In the lush, green Cordillera region of the Philippines, off-the-beaten-path adventurers will find the charming mountain town of Sagada. It’s a favorite escape of mine, especially coming from the cacophonous urban jungle of Metro Manila. In contrast to the Philippine capital, life moves at a slow pace here in Sagada. Walking through the rice fields, soaking in the calming atmosphere, and slowly sipping on a locally-grown coffee, one can’t really ask for more.

But despite its more laid-back pace of living, Sagada is also home to some thrilling adventures. This province of The Philippines, aptly named the Mountain Province, boasts some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes. Hikes through rice terraces leading up to thundering waterfalls, spelunking through magical caves to reach hidden swimming holes, motorbike joyrides through the winding mountain roads, Sagada has thrills in abundance. Here’s everything you need to know before traveling to Sagada, a hidden gem of the Philippines.

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Table of Contents

• How To Get To Sagada
• Where To Stay in Sagada
• How To Travel Around Sagada
• The Best Things To Do in Sagada
• Cafes and Restaurants in Sagada
• More on the Philippines

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How To Get To Sagada

First things first, how does one even reach this small town tucked away in the rolling mountains of the Philippine Cordilleras? Despite being a small village and fairly isolated from any major cities, Sagada is surprisingly well-connected, by land, anyway. There are no nearby airports so prepare for a longer, overland journey through steep, curving mountain highways.

How To Get To Sagada From Manila

If you are coming from Manila, traveling to Sagada is pretty straightforward. There is a direct bus from Manila called Coda Lines. It makes stops in Bontoc and Banaue along the way but you won’t need to change buses or transfer anywhere. The Coda Lines bus terminal can be found in Cubao. Bus tickets can be booked in person or by reserving online through websites like 12Go.asia. CodaLines’ website doesn’t allow you to book directly but you can email them to make a reservation.

It’s an overnight bus so be prepared for a long journey. It makes a few stops along the way, including longer ones for food and restroom breaks. There is no bathroom on board the cheaper bus, so keep that in mind when booking your ticket. I prefer the later departure anyway, as arriving in Sagada too early means you’ll be welcomed by a very sleepy town with nothing open and a lengthy wait until check-in.

How To Get To Sagada From Baguio

I’ve also traveled to Sagada directly from Baguio, the Philippines’ summer capital. The GL Trans company offers several daily buses from Baguio to Sagada. I’ve posted their schedule (as of October 2025) below. The tickets cost 330 pesos each but can only be booked on the day of your bus. The buses do fill up, so try to show up a little early to guarantee your spot. From Baguio, the journey to Sagada takes about 5 or 6 hours. The buses don’t have bathrooms but it does make a few stops along the way.

For travelers coming from elsewhere in the Philippines, it is likely that a stop in Bontoc is unavoidable. This is the capital of the Mountain Province and is located 45 minutes away from Sagada. From there, catch a Jeepney to Sagada, or if arriving too late, try to find a taxi. Bontoc isn’t particularly exciting, but there are hotels in case you need to spend the night.

Upon Arriving to Sagada…

The buses drop you off in the main hub close to the bus stops, cathedral, and municipal tourism office. Make sure to pop into the tourism office to register and pay a one-time 100 peso fee. You will need to show proof of this registration in order to partake in most of Sagada’s tourist activities. The staff there are very helpful. If you need any advice or help organizing anything, take some time to chat with them.

From Sagada’s “downtown”, most guesthouses will be a short walk away. For accommodation outside the town center or the main road, hop in a tricycle or a Jeepney towards your destination.

Where To Stay in Sagada

Next up, where to rest your head for the following nights. Sagada doesn’t have much in the way of fancy hotels or even budget hostels. The vast majority of the accommodation options in Sagada will be small guesthouses or family-run homestays. It’s a great way to fully immerse into the local way of life of the Mountain Province. I’ve visited Sagada twice, staying at Baey Bogan Homestay the first time and at Hidden Hill Inn the second time.

Although only a 10-minute walk from the town center, Baey Bogan is a peaceful retreat away from the main road. Follow a narrow path into rice fields and you’ll find this unassuming homestay ran by Nanay Helen. The homestay felt like a cozy cabin, and while rustic, was cute and homey. It is within walking distance of plenty of cafes, restaurants, mini-markets, and souvenir shops. The rooms were lovely, although the prices were higher compared to some of the other budget guesthouses in the area. However, for a first-time visitor to Sagada, I’d say this is an excellent home base for your adventures.

