Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte is a province in the Ilocos Region, north of the Philippines.

Deserted beach at Pagudpud

Paoay church

Cities

• 🌍 Laoag – The main city of the area. Famous as a gambling city, and blessed with an International airport, so it occasionally gets overrun by tourists from Korea, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong. It is also served by a flight from Manila on Cebu Pacific -- flight time is about an hour.

Other destinations

• 🌍 Burgos
• 🌍 Pagudpud – Up on the north coast of the Philippines, it probably isn't the best place to go in winter, although if you're after deserted beaches, then its a great relief from the hoardes at Boracay. Its about a 90-minute bus ride from Laoag.

Get in

By air

Laoag International Airport, Laoag City, has some scheduled flights to and from Hongkong, Guangzhou, Taiwan, and Korea. Domestic flights are also available via the national carrier Philippines Airlines.

By sea

Various sea going vessels are docked at the ports of San Fernando and Currimao and are used for interisland transport.

By land

Take a scenic bus trip from the capital Manila to Ilocos Norte, lasting about eight hours. Among the bus companies plying this route are the Philippine Rabbit, Partas , Dominion, Florida , Farinas, and Maria de Leon bus lines.

Get around

Map of Llocos Norte

Ilocos Norte is best explored on foot or riding the calesa, the traditional horse-drawn carriage that promises a unique experience in itself. Tricycles also abound for traveling short distances. Going from town to town would mean taking a bus, a mini-bus, or a jeepney.

See

• Saint Augustine Church in Paoay, one of four world heritage listed baroque churches in the Philippines. Interestingly this Church is made of coral.
• Bangui Wind Farm in the town of Bangui. This wind farm is beautiful with many massive windmills spread around the coastal area around Bangui. The original section of this wind farm is on the beach right beside the town of Bangui and is picturesque with a long line of windmills slowly curving along with the coast line.

Do

Eat

• Be sure to try some Ilocos style empanada. Ilocos empanada is a bright orange deep fried pocket filled with ingredients such as graded papaya, mongo beans, egg, & longganisa (if you order a 'special' empanada).
• You can also try some pinakbet which is a dish of mixed vegtables cooked in bagoong (a Filipino style fish sauce)

Drink

Stay safe