At roughly 4,600 feet above sea level, Baguio has long been loved for its crisp air, pine-lined roads, and ukay-ukay treasures — racks of pre-loved sweaters and beanies that locals and tourists both dig through with the same thrill of discovery. But when the rains come, the city transforms. The mist hangs lower, the roads glisten, and the cold seeps in, perfect for travelers who don’t mind trading sunshine for soul.
I’d been to Baguio once before, on a return trip with my friend, Jewel, from Sagada, but we only had an hour to explore. So when I finally returned, this time in June, peak rainy season, I didn’t hesitate. If you find magic in gray skies, coffee steam, and pine-scented air, this is your cue to experience Baguio differently.
If you take quiet delight in a little drizzle while reading, wandering, or simply being still, here’s a guide to the city’s most comforting spots on a rainy day.
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1. Mt. Cloud Bookshop
FREE Admission | Hours: 10:30AM – 8:00PM daily | Phone: (+63) 74 424 4437 Address: Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road, Baguio City, 2600 | Facebook Page
Tucked inside Casa Vallejo is Mt. Cloud Bookshop, a cozy refuge for readers and wanderers alike. It’s run by sisters Padma and Feliz Perez, who fill the shelves with Philippine literature, local folklore, and indie titles that don’t usually make it to mall bookstores. You can easily spend hours here, rain tapping on the windows, as you leaf through books that tell stories of the Cordillera, of home, and of belonging.
It’s more than a bookstore; it’s a cultural space where words become bridges between travelers and the land they walk on.
2. Mount Costa
Admission Fee: P350 for adults | Free for children below 3 y/o | Hours: 9AM – 5PM | Phone: 63 917 702 8292 | Facebook Page
Located in La Trinidad, Benguet is a family-run farm-turned-landscape garden known as Mount Costa. It simply calls itself the ‘Green Living Room of the North.’ Boasting 24 uniquely designed gardens, this 5,500-meter garden is Baguio’s hottest hiking spot. It features two main trails (Yellow and Blue), which offer travelers of all ages physical exercise, relaxation, and fun. Food kiosks like Happy Tummy and Riench offer delicious drinks and lip-smacking dishes like Pad Thai and rice bowls.
3. Museo Kordilyera
Entrance Fee: P30 for non-UP students with valid ID and P60 for adults | Hours: 9AM – 5PM |Phone: 0945 803 6165 | Facebook Page
Museums are a godsend, especially on rainy days. But Museo Kordilyera is no ordinary museum – it’s a striking collection of Cordillera’s cultural, historical, and anthropological treasures. The museum’s ritual paraphernalia, rare heirloom jars, special garments, and a complete traditional Ifugao house help visitors visualize what life was like in the Mountain Region. You can spend all day reading about Cordillera’s legacy here and still feel like you haven’t read enough.
4. Night Market/Ukay-Ukay at Harrison Road
At around 9PM, downtown Baguio is abuzz with vendors selling anything from fashion pieces to jewelry items to street food! Head to Harrison Road’s Night Market (near Burnham Park) to hunt for the best bargains on branded shoes, windbreakers, beanies, scarves, and so much more. Just make sure you bring enough cash and negotiation skills to bag the best deals!
5. Camp John Hay
Come morning, it can be tempting to stay in bed when it’s raining. Fight the urge and visit Camp John Hay for a foggy morning hike. Walking through a dazzling forest of pine trees is unlike anything you’ll ever experience. Just be sure to get Google map of the area pre-loaded before you navigate the trail. (Though I totally didn’t mind getting lost in this ethereal place.)
Bonus: Baguio Craft Brewery
Hours: 5pm-12am (M-F) & 1pm – 12am (Sat & Sun) | Phone: (074) 620 2278 | Address: 4 Ben Palispis Hwy, KM 4, Baguio, 2600 Benguet | Facebook Page
Even beer snubs can find something that suits their tastes at Baguio Craft Brewery – the city’s first and only pub serving freshly brewed craft beer. Just tell the barista what flavors you enjoy, and they will let you sample at least three beer flavors that resemble them from 18 rotating taps. The only risk is that you might like everything you’ve tried!
Have you traveled to Baguio during the rainy season? Not yet? Give it a shot. You’ll enjoy the low-season hotel rates and encounter fewer tourist crowds.
And, like me, you will be reliving memories of Baguio whenever it rains.
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