2025 Laoag Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in September)

Travel Review from Manila - Paoay Sand Dunes, Laoag #PhilippinesTravel #GetDiscountsWithoutLuck #Philippines #Newbie Travel from Manila - Laoag The route from Manila to Laoag takes about 8-10 hours (depending on traffic conditions) and the distance is about 480 km. At first, I thought of taking a plane, but in the end I chose to rent a car to go by myself because it is convenient and I can still stop by to visit places along the way. Estimated cost Car rental: Starting at 1,400 - 2,000 pesos per day, depending on the type of car Gasoline cost: Around 2,000 - 3,000 pesos (round trip) Toll and parking fee: Around 300 - 500 pesos Overall, the cost per trip for a car rental with a driver will be around 5,000 - 8,000 pesos (depending on the duration and conditions of the company) I rented a Fortuner and exited online and used GPS all the way. Along the way, we were able to stop at various places, such as Vigan City (a world heritage site) and various viewpoints along the way, which were worth visiting. When we arrived in Laoag, our destination was Paoay Sand Dunes, where they offer 4x4 dune driving and sandboarding, which was a lot of fun! If you come in a group of 3-5 people, the cost per trip will be very worthwhile. 4x4 Adventure Ride: Approximately 1,500 - 2,500 pesos per vehicle (can accommodate 4-5 people) Sandboarding: Included in the 4x4 service fee

Transportation Tips: Driving Must-see attractions: Recommended restaurants: Must-eat food: green mango, ice cream Shopping guide: sausages, vinegar, T-shirts Vigan is in the northern part of the Philippines. You can drive or take a plane from Manila. Most people drive along the way. Vigan is an old Spanish city, and it is said to be the best preserved historical site. It has the flavor of an old Spanish street. It is very hot during the day and walking is very tiring. It is best to take a horse-drawn carriage around, which costs about 200-300 Philippine pesos. There is a night market in the evening, the ice cream and green mango shrimp paste are delicious, you must try them. Restaurants are usually found in old cities, and by 10pm the streets are deserted, which is scary, as if vampires are coming out. People who like historical sites can go for a walk, but I won’t go there again.

It was built in 1779 and was originally known as San Miguel Church. The Santa Monica Church complex includes the convent connected to the church by an elevated three-level brick stairway.#church

Address - General Segundo Avenue, Barangay 11, Laoag City 2900 Ilocos Norte Ambiance/Facilities - In the city centre. busy in the day and lively at night Highlights - Prime location. Avg. Price per Person - Abt SGD40 Rating - 2.5/5 Room rates are affordable, rooms are cozy and spacious. They have good and comfortable bed. Working shower and all basic things that any hotel should have. Wifi is free but fast. Parking is spacious and there are guards who will assist you. Staff are courteous and friendly too. checking in and out was fast. We manage to stay in the annex building which have newer rooms. The hotel serves breakfast with a good portion but, is limited to one choice according to the day. The hotel is easy to locate and is surrounded by restaurants, fast food chains and banks. our favourite fastfood joint, Jollibee is just a stone throw away. I would definitely recommend this place to fellow travellers who are on a tight budget. #isabelsuites #budgethotel #ilocos #philippines

After spending a busy day in the city of Laoag, the capital of the province called Ilocos Norte, we got exhausted from the heat and the hustle and bustle of the city and decided to spend the night at this massive estate not too far from Laoag. We’d known already that the resort was also a casino, so we expected it to be crowded and noisy but we were told upon arrival that the casino, which is located on the second floor, had been closed. It was actually surprisingly quiet, although we did see a lot of other guests later on (most likely because of how big the resort is, it didn’t seem crowded at all). To get to our room we had to walk through the gardens and spacious red cobblestone hallways which reminded me of something you’d find in an exotic palace, with a very middle eastern vibe (think Aladdin!), a giant fountain in the middle of the grounds (unfortunately it wasn’t on) and the sound of an early tropical evening surrounding us. The swimming pool was open until 9:30 in the evening, the room was clean and spacious, with a very nice balcony, and the only downside was the air temperature in the room. It was freezing and since the air conditioning system is centralized, there was nothing we could do about it. The following morning breakfast was served in the restaurant near the reception area, and to be honest it was a bit disappointing. There wasn’t a wide enough choice of dishes, but there was plenty of fruit, which was a good thing for me. The service was very good though and their coffee was black and strong, just the way I like it. We spent the rest of the morning at the pool, and left around noon. All in all, it was good value for money. We were under the impression that the resort used to be spectacular in the past, but unfortunately must have seen some hard times and was definitely not in its prime anymore. It would have been amazing to experience it when it was newly opened.

