How to Travel to Baguio this 2022
Just in case you were wondering if Baguio was open to tourists, we've got great news for you! You can now drive up to Baguio City to escape the heat and wake up to foggy mornings as it is now open to domestic tourists!
If you’re excited to finally get your cup of strawberry taho and jar of ube jam, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on how to travel to the City of Pines in the New Normal. In this guide, we’ll be talking about Baguio's travel requirements from when and where to book your flights, hotels, and COVID-19 tests, all the way to the guidelines you need to follow while in Baguio. Check it out:
NOTE:
UPDATED 8/1/2022: According to Baguio V I S.I.T.A. - For all leisure travelers, they must be fully vaccinated or have a negative RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to arrival. Registration can now be done in groups. Add travel companions within the Baguio V I S.I.T.A page through the My Travels dashboard.
UPDATE 1/18/2022: According to Baguio V I S.I.T.A. - Limits on the number of allowed leisure travel will be fluid and depend on active COVID-19 cases and health care capacity. But all approved travels with issued QTPs are honored and allowed entry within Baguio.
UPDATE 12/1/2021: According to the Public Information Office - City of Baguio Facebook page, the city is now under Alert Level 2 effective December 1, 2021. Adjustments on safety protocol and travel guidelines will take place for all locals and tourists.
Baguio Travel Requirements:
- Vaccination card/certificate or negative RT-PCR test result done in 72 hours.
- QR Coded Tourist Pass (Limited approval of yellow, purple, and blue QTPs)
- Confirmed Accredited Hotel Booking
- Confirmed Itinerary
- Valid Government I.D.
Step 1: Create a Baguio VISITA Account
UPDATE 8/1/2022: Add travel companions through your Baguio VISITA account. On the dashboard, click MyTravels menu to click "See all". Find the travel on which you wish to have companions and click the 3 vertical dots beside it. On the pop-up menu, select "Add Companion" to include their information and vehicle details.
UPDATE 2/3/2022: Red-shaded dates on Baguio VISITA have already reached the entry limit and therefore registration cannot proceed. Choose instead available dates, or book in hotels with standalone triage and with available rooms.
Visitors must make register at least 24 hours before their trip. NO QTP, NO ENTRY. Limit of tourists is up to 3,000 per day through a reservation system. If time slot or date is already blocked, limit is already reached. More info here.
Before your visit to Baguio, all tourists will need to create an account in visita.baguio.gov.ph.
To create an account, visit the website and tap ‘Schedule a Visit’ on the homepage. This will prompt you to sign up and register where you will need to input personal information, such as address, contact details, valid government ID and a current photo. Afterwards, an email will be sent to verify your email address.
Once you’ve been registered, you will now have access to your personal dashboard on visita.baguio.govt.ph and can now schedule your visit. If you do not have your confirmed accommodation bookings yet, you can come back to this page anytime once those details are ready.
Important Links:
Step 2: Get Tested for COVID-19
UPDATE 8/1/2022: As of May 15, 2022, leisure travelers need to be fully vaccinated or with a negative RT-PCR test done within 72 hours.
UPDATE: Effective January 18, 2022 a negative RT-PCR test, saliva test or antigen test result conducted within 72 hours prior to entry is required of tourists entering Baguio. Alternatively, tourists may be antigen tested upon arrival at the Central Triage - Baguio Convention Center upon entry.
If you are taking it before your trip, this test must be taken at least 48 to 72 hours prior to your entry and must be taken only at accredited laboratories.
Once you’ve received your negative test results, attach it along with the other travel requirements when you schedule your visit at the visita.baguio.gov.ph website.
Test upon arrival option: Visitors can also choose to take a COVID-19 Antigen test on site upon arrival. Should you choose to do this, the fee for tourists is currently at Php 500 (according to this announcement). Take note Saliva Test is not available at the Central Triage.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- List of DOH Accredited Laboratories: https://hfsrb.doh.gov.ph/1729-2/
For your convenience, you may also book your RT-PCR or Antigen tests on Klook and get your results within 15 minutes (Antigen) 24-36 hours (RT-PCR).
Step 3: Book your Accommodation
The next step is to book your accommodation with DOT-accredited establishments and hotels with a Certificate of Authority to Operate. Tourists may choose their Baguio accommodation from the list provided on visita.baguio.gov.ph.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- Accredited Accommodations: https://visita.baguio.gov.ph/accommodations
Step 4: Arrange your Tour Itinerary
After securing your hotel booking, you need to arrange your tour itinerary (if you plan to go on an organized tour) with a DOT-accredited travel or tour agency with a Certificate of Authority to Operate.
