Baguio Public Market. Currency Exchange. Baguio Malls. Malls to shop in. Guide for Foreign Students in Baguio City.
If you are an English student who enrolled in Monol, this blog will help you get more familiarized about the different places that you can go to when you are looking for a place to shop, dine, and entertain yourself. Monol is an English Academy located in Baguio City. If you haven’t found the right English school for you yet, send us a message now and we can help you decide!
Baguio Public Market
Baguio City Public Market is one of the largest markets in the Philippines, and it’s mostly visited not only by locals but also tourists. It is located at Magsaysay Ave., Baguio, 2600 Benguet, and it’s within walking distance of Session Road or Burnham Park.
The public market highlights its cheap product offerings and wide range of commodities and goods. The market is divided into wet and dry sections for ease of finding what you need.
If you want to buy cheap and freshly harvested vegetables and fruits, you should go to the dry section of the market. You can also find fresh strawberries that are freshly harvested locally, and they also sell delicacies such as strawberry jams, ube jams, and peanut brittles. You can also buy quality roasted coffee that complements the cozy weather in Baguio City. If you need fish, meat, seafood, and other perishable goods, you can buy them in the wet section of the market.
Where to Exchange Currencies
As an international student, knowing where to exchange currencies is very important. You may have heard of the Block Market here in Baguio City, where you can exchange your currencies while bargaining rates with traders. This may sound like a good thing, but unless you are a local, it is actually more reliable to go to known merchants. We highly recommend Western Union and the currency exchange booth in SM.
Here are some branches of Western Union that are located in the downtown area.
- Jose De Leon Commercial Building, Session Rd, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
- Session Road (Road Level, Opposite the street of Porta Vaga Mall)
- 3rd Floor Abanao Square (Near Public Market, Corner Zandueta St, Baguio, 2600 Benguet
Baguio Malls
SM Mall
SM Baguio was built on November 21, 2003, and became one of the largest shopping malls in Northern Luzon. It is the only mall in the Philippines that does not have air conditioning because of the perfect weather that Baguio City provides.
If you want to go to SM Baguio, you can just walk since it’s easy to get there because it’s located on the highest hill in the city proper. You can also ride a jeepney that passes by the mall, or you can ride a taxi if you want.
On the first floor of SM Baguio, you will find a grocery store and a food court. And on the succeeding floors of the mall, you will see different stores or restaurants for you to wander through. Its newly opened Sky Terrace offers a place where you can chill and see the overlooking view of Burnham Park.
Porta Vaga Mall
Porta Vaga opened in 2002 to keep business on Session Road, as they offer most of everything, just like SM Baguio. Since it is located on Session Road in Baguio City, you can easily go to the public market, Burnham Park, medical centers, and other significant establishments.
We recommend this mall if you want to go eat at restaurants or grocery shop with a minimal number of people since it’s less crowded here. You can enjoy different clothing stores, food stalls, beauty establishments, spas, eye and dental clinics, and other services that you need.
Center Mall
Center Mall might be one of the oldest stores in the city but its products and services are competitive. You will see different commercial areas that offer a lot of affordable goods and products that make shopping an easy, fun, and fast process. It includes stores specializing in the sale of clothes, shoes, bags, household items, musical instruments, and many more. In addition to the large food court, arcades, a bowling alley, and a billiards place are located on the rooftop.
Conclusion (Visit Baguio Public Market and Explore Baguio Malls)
This article is a guide for foreign students who plan to study in Baguio City. Baguio City Public Market is a good place to go, especially if you want to try fresh and local produce at an affordable price. Baguio City is known for selling delicious ube and strawberry jams, which is why we recommend that you try them. Aside from that, you can buy affordable and more fitting souvenirs from the market, like key chains, shirts, wood carvings, and, of course, Baguio staple desserts.
The three malls that we have mentioned here have been established landmarks; thus, if you need anything or are looking for a place to entertain yourself, you can visit other places aside from the SM Mall.
We hope that this article can help you learn more about the city of Baguio. Being familiar with the place can help you navigate the city during your English studies. It will also be easier for you to find the best place to buy what you want and need.
If you think that Monol is the right school for you, you can send us a message, and we will help you enter our English Academy. Monol aims to give the students the best learning and travel experiences. Monol can provide you with comfortable accommodations, a focused learning approach, and action-packed free days. Live and learn with Monol today!
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