Traveling to Baguio during pandemic 2022: The new travel protocols and requirements

For Manila (and nearby provinces) residents, traveling to Baguio is the most convenient escape trip from the stressful city life. Baguio City seems to have it all – nature, good restaurants, cold weather, kind people, and the perfect chill vibes. It is one of the premier tourist destinations in Luzon, especially Benguet, and has already lost billions in its tourism sector this quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

IS BAGUIO CITY OPEN FOR TOURISTS NOW?

YES, to help jumpstart the tourism economy, Baguio City decided to open its city to tourists, of course, with observance of safety protocols and requirements.

(UPDATE) March 2022: Tourists from areas under Alert Level 4 and 5 are not allowed, if from Alert Level 3, negative test results will be an additional requirement aside from full vaccination.

We went to Baguio last February 9, 2022, for our wedding. Yes, I’m married, loves! But we did the same travel process and submitted the same travel requirements as tourists, which I’ll be sharing with you.

Baguio’s New Entry Protocols & Travel Requirements

These protocols and requirements are as of March 9, 2022. These usually change occasionally, so it’s better to always check the Baguio Tourism FB page for updates.

✓ Tourists must schedule their visit on the Baguio Visita website.
✓ No QTP (Quick-Response Tourist Pass), No entry.
✓ For not fully vaccinated tourists, a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result for 72 hours prior is required for adults. The antigen isn’t accepted anymore. Unvaccinated minors are exempted as long as accompanied by vaccinated adults.
✓  For fully vaccinated tourists, a vaccination card that shows full vaccination, two weeks have elapsed after the second dose, is required.
✓ Tourists must undergo mandatory triage upon arrival in Baguio.

Before traveling to Baguio

1. Create an account on the Baguio Visita website. (https://visita.baguio.gov.ph/) You need to fill in your personal information, upload a valid ID and verify your e-mail. Each tourist must have an account.

2. Book your hotel accommodation in Baguio. You can’t stay anywhere you like, just like in the old times. DOT has an accredited hotel list in Baguio. We booked a room in G1 Lodge Design Hotel in Agoda.

3. Schedule a visit using your Baguio Visita account. Input your accommodation, date and time of arrival, mode of transportation, health declaration form, and your vaccination card OR negative RT-PCR COVID-19 result if not vaccinated.

4. Wait for your QTP to be approved after almost 24 hours. You can follow up with your hotels for your QTPs, for they are the ones approving it.

5. Download your QTP. There are different colors of QTPs based on your accommodation.

ON THE DAY OF TRAVELING TO BAGUIO

1. We left Rizal around 5 AM. We checked our QTPs on our phones, our hotel bookings confirmation, and valid IDs before leaving. (Note: If you took a COVID-19 test 72 hours prior, then don’t forget to bring the printed copy of your negative result.)

2. Upon our exit to TPLEX Rosario, we were stopped by the La Union checkpoint. We were asked about our destination and told them Baguio. We showed our QTP, and they let us go after. Marcos Highway is still the safest route but Kennon Road is also already open on a certain timeframe to avoid traffic congestion on Marcos.

3. We arrived around 10:30 AM in Palispis, a few minutes away from Baguio City, when a uniformed man stopped us to check our travel purpose. We showed him our QTPs, and he asked us to enter the KIA Building checkpoint.

4. One personnel was guiding us where to park while another one was noting our car details. They asked us to log our details, and show our documents (QTPs, vaccination cards). We will be given a pass so we can exit the checkpoint building.

5. If you have a BLUE QTP, you will already proceed on your hotel for they have their own triaging. While ORANGE & PURPLE QTP holders need to proceed on the central triage (CAP).

6. In CAP, we were asked to fill in a contract tracing form, wash our hands, and scan our body temperature before we were able to enter. The ladies at the registration desk scanned our QTPs, reviewed our vaccination cards OR negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result. They’ll validate it and then give you a triage clear form that you’ll present in hotels/establishments.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can seniors and children travel to Baguio for leisure?

Yes, they can as long as they have their negative RT-PCR test. But better check with Baguio Tourism announcements first if 15 years old below and 65 years old above aren’t allowed to go out in public spaces. If there’s an existing rule, then they can only do staycations.

Are there public transportations to Baguio?

Yes, you can ride a Victory Liner Bus in Cubao for P576 one way. You can see their schedule on their website.

Can I schedule a GROUP TRAVEL in Baguio Visita?

Yes, they already added this new feature this year! Check below how!

Do I need to book a travel agency to be able to roam around Baguio?

This rule was already lifted. We were able to go around Baguio without booking a travel agency.