On my second visit to Sagada, I stayed at Hidden Hill Inn. This was about a 20-minute walk from Sagada’s downtown, entirely up or down a hill depending on if you’re coming or going. However, the value was unbeatable and the views from the balcony were beautiful. A room was only $14 a night, and you had a private bathroom and access to the kitchen. For travelers on a tighter budget, I’d highly recommend Hidden Hill Inn.

There are plenty of other guesthouses catering to many different budgets, but for a backpacker or budget traveler, these two will get the job done.

Getting Around Sagada and Mountain Province

Although I love the vibes of Sagada town, the best things to do in the region lie outside of the city. There are a few different ways to move around, either via public transport, tour shuttles, or independently driving/scootering yourself.

The tricycles in Sagada have set rates that are printed on the back. I haven’t experienced any dishonesty or up-charges from the local drivers. If you are unsure about the price, double-check with the rate sheet that they should all have taped somewhere. Jeepneys are quite affordable but fairly infrequent. Departures seem to be hourly at best, or nonexistent at worst.

Many of the activities in Sagada also offer a shuttle option. The prices are reasonable for bigger groups, but for small groups or solo travelers, they can be quite expensive. I never took one of these, so I can’t tell you much about it. The municipal tourism office can organize these for you if needed.

Although expensive, scooter rental is my choice for getting around Sagada. The main scooter rental shop in town is right next to the Coda Lines ticket office in the main intersection. It costs 1,000 pesos to rent a scooter for 24 hours. If you’re splitting the cost with someone, it is a decent rate. I got used to paying a quarter of the price over in Siargao, but for a day or two, it can be justified.

Most of the activities in Sagada require a guided tour, so although you might save money on transportation, the costs can still add up. Try to plan things out to maximize scooter time. For example, Bomod Ok Falls cost 190 pesos to reach by tricycle, and then 20-30 pesos to head back to Sagada with a Jeepney. Since the hike will take up half the day, it might be ideal not to rent a scooter when you can get roundtrip transportation for 220 pesos.

I only rented scooters when I had nothing better to do and simply wanted to go joy riding and stop at random viewpoints. Try to jam-pack one day with multiple guided tours and then rent a scooter for a more chill day where you have more freedom with your time. Renting a scooter is great for cafe-hopping in some of the harder-to-reach coffee shops and restaurants.

Before setting off on epic adventures around the Mountain Province, make sure you have a plan for staying connected. I use Saily eSIM to keep me online during my travels, ensuring that I have internet from the moment I land to the moment I leave. Navigating directions, coordinating travel plans with new hostel friends, booking a ride, and so on – having an eSIM makes life that much easier when you’re on the road. Data packages for The Philippines start at just $3, and you can use my code “eli5” for an additional 5% off of your first Saily eSIM.

The Best Things To Do in Sagada

Alright, we’ve got the logistics out of the way. Moving on to why you should visit Sagada in the first place: it’s plethora of adventures. Sagada’s activities center around its many outdoor offerings. There are dozens of destinations to choose from, ranging from quick stops at viewpoints to hikes that span several hours. Without further ado, here are my top things to do in Sagada.

Trek to the Thunderous Bomod-Ok Waterfalls

My overall top recommendation for Sagada is to make the trek over to Bomod-ok Falls. This 60-meter tall waterfall is hidden beyond the rice fields of Barangay Fidelisan, a 20-minute drive from Sagada. It’s an excellent all-around adventure, taking you through a local village, lush rice fields, and capping it off with a thundering waterfall for the grand finale. There’s no better reward than taking a dip in its ice-cold waters after a hot, sweaty hike in the Philippine heat.

Visit the Hanging Coffins of Sagada

Sagada is famous for their unique burial methods of hanging coffins, reserved for respected elders of the Kankanaey people. As its name suggests, rather than being buried underground, the deceased are placed in coffins and hung on one of the region’s limestone cliffs. This tradition dates back to 2,000 years ago. While there are a handful of locations in Sagada to see the hanging coffins, the most famous are the ones in Echo Valley. You’ll find the entrance after walking past Sagada’s church. Like most of Sagada’s attractions, you’ll need a guide, but the fee is only 300 pesos for a group of up to 10, plus an additional 10 pesos per person for some sort of local tax.

Lumiang Burial Cave and Sumaguing Cave

Another option for viewing this ancient Philippine custom is to visit the Lumiang burial cave, home to over 100 coffins. This cave is also popular among spelunkers. The cave trek can take between 2-4 hours and connects to the Sumaguing Cave, known for its dramatic limestone formations and adventurous spelunking routes.

