Ilocos Weekend Trip: A Budget Travel Guide

Early this year, I've seen Ilocos tours over my Facebook news feeds. I was wondering what beauty is there to see. Scrolling at the pictures of my friends who've been there, gave me an idea of traveling North. Estimated Budget: 5000php-6000php

Traveling to Ilocos can be easy. You really don't have to wait for promo fares just to get a cheap flight. All you have to do is to buy bus tickets to get there but of course expect to have a sleepover on the road :) There are several bus lines going to Laoag & Vigan but we chose Partas since it has its own terminal in Cubao which is nearer to all of us. Our first destination would be Vigan, Ilocos Sur. :)

Day 0
2300 ETD Mla-Vigan (via Partas Bus 8hrs)

Day 1
700 ETA Vigan
710 Trike to Grandpa's Inn
730 breakfast @ Kusina Felicitas
830 Kalesa Tour (4hrs)
1230 back to Grandpa's Inn
1330 Merienda/ Buy Pasalubong
1400 Back to Hotel- RECHARGE
1800 Dinner @ Uno Grille
1930 Go around Calle Crisologo


What really caught my eye in Ilocos, was Vigan City. It's like bringing you back to the past because of the old Spanish houses, museums, & narrow cobblestone streets. It gives you the chance to learn more about the culture and gives you warm memories. We checked-in at Grandpa's Inn which is an ancestral house and I could say it's really a heritage site. I immediately fell in love that I don't mind paying extra for it. It's a cozy place, museum & art gallery in one. It has it's own restaurants, Kusina Felicitas, Cafe Uno, & Uno Grille. It's also a few minutes away from Calle Crisologo. By the way, they also have a Calesa Room, which i'm sure everyone would love. One of their staff there is very accommodating that he even got us a Kalesa for our tour.

SF at Grandpa's Inn Entrance

Grandpa's Inn Family Room

Me pointing at Bantay Bell Tower :)

Pagburnayan Pottery Making

Calle Crisologo @ Night

 Day 2
630 Wake Up Call
730 Free Breakfast @ Kusina Felicitas
800 Van pick-up @ Grandpa's Inn
830 Leave Vigan
1030 Check-in @ Balay da Blas Pensionne, Laoag
1100 Leave for Pagudpud Side Trips
1300 Late Lunch @ BergBlick Restaurant
1700 Arrive @ Hannah's Beach Resort
1900 Leave for Laoag
2100 Back to Hotel
2130 Trike to Centro
2135 Dinner @ Tapsilog Avenue Farinas Trans

Reading travels blogs before the trip helps me contact people who would guide us around. I was able to find Kuya Rodel in one of the blogs I read. I asked him about van rates & tours for 2 days, and he immediately answered me and gave me good rates. Learn how to negotiate, it helps you save. At exactly 800am, Kuya Robert, our kind driver arrived. Before you reach Pagudpud you would pass Laoag first, so during your travel, you would have side trips. We checked in at Balay da Blas, and I can say that this has value for money. We got their Barkada Room with a reasonable price. Their place is clean, spacious, with friendly staffs, & good food. I love their coffee! :) After checking in, we headded to our tour.

Welcome!

Patapat Viaduct-  a connecting bridge from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to Cagayan Valley with 1.3km

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

30 mins Trek to Kabigan Falls

Kabigan Falls

Bangui Windmills

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Day 3

700 Free Breakfast @ Balay da Blas

1130 Van pick-up for City Tour

1430 Late Lunch/ Merienda

1530 Leave for Paoay Sand Dunes

1600 4x4 Ride!!

1830 Dinner @ Jollibee

2030 ETD Bus Laoag to Manila (via Partas 12hrs)

Sinking Bell Tower- It sinks an inch every year.

Sand Dunes- LAND!! 4x4 ride is a MUST!

4x4 Sand Dunes- THE BEST!!

Paoay Church and its Bell tower 

Our last day, was the City tour and I was amazed with the Sinking Tower, wherein they say that during the Spanish times, Spaniards riding on their horse can enter it, but now, you have to bend just to enter this tower. But it is closed to the public for safety reasons. I also liked the Paoay Church & Bell Tower which is made out of coral stones. Isn't that awesome? :) Last but not the least, you can't leave Ilocos Norte without trying their 4x4 Ride Adventure in Paoay Sand Dunes. It will make you scream, make your heart pound so fast that would make you want to shout for more! Never miss this experience! :)

Overall, this is one fulfilled weekend. Visiting Ilocos, made me love the Philippines more and gave me the desire to travel more. There is more to see in this place! #ONLYINILOCOS #ONLYINTHEPHILIPPINES 

PS. 
Don't forget to try their delicacies, or specialties. I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss something you won't be able to eat everyday in Manila. :)

Laoag Empanada

Vigan Longganisa, Empanada, Okoy, Halo-Halo with Rice Cake, Bagnet & actually I forgot what you call that veggie

TRAVEL BREAKDOWN EXPENSE:

CONTACT PERSON:

Kuya Rodel (owner of Van): 0927-289-5319
Paoay Sand Dunes (Benjie): 0929-771-9036
Grandpa's Inn: 0917-580-2118/ (077)-7222118
Balay da Blas: 0917-5507522


WHAT TO SEE:
Vigan:                                                   Laoag City:
*Juan Luna Shrine                                   *Sta. Monica Church
*Bantay Bell Tower                                 *Birthplace of Marcos
*Pagburnayan Pottery Making                   *Sinking Bell Tower
*Burgos Museum                                    *St. William Cathedral
*Crisologo Museum                                 *Museo Iloco
*Baluarte                                              *Malacanang of the North
*Heritage Vilage                                     *Paoay Lake
*Vigan Church                                        *Paoay Sand Dunes
*Salcedo Park Vigan                                *Paoay Church
                                                            *Paoay Museum

Pagudpud:
*Salt Making
*Cape Bojeadar Lighthouse
*Bangui Windmills
*Saud White Sand Beach
*Patapat Viaduct Breach
*Bantay Abot Cave
*Blue Lagoon
*Paraiso ni Anton
*Kabigan Falls
*Kapurpurawan Rock Formation