As a first-time visitor to Sagada for three days, there are a few things I wish I had done differently, and several decisions I’m grateful we got right.
Now as I plan my second trip to Sagada, they guide me on how to make it even better and more enjoyable.
Based on my experiences, if I could give my younger self these suggestions and advice, his trip to Sagada would have been twice as fun.
Tip #1. Ideal Times to Visit Sagada
There are a few reasons why I’m visiting Sagada again, but I wouldn’t go there on impulse.
After seeing only fog at Marlboro Hills, I promised myself to always consider the season and how it will affect the overall experience when visiting Sagada or any other mountain.
When we visited Sagada, it was November, and we forgot it was still the rainy season in the Philippines. I was really looking forward to seeing the sea of clouds at sunrise, but I shouldn’t have expected it.
The rainy season brings lots of dark clouds and fog in the mountains, and the chance of seeing a sea of clouds during these months is very small.
It’s best to avoid visiting during the rainy season in the Philippines, especially for those hoping to see breathtaking and scenic views on their trip.
The rainy season in northern Philippines usually starts in June and ends in December. Since most attractions in Sagada are outdoors, visiting during the right season is very important.
It is also advisable to avoid visiting during holidays, especially around Christmas and the vacation weeks before and after.
An acquaintance from our trip mentioned that she once visited Sagada during that time, and the traffic and crowds made it impossible to fully enjoy the town and its attractions.
In my opinion, the best time to visit Sagada and other attractions in the Cordillera mountains is in March.
The weather isn’t too cold, with an average temperature of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, making it perfect for hiking and outdoor activities.
Tip #2. Longer Stays Are Better
Sagada is a small mountain town, but don’t let its size fool you. There are many attractions and adventures for visitors to enjoy.
During our three-day visit, we explored a dozen of Sagada’s attractions, and there were still many more we wanted to see in the future. Our verdict? It’s impossible to fully experience Sagada in just 3 days (long weekend).
Especially since some of Sagada’s attractions, like spelunking in Cave Connection and hiking to Bomod-Ok Falls, can take 3 to 4 hours each.
My suggestion is to plan a trip to Sagada for at least 4 days. If possible, aim for 5 days! I promise you’ll enjoy Sagada more.
Based on what I’ve seen, Sagada’s attractions aren’t meant to be rushed but enjoyed over more time.
The cozy cafes and restaurants are a perfect example. I could spend hours just enjoying the beautiful views from places like Gaia Cafe or Isangwow Cafe, sipping local coffee, and relaxing with important people in my life.
Besides, staying in Sagada for a longer time gives enough opportunity to relax between adventures. To me, those breaks are non-negotiable.
Tip #3. Perks of Traveling in a Group
Unless someone is looking for an ultimate adventure or soul searching experience, it’s not recommended to visit Sagada alone if it’s their first time.
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine enjoying Sagada on a first visit if one were to go alone.
Why? First is the cost.
If I traveled alone in Sagada, I’d have to cover all the costs for guides, entry fees, and transportation by myself, which can be pretty expensive for a young employee.
For example, a guide fee is around 200 pesos for smaller attractions like Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins, and up to 1500 pesos for major attractions like the Marlboro Hills-Blue Soil trek.
The second reason is that Sagada is more fun with a group.
It’s not just about sharing costs; the attractions in Sagada are much more enjoyable when you’re with others.
For example, I had a blast competing with my friends while hiking back to the village (Aguid) from Bomod-Ok Falls! If someone fell behind, they’d get teased. We laughed so much.
Another example is when we had dinner at Sagada Cellar Door. We played guitar and sang around a bonfire. I still remember the exciting feeling we shared.
Tip #4. Craft a Flexible Itinerary
Sagada was my first mountain trip, and it quickly taught me to check the weather app a day before hiking.
If I had done that on our first day, I would have suggested moving our Marlboro Hills hike to the morning of day 3. We might have avoided the dark clouds and seen the sea of clouds we all wanted.
Given how much the weather can affect a hiking trip, I learned that I shouldn’t set fixed times for each activity, especially in a place like Sagada with outdoor attractions.
It’s better to visit Sagada on a do-it-yourself (DIY) trip, where you can adjust your plans as needed.
On the other hand, first-time travelers to Sagada might prefer joining travel groups or tours because of the convenience. With everything arranged, including food, accommodation, and guides, it’s tempting to just pay and wait for the trip.
I completely understand why some people prefer organized tours. I’ve traveled with these groups before, too!
But before I join one, I always check that the organizer has backup plans in case bad weather makes outdoor attractions inaccessible.
Tip #5. Private Vehicle is Essential
If travelers don’t want to use a private vehicle, they should be ready to hike a lot!
Most attractions in Sagada are outside the town and can take 15 to 30 minutes to reach on foot. As a first-timer, I can’t stress enough how helpful it is to have your own vehicle for exploring Sagada.
Did you know? With our private vehicle, we were able to
- stop at the Banaue Rice Terraces before getting to Sagada,
- find cheaper places to eat, and
- avoid the hassle of negotiating with tricycle drivers.
Having a private vehicle made everything much more convenient and saved us a lot of time.
However, getting a private vehicle might not always be practical for visiting Sagada. For example, if you can’t form a group to share the rental costs, it might not be worth it.
An alternative is to rent a motorcycle after arriving in Sagada by bus.