It’s a unique adventure that one won’t find anywhere else in the Philippines. Sound scary? Don’t worry, you’ll have a trustworthy and knowledgeable local guide with you all throughout. Sagada’s caves can be daunting. Even if you were allowed to visit independently, I absolutely would not set foot in here without a guide.

Explore the Rice Terraces of Sagada

There are rice terraces scattered throughout Sagada and Mountain Province. While they aren’t as impressive as those of Ifugao, they are still breathtaking to see. Only a few are actually named, but if you’re cruising through the countryside and see a beautiful spot for a stroll, go and stretch those legs. It’s a great way to experience the scenery and meet friendly local farmers and dogs along the way.

Hiking Trails in Sagada

A lot of the trails in Sagada will require you to have a guide. Sagada can be tough on the wallet as a solo traveler as the guide fees are the same whether you are one person or a group of ten. I’m sure there are some that you can do independently, but Sagada remains an off-the-beaten-path destination and the navigation and know-how of a local is invaluable. We attempted to reach Obwa Falls on our own, for example, and could not find the trail at all. Since much of these lands are indigenous lands, including some sacred grounds, I didn’t feel comfortable stomping around and finding my own way without a guide. I’d recommend asking the tourism office for ideas if you do want to find some solo hikes or activities.

Some of the popular trekking trails recommended to me were the Marlboro Hills to Blue Soil hike, the Nabas-Ang to Ampacao hike, Langsayan, and a trail called the Paytokan Trail that knocks out a good variety of adventures, from the hanging coffins to coffee farms, to an underground river and Bokong Falls.

Obwa Falls and Blue Lagoon

Although we didn’t actually manage to find Obwa Falls and the Blue Lagoon, this area was still beautiful. We visited the Balangagan cave and a turquoise swimming hole, but couldn’t find the trail to continue onwards to the falls and lagoon.

Visit the Village of Besao

About 30 minutes from Sagada is the small town of Besao. We went here on a joyride with our motorbikes and enjoyed the scenery and local life. The rice terraces here are beautiful, with waterfalls cascading down amongst them. It’s far less touristic than Sagada, so if you want an even more immersive glimpse into local life, then Besao is a good option for a short visit. I enjoyed the ride up here, curving and winding through the steep mountain roads.

Chill by the Peaceful Lake Danum

Danum Lake is a small, but sacred, lake a short drive up the mountains from Sagada’s downtown. It’s nice, but not particularly impressive, so I’d only recommend this if you have your own motorbike and have some time to kill. We passed it on a joyride over to Besao so we stopped by and walked along the car-free trail for a little while.

Cafes and Restaurants in Sagada

Sagada is a top travel destination for coffee lovers. The Philippines is an extremely underrated coffee country. While us Filipinos aren’t typically known as coffee drinkers, we produce some of the best roasts in the world. Sagada and the Mountain Province are among our most elite producers of coffee in the region. You are spoiled for choice as a coffee-lover in Sagada. Here are some of my favorite restaurants and cafes in and around Sagada.

• Gaia Cafe

• Yoghurt House
• T. Ave Cafe
• Rust N’ Wood Cafe
• Sagada Lemon Pie House
• IsangWow Cafe

• Tam Tam Cafe
• Sagada Brew
• Bana’s Coffee
• Salt N’ Pepper
• Chapter One Cafe

There are new places popping up every year, so let me know if you find any gems or standout restaurants in Sagada.

Closing Thoughts: Is Sagada Worth Visiting?

Sagada, Philippines is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you love nature, adventure, and off-the-beaten-path destinations. It’s a tranquil destination with some dramatic landscapes, offering the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Entire days can pass by in one of its cozy cafes with warm wooden interiors, or one can opt for something more adrenaline-inducing, like swimming in waterfalls or trekking through its extensive cave systems. From its lush forests to endless rice terraces, Sagada has no shortage of stunning scenery.

It’s one of my favorite destinations in the Philippines, and is a must for a traveler that wants to experience a more complete journey to the Philippines beyond just its beaches and cities. Throwing in this quaint mountain town will give you a look at the Northern Philippines’ indigenous cultures and customs, as well as scenery that one won’t find in places like Boracay or Siargao. Best of all, Sagada is a very under the radar destination, especially among international travelers. Not many tourists make their way up here, but those who do will be met with an immersive, authentic experience unlike anywhere else in the archipelago.

Buy Me A Beer!

If this post helped you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going by buying me a beer! My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated, and allows me to keep writing helpful travel guides and creating travel content to help you all travel the world on a budget.

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