Ilocos Provinces: Your next premier tourist destination
Ilocos: Your next premier tourist destination
Intayon ijay Ilocandia! (“Let’s go to Ilocandia!”) As many people would say to invite, Ilocos Provinces have still much to offer tourists and locals alike. With its rich and diverse history, Ilocos is now becoming one of the premier destinations up North. Let’s Discover!
Long before the Spaniards came, locals called the extensive region (Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union) “samtoy.” And fast forward through memory lane, many of the country’s illustrious sons and daughters came from the provinces, namely: Ferdinand Marcos (Sarrat), Juan Luna and Antonio Luna (Badoc), Gabriela and Diego Silang (Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur and Aringay, La Union), Josefa Llanes-Escoda (Dingras), Father Jose Burgos, Isabelo delos Reyes, and Elpidio Quirino (Vigan) among others.
Ilocos Sur Welcome Arch
Ilocos Norte Welcome Arch (Photo by www.forumbiodiversity.com)
Topography
The Ilocos provinces are divided into two, the North (Norte) and the South (Sur). Norte has 21 municipalities and 2 cities while Sur has 32 municipalities and 2 cities as well. Mainly known for its widely-spoken dialect, “Ilocano,” the Ilocos provinces have hidden gems that I and my friends have discovered on our recent visit.
Although time and resources were limited, we surely have maximized our stay in the provinces. Being my hometown, too (I am a Sarrat-native), I am really proud of what Ilocos has become through the years.
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How to get there:
From Manila, Ilocos Sur is 8-9 hours away, while Ilocos Norte is 11-12 hours away. From Baguio, it is roughly around 7-8 hours away. Major Bus Lines also service the northern route daily, namely: Partas and Fariñas.
Partas Bus Lines (Laoag City Terminal)
Farinas Bus Lines, Laoag City Terminal (Photo by www.tagdrobe.com)
Contact Information:
| Pasay | Cubao | Manila | Baguio | Vigan | Laoag | |
|
Partas |
Aurora Boulevard (Tramo) Corner Edang St. San Roque
(02) 852 8194 |
816 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City
(02) 727 8278 |
Sampaloc, Manila
(02) 743 3242 |
Gov. Pack Road Central Terminal, Baguio City
(Below SM City Baguio) (074) 444 8431 |
Alcantara Street, Vigan City
(Across Lyric Cinema) (077) 722 2933 |
Barangay 1, Laoag City (Near Iglesia ni Cristo) (077) 771 4898 |
| Fariñas | N/A | N/A | No. 1238, Fariñas Trans Bldg., Lacson Ave., Sampaloc, 490 Zone 48, Manila
(02) 731 4507 |
Gov. Pack Road Central Terminal, Baguio City
(Below SM City Baguio) |
N/A |
Castro Avenue, cor. M. Fariñas St., Laoag City (077) 772 0127 |
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Schedules:
| Baguio – Vigan / Laoag | Laoag / Vigan – Baguio | Manila – Vigan / Laoag | Laoag / Vigan – Manila | |
| Partas | AM
0400 0600 0700 0900 1000
PM 1200 1400 1500 1700 1900 2100 2200 |
Call Laoag Terminal Hotline at (077) 771 4898 for more information | Cubao – Laoag
1900 (First Class) 2200 (Deluxe) 2200 (First Class)
Pasay – Laoag 1800 (Regular Aircon) 2000 (Regular Aircon)
Cubao – Vigan 1900 (First Class) 2200 (Deluxe) 2200 (First Class)
Pasay – Vigan 1900 (Regular Aircon) 2100 (Regular Aircon) |
Call Laoag Terminal Hotline at (077) 771 4898 for more information |
| Fariñas | Regular AirCon
AM 0430 0530 0730 1030
PM 1330 1530 1730 2000 2200 |
Regular AirCon
AM 1230 0300 0530 0730 0900 1100
PM 1330 1500 2045 |
0600 (1st Class w/ CR)
0700 (1st Class w/ CR) 0800 (1st Class) 1030 1230 1630 1830 (1st Class w/ CR) 1930 (1st Class w/ CR) 2000 (1st Class w/ CR) 2030 (Super Deluxe) 2100 (1st Class w/ CR) 2130 (1st Class w/ CR) 2200 (Super Deluxe) 2230 (1st Class w/ CR) 2330 (1st Class w/ CR) |
0600 (1st Class w/ CR) 0700 (1st Class w/ CR) 0800 (1st Class) 1030 1230 1630 1830 (1st Class w/ CR) 1930 (1st Class w/ CR) 2000 (1st Class w/ CR) 2030 (Super Deluxe) 2100 (1st Class w/ CR) 2130 (1st Class w/ CR) 2200 (Super Deluxe) 2230 (1st Class w/ CR) 2330 (1st Class w/ CR) |
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Via Air:
