Ilocos Easy Travel Guide 2018

Planning for a tour to Ilocos? Here is my “Ilocos Easy Travel Guide 2018” to show you the beautiful attractions in Ilocos Region.

Born pure Ilocana, it took a while for me to decide of doing a short vacation to where my mom’s family originated, the Ilocos Region. Ilocos was probably one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited and never did I expect I would fell in love to its breathtaking views and great heritage.

Our tour was good for two days, so we divided our destination schedules separately.

From Manila, we booked a Super Deluxe bus ticket thru Maria De Leon bus terminal priced at PhP 850 per passenger heading us to Laoag City. We departed at exactly 9:00 PM and arrived in Laoag at 5:00 AM the next day.

However, there are also regular air con buses available which are more affordable. To know more about their schedule of trips, please click here:

We booked a local tour guide before we left Manila since there were ten of us taking the excursion. Our tour guide has his own house for rent so we took advantage of it to save money, and rested for a while before we started our trip for Day 1. Here’s our schedule:

DAY 1: LAOAG- PAGUDPUD ROUTE
BACARRA CHURCH AND BELL TOWER (Bacarra, Ilocos Norte) 

The Panoramic view of Bacarra Church and its Bell Tower behind.

SALT FACTORY (Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte) 

One of the salt factories along national road Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

BANGUI WINDMILL (Bangui, Ilocos Norte) 

Right at the sea shoreline you’ll find these windmills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

PATAPAT VIADUCT (Pagudpud, Ilocos, Norte) 

This bridge is 1.3 kilometers long and connects Maharlika highway from Ilocos Region to Cagayan Valley.

KAPURPURAWAN ROCK FORMATION (Burgos, Ilocos Norte) 

It’s name was derived from an Ilocano word “puraw” which means color white.

BLUE LAGOON (Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte)

One of the most beautiful beaches in Northern Luzon.

 

DAY 2: LAOAG –VIGAN ROUTE

SINKING BELL TOWER (Laoag, Ilocos Norte)

According to history, this bell tower sinks an inch every year.

RIZAL AMUSEMENT PARK (Laoag City, Ilocos Norte)

 

MARCOS MUSEUM (Batac, Ilocos Norte) 

The home of the brilliant President Ferdinand E. Marcos in Batac, Ilocos Norte remains alive until now.

PAOAY CHURCH (Paoay, Ilocos Norte) 

Built in the year 1710, Paoay Church (St. Augustine Church of Paoay) became extremely famous because of its very unique structure and design.

JUAN LUNA MUSEUM (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)

Locally known as “Museo ni Juan at Antonio Luna”. The house was made with solid bricks and molave woods built to last for long time.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO MUSEUM (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)

Formerly Provincial Jail of Ilocos Sur and the exact birthplace of Philippine Hero Elpidio Quirino. The house is now full of artifacts and paintings.

PAGBURNAYAN/ CLAY POT MAKING (Vigan, Ilocos Sur) 

 

CRISOLOGO MUSEUM (Vigan, Ilocos Sur) 

The century old mansion of Crisologo Family turned into a historical museum filled with so many memorabilia one would surely appreciate.

 

ABEL LOOM WEAVING (Caoayan, Ilocos Sur)

 

BALUARTE ZOO (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)

A 100 hectare zoological park built 10 minutes away from teh center of Vigan. The zoo is owned by Chavit Singson.

ST. PAUL METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL OF VIGAN (Vigan, Ilocos Sur) 

This church was built in 1578 making it one of the oldest Augustinian churches in the Philippines. It is strategically located in front of Plaza Salcedo and is right beside Plaza Burgos.

BANTAY CHURCH (Bantay, Ilocos Sur) 

Also known as “The Shrine of Our Lady of Charity” housing the divine image of Virgin Mary. It was rebuilt in 1950 after getting damaged on World War II.

HERITAGE VILLAGE (Vigan, Ilocos Sur)

Established in 16th Century, Heritage Village became one of the oldest structures of Vigan, Ilocos Sur. This place exactly shows a preserved heritage of spanish colonial architecture.

VIGAN DANCING FOUNTAIN (Vigan, Ilocos Sur) 

Specifically located at Plaza Salcedo, right in the heart of Vigan. The show starts at exactly 7 PM with free entrance.

We finished our Ilocos tour at 9:00 PM and started heading to our next destination, BAGIUO CITY.

The foods in Ilocos are extremely tasty and very affordable that you wouldn’t have to worry where to eat or stop. Everything will be handled by your tour guide including time management. Plus, you can also cook your own food while you stay at your rented house.

If you want to do the same adventure, I suggest you to book a local tour guide ahead of time to avoid cases of over booking. I would also recommend coming in a group in order to save money during your trip.

Need help in managing your tour in Ilocos? All you have to do is send me an email so I can coordinate your trip. I hope this blog helps you well and hope you enjoy your vacation.

*all photos by Sharon Grace H. Deuna, ECE