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- For the city in Arizona, see Tuba.
Tuba is a municipality in the province of Benguet, Philippines. Long dismissed as a stopover on the final ascent to Baguio, it is gradually becoming a tourist destination in its own right on account of its mountain landscapes and proximity to the Cordilleran metropolis.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Tuba is at the southwestern corner of Benguet, at its triboundary with La Union and Pangasinan provinces. It has long been dismissed as the penultimate stopover on the way to neighboring Baguio and is slowly undergoing urbanization from the latter city, resulting in some attractions being mislabeled as being in Baguio itself.
It is home to about 49,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
Get in
[edit | edit source]Tuba is along the main highways running to Baguio. Kennon Road, a highway built during the American period runs through town on its way from Rosario in La Union to Baguio. It is the shortest and most scenic route from Metro Manila, but is frequently subjected to accidents due to its narrow lanes and treacherous curves, and closures to natural disasters such as rockslides, especially during the rainy season. Further north, Marcos Highway (Aspiras–Palispis Highway, Route 208) connects Baguio with Agoo in La Union, and passes through downtown Tuba. Most buses and private vehicles from Metro Manila ply this route, which is better-maintained and has wider lanes compared to Kennon Road.
There are also jeepneys and passenger vans going to Tuba from Baguio. Parts of the town bordering Baguio are also accessible by taxi.
Get around
[edit | edit source]There are tricycles in town, but a 4WD or any vehicle suitable for mountain roads is best used. Most attractions in town are accessible following extended hikes.
See
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- 1 Mount Ulap, Camp 4. A 1,846 metres (6,056 ft) peak with grassy slopes on the boundary with Itogon. On a clear day, hikers can expect a sea of clouds below the summit.
- 2 Mount Santo Tomas, Poblacion. An inactive volcano with a height of 2,256 metres (7,402 ft). It has some geothermal features and has multiple telecommunications antennas on its summit.
- 3 Sitio Pungayan (La Presa), Poblacion. Situated at the top of Mount Kabuyao, it is a small farming village that shot to fame overnight in 2015 after it became the setting for one of the Philippines' most loved soap operas, a teen romance flick titled Forevermore with Fil-Am actress Liza Soberano in the lead role. While the subsequent overtourism has led to restrictions on entry to the site. The views of its sloped vegetable and strawberry terraces remain spectacular. Its alternative name derives from the village's fictional name in the TV series and a reference to its strawberries.
- 4 Aran Cave (Tukang Cave), Kennon Road. A cave whose mouth is in Barangay Camp 4, but whose main chambers are in the neighboring Barangay of Twin Peaks. It is an extensive system named after a man-eating resident ogre.
- 5 Bridal Veil Falls, Kennon Road, Camp 1. A vertical cascade said to literally resemble a bridal veil.
- 6 Colorado Falls, Kennon Road, Twin Peaks. A cascade with a 10 feet (3.0 m) deep basin.
- 7 Ubong-ubong Cave, Ansagan. An extensive cave system on the border with Sison in Pangasinan.
- 8 BenCab Museum, Asin Road, Tadiangan, toll-free: +63 74 442 7165, bencabartfoundation@gmail.com. 9AM-6PM Tu-Su, last entry at 5:30PM. Art gallery featuring modernist works by National Artist Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera and other artworks he has collected over the years, including indigenous Igorot crafts, contemporary pieces and even erotica. It also has an on-site cafe and manicured gardens. Flash photography and video prohibited. P200, P150 for elderly and disabled, P120 for students, free for children below 4"2.
Do
[edit | edit source]There are multiple waterparks in town using either cold spring water or geothermically heated ones from the numerous hot springs scattered across town.
- 1 Palm Grove Hot Springs and Mountain Resort, Asin Road, Nangalisan, ☏ +63 939 919 2453, ilovepalmgroveresort@gmail.com. A resort with swimming pools sourced from sulfurous hot springs with overnight accommodations.
- 2 Riverview Water Park, Asin Road, Nangalisan. Mountain spring resort with overnight accommodation.
- 3 Pan-ayayaman Playground, Marcos Highway, Sitio Orengao, Taloy Norte, ☏ +63 921 321 6921. 8AM–5PM, closed Tu. An ecopark featuring outdoor and recreational facilities.
- 4 Pinewoods Golf and Country Club, Asin Road, Poblacion, ☏ +63 966 281 4629, toll-free: +63 74 661 4527, pinewoodsgolfbaguio@yahoo.com. A 72-hole golf course at the boundary with Baguio, with all the typical luxury amenities.
Buy
[edit | edit source]There are strawberry farms across town offering visitors a chance to harvest them directly and pay by the kilo.
- 1 Tuba Public Market, Poblacion.
- 2 Sanagi Oyster Mushroom Farm, Marcos Highway, Sitio Begis, Poblacion, ☏ +63 948 938 8733, shawdhale@gmail.com. 8AM–5PM M-F, 9AM-5PM Sa, closed Su. A family-run organic mushroom farm producing oyster mushrooms. Apart from fresh produce it also sells other derivatives such as mushroom chips and breadsticks.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Um-a Farm and Restaurant, Asin Road, Tadiangan, ☏ +63 950 353 6748, umafarm.health100@gmail.com. Restaurant with organic ingredients sourced directly from the surrounding farm.
- 2 Farmers-Daughter Café, Marcos Highway, Poblacion, ☏ +63 905 433 2595, farmersdaughter2603@gmail.com. Restaurant serving traditional Igorot cuisine.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Tan-aw sa Alang, Marcos Highway, Sitio Begis, Poblacion, ☏ +63 998 887 9216, tanawsaalang@gmail.com. 7AM-6PM M-F, 7AM-7PM Sa-Su. Coffeeshop with panoramic views of the mountain valleys at the back.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Moncello Crest, Marcos Highway, Sitio Bato, Poblacion. A high-rise condominium-hotel complex undergoing expansion works.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]Accidents and landslides are common along the mountain roads, with the danger compounded by low or nonexistent guard rails and fog. Ensure that your vehicle is in good condition.
Permits are required from local authorities to undertake any hikes or climb mountains. The hiking season runs during the dry season from November to May. While Tuba is often known for its cool weather, do not underestimate the effects of heat and exhaustion while climbing, especially as many of the slopes are directly exposed to sunlight.
Stay healthy
[edit | edit source]Avoid unnecessary and prolonged exposure in the Bued River, which forms the pathway along Kennon Road, as the waterway is contaminated by pollution coming upstream from Baguio.
Connect
[edit | edit source]The town’s postal code is 2603.
Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Tuba |
| Bauang ← Baguio ← | N  S | → Rosario |
| Agoo ← Pugo ← | W  E | → Baguio |