital is the city for you, this is a great time to start looking at real estate listings to get the best possible deal. Make it a point not to rent or buy without having a good inspection of the property, and give yourself multiple options so you have a backup plan!

To help revive tourism in the famed City of Pines, Baguio City’s local government has permitted some hotels in Baguio City to operate despite its General Community Quarantine (GCQ) status. The general rule for tourists now is that travelers are allowed to enter and seek accommodation in Baguio City, so long as they have no COVID-19 symptoms or underlying health conditions. Children and senior citizens are permitted to visit, but for the safety of pregnant women, they are not allowed to travel for leisure to the city.

Strict Protocols Are Still Implemented

To prevent large public gatherings in tourist hotspots, travelers are required to schedule their visit to the city. Only 500 visitors are allowed per day, and this number is monitored by Baguio VISITA, a newly-created body to handle tourist processes in Baguio City.

Tourists need to provide information about their point of origin, the purpose of their trip, mode of transportation, travel dates for staying in the city, and their contact persons or hotels in Baguio City. After giving this information and completing a health declaration form, they need to declare where their accommodation in Baguio City is located, their itinerary, and their COVID-19 test results. You can opt to take an RT-PCR test before you arrive, then have it verified with your health declaration at the triage. You may also choose to get a COVID-19 test upon arrival in the city, with results available within 15 to 30 minutes of testing.

Tourists are then given unique QR Coded Tourist Passes, which they can print or save onto their mobile devices. These passes are a must for access the city’s triage areas, hotel receptions, and various Baguio attractions.

Taxis and jeeps are fully operational for public transportation. All tourists and citizens alike are expected to follow the city’s health and safety protocol. Apart from wearing a face mask and face shield at all times, visitors should observe the required one-meter distance from other people. They are advised to wash or sanitize their hands whenever they can, and to avoid areas that are too crowded.

Stay In Accredited Locations

It’s highly recommended that tourists book hotels or accommodations which have a Certificate of Authority to Operate from the Department of Tourism. Check online for a complete list of DOT-accredited hotels in Baguio City.

Alternatively, you may stay in a condo in Baguio City owned by a friend or relative, if it is located in an area that is not on hard lockdown. Note that staying in a stranger’s condo in Baguio City for payment is not allowed and punishable by law. If you are paying to stay somewhere, make sure your accommodations are authorized.
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Leisure trips, including day tours and DIY itineraries are allowed. You can coordinate with accredited travel agencies or agents – a must if you’re visiting areas such as Benguet, La Trinidad, and Tublay, which needs to be coordinated with the local government unit.