Ilocos Norte Budget Travel Guide
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This travel guide provides with useful information on how to get there, where to stay (hotels and resorts), Things to do, DIY Itinerary, Budget and Expenses, as well as contact persons in planning your next ultimate adventure in Ilocos Norte.
How to get to Ilocos Norte from Manila
By Bus. Take a bus bound for Laoag. Travel time is 10-12 hours, so I would recommend a night trip for this. Several bus companies such as Partas, GV Florida Transport, Dominion Bus Lines, Philippine Rabbit and Fariñas Transit have regular trips that will take you directly to Laoag City. Check out their websites for the trip schedules.
By Plane. Take a direct flight from Manila to Laoag via Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines. Travel time is about an hour. Flights are usually at night, so better make the necessary adjustments on your itinerary.
How to get out of Laoag Airport to the City proper
There is a jeepney that brings passengers from the airport terminal to the city proper, just look for the old man manning his jeepney. Fare is 60 pesos. Or you may take a tricycle from the airport to the city proper.
How to get to Pagudpud from Laoag
Take a bus or van bound for Claveria Cagayan, it will pass by the town of Pagudpud, which is the last town before reaching Claveria Cagayan. Travel time is 1.5 hours.
How to get to Paoay from Laoag
I would suggest that you rent a tricycle for 250 pesos at Loaog City proper. It is more economical since some destinations in Paoay is not on the national road.
THINGS TO DO, TOURIST SPOTS AND ATTRACTIONS
- Bangui Windmills
- Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
- Burgos Lighthouse
- The Domeless Bacarra Church
- Sand Boarding and 4x4 Ride in La Paz Sand Dunes
- Paoay Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Malacañang of the North and Paoay Lake
- A Walking Tour Around the City of Laoag
- Pagudpud Beach, "The Boracay of the North"
ACCOMMODATIONS
Texicano Hotel, Laoag City
Address: J. P. Rizal Street, Laoag Ilocos Norte
Room Rate: Starts at 310 pesos for a single fan room
Contact Details: (6377) 7705776
Notes: I took the 310 peso single fan room for an overnight stay in Laoag. Do not expect too much as this is a budget hotel, the cheapest I've found within the city, near the different tourist spots.
Cathy's Home Stay, Pagudpud
Address: Brgy. Saud, Pagudpud Ilocos Norte
Room Rate: 800 pesos, good for 4 persons for an air conditioned room.
Contact Details: 09195716680
Notes: One of the cheapest accommodations I found in Saud Beach, Pagudpud. Nothing fancy about their rooms but it's generally clean and Ate Cathy will make you feel like a family. This is good for a group of four or more. Another plus is they also suggest different tourist spots in Pagudpud.
TRANSPORTATION
South and North Pagudpud Tour (Tricycle)
Rate: 600 pesos per tour
Contact Details: 09208532047 look for Kuya Rene
Note: The easiest way to go in visiting the tourist spots in the towns of Pagudpud, Bangui and Burgos is to rent a tricycle. This is good for 3 persons. If you are a big group, you may opt to rent a van. Please contact Kuya Rene to avail of his services.
South Tour tourist spots which includes Bangui windmills, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and the Cape Bojeador Light House.
North Tour tourist spots usually includes Kabigan Falls, Bantay Abot Cave, Blue Lagoon Beach, Patapat Viaduct, Paraiso ni Anton and Aqua Grande. The town of Adams is also worth a visit if you have more time.
Ilocos Tour
Rate: Please call Kuya Andy for the rates
Contact Details: 09194834445
Note: He rents his van/jeepney for a tour in the diffrent tourist spots anywhere in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. I don't have first hand experience with the rental, I just met him on my way to the airport as I had a hard time getting a ride. Fortunately, I flagged down his jeepney and he brought me directly to the airport for 50 pesos only.
SAND BOARDING LESSONS
Rate: 2,500 pesos per group of four
Contact Details: 09088853669 look for Glenn Guererro
Notes: Package is for 1-hour sand boarding lessons, good for four persons. It also includes the 4x4 jeepney transportation to and from the sand dunes. Make an arrangement for a "special rate" if you will be doing it alone.