There are also regular flights from Manila to Laoag via Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. The flight schedules are as follows:
Laoag International Airport (Photo by www.pinasmuna.com)
| Cebu Pacific | PAL Express | |
| Days | From Manila
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thurs, Sun
From Laoag Mon, Tue, Wed, Thurs, Sun |
From Manila Mon, Tue, Sun From Laoag Daily |
| Flight Duration (ETD-ETA) |
Approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes (to check travel times and schedules, check their websites – subject to change without prior notice) |
|
The good news when heading up North is that there are no toll plazas that you have to stop too (unless you’ll be coming from Manila and exiting the North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark Expressway, and/or Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway using a private car) and the roads are nicely paved, giving you that smooth ride.
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Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte, particularly in its capital Laoag, has only a few Department of Tourism-accredited hotels where tourists/travelers can stay. So here is the short list forwarded to me by the Department of Tourism – Laoag Sub-Office as a reference.
Ilocos Norte Capitol (at night)
TuristaBoy Tip:
There are also many transient houses/lodging houses/homestays not registered with the Department of Tourism Laoag Sub-Office. Contact your tour organizer or you might want to check out the outskirts of the City upon arriving for more affordable accommodations.
List of establishments:
| Name of Establishment | Address | Contact Numbers | Online Addresses |
| THE PALACIO DE LAOAG HOTEL | #27 P. Paterno Street, Laoag City | Telephone Numbers:
(077) 772 2950 to 51
Fax Number: (077) 771 5717 |
E-mail Addresses: |
| HOTEL TIFFANY (TOURIST INN) | General Segundo Avenue, corner M.H. Del Pilar Street, Laoag City | Telephone Number:
(077) 770 3550
Fax Numbers: (077) 771 4360 / 770 5013 |
|
| ISABEL SUITES (TOURIST INN) | General Segundo Avenue, Laoag City | Telephone Numbers:
(077) 770 4998 / 771 1900
Cell Phone Numbers: 0921 732 6452 / 0918 903 5181 / 0917 628 0319
Fax Number: (077) 773 1008 |
E-mail Address: |
| NORTHVIEW HOTEL | Brgy. 46, Nablo Road, Laoag City | Telephone and Cell Phone Numbers:
(077) 773 1689 / 0918 901 3163
Fax Number: (077) 773 2440 |
Website:
E-mail Address: |
| UKL EVER HOTEL | Brgy. 17, Abadilla St., Laoag City | Telephone Number:
(077) 772 2771
Cell Phone Number: 0999 525 7777 |
E-mail Address: |
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Ilocos Sur
In Ilocos Sur, on the other hand, here’s a comprehensive list of all the possible accommodations in the City of Vigan, based on a tweet on their Twitter account, @ViganPH. Just click below and it will redirect you. 🙂
Ilocos Sur Capitol
Directory of Accommodation Establishments in Vigan City
Directory of Dining and Entertainment Establishments in Vigan City
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Sample Itinerary
*This is the itinerary we had when we got there. I just compiled the places we visited in a simplified list while we were traveling spontaneously. We really don’t have a clear itinerary while traveling. Places indicated are also according to their proximity to each other.* 🙂
ILOCOS NORTE
Day 1
Fort Ilocandia Façade
Tourist Spot |
Municipality / City |
Travel Time |
| Fort Ilocandia | Laoag City | |
| Malacañang of the North | Paoay | 20-30 minutes from Fort Ilocandia |
| Iglesia de San Agustin de Paoay | Paoay | 10-15 minutes from Malacañang of the North |
| Nana Rosa’s Chichacorn | Paoay | 10 minutes from Paoay Church |
| Lunch at Riverside Empanadahan | Batac City | 30 minutes from Nana Rosa’s Chichacorn |
| Ferdinand Marcos Presidential Center / Mausoleum | Batac City | 5 minute-walk from Empanadahan |
| La Paz Sand Dunes | Laoag City | 45 minutes from Batac City |
| Ilocos Norte Capitol | Laoag City | 30 minutes from La Paz Sand Dunes |
| Tobacco Monopoly Monument | Laoag City | Just across the Ilocos Norte Capitol |
Day 2
Madongan Dam (with friends!)
