Ilocos Norte has some of the most unique landscapes in the ENTIRE Philippines.
From sand dunes to otherworldly rock formations, to windmills and some of the bluest waters I’ve ever seen, Ilocos Norte has it all.
However, before I visited, I struggled to find a good DIY travel guide for the province.
That’s why I decided to write one myself!
In this Ilocos Norte DIY travel guide, I’ll go over:
- A travel map of Ilocos Norte
- How to get to the province
- How to get around Ilocos Norte
- Where to stay
- 10 tourist spots you should check out
- What to eat
- A sample itinerary
- And answer a few FAQs
There’s a LOT to cover, so let’s jump right in!
Ilocos Norte Travel Map
Ilocos Norte travel map coming soon! For now, here are the main towns in Ilocos
Ilocos Norte is a HUGE province. If you try to see it all, you’ll need to spend a year or more.
But for travelers, there are two main travel zones:
- Pagudpud, and
- Laoag
Of course, there are MANY more towns with hidden gems waiting to be discovered. But these three are the main travel zones!
Pagudpud
Pagudpud (and its surrounding towns) is found on the northernmost tip of Ilocos Norte.
In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful parts of the ENTIRE Philippines (which is saying a LOT).
The main attraction here is the beach, but there are a DOZEN of cool spots to check out like the windmills, rock formations, viewpoints, and even a waterfall!
It’s FAR away from the rest of the Philippines, but I’d come back here in a heartbeat if I get the opportunity.
My favorite province right now is Bukidnon, but Pagudpud is definitely giving Bukidnon a run for its money!
Laoag
Laoag is the capital city of Ilocos Norte.
The best way I can describe this place is that it’s where old meets new. You’ll find really old buildings and structures sitting right beside McDonald’s and a giant new SM mall.
A bit of history: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (and his father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr) are from Ilocos Norte. So you’ll also find some presidential palaces in and around Laoag. The most popular one is in Paoay, one town over.
But perhaps the most popular attraction in Laoag (and its surroundings) is the sand dunes. There are FIVE sand dunes around Laoag, and they are one of the most unique landscapes in the Philippines — seriously, I never knew we had deserts!
There’s also a bunch of cool food to try around here. Which I’ll talk about more in just a bit.
For now, let’s find out how to get to this province.
How to Get to Ilocos Norte
There are two ways to get to Ilocos Norte:
By air or by bus!
How to Get to Ilocos Norte By Air
Both Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have regular flights from Manila to Laoag Airport. Flight time takes around 1 hour.
How to Get to Ilocos Norte By Bus
Partas Bus has regular bus trips from Manila and Baguio to Laoag and Pagudpud!
MANY buses leave every day, so finding one shouldn’t be a problem. You can ride in the Partas Terminal in Pasay, Cubao, or even Baguio, San Fernando, or Vigan.
You can also book online here if you want!
A standard bus from Pasay to Laoag costs around PHP1,300, while the “luxury” buses can cost up to PHP1,700.
Aside from Partas, many other bus lines go from Manila to Laoag or Pagudpud, such as:
- GV Florida Transport
- Maria de Leon
- Farinas
And a few others.
I rode a GV Florida sleeper bus from Manila to Laoag. It was nice to lie down while riding, but the bus was pretty tight, and it was not at all a luxury experience.
That’s why, of all your options, I’ll say that Partas probably has the best fleet of buses (and they’re also the most professional of the bunch!)
How to Get Around Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte is one of those provinces that’s so much better if you have your own transportation.
If not, here are your options!
Rent a Motorbike
There are two rental shops in Laoag City: 2Wheels and Floyd’s.
Of these, 2Wheels is definitely the more professional one. They were quick to reply to my inquiries, and the owner, Marie, is also super lively, helpful, and into her business.
They provide you with helmets and reflector vests (which are required in the Ilocos region from 6 pm to 6 am), tell you about cool spots in Ilocos, and are ready to assist you with anything you need.
2Wheels has several units that are all super well-maintained and fun to drive.
You can rent their Honda Click for php600/day, or their NMAX or PCX for php800/day.
Tricycles
There are flocks of tricycles in Laoag, Pagudpud, and just about every town in Ilocos Norte. If you need to go short distances, the standard price is just PHP20. If you’re going to the next town, the price jumps up to PHP30. Then from there, it’s just a matter of agreeing to the right price.
