Discover Tuba Benguet: Art, Farms, Eats, and Outdoor Activities

A brief guide on what to see, do and eat in Tuba, Benguet

Tuba Benguet mountainscape at dusk.

Let’s shift our spotlight to Tuba, Benguet. Often overlooked due to its proximity to the neighboring city of Baguio, Tuba holds a few charms of its own. Four major roads—Marcos Highway, Kennon Road, Naguilian Road, and the Asin–Nangalisan–San Pascual Road—cut through Tuba municipality, earning it the moniker “Gateway to Baguio.” This time, I invite you to stop, look, and maybe stay, letting these highways lead you to discover the wonders of Tuba, Benguet.

Tan-aw sa Alang Bulol and view

Tuba, Benguet

Located at the southwestern tip of the province of Benguet, Tuba is bounded to the west by La Union, to the south by Pangasinan, to the north by Sablan and La Trinidad, and the east by Baguio and Itogon.

Tuba is at least five times larger than Baguio, with a land area of 295.97 square kilometers compared to Baguio’s 57.51 square kilometers. The terrain varies from rugged landscapes and mountain peaks to forests and agricultural lands.

Elevation also varies, from the lowest point at 500 meters above sea level to the highest peak at Mount Santo Tomas at 2,252 meters above sea level, compared to Baguio’s 1,540 meters.

Bencab Museum garden

BenCab Museum

Interestingly, one of the main draws of Tuba, Benguet, is the four-story art haven, BenCab Museum. Established in 2009 by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, the museum houses his works, indigenous arts, and various notable artists. Although often associated with Baguio due to its proximity to the city, the museum is officially under the municipality of Tuba, Benguet.

BenCab Museum
Km. 6 Asin Rd, Tuba, 2603 Benguet
Facebook: /bencabmuseum
Website: www.bencabmuseum.org/

Tadiangan strawberry farm

Farm Tourism

Approximately 23.7% of the land in Tuba, Benguet, is used for agricultural purposes. Farming is a significant part of life here, with residents cultivating highland vegetables, fruits, and root crops that thrive in the cool climate and fertile soil.

Workers at the strawberry farm

Picking strawberries (left) and Ms Connie, farm caretaker (right).

Strawberry Farms

Near the museum in Barangay Tadiangan, fields are transformed into strawberry farms during the first half of the year. Farmers practice crop switching to maximize the farmland, with strawberries thriving during the cold season. Unlike La Trinidad, strawberry farms in Tuba are still uncommercialized. Reaching the fields requires some effort, but the scenic mountain views make strawberry picking a picturesque experience.

To visit the Strawberry Farms in Tadiangan contact Conie - +63909.662.7878

Flower farm at Begis

Flower Farms

In Begis, Poblacion, along Marcos Highway, backyard farms grow various crops and picturesque flowers. We visited a flower farm with white roses offering a stunning view of the valley.

An oyster mushroom ready for harvest from a growing kit.

Mushroom growing kits at the farm (left) and commercially available mushroom chips (right)

Mushroom Farms

Also in Begis is a thriving backyard industry growing oyster and shiitake mushrooms. The Sanagi Agri-Tourism Farm not only grows oyster mushrooms but also provides livelihood to the local community. They sell growing kits and harvest up to 350 kilos of mushrooms for every 1,000 growing kit cycle. Visitors can experience harvesting mushrooms and attend trainings and seminars on agri-farming.

Oyster Mushroom Sanagi Farm
523 Begis Poblacion Tuba Benguet, Tuba, Philippines
Facebook: /OysterMushroomSanagiFarm

Um-A Farm in Tadiangan

Scenic and Healthy Eats

With the abundance of vegetables, fruits, and even organic livestock, there’s no shortage of nourishing food options in Tuba, Benguet.