When we visited, I saw several motorbike rentals in the town center costing around 800 to 1000 pesos per day. It offers similar flexibility to renting a shuttle. I noticed that many foreigners use this option.
Local travelers with good negotiation skills can take advantage of their local knowledge. They can arrange for tricycle drivers to be their service for the day at a price they agree on.
I haven’t tried this myself, but it’s something other local travelers do. For example, one of my acquaintances in our travel group did this on her second visit to Sagada.
Tip #6. Get Ready for Hiking
From experience, even though we had a private vehicle to get us close to the attractions in Sagada and pick us up afterward, we still did a lot of hiking.
As a first-timer, I didn’t expect there would be so much trekking involved to see the attractions.
The hike from the village to Bomod-Ok Falls and back was a real challenge for my legs and left me exhausted on the first day of our trip. Without the handrails and a 50-peso hiking stick I rented, my legs might have cramped up.
This experience makes me advise first-time visitors to Sagada to do some endurance training before their trip.
About a week before your trip, try jogging for 30 minutes a day or taking the stairs up 3 to 4 floors to get ready.
On the other hand, if you’re already physically active and have been hiking often, you might not need extra preparation. It should feel like a walk in the park for you.
Tip #7. Bring Waterproof Bag
In Sagada, you’ll mostly be hiking, eating at cozy cabin-style restaurants, and sightseeing, so many people think a waterproof bag isn’t necessary.
However, from experience, first-timers should bring a waterproof bag. Actually, even if you’re not a first-timer anymore, it’s still a good idea to bring one.
This is because, even with waterproof phones and cameras, a waterproof bag will keep your valuables, IDs, trail food, and extra clothes safe and dry in any weather.
During our trip, I showed how useful a waterproof bag can be when we visited Bomod-Ok Falls. The mist and water droplets from the waterfall are blown by the wind, so anyone who got close to the pool at the base of the falls ended up getting wet.
My stuff stayed dry because I brought a waterproof bag.
Unfortunately, since I was the only one with a waterproof bag, I ended up being everyone’s personal pack mule while we explored the base of Bomod-Ok Falls.
Another place where a waterproof bag could be really useful is if you’re going spelunking in the Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves.
I skipped this adventure, but from what my friends said and the pictures they shared, you’re definitely going to get wet from the underground pools and waterslides along the trail inside the caves.
Tip #8. Don’t Forget Extra Footwear
Although I managed fine wearing sandals throughout our trip, I recommend bringing an extra pair of footwear in case something happens to your main pair.
In my case, bringing only sandals to Sagada meant I had no backup for our homestay. I ended up stuck in a room with no option but to go barefoot, since my sandals were too wet and muddy to bring inside!
Bringing only slippers on a trip to Sagada isn’t a good idea if you plan to go on adventures.
For example, if you’re doing the Cave Connection, you should at least wear sandals. The cave system is rough and slippery, and you’ll need to climb over rocks.
Proper footwear like trekking shoes or sandals with good grip is important for both safety and comfort.
Tip #9. Bring Cash and Extra Cash
By our third day in Sagada, I was borrowing cash from friends just to buy food and souvenirs because my wallet was as empty as a drum—literally just a few coins left!
I thought we’d only need money for food and souvenirs since Sagada is a nature destination. I didn’t expect to spend so much on guides and admission fees, which quickly drained my cash.
Why not use my credit card? Most restaurants only accepted cash, and the guides didn’t take bank transfers. Even the souvenir shops were cash-only.
To make things worse, there was only one ATM in town, and it was out of order. Luckily, my friends had plenty of cash and basically acted as my personal ATM.
Lesson learned? Always bring more cash than you originally planned.
E-wallets like GCash and Maya can be helpful, but they might not work everywhere in town because of limited internet access, and not all locals may use them.
In some parts of the Philippines, small shops let you withdraw cash from e-wallets for a fee, and there might be places in Sagada, especially in the town center, offering this service. If you really need cash, this could be an option.
However, it’s still best to bring plenty of cash to avoid any inconveniences.
Tip #10. Budget for Food
As a first-timer in Sagada, I was surprised by how much more expensive the meals are compared to the lowlands. They’re almost twice and thrice as costly.
In fact, when we had breakfast at the Marlboro Hills viewpoint, I was surprised to find that a cup of hot instant chocolate cost 50 pesos, while a sachet in a store in the lowlands costs only 10 pesos.
The price was actually reasonable, though I only realized it after the trip.
Getting up to the mountains takes a lot of effort and energy. I can’t imagine how the vendors managed to bring gallons of water and boxes of food to the viewpoint before sunrise.
But yeah, it’s my fault for not knowing that Sagada was already a popular tourist destination at that time.
To save money on expensive food, you can cook your own meals. So, when booking a place to stay, finding one with a kitchen could be very helpful.
If you bring your own ingredients, though, remember that you need to take the trash (like packaging) with you when you leave Sagada. It’s common for visitors to bring their trash down because Sagada promotes eco-friendly tourism.
Waste disposal facilities are limited, so tourists are encouraged to take their trash with them to help protect the environment.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up my 10 practical tips for first-timers visiting Sagada. Of these, the first tip I mentioned is the most important to me.
The season—and specifically the weather during that season—greatly affects your overall Sagada experience.
My mountain trip feels incomplete if I don’t see the best views, which are less likely during the rainy season. After all, one of the main reasons to visit the mountains is to enjoy the awe-inspiring views!
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