Why visit Sagada
Where do broken hearts go? As the beloved romantic comedy flick “That Thing Called Tadhana” suggests, Sagada is an idyllic place with a laid-back aura that can help mend broken hearts. But, make no mistake about it – Sagada isn’t just a destination for the hurting millennial or introspective soul-searcher.
With plenty of opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, caving and even white-water rafting, Sagada can also be a playground for active and intrepid adventure junkies. And, did we mention that it has an intriguing culture and mouthwatering food?
How to get to Sagada
Private Transport or Car Rental from Metro Manila If you are an experienced and daring driver, you may rent a car or take your own, and drive to Sagada from Manila. But remember, the travel time from Manila to Sagada is about 12 hours per way, so you might need an extra driver if you prefer this option.
You’ll drive along NLEX, and pass by a few provinces, such as Bulacan, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao and Mountain Province. Check Visit Sagada, to get helpful driving tips and directions to Sagada.
Buses From Quezon City Coda Lines offers direct trips from Quezon City to Sagada for 720 PHP per person. This is definitely the easiest way to get Sagada from Metro Manila. Buses leave every day at 9:00 from their terminal at 277 E Rodriquez Sr. Ave, Cathedral Heights (near Saint Luke’s Hospital). Travel time is more or less 13 hours.
For reservations, you can reach out to Coda lines at 0929 521 3229 or 0927 559 2197. As for the return trip, there are buses from Sagada that leave for Quezon City at 3:00 PM every day.
Buses From Baguio Want to retrace the footsteps of the lead characters of That Thing Called Tadhana? Alternatively, you could swing by Baguio, and visit all the spots featured on the film like Café by the Ruins, before heading out to Sagada.
There are a lot of bus liners that will take you from Manila to Baguio. Victory Liner, for instance, have buses that leave for Baguio each hour from their four terminals in the metro – Caloocan, Cubao, Pasay and Manila. Travel time to 5 to 6 hours, and fare is 455 PHP each.
Upon your arrival in Baguio, make your way to the GL Liner Station in Baguio Dangwa terminal. Then, take a 6-hour bus ride to Sagada (fare is 220 PHP). Buses to the mountainous town leave every hour from 6:30 to 11:30 AM.
To get back to Baguio, take any of the buses that depart from Sagada (6:00 AM to 1:00 PM)
An important thing to note upon arrival – Environmental Fee Once you arrive in Sagada, go to the tourism office, and pay 35 PHP for the environmental fee. Afterwards, they will give a receipt that you should keep during the whole duration of your visit. You may be asked to show it before entering many of the town’s sites.
Photo credit: Flickr/Bus Terminal/Roslyn/CC-BY
How long should you stay
While you only need a few days to explore all the town’s Sagada attractions, Sagada is one of the relaxing places in the archipelago where you can stay for weeks just soaking up the breezy mountain air. It’s fairly inexpensive as well, even by Pinoy standards, meaning you can stay there for as long as you want.
But for most travelers and visitors, 3 days is enough to see all its famous and major sights.
_Photo credit: Flickr/Sagada/Allan Ascaño/CC-BY_
Getting around
With a total land area of just 8,000 hectares, most of the areas in Sagada can be reached on foot. You can bring your own mountain bike for an extra dose of adventure. Also, there are jeepneys and vans that can be rented to take you to the jump off points to far destinations like Lake Danum, Kiltepan Viewdeck and Bomod-ok Falls.
Photo credit: Flickr/Sagada/jojo nicdao/CC-BY
Where to stay
There’s no shortage of inns and lodges in Sagada, ever since it embraced tourism. But like any savvy Pinoy travel junkie, it’s best that you book your reservations in advance. For the most part, basic accommodations in Sagada cost around 250 to 350 PHP a night per person.
Recommended places to stay in Sagada:• Residential Lodge: 0929 625 7419• Indigenous Inn: 0921 645 5679• Gecko Inn: 0920 289 5471• Alibama: 0920 813 5797• Alapo’s: 0921 327 9055• Alibama: 0920 813 5797• Alfredo’s: 0948 711 2112• Ganduyan: 0921 273 8097• Canaway: 0910 709 2631• Green House: 0946 460 7726• George Guesthouse: 0918 548 0406
Where to eat
With its remote location and limited supplies, don’t expect much variety, when it comes to food, in Sagada. As a matter of fact, you’d rarely see restaurants offering seafood in this hilly and chilly town. Nevertheless, food here is delicious, cheap, and often served in large portions to satisfy the grumbling stomach of a hungry trekker. Expect to pay around 300 PHP for a meal with drinks.
• Yoghurt House – Specializes in fresh local produce and yoghurt dishes• Sagada Bew – Serves the best desserts and coffee in town, and has mouthwatering dishes on their menu as well, like orange chicken and carbonara• Bana Café – Serves excellent breakfast meals and native coffee• Salt & Pepper – Has Filipino specialties, good vegetarian options as well as picnic baskets you can take out for a hike
Photo credit: Flickr/yoghurt house/Roslyn/CC-BY
Things to do in Sagada
• Visit Lumiang Cave• See Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins• Experience Bokong Falls• Drop by St. Mary the Mother Church• Spelunking in Sumaguing, Crystal or Lumiang Caves• Try bugnay (rice wine)• Eat pinikpikan• Try the deliciously sour yoghurt of the Yoghurt House• See the beautiful sunset at Kiltepan ViewPoint• Trek Mount Ampacao• Walk through the rice terraces• White-water rafting in Chico River (available from July to early January)• Pay a visit to Sagada Pottery and Ganduyan Museum• Rock climbing in Echo Valley Cliffs• Commune with the culture and nature of Sagada
Photo credit: Flickr/Sagada/jojo nicdao/CC-BY
Sample 3D/2N travel itinerary
Day 1 7:00 AM – Arrival/ registration at the tourism office7:30 AM – Breakfast8:30 AM – Lodge check-in
9:30 AM – Visit Lumiang Burial Cave10:30 AM – Explore Sumaguing Cave1:30 PM – Eat lunch3:00 PM – Hit Mission Compound, Sagada Weaving and Echo Valley6:30 PM – Dinner7:30 PM – Lights out
Day 26:00 AM – Wake up and eat breakfast7:00 AM – Visit Bomod-ok Falls12:00 PM – Lunch1:00 PM – Rest3:00 PM – Free time to explore Sagada5:00 PM – Prepare for bonfire8:00 PM – Campfire socials10:00 PM – Lights out
Day 34:00 AM – Wake Up5:00 AM – Watch the breathtaking sunrise at Kiltepan Viewpoint6:30 AM – Return to Manila/visit Baguio or Banaue
Important Sagada travel reminders
• Avoid unruly behavior and always keep your voice down• Choose a travel date that doesn’t fall on a long weekend or a holiday (Sagada is best experienced with less visitors and more locals)• Dress appropriately (wearing scanty clothing is offensive to the locals)• Bring enough cash since establishments here don’t accept credit card payments (there’s only 1 ATM in town too)• Make sure to reserve your bus tickets a week in advance to ensure yourself a seat• Wear trekking sandals or shoes• Sagada’s town has a 9-PM curfew• It gets pretty cold in the evening, so plan your clothes accordingly• Have fun
Photo credit: Flickr/Sagada flutist/slingshots+meo remalante/CC-BY
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