Tourist Spot |
Municipality / City |
Travel Time |
| Madongan Dam | Dingras | 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours from Laoag City |
| Laoag Public Market | Laoag City | |
| Robinsons Ilocos Norte | San Nicolas | 10 minutes from Laoag via tricycle / jeep |
| Dinner at Hap Chan (SM Savemore) | Laoag City | 10 minutes from Robinsons Ilocos Norte |
| St. William’s Cathedral and Sinking Belltower | Laoag City | Just beside SM Savemore |
Day 3
Tourist Spot |
Municipality / City |
Travel Time |
| Blue Lagoon / Hannah’s Beach Resort | Pagudpud | 2 hours from Laoag City |
| Patapat Viaduct | Pagudpud | 15 minutes from Blue Lagoon |
| Bangui Windmills | Bangui | 30 minutes from Patapat Viaduct |
| Kapurpurawan Rock Formation | Burgos | 30 minutes from Bangui Windmills |
| Cape Bojeador Lighthouse | Burgos | 20 minutes from Kapurpurawan Rock Formation |
Side Trips
Museo Ilocos Norte
| Laoag |
| Museo Ilocos Norte (P 50 entrance) |
| Sarrat |
| Edralin-Marcos Ancestral House / Museum |
| Sarrat Presidencia |
| Sta. Monica Church |
| Casa del Palacio Real (convent beside Church) |
|
Sarrat Centro (Rizal Monument, Marcos Monument, Fabian Ver House / Villa Ver, Scout Albano Monument, Rit-ritemon Cayong Monument, Vistuario de Sarrat) |
| Burgos |
| Dragon Fruit Farm |
| Pagudpud |
| Saud Beach |
| Dos Hermanos Islands |
| Bantay Abot Cave |
| Kabigan Falls |
Restaurants
| La Preciosa Restaurant |
|
Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant and Bar (Bagnet, Pinakbet, Puki-puki, etc.) |
| Herencia Garden Restaurant |
| Balay de Blas |
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ILOCOS SUR
Day 4
Tourist Spot |
Municipality / City |
Travel Time |
| Calle Crisologo | Vigan City | |
| Café Leona | Along Calle Crisologo | |
| Plaza Burgos | 10 minutes stroll from Calle Crisologo | |
| St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral | Beside Plaza Burgos | |
| Plaza Salcedo | Across St. Paul’s Cathedral | |
| Dancing Fountain Park | (Plaza Salcedo) | |
| Elpidio Quirino Monument | (Plaza Salcedo) | |
| Ilocos Sur Capitol | Across Plaza Salcedo | |
| Crisologo Museum | 10 minutes from the Capitol via tricycle | |
| Pagburnayan | 20 minute-walk from Crisologo Museum | |
| Snack at Rhyss and Robin’s Restaurant | Along Calle Crisologo | |
| BarTech | Along Calle Crisologo |
| Tourist Spot | Municipality / City | Travel Time |
|
Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad (Bantay Church) |
Municipality of Bantay | 15 minutes from Vigan via tricycle |
| Bantay Belltower | Across Bantay Church |
Restaurants
| Uno Grill |
| Tessie’s Restaurant |
| CTL Resto Grill (Pantay Daya) |
| Leila’s Café (General Luna St., Brgy. 5) |
| Kusina Felicitas (Bonifacio St., Quirino Boulevard) |
| Abuelita’s (Gov. A. Reyes St., cor. Mabini) |
| Kuboville (Salcedo St., Brgy. 3) |
| Los Majitos (Gen. Luna St., cor. V. Delos Reyes) |
| Hidden Garden Lilong and Lilang (Bgry. Bulala) |
| Bistro Amarillo |
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Soon on the blog:
ILOCOS NORTE
| Badoc |
| Juan Luna House |
| Virgen de Milagrosa Church |
| Luna Shrine / Park |
| San Nicolas |
| San Nicolas Town Plaza / Town Hall |
| St. Nicholas Church |
| Pottery Making (Barangay 8 – “Alfareira”) |
| Buabo-buabo |
| NWU Eco-Park and Botanical Garden |
| Pagudpud |
| Kabigan Falls |
| Burgos |
| Ka-angrian Falls / Tanap-aris Falls |
| Dingras |
| Dingras Church |
| Josefa Llanes Escoda Monument / House |
| Balay ti Dingras |
|
Adams (from Pagudpud) |