MY 3D/2N TRAVEL EXPENSES
| DAY 1 Terminal Fee (NAIA T3) Airport - Laoag City Proper (Jeepney) Accommodation @ Texicano Hotel Dinner Empanada TOTAL (Day 1) DAY 2 Sandboarding Lessons Entrance to Museo Ilocos Norte Tricycle Rental to Paoay Entrance Malacañang of the North Lunch Tricycle to Van Terminal Fare, Laoag-Pagudpud (van) Homestay in Pagudpud (for 1 night) Dinner TOTAL (Day 2) DAY 3 Taho Tricycle to and from Pagudpud town proper Brunch South Pagudpud tour (tricycle) Souvenir Key Chain Fare Burgos-Bacarra (bus) Fare to Bacarra Church (tricycle) Fare to Bacarra Hi-way (tricycle) Fare Bacarra to Laoag (jeepney) Snacks Terminal Fee (Laoag Airport) TOTAL (Day 3) GRAND TOTAL | Php 200 60 310 50 40 660 1,000 30 250 40 80 10 70 800 65 2,345 10 100 80 600 35 40 15 15 10 30 40 975 3,980 |
ITINERARY
DAY 1
09:00 PM - Arrive at Laoag
09:30 PM - Check in at Texicano Hotel
10:00 PM - Dinner at Dap-ayan Ti Ilocos
11:00 PM - Sleep
DAY 2
06:00 AM - Sand Boarding at La Paz San Dunes
08:00 AM - Back to the hotel and wash-up
08:30 AM - Breakfast
09:00 AM - Laoag City tour
10:00 AM - Depart for Paoay
10:30 AM - Arrive at Paoay Church, explore
11:00 AM - Depart for Malacañang of the North
11:15 AM - Arrive at Malacañang of the North, explore
11:45 AM - Depart for Laoag
12:00 NN - Arrive at Laoag, have lunch
01:00 PM - Back to the hotel and check-out
01:30 PM - Arrive at van/bus terminal for Pagudpud
03:00 PM - Arrive at Pagudpud, check-in at Cathy's Home Stay
03:30 PM - Explore the beach
06:00 PM - Dinner by the beach
07:00 PM - Party Party! Drinks!
11:00 PM - Sleep
DAY 3
06:00 AM - Wake up and early morning walk by the beach
07:00 AM - Breakfast
08:00 AM - Swimming
10:00 AM - Take a shower and pack your things
11:00 AM - Lunch
12:00 NN - Check out of the home stay, depart for Bangui
12:30 PM - Arrive at Bangui Windmills
01:00 PM - Depart for Kapurpurawan Rock formation
01:15 PM - Arrive at Kapurpurawan
02:00 PM - Depart for Cape Bojeador
02:15 PM - Arrive at Cape Bojeador
02:45 PM - Depart for Bacarra
03:30 PM - Arrive at Bacarra Church
04:00 PM - Depart for Laoag City
04:30 PM - Arrive at Laoag City, take snacks
05:00 PM - Proceed to Laoag Airport
05:30 PM - Arrive at the airport and depart for Manila
***Thank you for the overwhelming response on this travel guide. To answer the requests for an itinerary, this post was updated with a proposed itinerary on June 28, 2011 at 05:44 PM
Happened last May 6-8, 2011, here is a series of posts on my 3D/2N Adventure in Ilocos Norte, Philippines. This is my 3rd solo trip and 26th province on my list. | |
 Map By: Wikipedia |
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I hope this Ilocos Norte Budget Travel Guide help you in exploring the jewel of the north. Enjoy Ilocos Norte!
FOLLOW MY ADVENTURES ON YOUTUBE @PinoyAdventurista
Thank You For Sharing!
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Ang tipid ah! less than 4k lang =0
ReplyDeletemapag-iponan ko din eto, ang paglalakbay ko sa Ilocos soon...
ReplyDeletehaha
Salamat sa info. Pwede naming magamit ito kung sakaling pupunta kami ng Ilocos.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this. Very useful if I do plan to go there :) Galing!
ReplyDelete@Christian | Lakad Pilipinas - my defined budget is 5K, so nakatipid ako ng 1k.. hehehe! thanks Christian! :)
ReplyDelete@Hi I'm ROY - kaya yan Sir! tipid na trip nga lang 'to eh... thanks Roy! :)
ReplyDelete@empi - hope it could help u in the planning... as always, thanks again Empi! :)
ReplyDelete@Aleah - you're welcome Aleah... Salamat din po... :)
ReplyDeletethanks for the info! :) Can't wait for my trip to Ilocos :D
ReplyDelete@caz - you're welcome Caz! hope to read your stories about Ilocos Norte soon! thanks po! :)
ReplyDeleteThis will be very useful in the future. Planning to visit Ilocos in November this year.
ReplyDeleteSalamat dito.
Great guide! Target ko Ilocos Norte by next year. Thanks Pinoy Adventurista!
