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
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
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
| ROUTE | DEPARTURE | FARE | BUS TYPE |
| Cubao to Laoag | 07:00 PM | PHP 797 / USD 16.07 | FIRST CLASS |
| Cubao to Vigan | 07:00 PM | PHP 665/ USD 13.41 | FIRST CLASS |
| Cubao to Laoag | 10:00 PM | PHP 797 / USD 16.07 | FIRST CLASS |
| Cubao to Laoag | 10:00 PM | PHP 965/ USD 19.46 | DELUXE |
| Cubao to Vigan | 10:00 PM | PHP 665/ USD 13.41 | FIRST CLASS |
| Cubao to Vigan | 10:00 PM | PHP 805/ USD 16.23 | DELUXE |
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
| ROUTE | DEPARTURE | BUS TYPE |
| Manila to Laoag | 11:30 PM | Regular |
| Manila to Laoag | 12:30 PM | Regular |
| Manila to Pinili – Laoag | 01:30 PM | Regular |
| Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag | 03:00 PM | Regular |
| Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag | 03:00 PM | Regular |
| Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag | 04:00 PM | Regular |
| Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag | 05:00 PM | Regular |
| Manila to Solsona – Dingras – Laoag via Paoay | 05:30 PM | Regular |
| Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag | 06:00 PM | Deluxe |
| Manila to Bacarra – Vintar via Paoay | 06:30 PM | Regular |
| Manila to Pagudpud via Laoag | 07:00 PM | Regular |
| Manila to Nueva Era – Banna – Laoag via Paoay | 07:30 PM | Deluxe |
| Manila to Junction Luna – Laoag | 08:00 PM | Deluxe |
| Manila to Laoag | 08:15 PM | Super Deluxe |
| Manila to Sarrat – Piddig –Laoag via Paoay | 08:30 PM | Deluxe |
| Manila to Laoag | 09:00 PM | Deluxe |
| Manila to Laoag | 09:15 PM | Super Deluxe |
| Manila to Pagudpud – Laoag | 09:30 PM | Deluxe |
| Manila to Laoag City | 10:15 PM | Sleeper Bus |
| Manila to Pasuquin- Laoag | 10:30 PM | Deluxe |
| Manila to Laoag | 11:00 PM | Deluxe |
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.
| ROUTE | ||
| BATAC TOUR | Marcos Presidential Center and Mausoleum, World Peace Center, Aglipay Shrine, Batac Church and General Ricarte National Shrine | PHP 250 / USD 5 |
| PAOAY TOUR | Paoay Church, Paoay Sand Dunes, Malacanang of the North and Paoay Lake | PHP 250 / USD 5 |
| SOUTH TOUR (BURGOS) | Cape Bojeador Light House, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Bangui windmills | PHP 600/USD 12.10 |
| NORTH TOUR
(PAGUDPUD) |
Kabigan Falls, Bantay Abot Cave, Blue Lagoon Beach, Patapat Viaduct, Paraiso ni Anton and Aqua Grande | PHP 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
Batac Church
PAOAY
Paoay Church
Malacañang of the North
Paoay Lake
LAOAG
Sinking Bell Tower
St. William’s Cathedral
Provincial Capitol
La Paz Sand Dunes
Museo Ilocos Norte
BURGOS
Cape Bojeador Light House
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
BANGUI
Bangui Windmills
PAGUDPUD
Saud Beach
Kabigan Falls
Bantay Abot Cave
Blue Lagoon Beach
Patapat Viaduct
Paraiso ni Anton
Aqua Grande
WHERE TO STAY IN ILOCOS NORTE
LAOAG HOTELS
BUDGET
Laoag Renzo Hotel
Rizal St. corner Guererro St. Laoag City, City Proper, Laoag
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Viven Hotel
3rd Floor, 365 Plaza, Valdez Center, San Nicolas, City Proper, Laoag
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Farm Side Hotel
49-B Raraburan, Laoag City, City Proper, Laoag
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Hotel Tiffany Laoag
Gen. Segundo Ave. Cor. M.H. del Pilar Street Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
MID-RANGE
Vybe Hotel
Barangay 55 Barit – A, General Segundo Avenue, City Proper, Laoag
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Ilocos Rosewell Hotel and Restaurant
National Highway, Brgy. 1, San Nicholas, City Proper, Laoag
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Java Hotel
Gen. Segundo Avenue, Brgy. 55-B Salet, City Proper, Laoag
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
PAGUDPUD RESORTS
BUDGET
Natsuca Beach Resort
Sitio Aprot, Caparispisan, Pagudpud
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Casa Victoria Beach Resort and Restaurant
Sitio Del Mar, Brgy. Saud, Pagudpud
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
MID-RANGE
Casa Consuelo Resort – Island reef
P. Paterno St., Barangay Balaoi, Sitio Baniaran, Pagudpud
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Palm Grove Saud Holiday Complex Hotel
Sitio Jupiter, Barangay Saud, Pagudpud, Pagudpud
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Villa del Nico Beach Resort
Sitio Aprot, Caparispisan, Pagudpud, Pagudpud
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Pannzian Beach Resort
Barangay Pancian, Pagudpud, Pagudpud
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
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.
