The inviting cold weather of Baguio City makes it on the top list of must-visit places every Holiday season. Not only that, it offers fun and exciting activities and spots to visit for families to enjoy. Cool, chilly breeze, sparkling bright, colorful lights, sweater weather. If you find yourself indulged in this magical season, then it’s finally the most wonderful time of the year.
The Baguio City government implemented “new normal” travel protocols to ensure the safety of every tourist going to the city as well as the locals living there. Unfortunately, the entire month of December is already fully booked, so you won’t be able to spend Christmas 2021 in the City of Pines with your loved ones. However, you can still spend your New Year in Baguio as January is still available for booking. Here’s everything you need to know before going to Baguio City.
December 2021 Ultimate Travel Guide to Baguio City
The type of travel requirements and entry protocols depend on the kind of traveler you are. You can be an Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR), Government or Private employee, returning resident, or a tourist. Make sure to know the purpose of your travel before visiting Baguio City.
For tourists, here are Baguio City travel requirements:
1. Visita Registration
- You create an account on visita.baguio.gov.ph using your valid ID.
- On your account, schedule a visit before your travel. You should schedule at least a day before your travel but due to the surge of tourists, it is better to book at least a week before your travel date.
- Starting December 6, 2021, the Baguio City government raised the tourist limit from 3,000 to 4,000 individual registrations per day. Slots for December are already full. But you can book registration slots for January now so you can still experience the cold weather!
- Travel requests are approved after the accommodation facility validates the booking. Take note: contact your AE for updates.
- You can only travel once you have received your QTP (QR-coded Tourist Pass). It is not authorized to register on the spot. STRICTLY NO QTP, NO ENTRY.
2. Full Vaccination
- For 18 years old and above, bring your vaccination card or certificate. Fully vaccinated tourists don’t need to present negative antigen test. Please note that full vaccination will mean 2 weeks after the second/last dose.
- Adults who have not been vaccinated or who have only been partially vaccinated are not allowed to enter the city.
3. Traveling with Minors
- It is permissible to travel with minors if they meet the following guidelines:
- Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated minor tourists aged 12 to 17 must present negative Antigen or RT-PCR test. This must be conducted within 72 hours prior to arrival or during health screening at the City Triage.
- Minors aged 11 and under will be tested if their accompanying parents or adult guardians consent.
4. Triage
- After the checkpoint, visitors must proceed to the City triage for health screening and verification of QTP and documents.
- Symptomatic tourists shall be checked and quarantined immediately, regardless of vaccination status or test results, and directed to health officials for further action. Prior to the visitor’s return to the point of origin, they will be notified.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE:
- Tourists from ECQ, MECQ, Alert Levels 4 and 5 places are not allowed.
- Always follow minimum health and safety protocols, wear a mask and observe social distancing at all times.
- Observe existing city laws:
- No littering: please make sure to bring with you your own trash bag since not all places have trash bins around.
- No smoking
- Vehicle coding within CBD, and others.
- Stay only in accommodation establishments provided in Baguio VISITA. You should only enter business establishments with Safety Seal issued by the city government.
- Business establishments observe strict protocols with limited capacity. Expect that tourists may be refused to enter.
- Wear appropriate clothing. The temperature in Baguio City is lower than most places in the country so make sure to wear clothes appropriate to the weather.
- Be sure to plan ahead. Before entering the City, you must prepare your itinerary for your convenience.
- For APORs, returning residents, workers, or students, register on hdf.baguio.gov.ph