Burnham Park, Baguio City: Travel Guide + Itinerary + Budget

We arrived at BURNHAM PARK safe, one of the Philippine's most well known and best-loved parks. It is said to be the very heart of Baguio City.  With an area of 32.84 acres, its central location makes the valuable piece in Baguio real estate. 

Did you know: 

Daniel H. Burnham 1846-1912

"It was designed and named after Daniel Hudson Burnham, an American architect who was also an urban planner.
His original lay-out made centuries ago still is seen in the park with some true Filipino fashion added to make it enjoyable for everyone.

Its 12 cluster areas and FEES:

• the man-made lake with rowboats for hire that folks refer to as the Burnham Lagoon
• 100 php for 30 minutes 

• the Children's Playground
• 50 php/5 mins Bump car 
• 20 php/head convoy race
• 35 php/head carousel ride
• 30 php/head funny flight
• 70 php/head/3 rounds rio grande train
• 30 php/head animal fantasy

• the Skating Rink 
• 20 php/ hr with your own roller blades 
• 30 php/3o mins roller skates rental 
• 100 php/30 mins roller blades rental

• the Rose Garden, 

• the Orchidarium, 

• Igorot Garden, 

• Melvin Jones Grandstand, 

• the Athletic Bowl, 

• a Picnic Grove, 

• the Japanese Peace Tower, 

• Pine Trees of the World, and 

• Sunshine Park

The goal was to serve as much as needed green park, to provide bustling city with peaceful environment and wide open spaces. 

Now it is under Filipino administration is more of an amusement park with boating, bicycle and skating areas, sports and gaming areas plus a few eateries."

I thought to myself, what's so special with this park?  The grass was withered, the stadium vandalized, and the area barren.  Not knowing, we entered the back area. hahaha. 

So, we walked more to get in and there the beauty of the pine trees and great landscaping awed me. hahaha. 

Thus, never trust the back area. 

Mom and Chesca strolling at Burnham Park

my selfie moment

HOW TO GO THERE

Bus Terminal Choices

• Victory Liner (our choice) - Cubao, Quezon City or Pasay
• Genesis Transport - Avenida, Manila, Cubao, Quezon City
• Philippine Rabbit - Avenida, Manila

TIPS for COMMUTERS

1. Midnight Trips are the best time to take the bus or by private cars.  

2. It takes 5 to 6 hours usually via bus with two stop-overs.  

3. Also booked your return trip back to Manila to make sure of your seats.

4. You can buy ticket online (victory liner) and even reserve your seat for only 50 php.

5. Once in Baguio, taking the taxi is not much a problem. Flag rate is 35 php for the first 500 meters. 2 php every succeeding 400 meters and 2 php for the waiting time per 60 seconds.

  - 200/250 for 4 heads

  - drivers give exact change

  - over supply of taxis

DIY BURNHAM TOUR: 7 AM - 11 AM

01:00 AM    :  Victory Liner Bus Trip

06:00 AM    :  ETA Baguio City/ Victory Liner Terminal

07:00 AM    :  Walk around Baguio City/ ETA Burnham Park

10:00 AM    :  Enjoying Park/ Eating/ Buying/ Cycling

*JEWELRY/ACCESSORIES SHOPPING.

Mom looked for the accessories vendor right away.  They were still there.  They sell silver accessories at a cheap price. Accessory bracelets are only 50 php.

* STRAWBERRY TAHO.

Chesca and I got the strawberry taho for 30 php.  Of course, it ain't Baguio without strawberry taho.  We liked it.  I like it a lot. 

mom choosing her accessories

Chesca and strawberry taho

* SNACKING.
But what made our park stay delicious was the green mango.  Oh my! the sweet spicy sauce was perfect.  I think I ate 2 packs of it. Each pack was P25.00.  Mom also bought boiled peanuts.

*CHILLING OUT.  We were just seated on the cemented ground while enjoying the sunny cool weather.  It drizzled slightly but then it stopped. What made it best was our endless story. hahaha.

hand salute to the spicy green mango

peace ya ' all...Merry Christmas!

*  CYCLING.
Chesca already invited to try the bicycle at the park.  At first, it was only her and then I joined her. Whew!  My knees hurt. hahaha. The bicycle pedal was kinda low so my knees had to bend and rotate. The park was filled with various bicycles and guests.  Mom took a rest while Chesca and I enjoyed the ride.  Such a moment to cherish!  The fee was 50 php for 30 minutes.  

After the happy mother-daughter cycling, we left the park. We took the cab going to Hotel Henrico.  I only paid 60 php.

IMPRESSIONS on PARK

*  Pine trees by the surroundings were high and so green.

*  Benches were clean to sit on.

*  Shrubs around were also cut uniformly.

*  No litters visible.

*  Vendors were disciplined to sell just by the sidewalk not to block tourists.

*  Air so fresh. I  loved it.

*  The water on the pond was also clean.

IMPRESSIONS on TAXIS

*  We got surpise the fare was so affordable.  
*  The taxi's window was down.  No need of the AC since the weather was already cold (19 degrees).  
*  It ain't a car taxi but an fx taxi. Too spacious for the three of us. 
*  It was also traffic (due to tourists) but we made it to the hotel.
*  It was also a short-distanced travel.

When you take the cab, make sure to say Kisad or Legarda. There's also Legarda Hotel Henrico, that's why.