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• Ilocos Norte

3 Days Ilocos Itinerary: Pagudpud, Laoag, Paoay & Vigan

Exploring Ilocos Region particularly Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur is one of my bucket list of places I wanted to visit. Finally, I was able to with my friends Joy and Ivann. Together with Ivann’s workmates, we rented a van to tour us in Laoag, Pagudpud, and Vigan. If you wanted to know how we did it, here’s how.

Ilocos Region (aka Ilocandia)

The Ilocos Region (aka Ilocandia) is located at the northwestern tip of Luzon. It is one of the most amazing tourist destinations in the country. It has four provinces La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur , and Ilocos Norte .

Our trip focuses on Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Laoag, Paoay) and Ilocos Sur (Vigan).

• Pagudpud is the farthest among the three and is already at the tip of Northern Luzon.
• Laoag and Paoay  are two towns, the latter of which is known for St Augustine/ Paoay Church—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in Paoay we wanted to try the 4×4 ride in  Paoay ‘s Sand Dunes
• Vigan  is known for the old heritage houses lined up at Calle Crisologo.

Laoag, the “Sunshine City,” is full of religious, historic, and cultural sites.

Day 0: Manila

We left Manila at around 8 pm. As I said earlier, we rented a van for our tour.

Day 1: Paoay and Laoag (Morning) – Pagudpud (Afternoon)

Sikat-tuna inihaw & restaurant.

Our day started with breakfast at Sikat-Tuna Inihaw & Restaurant . This restaurant has a nature-vibe that I like. It can also be crowded as others are stopping over here for breakfast as well.

We hit the road right away after having our breakfast because our schedule is very much packed for the day.

Marcos Museum and Mausoleum

Marcos Museum and Mausoleum also known as The Ferdinand E. Marcos Presidential Center is located in the city center of Batac, Ilocos Norte. The museum used to be the ancestral home of the Marcoses. It is open from Monday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

The highlight of our visit is when we lined up to go inside the late dictator’s mausoleum. Inside the room is the glass-encased coffin that displays the wax replica of the remains of Marcos. They said that the body of Marcos was preserved in a crypt inside this Mausoleum before his controversial burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Taguig in 2016.

Entrance Fee : P50 for adults, P30 for students and senior citizens with their ID, and P10 for children aged 10 and below.

How to get to Marcos Museum and Mausoleum : Going to the museum is not that hard, since it is located near to the city center of Batac. You can ride a jeepney or tricycle going to Marcos Museum and Mausoleum at the address of 10-N Lacub, Marcos Ave., Batac, Ilocos Norte. 

Paoay Church

The Saint Augustine Church commonly known as the  Paoay Church , is a Roman Catholic church in the Municipality of Paoay, Ilocos Norte in the Philippines. It is National Cultural Treasure and was was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Entrance Fee : None

How to get to Paoay Church : Paoay Church is located at Marcos Ave, Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The Church is 45 minutes to an hour away from the bus terminal. You can ride a van or tricycle, just ask the driver to drop you off at the church.

Malacañang of the North

Malacañang of the North is a 5-hectare property that overlooks the serene Paoay Lake. The place used to be  the residence of the Marcoses here in Ilocos Norte during the regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. What stood out for me is the grand staircase made of narra wood. It opens from 9am-11:30am and 1pm-4:30pm daily except on Mondays.

Entrance Fee : 30 per person

How to get to Malacañang of the North : Malacañang of the North is located in Brgy. Suba, Paoay, Ilocos Norte. The best way to get here is by joining a guided tour or riding a jeepney or van bound for Paoay. Ask the driver to drop you off at the historic attraction.

La Paz and Paoay Sand Dunes Culili Point

It was very exciting, thrilling and enjoyable to ride a 4×4 and go through the terrains of the sand dunes… It is very similar to the sand bashing of Dubai.

Entrance Fee : It’s FREE to visit Paoay Sand Dunes but it costs  2500 pesos  to rent the 4×4 jeepney which includes the sandboarding activity. Or you can book via Klook – Paoay Sand Dunes Adventure on 4×4 Jeep in Ilocos

How to get to La Paz Sand Dunes : From Laoag City, hire a tricycle to take you to Laoag (La Paz) Sand Dunes in 15 minutes. 

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

This late 19th century lighthouse is worth-visiting. The lighthouse of Cape Bojeador is the Philippines’ highest elevated lighthouse that is still active and kept in the original structure dating back to the Spanish-Colonial period.

Entrance Fee : 20 per person

How to get to Cape Bojeador Lighthouse : Cape Bojeador Lighthouse is located in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. If you’re coming from Burgos City Hall, ride a jeepney that will head northeast on the M. Perucho St, It will turn right onto Pres. Ignacio St then left on the Pan-Philippine Highway. Ask the driver to drop you off at Cape Bojeador Lighthouse Road.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

The word kapurpurawan is derived from Ilocano, meaning white, particularly when the sun is on the natural sculpture because of its colour. It is an emblem of Ilocos Norte, a place of prestige, one of the province’s must-visit places.

Entrance Fee : There are no entrance fees to visit the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, but the local community charges an “environmental fee” of 50 pesos. 

How to get to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation : The rock formation is about 3 kilometers from the main highway. Find your way to Laoag, Northern Ilocos and then pick or ride from there to Burgos or Pagudpud. Ask the driver or driver to drop you off on the road to Kapurpurawan near Burgos City. The Laoag travel time is about 1.5 hours.

Bangui Wind Farm windmills

Bangui windmills is my favorite Ilocos Norte tourist spots. We arrived here just enough for the beautiful sunset.

How to get to Bangui Wind Farm windmills : If you’re going to drive from Laoag City, take the Pan-Philippine Highway / AH26. You’ll be able to see Cape Bojeador and Wind Farm Burgos. After passing the Burgos Wind Farm, turn left for a few metres. Travel straight ahead until you enter Estress Resort, then turn right to arrive at the destination.

Day 2: Pagudpud

Kabigan falls.

Our first spot for the day needs a 30-minute easy trek before reaching Kabigan Falls. This waterfall is deeply tucked away somewhere in thick forest terrain, it cascades water from an 87 ft (26.5 m) height and the water is refreshingly cold.

Entrance Fee : 20 per person, Guide Fee is 100 pesos

How to get to Kabigan Falls : You can hire a tricycle or van to get to this place. 

Bantay Abot Cave

Bantay Abot Caves means “a mountain with a hole.” The naturally sculpted hole was steadily eroded by waves until it was wrecked by an earthquake during the 1980’s. It’s sort of like a giant donut! The waves continue to wash through and shape the hole.

How to get to Bantay Abot Cave : You can hire a tricycle or van to get to this place. Going to Bantay Abot Cave will take about 30-45 minutes from Bangui Windmills. You have to get down from the main road to get close to the spot.

Patapat Viaduct

The coastal bridge of Patapat stretches for about 1.3 kilometers connecting Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley. It was constructed in 1986. This bridge has an amazing view of the mountains and the sea on each side.

How to get to Patapat Viaduct : The Patapat Viaduct is a highway—more than 30 meters above sea level. The 1.3-kilometer long coastal road in Ilocos Norte municipality can be located in Pagudpud district. It is a busy street found at the coastal areas of Pagudpud linking Cagayan Valley Highway in Laoag to Maharlika Highway.

Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon earned its other name due to its shimmering bluish water.

How to get to Blue Lagoon : From the Laoag Bus Terminal, ride a tricycle to the bus station offering the Laoag-Pagudpud route (around P60). If you are coming from Vigan, take another bus ride to Laoag (P120, per way). From the city proper, the best and most recommended way to tour different parts of Ilocos Norte is by hiring a tricycle. Paoay, Batac, Pagudpud, and Burgos are popular destinations. Rates vary per destination. Blue Lagoon can be reached by taking the North Tricycle Day Tour package (P600).

Day 3 Vigan

Bantay bell church tower.

Bantay Bell Tower served as a watchtower for raiding pirates during the Spanish era. There is no entrance fee here but they accept donations. There is a church nearby for those who wanted to visit.

Entrance Fee : No entrance fee but donations are greatly appreciated for the maintenance of this heritage site.

How to get to Bantay Bell Church Tower : Aside from riding a tricycle or jeepney going to the church, you can join a guided tour that will also take you to other destinations.

Baluarte Zoo

Baluarte zoological park in Vigan is owned by the politician businessman – Chavit Singson. Operating hours are from 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Entrance Fee : There is no entrance fee. You can either walk inside or get a shuttle for only 50 pesos per head. 

How to get to Baluarte Zoo : From Calle Crisologo, you can hire a tricycle going here.

Calle Crisologo

Whenever I search for Vigan on the internet the first thing that comes out is  Calle Crisologo . Me and my friends enjoyed our stroll here. There are a lot of old structure houses that for some reason bring charm to the city. It is beautiful during day time but more lively during nighttime. It was our first time here so we did a local tour in a  calesa .

How to get to Calle Crisilogo : CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE CHEAPEST FARE FROM MANILA TO VIGAN. From the bus terminal, you can take a tricycle going here.

Plaza Salcedo

Plaza Salcedo is just a walking distance from Calle Crisologo. At night there’s a dancing fountain held daily at exactly 7:30 p.m. (another at 8:30 p.m. on weekends) for 30 minutes.

How to get to Plaza Salcedo CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE CHEAPEST FARE FROM MANILA TO VIGAN. From the bus terminal, you can take a tricycle going here.

Where to Stay?

Assuming that you are following this 3 Days 2 Nights itinerary and that you are a budget traveler. Below are the places I recommend for your stay.

Here’s the rough estimate of our expenses:

• P4200  — 3-day, 2-night tour inclusive of transportation, accommodation and entrance fees.
• P1500  — total food expenses including incidentals (drinks, snacks)

TOTAL:  P5,700

Overall, I love Ilocos. I think it’s one of the best and most gorgeous places I have visited EVER. Ilocos is just very easy to fall in love with.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO PACK

• Dry fit Shirt
• Waterproof bag
• Camera / Action Cam
• Snorkeling Gear
• Phone waterproof case

You might want to continue reading:  CEBU ITINERARY – 3 Days Travel Guide + Expenses

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VIGAN CITY Travel Guide – The Heritage City of the North

PAGUDPUD, The Paradise of the North: Itinerary and Travel Guide

• Tour Package

VIGAN – LAOAG – PAGUDPUD TOUR PACKAGE

3 Days and 2 Nights

CONTACT US! Mobile       : (SUN) 09428206515 / (SMART) 09988696338 / (GLOBE) 09778154707 / (GLOBE) 09162561122 Email         : [email protected] Facebook  : https://www.facebook.com/Primerosetravels

Joiner Tour Package

• For those who like to join with other groups and tour schedules are set every Saturday and Sunday for 2 days and 1 night and every Friday to Sunday for 3 days and 2 nights.

• Private or Exclusive Tour(s) with a minimum passenger of twelve (12) persons per van can be set anytime as prefer • For additional and special discounts kindly send us the final headcount and we will send you the revised quotation.

Please send us your inquiry at our FB page at www.facebook.com/italianatravels or email us at [email protected]. Kindly indicate your name, destinations, number of person joining, preferred travel dates and contact number.

Package Inclusions:

• Round Trip Van transfer (Manila-Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpud – Manila)
• 3 days and 2 nights Hotel Accommodation with complimentary breakfast on the 2nd day and 3rd day
• Complimentary Bottled Water
• Entrance fees
• Environmental Fees
• Tour Coordinator
• Tour around Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpud

List of Hotels in Laoag: (it depends to the availability of the hotel upon your reservations)

• Vybe Hotel (formerly The Parklane Hotel)
• The Farmside Hotel
• Aurelio Mansion
• Casa Felipa
• Palacio de Laoag

Package Exclusions:

• All other Meals not included in the package
• 4 x 4 Ride at Sand Dunes Php2500 good for 4 to 5 per persons
• Personal Activities
• All other expenses not mentioned in the inclusions

Sites to Visit:

• Vigan Tour Bantay Bell tower St. Augustine Church Baluarte Plaza Salcedo Heritage Village Calle Crisologo Museum Hidden Garden
• Laoag Tour Paoay Church Malacañang of the North Sinking Bell Tower Sand Dunes Fort Ilocandia Sta. Monica “Sarrat”Church
• Pagudpud Tour Bangui Windmills Patapat Viaduct Kapurpurawan Rock Formation Cape Bojeador Lighthouse Blue Lagoon Paraiso Ni Anton Bantay Abot Cave

We have coordinated with the friendliest, reliable and accommodating people to make sure that your visit to VIGAN – LAOAG – PAGUDPUD will be safe, relaxing and a memorable experience for your family and friends. We are the first and only travel agency to include this in tour packages.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Please take note that the itinerary will depend on the time management and cooperation of the group..

©  2024 Primerose Travel and Tours

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Pagudpud Travel Guide: Paradise of the North

About Pagudpud

Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte is the place to be if you love the beach less the crowd.

Situated on the northern shore of the main island of Luzon, Pagudpud’s white sand and pristine beaches are the main reasons why the town continuously draws tourists.

But Pagudpud is not only about the beach, this coastal town, formerly a part of its neighboring town of Bangui, greets its visitors with its panoramic sceneries and other natural attractions. Stop in Patapat Viaduct, trek to Kabigan Falls, swim in Maira-ira Blue Lagoon, go surfing, watch the picturesque sunset and experience the hospitality of its people.

Truly, Pagudpud promises everyone an unforgettable experience in this secluded paradise.

How to Get to Pagudpud

From manila.

Partas Transit has a direct trip to Pagudpud daily, fare ranges from P750 to P970 for a travel time of around 10 hours. You can book your bus from Manila to Pagudpud or vice versa below:

BOOK YOUR BUS FROM MANILA TO PAGUDPUD

Alternatively, you can take a bus or a flight to Laoag.  Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly to Laoag from Manila, travel time is approximately an hour. Meanwhile, G. V. Florida, Partas , Baliwag or Fariñas Transit have daily bus departure going to Laoag, fare is around P600 – P700 and travel time is around eight hours. From Laoag, transfer to a bus or van going or passing by Pagudpud for two hours of travel time. You can book your bus from Manila to Laoag or vice versa below:

BOOK YOUR BUS FROM MANILA TO LAOAG

From Tuguegarao

If you’re coming from Tuguegarao, GMW Liner and Florida Liner buses bound to Laoag, Vigan or Abra pass through Pagudpud, fare is not more than P250.00.

For those coming from Diosdado Macapagal Airport in Clark Field, Pampanga, ride the shuttle or jeepney going to Dau Integrated Bus Terminal, fare is around P50. In Dau Terminal, look for buses going to Laoag. From Laoag, there are local jeepneys serving Laoag-Pagudpud route or you can take the buses bound to Cagayan that pass through Pagudpud.

Where to Stay

Most tourists stay at Saud Beach where numerous hotels and resorts can be found including Polaris Beach Resort (Contact No: +639193078803 – Mean Santos / +639202396138 -Steven Santos),  Northridge Resort (Contact No: +639202205089 – Tessie) and Saud Beach Resort. Hotel Accommodation at Polaris can go for as low as P1500.00/room during off-peak, good for three to four persons. There are also transient houses in the area including the one owned by Sir Henry Udon (Contact No: +639202859087).

Book Your Hotel in Pagudpud

• Swim, surf and see the sunset at Saud Beach
• Tour Pagudpud on a trike (at least P600 as of January 2016) and see Kabigan Falls, Patapat Viaduct, Bantay Abot Cave and Agua Paraiso
• Ride the wave and enjoy the white sand of the pristine Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira Beach)
• Visit the Wind Mills of Bangui, as well as Kapurpurawan Rock Formations and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse of Burgos
• Explore Adams, Curimao, Laoag, Paoay and other attractions of Ilocos Norte
• Head south and check out the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vigan

Sample Itinerary: Pagudpud – Laoag in 3D/2N

Day 0: Arrival Take the night bus from Manila and arrive in  Pagudpud  in the morning. Charter a tricycle to take you around the town. See Kabigan Falls, Patapat Viaduct, Bantay-Abot Cave and the sunset at Saud Beach.

Day 2: Pagudpud Spend the morning in Maira-ira Beach or Blue Lagoon. See Kapurpurawan Rocks and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in the afternoon, then end your day in Bangui Windmills.

Day 3: Laoag Proceed to Laoag in the morning. Check out La Paz Sand Dunes in the afternoon until the sun turns gold before dusk. Stroll in and around the historic plaza at night and see the sinking bell tower, St. William’s Cathedral, Provincial Capitol, Tobacco Monopoly Monument and Museo Ilocos Norte.

Hello po.. plano po nmin ng gf ko na pumunta sa pagudpud..kung mag byahe po kami ng gabi galing dito sa sa nueva vizcaya.. what time po b ang first trip ng bus or etc. galing sa tuguegarao to pagudpud?

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9 Places to Visit in Pagudpud + Things To Do

Traveling far north to Pagudpud, the northernmost town in Ilocos Region, Philippines, may not be a popular course, but it is definitely worth it.

Pagudpud hosts some of the most endearing natural attractions, which remained unexploited, unlike the other tourist spots in Ilocandia. You can have a grand time at its beaches or go on a scenic hour-long walk through the Secret Green Hills for a rejuvenating experience. Other must-visit attractions are Kabigan Falls, Patapat Viaduct, Agua Grande, Dos Hermanos Islands, Timmangtang Rock, and Bantay Abot Cave. Abandoned buildings like Bagong Lipunan Lodge Ruins might also tickle your fancy with its fascinating architecture and eerie feel that will get your adrenaline pumping.