You can also hire tricycles to take you around for a whole day if you wish! Just use your haggling skills!
Buses and Jeepneys
Ilocos Norte towns are very well connected by buses and Jeepneys.
You’ll find plenty of terminals in Laoag, like Partas, Farinas, or GV Florida Transpo.
If you can’t find a ride to where you’re going, head over to the PITCO (Pan Ilocandia Transportation Cooperative) terminal, and you’ll find buses going all over Ilocos from there. The buses are a bit older, but they reach their destination all the same.
Where to Stay in Ilocos Norte
Ideally, you should spend at least 2-3 days in Pagudpud and 1-2 days in Laoag.
Where should you stay?
Let’s take a look.
Where to Stay in Pagudpud
There are two main places to stay in Pagudpud:
- Saud Beach, and
- Blue Lagoon
There are only a few hotels in both of these areas. Instead, accommodations here are mostly family-run homestays or inns.
Saud Beach is closer to the main Pagudpud town, about a 5-minute drive away. There are more establishments around here, and more people around. There are also many activities like jet skiing, banana boating, kayaking, and more.
Blue Lagoon is more isolated, found about 30 minutes away from Pagudpud town. However, in my opinion, this is the better place to stay! The water here is BLUE (it’s easy to see how it got its name), and you’ll feel like you’ve got your own slice of paradise. There are fewer establishments here, but I absolutely loved the two nights I spent here.
Where to Stay in Saud Beach
- EJ’s Homestay — Where I stayed while in Saud! The place is a bit confusing with a bunch of rooms, but I have no real complaints. Decent room that’s just across the road from Saud Beach.
- Palm Grove Saud Holiday Complex Hotel – 2 minutes away from Saud Beach, has a pool, breakfast for 2, and all the amenities you need!
- Pagudpud Rinnovati – Affordable place to stay with beautiful sunset views. You can have a relaxing time at their spa or try karaoke with your friends.
Where to Stay in Blue Lagoon
- GlennMark’s Homestay — Where I stayed in Blue Lagoon! Simple but clean inn owned by, you guessed it, Glenn and Mark. They have free breakfast for some rooms, and they also sell grilled pork and chicken at night for dinner.
- Jay Henry Transient Beach house – Beach house is right in front of Maira-ira Beach. Pet-friendly, air-conditioned rooms and free parking for your vehicles.
- Bia’s Beach House – Beach front with crystal clear waters. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. Enjoy their family rooms and the bar by the beach.
Note: if you’re traveling solo, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a place that costs less than PHP1,000/night here. However, if you’re willing to ask around, some people can bring the price down to PHP800 for you.
Where to Stay in Laoag
- UKL Ever Resort — Where I stayed in Laoag! A resort is a few minutes away from the city center. It has decent aircon rooms, free breakfast, and a POOL! I don’t usually book places like this, but I got a pretty nice discount from Agoda, so I went for it.
- Viven Hotel – A charming place in Laoag. This staycation offers room service, a wellness spa, swimming pool, and karaoke.
- Hotel Asuncion – Whether you’re solo travelling or traveling with family, this is a great place to stay. Located near fast food areas and the public market, you will find everything you need right at your doorstep.
- Sarita Bed and Breakfast – Looking for comfort and convenience? This BnB is perfect for you. Homey feels, and it’s conveniently situated in the city of Laoag.
- Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel – Beautiful architecture and spacious gardens, you will really get to unwind in this resort. You’ll also get amazing pool and sea views, and enjoy delicious Chinese cuisine.
10 Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots (Things To Do in Pagudpud and Laoag)
Now for the fun stuff…
Let’s talk about tourist spots!
For this list, I’m starting with the Pagudpud spots, then making my way down to the Laoag ones!
Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots #1: Blue Lagoon
- Location: Balaoi, Pagudpud
- Fees: PHP20 environmental fee
- Opening Hours: N/A (cutoff for swimming is around 5:00 – 6:00 pm)
- How to Get There: Ride a bus bound for Cagayan from Laoag. If you’re coming from Manila, make sure your Claveria bus passes through Ilocos Norte, and ask the driver to drop you at the junction for Blue Lagoon. If you’re coming from Pagudpud town, you may charter a tricycle to take you here (get ready to haggle because it’s 30 minutes away!)
One of my all-time favorite beaches!
Blue Lagoon is one of those spots where the name perfectly matches the place.
The water here is SUPER clear, SUPER blue, and SUPER clean too!