Um-A Farm

From the creators of the local favorite vegetarian restaurant in Baguio, Health 100 Restoreant, comes Um-A Farm in Tadiangan. “Um-a,” an Ibaloi term meaning “upland farm,” offers a farm-to-table dining experience. The dining area provides a soothing view of a protected forest area. Guests can pick their ingredients for meals, making it a true farm-to-table experience. Must-try dishes include Um-A Greens, Ugso (burger patties from banana heart), and their version of KBL (kardis, baka, langka).

Um-A Farm
Km 9 Asin Road, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet
Facebook: /umafarm.health100

Tan-Aw sa Alang

Rustic and charming, Tan-Aw sa Alang Cafe is an ideal stop when passing through Marcos Highway. Located 300 meters near the Badiwan Viaduct, the cafe offers panoramic views of the Badiwan Valley. True to its name, “Tan-aw” means view, and “Alang” is a rice granary, which they also have. Coffee is sweetened with traditional candy balikutsa. The vibe is laidback and relaxing—perfect for enjoying the mountain view, excellent coffee, and tasty banana bread. They also serve rice meals like longanisa, daing na bangus, veggie spring rolls, and more. Don’t forget to visit their souvenir shop before heading home.

Tan-Aw sa Alang
Begis, Tuba, Philippines
Facebook: /tanawsaalangcafe

Farmer’s Daughter Cafe & Pasalubong

For a taste of Cordillera cuisine, visit the Farmer’s Daughter Cafe and Pasalubong in Tuba, Benguet, along Marcos Highway. There’s no need to go to their original branch in Tam-awan, Longlong Road if you’re already in the area. Enjoy Cordilleran dishes like kinuday (smoked meat), kindot (grilled pork), pinuneg (Ibaloi blood sausage), and other pork innards. Vegetarians can enjoy pako-pako (river fern) gisa or salad and garden salad.

Farmer's Daughter Cafe and Pasalubong
Tuba, Benguet, Marcos Highway
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090752165408

Pan Ay-Ayaman Playground Pavilion

Outdoor Activities at Your Doorstep

With at least 49% forest cover within Tuba’s entire land area, including the protected areas at Mount Santo Tomas Forest Reserve, there is plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors.

Pan Ay-Ayaman Playground

One area shaping up to be an exciting hub for outdoor activities is the Pan Ay-Ayaman Playground in Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet. Tailored pathways lead to scenic viewpoints for those who want sightseeing and nature connections. For adrenaline seekers, ATVs are available with trails of varying difficulty. The ATV ride focuses on navigating the rugged terrain with precision, offering a unique and exciting experience.

Pan Ay-Ayaman Playbround
Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet.
Contact: +639213216921 - Maril Bayating Jr
Closed on Tuesdays

Caves and Waterfalls

Along Kennon Road, there are natural wonders to explore, including at least four documented waterfalls in Tuba, such as the popular Bridal Veil Falls. For spelunking, Aran Cave in Camp 3 features spectacular rock formations and a 15-foot waterfall inside. Coordinate with the local tourism office before visiting these sites.

Tuba Tourism Culture & Arts
Facebook: /tourismtuba

Mountain gradients seen from the Moncello Crest site.

Rural Living Staycations with Urban Comforts

As Baguio City becomes more densely populated, there’s a compelling reason to expand beyond its borders. Several hotels and resorts in Tuba already cater to short-stay vacation guests. An ideal investment opportunity, DMCI Homes Leisure Residences' Moncello Crest, an eco-agricultural resort condotel, is under development in Tuba, Benguet. It offers top-of-the-line amenities for sustainable living, modern Filipino architectural themes, and convenient access just 7 km from Baguio city center. As a condotel, investors can enroll their units into a rental pool program, allowing owners to enjoy the sweeping mountain views, majestic sunsets, and luxurious amenities at their convenience while earning income when they are away.

Visit www.dmcihomes.com/moncello-crest for more information.
Facebook: /dmcihomesleisureresidences

How to Get to Tuba, Benguet

All major bus lines heading to Baguio City, like Victory Liner, Solid North, and Genesis, pass by Tuba, Benguet.

With fellow bloggers at the flower farm.