ILOCOS NORTE TRAVEL GUIDE

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:

ilocos norte sunset 2

 

HOW TO GET TO ILOCOS NORTE

By Plane

 

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.

By Bus

 

ilocos florida

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

 

 

ROUTEDEPARTUREFAREBUS TYPE
Cubao to Laoag07:00 PMPHP 797 / USD 16.07FIRST CLASS
Cubao to Vigan07:00 PMPHP 665/ USD 13.41FIRST CLASS
Cubao to Laoag10:00 PMPHP 797 / USD 16.07FIRST CLASS
Cubao to Laoag10:00 PMPHP 965/ USD 19.46DELUXE
Cubao to Vigan10:00 PMPHP 665/ USD 13.41FIRST CLASS
Cubao to Vigan10:00 PMPHP 805/ USD 16.23DELUXE

 

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

 

 

ROUTEDEPARTUREBUS TYPE
Manila to Laoag11:30 PMRegular
Manila to Laoag12:30 PMRegular
Manila to Pinili – Laoag01:30 PMRegular
Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag03:00 PMRegular
Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag03:00 PMRegular
Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag04:00 PMRegular
Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag05:00 PMRegular
Manila to Solsona – Dingras – Laoag via Paoay05:30 PMRegular
Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag06:00 PMDeluxe
Manila to Bacarra – Vintar via Paoay06:30 PMRegular
Manila to Pagudpud via Laoag07:00 PMRegular
Manila to Nueva Era – Banna – Laoag via Paoay07:30 PMDeluxe
Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag08:00 PMDeluxe
Manila to Laoag08:15 PMSuper Deluxe
Manila to Sarrat – Piddig –Laoag via Paoay08:30 PMDeluxe
Manila to Laoag09:00 PMDeluxe
Manila to Laoag09:15 PMSuper Deluxe
Manila to Pagudpud – Laoag09:30 PMDeluxe
Manila to Laoag City10:15 PMSleeper Bus
Manila to Pasuquin- Laoag10:30 PMDeluxe
Manila to Laoag11:00 PMDeluxe


ilocos museum

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.

 

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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.

 

 

ROUTE
BATAC TOURMarcos Presidential Center and Mausoleum, World Peace Center, Aglipay Shrine, Batac Church and General Ricarte National ShrinePHP 250 / USD 5
PAOAY TOURPaoay Church, Paoay Sand Dunes, Malacanang of the North and Paoay LakePHP 250 / USD 5
SOUTH TOUR (BURGOS)Cape Bojeador Light House, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Bangui windmillsPHP 600/USD 12.10
NORTH TOUR

(PAGUDPUD)

Kabigan Falls, Bantay Abot Cave, Blue Lagoon Beach, Patapat Viaduct, Paraiso ni Anton and Aqua GrandePHP 600/USD 12.10

 

 

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

 

BATAC

 

Marcos Presidential Center and Mausoleumc

ilocosnorte 10

Batac Church

 

 

 

PAOAY

 

ilocos norte paoay church

Paoay Church 

 

Malacañang of the North 

Paoay Lake

 

 LAOAG

ilocos laoag bell_

Sinking Bell Tower

 

ilocos laoag church

St. William’s Cathedral

 

ilocos norte capitol

Provincial Capitol

 

ilocos norte 2

La Paz Sand Dunes

 

ilocos laoag museum 1

Museo Ilocos Norte

 

BURGOS

 

ilocos lighthouse 1

Cape Bojeador Light House

 

 

 

ilocos norte 30

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

BANGUI

 

ilocos norte pagudpud 3

Bangui Windmills

 

 

 

PAGUDPUD

 

ilocos saud beach 9

Saud Beach

 

 

ilocos norte 43-30

Kabigan Falls

 

 

ilocos norte 54

Bantay Abot Cave

 

 

ilocos norte Blue Lagoon Beach

Blue Lagoon Beach

 

ilocos norte 50

Patapat Viaduct

 

ilocos norte 53

Paraiso ni Anton

 

ilocos norte 52

Aqua Grande

 

 


WHERE TO STAY IN ILOCOS NORTE

 

LAOAG HOTELS

 

BUDGET

 

  Laoag Renzo Hotel
AGODA LORENZO 1
Rizal St. corner Guererro St. Laoag City, City Proper, Laoag

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

Viven Hotel

AGODA HOTEL VIVEN
3rd Floor, 365 Plaza, Valdez Center, San Nicolas, City Proper, Laoag

 