In fact, I could open my eyes underwater here without feeling any pain.
The sand is also soft and white, making it the perfect beach spot.
Plus, it’s quite isolated. Yes, there are several homestays and family-owned inns in the area, but it’s nowhere near as commercialized as some other popular white beaches in the Philippines (I’m looking at you, Boracay).
Aside from the beach, there are also several amazing rock formations along the road.
The popular ones include Bantay Abot Cave and Timmangtang Cave. You can head down to Bantay Abot Cave during low tide. Or, you can just stop by the side of the road and take pictures!
All of these are why Blue Lagoon is easily one of my favorite beaches in the ENTIRE Philippines!
Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots #2: Stairway to Heaven Viewpoint
- Location: Balaoi, Pagudpud
- Fees: None!
- Opening Hours: N/A
- How to Get There: From Blue Lagoon, just continue down the road. The road goes from cement to rough roads, but it isn’t too far until you reach the “Stairway to Heaven” pin on Google Maps. There is a sign, but it’s on the ground. Climb the stairs, and you’ll find the grassy viewpoint.
This is a spot that a LOT of people heading to Ilocos Norte miss.
But to me, the Stairway to Heaven Viewpoint (a.k.a Lablabig Hill) is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the entire province.
It has a similar feel to Binurong Point in Catanduanes, or even Batanes (even though I haven’t been there yet).
Up here, you’ll find a completely empty grass field.
If you walk towards the edge, you’ll be met by a steep drop to the beach below and an endless sea stretching out into the horizon.
If you turn around, you’ll see Ilocos Norte’s iconic windmills turning in the distance.
And if you walk further north, you’ll eventually get to Ma-ira Point, which is the northernmost tip of mainland Luzon!
The grass up here is a bit tall, but if you can flatten a patch, it’s the perfect picnic area during sunset.
I stayed up here for about an hour, and it’s easily one of my favorite parts of not just Ilocos Norte, but the Philippines!
Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots #3: Kabigan Falls
- Location: Balaoi, Pagudpud
- Fees: PHP100/head guide fee (php200 if you’re solo)
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 5 pm
- How to Get There: The entrance to Kabigan Falls is found along the highway. You can ride a bus heading to Claveria, or get a tricycle to take you here. From the entrance, you can ride a habal-habal to jump off, or take your own motorbike/car.
Pagudpud is known as a beach destination.
However, not too far from Blue Lagoon, you’ll find a lovely mini-hike and a super cold waterfall to swim in!
The “hike” (actually, it’s just a walk) to the waterfalls only takes 15-20 minutes, and can be done by anyone.
When you arrive, you’ll find a relatively small but lovely waterfall.
The water here is COLD. It’s coming from the Cordillera mountains, so it’s super refreshing to swim here on a hot day.
The swimming area is quite small and shallow, but there is one deep area where you can jump in if you’d like.
Not the most typical Pagudpud activity, but definitely a must-visit.
Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots #4: Patapat Viaduct
- Location: Balaoi, Pagudpud
- Fees: None!
- Opening Hours: N/A
- How to Get There: Bus heading towards Claveria, or tricycle! Patapat is just a road, so you can go down in the middle of the bridge, or at the far end where there are a few food stalls.
There are some roads that are so pretty, people just HAVE to stop their cars and take photos.
As more and more people stop to take pictures, the place eventually becomes an “official” tourist spot.
The Patapat Viaduct is one of those spots.
It’s actually just a bridge hugging the cliffs of Ilocos to connect the province with Cagayan.
However, the view of the cliffs, the road, and the ocean here is super scenic.
There are a few snack and souvenir shops on the Cagayan end of the bridge. But the main place to be is right in the middle of the bridge.
Come here during sunrise or sunset, and you’ll get a lovely vibe that feels SO far away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots #5: Saud Beach
- Location: Saud, Pagudpud
- Fees: PHP50 environmental fee
- Opening Hours: N/A
- How to Get There: From the Pagudpud bus terminal, take a tricycle to Saud Beach. Trip should take around 10 minutes. If you’re driving, pin the “Municipal Beach Park” on Google Maps.
Saud Beach is often seen as the “main” beach in Pagudpud.
Personally, I like Blue Lagoon better, but Saud is also extremely beautiful.
The sand here is literally powdery white, and the water is also sparkling blue. The only reason I like Blue Lagoon better is that the waves here are usually bigger.
