Benguet is a mountain province in northern Luzon, in the Philippines. Its highland position gives it a notably cool climate, a welcome change from the heat of the lowlands, and that cool air has long shaped how the province is known and lived in.
What to expect
- A cool-climate landscape: the province is defined by its mountains and the farmland that climbs their slopes.
- Vegetable farming: growing vegetables is a central part of the local economy, so the countryside is often a patchwork of cultivated terraces and fields.
- Baguio City: the province is home to Baguio, the Philippines' summer capital, which makes it a common base for visitors.
Why visit
Benguet suits a visitor who wants a break from tropical heat and an insight into highland farming life. Travellers usually combine time in Baguio City with trips out into the surrounding province, where the scenery and the working farms are the main draw. Because the province is mountainous, it rewards a slower pace, with time to walk, look around and take in the views.
If you are planning a trip, Baguio City is the natural starting point, and the rest of Benguet is worth exploring from there.