La Trinidad (Benguet)
La Trinidad is a small town which serves as the capital of the province of Benguet which is part of the Cordillera Administrative Region of the Philippines. Tourists to the town mostly come from the neighboring city of Baguio.
Understand
La Trinidad is a the capital town of the province of Benguet and is north of the bigger and more popular tourist destination of Baguio. Efforts to promote tourism in Baguio often includes sites that are actually in the town of La Trinidad, especially the Betag Strawberry Farm making the town a detour destination for many tourist visiting Baguio.
Get in
Tourists can enter La Trinidad via jeepney from the nearby city of Baguio in the south.
Get around
Jeepneys serve passengers in La Trinidad except in most remote areas of the town. Motorized tricycles is another mode of public transportation used in the town.
See
Sites
- 🌍 Colors of StoBoSa (StoBoSa Hillside Homes Artwork), Stonehill, Botiwtiw, and Sadjap Sitios in Barangay Balili.. Inspired by the favela paintings in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it is a community artwork formed by paintwork of about two hundred houses in the sitios of Stonehill, Botiwtiw, and Sadjap. It was conceptualized by local artist troupe, Tam-awan Artist Village and was painted by residents of the area as well as volunteers.
- 🌍 Bell Church, Barangay Balili, ☏ +63 74 422-1086. A Chinese temple situated in Barangay Balili in La Trinidad. It features Chinese architecture and is a known place of worship for Chinese residents and tourists. It is located near the town's boundary with Baguio. Free.
Recurring events
- La Trinidad Strawberry Festival. An annual festival dedicated to the town's strawberry industry celebrated sometime between February and March.
Do
- 🌍 La Trinidad Strawberry Farm, Betag, ☏ +63 74 422-6733. Strawberry-picking may be done at the 20 hectare-large strawberry farm in La Trinidad which is a popular site for domestic tourists. The site is owned by the Benguet State University.
- 🌍 Benguet State University, Barangay Balili. Educational tours are available for tourists at the regional agricultural university. Tourists can learn about organic farming through tours in the university's demonstration farms and gardens as well as shop for souvenirs
- 🌍 The Master's Garden, Barangay Puguis, ☏ +63 74 422-5937. A 3,000 square meters (32,000 sq ft) where one can learn about organic farming. The facility is the first training center established in the region dedicated to organic farming.
Buy
One can buy strawberry-based products at the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm in Betag as well as souvenirs at the Benguet State University. Other places where tourist could purchase goods are:
- 🌍 La Trinidad Trading Post, ☏ +63 74 422-2061, +63 74 422-5618. The biggest marketplace for highland vegetables in the country. Tourists may purchase vegetable products at the La Trinidad Trading Post at a cheaper price at this marketplace.
Eat
- 🌍 Calajo, Halsema Highway, ☏ +63 74 422-1219. 9AM–7PM. Calajo is a restaurant which primarily serves local Benguet cuisine. "Calajo" means "Welcome" in the Ibaloi language.
Sleep
- 🌍 Tribuhaus Backpackers Inn, Shilan-Beckel Road, ☏ +63 74 424-3706. ₱300 PAX a day.
- 🌍 Strawberry Valley Hotel, Halsema Highway, ☏ +63 74 422-0822.
- 🌍 BSU–Gladiola Center, Halsema Highway. Check-in: 1PM onwards, check-out: 8AM–noon. Lodging facility managed by the Benguet State University. ₱600.
Stay healthy
- 🌍 Benguet General Hospital, Km.5 Halsema Highway, Barangay Pico, ☏ +63 74 422-4722, beghadmin@benguet.gov.ph. A government-run tertiary hospital serving the whole province of Benguet.