Guide To Sagada’s Tours and The Sagada Municipal Tourist Information Center
Visiting Sagada was high up on our Philippines bucket list and we were so glad we added it to our itinerary. Navigating the tourism guidelines for the Sagada Tours may seem overwhelming but our blog will make sure you’re prepared for your trip.
When you arrive you must register at the Sagada municipal tourist information center to get a receipt (don’t lose this) that you'll need for all tours. You can then use a tour provider to get a guide for your activity.
As Sagada runs their own tourism rules and only uses local guides it's hard to get a pre-arranged tour package, to help you plan we’ve included all the tour providers details below as well as links to any Sagada tour packages we found.
Contents
Where Is Sagada?
Sagada is a town in the mountain province of Luzon, situated North of Baguio, Sagada has a cooler climate and the perfect landscape for some incredible hiking. Sagada also has a rich history that you can discover through the many tours regulated by the Sagada municipal tourist information centre.
How To Get To Sagada
There are two ways with public transport to get to Sagada, the first a direct bus and the second includes a stop in Baguio.
The most convenient is the direct Coda Line Corporation overnight bus, which can take you from Quezon City in Manila, directly to Sagada. You can choose between semi deluxe, no toilet (₽760) and super deluxe buses, with a toilet (₽980), both make stops along the way. The buses all leave in the evening, the timings are 8pm, 9pm, 10pm and 10:30pm.
Sagada is also accessible by bus from the city of Baguio (4 hours). If you’re arriving in Manila you will need to get a Victory Liner bus up to Baguio first. Then get a taxi (₽80) to the GL Trans Terminal where you can catch a bus to Sagada (₽220). Please note the last bus of the day leaves at 1pm.
Finally you could book onto a Sagada tour package which provides transport from Manila or hire a car.
Sagada Tourism Guidelines And Sagada Municipal Tourist Information Center
Once in Sagada you need to register at the Sagada Municipal tourist information centre (₽100), which is in the middle of the town. Here they’ll provide a receipt for paying the tourism fee. You need to present this receipt at the start of each tour you do, so keep it safe, we recommend taking a picture on your phone as proof you’ve paid, in case you lose it.
Once you have your receipt you can head to any one of the many tour guide organisation offices to get a tour. Some examples are SEGA or SAGGAS however the most up to date information will be given to you at the tourism office.
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You need a tour guide for each activity and it goes without saying but never engage children's services for tours. We were also told all tourist vehicles are required to park at their accommodation during their stay and instead tourists need to use the tourism shuttle buses.
There is a focus on the environment in Sagada, they encourage the use of reusable water bottles and bags and of course no littering.
Finally, respect all sacred grounds, refrain from making loud noises and wearing scarce clothing. Refrain from taking photos of elders without permission.
Sagada Tour Providers
EGAY - Located At Bryg (0970-136-1939)
SEGA - Located near Labanet Lodge (0997-736-6418)
SAGGAS - Located near Salt and Pepper Diner (0949-943-1686)
SETGO - Located in front of Basali Store (0919-222-8182)
ASSETG - Located above Happy House Restaurant (0909-113-3567)
Sagada Tours
You need a tour guide for every activity in Sagada, use one of the providers above or visit the Sagada municipal tourist information center. Often the tour prices are done in groups, meaning if you’re a solo traveller try and find a group you can join to save some money. Below we share our favourite Sagada tours we did during our stay.
Sumaguing Cave (₽800 for 5PAX)
Paytokan Walking Tour (₽1000 for 10PAX)
Marlboro Hill (₽800 for 10PAX)
Note: As you must use Sagada’s tourism buses (or walk) to reach each destination you will also need to pay the shuttle fee on top of the guide fee.
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Sagada Tour Packages
As Sagada has their own tour providers there aren’t many packages available to book before you go. If you want to have peace of mind and also visit the Banaue Rice Terraces we have found some tours which we share below.
Affordable Sagada Tour Package
We think if you’re on a budget the most cost effective way to do Sagada is directly through the tour providers. Making your own way to Sagada via public transport is also a good way to save money on expensive private cars.
The tours are sold at group prices, so try and join other travellers to save money.
Best Time To Visit Sagada
There is a focus on the environment in Sagada, they encourage the use of reusable water bottles and bags and of course no littering.
Finally, respect all sacred grounds, refrain from making loud noises and wearing scarce clothing. Refrain from taking photos of elders without permission.
Best Places To Eat In Sagada
Yoghurt House - Famous for its homemade yogurt and cosy vibe, this spot offers a mix of local and Western dishes.
Gaia Cafe & Crafts - Located on a hill with stunning views, Gaia Cafe is known for its vegetarian and organic menu.
Sagada Brew - This cafe is popular for its coffee and comfort food. You can enjoy their breakfast meals, pastas, and sweet treats like cakes and pastries. Their brewed coffee, made from Sagada's Arabica beans, is a highlight.
Best Places To Stay Sagada
Sagada Mountain Province holds a special place in our hearts. We truly found a home away from home here and loved our time spent in the mountains and above the clouds. There are lots of accommodation options and we recommend you find somewhere that is walkable to the tourist information centre where you’ll register and sort tours. One of Sagada’s rules is you have to use their local transport to get to the attractions meaning a local hotel or hostel is vital.
We use Booking.com and HostelWorld for all of our stays around the world!
Below is a list of top accommodations we recommend for Sagada Mountain Province:
Essential Travel Items You Need
 | Lifestraw - Filtered Water Bottle Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind plus you’re helping the environment! |
 | Jungle Formula - High Deet Mosquito Spray The weak sprays will not work! Make sure to bring a high deet percentage spray made for the tropics. We also use Mosquito Wipes. |
 | Water Shoes - Lightweight with Protection Stay protected from Sea Urchins with these, also useful for snorkelling, waterfall hikes and more. We also love our Microfibre Towels and Dry Bag. |
 | Universal Travel Adaptor With Multiple USBs Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country... game changer. |
Top Tips For Travelling The Philippines
If you’re visiting the Philippines here are our top travel tips:
Book flights in advance - they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… oh and check your luggage allowance to skip expensive check in fees at the airport. Don't forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags
Agree on taxi prices upfront - when getting into a tuk-tuk, tricycle or taxi, make sure you agree on a price or they have a meter, so many tourists get ripped off with a huge price tag at the end of the ride.
Take it slow - don't feel the need to see all the islands, we recommend picking a few and doing them properly. See the island in full, find some locals and sing Karaoke..
Embrace the chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
For a checklist of what's needed to pack for your trip, read: How to Pack for Backpacking to South East Asia: Backpacking Essentials and Accessories
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Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Philippine adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
For our Filipino friends: Maraming salamat sa pag babasa, hangang sa susunod nating pag kikita, mamimiss namin kayo, mabuhay ang pilipinas! Salamat
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