| Adams Hanging Bridge |
| Anuplig Falls |
| Aki Falls |
| Bolo River |
| Bugnay, Tapuey, Basi Wine Tasting |
| Back Weaving |
ILOCOS SUR
| Vigan |
| Quema House |
| Philippine National Museum – Vigan |
| Baluarte |
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*We stayed at our friend’s house in Laoag so breakfast was provided and we were escorted by their private car, too, so we traveled to these tourist spots with ease. Public transportation, though, is easily accessible to and from the visited tourist spots. I’ll update this post soon and experience the province via public transportation!*
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Expenses
ILOCOS NORTE
Day 1
| *(Jeep: Laoag – Paoay) | |
| Malacañang of the North, Entrance Fee | 30.00 |
|
Snack (outside Malacañang of the North) |
20.00 |
| Nana Rosa’s Chichacorn (45-small; 90-big) | 90.00 |
| *(Tricycle / Jeep: Paoay – Batac) | |
| Riverside Empanadahan | 55.00 |
|
Ferdinand Marcos Presidential Center / Mausoleum, Entrance Fee (50-regular, 30-student) |
50.00 |
| *(Jeep: Batac – Laoag) | |
| *(Tricycle / Jeep: Laoag – La Paz Sand Dunes) | |
| La Paz Sand Dunes (2500 per group / 4 (100 subsidized)) | 600.00 |
| *(Tricycle / Jeep: La Paz Sand Dunes – Laoag) | |
| Tricycle Ride (Laoag Centro – Lodging House) | 11.00 |
| SUB-TOTAL | 856.00 |
Day 2
| *(Jeep: Laoag – Dingras (arkila/arrangement)) | |
| Madongan Dam, Entrance Fee
(10-7 y/o above; free-PWD and below 7 y/o) |
10.00 |
| Parking Fee | 10.00 |
| Cottage Fee
(300-500-back portion; 500-700-front portion; overnight-TBD) *NO OFFICIAL RECEIPTS ISSUED* |
200.00 |
| *(Jeep: Dingras – Laoag (arkila/arrangement)) | |
| Tricycle Ride (Lodging House – Laoag Centro) | 11.00 |
| Snacks, Laoag Empanadahan / Baratilyo | 100.00 |
| Tricycle Ride (Laoag Centro – Robinsons Ilocos Norte) | 20.00 |
|
Tricycle Ride (Robinsons Ilocos Norte – Laoag Centro) |
20.00 |
| Dinner, Hap Chan (SM Savemore) | 155.00 |
|
Tricycle Ride (St. William’s Cathedral – Lodging House) |
11.00 |
| SUB-TOTAL | 537.00 |
Day 3
| *(Bus: Laoag – Pagudpud) | |
| Blue Lagoon
Cottage, rent (1000-2000/cottage, depends) |
125.00 (contribution) |
| *(Tricycle: Blue Lagoon – Patapat Viaduct) | |
| *(Bus: Patapat Viaduct – Bangui) | |
| *(Tricycle: Bangui Windmills – Kapurpurawan Rock Formation) | |
| Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Entrance Fee (15-Regular; 10-Student)
Horseback Riding: 100, 1 round around the vicinity |
10.00 |
| *(Tricycle: Kapurpurawan – Cape Bojeador Lighthouse) | |
| Tricycle: Lighthouse to Entrance (10 each) | 10.00 |
| SUB-TOTAL | 145.00 |
Day 4
| Bus: Partas (Laoag – Vigan) | 165.00 |
| Tricycle: Partas Bus Terminal – Calle Crisologo (10 each) | 10.00 |
| Lunch: Café Leona | 165.00 |
| Tricycle: Plaza Salcedo – Bantay Belltower | 10.00 |
| Donation: Belltower entrance (any amount) | 10.00 |
| Food (Church Grounds) | 100.00 |
| Souvenir: Mini Kalesa | 130.00 |
| Tricycle: Bantay Church – Crisologo Museum (10 each) | 10.00 |
| Calesa (around Vigan-150; around Calle Crisologo-50) | 50.00 |
| Snack: Rhyss and Robin’s To-Go Restaurant | 130.00 |
| Drink: BarTech | 60.00 |
| Souvenirs, Food (Calle Crisologo) | 700.00 |
| Bus: Partas (Vigan – Baguio) | 253.00 |
| SUB-TOTAL | 1793.00 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 3331.00 |
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*Note that expenses incurred are based on what we really spent. This is just a sample, not necessarily to be followed. You will be the one who will make your own itinerary anyway.*
