The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog

BAGUIO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS for TOURISTS

Yosh Dimen


Last updated: 18 MARCH 2022

Baguio City is now under ALERT LEVEL 1! Great news for tourists planning a trip to the City of Pines because this means easing of restrictions and fewer requirements for the traveling public.

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Baguio is actually among the first big cities to reopen to tourists with an organized, digital scheduling process, in an effort to accommodate visitors and revive the tourism in the city. Over the past two years, the list of requirements have changed — especially the inclusion of a negative test result, which comes and goes — depending on the local conditions and number of cases.

But some requirements are constant. For example, visitors are required to sign up for a Baguio VISITA account, schedule their visit, and follow the health protocols during their stay.

Me (Yosh) at Mirador Hill and my teammate Asta at Igorot Stone Kingdom

If you’re considering a trip to Baguio soon, we’ll share with you the requirements you need to present and steps you need to take in this article, including some insights that we gathered based on our own personal experience. We also have a video version of this post below:

Who can visit Baguio?

For leisure travel or tourism purposes, only the following visitors are allowed to enter Baguio City:

  • All travelers from Areas under ALERT LEVEL 1 and 2. Requirements differ for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. (See details below.)
  • Travelers from Areas under ALERT LEVEL 3 must be FULLY VACCINATED. You’re considered fully-vaccinated 2 weeks or 14 days after receiving your second shot for 2-dose vaccines (only shot for one-dose vaccines).

Travelers 17 years old or below are NOT required to present proof of vaccination or testing as long as accompanied by vaccinated or tested adult.

Who are NOT ALLOWED to Enter Baguio?

The following are NOT allowed to enter Baguio City for now.

  • Travelers from ALERT LEVEL 4 and ALERT LEVEL 5 areas. The community quarantine status of your origin may change so ask the LGU for the latest update. These restrictions may also change in the future.
  • Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers from ALERT LEVEL 3. For Alert Level 3, only fully vaccinated travelers are allowed. If you only got one shot of a two-dose vaccine, you are considered “partially vaccinated.”

List of BAGUIO TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Here are the requirements for FULLY VACCINATED tourists coming from ALERT LEVEL 1, 2 and 3, including the documents you need to get a QR-coded Tourist Pass:

  1. Approved Baguio Visita QR-coded Tourist Pass (QTP) and confirmed schedule. You may need a valid ID and a recent photo to complete this. You’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to get a QTP below.
  2. Valid ID. Government-issued.
  3. Vaccination Certificate or Card. Here’s how to get a VaxCertPH. But LGU-issued vaccination cards are accepted, too.
  4. Proof of accommodation. If you’re paying for your accommodation, book an establishment that is listed on Baguio VISITA. You can also find below a list of accredited hotels in Baguio.
  5. Triage upon arrival. There is a central triage area, but some hotels and bus terminals have their own. More info below.

For UNVACCINATED OR PARTIALLY VACCINATED tourists from areas under Alert Level 1 and 2, any of the following can be submitted in lieu of a vaccination certificate:

  • Negative Test Result. This may be an RT PCR test done within 72 hours prior to arrival in Baguio. See list of accredited and licensed testing laboratories below or here!
  • Medical Certificate stating that the traveler is not eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine, issued by the Local Health Officer.

Here’s an infographic by the Baguio LGU that summarizes the requirements:

Here are other important notes to keep in mind.

  • Schedule your visit at least one (1) day before your trip.
  • Only a limited number of travelers per day will be allowed entry so make sure you schedule your visit beforehand.
  • No QTP, no entry! QTP refers to the QR-coded Tourist Pass, which will be issued to you when you register or schedule your visit. No walk-ins or on-the-spot registration. Travel only once you have a QTP.

What to Do Before Visiting Baguio

Here are the steps you need to take before your trip.

1. Create a BAGUIO VISITA account.

To do this, go to the official website of BAGUIO VISITA at visita.baguio.gov.ph.