ReplyDelete@roman leo reyman - you're welcome po... have a great trip!
ReplyDelete@Earl (Suroy Pilipinas) - thank you so much Earl! :)
ReplyDeletedies GV florida have trips going directly to Pagudpod?
ReplyDeletethis sounded like heaps of fun. quite amazed at how you managed to squeeze 4k for three days. to think 50k was enough....LOL
ReplyDeletei really need to learn how to budget
@Tripper10 - salamat po... :)
ReplyDelete@Anonymous - think, there's none... take a Laoag bound bus and ride a Pagudpud/Claveria cagayan bound bus or van... :)
ReplyDelete@Herbs D. - proper budget planning lang po... hehehe! thanks!
ReplyDeleteMervz! do you know any package with transpo, accommodations and entrances to for pagudpod, ilocos, vigan picking us up from Manila and will send us back also? Thanks! =)
ReplyDelete@kistin - please contact Trajet Tours, inquire ka if they can arrange a tour for you... 0927 5767003
ReplyDeletetell them i refered you to them...
thanks!
I soo love ur blog.. :) my bf and I r planning to celebrate r 6th monthsary in ilocos,. Hehe for about 3days, I wud like to ask Sana if ders cheaper accommodation in vigan for day2 after pagudpud,. And how will we get der, pagudpud to vigan? Any suggestion pls,. Thank u soo much,. Godbless..
ReplyDelete@Anonymous - From Pagudpud, you can take any Manila-bound bus, it will pass by Vigan.
ReplyDeleteCheck out Vigan Hotel... they have a 350 peso room...
thank you for the info!
ReplyDeleteThis is so useful for my upcoming Ilocos tour with friends:)
Hi! Your blog's so helpful. Thank you for the detailed information. I would like to ask how much was your airfare then? So that I could estimate my total budget. Thank you.
ReplyDeletei think it's 700 RT promo tickets from Cebu Pacific...
Deleteso nice..
ReplyDeletemakopya nga.. hehe..
thanks for this, hulog k ng langit. i hope mcontact nmin sila Kuya Rene or Kuya Andy pra matulungan kami sa aming trip this May to Ilocos as well as the accommodation that you mentioned super tipid ksi. Planning to go by Bus from Manila to Ilocos then plan pauwi ;P
ReplyDeletethanks for this, hulog k ng langit. i hope mcontact nmin sila Kuya Rene or Kuya Andy pra matulungan kami sa aming trip this May to Ilocos as well as the accommodation that you mentioned super tipid ksi. Planning to go by Bus from Manila to Ilocos then plane pauwi ;P
ReplyDeletewelcome po... please give my regards to Kuya Rene and Kuya Andy... Cheers!!!
DeleteI really enjoyed browsing ur blog grabe naiinggit ako sayo kasi ako taga Paoay (but now in Pasig) pero never pa ako nkapunta sa mga places na navisit mo except Vigan...This blog will definitely make my dream of visiting those destinations easy...just to confirm you traveled solo right?I will also go there kasi alone from Paoay pag uwi ko sa April 10...any tips or suggestion na dpt q iconsider hope u'll reply tnx so much!
ReplyDeleteyup, i traveled solo in Ilocos Norte... tip? try the cafe in front of the church... i missed that kc when I went there... enjoy po! :)
DeleteHello sir, this post is very helpful. May i suggest if u could post also a map that will show the way to and from... sort of treasure map... it would help us. Because were planning to travel by car. Any suggestions if travelling with family? My wife and i will be with our two kids. Thank you for this very helpful post. Kudos
ReplyDeleteWelcome po and thanks for the suggestions... you may use google maps if you want to see how to get there... if traveling with a family, it would be best if you bring or rent a car... para less hassle... have a great time and enjoy Ilocos Norte.. regards to the whole family.. cheers!!!
Deletegood thing that my net landed me here in ur site.. coz im planning to have a solo trip as well going there this for sure will help alot... I plan to go there by land(bus) and leave by plane.. more travels for us.. hehehehe always have a safe one
ReplyDeletei will try to do this ASAP,sana mgawa ko...SOLO to travel up north :)
ReplyDeleteboss, from drop off point ng bus sa pagudpud, panu puntahan yung cathy's homestay? by the beach ba yun?
ReplyDeleteboss, from drop off point ng buss sa pagudpud, panu pmunta dun sa cathy's homestay? by the beach ba yun?
