Mount Costa eco-park in Benguet offers 24 themed gardens and forest trails

Mount Costa, located along Pico-Lamtang Road in La Trinidad, Benguet, covers six hectares of forest, gardens, and trails about 30 minutes from Baguio City. m. , including holidays. Entrance packages currently range from 300 to 500 pesos, with discounts available for Benguet residents who present valid identification.

Advance bookings made through the park’s official Facebook page may reduce the fee further. Visitors are advised to wear non-slip footwear and to carry light jackets and insect repellent because trails include uphill sections, gravel paths, and areas that become slippery in fog or rain.

Gardens and trails The site contains 24 themed pocket gardens linked by approximately 5.5 kilometers of color-coded walking trails. The Blue Trail focuses on installations and interactive art spaces, while the Yellow Trail features seasonal flowers and botanical collections.

Additional gardens include geometric floral grids, Zen-style meditation areas, koi ponds, and wire sculptures placed among the trees. One installation, known as the Enchantress, is a reclining female figure formed from sand, stone, and cement during the pandemic.

Foliage was allowed to grow over the sculpture, creating a layer of living vegetation that blends with the surrounding forest.

Background and operations The land was previously used for strawberry farming by the Acosta family. After crop losses in the 1990s, the family converted the property into an eco-tourism space that includes forest trails and conservation areas. Third-generation family member Verona Acosta has guided recent visits and described ongoing changes to the gardens.

The best months for visits are November through May, when dry-season conditions improve trail access and plant visibility. The park encourages visitors to walk at their own pace rather than follow timed attractions.