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

Farm Side Hotel

AGODA FARM SIDE

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

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

Hotel Tiffany Laoag

AGODA HOTEL TIIFFANY

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

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

MID-RANGE

 

Vybe Hotel

AGODA VYBE

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

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

Ilocos Rosewell Hotel and Restaurant

AGODA ROSWELL

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

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

Java Hotel

agoda java

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

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

PAGUDPUD RESORTS

 

BUDGET

 

Natsuca Beach Resort

AGODA NATSUCA2

Sitio Aprot, Caparispisan, Pagudpud

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

Casa Victoria Beach Resort and Restaurant
AGODA CASA VICTORIA
Sitio Del Mar, Brgy. Saud, Pagudpud

 

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

MID-RANGE

 

Casa Consuelo Resort – Island reef

AGODA CASA CONSUELO

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

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

 

Palm Grove Saud Holiday Complex Hotel

AGODA PALM REVIEW

Sitio Jupiter, Barangay Saud, Pagudpud, Pagudpud

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

 

Villa del Nico Beach Resort

AGODA NICO

Sitio Aprot, Caparispisan, Pagudpud, Pagudpud

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

 

Pannzian Beach Resort

AGODA PANZZIAN

Barangay Pancian, Pagudpud, Pagudpud

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 


 

 


WHERE TO EAT IN ILOCOS NORTE

ilocos empanada

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

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 sunset

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.

 

ACTIVITIESEXPENSES
Bus fare Manila to Laoag to ManilaPHP 965  / $ 19.49 X 2 = PHP 1930/$38.97
Paoay TricyclePHP 250 / $25.24
Bus from Laoag to Pagudpud to LaoagPHP 75 /$1.51 x 2 = PHP 150 /$3
South Tricycle Tour (Burgos+Bangui)PHP 600/$12.12
North Tricycle Tour (Pagudpud)PHP 600/ $12.12
HotelPHP 1,000/ $20.19 x 2 = PHP 200/$40.38
TOTALPHP 5,530/ $ 111.66

 

 

 


ilocos saud beach 10

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.

 

TIMEACTIVITIES
07:00 PMETA Manila to (Batac) via Laoag
07:00 AMETA Batac. Breakfast.
07:30 AMBatac Tour: Batac Church, Marcos Presidential Center, Batac Riverside Empanada
10:00 AMETD to Paoay
10:30 AMETA Paoay: Star of Paoay Tour, Paoay Church (UNESCO)
11:00 AMLunch at Herencia Cafe
12:00 PMPaoay Sand dunes
01:00 PMBack to Laoag
01:30 PMLaoag Walking Tour: Sinking bell Tower, St.William’s Cathedral, Tobacco Monopoly Monument,
03:00 PMSnack at Johnny Moon Cafe
03:30 PMETD to Pagudpud
05:30 PMETA Pagudpud. Check in at resort. Rest
07:00 PMDinner. Socials.
09:00 PMSleep
Day 2
06:30 AMBreakfast
07:00 AMStart of North Tricycle Tour: Pagudpud Tour: Saud Beach, KabiganFalls, Patapat Viaduct, Timmangtang Rock Formation, Bantay Abot Cove, Paraiso ni Anton, Aqua Grande, Blue Lagoon

 

11:30 PMLunch
12:00 PMCheck out of resort
12:30 PMStart of South Tricycle Tour: Bangui Windmills, Kapurpurawan Rock formations, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
04:00 PMEnd of tour. ETA to Laoag.
06:00 PMETA Laoag
06:15 PMEarly Dinner
07:00 PMETD to Vigan
09:00 PMETA Vigan. Check-in hotel. Quick stroll at Calle Crisologo.
10:00 PMSleep
Day 3 
06:00 AMBreakfast
06:30 AMTake bus to Sta.Maria Ilocos Sur
07:30 AMETA Sta, Maria Public Market. Tricycle to Sta. Maria Church (UNESCO)
07:40 AMEta Sta, Maria Church. Explore church and Spanish-era cemetery, a short walk at the right the side of the church.
09:00 AMETD to Vigan.
10:00 AMETA Vigan. Star of Vigan Tour: Vigan Cathedral, Plaza Salcedo, Calle Crisologo, Camarin Jar Factory
11:30 AMLunch
12:00 PMHotel Check-out. Leave bags at concierge or reception.
012:30 PMContinue Vigan tour: Bantay Church Bell, Balauarte
03:00 PMEnd of Vigan Tour. Get bag from hotel.
03:30 PMSnacks.
04:00 PMETD to Vigan bus terminal.
05:00 PM

 

 

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