Baguio VISITA is a new arm created by the local government, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board, to facilitate tourist processes in the city. VISITA stands for VISitor Information and Travel Assistance.

The website looks like this:

To sign up for an account, follow these steps:

  1. Accomplish the sign-up form. Enter your personal info (name, nationality, birth date, etc.), current address, and contact details.
  2. Upload a valid ID and current photo for identification. Most government IDs like passport, SSS/UMID, driver’s license, senior citizen ID, and voter’s ID are accepted.
  3. Read the Data Privacy and Consent Agreement. Click Confirm if you accept the terms.
  4. Check your email inbox. A verification link will be sent to your email address. Click on that and you’ll be redirected back to the VISITA website.
  5. Login again to finalize verification process.

That’s it! You now have a BAGUIO VISITA account.

2. Schedule a visit.

  1. Log in to your account. You will be greeted with an illustrated menu.
  2. Click on SCHEDULE A VISIT. You will be presented a form.
  3. Complete the scheduling form. You will be asked to provide details about your trip including your point of origin, purpose of travel, mode of transportation, your travel dates, your travel agency, your hotel or contact person in Baguio.
  4. Accomplish the HEALTH DECLARATION FORM. You will be asked questions about your current health (whether you’re experiencing symptoms), exposure history, and other clinical information. Click SUBMIT!
  5. Upload a copy of your VACCINATION CARD/CERTIFICATE (if fully vaccinated) or NEGATIVE TEST RESULT (if not fully vaccinated). Once you have uploaded the documents, click CONFIRM. Although your registration can still be processed even if you skip this step, it’s highly recommended that you upload a copy. Either way, you must bring your vaccination card or test result when you travel as it will be checked at Triage on arrival day.
  6. Finalize your application. After completing the Health Declaration Form, your application will be reviewed, which can take up to 24 hours.
  7. Contact the accommodation establishment you booked. Let them know that you have already scheduled a visit at the Baguio Visita website and that you’re waiting for their approval. Send them your name and all your companions’ full names. It should take up to 24 hours.
  8. Check your email or log in to the Baguio Visita website. When your application is approved, you should receive an email confirmation with a link to a QR Coded Tourist Pass (QTP). You can also check the status on the VISITA dashboard.
  9. Download your QR Coded Tourist Pass (QTP). This code is unique to you and it contains your name, photo, and travel dates in Baguio. You must print it or save on your device.

The QTP is essential. You have to keep a copy with you at all times when in Baguio because you will need to scan it at certain checkpoints including the triage area, hotel reception, and key attractions around the city.

The QTP looks like this:

3. Upon arrival, proceed to TRIAGE.

All tourists must undergo triage when they arrive in Baguio City. There are central triage areas but some hotels and bus terminals have their own.

  • For yellow QTP, the triage area is at Central Triage
  • For blue QT, you may proceed to your hotel or bus terminal for triage

Visitors who are showing symptoms, regardless of the test result or their vaccination status, will be tested, isolated, and referred to health officials for next steps.

4. Follow all health and safety rules within the city.

  • Wear a face mask at all times.
  • Observe physical distance of one meter.
  • Wash or sanitize your hands whenever possible.
  • Try to avoid crowded places as much as you can.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):

Are children / minors allowed to visit?

Yes, if they’re coming from areas under Alert Levels 1 & 2. Minors are not required to present proof of vaccination or testing as long as they are accompanied by vaccinated or tested adult.

For those coming from areas under Alert Level 3, vaccinated minors are allowed. We’re still trying to determine if unvaccinated minors from Alert Level 3 are OK. Will update this part soon.

We’re traveling as a group. Does everyone need a QTP? Can we register as a group?

Every single traveler needs to have their own QTP. But the good news is, you can now register as a group. This is a newly implemented feature of the Baguio Visita website.

