La Trinidad Strawberry Farm

Background

La Trinidad Strawberry Farm is located in the La Trinidad valley in the province of Benguet. It is widely known as the strawberry capital of the Philippines because of its immense plantation of delectable strawberries. For this reason, it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Benguet. It is just nine kilometers away from the center of Baguio City and tourists can reach the farm in less than thirty minutes. La Trinidad Strawberry Farm is owned and conserved by the Benguet State University. The Benguet State University leases at least five hundred to one thousand square meters lots of 80 hectares of farms to nearby local farmers for strawberry cultivation. Because the production of strawberries is an important part of La Trinidad’s economy, the typical annual harvest in the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm ranges from 1800 metric tons to 2000 metric tons which is harvested by almost 600 farmers. Every year in the month of March, Strawberry Festival is held in the area. So if you planned to visit the summer capital of the Philippines, don’t forget to include La Trinidad Strawberry Farm in your itinerary for an eccentric experience for the whole family.

Name: La Trinidad Strawberry Farm
Location: La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines
Features: hectares of colorful fields and immense plantation of delectable strawberries

My trip to La Trinidad Strawberry Farm

It was 10:10 am when our group arrived at the Benguet State University strawberry farm in Barangay Betag, La Trinidad. The weather is sunny and the moment we step outside, I can see a lot of stalls selling printed t-shirts, delicacies, preserves, baked goodies, peanut brittle, soft brooms, handmade coin purse, wooden products, and ready-made strawberry products like jams and wines.

Then as we walk to the right side, we can see some stalls that sell different kinds of plants and authentic painting canvas which is really a beautiful work of art. On the opposite side, I can see a huge sculpture of a strawberry. For this reason, I have a solo picture taken there even though there are a lot of visitors roaming around. A few moments later, I decided to order two strawberry jams and one ube jam before we continue to explore the place.

As we enter the strawberry farm we can see the BSU farm directory which inform visitors of the names of every farmer who planted and grow strawberries here. To our right side, we can see nice houses up on the hillside which is so fascinating. Then we enter the sweet Charlie Road signage in the middle of the farm and we can see lots of strawberry plants as far as the eye can see. Some of the strawberries I saw are situated on an elevated platform with nice irrigation and I assume that the farmers here are revolutionizing their farming methods to produce the finest strawberries ever. In addition, the farm was so clean and well maintained. It is separated by fences for different owners with staff going to and fro with their plantation.

Aside from strawberries, they also grow curly vegetables, lettuce, spring onions, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, and other crops to grow here. From my perspective, these are the backup crops of the local farmers because strawberries are seasonal. Then a few seconds later, we noticed that the strawberries are in season and we decided to pick up lots of strawberries to take home. I told myself that the strawberries taste more appetizing when harvested by myself.

I used scissors and a small basket for picking fresh strawberries and I enjoy this kind of activity even though some plots have small passageways. I filled my basket full of mouthwatering strawberries as they have a scale ready to weigh my strawberries. Our strawberry picking last for twenty minutes which includes some picture-taking on the farm. In my opinion, this activity is a must-try when visiting Benguet. After our strawberry picking, we eat at some of the food stalls nearby and we bought special strawberry ice cream for 50 pesos each. Then before we leave the place, we buy vegetables here because we found out that the price here is much cheaper compared in Metro Manila. Overall, visiting the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm was a pretty nice experience for all of us.

How to Go to La Trinidad Strawberry Farm

By commute

1. From Burnham Park, walk for a few minutes going to the jeepney terminal on Shuntug Road near the Baguio City Hall. 
2. From there, ride a jeepney with signage of La Trinidad and tell the driver to alight you at the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. The jeepney fare is 17 pesos per head and the travel time is 25 minutes. 

By private car

1. On your cellphone, pin the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm on your Waze app.
2. From Baguio City, drive along Leonard Wood Road connecting to Session Road. 
3. Then pass through Magsaysay Avenue, one of the main roads connecting Baguio City to La Trinidad Benguet.
4. Then later turn left and take the Pico Road to Puguis Road route. After that turn right going to Palmaville Puguis Road and continue driving until you reach the La Trinidad Strawberry Farm.
   
   
   
   

Reminders and Tips:

• There’s no entrance fee at La Trinidad Strawberry Farm and is open every day and visitors can choose which farm they want to visit. The operating hours are from 7 am up to 5:30 pm in the afternoon.

• Strawberry picking at La Trinidad Strawberry Farm cost 780 pesos for one kilogram of strawberries and it’s good for six people in a group.

• The taxi ride (booked via Grab App) from Baguio City going to the strawberry farm cost 330 pesos.

• The best month to visit the Strawberry Farm is during February and March as this is the peak season for strawberry picking. Note: the best time to visit this place is on a clear day because the vast fields may get muddy during the rainy day.

• If you plan to stay in Baguio City for 2 days or 3 days, I highly suggest you book Ashburn’s Transient Baguio.

• Visitors have the choice of picking strawberries at the farms or buying strawberries from the vendors which cost 150 pesos for a small batch of strawberries and 350 pesos and above for one kilo.

• Bringing pets inside the strawberry farm is strictly not allowed. Also no eating and no littering inside the farm.

• The strawberry jam range from 150 pesos up to 250 pesos. You can also buy four cactus for 100 pesos at one of the stalls. 

• Cigarette smoking is strictly prohibited within the premise.

• Above all, don’t miss trying out their delicious strawberry ice cream and taho. Also try Sinigang na Bagnet with strawberry, you can easily find it at the eatery.
  
  
  

There you have it, strawberry lovers. Picking strawberries can be a very fruitful endeavor. Overall, I hope that this blog has been admiring to you and to your friends.