DIY Travel Guide: Ilocos Itinerary, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte

In the last week of 2012, I decided to go on a solo backpacking trip to the northern provinces of Luzon, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. What was initially planned as a quick three-day getaway turned into a four-day adventure, thanks to a flexible schedule and the ease of traveling around Ilocandia. Below is my documented and detailed do-it-yourself Ilocos itinerary, created to help fellow travelers plan their own Ilocos journey with confidence.

HOW TO GET TO ILOCOS

By Land
Manila to Vigan – Partas Bus, Dominion, Aniceto and Viron Transit ply the Manila-Vigan route regularly. Fare is around Php750 and travel time is 8-9hrs.
Vigan to Batac – Take a mini bus going to Laoag City and tell the bus conductor to drop you in Batac. Fare is Php80 and travel time is 2hrs.
Batac to Paoay – Go to Pick A Bun and wait for the jeepneys going to Paoay. Fare is Php10 and travel time is about 30 minutes.
Paoay to Laoag – Near Paoay Church is a jeepney terminal going to Laoag. Fare is Php36 and travel time is 1hr.
Laoag to Pagudpud – At the back of Ilocos Norte Capitol is a bus terminal going to Pagudpud. Fare is Php60 and travel time is 1.5hr.

By Air
Manila to Laoag – Take a Manila to Laoag direct flight via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines or Airphil Express. Travel time is about an hour.

10 THINGS TO DO IN ILOCOS NORTE AND ILOCOS SUR

1. Visit Hidden Garden in Vigan
2. Try to compare the Vigan and Batac Empanada
3. Wait for the sunset in Calle Crisologo
4. Check the remains of late President Marcos
5. Visit the UNESCO site of Paoay Church
6. Check the Laoag Sinking Tower and Cathedral
7. Lay down on Patapat Viaduct
8. Overnight tent stay by the beach in Saud
9. Know the legend of the rock formations in Pagudpud
10. Try the Crispy Dinuguan and Baraniw Iced Tea in Johnny Moon’s Café

ILOCOS DIY: SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 1: Bantay and Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

I arrived in Ilocos Sur at around 6:30 AM on December 27 after an almost five-hour bus ride from Pangasinan. Although my ticket was bound for Vigan, I decided to get off earlier at Bantay to officially start my Ilocos trip. A quick climb up the Bantay Bell Tower greeted me with sweeping views of the town, the cemetery, and parts of Vigan—an instant reminder that the journey was worth it. Before leaving Bantay, I dropped by St. Augustine Parish Church to say a short prayer at the altar of Our Lady of Charity.

By mid-morning, I was already walking through Vigan City, which I explored entirely on foot. I passed by Plaza Burgos, Vigan Cathedral, Plaza Salcedo, and along Burgos Street, where heritage houses stand side by side with modern establishments. I also visited the Burgos Museum and the Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol, completing my heritage walk around the city.

Later in the day, I made my way to Hidden Garden, a quiet spot just outside Vigan known for its lush collection of ornamental plants. It was a refreshing break from the cobbled streets and historic sites—ending my first day in Ilocos on a calm and relaxed note.

DAY 2: Batac City and Paoay

Day 2 brought me to Batac City, one of only two cities in Ilocos Norte and known as the Home of Great Leaders. I visited the Ferdinand E. Marcos Presidential Center, the former ancestral home of the Marcos family now converted into a museum, showcasing memorabilia and key moments from the late president’s life. Nearby, I also stopped at the Ricarte National Shrine, honoring General Artemio Ricarte, a hero of the Philippine Revolution.

Before leaving Batac, I made a quick food stop at the Batac Riverside Empanadaan to try their famous empanada—filled with grated papaya, longganisa, and egg—distinctly different from those in Vigan and Laoag. From there, I headed to Paoay, with my first stop at the iconic Paoay Church, one of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Since public transport is limited beyond the highway, I hired a tricycle to tour the rest of Paoay, which made the trip more convenient. I visited Malacañang of the North, now a museum overlooking Paoay Lake, and ended the day at the Paoay Sand Dunes and the lake’s view deck before catching a jeepney bound for Laoag City by late afternoon.

