Top 8 Locations to Build a Mountain Vacation or Retreat Houses in the Philippines like Baguio
Baguio City is perched on top of the Cordillera Central mountain range in northern Luzon. The City of Baguio used to be a vast mountain zone with lush highland forests filled with wildlife like the indigenous deer, cloud rats and the Philippine eagle.
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During the American period, Governor-General William Taft would transfer the capital from Manila to Baguio. This is the reason why it is designated as the summer capital of the Philippine Islands. At 1,482 meters above mean sea level, it is one of the coolest and elevated cities in the Philippines. Due to its high elevation, the weather remained cool even during the hotter times of the year.
Even though the governors-general are long gone, the city remains a summer capital and vacation favorite, packed to the precipice, especially during Holy Week. Three qualities distinguish Baguio as a tourist destination, its high altitude, its cool weather and and its breathtaking views.
In this article I would like to recount prime properties in the Philippines with the same winning conditions.
Top 8 Locations to Build a Mountain Vacation or Retreat Houses in the Philippines like Baguio
Before we begin, let me state the criteria for selecting the places enumerated below. First they have to be within 5 hours of an urban metropolis. They also need to have available water supply and local electricity. What would a beautiful house be without the basic amenities. Lastly, it has to have a rural mountain appeal and breathtakingly awesome views. Stay with me, the countdown begins. 😊
1. Sagada
This place history started with the visit of missionaries in 1903. The episcopal missionaries saw that the climate grew lemons because of the cool climate. Since then they settled the area.
Sagada is one of the far flung areas reachable only through jungles in the 1970s. Tourists and artists frequented the area in the 1990s as newer roads connected it to Manila for a 5 hour trip. At 5,320 feet above sea level, it is considered as the Philippine’s Shangri-la.
Other attractions include the Sumaguing Cave, Bomod-ok Falls and Mount Kiltepan, where clouds and fog blind most climbers but their tenacity pay off as they see the surrounding views.
2. Don Salvador Benedicto
Known as the “Tagaytay of Negros”, Don Salvador Benedicto is named after former Vice Governor Salvador V. Benedicto who played an important role in the setting up of a Revolutionary Government in Negros Island in 1897. This town is one of the tourist attraction in the Province of Negros Occidental. At 2,500 feet above sea level, it overlooks the both sides of the province – San Carlos on the North and Bacolod City lights on the west.
DSB constantly changes weather from sunny to rainy causing constant fog. Temperatures reach 60 F chill (16 C). The roads to the town hall are lined with pinewood, a constant stopover by visitors.
2. Canlaon City
Canlaon City Beautiful Suludnon Falls in Negros Oriental 
Trolls Holiday Balete Giant Tree in Canlaon City 
White ladies climbing and standing near the Giant Balete Tree in Canlaon City, Negros
Canlaon City is the twin city of Don Salvador Benedicto on the eastern side of the Island. It is one of the 5 towns including DSB that sit on the feet of the majestic Kanlaon Volcano. Due to its xxx as a resting volcano, many hot springs are available around the city.
Canlaon City also boasts of numerous waterfalls; some of these have beautiful rock cave formations. Other places of interest are the Giant Balete Tree that is 2 centuries old like in Trolls holiday.
4. Davao City
Davao City is one of the highest elevated cities in the Philippines. With land totalling 2445 square kilometers, Davao City is also the Philippines largest city by lang area. It is set in the center of the island of Mindanao. One reason for its elevation is that is also lies north east of the tallest peak in the Philippines: Mount Apo. In fact, the hills and valleys along the city makes for a scenic pleasure of nature!
Mount Apo highest peak in the Philippines Davao City 
Davao City House on the Farm
Mountain climbing is definitely a feature sport in this high altitude city. Some climbs in the city include Toril, Marilog and Calinan. These are also places of mountain resorts and pine-canopied trails and invigorating falls.
5. Lantapan
On the province of Bukidnon, also beside Mount Apo is another scenic town: Lantapan. Lantapan is situated between the Kalatungan and Kitanglad Mountain Ranges which gives this sleepy town its alure. In fact, the name “lantapan” is a native term meaning “level-on-top”.
This used to be part of the capital Malaybalay. It is peeved the “little Bagiuo”, Lantapan lies in the slope of Kitanglad mountain range. The climate changes constantly between cloudy and dew constantly falls even during noon.
Lantapan is high up in altitude that it is one of the twons spared from typhoons and storms. With its altitude of 960 meters above sea level it is a safe haven for tropical winds. More important is the fresh selection of local fruits and vegetables. Lantapan is known as the vegetable basket of Mindanao.
Hint: Most mountaineers are familiar with Lantapan as the gateway to Mount Dulang-Dulang, the second-highest point in the Philippines after Mount Apo.
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6. Tagaytay
Of the many towns and cities in this list, Tagaytay City is the closest mountain vacation place to Manila. Because of this, Tagaytay is the country’s rich and famous choice for a second vacation home.
And for good reason: Tagaytay is to Manila what the Hamptons are to New York City.
This city is one of the country’s most popular destinations for domestic tourism. This city because of its scenery and cool climate. The high elevation gives a view over Taal Lake in Batangas where Taal Volcano Island lies in the middle of the lake.
7. Lake Sebu
The Municipality of Lake Sebu lies in South Cotabato in the island of Mindanao. Lake Sebu, is recognized as an important watershed for the area. It supplies water for farmers in the provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
The municipality offers bountiful harvest of seafood, better consumed looking by a picturesque mountain landsape. The temperature ranges around 65 F (18 C). The maximum is 25 C.
The area is settled by the T’boli. This tribes folk take care of the environment. Among these is the seven lakes that draw tourists from around the country. The seven lakes are named exotically. The first falls is Hikong Alo. The nexts are hikong Bente, Hikong B’level, Hikong Lowig, JHikong K’Fo-I, Hikong Ukol and Hikong Tonok.
8. Banaue in Ifugao Province
Banaue lies in the mountain ranges of Ifugao provinc . It is one of four towns in the province that are part of the UNESCO-listed Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras.
The terraces are an adaptation of the hilly terrain for the difficult purpose of cultivating rice. While these terraces are common in South Asia, the ones built in Ifugao excel in terms of land altitude and slope steepness. At its highest, the terraces lay at 4,900 feet above the sea level.
Naturally, the variety of rice grown in this area has adapted to the severe freezing temperatures.
Now that you have chosen a place where to camp out away from the busy traffic of urban life, take your pick. We have Architects and designers that specialize in majestic spaces peering out into these mountains.
For more details please contact us by chatting with us on the lower right part of the screen or contact our designser 0977 8278415 / 09077240452. Please inform us that Mountain House are what you want.