How to enjoy the Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City - A Do-it-yourself Baguio Trip

Let me share with you my Baguio sojourns this year as I attended for the first time the much talked about Panagbenga Festival 2017.

I have been to Baguio many times before for workshops and conferences but it was a first time for me to be in Baguio City during the festival.

So here's what i did:

As early as December, I booked a room at www.travelbook.ph where I keep an account. I guess I saved a lot booking months in advance. I booked two hotel accommodation - one in Camp John Hay at http://lemonethotel.ph/ and the other at a much cheaper https://www.facebook.com/nearby.baguio.transient/. Both accommodations offer great advantages, more on that later :)

Then as early as a month before, I booked an online ticket at https://www.victoryliner.com/ sio I can have an assured seat. I booked the last bus going to Baguio on Friday night which is at 11:30PM. Good thing because as early as February 1, all bus are full-booked! And on the day I went to board, the bus station was sooooooooo crowded with all those hoping to be chance passengers. See photo below:

It pays to be early at the bus station as well. Timing was just right as we arrived in Baguio at 5AM.

As soon as I arrived, what better way to warm yourself in this very cold weather but to down hot strawberry taho! Yummy for only Php20 to Php30 only!

So we opted to pick the best spot for the Panagbenga Grand Street Parade where else but at the starting line!

Which is close by the Cafe at the Ruins where you can have some breakfast while waiting for the parade to start.

I was able to take a peek at the following day's floats at a nearby school ground:

And some late street dancers rushing by:

The parade started at around 8AM.

Will post separately the experience at the Grand Street Parade, Grand Float, Camp John Hay tourist spots and other Baguio sites.

Just to recap, so you can really enjoy Panagbenga with as little hassle as possible, you:

1. Book your accommodations at least two months before
2. Book your bus tickets at least a month before
3. Bring warm clothes
4. Choose the best spot - either at the starting line at Panagbenga Park or at the culminating area at Burnham Park
5. Prepare to walk, walk, walk as there's too much traffic :)
6. Bring enough cash for snacks :)

This is all for now :)

Hirayamanawari,

Rob