If you cannot endure a long travel by land to Pagudpud, you can cut the trip short by booking a flight to Laoag International Airport. But traveling by land has its perks because you can check out the attractions along the way, like the Spanish-colonial heritage of Vigan, the historic Paoay Church, and the impressive Bangui Windmills.

To help with your trip planning, I’ve added links to the locations on Google Maps. Feel free to click/tap on the links posted below. Then, use the “save” feature on the Google Maps app for easy reference. But before you start ticking goals off your bucketlist, here are travel essentials & discounts you’ll need to check. Pre-book online for a hassle-free trip!

Pagudpud travel essentials

Click below to compare rates & read reviews:

Pagudpud Hotels Flights

View all travel tips on: Pagudpud .

1. Blue Lagoon & Maira-ira Beach

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/UuhhVyVjLFEwzb6F6 . Save on Google Maps .

For more travel inspiration,  follow Detourista on :

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2. Saud Beach

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/8QSbSC91EhZiFszJ9 . Save on Google Maps .

3. Patapat Viaduct

Location : Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte . Save on Google Maps .

4. Agua Grande

5. Kabigan Falls

6. Dos Hermanos Islands

7. Bantay Abot Cave

8. Timmangtang Rock

9. Pagudpud Surfing

Where to go near Pagudpud & beyond

Location : Ilocos region, Luzon, northern Philippines . Save on Google Maps .

Laoag Travel Essentials

Where to stay

See more : Laoag travel tips

Location : Ilocos Sur province, Luzon, northern Philippines . Save on Google Maps .

Vigan Travel Essentials

See more : Vigan travel tips

Ilocos Travel Essentials

See more : Ilocos travel tips

Tuguegarao & Cagayan Valley

Location : Cagayan Valley region, Luzon, northern Philippines . Save on Google Maps .

Cagayan Valley Travel Essentials

See more : Tuguegarao & Cagayan Valley travel tips

What places have you added to your bucketlist? Have you been to beautiful places in Pagudpud that should be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts!

Places to visit in Pagudpud

Pagudpud tourist spots, things to do in Pagudpud, where to go in Pagudpud & more.

Note: Destinations featured above are not listed by rank.

Where to Stay in Pagudpud

Click below & search recommended Pagudpud hotels/hostels/home rentals within your budget. Remember to set your  min/max price , travel dates, and  sort by review ratings . I often book online with these trusted booking sites below for rock-bottom prices & convenient bookings.

Agoda Booking.com

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Don’t Stop Here

Click below for more travel inspiration:

Don’t leave yet. There’s more!

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The Happy Trip

Ilocos, vigan, pagudpud tour | diy itinerary.

 Calle Crisologo

Ilocos has been on my bucket list of the places I wanted to visit. So last January 2014, I immediately booked myself a trip along with some friends when Cebu Pacific offered a PhP99 seat for most destinations.

The trip was a bit long because I included in my itinerary some business activities. Unlike another travel blogger (with due respect to them) I don’t really tie myself to a very strict schedule. Simply because, when I travel I wanted to enjoy and I don’t want to be a slave to my own schedule, hence I put a lot of flexibility in my plan.

Here’s my itinerary when I visited Ilocos Region. The places I visited which I listed below has links which have details of my review of the place.

To make your trip easier, you may contact Driver/Tour Guide who helped me during my trip. He can provide you a vehicle to go around and he can also help you find a place to stay during your visit.

Tour Guide/Driver: Jeremy Rosal – Mobile Numbers: 09102572426/09278882800

Must Read : ILOCOS TRAVEL GUIDE

Isabel Suites

Below are my DIY schedule of activities:

Day 1 (Going to Manila to Laoag)

Bacolod to Manila – 7 AM

Manila Fame at SMX Mall of Asia ( I stayed there the whole day because I meet some people and meet with them in relation to my furniture and furnishing business)

Going to Laoag – 7 PM

Check in to Isabel Suites – 9 PM

Dinner at La Preciosa

Rest for the real vacation the following day

Salt Making in Ilocos

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 1:  DIY ITINERARY

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 2: FURNITURE EXHIBIT, GOING TO ILOCOS

Day 2 ( Paoay , Batac to Vigan for an Overnight Stay)

Breakfast  at the Isabel Suites -7 am

Check out at Isabel Suites for we plan to sleep over in Vigan in our 2nd day

Paoay Sand Dunes – 10 am

Malacanang of the North -11:30 am

Batac Ilocos: Empanada 12:30 pm

Marcos Mausoleum – 1:30 pm

Proceed to VIGAN -2:00 pm

Bantay Belfry – 3:00 PM

Baluarte -3:30

Secret Garden -4:00 pm

Pagburnayan – 4:30 pm

Check in Cordillera Inn, Vigan -5;30 pm

Calle Crisologo at Night /Dinner – 6:30 pm

Vigan Dancing Fountain – 7:30 pm

Rest at the Hotel – 10 PM

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 3:  OUR TOUR GUIDE , PAOAY SAND DUNES, 4×4, SAND BOARDING

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 4: MALACANANG OF THE NORTH

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 5: BATAC ILOCOS, EMPANADA, MARCOS MUSEUM AND MAUSOLEUM

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 6 : TINOBONG, BANTAY CHURCH

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 7: BALUARTE

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 8: SECRET GARDEN AND PAGBURNAYAN

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 9 : CALLE CRISOLOGO; VIGAN DANCING FOUNTAIN

Empanada, Batac Ilocos

Day 3 (Vigan Museum , Back to Laoag, Laoag City Tour)

Breakfast  at the Hotel- 7:00 am

Calle Crisologo Day Time

Crisologo Museum – 8:30 am

Sequoia Mansion-9:30

Back To LAOAG

Juan Luna Shrine – 11:00 am

Lunch at Badoc – 12:30

Paoay Church – 2:00 pm

Ilocos Museum -3:00 pm

StWilliam Cathedral and Sinking Bell Tower

Check In at Renzo  Hotel in Laoag -4: pm

Rest (because of the heavy schedule of the day we slept immediately upon reaching our room  and were not able to get out of our room to eat for dinner, instead we just requested for a room service)

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 10: CRISOLOGO MUSEUM AND SEQUIA MANSION

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 11: JUAN LUNA SHRINE

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 12: PAOAY CHURCH

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 13: ILOCOS MUSEUM, ST. WILLIAM CATHEDRAL, SINKING BELL, HOTEL

Day 4 (Pagudpud Day Tour)

Breakfast – 7:00 am

PAGUDPUD TRIP

Biscocho – 8:30 am

Salt Making –  9:30 AM

Cape Bojeador – 10:00 AM

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation – 11:00 AM

Bangui Windmill/Lunch – 11:45 AM

Kabigan Falls – 1:30 pm

Patapat Viaduct and Paraiso ni Anton – 3:30 pm

Blue Lagoon/ Zipline – 4:00 pm

Swimming at Hannah’s Resort  – 4:30

Back to Laoag – 5:30 pm

Check in to Hotel- Isabel Suites – 7:30 pm

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 14: BISCOCHO, SALT MAKING

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 15 : CAPE BOJEADOR

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 16: KAPURPURAWAN ROCK FORMATION

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 17: BANGUI WINDMILL

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 18 : KABIGAN FALLS

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 19: PATAPAT VIADUCT, PARAISO NI ANTON

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 20: BLUE LAGOON, ZIPLINE

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Day 5 (Chilling in Laoag, Back to Manila)

Breakfast – 8:00 am

Because we were too tired the previous day, we  rested the whole morning in the hotel and waited until check out time at 12 nn

Lunch and Movie at Robinson’s Mall – 12:30

Back to Manila – 7:00 pm

ILOCOS, VIGAN, PAGUDPUD  TRIP PART 21: LAST DAY IN ILOCOS, BACK TO MANILA

Where to Stay When in Ilocos:

LIST OF HOTELS IN VIGAN

LIST OF HOTELS IN ILOCOS  NORTE

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Pagudpud Ilocos Norte Travel Guide

Pagudpud ilocos norte – travel guide.

Pagudpud is a sleepy beach town at the tip of the Ilocos Norte  region of the Philippines. No need to call it the Boracay of the North – Pagudpud is a tropical gem all on its own. Really fine creamy beaches, spectacular waterfalls, panoramic scenes and beautiful coastal drives give you a feeling of new discoveries and trails.

You won’t find the glittering party nightlife here. Pagudpud is laid-back. Best time to visit is anytime between November to April. That covers summer in the Philippines and its drier cold season, outside of the wet rainy months.

The two main beaches are the Blue Lagoon (also called Maira-ira Beach ), located on the eastern side of Pagudpud, and the other one is the arguably more popular Saud Beach which is on the western side. If you’ve got several days, spend half at the Blue Lagoon and the remaining half at Saud Beach. Read on for the rest of our Pagudpud Travel Guide and plan your Pagudpud vacation and itinerary.

How to Get to Pagudpud

If you’re bringing your own ride and have days to spare, leave Manila early in the morning so that you’re on provincial roads by daybreak. The drive is long, around 12 hours of continuous driving. If you’re going to do this, plan for stops at San Fernando City , Vigan City and Laoag City . If you’ve got several days to spare, then spend a full day or two at each of these cities for an epic road trip .

Getting to Pagudpud by Bus from Manila

Going from Manila to Pagudpud takes 10-12 hours by bus. Bus companies Partas and Fariñas only go up as far as Laoag City. From Laoag City, you need to take another 2-hour bus or jeepney ride to Pagudpud.

But Florida Bus has daily trips to Cagayan, which passes through Pagudpud, so riding them saves you a trip. Tell the bus driver to drop you off at the Pagudpud junction if you want to go to Saud Beach or at the Barangay Balaoi junction if you want to go to Blue Lagoon.From either junction, take a tricycle to your resort.

Call the bus companies below for fares, schedules and reservations.

FLORIDA BUS (G.V. FLORIDA TRANSPORT, INC.) CUBAO TERMINAL Brgy. West Kamias, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila Phone: +63.2.352-5393

FLORIDA BUS (G.V. FLORIDA TRANSPORT, INC.) SAMPALOC TERMINAL Lacson Ave. Cor. Earnshaw St., Manila, Metro Manila Phone: +63.2.743-3809 Phone: +63.2.912-5354 Phone: +63.2.781-5894

PARTAS BUS QUEZON CITY TERMINAL 816 Aurora Boulevard corner P. Bernardo St., Cubao, Quezon City Phone: +63.2.725-7303 Phone: +63.2.724-9820 Phone: +63.2.725 1740 Phone: +63.2.725-1256 Phone: +63.2.727-8278

Getting to Pagudpud from Manila by Airplane

If you want to cut your travel time, then hop on a plane in Manila (or Clark) bound for Laoag City. Flight time is approximately an hour.

From Laoag, there are local jeepneys serving the Laoag- Pagudpud route or you can take the buses bound to Cagayan that will pass through Pagudpud.

These airlines have daily flights from Manila to Laoag:

Cebu Pacific Philippine Airlines

Touring & Exploring – Sights to See and Things to Do in Pagudpud

Plan your Pagudpud adventure tour itinerary around these attractions and activities. You can ask your beach resort or hotel to give you directions, refer you to a tour guide, or put together a tour package for you.

• Explore the length of Saud Beach
• Explore the length of the Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira Beach)
• Rent gear at Kingfisher Resort and go kite-surfing at Caparispisan Beach
• Kayak along the Bolo River
• Hike to Nacatnagan Cliff
• Visit Caunayan Landing Site and Memorial
• Surf near the Dos Hermanos Islands
• Rent an all terrain vehicle from Hannah’s and explore the backroads in the blue lagoon area
• Try out Hannah’s Beach Resort’s zipling which is 1.2 kilometers long

Take Pagudpud’s Northern Tricycle Tour and visit the following attractions:

• Trek to Kabigan Falls
• Walk along the Patapat Viaduct
• Walk through the hole of Bantay Abot Cave
• Skip and hop your way over the reefs to the Dos Hermanos Islands
• Have a picnic at Agua Grande River Park
• Stare at Paraiso ni Anton and wonder why it’s a tourist attraction
• Hop on Timmangtang Rock

Take Pagudpud’s Southern Tricycle Tour and visit the following attractions:

• Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in the town of Burgos
• Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in the town of Burgos
• Kaangrian Falls in the town of Burgos
• Bangui Windmills in the town of Bangui

The Northern and Southern Pagudpud tours,  regulated by the Department of Tourism, are carried out by tricycle drivers using their tricycles as conveyance. They are trained and accredited by Department of Tourism in guiding visitors through the tour attractions. The tricycle drivers carry laminated brochures of the places to visit for the Northern and Southern tours. Some of these places charge a minimal fee outside of the original tour fee.

The rates are 750 pesos (USD 16.00) per tricycle for each tour, with a maximum of 3 persons, since that’s the maximum passenger capacity of a tricycle.

However, the tricycle drivers of Burgos and Bangui, are in talks with the tricycle drivers of Pagudpud for a more equitable sharing scheme of the organized tour operations, since they argue that the popular stops on the tour itinerary are actually in their municipalities. So – expect a tricycle transfer once you cross Pagudpud’s boundary and an additional amount to pay.

Where to Eat & What to Eat in Pagudpud

Try native Ilocano food such as their version of  longganisa (pork sausage), Ilocos empanada (stuffed pie) , bagnet (deep fried pork),  poqui-poqui (mashed eggplant), igado and dinakdakan . Seafood is abundant and you can have them grilled, fried or stewed (sinigang). Visit the local market in downtown Pagudpud, there are several eateries nearby serving inexpensive local fare or ask a tricyle driver for the best local eatery (carinderia). Pick from a fisherman’s early morning catch and have your resort’s kitchen cook them.

Most resort restaurants in Pagudpud offer standard Ilocano, Filipino and western/continental fare. Also, most resort restaurants are a bit pricey, with prices anywhere from 150 to 350 pesos for an entree. Here are some notable restaurants:

• Evangeline’s Emohruo Beach Restobar – try their Orange Chicken, Pinakbet and Bagnet with KBL.
• Kapuluan Vista Resort’s Restaurant – fresh seafood and organic vegetables.
• Casa Consuelo’s La Cocina de Consuelo – try their Gamet Seaweed Omelet, Poqui-poqui and Bagnet and fresh seafood.
• BergBlick Restaurant – a German restaurant in Pagudpud. A bit hard to find so ask locals for directions. Try their BergBlick Pan, Sausage Feast and Pinakbet.
• Mekeni Paluto – located in the Blue Lagoon area, near Hannah’s. These are affordable eateries where you can have fresh seafood cooked any which way.

Where to Stay in Pagudpud – Beach Resorts & Hotels

Cheap budget resorts in Pagudpud ? They’ve got it. Feeling flash and glam? They’ve got it too. Comb through the list for your pick. Click on the links for current rates.

Pagudpud Beach Resorts & Hotels along the Blue Lagoon (aka Maira-ira beach)

Wholly different from Saud Beach, the Blue Lagoon (aka Maira-ira Beach) is at eastern side of Pagudpud.

Owned by Hannah’s Beach Resort, but designed with a more tropical island feel. Right across the Dos Hermanos Islands. Geared toward the surfing crowd.

• Website: www.hannahsbeachresort.com.ph/surfville
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3300.00 / USD 73.00

Casa Consuelo

Our favorite place to stay in Pagudpud since it is in a quiet and less populated location. Casa Consuelo is a cozy bed & breakfast right on the beach, also in front of the Dos Hermanos Islands. The rest of the resorts in the Blue Lagoon, Barangay Balaoi area are separated by a road parallel to the beach.

Though the pristine waters are not that “swimmable” because of the reefs – for us this place offers the best view of the ocean. The “swimmable” areas are right in front of Punta Azul, Aqua Seda and Hannah’s.

If you aren’t able to get a room, you can rent a tent and pitch it anywhere on their expansive grassy beachfront lawn. Very good restaurant with reasonable prices on their menu.

• Website: www.facebook.com/casaconsuelo
• Cell: +63.918.9905385
• Email: [email protected]
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2800.00 / USD 62.00

Kapuluan Vista Resort

Pagudpud’s surf beach resort. They offer surfing lessons. Probably our second favorite resort, near Casa Consuelo. Kapuluan Vista has a good restaurant too, though the menu’s a bit pricey.

• Website: www.kapuluanvista.com
• Cell: +63.920.9522528
• Tel: +63.2.6976597
• Tel: +63.77.6760073
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2700.00 / USD 60.00

Punta Azul Beach Resort

• Website: www.punta-azul-pagudpud.com
• Cell: +63.927.3231981
• Cell: +63.928.4822643
• Cell: +63.927.2247825
• Cell: +63.905.2662327
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3200.00 / USD 71.00
• Website: www.aguaseda.com
• Cell: +63.920.9699166
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2500.00 / USD 55.00

Hannah’s Beach Resort

A very large resort. With all its concrete, it has that urban subdivision feel to it, like you never left the city. The place to be if you want to be in the middle of all the action in the Blue Lagoon area. Try out their very long 1.2 kilometer zipline spanning over the waters of the Blue Lagoon. They have various water sports equipment available to rent like banana boats, pedal boats, kayaks and jet skis. The resort caters to the packaged tour crowd and conventioneers.