| ACTIVITIES | EXPENSES |
| Bus fare Manila to Laoag to Manila | PHP 965 / $ 19.49 X 2 = PHP 1930/$38.97 |
| Paoay Tricycle | PHP 250 / $25.24 |
| Bus from Laoag to Pagudpud to Laoag | PHP 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 |
| Hotel | PHP 1,000/ $20.19 x 2 = PHP 200/$40.38 |
| TOTAL | PHP 5,530/ $ 111.66 |
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.
| TIME | ACTIVITIES |
| 07:00 PM | ETA Manila to (Batac) via Laoag |
| 07:00 AM | ETA Batac. Breakfast. |
| 07:30 AM | Batac Tour: Batac Church, Marcos Presidential Center, Batac Riverside Empanada |
| 10:00 AM | ETD to Paoay |
| 10:30 AM | ETA Paoay: Star of Paoay Tour, Paoay Church (UNESCO) |
| 11:00 AM | Lunch at Herencia Cafe |
| 12:00 PM | Paoay Sand dunes |
| 01:00 PM | Back to Laoag |
| 01:30 PM | Laoag Walking Tour: Sinking bell Tower, St.William’s Cathedral, Tobacco Monopoly Monument, |
| 03:00 PM | Snack at Johnny Moon Cafe |
| 03:30 PM | ETD to Pagudpud |
| 05:30 PM | ETA Pagudpud. Check in at resort. Rest |
| 07:00 PM | Dinner. Socials. |
| 09:00 PM | Sleep |
| Day 2 | |
| 06:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 07:00 AM | Start 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 PM | Lunch |
| 12:00 PM | Check out of resort |
| 12:30 PM | Start of South Tricycle Tour: Bangui Windmills, Kapurpurawan Rock formations, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse |
| 04:00 PM | End of tour. ETA to Laoag. |
| 06:00 PM | ETA Laoag |
| 06:15 PM | Early Dinner |
| 07:00 PM | ETD to Vigan |
| 09:00 PM | ETA Vigan. Check-in hotel. Quick stroll at Calle Crisologo. |
| 10:00 PM | Sleep |
| Day 3 | |
| 06:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 06:30 AM | Take bus to Sta.Maria Ilocos Sur |
| 07:30 AM | ETA Sta, Maria Public Market. Tricycle to Sta. Maria Church (UNESCO) |
| 07:40 AM | Eta Sta, Maria Church. Explore church and Spanish-era cemetery, a short walk at the right the side of the church. |
| 09:00 AM | ETD to Vigan. |
| 10:00 AM | ETA Vigan. Star of Vigan Tour: Vigan Cathedral, Plaza Salcedo, Calle Crisologo, Camarin Jar Factory |
| 11:30 AM | Lunch |
| 12:00 PM | Hotel Check-out. Leave bags at concierge or reception. |
| 012:30 PM | Continue Vigan tour: Bantay Church Bell, Balauarte |
| 03:00 PM | End of Vigan Tour. Get bag from hotel. |
| 03:30 PM | Snacks. |
| 04:00 PM | ETD to Vigan bus terminal. |
| 05:00 PM |
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