ReplyDeleteSinundo ako ni tricycle from the hi-way... inform Ate Cathy kapag papunta ka na para she will tell you kung saan bababa then susunduan ka duon... :) the homestay is a few meters away from the beach...
Deletehello! nice blog! pwde pa-copy ng itinerary? would you by chance may itinerary din going to Paoay and Vigan! Thanks again, very, very nice blog, adventuristas will definitely love this! Have you been to Lake Sebu? If not, you might want to try it. Nice place to go din especially the 7 falls. Mabuhay! :)
ReplyDeleteHi! Thank you for this very informative blog. My bf and I are planning for Ilocos trip this coming October, we're actually looking for cheaper packages but when I read this, I was thinking of just touring by ourselves. Thanks much! :D
ReplyDeletehi, interested din kami ni hubby to go there this coming december. ask ko lang po kung sang mga specific places ang sa Ilocos Tour ni Kuya Andy? Thanks sobra
ReplyDeletehi nice and informative blog!! keep it up!! ask ko lang kung anong mga places ang included sa Ilocos Tour ni Kuya Andy?? Kasi gusto din namin pumunta ni hubby by december sana. =) Thank you sobra
ReplyDelete..galing very informative and best guide for a forst timer complete datails...
ReplyDeleteok lang ba kung try ko din mag-isa kahit babae ako?
yes, kaya mo yan! super safe dun :)
Deletewow complete details galing...informative for a first timer...
ReplyDeleteOk lang po ba kung i-try ko mag-isa...safe po ba for a girl like me?
yup,very safe ang Ilocos Norte... i can assure u of that... :)
DeleteThis made me miss my very first out of town trip. Now contemplating to visit Ilocos next year.
ReplyDeletebeen looking for a DIY trip to Ilocos, dito ko lang pala makikita hehe. Thanks Mervs :)
ReplyDeleteTHX SA BLOG VERY HELPFUL ASK Q LNG MAS MAGANDA B PUNTA BY PLANE OR BY BUS
ReplyDeleteKudos for this informative blog post that we can use as reference on our Tour De Laoag.
ReplyDeletekuya pd magtanong?ngayonq lng po nabasa sa tingin nyo po ganto pa din po kaya katipid ung magaagstos if pmnta sa ilocs dis year?
ReplyDeletetanong lng po kuya?ganon p dn po kaya magagastos kng sakaling dis year pmnta ng ilocos?at eto p dn po kaya ung mga contacts nung mga taong nabanggit nyo dto??plz reply po a..
ReplyDeleteyes, or even cheaper kung group naman kayo...depende pa rin yan kung paano nyo i-budget yung pera nyo.. :)
DeleteGaling! we're planning a trip for this holy week and we're considering Pagudpud. Hats off kame sayo! Would read moore on your "gala" to get tips. :)
ReplyDeleteall the best! - GELa
Galing! we're planning a trip for this holy week and considering Pagudpud! Hats' off kame sayo! Big hugs! :)) would read more of your blog fr our future travel plans :))
ReplyDeleteHi. Would you know what time ang first and last departure ng bus/van to Pagudpod from Laoag? - Rytz Lim
ReplyDeleteHi! Galing nito..Can I ask lng if what place yang nasa pic mo sa banner? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi! Galing nito...hmmm...I'm planning to travel with my friends. I was wondering lang if san yang nasa pic mo sa banner?
ReplyDeletesa Osmeña Peak sa Cebu... :)
Deletehello po, i tried calling ung number ni Glenn Guerrero for the sand dunes, humihingi po sila reservation fee, ok lng ba? trusted nmn po ba cla?
ReplyDeleteyes, he can be trusted... wala akong naging problema sa kanya and until now we still communicate... Thanks
Deletetska sir would u know what tym ang last trip mula laoag to pagudpod? kc plan nmin gawn sandboarding ng hapon around 5pm then after that diretso na ng pagudpod.
ReplyDeletei don't have any idea... maybe you could also ask Sir Glen... but I assume pa until 8-9 PM cguro... :)
DeleteAstig !! please help naman .. gusto ko po magtravel this coming june 1 sa ilocos .. give me more idea or info about that place .. meron po kasi akong mga place na gustong gusto mapuntahan dun like wind power plant and white sand beaches .. kaso baka mapa mahal ako ng sobra pag pumunta ko dun :( .. please messag me to this number 09261100314 .. thank you so much
ReplyDeletehi po .. help me naman po .. mag ttour po kasi kami ng bestfriend ko sa ilocos this coming june 1-3 .. my mga places kasi kami dun na gusto puntahan like wind power plant and white sand beach .. kinakabahan nga lang ako baka mapa mahal ako ng sobra sa budget .. ang astig kasi ng ginawa mo .. sana matulungan mo kami .. message me to this number -09261100314 thank you so much
ReplyDeleteHi Jazel... andito na po yung mga kailangan nyo.. thanks and enjoy the trip!