• Website: www.hannahsbeachresort.com
• Cell: +63.928.5206255
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3500.00 / USD 77.00

Pagudpud Beach Resorts & Hotels along Saud Beach

Saud Beach, dubbed the Boracay of the North, is what put Pagudpud on the map. The resorts below marked with asterisks are clustered at Burayoc Point, which is the southern  end of Saud Beach.

Burayoc Point is a rocky outcrop, so they don’t have a sandy beachfront, but it offers a great sunset view with the rocks in the foreground. Standing on Burayoc Point, you’ll see the windmills of Bangui lined up on the horizon.

Saud Beach Resort, which has the best beachfront in our opinion, is just a few steps away from Burayoc Point for those wanting to take a dip. Tartaruga’s is inland, but the beach is just a short walk away via the municipal beach entrance.  Click on the links for current rates.

Saud Beach Resort and Hotel

Probably the largest resort in the area, with the best beachfront. Probably the oldest too, since we first stayed here in the late 1990’s, but it is still well maintained.

• Website: www.saudbeachresort.com
• Cell: +63.917.5195495
• Cell: +63.918.5533073
• Tel: +63.2.9212856
• Tel: +63.2.9289853
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3619.00 / USD 80.00

Villa Del Mar

• Website: www.villadelmarpagudpud.com
• Cell: +63.915.2674100
• Cell: +63.919.8995673
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 1890.00 / USD 42.00

Arinaya White Beach Resort

• Website: www.arinaya.webs.com
• Cell: +63.921.9728672
• Cell: +63.916.3931082
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 1700.00 / USD 37.00

*Apo Idon Beach Hotel (at Burayoc Point)

• Website: www.apoidon.com
• Cell: +63.917.5100671
• Cell: +63.918.9334464
• Tel: +63.77.6760438
• Tel: +63.77.6760325
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 4800.00 / USD 106.00

*Rinovatti (at Burayoc Point)

• Website: www.pagudpudrinnovati.com
• Cell: +63.927.8904292
• Cell: +63.927.6137466
• Cell: +63.912.5164798
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 1800.00 / USD 40.00

* Terra Rika Dive and Beach Resort (at Burayoc Point)

Terra Rika runs a dive shop for those looking to explore under water.

• Website: www.terrarika.com
• Tel: +63.77.6761559
• Tel: +63.77.6761790
• Cell: +63.918.9371752
• Cell: +63.920.2558377
• Cell: +63.917.5540005
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3850.00 / USD 85.00

* Evangeline’s Beach Resort (at Burayoc Point)

Their restaurant, Emohrou’s at Evangeline’s (anagram of our home?), provide a romantic sea view dining ambiance – more so during sunset.

• Website: www.evangelinebeachresort.net
• Tel: +63.77.6555862
• Cell: +63.908.8637564
• Cell: +63.927.4116284
• Cell: +63.923.2057445
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2600.00 / USD 57.00

*Keahana Resort (at Burayoc Point)

• Website: www.keahanaresort.com
• Cell: +63.918.4902713

*Jun and Carol Beach Cottages (at Burayoc Point)

• Website: www.juncarolbeachresort.com
• Cell: +63.917.5471270
• Cell: +63.919.6405630
• Cell: +63.920.5740136
• Cell: +63.917.5486331
• Cell: +63.921.4847746
• Tel: +63.77.6760183

[alert type=white ]Note: Burayoc Point is the rocky southern end of Saud Beach.[/alert]

Tartaruga’s

• Website: www.pagudpud-ilocos.com
• Cell: +63.947.5429521
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2900.00 / USD 64.00

Beach Resorts & Hotels in Barangay Caparispisan, Pagudpud

Barangay Caparispisan is about 7 kilometers north of Saud Beach. Not that frequented by tourists yet, however you’ll bump into intrepid local and foreign backpackers now and then. The way there after Saud Beach, segues into a dirt road all the way.  Click on the links for current rates.

Kingfisher Sand Sea Surf Resort

Kingfisher caters mostly to the kite surfing crowd. They provide kite rentals and conduct kite surfing lessons.

• Website: www.kingfisherbeach.com
• Cell: +63.927.5258111

Natsuca Beach Resort

• Website: www.natsuca.com
• Cell: +63.999.9991965
• Cell: +63.915.9052715

Villa del Nico

Villa del Nico looks like it was originally a private beachfront vacation house. They rent out a catamaran and provide sailing lessons.

• Website: www.villadelnico.ph
• Cell: +63.947.2337623
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 1650.00 / USD 36.00

Beach Resorts & Hotels in Barangay Pancian, Pagudpud

Barangay Pancian is east of the Blue Lagoon, towards Cagayan Province, past the Patapat Viaduct and near the junction road going to the mountain town of Adams. The Panziann resort is nestled between the sea and the mountainside.

Pannzian Resort

• Website: www.pannzian.com
• Tel: +63.2.6469020
• Cell: +63.920.9520662
• Fax: +63.2.6827844
• Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2200.00 / USD 48.00

Click on the links or contact the resorts directly for room availability, actual prices and reservations.

These are the seasons that affect resort prices:

Non-Peak Season – June – November Peak Season – December – May Super Peak – Christmas, New Year, Valentines, Holy Week (prices spike during these days)

Homestays & Guesthouses in Pagudpud

If somehow you’re unable to get a room from any of the resorts above or would like to spend less on accommodations (especially if you plan on being outdoors most of the time) try bunking at homestays.

Local residents free up their guestrooms or their own rooms for visitors at rates significantly lower than resort rates. Often you get home-cooked local cuisine and an immersive experience with the amiable residents of Pagudpud. Some homestays have grown into full-time B&B’s.

Homestays though are generally not beachfront in Saud Beach, but a handful in the Blue Lagoon area are almost beachfront.

Below’s a small sampling of homestays in Pagudpud. If all are full, just ask any local resident for recommendations, especially tricycle drivers, and they’ll point you to a house where you can get a roof over your head.

Homestays in Saud Beach, Pagudpud

Pearl’s Transient Homestay

• Tel: +63.77.7131218
• Cell: +63.917.8073713

Cathy’s Homestay

• Cell: +63.919.5716680

Curammeng Homestay

• Cell: +63.920.4557633
• [email protected]

Garrison Homestay

• Tel: +63.77.6769839
• Cell: +63.949.1798952

Hannah Lou Homestay

• Cell: +63.921.3104826

Rafols Homestay

• Cell: +63.919.8627731
• Cell: +63.921.2557237

Arlyn’s Homestay

• Cell: +63.918.5698886

Ubasa Homestay

• Cell: +63.920.2646400
• Cell: +63.906.6121374

Marilyn’s Homestay

• Cell: +63.918.6870808

Tita Nora’s Homestay

• Cell: +63.918.7126789
• Cell: +63.930.1370750

Homestays in Blue Lagoon/Maira-ira Beach, Pagudpud

Wally’s World Surf Homestay

Wally’s World offers surfing lessons when the waves are right.

• Cell: +63.938.6159568

Arnold’s Blue Lagoon Homestay

• Cell: +63.928.6099699

Any new discoveries in Pagudpud? Would you agree that it’s the Boracay of the North?

Great tips! We were there last year and unfortunately there was no season because the beach was trashed and it was very quiet :(.

Hey there, that’s one good reason to plan another visit to Pagudpud! 🙂

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Ready To Be Rich

Business, Investments, and Personal Finance

My Ilocos Vacation Tour – Vigan, Laoag, Pagudpud

• Money Saving Tips

Updated: March 19, 2019

Just recently, I went on a road trip vacation to Ilocos. Me and three other friends drove all the way from Manila to Vigan, Laoag, Pagudpud and back in a span of four days.

Our mission was to see the famous places in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte while experiencing the joy of travelling on the road.

Our vacation rules were simple – see as much tourist destinations as we can, eat only in local restaurants and of course, enjoy our time together.

Armed only with internet research, hotel brochures and some street smarts, we set out to see Vigan , Laoag and Pagudpud . Our initial budget was set at P10,000 per person which was inclusive of everything from gasoline, food, accommodation and others.

Personally, I thought this was too expensive but was advised that this was a just conservative estimate. At the end of the trip, I would find out that this was indeed a very conservative budget.

Budget Travel Tip : Plan your trip. Be conservative with your budget and make sure you can cover it. Don’t ruin your vacation by running out of money.

We left Manila very early morning on Thursday. We drove a Toyota Revo AUV on a full tank which was just enough to bring us to Vigan. If you’re planning to do the same, make sure you gas up in Manila because the price of gasoline is more expensive as you drive further up north. We had a few stops along the way, not just to rest and eat but also to buy some snacks for the road.

Budget Travel Tip : Prepare snacks at home or buy them at the grocery where it’s cheaper. Bring a cooler to keep your drinks cold. Snacks are expensive in gas stations and bus stop overs.

We arrived in Vigan early evening. We didn’t have any hotel reservations so we went around to scout for the best deal available. We decided to stay in Villa Angela based upon the recommendation from a friend. It’s not the cheapest place to stay in Vigan but it’s also not the most expensive. Our main reason for choosing the place was actually the ambiance and the great customer service of the staff.

The next day, we had our tour of Vigan, courtesy of one of the Villa Angela staff, Kuya Tony. He offered to take us around while giving us bits of trivia about Vigan. We went to the Baluarte Open Zoo , Hidden Garden , Padre Burgos Museum , Bantay Church and many others. We also saw Vigan’s handloom weaving and pottery making industries.

We were lucky to have a “free” tour guide. But in any case, there’s a Tourism office in Vigan where you can get free brochures of the places you can see and visit around town. The people of Vigan are also friendly and will give you proper directions when asked. Everybody seems to know how to speak Tagalog and English so there’s no language barrier. :)

Budget Travel Tip : Shop around for the best prices for souvenirs but more often than not, the best place to buy them is in the local public market – so buy your pasalubongs at the palengke . And of course, don’t forget to haggle .

In the afternoon, we went on our way to our next destination, which was Laoag. This was an hour and a half drive from Vigan. Our internet research showed us that Balay Da Blas is the best place to stay in Laoag but it was already fully booked. However, owner Mr. Sammy Blas was kind enough to reserve for us a room at Isabel Suites. To show our gratitude, we had dinner at his restaurant, Saramsam Cafe.

That night, we inquired on the available Laoag tour packages of the hotel. We really had no intention of availing them, our purpose was just to see the itinerary and come up with our own tour of Laoag. The hotel had free WiFi (actually, most hotels and establishments in Ilocos do). So we did internet research for directions going to Museo Ilocos Norte , Sinking Bell Tower , St. Williams Church , the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum , the La Paz Sand Dunes , Paoay Church and Paoay Lake to the Malacanang of the North .

Budget Travel Tip : Don’t spend on expensive guidebooks, maps and tour guide packages. The internet is full of free information about popular tourist destinations. Blogs are specially very helpful in giving you directions and reviews of places you should visit.

By the end of the day, we were beginning to get tired of all the walking and the sight seeing and looked forward to a relaxing day in Pagudpud . We were more than half-way through our road trip vacation but have only spent less than half of our budget.

Maybe that’s why we decided to spend a little more in Pagudpud and booked a room in Apo Idon Beach Hotel. It’s a bit expensive but it’s very relaxing and beautiful there. If you’re on a tight budget, less expensive accomodations are available in the area. Just ask the locals and they’ll point you to them.

We checked out after lunch and got ready to go back to Manila. But not after we visit four more destinations, which was the Patapat Viaduct , Bangui Windmills , Cape Bojeador Lighthouse and the Baroque Church of Sta. Maria .

Among these, I enjoyed my time most at the Bangui Windmills. It’s really an awesome sight. If you’re going there, be sure to visit the Kangkang Windmill Cafe. I know the name of the place sounds funny but the place is very cozy.

We left Manila Thursday morning and was back by Monday morning. That was four days and four nights of great sight seeing in Ilocos. Our trip cost each of us around P5,700.

I believe this is a modest expense for the whole trip given that we stayed in medium price ranged hotels and mostly ate in restaurants. Our total gasoline expense was P5,000. If you don’t have a car, hiring a van for an Ilocos tour can be an option or just take public transportation all the way.

Lastly, I believe that this trip wouldn’t have been possible if not for the time freedom in my life.

Having a business that can run on its own and earning passive income allows me to do things that I love and spend more time with both family and friends.

I guess that’s why I want to be financially free, so I can have the luxury to experience more in life.

116 comments

love this place! been here in 2007. i really enjoyed my vacation, especially in pagudpud. and in vigan, the museums are indeed educational. longanisa in ilocos is the best!

if i am going to mention all the things i love about ilocos, i won’t stop. lol.

once pa lang ako nakarating sa Ilocos and it was to attend pa a funeral. but we were able to go to Baluarte and Vigan for half a day lang. I hope to back there soon! This summer for a company outing, I hope! Thanks for the pics and the budget travel tips!

Wow, now this is something I look forward to experiencing with my family! For now, I’m still building our passive income streams but I’m willing to wait as I also believe in delayed gratification. It’s also nice that you decided to visit places in the Philippines like Ilocos, instead of going to international destinations, Philippines muna!I’ll do the same when I’m out of the rat race. Great post, thanks for the tips!

great article fitz! the windmills are lovely =) cant wait to go to ilocos soon!

budget friendly na talaga mag vigan these days but i see na malakas pala sa gas ang revo. we went there last december lang on a honda city and siguro we used 2.5 full tank then at ~1,300 each.

i love ilokos!

kakainggit, hehe. sana xa susunod mkasama aq, hehe…. thanks for sharing one of our best tourist spots kuya. :)

tagal ko ng pangarap makarating jan.

Ang cool nung video Fitz! Fave part ko yung tumakbo ka sa shore while taking your shirt off. Parang feel na feel! :P

San next road trip natin? Daya nyo eh, ayaw nyo ko pagdrive. Nung madaling araw naman, wala nakong makita sa daan. Di ako makapag sight seeing! :P

Great trip Fitz!~ I hope I can also visit Ilocos soon.

Nice blog and video, Fitz!..the whole family plus my grandkids will be going there on the 20th via PAL econolight Php488/one way..cheap noh? here’s another budget tip for you and the readers> subscribe to PAL.com, cebupacific.com and airasia.com too so u will be the 1st to know their promos/free seat fare..

Thanks everyone for the comments and sharing your thoughts. I really loved Ilocos, specially Vigan. Gusto kong bumalik kasama naman parents ko. I’m sure they’ll enjoy it there. :D

Galing naman .. this made me think of my itenerary during my Philippine vacation on April :).

I have not yet visited this places

have read through your article and it got me excited as we are planning a same trip in May.

Your gas expenses was 5000 pesos. Ask ko lang kung yung REVO nyo is Gas or Diesel? and kung manual o automatic? Also, if you can recall the total kilometers that you have travelled in your trip.

Just wanted to check out the budget for this pag sa car ko.

Thanks in advance for your reply.

The Toyota Revo is a manual transmission that runs on gasoline. We used E10 and unleaded for the trip.

We traveled an estimated total of 1,200 kilometers. Gas price in Manila was P29 per liter and around P36 in Ilocos during that time.

Have a great trip! :D

kuya ask ko lang kung ilang hours ang driving kc i have a 1 yera old son baka mainip sya pag punta namin im planning to go there on his 2nd bday on sept. at tlga bang 5000 pesos ang nagamit nyo grabe parang sobrang layo nmn ata baka d namin kayanin. at sir san po pinaka cheap na hotel kc medyo madami po kmi pupunta at ako po ang taya. tnx po

@venice Manila to Vigan – 8 hours Vigan to Laoag – 1.5 hours Laoag to Pagudpud – 1.5 hours

Yes, P5000 ang nagastos namin sa gas dahil ginamit din namin ito sa pag-tour. Lalo na sa Laoag na medyo malalayo ang mga tourist destinations sa isa’t-isa.

Regarding sa cheap hotels, may mga dorm type na accommodations doon na good for large groups. Pwedeng magtanong sa tourist center sa Vigan kung saan ang location nila, pero within the city din ang mga yun.

Ganun din sa Laoag at Pagudpud. :D

I’ve been to Vigan to teach bagmaking last March. I enjoyed my stay there though I didn’t have much time to see the landmarks. I’m looking forward to seeing Vigan again for my next sked this June because Mayor Eva Marie Medina had requested me to come back for additional training for the women there. They love the bags that the participants had made using the Vigan weave.

I enjoyed the food they serve to us while we were there. We stayed at the La Playa Resort at Mindoro bearch which is owned by the city government. The place is good hideaway for those who love the beach. Many thanks to the staff of the Mayor for making my stay there memorable.

Thanks also Mr Fitz.

Rene R. Baltazar

[…] you want to know more about this trip, like expenses and everything, please visit this Ilocos Vacation Tour article of […]

[…] shake from Hidden Garden Restaurant in Vigan, Ilocos. Something that I was able to try during my Ilocos Tour early this […]

Hi there, Mr fitz Nice blog.. I’m planning for a trip alone in a place na unfamiliar sa akin and Im thnking about Ilocos since gustong gusto ko makarating ng dun wala lang akong chance and gusto kong mag travel alone safe ba kung mag stay dun sa mga lugar? and since wala rin akong sariling sasakyan so mag commute lang ako and pati mejo tight din ako sa budget. Marami bang murang lugar dun na pwedeng mag stay at safe?