To do this, one member of the group needs to create a Baguio Visita account and schedule a visit. Then follow these steps:

  1. On the dashboard, go to MY TRAVELS tab.
  2. Choose the trip you wish to add companions to and then tap the 3 dots next to it.
  3. Choose ADD COMPANION on the prompt that would pop up. You will be directed to the MY COMPANIONS page.
  4. Add a vehicle or add a companion for each vehicle. Then input the details for the vehicle or each
    companion accordingly.

Note that your companions should be staying at the same place on the same travel dates.

  • If you’re staying at a hotel/accommodation establishment, you can add up to 9 companions and up to 2 vehicles.
  • If you don’t have an accommodation booking, you can add up to 4 companions on one vehicle.

Once approved, each member of the group will get their own unique QTP.

I still have not received a QTP. It’s been days but my schedule is still not approved. What can I do?

Contact the accommodation establishment that you booked. It is usually the accommodation management that approves QTP applications. Let them know that you have already completed the Baguio Visita registration and scheduling process and that you’re just waiting for their approval on their end. Don’t forget to send the names of all your companions.

This happened to us. We were waiting a long time so we reached out to the hotel. They also could not approve my companions’ applications because they didn’t have their names. But once I sent them the names, they were promptly approved.

There were some other quirks, too. On another instance, the hotel management asked us to practically re-do the application because the Triage site assigned to us was at another hotel. We wouldn’t have known this if we didn’t contact them directly.

If you’re not booked with a hotel, contact Baguio Visita through the following:

  • (074) 446 2009 (7am – 11pm)
  • 0956 572 9097 (7am – 3pm)
  • 0956 572 9093 (3pm -11pm)
  • 0956 572 9094 (11pm – 7am)

I’ll be staying at 2 different hotels within one trip. How do I choose two hotels on Baguio Visita?

You can’t choose two accommodation establishments on just one application. If you’re moving to another hotel in the middle of your trip, you need to schedule two separate Baguio Visita trips.

This is also based on personal experience. Due to room availability issues, we had to book two hotels. We were asked to create two separate schedules on the Baguio Visita website, received two QTPs, and underwent triage twice.

Are there available public transportation options to Baguio?

Yes, visit this page for your options: BAGUIO BUS SCHEDULE!

Within the city, taxis and jeepneys are all operational.

Where can we stay in Baguio?

It is highly recommended to book an accommodation with a Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) from the Department of Tourism. Here are just a few of many options:

For more options, check out this post: LIST OF DOT-ACCREDITED HOTELS IN BAGUIO! ✅

Klook.com

Staying in a stranger’s residence for a fee is NOT ALLOWED and is punishable by law. If you’re paying for lodging, make sure you book an authorized hotel or inn.

What are the accredited COVID-19 testing centers?

There are dozens of licensed COVID-19 testing laboratories around the Philippines. But here are a few that you may book online via Klook.

SEE FULL LIST OF ACCREDITED TESTING CENTERS IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Are leisure tours allowed in Baguio?

All types of tours including DIY or same-day tours are already allowed.

UPDATES LOG:

  • 2020 November 19 – Originally published
  • 2021 March 2 – Removed swab test as requirement. Added public transportation options. Expanded scope to all tourists from PH.
  • 2021 March 19 – Negative RT-PCR/Antigen/Saliva test requirement is reinstated.
  • 2021 July 5 – Vaccine card/certificate is now accepted for fully-vaccinated travelers.
  • 2021 October 26 – Baguio reopens to leisure travelers. Only fully-vaccinated adults and minors aged 12-17 with negative antigen or RT-PCR test are allowed. More details above.
  • 2022 January 10 – Leisure travelers coming from areas under Alert Level 3 (including Metro Manila), even those who had been fully vaccinated, are required to present a negative test result.
  • 2022 February 21 – Fully-vaccinated leisure travelers coming from areas under Alert Levels 1 & 2 may visit Baguio again without swab test. Those coming from Alert Level 3 are required to present a negative test result.
  • 2022 March 18 – Applied Alert Level 1 changes. Added ADD COMPANION steps to Baguio Visita process.

*additional words by Mariah Cruz


More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️


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