Touring Ilocos in a Flash

A quick escape to Ilocos!

This breathtaking destination located in the northern part of the Philippines offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that will leave you in awe.

From the magnificent beaches, historic landmarks, delicious cuisine, and friendly locals, Ilocos has something for everyone. Join us as we share our amazing experiences, tips, and recommendations for a quick and unforgettable tour of this gem in the Philippines.

We started our day early, leaving at 8 AM for Santiago. We arrived in Santiago at 3 PM but found that the hotels were quite pricey for the area. So, we decided to move on to Vigan, arriving at 4:30 PM and checking into the Vigan Plaza Hotel at 5 PM. Unfortunately, we missed the Kinaadiwan festival, which was taking place in Vigan from January 29th to February 18th, but we still enjoyed the hotel's proximity to Plaza Salcedo and its affordable price.

We walked around the city at 6:30 PM and had dinner at Max's. Though we missed the Dancing Fountains, we still enjoyed strolling along Calle Crisologo. By 9:30 PM, most stores had closed, but the park was still bustling with activity.

The next day, we had breakfast at the hotel at 7:30 AM before starting our tour of Vigan via Calesa, a horse-drawn carriage, at 8:30 AM. The ride cost us PHP 200 per hour and allowed us to go anywhere around the city.

We visited Ruby Jar Pottery and the Crisologo Museum but were unable to visit the Burgos Museum due to their vaccine card requirement. The Ruby Jar Pottery, founded in 1922, was a fascinating place to visit and witness the making of jars. Afterward, we stopped by the ancestral house of the Crisologo Family, the Crisologo Museum, which only required registration and a donation for maintenance.

We checked out of the hotel at 10:30 AM to proceed to Laoag, taking photos at the Bell Tower before leaving. Unfortunately, the tower could not be climbed after the earthquake in 2022, but we still managed to take photos and have some fun with trick shots. There was no entrance fee, but we gave a donation after registering.

We then checked in to the North Shores Inn in Curimmao at 12:00 NN. Their check-in time was 2:00 PM, so we waited at their restaurant. The inn had a beautiful garden and affordable rooms that could accommodate our group. We received a 15% discount per room due to the ongoing Pamulinawen Festival. The staff were very accommodating and allowed camping on the beachfront.

  

We then headed to Batac to visit the Ferdinand E. Marcos Presidential Center, which had an entrance fee of PHP 50 per head. Next was the Malacanang of the North, which had an entrance fee of PHP 10 per head.

Though we didn't visit the museum, we took a few shots beside it and traveled to Laoag for the La Paz Sand Dunes, an 85-square-kilometer sandy coastal desert, known for its unique landscape of sand, wind, and sea.

We paid PHP 2,500 for the 4x4 wheels that accommodated five people and drove us around for 7 kilometers. This experience included snowboarding and photo opportunities near the beach. At around 5 PM, we visited the San Augustine Church or the Paoay Church, which had a beautiful sunset view. We finished the day by visiting the market to buy fish and pork for grilling.

On the third day of our trip, we kicked off our adventure by visiting the historic Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. As we arrived at 9:30 AM, we parked our cars at the designated area and rode tricycles that took us to the lighthouse for PHP 10 per person. Upon entering, we paid an entrance fee of PHP 10 per head, but we were able to explore the museum inside and take quality photos with the help of the trained staff.

Next up was the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, which we reached at 11 AM. To get there, we paid PHP 10 per person to enter the road leading to the rock formation.

As the weather was a bit humid, we decided to walk along the front of the rock formation, but there was also the option to ride a horse for PHP 100 for a back-and-forth ride. On our way to Pagudpud, we made a stop at the Bangui Windfarm to take some beautiful photo ops.

We also dropped by the Bergblick Restaurant, which had a stunning mountain view and provided excellent customer service. The staff was accommodating, and their Filipino-German cuisine was truly delicious.

Before arriving at Pagudpud, we took a photo at the Patapat Viaduct, a famous bridge that connects Ilocos Norte and Cagayan Valley. At 3 PM, we finally arrived at Pagudpud, the Boracay of the North, which is renowned for its white-sand beaches and natural wonders. The area boasts 20 wind turbines, adding to its charm.

We called it a day at 5:30 PM, and upon reaching our hotel, we spent time swimming at the beach.

The following day, we started our journey back to Manila at 8:30 AM, but not before making a quick stop at the Juan Luna Shrine. This shrine honors the life of the Luna Brothers and features their history. Although there was no entrance fee, we made a donation for the maintenance fee.

We arrived in Vigan at 10:30 AM, where we bought some souvenirs and had an early lunch before heading back to Manila at 12:15 PM. The drive took a total of 7 hours, and we arrived home at 7 PM.

We hope this blog has given you a glimpse of what Ilocos has to offer. Whether you're a history buff or an adventurer, there's something for everyone in Ilocos. Don't hesitate to plan your own Ilocos tour and experience the beauty of this province firsthand.

Start packing your bags and get ready to create unforgettable memories. Until next time, happy travels!