Mount Costa
IF you’re looking to get away from the city for some peace and tranquility (and a bit of ex ercise), Mount Costa is the newest place to check out. The 6-ha garden is tucked among tall pine trees on a privately owned forest and terraced mountain. It is named in honor of Col. Voltaire & Cleotilde Acosta and located on the secluded highlands of Lamtang, La Trinidad, Benguet, which is a few minutes ride from Baguio City. You will be entertained at the sight of 24 uniquely themed gardens with 5,500-m of walking trails and almost a hundred varieties of flowers. Food kiosks, resting stations, and comfort rooms are easily accessible and spread throughout the vicinity. Walk at a friendly pace and check out the small nooks to fully appreciate the area. It’s well worth a visit but you need to be fit as there’s a lot of walking to do. Some of my preferred gardens are:
INCA GARDEN is inspired by the South American culture; CONCENTRIC GARDEN – the progression of the winding path has a natural feel; MAZE DESIGN GARDEN – be immerged in a journey of texture, color, and fragrance as you traverse this patch; SPECTRUM GARDEN is home to colorful ropes which form a rainbow; TWIG ART – this station houses rough yet playful art installations made of twigs; MIRROR GARDEN is a selfie haven and the most fun! This place houses a series of mirrors which create an illusion on the part of the guest; OUTDOOR MUSICAL GARDEN is infused with the spirit of music. The atmosphere of the whole place is almost magical.
To enjoy Mount Costa, take a leisurely stroll in order to maximize your nature walk under the trees. The entrance fee is a bit pricey - Php 350, compared to other attractions within and around Baguio City. But regardless of the price, this is the best setting to do garden pictorials, or simply take a breather and smell the flowers up close. Although there were a few spots to be done and refined, I still delighted in the fresh air and cool breeze. All in all, we had a really great time taking scenic photographs, roaming around the gardens, fun moving about, and discovering something new and different each time. Be it a family bonding or a friendly get-together, this place is worth visiting to reconnect with people and nature.