Thanks for the time Mr. fitz =)

Jacqui Corpuz

Yes, Ilocos is very, very safe. And taking public transportation is easy. In addition, you can contact Mr. Sammy of Balay Da Blas to guide you in and around Ilocos. Just go to their website and look for his contact number.

kuya,gusto ko talga makarating ng ilocos, we are planning to go there for 2 days with my boyfriend on december, but gusto sana namin magcommute papunta dun from manila kasi gusto nya rin makita sceneries papunta dun.at kung safe ba talga bumyahe. just want to ask kung may idea po kau kung mgkano rent ng car dun and estimated expenses to visit places in laoag and vigan. and if kung magcocommute lang to visit places…ok lang po ba?we have found already northview hotel to stay there for 2-3 days. thank you po and hoping for your reply..

Would just like to ask where did you stay and how much?? and would you know if there are cheap house for rent there??my family’s planning to go there and will be hiring a driver kaya naman bahay po talaga prefer namin..hoping for your reply..thank you :)

grabe 5k pang gas palang? unleaded ata kc gamit.. dapat kc diesel para one to sawa travel.. ^_^ nkapunta na ko sa mga yan,, actually province kc namen yan,. sa burgos ilocos norte kame.. ganda sa kapurpurawan! ^_^

Hi! Enjoyed reading your post, can’t wait to go back there. Every Holy Week pumupunta kami dyan except the last 2 years, so I guess it’s time we go back. Can’t wait to eat the empanada in Vigan and also the bibingka from Marsha’s :D Ang hindi ko pa napuntahan sa places that was mentioned is Pagudpud, hopefully this time makadating na ako hehe And medyo malaki na rin anak ko, so mas ma-a-appreciate na niya yung vacation namin.

grabe naman pala habang tinitignan ko ung mga view tlagang nakakaingganyo, this weekend balak nga nmin manila to vigan , vigan to batac, batac to laoag at pagudpud, kaya! kaya sya ng 3 day para mapasyalan lahat ng site?

Hi! I raad ur blog and it’s pretty interesting. My friends and I are going to Ilocos on May. Can you please give us driving directions to Ilocos, or where can I find a good map (as in detailed). We opted to bring an auto instead of commuting. We prefer to leave in the morning, para just in case maligaw kami eh maliwanag pa, hehehehe. We will be leaving Sunday and be back Friday. We plan to go to Laoag, Vigan and Pagudpod and Baguio. Ano ba dapat mauna sa itinerary, we also include Baguio, it’s either pabalik from Ilocos or bago pumunta na ilocos, what do u suggest. Thanks in advance and looking forward on your reply. God Bless! :)

what a very informational article this is!

we were planning to visit vigan and pagudpud this may. you mentioned that during your visit to vigan, you only used 2 full tanks of gas using toyota revo. is that for the whole trip? we have a toyota revo glx and we’re planning to use it on our trip.

thanks in advance :)

Yes, we only used around 2 full tanks of gasoline. And for what it’s worth, we loaded up with regular unleaded.

hi. my friends and i are planning a travel to ilocos on a very tight budget kc from leyte pa kmi. interested in visiting the windmills, the beach and the cobblestones in vigan. wala kmi car so we have to commute lang tlga…

pano kmi mka punta sa destination namin and how much po estimated budget. thnks

[…] at your planned destination. And just in case you’re going to Pagudpud beach, here’s an Ilocos Tour Vacation post of […]

It’s nice to hear your story. I thought you may want to know that there’s this site (www.justgo.ph) that gives out free itineraries for driving tourists who want to discover Ilocos. It uses a common tourism route that passes through myriad attractions in La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. You can even select the itinerary that matches your available no. of days and the theme that you’re interested in. check it out at http://www.justgo.ph/northwestern-luzon . it’s run by AAP (Automobile Association Philippines), a non-profit organization for motoring public.Thanks and happy road trip!

thanks, your blog is better than the Department of Tourism website :)

Department of Tourism you suck!!!

Hi, my name is Katsuya from Japan, I will go to Manila and Boracay and then I want to go to Vigan, what places do you recommend me to visit, I have only 3 day to go to Vigan and near, thanks very much (excuse me my english)

hi.. thanks to your detailed info. and tips going to vigan,laog-pagudpud. me and my family are about to go there this last week of april.. now we can do our itinerary and hope that we can explore ilocos the way you did.. thanks and god bless

hi fitz, me and my friends are planning to go to ilocos too. it looks we’ll have a lot of fun!! thanks for the info.

Hi there, you think Kuya Tony will still be there if we ask for him? Tour packages are reasonable but they are requiring min of 4 pax and we only have 2 pax to date. We’re coming from Pangasinan and we’re planning on just hiring a van with a driver and that was we could take more people with us.

Great info btw.

Ilocos is really a great place to visit! If your in need of a tour guide and transportation at a reasonable price just pm me at [email protected]

I’m pretty sure that the Ilocos roadtrip was worth every peso of the Php5700 you spent. It is a charming region that has so much to offer.

If you should come back, you must try sandboarding at the Paoay dunes. There’s nothing like it in the Philippines.

hi everyone we’re planning to go there in ilocos this november since my friend is coming home in manila on oct or nov, is it ok to go there by that month? or if it is raining will we still enjoy our tour? Thanks a lot! hope someone will reply =)

There are lots of affordable resorts/hotels that are only 5-10 minutes drive from vigan city and can be found in Bantay or Caoayan, Ilocos Sur which cannot be seen in the net. Also in Pagudpud, there are lots of houses there that are being rented out in daily basis specially if you want to cook your own foods..

Me nag offer ba ng ride at package from manila to go to vigan laoag and pagudpod? how much kaya pag ganun

im a local form ilocos norte, but im not home at the moment, its nice that you guys are actually interested to go up north, i could give you more tip, if your tallking about food place, and you want the local food, go to DAOANG’s place located at San Nicolas, just before you reach laoag city. also, chicken atiatihan at laoag, bacarra road, you cant miss it when youre at the main highway esp if your going to pagudpud. saramsam is nice too, if you want a good pansit bihin or guisado, go to lamoda panciteria, or if you are still at batac, go to malabed, now, there are few things you dont wanna miss if you are goin sight seeing, at paoay church, ask if you could climb the bell tower, it hould be open, the thrill of getting up top is really nice. visit,fort ilocandia, just walk around would be nice, they have amazing stuff at the back of the hotel a pool a bar, golfing range etc, or you could go to nipa beach resort, for a night live band out in the open, sunset photos? go to pangil.. stones over ther are epic looking,, esp sunset, everything else you wanna know, ask from a tricycle driver. there are more if your interested.

[…] usually where people do initial research. Such was the case when me and my friends went on our Ilocos Tour last year. We didn’t know anyone from Ilocos that’s why all information on places to […]

hi..i am a single mom with 3kids.i am planning to take my kids on a road trip to ilocos this nov.just want to ask and to know for sure “will it be safe for me and my kids to be travelling along the hways to ilocos?”i will be driving a toyota revo too.are there mechanics or vulcanizing place along the hway if i need one?your blog is really very informative and i even wrote down all your tips and planning to follow it.thanks so much

@juliet, yes there are, so don’t worry. but of course, it’s always best to have your vehicle checked before you go on the trip. :D

i always make sure that i got a hotel reservation at least 1 week in advance to ensure that i got a reservation “`:

hi there, planning to go to ilocos this weekend,..just wanna ask, did all the hotels u stayed had a good and secured parking?

@Rey, yes, all the parking are secured – but the parking lot of Isabel Suites is in front of the hotel, beside the main road.

While the hotel lobby guard has a good view of the cars, if you’re cautious, then better not leave anything valuable inside there.

Enjoy Ilocos!

Hello Kuya,

Buti na lang nakita ko tong site na ‘to. Planning to go there this holiday w/ my 3 kids. I want to show them na marami tayo mapuntahan dito sa Pinas, lagi na lang kasi outside the country. Medyo malapit kami, sa Angeles City kasi kami mangagaling. Ako lang bale ang mag drive going North. Kayanin ko sana (^_^) God bless po!

Thanks a lot for this blog :) i appreciate more the place and excited to visit Ilocos…. I’ve never been in Ilocos so im kinda reluctant to plan my visit there especially we dont have our own car… But isn’t more exciting when uL just have the public transportation… ohhh the expenses…. will it be wise to have public transpo??? Well…. i just hope its not that expensive as i was thinking :)

Nweyz, thanks a lot for this… :)

God BLess!!!

whoaa! wala pang 6k expenses nyo? youre good!haha! nagpplan palang kami but kinocompute kona parang makaka 18k kami.. exage ako!maybe bcoz i thought our gas will be like 7-8k. and food sa hotel (2yrold is commin w/ us, and yaya).but our trip might be launion (overnyt), vigan, laoag(planning to stay at fortilocandia) 2nyts,pagudpud.. our son will be coming w/ us.. di ba advisable? awww.. im excited pero parang natakot ako magoverspend knowing we can spend just like you!hehe! inggit! =p thanks for your blog!

ako din travelling with my anak who is 17y.o.planning mga 3rd week ng march.commute kaming dalawa.almost na check ko na lahat.2 nites pagudpud maybe in hannah’s or kapuluan.1 nite in laoag and 1 nite in vigan,mga 14k 0r 15k ang computation ko.my prob is the bus will leaveat 7pm,so expected arrival namin is 3am in pagudpud.is it safe? kasi kaming mag ina lang.my katx ako na mag tour sa amin ng 11places in pagudpud for 1,200 whole day daw.

Hi! great blog!! thanks for sharing..very informative! God bless!

HI! we are planning our trip to laoag-vigan-pagudpud this may. We only have 3 days for the entire trip and coming in by plane. Are there car rentals readily available there? thanks :)

Thank you for this… I have always wanted to go to Vigan and get inspired by its history and culture :) Thank you so much for this article :)

wow, it’s nice to see and read such a beautiful stories from you guys, being OFW and a traveller too, this places i want to go….being ilokano , i want to see the hidden beauty of ilocos region , hope i will plan for my vacation next year 2012 to visit ilocos with my family…. thanks Joel

love ilocos…

i need i big house 3 bedroom on may 9 to may 12!can somebody help me find or send me the details if you have one!thank you

hi ! my co teachers and i are planning to go to laoag-vigan-pagudpud and we saw these travel agencies offering to let us see these places for 3,800+ if we are a group of 5. how reliable are these travel agencies do you know? We really want to go to vigan, and see places there, but we are afraid that these agencies might be a scam! please share us your insights!

Thank You! ^^

hi. is september or october still a good time to visit those places? i am a bit worried about the weather as typhoons tend to go up north. thanks.

Hi, i enjoyed reading your blog. it helps a lot ang gave me numerous ideas. thanks to the link (calvins hub), coz im actually planning to travel alone, using public transpo.

maraming salamat..

hi, i read your blog and it’s really interesting. My friends and i are planning to go to ilocos this june and i know your tips will help us a lot. Thanks and keep on blogging..

Hello there, I’m from Malaysia and I’m going to Vigan and Laoag this September. Your blog helped me a lot and I believe will save me lots of $$$. Thanks a lot and looking forward to visit Philippines. :)

Thanks for this whole information, we’re planning to have a trip in ilocos. and rhank God I found you blog. I wish this will be our guideline. thank you very much!

im a tour guide here in the ilocos region..i hope i could be of help to any of those planning and wanting to travel the historic ilocos.this is one of the noble jobs on getting ready to be rich…

mga boss magkano kelangang budget for 1 week sa ilocos (pagudpud – laoag – vigan)? yung pinaka-cheapest tour, tricycle, at homestay lang good for 2 persons… please give me information and advice thanks!

Hey guys! What you’ve done and where you’ve went to is simply amazing! Thanks for sharing especially the travel tips and I am looking forward to do the same, hopefully soon.

I am excited to go in Vigan. we have a retreat this coming semester break. a 3days bakasyon engrande for me.but the problem is i am 5months pregnant that time. so on the back of my mine i have “agam-agam” If I will go… can you give me a little bit of advise. kung kakayanin ko ba ang byahe ng I think 12 hours papunta dun.and walking-walking around.I’m looking forward for a response. Thanks nway.

I really enjoyed our trip to Vigan City last October 15, 2011, if not for a very unfortunate incident which was quite disheartening. We lost P 37,000.00 in cash and about P 35,000.00 worth of jewelries during our overnight stay at Villa Angela. So, for those planning to stay at Villa Angela, please be wary. You can verify this with the Vigan City Police Station.

hi im robert here in pagudpud,,meron akong van for rent here in ilocos pwedeng package or dailly rate(pagudpud,laoag & vigan)& trike here in pagudpud 600php each north & south tour,if you want also hotel accommodation pwede rin.you can call or text me at cp#09276549903. thanks

nice blog about Ilocos… : )

May tatlo pong tourist destination sa Ilocos. 1. Vigan – Ilocos Sur – andito po yung calle crisologo at Baluarte ni Chavit 2. Laoag city – Ilocos Norte – andito yung Paoay Church at Malacanang of the North 3. Pagudpud – Ilocos Norte – andito yung mga Saud Beach, light house tower at Windmills

my friends and I are planning to have Ilocos tour this may, could you give me price quote for 3 days 2 nights

Looking for affordable & negotiable VAN here in ILOCOS region? Contact kuya ROBERT at cp #09276549903,for surely he’ll serve as your tourguide,lifeguard & bodyguard within ILOCOS region. With kuya ROBERT you’ll in good hands…Smile

VIGAN TOUR:bantay bell tower,sequia mansion,baluarte zoo ni chavit,pottery making,hidden garden, burgos museum,crisologo museum,st.paul cathedral,ilocos sur prov’l capitol,calle crisologo heritage village,juan luna shrine, plaza salcedo, vigan calesa rideWink

LAOAG TOUR:marcos museum,paoay church,paoay lake,ilocos norte prov’l capitol,malacanang of the north,fort ilocandia resort & casino, sand dunes,tobacco monopoly,museo ilocos,sinking bell tower,st.william cathedral,santa monica church,laoag archSmile

PAGUDPUD TOUR:cape bojeador light house,kapurpurawan rock formation,bangui viewdeck, bangui windmills,pagudpud arch,saud white beaches,kabigan falls,patapat viaduct bridge,paraiso ni anton, agua grande spring,bantay abot cave,blue lagoon,timmangtang rockSmile Cp# – 09276549903 E-mail address – [email protected] You can also visit my facebook page VAN FOR RENT IN ILOCOS

Good day! I’m jocelyn patiluna,from Intramuros Travel and Tours, i woul like to know if you could give us the contracted rates and the qoutes on Feb.17- 20. I need the package tour near in the city. I really need your ASAP response.

Thanks, Jocelyn

we are planning with my barkada na pumunta ng ilocos,then budget short kami..kc d nmn alam magkano magagastos pag round trip by a van..then pti mga villa and food..plan sana mg 3days and 2nights dun..medyo marami kami mga 20+ persons kmi so bka hindi van maybe a bus..pwd ba magtanong mga magkano mgagastos nmn if ever…kht dun lang sa mga cheapest na place pwd mag stay?

Hello jocelyn,you can contact me at cp 09276549903 or you can mail me at [email protected]

jus,you can contact me at 09276549903 for more info & inquiries..

hi,ASK KO LANG KUNG SAAN AMAY MGA CHEAP ACCOMODATION SA ILOCOS,WERE PLANNING A VACAY KASI THIS COMING MAY.THANKS!

Hello everyone, Paoay Kumakaway! Come visit Ilocos! If you need a tour guide for your ilocos tour, feel free to contact me (09192068209)and it will be my pleasure to show you around Ilocos and share with you our so-called treasures.Intayon Ilocos!

One of the must try road trip experience. Ilocos is truely wonderful. Dami pa masasarap at murang food.

Just want to share the cheapest and most sulit travel tour and package in ilocos (Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpud) for only P2,999.00 each, and good for 10 persons lang. Maluwag at malamig pa sa van dahil toyota grandia GL ang gamit nila. Take note all in na sya, except meals lang. thanks to Ilocos’ Finest Travel and Tours (Ms.Harlynne) You may contact her at 09054190880

hello,,i have a VAN for rent here in ILOCOS region & the cheapest package tour in ILOCOS.Come,have fun & i’ll take you to all the tourist spots & also experience 4×4/sandboarding in laoag sand dunes.. You can contact me @09276549903 or mail me @ [email protected] you can also visit my facebook page VAN FOR RENT IN ILOCOS..

Hi were planning to go to pagudpud early next year with my family and my cousins baka meron kang ma reccomend na cheapest na mapapag stay-in namin.

hello aiza david,ipackage ko na lang kung gusto mu all-in hotel,van rental & entrance fee SULIT TIPID PACKAGE..3D2N. you contact me@09276549903 or for more information & inquiries you can mail me [email protected] THANKS

hello mr. fitz, thanks for posting! we are a group of teachers from Southern part of Leyte (around 10). Malayo pa po kami so medyo kailangan talaga marunong magstick to the budget! anyway, we are really very excited to visit & tour Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpod. we really need to know how much kaya magasto namin for transpo, food, accomodation, & the places to be visited. kasi from Leyte to Manila, malaki na pong halaga yon. the planned tour could be on the last week of april, pls help us. thank u in advance.