Aside from that, there are many activities around here, like riding jet skis, banana boats, and kayaks.
There’s also a coffee shop right at the entrance of the beach where you can buy drinks, relax, and even work (since they have wifi and plenty of power outlets).
Add to that the windmills far in the distance, and a BIG Ilocos Norte sign on the beach, and you have a place that’s literally picture-perfect.
Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots #6: Kapurpurawan Rock Formations
- Location: Burgos (two towns from Pagudpud)
- Fees: PHP30 Entrance fee
- Opening Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- How to Get There: Take a bus heading to Pagudpud and get off in Burgos town. Hire a tricycle or a habal-habal to take you to Kapurpurawan! If you’re driving, the visitor center is found along the highway, at the junction heading towards Kapurpurawan. You pay your entrance fee there.
One of the most unique landscapes I’ve seen in the Philippines is these rock formations.
They’re a bit similar to the rocks in Yehliu Geopark in Taiwan, but the rocks here feel more “striped” rather than “hole-y” like the ones in Yehliu.
There are plenty of cool rocks here, and if you walk a little bit further than the main view deck, you can even walk on this unique geological wonder.
If you don’t feel like walking, there are horses that you can get on to take you to the main viewpoints. It costs PHP100 for a relatively short ride.
Overall, there isn’t too much to do around here. But seeing the uniqueness of this place is well worth it!
Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots #7: Bangui Windmills
- Location: Bangui (Town beside Pagudpud)
- Fees: None
- Opening Hours: None
- How to Get There: Take a bus heading to Pagudpud, and get off in Bangui town. Hire a tricycle or habal-habal to take you to the windmills! Note: There are MANY viewpoints for the windmills. “Ilocos Norte Windmills,” “Bangui Windmills,” and also “Bangui Windmills North Side” on Google Maps all give you similar views.
Perhaps the most iconic spot in the entire Ilocos Norte is the Bangui windmills.
It’s impossible to talk about the province without mentioning these guys.
Nothing screams “Ilocos” quite like these towering white windmills by the beach (even though there are a few other provinces with windmills, such as Guimaras).
Because of the STRONG winds of Ilocos, putting these power-generating windmills along the coastline here was a great idea.
The most popular ones are found in Bangui, but there are a lot of them all over the place.
The Bangui windmills aren’t an “official” tourist spot per se. There’s no entrance fee or opening hours.
Instead, you’ll find them standing alone on the beach.
You can walk up to them, take pictures, take a video, do anything you want, really. They’re very cool to see up close!
Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots #8: Paoay Sand Dunes
- Location: Paoay (Town beside Laoag City)
- Fees: PHP2,500 4×4 ride (5pax) + sand boarding, PHP1,500 ATV rental (2 pax)
- Opening Hours: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
- How to Get There: Take a jeepney, modern jeepney, or tricycle from Laoag to Paoay. Hire a tricycle or habal-habal to take you to the dunes.
Another iconic landscape in Ilocos Norte is the Paoay Sand Dunes.
Now, here’s something you should know…
There are actually THREE sand dunes in Paoay: Suba, Bacsil, and Culli Point.
All three are popular, and all three have 4×4 adventures, as well as ATV rides. However, Suba seems to be the most popular of the three.
Just a warning though!
If you’re heading to Suba, make sure to go to the Paoay Sand Dunes Adventures (you can pin this in Google Maps), they seem to have the best track.
I went to the first 4X4 tour shop I could find (it’s called Ilocos Sand Dunes and 4×4), and I was a bit disappointed that the ride didn’t go to the beach.
They did give me a discount because I was alone though, so I can’t complain too much.
Also, don’t skip the sandboarding! They put you on a small board, and slide you down the tall sand dunes.
I went up and slid down 5 times! It was super fun!
To me, the sandboarding was more fun than the 4×4 ride (but that’s just me!).
Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots #9: La Paz Sand Dunes
- Location: La Paz, Laoag City
- Fees: None
- Opening Hours: N/A
- How to Get There: Hire a tricycle from anywhere in Laoag to take you! If you’re driving, pin “La Paz Viewdeck” on Google Maps.
Aside from Paoay, there are also some sand dunes in Laoag City, in the La Paz area.
Unlike Paoay, there aren’t many 4×4 tours in this area.
Instead, you just get to enjoy the empty sand dunes on your own!
