We got to Sagada by bus from Baguio. It was a long and bumpy 6-hours ride on very bad, sometimes unpaved roads. The bus was old and crammed. We decided to take this spine-breaking trip based on recommendations of one of the world's leading travel guides. In it, Sagada is described as a pretty, relaxed and marvellous mountain village where most travellers end-up staying longer than planned.
We cannot agree with this description.
Sagada is a dirty, shabby mountain village with inflated prices and bad quality accommodation. A mediocre dinner at Yogurt House (which is supposed to be the best restaurant in Sagada) was more expensive than much better meals in Baguio. We slept in a small, bare room without hot water in the bathroom. We were repeatedly double-charged for food and water in small local shops and bargaining was out of the question.
Our trip to Sagada was worth making only because of hanging coffins. The locals traditionally attach coffins with the deceased onto the cliffs in the forest. The nearest hanging coffins to Sagada are in Echo Valley, about 20 minutes walk from Sagada. Ask for directions at the tourist information centre at the main square in Sagada. Hanging coffins might not be pretty to look at, but if you think about real bodies in them, in the middle of the forest, you get a sort of eerie feeling. Hanging coffins are the single reason to travel to Sagada and in our opinion they are worth the effort. If you are into walking, you can also take numerous treks around Sagada.
Last but not least, Sagada is a favourite spot for backpackers who wish to smoke certain substances which are better not to be carried around elsewhere in the Philippines, due to fierce police controls. We do believe that under the influence of these substances Sagada suddenly becomes a much prettier place. Perhaps this is the reason that the authors of that famous travel guide described it almost like heaven on earth.