Benj Tupas

Benj Tupas

Ilocos Sur to Norte Travel Guide

Hi there! 👋 I'm Benj and welcome to another Philippines Travel Guide where I share DIY and budget-friendly guides on how to travel to all 82 provinces of the Philippines!

In this guide, we will be exploring Ilocos Sur to Norte province!


If you have any questions about this trip, feel free to message me on Facebook. 😍

Summary

I traveled with two colleages during this trip and we rented a van with driver so we can comfortably get to places we want to explore.


🚐 Day 0: Drive to Vigan

We left Metro Manila at 09:00 PM in the evening and reached Vigan in Ilocos Sur before sunrise.


Day 1: Vigan to Paoay

🧱 Calle Crisologo

Hidden Garden Vigan

🛍️ Pasalubong Center

🦁 Baluarte Zoo

Paoay Church

🏠 Malacanang of the North

🌳 Chinese Garden

🏜️ Paoay Sand Dunes

🏠 Century Gardens Hotel


Day 2: Pagudpud

☕ Breakfast at Century Gardens Restaurant

🌊 Pagudpud's Blue Lagoon

🏞️ Bantay Abot Cave


Contacts and expenses breakdown are available at the end of this travel guide.

Day 1: Vigan to Paoay

Vigan in the Morning


🧱

Calle Crisologo

- This place is going to remind you of Intramuros in Metro Manila.

- You can buy pasalubong here but better if you do it on the way back so you can still compare other pasalubong centers.

Hidden Garden Vigan

- A beautiful garden and cafe where you can eat breakfast.

- You can roam around the garden while your food is being prepared.


🦁

Baluarte Zoo

This is owned by Chavit Singson, a successful businessman and politician based in Ilocos.

In the zoo, you'll see lions, turkeys, reindeers, goats, zebras, ostriches, reptiles, and many others.


🛍️

Pasalubong Center

- They sell wooden dicks.

- You'll see more of these items in most pasalubong centers in Ilocos. 😆


Paoay in the Afternoon


Paoay Church

- A UNESCO World Heritage Site

- Real name: Saint Augustine Parish Church


🏠 Malacanang of the North

The residence of Ferdinand Marcos's family when he was president has now been turned into a museum with overlooking view of Paoay Lake.


🏠 Chinese Garden

Located beside the Malacanang of the North to symbolize the friendship between China and Ilocos Norte.


🏜️ Paoay Sand Dunes

The highlight of the trip! Explore the sand dunes while riding a 4x4 truck and try sandboarding.


🏠 Century Gardens Hotel

- It was a very long drive and we conquered 8 destinations on the way. Perfect time to chill and recharge for tomorrow's jam-packed day.

- Century Gardens serves food and drinks. They also have a swimming pool inside the resort so you don't have to go out.

- As an alternative, there's also BBQ and karinderya just outside of the resort if you don't like the menu.

Day 2: Pagudpud

☕ Breakfast at Century Gardens Restaurant

They serve silogs and lutong bahay for around P120 and 3-in-1 coffee for P25


🌊 Pagudpud's Blue Lagoon

- Very beautiful beach with turquoise blue water. We enjoyed playing with the strong waves and I wish we have surfing boards during that time.

- I tried to snorkel around the beach but there was no underwater world there. Just clear water and white sand. Still beautiful.


🏞️ Bantay Abot Cave

- A popular rock formation in Pagudpud

- You can climb towards the hole and you'll discover that there's a view deck facing a beach.


🏞️ Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

- Another favorite! I can't believe this place exists!

- A stunning natural limestone formation.

Tips:

- From the jump-off point, you have the option to ride a horse, but I don't recommend it since the limestone isn't that far.

- Also, here's why I prefer walking: there's a rock formation midway where if you position the camera just right, it looks like you're sitting beside the clouds. I think you would take a different route if you ride the horse and you'll skip this spot.

- Once you reach the main rock formation, there's a secret viewing deck above, facing the sea, with breathtakingly blue water.

- Most tourists don't come here and it's not advisable for older people since you need to climb.

Thanks for reaching this far!

👋

Say hi on Facebook if you have any questions about the guide

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Travel date: November 25 to 27, 2022