La Trinidad, Benguet — They say that succulents/cacti symbolize a love that is enduring and timeless because they are tenacious plants capable of storing water in their thick leaves and stems. Moreover, these plants are good reminders of thriving and flourishing in harsh, difficult instances, showing us humans that we can actually be stronger and be more resilient than we ever realize… that even the most arduous, challenging life circumstances, does not mean its is the end of the line.

So much for that lessons from a cactus as an introduction, a xerophile (one who loves cacti/succulents) like me, was more than delighted to discover this cacti haven in La Trinidad, Benguet during the pandemic. Home to more than a thousand cacti and succulents from around the world, the Living Gifts Nursery is a beautiful find in Benguet’s capital.

The nursery is located at Alno, La Trinidad, Benguet and is open from 7:30 AM to 5:00PM. Although I suggest that its is best to visit it early in the morning OR late in the afternoon as the nursery can be really scorching warm during mid-day moreso that the temperature inside the greenhouse are really high.

How to Reach the Living Gifts Nursery:

Living Gifts Nursery is situated outside Baguio City and is approximately 40) minutes away from the city proper (but it could be longer if La Trinidad and Baguio traffic strikes 😋)

1. Via private car: Obviously the faster and more convenient way is via private vehicle since one could always rely on Google Maps (which I think is pretty accurate). You onow your following the right road if you find yourself going down the Alapang-Alno-Tuel Road. Take notice of the signages leading to the Living Gifts Nursery. There is an empty lot that’s a walking distance to their entrance that serves as their parking space.

2. Use of public transportation: One can take a taxi or a jeepney from Baguio City to La Trinidad, Benguet. The jeepneys plying La Trinidad are located at Rizal Park in front of the Baguio City Hall or take the jeepneys along Magsaysay Road, Baguio City. Then, tell your jeep deiver that you get dropped in front of a 711 store at KM6 in La Trinidad, Benguet. One will find here what locals would call “garage” taxis which are Tamaraw FX vehicles and tell the driver to take you to the Living Gifts Nursery at Riverside Alno (Baeng). Wayback 2021, the one-way fare for garage taxi is around P100-P120 per group.

ENTRANCE FEE: The entrance fee at Living Gifts Nursery is P100 each person but a discounted fee of P80 for seniors or students (so don’t forget your ID).

The Living Gifts Nursery would surely make any cactus lover happy with the diverse cacti/succulents one gets to see. They also sell these plants at very reasonable prices. The place also has a small cafe where one could order snacks and drinks including a cactus shake (now that’s pretty interesting).

Don’t be a wasted soul, be “juan”derlust. Take it easy.