We enjoyed a lot in spending 3 nights and four days at Ilocos sur/Norte.. Thank you so much kuya Lee Molina 09298138352 for so very helpful and mabait..with 1200.00php you can enjoy tricking from south to north bound with all destinations.

Thanks for your blog, so full on informations especially for first timers like us in Laoag/Vigan. Me, my son and daughter will be going to Laoag on March 31, and tried to contact cheap hotels to stay in Laoag, but failed to contact any of the numbers as seen in google, just don’t know why. I used to book hotels before going to places, but this time can’t do it(really wondering why) What hotel in Laoag by the way you can recommend to us? Hope I can contact them. Thank you very much!

try nyo UKL hotel in laoag 0999-5257777/(077)772-2771

LOVELY and AMAZING…i can’t wait to go there!.:)

thank’s for the tips..now i know we can be there in a cheaper cost..

God Bless:)

I would like to inquire 3D/2N for 4(four),Ilocos tour package this july 26-28,2012. And for the hotel accommodation,i would prefer a hotel that only cost P1,000-1,500 Pls also include 1 way airfare naga-manila-ilocos,may i know the itinerary. Can you provide itemized cost and what credit cards maybe used to make a payment.Pls reply ASAP.Thank you!

hello jessica,,i can offer you 3000 each(4 pax) ilocos tour package 3D2N(van rental,hotel w/breakfast & entrance fees). you can contact me @09276549903 & 09468214914,for more inquiries you can also mail me @ [email protected] & you can visit my facebook page VAN FOR RENT IN ILOCOS. THANKS

Wow. will be there next month!!

tnx for the reply to my email robert:) ang plano namin pumunta jan is by decemeber or early next year pa ksi nag iipon pa ng money for that!:) hintay pa kami ng promo fare papunta jan…from davao pa ksi kami..

kip in touch:)

If you’re looking for a nice play to stay in Vigan City that is strategically located a few steps away from Calle Crisologo, please check out My Vigan Home at http://www.facebook.com/myviganhome.ph

its beautiful places of davao i love i

Me and my four friends are planning to visit vigan on the 9th of June up to the 12th. We will be staying in a friend’s house so we would just like to know how much it will cost if we are to avail of a tour guide. Hope to receive a reply from you. Thanks!

Perfect for refreshment vacation,i want to visit this place soon……

I would like to request for quotation of Laoag/Vigan/Pagudpud Tours for 3 person on July 11-14.

Thanks, Dulce

hi, im planning to go to laoag on sept 19, 2012. and i would like to avail on ur 3d/2n tour package tour inclusive of accom/ land tour/ airport transfer form laoag airportand entrances vigan-laoag-pagudpud. for 2 persons only. how much will it cost. please email me ur package tour. kindly send me the itinerary.

Sir,my lowest quotation for 3d2n for 2 pax is 4775/head.. sir you can email me at [email protected] .. hindi ko kasi makita email add nyo.thank tou

My friends and i enjoyed our pagudpud tour last november 1, 2012 . thanks to Kuya Roland Villaluz our driver and tour guide we used his motorycle going around pagudpud. the tourist spot are north and south boud trip each cost 600.

North Bound:

1. Kabigan Waterfalls 2. Patapat Viaduct 3. Agua Grande 4. Paraiso ni Anton 5. Timmangtang Rock 6. Bantay Abot Cave 7. Blue Lagoon 8. Dos Hermanos Islands

Southbound:

1. Bangui Windmills 2. Kapurpurawan White Rock Formation 3. Café Bojeador Lighthouse

The Northbound and Southbound cost Php 600/tour. 1200/both tour.

Feel free to contact him. Kuya Roland Villaluz #09275590818

Hi, were planning to visit ilocos could you help me find the best places to visit and stay for 3days?

nice blog tnx for the info.

I’m so happy to find this blog, it’s very helpful! We’re based in the UAE and planned a visit to Vigan – Laoag – Pagudpud for 3 days with the entire family back home. It will be our first time road trip together and I hope our experience will be as exciting and fulfilling as yours. We’re just a bit worried because we will be travelling with tots but hoping that it will turn out manageable, less stress and the best vacay ever! :-)

We wish to visit as well Laoag in March next year and Batanes in the same trip. We wish to know if there are flights from Laoag to Basco or vice versa? How much is the fare and the schedule?

Hi. Has anyone recently been to Ilocos via TPLEX? We are planning to go on a road trip from Manila to Vigan this December. Will it still be a 10-hour trip? Since we have kids and elderly passengers on this trip, we plan to make an overnight stop in a beach resort or hotel in La Union or somehwere half-way. Are there nice family-friendly resorts or hotels along the route? I heard that San Juan, LU has nice beach resorts but wouldnt that be too far from the Vigan route?

[…] hotels they can stay in and other information for the places they visit. This is what I did for my Ilocos Vacation Tour article, which now gets a lot of search engine visitors […]

Hi! Were planning to visit ilocos by 20th, im going with a group of friends! Any one can recommend a place to stay in? Like house or transient where we can have our own kitchen? Thank you very much hope you can help me :)

One great Ilocos! Great post Sir Fitz!

Im excited to celebrate our wedding anniversary next week for 3d and 2n in Ilocos.We booked in a travel agency for 3 for P10,497 inclusive of accommodation,roundtrip fare from manila,driver+van+fuel,entrance fees. I think its not bad,what important to me is hindi lang kami ng daughter ko ang makakapagrelax at enjoy kundi pati hubby ko dahil hindi na siya mapapagod magdrive. During our Baguio trip kasi napagod sya pagdadrive.

What if we are coming from Dagupan, Pangasinan and we don’t need a tour package. But we need a van to go to Ilocos Norte? Where can we inquire for that? Any suggestions?

Very informative from all the blogs I’ve researced. Tnx for this post. It’s very helpful.

Wow lupit what a nice post, you know what me and my friend were chating as in only now, plan to have roadtrip and come to mi nd ilocos then as i continually browsing your blog, i saw this article, what a blessing,, thank you again Fitz, Godbless

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20 Awesome Pagudpud Tourist Spots And Things to do in Pagudpud

By: Author Ruben Arribas

Posted on November 9, 2023

Categories Philippines

We will tell you all of Pagudpud tourist spots in our Pagudpud travel guide. It was our second time in Pagudpud Ruben’s favorite  places to visit in the Philippines  because there are almost no tourists around the area compared with other destinations like  El Nido  and  Siargao .

With a lot of attractions and  things to do in Pagudpud , you will truly enjoy the serene and calming feel it can give you.

Pagudpud , officially the  Municipality of Pagudpud , is a 4th class municipality in the province of  Ilocos Norte , Philippines.  It had previously been a part of the neighboring town of  Bangui  where you can find the windmills.

The scenery when you go to  Pagudpud is breathtaking ; with its green hills, rice paddies, and grassy plains, everywhere you look is such  a sight to see .

Read here  where to stay in Pagudpud !

Table of Contents

WHERE TO STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES

You can get accommodation starting from 800-1000 PHP (less than $20 USD ) for a room in a guesthouse. Can you imagine if you are two of you traveling in the Philippines, it will be $10 USD each.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH  BOOKING  AND  AGODA !

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read  Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance . You can get for  $135 USD  your  Heymondo   Travel Insurance  with Heymondo discount code  valid for 90 days. Read our full  Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get  Safetywing Travel Insurance  for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days  Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

PAGUDPUD TRAVEL GUIDE

Getting to pagudpud by bus from manila.

If you are getting to Pagudpud from Manila by bus. You can  ride a bus directly to Pagudpud via G.V Florida Transport  and it costs  from 750 PHP to 950 PHP . Travel time is about 10 hours.

Click here to book your bus Manila to Pagudpud !

It is best if you want to enjoy the scenery along the way. If you choose this option, you’ll pass by a few provinces that you might love the view of. G.V Florida bus offers sleeper bus for a more comfortable trip.

Read here  how to get from Manila to Pagudpud !

TRANSPORTATION AROUND PAGUDPUD

Just like other provinces in the Philippines, Pagudpud has  tricycles for short trips or to go around the area . You can also rent tricycles if you want to have a DIY tour, although this is only advisable for 2-3 people only since tricycles are quite small.

Prices for tricycles are from  60-100 PHP  around Pagudpud. If you want to hire them for a day tour prices are  600 PHP  for North day tour and  900 PHP  for a South day tour.

DAY TOUR IN PAGUDPUD

If you want to explore Pagudpud there are a few options. You can rent a motorbike for  400-500 PHP  per day for a day tour in Pagudpud. You can also rent tricycles for a day tour 2-3 people maximum. Prices for a day tour in the North are  600 PHP and 900 PHP  for South. If you do both day tours in the same day it costs  1300 PHP .

Read here for a full information for a  Day Tour around Pagudpud !

NORTH DAY TOUR IN PAGUDPUD

If you go by tricycle prices for a day tour in North part are  600 PHP  and they will include these spots:  Kabigan Falls, Patapat Viaduct, Timangtang Rock, Bantay Abot Cove, Blue Lagoon and Dos Hermanos Island . You can also try the zip line after Bantay Abot Cove and before going to Blue Lagoon.

SOUTH DAY TOUR IN PAGUDPUD

If you go by tricycle for a  day tour around Pagudpud the price is 900 PHP  and they will include these spots:  Bangui windmills, view point Bangui windmills ,  Kapurpurawan Rock formations  and  Burgos Lighthouse . For last 2 spots you will have to get a tricycle from Burgos (Pagudpud tricycle drivers aren’t allowed to drive you around) and your driver will wait for you. The price for last two activities are  300 PHP  and they will discount from the cost of the tour  900 PHP . You have to pay  10 PHP  entrance fee before Kapurpurawan Rock formations and 20 PHP entrance fee for the lighthouse in Burgos if you access there!

ATM’S IN PAGUDPUD

Pagudpud might be fairly secluded but there are still ATM Machines available. There’s one near Pagudpud’s municipal library which is PS Bank while there’s also another one near Bangui Public Market. It’s Development Bank of the Philippines. It’s still advised to bring cash for emergencies.

INTERNET AND WIFI CONNECTION IN PAGUDPUD

The free wifi on the resorts and hotels and other establishments are at a decent speed. However,  internet connection isn’t really rampant here.  There are also areas where even cellphone  signal is quite hard to get.  Pagudpud was called a  digital detox paradise  since you’ll really enjoy the place and not be glued to your phone because of the lack of internet connectivity.

As Digital nomads w always care about internet connection and we could get 3G in Pagudpud and stable connection at the place that we were staying:  Evangeline Beach Resort  that allows us to do our online work. Globe has stronger signal than Smart in Pagudpud.

Read here if you want to know more about the  best Filipino Sim for tourists .

BEST TIME TO VISIT PAGUDPUD

The  middle-year months have very comfortable weather  with high temperatures that are quite warm. June –  August  is fairly slow season for tourism in Pagudpud, so lodging and other accommodations  may cost slightly less.  If you’re looking for the  warmest  your best time to visit Pagudpud,  the hottest months are May, April, and then June. 

Click here to know more about the weather in Pagudpud !

DAILY BUDGET IN PAGUDPUD

For transportation you can rent a motorbike to explore the area for 400-500 PHP or go for a day tour in a tricycle for 600-900 PHP. For food there are local carinderias serving orders as cheap as 60 PHP. In restaurants orders are 200-300 PHP. For accommodation, a  budget room  would cost minimum  1000 PHP ($20 USD) and you can go up to 5000 PHP .

WHERE TO STAY IN PAGUDPUD? CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING

THINGS TO DO IN PAGUDPUD AND PAGUDPUD TOURIST SPOTS

There are a  handful of places and a handful of things  that you can go to or do in Pagudpud. The province may not be as developed as other provinces around the are but  it can promise you pure fun and excitement.  From scenic views and places to  water sports activities , check out the following things you can do in Pagudpud.

1. VISIT BANGUI WINDMILLS

Bangui Wind Farm  is a  wind farm  in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The wind farm uses  20 units of 70-meter  (230 ft) high VestasV82 1.65 MW  wind turbines , arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, facing the West Philippine Sea. The wind farm is  created to supply electricity to the province.  Thus, the windmills are not only beautiful to look at; they are also useful and environmental tools used to supply electricity.

The beach is so windy an ideal for taking pictures. To get Bangui windmills from Pagudpud is 25 kilometers ride. Once you are there you can buy souvenirs and enjoy the views. There is no entrance fee in the most popular in the list of Pagudpud tourist spots.

2. SAUD BEACH

The jewel in the crown of Pagudpud is  Saud Beach , with its renowned wonderful fine white sand. Saud Beach has cream-colored sand and cool waters,  perfect for swimming and beach bumming in .

Have a relaxing day or afternoon just on the beach. The  resorts in the area makes sure that the shores are clean , so it is a plus point. There is plenty of room for  activities such as volleyball or throwing a Frisbee.  Our favorite beach and Pagudpud tourist spots here!

The colors are so blue, it can be little bit waivy. And the sunset is amazing from Saud beach!

3. BLUE LAGOON IN MAIRA-IRA BEACH

Blue Lagoon in Maira-ira beach is a stretch of white sand and crystal clear waters stretching out to the West Philippine Sea. Dubbed as the Blue Lagoon, this is one of the most well known destinations in Pagudpud. A number of resorts, luxury and budget, are along the way so tourists can surely enjoy the view and the activities such as swimming and other water sports longer.

The water is so clear and you can even get there with the zipline!

4. TIMANGTANG ROCK

Timangtang rock is a rock formation that can be seen along the seacoast of Sitio Gaoa, Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. It is shaped like a sloped hill and is said to be a part of Bantay Abot Cave. They are often called the lovers as Timangtang rock is the male counterpart.

5. SECRET GREEN HILLS

If you want some quiet and relaxing time in Pagudpud, the  Secret Green Hills  will be perfect for you. It is said to be  Pagudpud’s version of Batanes.  It is a hills at the edge that composes of  lush greenness  where you’ll be swayed by the cool wind. Make sure to bring a bottle of water as the walk to this  grassy hill via a well-trodden path  will take an hour long.

6. WATERSPORTS IN PAGUDPUD

There are numerous water sports that you can do and experience while you are in Pagudpud. You can  ride a banana boat  with your friends or family,  kayaking  alone or with a friend or your special someone,  surfing, jet skiing , use pedal boats and  speed boat .

You can ask the resorts you checked in to if they offer such service or activities and  enjoy it under the basking sun.  The best place to practise is  Kingfisher Resort in Pagudpud , it’s also a great palce to relax retired of everything in Pagudpud.

You have to be careful when practising watersports in Pagudpud. It can be quite dangerous with the wind!

7. KAYAKING ON BOLO RIVER

Bolo River  is the river that divides the Municipality of Pagudpud and that of Bangui. The river has its source up in the mountains near  Adams , It is absolutely perfect for the visitors or the tourists that wants to have fun on  clear water and shoot the rapids in a kayak.

8. PARAISO NI ANTON

Paraiso ni Anton  is a Pit stop offering  a tiny shrine & cascading spring with waters believed to have healing powers.  It is just located along the highway. It is a spot where motorists  stop over for souvenir items and cool down  at three mini waterfalls which are said to gush out miraculous water.

MORE THINGS TO DO IN PAGUDPUD

9. burgos lighthouse.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse  also known as Burgos Lighthouse, is a cultural heritage structure in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, that was established during the Spanish Colonial period in the Philippines.  The lighthouse of Cape Bojeador serves shipping heading towards the Pacific Coast heading towards the  Babuyan Channel , also serves ships heading towards the ports of Salomangue and Curmimao.

You can visit as part of the South tour in Pagudpud after visiting the windmills. There is an  entrance fee of 20 PHP .

10. AQUA GRANDE RIVER

The Agua-Grande River is known for its  eco-friendly and non carbon producing mini-hydro electric power plant . This was commissioned in 1983 and has been providing a renewable and alternative power supply to the consumers of Pagudpud,  Bangui ,  Dumalneg , Adams and  Burgos . The  Agua-Grande and Mabogabog falls supply the water power to turn the turbines.

11. KABIGAN FALLS

Kabigan Falls is a rustic trail through tropical forest that leads visitors to this dramatic natural waterfall. Reaching the place from the main highway is  approximately 30-45 minute walk  depending on your speed and power. The trek going to  Kabigan Falls  is mostly in a flat area so you’ll have time to enjoy the beautiful panorama.

It’s mandatory to hire a guide for 120 PHP to reach the waterfalls. Once in Kabigan waterfalls is a nice place for relaxing and it’s not so crowded.

12. KAPURPURAWAN ROCK FORMATIONS

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation  is a natural rock formation created through the years by the natural forces of the ocean on  the rocky coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte,  just a few minutes from the  Cape Bojeador.  Kapurpurawan comes from an Ilocano word “puraw” which means white. Since most of the rock formations in that area are white,  local folks called it “Kapurpurawan”.

It’s located in Burgos. You can rent horses to walk around. It’s only 10 minutes walking around and there is an  entrance fee of 10 PHP . You can even rent a horse to ride around Kapurpurawan rock formations.

13. DOS HERMANOS ISLAND

The Dos Hermanos Islands are two rock formations located off the northern coast of Maira-ira Point in Pagupud, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines.  The twin islands are often visited by tourists, and are a natural landmark of Pagudpud.