To be honest, I liked this better than the touristy Paoay. Here, I really felt like I was all alone in the desert.
It felt like I was in Dubai or some African country because of how vast and empty these sand dunes were.
Some Laoag locals come here with their own 4×4 vehicles to ride around, or there were some people just out on a picnic.
It’s a lovely place to watch the sunset, so I definitely recommend paying a visit!
Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots #10: Laoag Old Buildings
- Location: Mostly around Laoag City Hall
- Fees: N/A
- Opening Hours: N/A
- How to Get There: Walk! These buildings are right at the heart of Laoag City.
Last but not least, don’t forget to check out the cool old buildings in the heart of Laoag!
Once again, Laoag has a very cool mix of really old and modern buildings.
Some cool buildings/monuments include the Abolition of Tobacco Monopoly monument, the Laoag City Hall, Museo Ilocos Norte, the Sinking Bell Tower, etc.
All of these buildings are in the main downtown area of Laoag, so just walk around and take in the sights and sounds of Laoag!
What to Eat in Ilocos Norte
Confession time…
I’m not a foodie.
However!
Ilocos has a unique cuisine and a BUNCH of original dishes, that I feel like I have to mention some of them here!
- Ilocos Empanada – Hands down, one of my FAVORITE regional foods in the Philippines! This bright orange snack/meal is made with Ilocos longganisa, bean sprouts, green papaya, and a whole egg wrapped and fried in a bright orange pastry. You can find this snack in stalls almost everywhere in the province, just ask someone where to find empanada! I ate one almost every day I was in Ilocos.
- Miki – A traditional noodle soup from Ilocos! Tbh, it wasn’t too different from other noodle soups (such as batchoy from Ilo-Ilo). However, I found an old eatery in Laoag that ONLY serves this soup with bread or puto, and you can tell the quality is very high. I ate at Edgar’s Miki, but you can find plenty of eateries selling this all over Laoag.
- Pinakbet Pizza – This was a weird one. Pinakbet is a very popular dish that came from Ilocos. It’s a mix of a bunch of different veggies such as squash, green beans, and, notably, ampalaya (bitter gourd). I’ve had pinakbet several times before, but what I found in Laoag was pinakbet on PIZZA, which is CRAZY because of the ampalaya. Surprisingly, it worked! And if you’d like to try, you can get this at Saramsam Restobar.
- Sukang Iloko – While this isn’t exactly a dish, the people of Ilocos Norte add a LOT of sukang Iloko (Ilocano vinegar) to their dishes. Sukang Iloko is sugar cane vinegar. It has a unique taste, and pairs super well with food like Ilocos longganisa, and even the empanada!
There are MANY other eateries and restaurants in Laoag that foodies LOVE.
Bagnet is from Ilocos, they also have papaitan (bitter soup) and sinanglao (another bitter soup, but not as bitter as papaitan).
There’s also Dawang’s Eatery, which is the favorite of President Bongbong Marcos 🤭. You can find all kinds of local dishes there.
Ilocos Norte Sample Itinerary
Okayyy…
As someone who works while traveling and travels without an itinerary, I sometimes struggle to help people plan their trips.
So I’m going to show you what I would do if I only had 3 days to explore, and then show you what I actually did (hint, it’s a VERY slow itinerary).
Ilocos Norte Sample 3D2N DIY Itinerary
If I only had 3 days in Ilocos Norte, this is what I’d do!
Day 1: Arrive, Kapurpurawan, Bangui Windmills, Saud Beach
Early morning – Arrive in Laoag
8:00 am – Rent a motorbike from 2Wheels or Floyd’s, drive to Pagudpud
9:30 am – Kapurpurawan Rock Formations
11:30 am – Bangui Windmills
1:00 pm – Saud Beach, chill, swim, check into your homestay
Day 2: Saud Beach, Kabigan Falls, Patapat Viaduct, Blue Lagoon, Stairway to Heaven
Morning – Chill/swim in Saud Beach
12:00 pm – Check out
1:00 pm – Kabigan Falls
3:00 pm – Patapat Viaduct
4:00 pm – Check in to Blue Lagoon homestay
5:00 pm – Stairway to Heaven Viewpoint
Day 3: Blue Lagoon, 18-degree North, Paoay Sand Dunes, Head Out
Morning – Chill/swim in Blue Lagoon
12:00 pm – Check out of Blue Lagoon homestay, drive to Laoag
1:00 pm – Lunch at 18-degree North cafe
3:00 pm – Paoay Sand Dunes Adventure
5:00 pm – Return motorbike and ride the bus to Manila or Vigan
Ilocos Norte Itinerary (What I Did)
Here’s what I actually did!