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About Aldrick 'chiki' Agpaoa
41 thoughts on “Ilocos Provinces: Your next premier tourist destination”
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Had a blog entry of Ilocos too. You may want to check out. Anyway, love go there again. Hopefully soon. Ilocos is suh a historical place. ☺
Wow! Will check it out! Thank you po! What’s the link to your blog post, ate Princess? 🙂
I once visited Vigan before. It was years ago, I already forgot when. It was my father’s birthday and he took our family in a road trip and we stayed in Vigan. We stayed in this old house that was turned into a hotel. I can’t remember what was the name of the hotel. All I know is that it’s near the church and the plaza, I guess. Anyway, we stayed there for a few days before we finally headed back home and back to our mundane lives. All in all, it was a fun experience for all of us, nonetheless.
Wow! I would love to visit this place when I go back to Pinas. One of my cousin and his gf posted there trip Ilocos..it looks gorgeous there.
Come back soon, ate Suzanne! Lezgo! 🙂
This is sooo informative! It’s like everything’s in here already. I love it! I’ve been to both parts of Ilocos but it was all under 24 hours so I wasn’t able to do much. I’ll definitely save this for the next trip! 🙂
Thank you po, ate Joser! Well, an excursion would really be not enough to visit all the places in Ilocos! Let’s go back! Tara! 🙂
I have yet to visit Ilocos Norte! I have only been to La Union so far! I like Ilocano food having had relatives who came from Vigan! Your profile is so detailed, it is the perfect guide on where to go and what to do! I will refer to this if ever I need guidance when I plan to visit there! Thank you!
Thank you po, Yrwin! You can also contact me through the “Contact Turista Boy” Tab on the Left uppermost part of the page if ever you’ll be going! Will be going to Currimao naman next week! (June 15-17, 2016)! Feel free to contact me and i’ll answer your queries as best as I can. Hehehe 🙂
very helpful for when i visit ilocos. ive always wanted to go and see the windmills. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Yup! It’s really nice there, Niks! And there are many windmills, too, scattered in the municipalities of Burgos and Pagudpud as well. 🙂 But nothing beats the picturesque view of the Bangui windmills! (Although waves could be a bit high during the rainy season!) 🙂
very helpful for when i visit ilocos. ive always wanted to go and see the windmill and act all vintage in vigan. hahahha Thank you for sharing! 🙂
I’m planning to got ti Ilocos now! 🙂
Tara! I’ll be going to Pangil Beach Resort in Currimao next week! (June 15-17) Hope to see you there (and I hope that you found this guide useful, too!) Hehehe 🙂
Been to Ilocos two succeeding years for John’s birthday. We’d usually stay in Pagudpud trying to catch some waves, and would “try” to tour when it’s flat. LOL. I feel a little bad cause we weren’t able to do a lot of touristy stuff, and would love to visit again soon! Thanks for this entry, will keep this handy for reference when we visit Ilocos again! 🙂
Thank you, Emem! Yup, waves in Pagudpud could be a little rough at times (talk about seaweeds strung ashore, too! Masakit sa legs!) Anyways, it would be nice if you visit Ilocos sooner! Hope to hear from you soon! 🙂
I haven’t been wanting to visit Ilocos but now I think I have too! HAHA This post is really detailed. More travels!