14. BANTAY ABOT CAVE

Bantay Abot cave might look like a cave, but it is not a cave. It is actually a hill that was wrecked by an earthquake in the 80’s leaving a hole in the middle. The top of the cave is covered with lush green vegetation thus adding the beauty of the cave. To get to the interior of the cave, you have to go down a few concrete staircases and a rocky part going up to the hole.

15. PATAPAT VIADUCT

The Patapat Viaduct is a viaduct at the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, a coastal resort town on the northernmost tip of Luzon Island in the Philippines.  The bridge is elevated 31 meters over sea level.

16. ZIPLINE

Another exciting thing to do or activity to do in Pagudpud is zip lining.  Pagudpud has the  record for the longest zip line  over water.  The 1.7 kilometer and 1.2 kilometer zip lines  over water is established by Hannah’s Beach Resort Convention Center in Barangay Balaoi.  At least 100 local and foreign tourists on the average try out the ziplines on a daily basis.  It costs 800 PHP and the views are insane!

17. VIEW POINT OF BANGUI WINDMILLS

After visiting Bangui windmills is worth it to go to the view point and check the view from the top. You can see rice fields and the view of the windmills. It’s hard to talk a picture of everything but the  view is breathtaking!

18. SUNSET IN PAGUDPUD

We have to say that sunsets was one of our favorite things to do in Pagupdud. They are so colorful with the view of the windmills on the bottom. We were so lucky that we spend a few days in Pagudpud. Despite of little bit rainy during the day, we were so lucky of enjoying the sunsets everyday.

19. CLIMBING A PALM TREE

We loved it that the beaches in Pagudpud are empty and apart from surfing you can enjoy swimming and walking around the sand. And of course climbing the palm trees.

20. NIGHTLIFE IN PAGUDPUD

The nightlife in Pagudpud starts early since is a quiet place and we loved it! We were just enjoying our drinks or beers at sunset in Pagudpud while taking pictures. It was quiet and so relaxing having that infinity views of the windmills.

WHERE TO STAY IN PAGUDPUD

There a lot of options when it comes to accommodations in Pagudpud. There are cheap hotels, mid-range ones and luxury resorts that you can choose from. There are resorts with amazing views as well as amazing amenities. We chose two options where to sleep in Pagudpud: Evangeline Beach Resort in Saud Beach and Kingfisher which is a lonely place perfect for relaxing and water activities in Pagudpud.

EVANGELINE BEACH RESORT

We had an amazing staying at  Evangeline Beach Resort  Our room was big enough for the three of us with all the comfort that we needed like hot water, fridge and yes good wifi connection. There is a pool area which was perfect for us since we were traveling with our little one 6 years old.

Just one minute walking distance from Saud beach and their restaurant with seaview. The food was delicious and all the staff was super friendly and helpful with us!

Click here to book your staying at Evangeline Resort !

KINGFISHER RESORT IN PAGUDPUD

Kingfisher is a few kilometers far from Saud Beach. It’s located in the windest part of Asia so you will have the best opportunities if you like surfing and other watersports. Also great place for relaxing in the area with the hammocks. It’s quiet and ideal for disconnecting of the real world.

Click here to book your staying at Kingfisher Resort!

PAGUDPUD RINNOVATI

Pagudpud Rinnovat i features a shared kitchen, this property also provides guests  with a terrace . Free WiFi is available. At the resort, the rooms are equipped with a desk.

The private bathroom is equipped with a bath and  free toiletries.  All rooms include a  flat-screen TV with satellite channels . An Asian breakfast is available daily at the accommodation.  Room rate starts at 1500 PHP.

Click here to check their rates and availability!

ALTA VISTA ILOCANDIA INC.

Located in Ar-aro-o, Alta Vista Ilocandia Inc. Features  a garden and a terrace.  Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Guests can have a drink at the bar. A continental breakfast is available daily at the property.  Room rate starts at 1,94 PHP a night.

JUN AND CAROL BEACH COTTAGES

Facing the beachfront in Pagudpud, Jun and Carol Beach Cottages features a terrace. Featuring an ATM, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Guests can enjoy sea views.

The rooms in the resort are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Featuring a private bathroom, rooms at Jun and Carol Beach Cottages also feature free WiFi. At the accommodation, all rooms include a seating area. A continental breakfast is served at the property.  Room rate starts at 2,000 PHP a night.

For more places to stay in Pagudpud check your Airbnb options and the best deals in Booking and Agoda.

WHERE TO STAY IN PAGUDPUD? CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING.

WHERE TO EAT IN PAGUDPUD

Pagudpud has a variety of places to eat to. There are restaurants along the road as well as restaurants inside the resorts and hotels.

Evangeline Beach Resort’s  Emohruo Restobar  serves a unique blend of innovative Asian cuisine that they themselves have created. The menu boasts of a variety of offerings ranging from  creative seafood fares to spicy Thai curry sauces , all made from the freshest ingredients and herbs freshly-picked from the resort’s very own organic garden. We loved it the longanisa as is mandatory to try when visiting Ilocos Norte.

LOCAL CARINDERIA IN PAGUDPUD

There is a local carinderia if you go on a budget near Saud Beach where you can find budget meals for 60 PHP and local beer for 40 PHP. Budget meals include meat, fish and fried egg and rice. You can also order fish, pork and other dishes.

BERGBLICK RESTAURANT

Bergblick is a charming restaurant located in Sitio Salucag, Brgy. Burayoc in Pagudpud. It’s one of the most well known restaurant in Pagudpud that tourists would go to. They serve  authentic German and Filipino dishes.  The guests love the fact that even though the owner is a German, the Filipino dishes they serve tastes authentic as they also use local ingredients.

KAPULUAN VISTA RESORT RESTAURANT

Situated in Sitio Baniaran, Barangay Balaoi in Pagudpud, Kapuluan Vista Resort Restaurant serves  hearty Asian and Filipino food . From  sweet potato chips to burgers made of Banana , Kapuluan serves their food beautifully and appetizing to the eyes. They also have happy hours if you want to  stay for the night and have some cocktails.

FESTIVALS IN PAGUDPUD

From festival that shares colorful parades to the ones honoring a certain animal, every tourist should be happy if they happen to witness any of these festivals.

KANGAYEDAN FESTIVAL

Kangayedan Festiva l is celebrated in in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte every 22nd to 26th of April.  Its highlights are: dance parade, trade and tourism fair, beauty contest. There is also a balikbayan night, coco food fest, matinee shows, water sports and goodwill games.

KURARAPNIT FESTIVAL

Kurarapnit festival is dedicated to the bats in the town which are endemic or abundant in the caves. There are various caves found in the town however there were only few of them explored such as caves in Saguisi, Pasaleng Bay and the Nabca Cave. The very highlight of the festival was the dance competition. Different group of students will compete complete with wings and costume for the prize.

Hope it’s useful our Pagudpud travel guide and we will love to read in the comments below your favorite things to do in Pagudpud.

There are more  places to visit in the Philippines  and around Pagudpud. You can go to Laoag and Vigan in Ilocos Province.

Feel free to use our links for discounts. Using our links will help us to continue with the maintenance of the website and it will not cost you anything. Thanks for the love guys 

Happy Travels!

About the Author : Ruben , co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte Itinerary – Tricycle Tour DIY Solo Tips

From Saud Beach, I approached a tricycle driver and asked how much it would cost to visit a few spots in Pagudpud. Turns out, most (if not all of the) tricycle drivers come prepared with a set rate of P600 for the day tours. I had to choose between two itineraries. The driver showed me a laminated pamphlet showing photos of Pagudpud tourist spots. I decided to go with the tour around the tourist spots within Pagudpud town. The other was an excursion to Bangui and Burgos towns, which I planned to visit (do-it-yourself style) on my way to Laoag. I’d been looking forward to exploring the northernmost cape of Luzon Island for the longest time. It was exciting to finally start my afternoon tour of Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte.

Kabigan Falls

Starting at around 1:20PM from Saud Beach, we arrived at the jump-off point going to Kabigan Falls thirty minutes later. The driver dropped me off at a shed where I was supposed to register for the trek to the falls. The ladies manning the booth told me I had to pay P100 for the guide. I was taken aback actually. P600 for the half-day tricycle rental was already expensive since I was traveling solo. Now, I have to shell out P100 more. They didn’t allow me to go on the trek on my own. I didn’t have any choice but to pay extra :( Good thing the views were worth it.

I had a long talk with my guide during the 30-minute trek to Kabigan Falls. She mentioned that the residents of the particular brgy/barrio, where the falls is located, had a queue for the “guiding” gig. During low-season, she would sometimes get only one gig for a whole month because of the long queue and the low tourist volume in Pagudpud. Then, I realized P100 wasn’t really a big amount taking that perspective into account. When backpacking, I sometimes make a big fuzz about paying extra even if it’s just a meager amount because I find them outrageously unnecessary. Sometimes they are really something to rant about but oftentimes, I get to calm down thinking how my money will help the locals and their ability to manage the influx of tourists in their place.

It was refreshing to finally get a view of Kabigan Falls. The waterfalls had a respectable height of 67 feet and a cool (literally) pool perfect for a swim. It started to drizzle while I was taking photos … argh! It seems the perfect weather I enjoyed since morning was over.

Patapat Viaduct

The Patapat Viaduct was another 15 minutes from the jump-off point at Kabigan Falls. I was definitely more excited to visit the Patapat Viaduct than the famed beaches of Pagudpud. It was aesthetically simple and, like most bridges in the Philippines, very utilitarian-looking. I loved it, though! Even before seeing it with my own eyes, I’ve always wanted to take photos of the Patapat Viaduct. The curvy road and repeating vertical lines of bridge structure coupled with the breathtaking view of the rugged coast was making a strong connection to my photographer self. I was happy that the sky became cloudy, a stark contrast from the clear blue skies just a few hours ago. I liked the gritty feel of the dark clouds hovering over the deserted coast.

Agua Grande / Agua Paraiso

At the other end of the Patapat Viaduct is Agua Grande, also called Agua Paraiso. It had some pools fed by a fresh water stream. It was really interesting to see the downhill flow of the river clash with the strong waves of the sea.

Timmangtang Rock

We traveled to the northern part of Pagudpud’s eastern coast. Timmangtang Rock was an unusual rock formation located a few feet from the shoreline. I really liked the raw feel of the deserted beach overrun with wild vegetation and the irregular coast. The howling wind and cloudy weather filled up the place with a very eerie vibe.

Bantay-Abot Cave

At the northern end of the beach was another unusual rock formation called the Bantay-Abot Cave. Skipped going to the actual cave since I only had time for one more stop. I wanted to spend my sunset at Saud Beach.

Blue Lagoon and Maira-ira Beach

After following an uphill road and taking a sharp turn, we had a great view overlooking Maira-ira Beach and the Blue Lagoon. Even though it was cloudy, I was impressed at how the water still maintained its alluring light bluish color. I could just image how insanely inviting it would’ve looked if the weather was better.

Sunset in Saud Beach

When I got back at Saud Beach, it was already basking in a breathtaking  golden glow. I followed the coast southwards since I felt like having a nice dinner at one of the snazzy resorts. Had a really good day taking photos around Pagudpud. To think that I started my day at 4am with a groggy 6-hour bus ride all the way from Tuguegarao.

After dusk, I ate dinner at Evangeline Beach Resort. Ordered their Buffalo Chicken Meal + extra rice.

Pagpudpud Tour Tips

• Tricycle tour within Pagudpud town – P600 per tricycle. Didn’t get the contact details of the driver. There are a lot of options in town. There’s no need to make advance arrangements with the tricycle drivers.
• Guide to Kabigan Falls – P100 per guide.
• Trek to Kabigan Falls – 20 to 30 minutes per way.
• Buffalo Chicken Meal with rice and drinks – P186; extra rice – P28.

Don’t leave yet. There’s more!

September 11, 2011 at 6:19 pm

Marc, I always enjoy reading your blogs. I learn a lot of things from your experiences, and your photos make the virtual tour more enjoyable.

September 13, 2011 at 4:36 pm

Thanks Cyndy. Glad to have met you and your hubby during Dinagyang. I look up to you guys and young spirits. I hope I continue to have my zest for adventure like you.

September 11, 2011 at 9:17 pm

Hello Marcos, I am a fan.. Are you always going solo. I love to travel, Iwant to try one time travelling by myself. can you give a tip on how to protect myself if I will travel alone. kasi parang mas easy kapag nag iisa. Thank you and more travel for me and for you.. hehehe

September 13, 2011 at 4:50 pm

Thanks Lourdes. I guess not inviting attention to yourself and acting like a naive tourist. Dressing simply and not pulling out expensive gadgets in crowded areas :) I don’t always travel solo. It’s not my choice per se … if I have a travel buddy, it’s much much better … but if I can’t find one, I don’t want to be hindered from seeing a particular place just because I don’t have a companion.

September 13, 2011 at 10:59 am

Always love the pictures of Pagudpud. Such a BEAUTIFUL and refreshing place. Thanks for posting the shots. :)

October 5, 2011 at 3:04 pm

love your photos, nice shot!!! keep up the good work.

October 12, 2011 at 7:56 am

Thanks Lani.

October 10, 2011 at 1:13 am

awesome photos!

October 16, 2011 at 11:57 pm

Thank you very much for the nice and wonderful shots ..I am planning to spend the long weekend in ilocos oct 29 – nov 2,2011….this will be my first time to visit pagudpod and other tourist attractionsalong the area ..I’m from Manila so I have to travel by land going to ilocos, have to drive for 9-12 hours as they say ( of course my assistant/driver goes with me always wherever i go so it won’t be too tiring for me ).. I will definitely pattern my trip with your itinerary .. Thanks again for the info you posted..God Bless you always.

October 18, 2011 at 11:01 am

Haha… that’s a long drive indeed … but also very worthwhile since there are a lot of interesting places along the way for stopovers.

February 1, 2012 at 6:39 pm

We went on a DIY trip to Ilocos back in 2008, I believe the place was not as touristy as it is now- the tryks don’t have the laminated “menu” back then :) And I have to admit I was also on a high seeing the Patapat Viaduct!

I love reading your travel blog, chanced upon it while researching for our Legaspi itinerary. It helped us with the commute. Keep posting! :)

February 2, 2012 at 3:38 am

Yeah, I was surprised to see the laminated “menu” too. Very organized ang tricycle drivers sa Pagudpud and Burgos. Thanks for the encouragement charureu :D

September 23, 2012 at 4:00 am

Hi Marcos. I like your stories about your trips. You`ve written that you`d visited Ilocos during low season. In what month? I`m a foreigner therefore it`s interesting for me. By the way, was the weather nice during all your trip? Thanks

November 11, 2012 at 6:43 pm

It was in October. It was mostly sunny blue skies the entire trip. It rained maybe a few hours occasionally. September-November should be a good time to visit if you want to travel during low season without high chance of monsoons.

November 7, 2012 at 3:50 pm

I really enjoyed your blogs, I also like to travel alone, had my little “gala”s in MManila, but now I am excited to launch my happy feet to the northern cape! hope It would be as adventurous as possible. keep on inspiring, keep on backpacking! God bless:D Can u give me travel tips on how to save more..thanks:)

November 27, 2012 at 12:59 pm

hi marcos.im from pagudpud..thanks nakita ku mga pic papuntang kabigan falls..taga dito aku but dipa naka punta sa busy ng work…salamat..

February 18, 2013 at 11:12 pm

good morning Marcos.. can i just promote my tour service on this very helpful blog of yours?:) :) Try the newest tour service in town. South and North Pagudpud Tour (WILLY’S OFFROAD 4×4 JEEP) Rate: 2,500 pesos (NEGOTIABLE) for the North and Southbound Tour. This is good for 5 persons. Contact Details: Kerwin 09081009767

South Tour includes Bangui windmills, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and the Cape Bojeador Light House. North Tour usually includes Kabigan Falls, Bantay Abot Cave, Blue Lagoon Beach, Patapat Viaduct, Paraiso ni Anton and Aqua Grande.

http://visitpagudpud.blogspot.com/ http://multiply.com/ http://www.facebook.com/pagudpudtourservice

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Fun 3-Day Ilocos Shared Package from Manila to Pagudpud, La Union & Vigan with Hotel

Description

Embark on a thrilling 3-day shared Ilocos Norte tour package with captivating side trips to Vigan and La Union. This shared Ilocos package tour offers roundtrip transfers from Manila to Ilocos Norte and 2 nights of comfortable accommodations in a shared standard-level lodging with air conditioning and shared toilets per room. A dedicated tour coordinator will be there to assist you throughout the 3-day tour. Please note that meals, tips and gratuities, entrance fees, and other activities are not included in this package.

This shared tour is scheduled for Fridays to Sundays only, but if you upgrade to a private tour, you can enjoy it any day of the week. On the night before your official 3-day tour (Thursday for shared tours), you will be picked up at one of the meet-up locations: Mall of Asia North Wing (KFC / Taste Asia), Greenfield (Wendy's), and Eton Centris (McDonald's) from 8 PM onwards. You will then arrive the next day in Vigan around 6 AM and will have breakfast at Hidden Garden. Afterward, you will proceed to the places included in the itinerary

On day 1 of this Ilocos Norte travel package, you will discover the beauty of Ilocos Norte. Start your day by visiting the iconic Bangui Windmills, followed by the stunning Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. Continue the adventure with a visit to the picturesque Pagudpud Blue Lagoon and the enchanting Bantay Abot Cave. Explore the architectural marvel of Patapat Viaduct and the historic Cape Bojeador. Finally, check in to your accommodation and relax after a day of unforgettable experiences.