I don’t expect anyone to follow this to a tee, but hopefully you can get some ideas from this.
Day 1: Arrival, Bangui, Pagudpud
5:00 am – Arrive in Laoag (GV Florida Sleeper Bus)
7:00 – 11:00 am – Work in Mr. Coffee Bean
11:30 am – Rent motorbike from 2Wheels Laoag
12:00 pm – Head towards Pagudpud! Lunch along the way
1:30 pm – Bangui windmills
3:00 pm – Arrive in Saud, check in at EJ’s Homestay
5:00 pm – Watch sunset in Saud Beach
Day 2: Work/Sick Day, Ilocos Empanada
On day two, I was feeling under the weather, so I just worked and visited Saud Beach in the afternoon.
Also, I found an Ilocos Empanada shop, so I ate there for snacks and dinner.
Day 3: Kapurpurawan, Blue Lagoon, Stairway to Heaven
11:00 am – Check out of EJ’s Homestay, leave backpack with owners
12:30 pm – Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
2:00 pm – Collect bag from EJ’s
2:30 pm – Check in at Glennmark’s Homestay in Blue Lagoon
3:00 pm – Swim in Blue Lagoon
5:00 pm – Watch sunset in Stairway to Heaven Viewpoint
Day 4: Kabigan Falls, Patapat Viaduct
1:00 pm – Visit/Swim in Kabigan Falls
4:00 pm – Visit Patapat Viaduct
Day 5: Head to Laoag
9:00 am – Check out of Glennmark’s Homestay
9:30 am – Breakfast at 18-degrees North cafe
12:00 pm – Return motorbike to 2Wheels
12:00 – 3:00 pm – Work in Mr. Coffee Bean Laoag
4:00 pm – Check in at UKL Resort
Day 6: Exploring Laoag City
12:00 pm – Eat in Edgar’s Miki
4:00 pm – Walk around old Laoag town
Day 7: Sand Dunes!
11:00 am – Rent motorbike from 2Wheels again
2:00 pm – Paoay 4×4 adventure
4:00 pm – Explore La Paz Sand Dunes
Day 8: Bye Ilocos Norte!
11:00 am – Check out of UKL Resort
12:00 pm – Return motorbike to 2Wheels
12:30 pm – Ride Partas Bus from Laoag to Vigan!
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling Ilocos Norte
What Language is Spoken in Ilocos Norte?
Iloko, or Ilocano, is the language of Ilocos Norte.
My guide in Kabingan Falls also told me that the Ilocano here is deeper than in other parts of the Ilocos region (such as Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan).
But don’t worry, just about everyone speaks Tagalog or English, too.
Do You Need a Tour to Visit Ilocos Sand Dunes?
No. You don’t need a tour to visit the sand dunes. You can rent an ATV, or just visit to see the sand dunes in La Paz or Paoay.
However, one of the best ways to enjoy the sand dunes is getting on a 4×4 and having the driver take you up and down the slopes!
Do You Need a Tour to Visit Pagudpud?
No. You can completely DIY your trip to Pagudpud.
You can either rent a motorbike in Laoag or you can ask tricycle drivers to take you to the spots around Pagudpud.
What’s Better, Saud Beach or Blue Lagoon?
Blue Lagoon is better, in my opinion.
Saud is also an amazing beach, but I LOVE how isolated Blue Lagoon feels.
Plus, the water here is sparkling blue, there are plenty of cool rock formations, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from the Stairway to Heaven, which was one of my favorite spots in Ilocos Norte.
What is Ilocos Norte Best Known For?
Travelers know Ilocos Norte for its sand dunes and windmills.
However, there is SO MUCH more to this province!
So if you haven’t yet, I 100% recommend visiting.
Ready to Visit Ilocos Norte?
Bukidnon is still my favorite province.
However…
Ilocos Norte gave me a very HARD time deciding this 😆
This province is easily my 2nd favorite.
If I could come back, I’d come back in a heartbeat.
But for now… It’s YOUR turn to visit.
I hope this travel guide was helpful for you.
If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below. Or message me on my Facebook Page or Instagram!
Cheers!
Manoling