Face shields are only required in high risk environments like health facilities or establishments requiring the same for safety. Public establishments such as restaurants, tourist spots, and private work places may operate at 80% capacity. Dine-in establishments, museums, cultural centers, libraries, churches and tourist and leisure attractions operate at a maximum 50% and for fully vaccinated persons only and alfresco outdoor dining at 70% capacity.
Bars, night clubs and liquor establishments shall not be allowed under Alert Level 2. A temporary liquor ban will be set in place between 2AM-10AM.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- Accredited Travel or Tour Agencies: https://philippines.travel/data/Accommodation_With_Certificate_of_Authority_to_Operate.xlsx
Step 5: Schedule your Visit and Submit the Required Documents
UPDATE: Effective March 19, visitors must make register at least 24 hours before their trip. NO QTP, NO ENTRY. Limit of tourists is up to 3,000 per day through a reservation system. If time slot or date is already blocked, limit is already reached. More info here.
After you’ve finalized your COVID-19 test and confirmed your hotel booking, you can now schedule your visit via visita.baguio.gov.ph.
Log-in to your registered account (Step 1) and select ‘Schedule a Visit’ on your personal dashboard. From here, you will need to indicate details of your travel and your accredited accommodation.
Once that’s been completed, you will be prompted to fill out the health declaration form - which will serve as a universal health declaration form for all the places you’ll be visiting in Baguio. As part of the form, you will also need to upload your negative COVID-19 test results taken 48-72 hours before your travel date. However, if you choose to take an Antigen test upon arrival, you will be redirected to a testing form which you will need to fill out and upload.
After submitting, await an email from Baguio Visita for approval of your request!
Step 6: Save your QR Code Tourist Pass (QTP)
If you have met all the requirements for travel to Baguio, you will receive an email indicating the approval of your request to travel. You will also receive your unique QTP (QR Code Tourist Pass) via email which you can either download or print. This will serve as a contact tracing mechanism, your Health Declaration ID and travel pass through any border checkpoints and establishments you wish to visit - so keep this with you at all times!
Step 7: Arriving in Baguio City
Once you arrive in Baguio, guests will need to pass through two triage stations - first one at the checkpoint and the second one at the Baguio Convention Center. Here, they will verify your health declaration form, do any necessary health checks and contact tracing protocols before they give you approval to head to your accommodation. Those who have opted for on site testing will be tested at Triage 2 as well.
NOTE: If you are found to be exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, you may be denied entry or redirected to a nearby health facility.
Once you’re done in the triage center, you can now proceed to your hotel to start your much awaited vacation!
Important Travel Reminders:
Coordinate with a DOT-accredited tour operator prior to traveling
If you plan to go on an organized tour in Baguio, you are required to coordinate with a DOT-accredited tour operator or guide.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- Accredited Travel or Tour Agencies: https://philippines.travel/data/Accommodation_With_Certificate_of_Authority_to_Operate.xlsx
Always bring a digital copy of your QTP and other travel documents (such as full-dose vaccination cards/certificates)
Your QTP (QR Code Tourist Pass) is your gate pass to Baguio, your accommodation and all the establishments there. Don’t forget to carry it with you at all times as it will be scanned upon entrance and exit to hotels, establishments, and sites for contact tracing purposes.
Fully vaccinated individuals* must present their full-dose vaccination cards and certificates in place of their negative RT-PCR swab test result.
* - Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two (2) weeks after the completion of their required vaccination dosage.
Observe health and safety protocols
Be a responsible tourist! As much as possible, stick to your declared itinerary and comply with the minimum health and safety standards implemented in the province at all times such as wearing face masks and face shields, frequent hand washing or sanitizing, and practicing social distancing.
Get your RT-PCR or Antigen Swab Test from DOH-accredited laboratories only
Make sure to have your RT-PCR or Antigen Swab Test conducted only by DOH accredited laboratories, and your negative test result should not date later than 72 hours prior to your declared date of travel.
For your convenience, you may also book your RT-PCR or Antigen tests on Klook and get your results within 15 minutes (Antigen) 24-36 hours (RT-PCR).
If you are staying for more than six (6) days in Baguio, you are encouraged to take another swab test. Testing upon arrival remains an option for tourists with an affidavit of undertaking. However, it's important to note that when your COVID-19 test result is positive, you may have to shoulder medical expenses.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- List of DOH Accredited Laboratories: https://hfsrb.doh.gov.ph/1729-2/
Follow the guidelines while traveling and going back home
On your way to Baguio, stopovers are allowed only at DOT-accredited and pre-designated pit stops. The entry points are Naguilian Road and Marcos Highway. Don’t forget to show your QTP at all border checkpoints!
On your way back home, follow all the re-entry protocols of your hometown.
