When the snow starts to fall in the northern hemisphere, people head off to someplace where there’s perpetual sunshine. That’s what the Philippines is for — beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and sunny weather year-round.
Sometimes, though, the heat becomes too much to bear. And when this happens, people escape to places where the air is colder and the weather fairer. There are a few places in the Philippines that you can consider cold.
So where is the coldest place in the Philippines? The coldest temperature ever recorded in the Philippines was in Baguio City in 1961. The coldest it ever got in 2020 was on February 21 at 9.4°C.
The Coldest Place in the Philippines
Based on recorded temperatures, Baguio City is the coldest place in the Philippines. The city is nestled in the Cordilleras at an elevation of about 5000 feet above sea level. The city’s cool pine-laced air earned it the title of Summer Capital of the Philippines.
Baguio is a highly-urbanized city in Benguet province with tourist-friendly amenities. The resort city is a popular destination for Manila dwellers, especially during the high heat and high humidity months.
Popular attractions in Baguio City include Mines View Park, Burnham Park, Camp John Hay, and the nearby strawberry fields of La Trinidad. If you visit in February, you get to witness the colorful Panagbenga Festival.
8 More Cold Places in the Philippines
Places with high elevations are generally colder than the lowlands. Since the Philippines is blessed with mountains, there are plenty of places with mild weather. Here are eight of the coldest places in the Philippines that you can visit.
Sagada
Sagada has gained popularity among local mountaineers because of its sea of clouds and traditional tattoo artist Apo Wang-od. The place came into the limelight in the local film That Thing Called Tadhana (That Thing Called Fate). The town is a short trip from the coldest place in the Philippines (Baguio).
This sleepy town is located in the Mountain Province, also in the Cordilleras. Sagada is also famous for its hanging coffins, a 2000-year-old burial tradition of the local Igorot tribe. Sagada’s laidback vibe is perfect for those looking for a quiet mountain getaway. Bring your jackets and gloves, nights in Sagada are quite chilly.
Banaue
Famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Batad and Bangaan Rice Terraces. The town of Banaue is high up in the mountains of Ifugao province, also in the Cordilleras of Luzon.
Banaue is the perfect place to experience the rich culture of the region, deeply rooted in the ride paddies carved out of the mountainside thousands of years ago. Life in Banaue is very basic; there are no hotels and restaurants around. Instead, there are homestays that offer breathtaking views of the rice terraces outside of windows.
The top 3 coldest places in the Philippines are pretty close to each other and are usually part of a longer itinerary covering the Cordillera region.
Tagaytay
Also, just a short distance from Metro Manila, the City of Tagaytay provides an easy escape when the heat in the city becomes unbearable. The city is perched on the rolling hills of Cavite, overlooking the amazing Taal Lake and Volcano.
Tagaytay has become a wellness destination, with health spas opening all around. The area’s fair weather makes it a perfect place for relaxation; its hotels and condominiums are great for quiet getaways. Tagaytay’s food scene is also vibrant, with top local chefs opening their own restaurants in the area.
Popular attractions in Tagaytay include the Sky Ranch Theme Park, Picnic Grove, and the Our Lady of Manaoag Chapel. Don’t forget to taste the famous bulalo, a local soup delicacy that’s perfect for the cold weather.
Don Salvador Benedicto
This secluded town in the mountainous region of Negros island is nicknamed “Little Baguio”. Due to its elevation, the town has fair weather conducive for growing vegetables and fruits. In fact, Don Salavador Benedicto (DSB) is considered the “vegetable basket of the Visayas”.
DSB is located in the heart of the mountains an hour from the city of Bacolod. The town’s pine-lined roads are an attraction on their own and the elevation makes for cool air that feels nice on the skin. If you are in the Visayas, it’s the best place to get away from the heat.
Natural attractions in DSB include the view deck (Lantawan) overlooking Malatan-og Falls, and the many and varied farms and gardens with ornamental plants.
Lake Sebu
Lake Sebu is both a town and a lake located in the highlands of South Cotabato in Mindanao. The area is home to the T’boli tribe famous for their weavers who make the iconic T’nalak fabric. The fabric has been featured in various costumes in international pageants.
Lake Sebu is famous for the seven majestic falls, five of which can be viewed on a zip line. The area is an emerging eco-tourism destination in the South. Aside from the natural attractions, the food in Lake Sebu also draws tourists. The serene lakes in the area are rich with fish, crabs, and all sorts of aquatic food sources. Make sure to have a feast!
The town is located in a controversial part of Mindanao so make prior arrangements before you go.
Davao City
This metropolis sits at the base of Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines. Downtown Davao City gets as hot as any other urban area in the country. But its suburbs and elevated areas boast very pleasant weather. For example, Eden Nature Park in Bayabas, Toril offers foggy mornings and pine-laced chilly air all day long.
Mt. Apo attracts mountaineers from all over the country. The elevation and rich unspoiled forests make for the cold weather enjoyed by those who make it to the summit. Even the foothills of Mt. Apo have pleasant weather.
BuDa, the area between Bukidnon and Davao, is also a great escape from the heat. The small cafes, and strawberry and vegetable farms in the area have become very popular among Davaoeños. Cabins and rest houses provide charming accommodations in the area.
Bukidnon
This land-locked province in Mindanao is one of the coldest places in the Philippines because it sits in the mountainous region of Northern Mindanao. Bukidnon is accessible from various points in Mindanao but the most popular routes are from Davao City and Cagayan de Oro.
Bukidnon is famous for its pineapple plantations, mostly run by international growers. Its plains and valleys are also home to plenty of natural and manmade attractions.
Bukidnon’s well-loved attractions include Dahilayan Adventure Park, The Overview, Blue Water Cave, Lake Apo and Mt. Capistrano. The province is also home to glamping (glamorous camping) spots that are an attraction on their own. If you’d like to try glamping, Taglucop Strawberry Hills would be a great place.
Kapatagan
“Patag” means plains in Filipino but Kapatagan in Davao del Sur is far from that. The rolling hills at the base of Mt. Apo make up part of this idyllic town. Kapatagan is just a couple of hours’ drive from Davao City — an ideal quick escape from the metro.
The town is a part of Davao del Sur where most mountaineers jump off on their way to Mt. Apo. Over the years, family-run resorts and wineries opened their doors in Kapatagan, most of them offering majestic mountain views. Some spots in Kapatagan afford their visitors an up-close view of Mt. Apo’s summit and a peek at distant Mt. Matutum. Secret Haven by Wine Woods Apo is one of these places.
Other places of note in Kapatagan include Camp Sabros, Benrose Park, Montefrio Garden Resort, and Agong House. I recommend renting a van or driving your own vehicle to visit all the places in Kapatagan. You can even head out to nearby Bansalan to buy freshly-harvested vegetables and get some for free!
The Philippines may be famous for eternal sunshine but there will always be places to escape to when the heat becomes too much. You will not only find comfort in the coldest places in the Philippines, but you will also find good food, rich culture, and beautiful people. You just have to head to the mountains and find your cozy place.