On day 2 of this Ilocos package, after checking out in the morning, immerse yourself in the rich history of Malacanang of The North, followed by a visit to the iconic Paoay Church. Experience the exhilaration of the Paoay Sand Dunes before reaching the charming city of Vigan by noon. Take a leisurely stroll along Calle Salcedo, explore the historic Vigan Church, and discover traditional pottery. Check in to your accommodation in Vigan at 4 PM, then later marvel at the enchanting Dancing Fountain and soak up the atmosphere of Calle Crisologo in the evening.

On day 3, check out of your accommodations, feast on bagnet and longanisa, and shop at the pasalubong center. Explore the Bantay Watch Tower and Church, and take in the scenic views at Quirino Bridge. Arrive in La Union and enjoy the Grapes Farm experience. Don't forget to get some dried fish as pasalubong. Finally, embark on your journey back to Manila as the tour comes to an end.

Head north and go on this unforgettable 3D2N Ilocos tour package with side trips to Vigan and La Union. Check the availability by choosing a date.

Attractions

Daily itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1: Arrival in Ilocos Norte + Check-in + Tour

Prepare for a remarkable 3-day tour starting with convenient pickups from SM Mall of Asia North Wing (KFC / Taste Asia), Greenfield (Wendy's), and Eton Centris (McDonald's) in the evening prior to your arrival in Ilocos Norte. If you are going on a shared tour, you need to meet up with your tour coordinator on Thursday. On day 1, you'll arrive in the province and immerse yourself in its beauty. Begin your day with a visit to the iconic Bangui Windmills and the stunning Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. Then, explore the captivating Pagudpud Blue Lagoon and the enchanting Bantay Abot Cave. Experience the architectural marvel of Patapat Viaduct and admire the historic Cape Bojeador. Finally, check in at your comfortable accommodations.

Day 2 - Day 2: Tour of Ilocos Norte & Vigan

On day 2, after your morning checkout, delve into the fascinating history of Malacañang of The North and get a glimpse into the presidential residence of the past. Continue your journey with a visit to the iconic Paoay Church, an architectural marvel known for its distinct design. Get ready for an exhilarating adventure as you explore the thrilling Paoay sand dunes, where you can experience sandboarding and off-road rides. 

By noon, you will arrive in the charming city of Vigan, where you can stroll along the picturesque Calle Salcedo, marvel at the centuries-old Vigan Church, and discover the art of traditional pottery-making. At 4 PM, check in to your comfortable accommodation in Vigan, and in the evening, be captivated by the enchanting Dancing Fountain and enjoy the atmosphere of the historic Calle Crisologo.

Day 3 - Day 3: Checkout + Tour of La Union + Departure

On day 3 of your tour, check out of your accommodations and continue your journey. Dive into the world of flavors at the bagnet and longanisa pasalubong center, where you can indulge in local culinary delights. Discover the fascinating Bantay Watch Tower and Church, and marvel at their architectural charm. Take in the breathtaking panoramic views from Quirino Bridge, a sight to behold. 

As you arrive in La Union, get ready to explore the Grapes Farm and enjoy grape-picking. Before departing, don't forget to pick up some dried fish for pasalubong, a delicious reminder of your trip. Afterward, you'll head back to Manila.

What to bring

Good to know.

Tour Information: Shared Tours are available on Fridays-Sundays. Private Tours are available daily. Actual departure is the day prior to your booked departure date between 8:00PM - 9:30PM, depending on your preferred meet-up location.

Meals and any activities that are not specifically mentioned in the list of inclusions are not yet included. Entrances of the tourist spots such as Kapurpurawan, Cape Bojeador, Blue Lagoon Pagudpud, and Malacanang of the North are not yet included.

Meet-up Information: Mall of Asia Northwing, Pasay City (KFC / Taste Asia) at 8:00PM. Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City (Wendy's) at 9:00PM. Eton Centris, Quezon City (Mcdonald's) at 9:30PM. To change the meet-up time and location, please email [email protected]. Subject to availability and additional fees.

Children Friendly: Yes, but they must be accompanied by their parents.

Pet Friendly: No. Please understand that this is for your fur baby's safety.

Senior Citizen/PWD Friendly: No. Unless given permission by a licensed doctor senior citizens and PWDs are not encouraged to partake in this activity as this is a medium to extreme activity.

Cancellation Policy: The operator may cancel the tour in case of force majeure or unforeseen circumstances like weather conditions. In this case, you will be given the option to reschedule or request a full refund. Note that being late by 15-30 minutes without any advice is considered a no-show. Schedule cancellation requests must be made 48 hours before your original subject to approval.

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ILOCOS NORTE TRAVEL GUIDE

by thepinay solobackpacker | Jan 9, 2017 | Ilocos Norte , Philippines , Travel Guide | 4 comments

An old favorite, Ilocos Norte will leave you breathless with its sundry topography.  When touring the southern territories of Ilocos Norte, you may avail of their tricycle tours, whether you are in Burgos or Pagudpud.

Here’s a travel blog to help you plan your trip:

TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS

HOW TO GET TO ILOCOS NORTE

Airlines like Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines fly between Manila and Laoag in Ilocos Norte.  Laoag International Airport is the only airport in Ilocos Norte.Travel time is about 1 hour. Fare is around PHP 1,900 (USD 38.31) – PHP 2,500 (USD 50.41). From the airport, you may hire a tricycle to take you to the city proper, there is also a jeep  bound for the city proper.

Several bus lines like Partas and Florida Bus travel between Cubao (Manila) and Laoag (Ilocos Norte) and Manila and Vigan (Ilocos Sur).   Bus fare to Vigan from Cubao, Manila is roughly PHP 665 (USD 13.41)  to PHP 805 ( USD 16.23).  Bus fare from Cubao, Manila to Laoag is PHP 805 ( USD 16.23)  to PHP 965 (USD 19.46).   Travel time is roughly 10 -12 hours.

PARTAS BUS SCHEDULE (MANILA-VIGAN – LAOAG)

  cubao (manila) to vigan (ilocos sur), cubao (manila) to laoag (ilocos norte), partas cubao bus terminal.

816 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines

Contact Number: +63 (2) 727 8278

Partas Vigan Bus Terminal

Alcantara Street, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

Contact Number: +63 (77) 722 2933 / +63 (77) 722 2935

FLORIDA BUS SCHEDULE ILOCOS  

(manila – laoag – paoay- junction luna- pasoquin – sarrat), florida bus.

Earnshaw St, Sampaloc, Manila, Metro Manila

Contact Numbers:

(02) 781 5894 – Sampaloc

(077) 770 3645 – Laoag

(078) 846 2265 – Tuguegarao

GETTING AROUND ILOCOS NORTE

If you are doing a DIY tour of Ilocos Norte, the best way to get around is by tricycle.  But if you are on a tight budget, you can ride a jeepney, ask the locals for directions to avoid getting lost.  From Laoag town proper, you can rent a tricycle for about PHP 250 / USD 5 (good for 4 persons) to take you to Paoay and its attractions (Paoay Church, Paoay Sand Dunes, Malacanang of the North and Paoay Lake). Travel time is 30 minutes.

You can also do the same if you are planning to tour around Batac, hire a tricycle for PHP 250 / USD 5 to tour you around.

For Pagudpud tour, hiring a tricycle is also the best way to see the attractions since they are quite far from one other and waiting for the bus to the next attraction will just eat up your time. I tried that on my first trip to Ilocos Norte, but it’s tiring and I feel like I’ve wasted my time waiting for the bus.

South tricycle tour (Burgos area) is PHP 600/USD 12.10 and North tricycle tour (Pagudpud area) is PHP 600/USD 12.10.

DIY TOUR OF ILOCOS NORTE

So again, tricycle tour is the best way to explore the tourist attractions of Ilocos Norte. Here’s the sample tricycle rates for Ilocos Norte tours.

TRAVEL TIP: If you are pressed for time, from Manila you can alight at Batac instead of Laoag. What we did was, we just visited the Marcos Presidential Center and Mausoleum, skipped the other attractions there and then hired a tricycle to Paoay for PHP 250.  We toured Paoay, then after touring Paoay, we took a jeepney to Laoag. See our Ilocos Norte itinerary below.

TOP ATTRACTIONS IN ILOCOS NORTE

Marcos Presidential Center and Mausoleumc

Batac Church

Paoay Church 

Malacañang of the North  

Sinking Bell Tower

St. William’s Cathedral

Provincial Capitol

La Paz Sand Dunes

Museo Ilocos Norte

Cape Bojeador Light House

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Bangui Windmills

Kabigan Falls

Bantay Abot Cave

Blue Lagoon Beach

Patapat Viaduct

Paraiso ni Anton

Aqua Grande

WHERE TO STAY IN ILOCOS NORTE

Laoag hotels.

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

Viven hotel.

Farm Side Hotel

49-B Raraburan, Laoag City, City Proper, Laoag

Hotel Tiffany Laoag

Gen. Segundo Ave. Cor. M.H. del Pilar Street Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

Barangay 55 Barit – A, General Segundo Avenue, City Proper, Laoag

Ilocos Rosewell Hotel and Restaurant

National Highway, Brgy. 1, San Nicholas, City Proper, Laoag

Gen. Segundo Avenue, Brgy. 55-B Salet, City Proper, Laoag

PAGUDPUD RESORTS

Natsuca Beach Resort

Sitio Aprot, Caparispisan, Pagudpud

Casa Consuelo Resort – Island reef

P. Paterno St., Barangay Balaoi, Sitio Baniaran, Pagudpud

Palm Grove Saud Holiday Complex Hotel

Sitio Jupiter, Barangay Saud, Pagudpud, Pagudpud

Villa del Nico Beach Resort

Sitio Aprot, Caparispisan, Pagudpud, Pagudpud

Pannzian Beach Resort

Barangay Pancian, Pagudpud, Pagudpud

WHERE TO EAT IN ILOCOS NORTE

Batac Riverside Empanadahan Riverside, Batac

Herencia Cafe Marcos Ave, Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Dawang’s Place National Rd., Brgy. 1 San Francisco, San Nicolas, Laoag City Open Hours: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Katrina’s Near BJMP, Laoag

Johnny Moon Cafe Gen Luna St. Cor. Balintawak St., Brgy. 9, Laoag City

La Moda Panciteria Rizal Rizal Street, laoag City with branch at Bonifacio Street, Laoag City Opne Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Lidamero’s Eatery San Nicolas Rd., San Nicolas, Laoag

Evangelines’ Beach Resort

Saud Beach, Pagudpud

Kapuluan Vista Resort Sitio Baniaran, Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud

ILOCOS NORTE TRIP BUDGET/ EXPENSES

Here’s a blog of my sample budget for my Ilocos Norte trip.  Food not included, prepare at least PHP 150 per meal for food if you are planning to dine in Pagudpud.  Food is cheaper in Laoag as there’s a wealth of restaurants to choose from.  This is good for a solo traveler, you will save more if you have a travel buddy.

ILOCOS NORTE ITINERARY

Here’s a sample 3 day/ 2 nights itinerary of Ilocos Sur (Batac-Paoay-Burgos-Bangui-Pagudpud) with Vigan and Sta. Maria, Ilocos side trip.

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK FOR TRAVEL GUIDE UPDATES

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM 

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Wow!! Very informative and useful for solo traveler. Thank you

welcome! enjoy!

Hi, are the tricycles for rent easy to find? Is there a specific location where they are stationed? Or do I have to look around for them.

You can look around po.

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Pagudpud – The northern point

Pagudpud is a coastal town in the northern part of the Philippines, located 45 miles north of the provincial capital, Laoag, Ilocos Norte, and approximately 350 miles north of Manila. The town has a relatively small population of just over 20,000 residents who primarily earn their living through agriculture and fishing. However, the tourism industry is currently gaining momentum.

Pagudpud, an ideal and tranquil destination, is now gaining recognition from tourists, adventurous travelers, and backpackers as a peaceful and stress-free retreat. Pagudpud offers a relatively quick escape from the daily pressures and stresses of the bustling city, allowing visitors to connect with nature and the local community in a serene and carefree environment. It boasts beautiful beaches with stretches of white, soft sand and palm trees, known as Saud Beach and Maira-ira, also referred to as the Blue Lagoon.

Transportation

To get to Pagudpud, you have two main options:

Flight: The quickest and most convenient way to reach Pagudpud is by taking a 45-minute flight from Manila to Laoag Airport. From the airport, you can then take a bus or a taxi for a journey of about two hours to Pagudpud.

Bus Ride: The second, longer option is to take a bus for a 10-12 hour journey along hills, mountains, and small, peaceful towns in the heart of the valley. This option provides a glimpse of the tranquility and serenity that can be experienced in Pagudpud.

>> At Tourismo Filipino, we offer domestic flights to Laoag at excellent prices. >> Tours to Pagudpud and tours in Ilocos Norte on the way to Pagudpud are arranged by us.

Attractions

Saud Beach – Gaining popularity among tourists and locals alike, Saud Beach is known as the “Boracay of the North” for its tranquil atmosphere, far from the noisy party scene. Saud Beach has also earned recognition in the local film and photography industry as a favorite shooting location due to its breathtaking and awe-inspiring views, complemented by the serene and worry-free ambiance. This beautiful island is devoid of nightlife, offering long stretches of white sandy beaches, coconut trees, and crystal-clear waters, making it perfect for relaxation and unwinding, as you’ve always dreamed. Many of the newer accommodations in Pagudpud are located on Saud Beach, ensuring a stay free of worries and full of tranquility.

>> Looking for a good restaurant recommendation in Pagudpud? Visit Evangeline and try their delicious dishes.

>> On your way to Pagudpud, make sure to stop by Vigan, the charming town that has preserved its Spanish colonial heritage – check out the link.

Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira) – A hidden gem at Maira-ira Point that is gradually gaining popularity, the place is referred to by locals and tourists as the “Blue Lagoon.” It boasts its wide strip of white sandy beach and clear blue waters, which used to be a well-kept secret but has now become a central attraction in the North. This serene beach invites you to relax and recharge, surrounded by stunning and breathtaking scenery, with the backdrop of Bangui’s wind turbines. This beautiful island is entirely devoid of nightlife. It features long stretches of white sand, coconut trees, and crystal-clear waters. It’s simply perfect for relaxation and daydreaming. Many of the newer accommodations in Pagudpud are situated on Sadu Beach, ensuring a worry-free and soothing stay.

Patapat Bridge/Twisting Bridge – Sometimes referred to as the “French Riviera of the North,” PATAPAT Bridge is a long and winding bridge, spanning 1.2 kilometers, connecting the barangays of Balaoi and Pancian. Along its length, you can witness the Mabugabog Falls, which serves as a source of power for a nearby small hydroelectric plant. This famous bridge is located at the base of the Cordillera mountain ranges. Visitors to PATAPAT Bridge can enjoy a splendid view of Pasaleng Bay. This fast and winding road was built alongside the mountains to address and prevent rockslide issues in the area.

Bantay Abot Cave and Tinmangtang Rock – Literally meaning “Mountain with a Hole,” Bantay Abot Cave is precisely that – a giant hole in a hill, with a height of over 30 meters. For those with an adventurous spirit, this cave is perfect. Outside the cave, lush vegetation and the strong sound of crashing waves against the rocks fill the surroundings. However, as soon as you enter the cave, you can only hear the peaceful and calm sound of the sea. Your senses will be rejuvenated with the cool breeze flowing through the cave. Tinmangtang Rock is located just a few meters along the beach from Bantay Abot Cave, and its shape resembles a bell covered with vegetation. From the top of the rock, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the ocean, and its base is an ideal spot for picnics.

Recommended Activities

Zipline Over the Ocean : For those seeking thrills, head to Hannah’s Beach Resort in the Balaoi district of Malingay. There you’ll find the longest zipline in the country, offering a one-kilometer ride that will definitely satisfy your thirst for adventure.

Parasailing : Want to soar above the open sea while being harnessed to a giant parachute? Both locals and tourists come to Pagudpud to experience various types of parasailing. One popular location for this activity is Kingfisher in Sitio Ayoyo, Caparispisan. They also offer reasonably priced basic lessons.

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Some US soldiers in South Korea will now serve 2-year tours

Certain soldiers embarking to South Korea will call it home for longer than usual, according to an Aug. 1 Army memo .

The memo calls for “single soldiers without dependents assigned to the Republic of Korea to serve the accompanied tour length” of 24 months versus the typical unaccompanied one-year tour length.

The extension applies to specific occupational specialties and concentration areas, including air traffic control operators (15Q), UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter repairers (15T), working military dog handlers (31K), criminal investigations special agents (31D), counterintelligence agents (35L), signal intelligence analysts (35N) and criminal investigation division special agents (311A).

Soldiers with the listed specialties who have no dependents, are not married to other service members and are on permanent-change-of-station orders to South Korea must serve the 24-month accompanied tour length.

The revision does not apply to soldiers assigned to the defense attaché system or security cooperation organizations or to assignments in Korea without an approved accompanied tour, according to the memo.