DeleteHello po! We're from Pampanga po and we're planning to drive to Ilocos in June. Balak namin na wag nang kumuha ng tour guide para makatipid. Mahihirapan ba kami kung walang tour guide? Salamat po in advance! =)
ReplyDeleteWow, you're blog is amazing! I've always wanted to explore our country's natural paradise :) Keep it up Sir!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I want to ask po kung may bus or van na bumabyahe sa gabi from Laoag airport going to Pagudpud? My wife and I are planning to take a vacation sa Pagudpud and gusto kasi namin magstay na kaagad ng first night namen dun. Our flight ETA in Laoag airport is 8:10PM. Hindi po kaya kame mahirapan kame makahanap ng masasakyan sa oras na to? TIA and more power! :)
I key in, 'bus to ilocos' at ikaw Pinoy Adventurista ang lumabas. Grabeng travel guide. Busog n busog ak0!
ReplyDeletejust reading your guide going to ilocos, it would really help this itinerary for my trip next year :-) super helpful, your the best! :-)
ReplyDeletesalie :-)
Kuya! Meron po bang ILOCOS SUR?
ReplyDeleteKuya meron po bang ILOCOS SUR?
ReplyDeleteTo update readers, I tried the Pagudpud South tour when I googled this post. DIY lang din hehe. Update on prices lang siguro, 500 yung kay Kuya Rene but a transfer to another ticycle is needed upon reaching Burgos for the Kapurpurawan rock and lighthouse kasi parang ibang tricycle operator ang nagooperate dun. 200 for the Kapurpurawan and 100 for the lighthouse. May 25 pesos din upon leaving Bangui and 15 peso entrance sa puraw. :) plus it takes a while to get a bus to Laoag if you stay there. Much better if you continue to Pagudpud beaches and stay there than going back to Laoag pero pwede din naman. :)
ReplyDeleteTo update readers, I tried the Pagudpud South tour when I googled this post. DIY lang din hehe. Update on prices lang siguro, 500 yung kay Kuya Rene but a transfer to another ticycle is needed upon reaching Burgos for the Kapurpurawan rock and lighthouse kasi parang ibang tricycle operator ang nagooperate dun. 200 for the Kapurpurawan and 100 for the lighthouse. May 25 pesos din upon leaving Bangui and 15 peso entrance sa puraw. :) plus it takes a while to get a bus to Laoag if you stay there. Much better if you continue to Pagudpud beaches and stay there than going back to Laoag pero pwede din naman. :)
ReplyDeleteSir, hindi nio nasama ung airport fee I mean ung flight nio nakamgkano kau don?
ReplyDeletedid you do it alone? or u have someone with u during the trip? coz kuddos to you for just spending 5k alone wid ur trip, hehehe me and my frend are planning to go there w/o travel agency just 'DO IT BY OURSELVES' mode, and since i read ur blog, it really helped me in finding cheap accommos so dat it will be of big help in our budget, we are just 2 and we are planning to go there by nxt wik
ReplyDeletehi po can i ask if magkno po pa book by land 12 pax po im from bataan going to ilocos vigan.
Deletehello im from bataan. magkno po package tour nyo sa vigan? by land lang po... 12 pax po
ReplyDeletewala po bang curfew hours ang transportation kung manggagaling kami ng pugodpod to laoag at vigan to laoag if ever mejo malate kami umuwi pabalik ng hotel? sa laoag po kami nakabase ang hotel na kinuha namin
ReplyDeletewala po bang curfew hours ang transportation kung manggagaling kami ng pugodpod to laoag at vigan to laoag if ever mejo malate kami umuwi pabalik ng hotel? sa laoag po kami nakabase ang hotel na nakuha namin namin
ReplyDeleteSakyan mo yung Quinton cloud ni Goku! BWAHAHAHA
DeleteHi po! Thanks for this travel guide. Super useful. Anyway po, sa transpo nyo po from Airport to Laoag City Proper, nag jeep lang po ba kayo? Kasi jeepney yung nakalagay. Tapos 60 pesos lang po? Please reply po. This is for our trip on July 2016. Thank you very much!
ReplyDeletehello pwede ko ba makuha number mo...i am planning to travel solo bound to ilocos norte..
ReplyDelete