Day 3: Laoag City & Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

I woke up early at 4:30 AM and started the day with a quick coffee run and a short chat with locals before beginning my Laoag City tour at sunrise. My first stop was the Laoag Sinking Bell Tower, followed by a visit to St. William’s Cathedral, where I was struck by one of the most impressive church altars I’ve seen. I then passed by the Laoag City Hall and the Tobacco Monopoly Monument, and wrapped up the city tour at Museo Ilocos Norte, which unfortunately was closed due to the holidays.

Later in the morning, I boarded a bus bound for Pagudpud and ended up sharing the trip with fellow travelers I met along the way. Once in Pagudpud, we hired a tricycle to tour the area, starting with a trek to Kabigan Falls, a refreshing hike through the forest that led to a wide, cascading waterfall. From there, we continued to Patapat Viaduct, where the coastal views of Pasaleng Bay made the long ride worthwhile.

The rest of the day was spent chasing scenic stops—Agua Grande, Paraiso ni Anton, Timmangtang Rock, Bantay Abot Cave, and finally Maira-ira Cove (Blue Lagoon), often called the Boracay of the North. We ended the day at Saud Beach, where I spent the night camping by the shore, falling asleep to the sound of waves and waking up to windmills stretching along the coast of Bangui.

Day 4: The Big 3 of Ilocos Norte

I left Saud Beach around 7:00 AM to spend my final day in Ilocandia visiting what I call Ilocos Norte’s Big 3—Bangui Windmills, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. Traveling on a tight budget, I relied on minibuses and long walks to reach each stop, knowing these landmarks were located far from the main road but worth every step.

My first stop was the Bangui Windmills, the country’s first commercial wind farm and a striking sight with turbines lined up along the coast. From there, I continued to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Burgos, a massive white limestone formation sculpted by wind and waves, gleaming under the sun and standing out against the blue sea.

The last stop was Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, perched on a hill overlooking the coastline of Burgos and Pasuquin. Built during the Spanish colonial period, the lighthouse offered sweeping views of the West Philippine Sea and served as a fitting end to the trip—bringing together technology, nature, and history before heading back home.

ILOCOS ITINERARY: What to Eat

No trip to Ilocos is complete without tasting its iconic street food and regional specialties. If you’re in Vigan or Batac, make sure to try their famous empanadas, crispy, deep-fried pockets stuffed with longganisa, grated green papaya, and egg, sometimes with cheese for an extra kick. While Vigan empanadas have a slightly sweeter longganisa, Batac’s version is garlicky and hearty, making it perfect for breakfast on the go or a midday snack. Another must-try is crispy dinuguan, a pork blood stew cooked to rich perfection and paired with crunchy pork bits, offering the bold, savory flavors that Ilocanos know and love.

Beyond these, expect classic Ilokano dishes wherever you go: bagnet (crispy pork belly), pinakbet (vegetable stew with bagoong), and longganisa Ilocana served with garlic rice for breakfast. Meals are often simple but packed with flavor, reflecting the region’s practical, homegrown culinary traditions. Eating in Ilocos is as much about savoring the dishes as it is about experiencing the local food culture—street-side carts, small eateries, and roadside markets are all part of the adventure.

ILOCOS ITINERARY: Where to Stay

ILOCOS ITINERARY: Sample Expenses

Traveling on a limited budget is a challenge for every solo traveler especially for those who are first timers like me. Here are my expenses for my 4D3N tour in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte last December 27-30, 2012.

Note: Fares to and from Ilocos are not included.

TOURISM OFFICES

VIGAN TOURISM OFFICE
Tel. No. (077) 722-8771 to 76
www.vigancity.gov.ph
admin@vigancity.gov.ph

ILOCOS NORTE TOURISM OFFICE
Provincial Capitol
Tel. No. (077) 772-1211 loc. 119/770-4242
www.ilocosnorte.gov.ph
ilocosnortetourism@yahoo.com