Thank you, Mike! Hope to be with you in your next travels, too! 🙂
Wow! This is indeed a very detailed blog. People wont ask question about what to do, where to go , what to ride! very useful! Yay!
Thank you for finding my blog post useful! Cheers to more travels, ate Jian! 🙂
Thanks for this detailed post. Will be very helpful specially for those who suck at budgeting like me.
Thank you, kuya Jeffrey! Nah! You’ll get over that budgeting shenanigans, too! Mahirap talaga sa umpisa! 🙂 Happy travels!
Ilocos Sur is my dream place. I have read a lot of articles on how to get there but as for me, the best option that I can possibly take is via airplane. I am very time conscious and for me, every second counts. Thus, if ever I’ll be going there, I should be booking things in advance and that I should also have enough funds to be able to do that. But thanks for sharing your experience and how to get there. this is helpful for those who really want to go to the place.
Yup! There are available flights from MNL-LAO! Then take a bus ride from LAO-VGN! Ilocos Sur is rich in history! Having an excursion there wouldn’t really suffice the trip! A week or two will do! Thank you po! 🙂
If I remember correctly, I was also at Ilocos the same time you went. Ang ineeet. Hahaha! But the place will always have a special place in my heart. Cheers to more travels, Chiki! 🙂
Yup! Hahaha! We went there during the Holy Week! (Lots of people everywhere!) And Ilocos will always be love! Hahaha! Sana we’ll travel together with 5Space peeps soon, too! <3
I haven’t been in this part of the country! So kind of you to put up a very helpful piece. Now I have concrete images of what to look forward to! Thanks, Chiki!
You’re welcome po, ate Trisha! Hope you could visit the provinces soon, too! Happy travels po! <3
Ok, after reading your post. I need to visit Ilocos ASAP! #Wanderlust all the way 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Yup! You should, mother Rel! There are still many destinations to go to there! Let’s go! <3
Without a question, Ilocos is one of the best provinces to visit in the Philippines. It has so much to offer, so many places to see, plus the food is good. I love Pagudpud and Vigan in particular.
Yup yup yup! Those places are really “eyegasmic!” Pagudpud and Vigan never fails to deliver! Have you tried Pinakbet Pizza? 🙂
I loveI Ilocos! It’s one of my go-to destinations for out of town trips! My favorute destinations here are the beautiful Paoay Church and the exhilirating Sand Dunes!!!! OMG I want to go back! (I was just there last year hehe)
airinaapril.blogspot.com
Paoay Church never loses its beauty! Hope you could go back soon! <3 See you around, ate!
Ilocos will always be special for me! It’s my dad’s province and that’s where I traveled with someone really special. Ilocos has lots to offer tourists from beaches to sand dunes and historical places as well as food among others.
Wow! Nice to know about that! It’s my home province, too! 🙂 There are still lots of “hidden” and less-known tourist spots there and waiting to be discovered! 🙂
I visited Ilocos year 2009. But wasn’t able to see all of these. Now I’m thinking of visiting the place again as there are more interesting places to see. Great guide
Thank you, ate Ferna! Yes! There are still lots of tourist spots ready to be discovered in Ilocos! 🙂
Ilocos IS far! But definitely worth the trip. Thanks for this super detailed travel guide!! 🙂
Omg. Can’t thank you enough because your post is so detailed. Wow, you made our future travel hassle-free!!
Ilocos Sur, was created in 1864 with Lepanto as a sub-province to Ilocos Sur, and remained as such until March, 1971 when the passage of Act made it again a separate province.