This underground river system is one of Apayao’s best kept secrets. Take a boat ride and discover the breathtaking stalactite...
The highest peak on the entire island of Luzon can be reached with no specialized equipment or skill! Good old...
This town is as fun-packed as it is remote! With its cool weather, dramatic caves and cliffs, grand rice terraces,...
No image represents the Cordilleras more than the awe-inspiring rice terraces that generations of local Ifugao people have built by...
These amphitheater-shaped terraces are found in the laidback village of Batad. A visit to the area would be incomplete without...
A must-see destination for art aficionados and museumgoers, the museum houses the works of Philippine National Artist Benedicto Reyes Cabrera,...
More than a showcase of indigenous craftsmanship, the Tam-awan Village exists to enhance the appreciation of Cordillera life, culture, and...
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Fun Things To Do
Nature and Adventure
The highest mountain range in the Philippines offers some of the biggest thrills in the country! Go white water rafting on Kalinga's Upper Chico River, cross hanging bridges in Abra's Kili Falls, or see the hanging coffins of Sugong in Sagada, Mountain Province. Also, check out a massive natural pool carved out by Girgira Falls in Mount Magitalan found in Calanasan, Apayao!
Food and Hospitality
The region's rich volcanic soil and misty mountain air make for the freshest-and biggest-fruits and vegetables in the country. Get your fill of goodness at the Café by the Ruins, Hill Station, or the vegetarian restaurant Oh My Gulay! In Baguio City. Every town and city also has places for highland travelers to spend the night. Just ask around!
Events and Culture
Thousands of years of culture await every traveler to this mountaintop region. Dive into a melting pot of Cordillera heritage at the Baguio City Market and Dangtalan Slow Food Community in Pasil, Kalinga. You can also witness amazing indigenous festivals like the Abrenian Festival, Say-am Festival and the unforgettable Ifugao rite called Punnok.
Arts and Crafts
The region is home to some of the best artists and craftsmen in the country. You are sure to find world-class weaving, pottery, woodcarving, and leatherwork across the Cordilleras. Get tattooed the tribal way by legendary mambabatok (traditional tattoo artist), Whang-od, in the mountains of Kalinga.
Top 5 Festivals
Panagbenga Festival
Originally created as a tribute to the city's flowers
and to help Baguio City recover from the 1990
earthquake, the Panagbenga, which means
"season of blooming", has evolved into one of
the country's most exciting festivals. Feast your
eyes on the colorful floral parades, dance
performances, and beautifully decorated
streets-all inspired by the flowers of the region.
WHEN: February 1-March 4
WHERE: Baguio City
Baguio Creative Festival
The Baguio Creative Festival honors the
region's artists througha week-long
celebration throughout the whole city.
Tourists can attend art workshops, visit
museums and creative spaces, and shop for
artisanal goods at the venues. It's no wonder
that Baguio City became the country's first
city to join the UNESCO Creative Cities
Network in 2017.
WHEN: 2nd or 3rd week of November
WHERE: Baguio City
Adivay Festival
Visit the mountains of Benguet and discover
the region's rich indigenous culture through
the Adivay Festival, an agri-tourism event
focused on rediscovering the history,
culture, arts, trades, and
trades and industries ofthe
Benguet province.
WHEN: November 6 (Opening Day)
WHERE: La Trinidad, Benguet
Lang-ay Festival
From the word "Lang-ay" which means "sharing
"t
among the people", this festival was created
in 2005 to promote Mountain Province as an
eco-tourism destination. This cultural festival
showcases the rich history of the province
through street performances, cultural shows,
and an agri-trade fair.
WHEN: 1st week of April
WHERE: Bontoc, Mountain Province
Bodong Festival
Bodong refers to the peace treaty traditionally
practiced in Kalinga, a testament to the people's desire to maintain peace and progress. Coinciding with the Kalinga Foundation Day the Bodong Festival is a grand celebration featuring musical performances, cultural dances, agri-tourism exhibits, and trade fairs.
WHEN: February 12-16
WHERE: Kalinga Province
things to know
How to get there
The Cordillera Region is primarily accessed by land from Metro Manila via NLEX–SCTEX–TPLEX and the highland roads leading to Baguio, Banaue, and Sagada. Loakan Airport in Baguio offers limited commercial flights depending on airline schedules. Travel times vary from 4 to 10 hours depending on the destination.
How to get around
Transportation options include jeepneys, taxis, vans, buses, and UV Express shuttles in major towns like Baguio and La Trinidad. For exploring rice terraces, caves, and mountain viewpoints, travelers often hire private vans, motorbikes, or join guided tours. Mountain roads can be steep and winding, so experienced drivers are recommended for long routes.
Where to stay
CAR offers a variety of accommodations: boutique hotels and lodges in Baguio, homestays in Sagada, eco‑lodges in Ifugao, and mountain resorts across Benguet and Mountain Province. Options range from budget inns to full‑service hotels with scenic highland views.
Internet
Internet connectivity is reliable in major towns such as Baguio, La Trinidad, and Banaue. Most hotels, cafés, and restaurants offer free Wi‑Fi, and mobile data from Globe, Smart, and DITO works well in populated areas. Speeds may vary in remote mountain villages or high‑altitude trekking areas.
Language
The region is linguistically diverse, with Ilocano, Kankanaey, Ifugao, Ibaloi, and other indigenous languages spoken across the provinces. Filipino and English are widely used in tourism, business, and transportation, making communication easy for visitors.
Currency
The official currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP). ATMs and banks are available in major towns like Baguio, Banaue, and Bontoc. Smaller villages, local markets, and rural attractions may prefer cash, so carrying pesos is recommended when traveling outside urban centers.
Timezone
The Cordillera Region follows Philippine Standard Time (PST), which is UTC+8. The Philippines does not observe daylight saving time, so the time remains consistent year‑round.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What makes the Cordillera Administrative Region a unique destination?
The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is known for its mountain landscapes, cool climate, indigenous heritage, and UNESCO‑recognized rice terraces. Travelers visit for the pine‑lined streets of Baguio, the breathtaking Banaue and Batad Rice Terraces, the caves and adventure trails of Sagada, and the cultural traditions of the Ifugao, Kankanaey, and other Cordilleran peoples. The region offers a refreshing blend of nature, culture, and highland charm.
How do travelers usually reach the Cordillera Region?
Most visitors travel by private car, bus, or van from Metro Manila to Baguio, Banaue, or Sagada. Major access routes include NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX, connecting to the highland roads of Benguet and Ifugao. Baguio also has limited commercial flights via Loakan Airport, depending on season and airline operations.
What activities and attractions are popular in the Cordilleras?
Top experiences include exploring Baguio’s parks and museums, trekking the rice terraces of Ifugao, visiting Sagada’s caves and Echo Valley, hiking Mt. Pulag, and discovering the weaving villages, cultural sites, and mountain viewpoints across the region. CAR is also known for its cool weather, coffee culture, and artisanal crafts.
Is the Cordillera Region suitable for families and first‑time travelers?
Yes. CAR offers a wide range of family‑friendly attractions, safe road networks, and modern accommodations in major towns. Its cool climate, scenic landscapes, and gentle adventure options make it ideal for families, couples, and first‑time visitors seeking a peaceful mountain escape.
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