The extension also does not affect soldiers who were placed on orders or already in South Korea before Aug. 1, according to a service spokesman.

“This affects between 100 to 200 soldiers overall in those military occupational specialties,” said U.S. Army spokesman Christopher Surridge.

The 24-month requirement, according to the memo, aims to improve readiness in the listed specialties “that require soldiers to undergo extensive training and or certification requirements prior to being fully mission capable.”

“For these seven occupations, it takes an extended amount of time to get them trained and certified to be fully mission capable for the unit,” said Surridge.

The first U.S. troops, including soldiers and Marines, arrived in South Korea on July 1, 1950, in response to North Korea’s capture of Seoul during the Korean War.

The U.S. has maintained its military alliance with South Korea ever since, seeking to deter armed conflict in the region, according to the Department of Defense.

Approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are based in South Korea as of 2023, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Riley Ceder is an editorial fellow at Military Times, where he covers breaking news, criminal justice and human interest stories. He previously worked as an investigative practicum student at The Washington Post, where he contributed to the ongoing Abused by the Badge investigation.

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Ilocos norte tourist spots: bangui windmills, kapurpurawan rock formation, burgos lighthouse and bacarra church.

FOLLOW MY ADVENTURES ON YOUTUBE @PinoyAdventurista

28 comments :.

I love your every post esp exploring Ilocos region. Thanks

wow solo trip pala yan!

so true. one of my fave places to go is ilocos norte. ang dami pa di naeexplore na place jan. kakagaling lang namin sa adams also in ilocos norte and you should try it next time. :)

Wow, the windmill pictures is really close to my heart... makes me remember my travel to Castilla La Mancha in Spain.

kulit ng posing mo sa lighthouse emotero! :) enjoy talaga sa pagudpud. sarap balik balikan :)

like lawstude, isa din to sa paborito kong probinsya sa bansa. buti at sinama mo ang kapurpurawan. dami kasi di sinasama yan sa itinerary nila. enjoy your trip to mindanao next week. always check situation before going to some spots there.

@ Hi I'm ROY thanks Roy! I appreciate it... :)

@ Christian | Lakad Pilipinas - yeah! the best solo trip I've done so far... thanks Christian! :)

@ Lawstude - sana ma-explore ko din sometime ang Adams... Thanks Sir Oman! :)

@ Islandvacations - thanks po! :)

@ adventurousfeet - wahahaha!!! salamat sa tripo ko at sa 10-second timer ng camera ko... hahaha!!!

@ dong ho - tamad kc cguro yung iba mag trek, eh 10 mins lang naman... hehehe!!! Thanks for all the help Dong Ho! I hope it will push through... :)

Ganda naman ng rock formation.

@ empi - it's awesome... thanks Empi! :)

ayun! that's what I;ve been looking for yung Bacarra! I know it's somewhere before Laoaog after Burgos. good that you chose the South tour. Nagsisis ako kung baket DIY ko yan tas trike tour yung North kase magkakatbe lang attractions s North. hehe ganada ng bangui noh! na star struck ako sa windmills tlga! hehe nice get up by the way! japorms! =)

@ thepinaysolobackpacker - wahahaha! nakita ko lang yan kay Angel, kaya pununtahan ko din... hehehe!!! iba talaga ang windmills...hehehe!!! thanks po... nice ba yung shirt ko? hehehe!!! pinagawa ko lang yan...thanks Gael... :) Kelan bday mo?

Can't wait to go back to Ilocos to see Kapurpurawan! Gosh, hindi na kita ma-track Mervz, bongga ang mga lakad :)

@ Pinay Travel Junkie - wahahaha! nagkasunod-sunod lang ang mga trips... heheh! thanks Gay! next series ko would be Aurora Province naman... :)

ganda nman sa place n2 1 ka sa idolo ko

@ Lil'Jim - super ganda talaga... thanks Jim!

If I have limited time I would also choose the South Pagudpud tour for the love of Bangui Windmills :) Grabe sunod-sunod ang mga lakwatsa mo, you already! :)

@ lakwatsera de primera - yeah, windmilss is Ilocos Norte... hehehe!!! thanks po Claire! :)

Thanks for this. Very helpful! I will be in Ilocos this weekend, and I would like to visit all the places you've been and write about it too. Kudos Pinoy Adventurista!

where did you stay in laoag?

i stayed for 1 night at Texicano Hotel...

'ayan, mervs, tinext ko na si mang rene. nag-reply na. pero antay ko pa package rate n'ya baka kasi nag-iba na. uy, bakit gan'un sabi ng iba may P50 entrance na sa kapurpurawan?

i appreciated ur being a solo traveller! ganda ng kuha mo with ur camera timer! tamatama ang angle! how many days did u explore those sites? can u also add in ur blog idea how to reach the place frm manila and some costing, if possible? planning to be there too soon!tour guide fee includes the vehicle? per day? or per head?

i am from usa i want to fly to manila then to Ilocos Norte airport is the plane ticket cost from manila to Ilocos expensive how much is the cost?

Looking for Budget Travel Guide Blogs, Hotel Reviews, and Sample DIY Itineraries? Welcome to Pinoy Adventurista, "Your Next Ultimate Adventure Starts Here!" Pinoy Adventurista is one of the Top Travel Blogs in the Philippines and the World. In 2013, he visited all the 81 provinces in the Philippines.

How will SouthWorks transform old manufacturing section of Ithaca's South Hill?

Work continues at the former Emerson Power Transmission site on Ithaca's South Hill following about 15 years of the former factory lying dormant, aside from environmental cleanup efforts.

Introducing a new neighborhood there has been top of mind for Robert Lewis, SHIFT Capitol's project manager for the SouthWorks site.

“We think this whole project takes about a decade, and that’s for the historic fabric, that’s construction of new residential buildings, that’s community uses, infrastructure, roads, the whole thing, in about a decade, which is very exciting for me,” Lewis said. “My kids are 2 and 6, and you can see this project from our front porch. I’m very excited to turn this into a neighborhood that they can be proud of and can visit."

The SouthWorks development plan for the site over the next 10 years points to its use as a mixed-use neighborhood reusing more than 800,000 square feet of former industrial buildings and one million square feet of new construction, which is estimated to include about 915 residential units.

The site is a 95-acre property on South Hill, located at 620-640 S. Aurora St., which previously housed Morse Chain and— most recently —Emerson Power Transmission.

The site is gearing up for the first phase of occupancy, which, according to Lewis, will likely include office, workshop, warehouse, and light manufacturing spaces available for lease as soon as mid-2025, with some of the more “attractive” options including housing, retail, and restaurant space, coming later.

How the SouthWorks development is shaping up

Lewis spoke about how the development would need to update some of the existing infrastructure to provide power to each section of the site, an effort that he said would likely be bolstered with renewable resources like solar power.

“We’re trying to connect it all with a microgrid strategy that lets us leverage on-site generation in a way that really makes this site resilient and energy efficient,” Lewis said. “We’re also lucky to have Standard Hydrogoen doing a project on this site, they got an earmark through (Sen. Majority Leader Charles) Schumer’s office for long-term hydrogen solar generation. There’s an opportunity here to do something very special from a green perspective.”

SHIFT Capitol is working with sustainability consultants, Buro Happold and locally based Taitem Engineering to develop a sustainability plan encompassing energy, transportation, water and waste.

On July 31, SHIFT Capitol and other community organizations, including Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit and Tompkins Courtland Community College, educated residents on the massive site and its potential as a mixed-used development.

“Our goal is to build relationships with SouthWorks for our construction and environmental technology students to gain hands-on experience at the site while they’re doing the buildout,” TC3 Assistant Director for Employer Relations and Experiential Learning Dara Regal said Wednesday. “I got to meet with Sarah (Barden) and do a tour, and there’s a lot of ways that we could potentially partner down the road. Our workforce development department is also looking at a potential partner here because we have strong relationships with workforce development in the area.”

SouthWorks will not only make community connections, but physical ones as well, with its planned Gateway Trail – expected to be one of the first finished projects on the site – to connect the Black Diamond Trail to the South Hill Recreation Way, allowing for transport on bike or foot throughout all of Ithaca.

Site tours guided by Lewis on Wednesday took Ithacans and potential investors in the site to several of its larger and most desirable spaces. After a reception in what seemed to be a former garage or loading space, Lewis guided tour groups up a set of metal stairs likely older than many of those in the group and into the site’s building 13.

“This is one of the buildings that could go relatively quickly because it’s in pretty solid shape,” he said. “You can fit a tenant in here in an industrial way really quickly. We’ve got some really active interest in this space from things like coffee roasters or construction panalyzers. You don’t know where it all ends up, but it’s very exciting.”

Buildings on the site range from 1906 to 1971 in terms of vintage, sporting wooden floors on the second story − uncommon in more modern manufacturing sites − and elevators leading to a system of tunnels underneath the former factories, which Lewis said will likely be removed.

What happened with contaminants and toxic cleanup?

Original factory buildings at the site were built in 1906 by Morse Industrial Corporation , which manufactured steel chain for the automobile industry, and operated until 1928 when it was bought out by the Borg Warner-Corporation for use in its automobile manufacturing.

“In 1983, Emerson acquired Morse Industrial Corporation from Borg-Warner Corporation and the Ithaca facility became part of the former Emerson Power Transmission (EPT),” according to NYSDEC site records . “The former EPT entity continued to manufacture industrial roller chain, bearings, and clutching for the power transmission industry until operations were ceased in 2009.”

The site then fell into disuse and was decommissioned shortly after the closure.

Since then the site has become “one of the most environmentally investigated properties in New York state,” according to the SouthWorks webpage , with “tens of millions of dollars being spent on its remediation from environmental impacts that occurred during its industrial past.”

The site has been deemed habitable by the DEC, and certain areas of the former factory will continue to undergo testing and remediation, according to Lewis.

“The thing about TCE is that when it’s used, it’s heavier than water, so it floats down to the bedrock. As it decomposes it decomposes into components that are lighter than water and it floats back to the surface,” Lewis said. “Degradation pathways are complicated enough that it’s hard to test one spot and figure out what’s going on. That’s part of the reason that cleanup took so long, and why Emerson still has a small piece of the site where they are actively cleaning runoff and will be for the foreseeable future.”

“By virtue of all that, we are good to go,” he said. “We’ve been through the processes and we have the DEC signoff that everything is fit to a residential standard. Our approvals are such that when we get the right interest, tenant, or the right financing for a particular piece, we could go really fast, even though this project has hung out here forever.”

Toward the end of each tour Wednesday, Lewis asked participating community members for their feedback.

“I hope that there are things here that are exciting to you, and I’d bet that there are maybe a few things that are a bit concerning to you, and we want to hear both ends,” he said. “It’s important for us to understand how the community thinks and what the community wants.”

Lewis said that by October, investigation and surveying work will allow him and the rest of the SHIFT Capitol team to have a better idea of how work at the site will move forward.

LG unleashes South Korea’s first open-source AI, challenging global tech giants

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LG AI Research has launched Exaone 3.0 , South Korea’s first open-source artificial intelligence model, marking the country’s entry into the competitive global AI landscape dominated by U.S. tech giants and emerging players from China and the Middle East.

The 7.8 billion parameter model, which excels in both Korean and English language tasks, aims to accelerate AI research and contribute to building a robust AI ecosystem in Korea. This move signals a strategic shift for LG, traditionally known for its consumer electronics, as it positions itself at the forefront of AI innovation. By open-sourcing Exaone 3.0 , LG is not only showcasing its technological prowess but also potentially laying the groundwork for a new revenue stream in cloud computing and AI services.

Exaone 3.0 Faces Off Against Chinese and Middle Eastern AI Powerhouses

Exaone 3.0 joins a crowded field of open-source AI models, including China’s Qwen from Alibaba and the UAE’s Falcon . Qwen, which received a major update in June, has gained significant traction with over 90,000 enterprise clients and has topped performance rankings on platforms like Hugging Face , surpassing Meta’s Llama 3.1 and Microsoft’s Phi-3 .

Similarly, the UAE’s Technology Innovation Institute released Falcon 2 , an 11 billion parameter model in May, claiming it outperforms Meta’s Llama 3 on several benchmarks. These developments highlight the intensifying global competition in AI, with countries beyond the U.S. making significant strides. The emergence of these models from Asia and the Middle East underscores a shift in the AI landscape, challenging the notion of Western dominance in the field.

Open-source strategy: LG’s gambit to boost cloud computing and AI innovation

LG’s approach mirrors that of Chinese companies like Alibaba, which are using open-source AI as a strategy to grow cloud businesses and accelerate commercialization. This strategy serves a dual purpose: it allows LG to rapidly iterate and improve its AI models through community contributions while also creating a potential customer base for its cloud services. By offering a powerful, open-source model, LG could attract developers and enterprises to build applications on its platform, thereby driving adoption of its broader AI and cloud infrastructure.

Exaone 3.0 boasts improved efficiency, with LG claiming a 56% reduction in inference time, 35% decrease in memory usage, and 72% reduction in operational costs compared to its predecessor. These improvements are crucial in the competitive AI landscape, where efficiency can translate directly into cost savings for enterprises and improved user experiences for consumers. The model has been trained on 60 million cases of professional data related to patents, codes, math, and chemistry, with plans to expand to 100 million cases across various fields by year-end, indicating LG’s commitment to creating a versatile and robust AI system.

Exaone 3.0: South Korea’s open-source AI leap into global competition

LG’s move into open-source AI could potentially reshape the AI landscape, offering an alternative to the dominance of deep-pocketed players like OpenAI , Microsoft , and Google . It also demonstrates South Korea’s capability to create state-of-the-art AI models that can compete on a global scale. This development is particularly significant for South Korea, a country known for its technological innovation but which has, until now, been relatively quiet in the open-source AI arena.

The success of Exaone 3.0 could have far-reaching implications. For LG, it could mark a successful diversification into AI and cloud services, potentially opening up new revenue streams. For South Korea, it represents a bold step onto the global AI stage, potentially attracting international talent and investment. On a broader scale, the proliferation of open-source models like Exaone 3.0 could democratize access to advanced AI technologies, fostering innovation across industries and geographies.

As the AI race intensifies, the true measure of Exaone 3.0’s impact will lie not just in its technical specifications, but in its ability to catalyze a thriving ecosystem of developers, researchers, and businesses leveraging its capabilities. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether LG’s ambitious gambit pays off, potentially reshaping the global AI landscape in the process.

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Family Sacrifice on Lilia Vu’s Mind After Strong Start to Olympic Debut

Swiss surprise in olympic golf as morgane metraux takes the lead.

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SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, FRANCE – Lilia Vu knows she is playing for more than just herself at Le Golf National. One of the female golf’s out-and-out stars over the past two years, the American’s debut at the Olympic Games is much to the credit of her late grandfather.

After a brilliant 2023, which saw her climb to the summit of the world rankings and claim two major titles, Vu is among the favorites for gold at Paris 2024. When she was considering quitting golf during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 due to a crisis in confidence, being here at Le Golf National appeared unfathomable.

But real it is. Despite the disappointment of bogeying the par-5 18th hole on Thursday to record an opening 2-under 70, Vu referred to the well-told story of how her family settled in the United States of America after escaping war-torn Vietnam in the early 1980s in a boat built by her grandfather, Dinh Du.

“I'm playing for my country that kind of saved my family when we needed to get on the boat,” Vu, who was born and raised in California, told reporters Wednesday. “I'm playing for more than just me. I'm trying to give back to my country and earn them a medal.”

On the eve of the 72-hole stroke-play competition, Vu said she felt winning a gold medal would better her triumphs at The Chevron Championship and AIG Women’s Open last year. 

And that sentiment was only strengthened by the atmosphere the home crowds generated as she played alongside Celine Boutier, who delighted the home crowds with a brilliant 7-under 65 to hold an early three-shot lead at the top of the leaderboard.

“It was so cool to see all her fans push really hard for her,” said Vu, who compared the experience to when she played alongside Charley Hull on her way to victory at last year’s AIG Women's Open.

She added: “I think there's just more fans because it's the Olympics. Even non-golf fans are here, I think. I think today was a little more extra.

“But it's really cool to see. They're all pushing hard for (Celine). And it's not like they're rooting against me. They're also clapping for me and supporting me too.”

Vu said she was proud of her performance on a day in which only four holes played under par.

“The greens are firm, and there are a lot of island greens, and you have to place the right shots in the fairway to hit to different types of greens,” Vu said of the challenge posed by the course best known for hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup and the Open de France on the DP World Tour. 

“I think it's difficult. You can't really come out here and go on autopilot. You have to think about every single shot, where you want to end up and where's the wind, if it’s a little into from the right or is it off the left helping. All those things matter. So, you kind of have to navigate the course the best way you can.”

When you factor in that Vu didn’t feel great in her warmup, her scorecard of five birdies and three bogeys reads even better.

Asked what was wrong in the lead-up to her first round, she replied: “I wasn't feeling good. I was getting to like imposter syndrome a little bit. I was like, how am I here right now? But it's okay. I'm going to try my best and hopefully can get better.”

This is coming from a player who won her fifth LPGA Tour title at the Meijer LPGA Classic in June, in her return from a two-month injury absence.

“I just get in my own way, right? That's like your own enemy, basically,” Vu said. “But I'll find my way out. I always do.”

That, in part, is down to the inner resolve that dates to her family’s journey to freedom.

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