Fresh Strawberries at La Trinidad, Benguet
Overview
La Trinidad is a 1st class municipality and the capital of the province of Benguet. The town currently holds a record in the Guinness Book of World Records for baking the world's largest strawberry cake in 2004.
La Trinidad is located 3 km north of Baguio City and is 256 km north of Manila. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Tublay, on the south by Baguio, and on the west by Sablan and Tuba.
The municipality has a land area of 8273.80 hectares, representing 3.16% of the provincial land area. The terrain is generally mountainous and dotted with springs, rivers, and creeks.
Climate
La Trinidad belongs under the Type I climate by the Coronas System of classification with distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season is from November to April while the wet season occurs during the rest of the year. The climate is cool with temperatures ranging from 11.7 C during the month of December at its coldest and 23.2 C at its warmest during the months of March, April, and May. The average daily temperature is 18.55 C. Wind velocity is 1.43. During the rainest month of August, the rainfall average is 850.70 mm.
Tourism
Natural Attractions
MT. KALUGONG
It is a potential natural attraction found in Tawang. The mountain provides an ideal view point of the La Trinidad Valley floor and the distant forested mountainsides.
DINANGKING/ BINANGA RIVER
It is a potential natural attraction found in Shilan. Its crystal clear water is ideal for hardy swimmers. The riverbanks are ideal for camping and picnic sites. Fishing for eel and carp is also allowed.
PEDAK BURIAL CAVE
It is a potential natural attraction found in Alapang. The place is a burial cave with box type coffins in them. It is possible for viewing ony.
TALINGUROY VIEW POINT
It is a potential natural attraction found in Wangal. The sunset and the bright orange skies can be seen from this part of the barangay. It is just 30 minutes hike from the provincial capitol grounds.
BEGBEG BURIAL CAVE
It is a potential natural attraction found in Wangal. This is also a burial cave of the ancestors of the community residents. It is for viewing only.
TINEDKAW CAVE
It is a potential natural attraction found in Tawang. It is a natural cave that needs to be explored by hardy cave explorers.
KULONG CAVE
It is a potential natural attraction found in Wangal. It is for exploration.
MT. YANGBAW
It is potential natural attraction found in Tawang. It is a rocky promontory for viewing.
DINOG CAVE
It is a potential natural attraction found in Bahong. It is underground cave with water running through. It still needs to be explored.
PAYOGPOG WATERFALLS
It is a potential natural attraction found in Shilan. It has a scenic view from Shilan Proper and is ideal for swimming by energetic trekkers. Can be hike from the national highway within 1 hour.
AMPETANG HOT SPRING
It is a potential natural attraction found in Bahong. As the name states, it is hot. This has been declared as private property but would be perfect for development as a tourist's destination.
WANGAL RIVER
It is a potential natural attraction found in Wangal. The river provides water for the flower and vegetable gardens of the community. It is also used for swimming and fishing by the local people.
MT. TAYAWAN
It is a potential natural attraction found in Tawang. It is a rocky promontory for viewing similar to Mount Yangbaw.
MT. PERIPEN BATO
It is a potential natural attraction found in Pico. The limestone rocks have different shapes as formed in the olden base. The top most part provides a view of the City of Baguio on the east side and the opposite view is that of Pico and Balili.
Man-Made Attractions
ROSE GARDEN AND CUT FLOWERS
This is an existing man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. The tourist can indulge themselves in the scent of the variety of roses and colors of flowers, from deep red to pink, yellow, lavender and the pristine white of Malaysians mums. Some 90% of harvests of the different farms are sent down to Manila by refrigerated vans. The rest are sold in the local market and in the City of Baguio.
STRAWBERRY FIELDS
This is an existing man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. The town earned for itself a place in the Guinness World Book of Records by producing the largest "strawberry shortcake" which weighs 9.6 tons and feeds more or less 50,000 guest and residents.
Strawberry picking by hand is allowed by some farmers in the area.
BSU CAMPUS
This is an existing man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. It is the foremost agricultural state university in the region. Visitors should not miss the demonstrations farms, Food Processing Center, Anthurium Garden, Orchidarium, and others.
This is an existing man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. It is a Taoist temple run by monks and volunteer workers who adhere to the Tao principles of life. Have your future read and told and a fortune cookie to eat.
ST. PAUL SEMINARY
This is an emerging man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. It provides a perfect environment for religious retreats and devotees of the Sisters of Charity. The place has venues for trainings and seminars with lodging and meals.
TAWANG STONE CHURCH
This is an emerging man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. The Anglican Mission in the Philippines runs the church with the members from the community. It is ideal for a perfect view of the La Trinidad valley. The viewpoint area is also good for camping and picnic.
SHILAN SPORTS ARENA
This is an emerging man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. This privately owned enterprise hold cockfighting aficionados.
CAMP BODA DAGWA
This is an emerging man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. This military camp has historical values as the oldest in the region. It was founded by the Americans in the early 1900s. it is now where the provincial command is located.
WANGAL COMMUNAL FOREST
This is a potential man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. The place combined first growth and second-growth pine trees where one can lose oneself by just strolling. Perfect for nature communing if only to preserve its pristine environment.
MUNICIPAL COMMUNAL FOREST
This is a potential man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. It is a controversial 45-hectare forest that was titled and claimed by an individual and his family, but later after a long court battle, the town of La Trinidad won and was given on its own Torrens Title to the area planted with pine trees, alnus, guava trees, coffee, vines, ferns and grassland.
BENGUET PROVINCE MUSEUM
This is an existing man-made attraction of the municipality of La Trinidad. It presents a collection of antiques from the different municipalities of Benguet as well as contemporary arts and crafts. It is open to the public.
Notable Event
Strawberry Festival is a well-known event that is celebrated every March 18 at La Trinidad, Benguet, aimed at promoting La Trinidad as the "Strawberry Capital of the Philippines," and it is fitting to give full opportunity for the people of La Trinidad to come together in celebration of this festival. It involves parade and other community events.
Accommodations
- Strawberry Valley Hotel - La Trinidad, Benguet
- C & A Park Manor - Km. 4 La Trinidad, Benguet
- C&A Regency Inn - Km. 4 La Trinidad, Benguet
- GSP Headquarters - Central Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet
- BSU Guest Houses - Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet
Accessibility
Tourists can reach Benguet by land travel. Baguio City is the gateway going to Benguet Province. There are a number of bus lines from Manila that have daily trips going to Baguio. The travel time is about 5 to 7 hours.
Terminals that have buses that ply routes to Baguio:
- Caloocan City Terminals
- Pasay Terminals
- Cubao Terminal
Buses, Jeppneys and taxis are available as a mode of transportation touring the province Benguet.