Mount Costa: A 6-hectare garden escape just outside Baguio
About 15 kilometers from the center of Baguio City, in La Trinidad, Benguet, sits a 6-hectare garden complex called Mount Costa. It’s not the kind of place you accidentally pass — you make a plan to get there, and the payoff is 24 themed gardens spread across 5.5 kilometers of walking trails. For travelers who have already done the usual Baguio rounds (Burnham Park, Mines View, Session Road), Mount Costa offers something more deliberate: a full day of walking through curated landscapes that mix art installations with serious botanical variety.
The gardens opened to the public in the years before the pandemic and have since become a regular stop for travelers who want a quieter, greener alternative to Baguio’s downtown crowds. Unlike the city’s public parks, Mount Costa charges an entrance fee and operates like a curated attraction — you pay for access, then explore at your own pace. That distinction matters if you’re deciding how to spend a day near Baguio: this isn’t a free stroll; it’s a ticketed experience with enough ground to cover that most visitors spend several hours inside.
24 themed gardens across two walking trails
Mount Costa divides its 5.5 kilometers of trails into two main routes. The distinction is worth knowing before you arrive, because it shapes what you’ll see and how long you’ll walk.
Most visitors walk both trails in a single visit, and the gardens are laid out so you can switch between them without backtracking unnecessarily. The Blue Trail tends to draw more attention because of the Enchantress sculpture — a figure built during the pandemic using sand, stone, and cement, with plants growing directly on the structure. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the park, but the Yellow Trail rewards visitors who slow down and pay attention to the plant varieties.
Getting to Mount Costa from Baguio and beyond
Mount Costa is located at Lamtang Pico Road, Barangay Puguis in La Trinidad. If you’re already in Baguio, the trip is straightforward: take a jeepney or taxi heading toward La Trinidad, then ask to be dropped at the Mount Costa junction. From there, a short tricycle ride or walk gets you to the entrance.
For travelers coming from outside Benguet, the route starts with getting to Baguio itself. Loakan Airport (BAG) receives flights from Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia. If you’re coming from Cebu, the cheapest option is a bus — roughly 12 hours — but a direct flight to Loakan Airport is faster and more comfortable. From Ormoc City, the usual route involves a bus to Tacloban, a flight to Manila, then a bus or van up to Baguio.
Once you’re in Baguio, getting around is a mix of jeepneys, tricycles, taxis, and walking. Most of the city’s tourist attractions are within walking distance of each other, but Mount Costa is far enough out that you’ll need a vehicle. Jeepneys are the cheapest option and cover most routes heading out of the city center. Tricycles cost more but can navigate the narrow roads and steep hills around La Trinidad. Taxis and private vans offer more comfort, especially if you’re in a group or carrying gear for a full day outdoors.
What to know before you go: fees, timing, and essentials
Mount Costa is open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though hours can change — the operator recommends checking the official Facebook page before your visit. The best time to arrive is morning or late afternoon, when the sun is less intense and the garden light is better for photography. Midday heat can make the 5.5 kilometers of walking trails feel longer than they are.
Entrance fees as of the latest available information:
| Visitor Type | Fee | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | P350 | None |
| Student | P250 | Valid school ID |
| Senior Citizen / PWD | P250 | Valid ID |
| Children under 3 | Free | None |
Beyond the standard entrance, Mount Costa offers two paid add-ons for visitors who want more than a garden walk. The Green Living Room can be rented for P1,000 for 8 hours — a covered space inside the garden suitable for small group gatherings. For couples planning prenuptial shoots, the garden charges P5,000 for 4 hours of photography access. Both require advance coordination with management.
What to bring: extra clothing (the garden has shaded and open sections, and Benguet weather can shift quickly), comfortable walking shoes for the 5.5-kilometer trail network, sunscreen and a hat for sun protection, water, and a camera. The butterfly sanctuary and koi pond are popular photo stops, and the Enchantress sculpture is the single most recognizable image from the garden — plan to spend time there if photos matter to you.
How to choose between the Blue Trail and Yellow Trail
The decision between the two trails depends on what you want out of the visit, but the source material makes a clear distinction. The Blue Trail is built around art installations and themed visual displays — it’s the route that produces the most social-media content and the one first-time visitors gravitate toward. The Yellow Trail is more botanical, with plant collections and natural landscaping that reward a slower pace.
If you’re visiting with children or a group that prefers variety, start on the Blue Trail for the visual impact, then shift to the Yellow Trail when you’re ready for a quieter walk. If you’re a plant enthusiast or someone who prefers fewer crowds, the Yellow Trail delivers more substance with less photo-stop congestion. Either way, both trails are accessible within a single visit — you don’t have to choose permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mount Costa
How far is Mount Costa from Baguio City? ▾
What are the entrance fees for Mount Costa? ▾
Can I rent a space at Mount Costa for an event or photoshoot? ▾
What is the best time of day to visit Mount Costa? ▾
What should I bring to Mount Costa? ▾
Is there parking at Mount Costa? ▾
What is the Enchantress sculpture at Mount Costa? ▾
How do I get to Mount Costa from Baguio without a car? ▾
Is Mount Costa worth the trip from Baguio?
For travelers who have already seen Baguio’s main attractions and want a full-day outdoor experience, Mount Costa delivers more variety than most gardens in the region. The 24 themed gardens, two distinct trail systems, and the added features (butterfly sanctuary, koi pond, museum) give it enough depth to justify the 15-kilometer trip out of the city. The entrance fee is reasonable by tourist-attraction standards, and the free parking removes a common friction point for group travelers.
What matters most is matching the visit to your expectations. If you’re looking for a quick photo stop, the distance from Baguio and the 5.5 kilometers of walking trails make this a poor choice. But if you want a deliberate, unhurried day surrounded by curated gardens and art installations, Mount Costa is one of the better options within easy reach of Baguio. Verify the hours and fees on their official Facebook page before heading out — garden operations in Benguet can shift without widespread notice.
If this was useful, you might also want to read a guide to the iconic Lion’s Head photo spot in Baguio.
Sources
Baguio’s hiking trails for nature enthusiasts — A companion guide for travelers who want more outdoor options beyond Mount Costa.
Honest reviews on whether Baguio is still worth visiting — Context for travelers weighing a Baguio trip against other destinations.
