Laoag ｜ Adventures In Ilocos Norte
Laoag is located in the north of The Philippines on the island of Luzon. It appears that few foreign tourists bother making the trip to this region, but it does seem quite popular with Filippos looking to escape Manila for the weekend. If you’re not a trailblazer type of traveler, this might not be the best destination for you. However, if you’re the type of traveler that likes to experience what a country is really like, this place is for you.
Getting To Laoag
If you wish to get up to the Ilocos region, you have a few options.
The most common mode of transpiration is the bus. It’s not glamorous or fast, but it’s cheap. Depending on the company, prices range from ₱700 – ₱1,200 (in the Manila area). It’s a good bet that any city on Luzon will have a bus to this area. From Manila the trip takes around 14 hours.
If you’re in Manila, you might want to consider taking a flight. Manila is the only city in the world (as of 2023) that connect there, even though the airport is named an international airport. As far as I could tell through my research, the only flight coming in and out of the city is Philippines Airlines to/from Manila.
If you do fly, the airport is located about 8km southwest of town. If you haven’t arranged transport from a hotel, you can get a ride from a tricycle. A group of drivers will be waiting by the terminal exit. Expect to pay ₱200 – ₱250 to get into the center of the city.
Getting Around Laoag
Getting around the area can be far more tricky if you wish to be on your own. Car rental and motorbike rental are almost nonexistent in the city. I was able to arrange a motorbike rental for a few days by dropping by the very small tourist information center on the 2nd of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol building. While I was able to rent a motorbike, the price wasn’t very favorable, since it was a sellers market.
You can get around town quickly by using the numerous tricycles that roam the streets. A trip across town should set you back ₱20.
There are several bus stations located on the west side of town, which give you plenty of options to get other cities in the Ilocos region, and beyond. These bus, however, will not be a suitable option for exploring any sites around the area. For that, you might need the help of your hotel to arrange a private guide, but honestly you should expect much in the way of travel help from the staff. In my experience, they are pretty useless.
Sightseeing In & Around Laoag
No one will ever accuse Laoag of having an abundance of sights to see. It’s more of a place to unwind and slowdown a bit. That being said, it can be a really rewarding area to travel around on a motorbike and meet local people.
You can cover everything worth seeing in town in a hour, two if you really take your time.
The La Paz Sand Dunes are one of the coolest places to check out if you’re in the Ilocos region. While it might seem a little tricky to …
➣Museo Ilocos Norte (₱50; 9am-12pm/1-5pm)
A small museum that mostly deals with going tobacco. If it were more expensive than ₱50 it wouldn’t be worth the money. You can find Museo Ilocos Norte tower here. They also have a website.
The San Agustin Church of Paoay is one of the oldest and most famous churches in the country. For those that like Spanish colonial …
The Santa Monica Parish church located just a stone’s throw away from Laoag in the city of Minalin. The trip over is very rewarding and …
➣Sinking Bell Tower (Free; 24h)
Located in the heart of town, the sinking bell town is right next to the Saint William’s Cathedral, which is also worth a look. You can’t go inside, so there’s not much to do beyond giving it a quick look. You can find the bell tower here.
Vigan city, known for its preserved Spanish colonial architecture and fantastic local foods, is the jewel of Ilocos Sur. With few foreign …
Eating, Drinking, & Sleeping
Ilocos Norte is reportedly one of the best areas in the Philippines for food. I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting much, but I was really impressed by the street food. The area really rewards travelers that take a chance and get away from the mostly lackluster places written about on sites like TripAdvisor.
As for choices in where to sleep, don’t expect too much and you won’t be disappointed.
Food
Emilie’s Gotohan & Eatery was an amazing find in the northern city of Laoag, Philippines. Located in a little food park, this is the perfect place for traditional Filipino food.
Good Vibes Cafe is located away from the city center and serves up a slice of tranquility from the traffic of Laoag, with cold drinks and …
Emilie’s Gotohan & Eatery was an amazing find in the northern city of Laoag, Philippines. Located in a little food park, this is the perfect place for traditional Filipino food.
➣Laoag Commercial Complex (public market)
The Laoag Commercial Complex is a street market the can be found a few hundred meters east of the city center. There are hawkers selling …
Leigh’s Cakeshop is the place to go in Laoag if you’re looking for high quality desserts and smoothies. Located in the same building as …
Macy’s Diner was my top choice to eat at in Laoag so I was disappointed to discover that it was not the diner it claimed to be. In fact …
Pahinga Coffee proves that great coffee can be found in Laoag. While most “cafe” are hawking Nescafe, Pahinga is busy grinding beans and …
Drink
The Cockhouse is an airy live music hall hosting troupes of mostly female singers. Prices are cheap, but is it really the best place to …
The District 01 SuperClub is a 2 floor powerhouse of music, beer, and girls singing all your western classic favorites. It’s similar to …
The infamous B 1 area in Laoag. Is it just the de-facto red light district or is there is a bit more to the area? No one talks about …
Sleep
Is Hotel Asuncion the worst hotel in Laoag? This aging relic has an outdated approach to service, but during my stay I was surprised by …
How Long To Stay in Laoag
It really depends. You can see everything in town worth seeing a an hour or two. Getting out on your own to see the countryside could be more like four days, or longer. Using Laoag as a base of operations is a good option, since there is a good amount of food options, entertainment, and hotels. That said, it might make sense to stay in other cities, like Vigan, instead wasting time traveling all the way back.
Scams, Dangers, & Annoyances
Laoag and Ilocos Norte is a pretty laid back place. I never felt in danger, even walking around at night. I felt safe enough to hitchhike alone at night as well. Mostly it’s important to remain vigilant about traffic.
There is one major scam all travelers should be aware of:
➣The BIGGEST Scam in the Philippines
The BIGGEST Scam in the Philippines is something most travelers can run into at any bar in the country. It’s easy to avoid if …
There is also one major danger you’ll find throughout the country:
➣Broken Pedestrian Infrastructure
In many developing countries pedestrian infrastructure is sorely lacking. So, what’s the best way to stay safe and …
If you plan on just the bus, you should check out:
➣Fake Bus Staff
Fake bus staff scamming tourists at a bus station can be a serious issue in many counties. Let’s see how this scam works and how it can …
➣Buses in the Philippines; Tips & Tricks
Buses in the Philippines aren’t the most glamours way to get around, so you need to follow these tips to make your trip as comfortable as …
Need more information about the Philippines?
View our full write up on Vigan HERE.
Check out our full write up on Manila HERE.
Read our full write up on Angeles City HERE.
Check out our full write up on Cebu HERE.