Imagine seeing a row of windmills dotted along a majestic shoreline facing the West Philippine Sea. That is the exact picture you get when visiting the Bangui Windmill Farm! Dubbed as Ilocos Norte’s “giant electric fans”, these windmills face the sea to capture the strong northwesterly and southwesterly winds blowing inward the Ilocos Norte. Started in 1996, each windmill stands in the hilly area 80m tall lines up across 9km of the black sand beach in the Bangui Bay Shoreline. #summervacation#urbanexplorer

#roadtrips

San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte is one famous tourist destination in far North part of the Philippines. This is one of the oldest church in country's history. Trivia: Completed in 1710, the church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building. It is declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 1973 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the collective group of Baroque Churches of the Philippines in 1993. Its walls are made of large coral stones on the lower part and bricks at the upper levels. The mortar used in the church includes sand and lime with sugarcane juice boiled with mango leaves, leather and rice straw. Its walls suggests Javanese architectural styles. Another trivia: Adjacent to the facade is a three-storey coral bell tower constructed separately from the church building on the right side resembling a pagoda. It was in 1793 when the cornerstone of the bell tower was laid. It stands at some distance from the church as a protection against earthquake. It served as observational post for Filipino revolutionaries against the Spaniards in 1898 and by Filipino guerrillas against Japanese soldiers during World War II. According to historians, the bell tower also served as a status symbol for the locals. It is said that the bell would ring more loudly and more times during the wedding of a prominent clan that it would during the wedding of the poor. #urbanexplorer #ancientarchitecture #philippinespride #philippinestravel #summervacation #

Brgy Humba goes to Ilocos #tripaway#triplocal

We stopped by at Paoay Church, a Roman Catholic church in the Municipality of Paoay, Ilocos Norte in the Philippines. Completed in 1710, the church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building. It is declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 1973. #happynewyear #happynewyear

Conquered fears against the steepness of the sand and dropped at most 25 feet under. Try and experience the adventurous and extreme 4x4 rides here at Sand Dunes Paoay, Ilocos. A must try! #happynewyear #happynewyear

Located on the eastern side of the Cordillera Mountains in Luzon, Philippines, at an altitude of over 1

Ready to touch down in Laoag? 🛬 This northern gem in the Philippines is legit the gateway to Ilocos — and trust me, the Laoag International Airport alone sets the stage for your adventure (and it’s got one of the chillest vibes you’ll find coming off a flight!). The coolest souvenir? That passport stamp, so don’t forget to ask for it when you clear immigration! Top Tips For Your Laoag Airport Arrival 🗺️: - Laoag International Airport – Brgy. 41-A, Gabu, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Operates 24/7 for all flights in and out, so you’re set no matter what time you land. - Immigration is easy here, just keep your documents ready. The staff are super friendly too! - Taxi and tricycle stands are right outside; just negotiate fares before you hop in. - ATMs inside the terminal, so quick cash isn’t a problem. - Hold onto your boarding pass after arrival if you need proof of travel for hotels or tours. - My favorite? Grab the passport stamp as a keepsake – beats any airport souvenir shop! 😉 Getting Around: Local tricycles or taxis work great for short city hops. If you want to tour Ilocos Norte, look for van hires at the airport (they’re parked right outside after you exit!). Foodie Picks: For a taste of Laoag right after landing, check out Saramsam Ylocano Restaurant (79 F. R. Castro Ave, Laoag). Authentic Ilocano plates, open 9am–9pm daily! Before You Go: No visa needed for most nationalities (just double-check!), local currency is PHP, and weather is tropical year-round — dress light, stay hydrated. #LaoagVibes #IlocosNorte #PassportStamps #TravelHack #Tripdotcom

🔥 nice place

It is an affordable and reasonable lodging option when in #LaoagCity The place was okay. Parkimg was a plenty. The staff were friendly and helpful. The hotel is located in a good part of the city.

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips

Address: Laoag City Environment and facilities: Value for money Highlights: Artificial wave pool Price per person: 350 Rating: 8/10

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips

Ever screamed your lungs out while riding a 4x4 across the desert? I did—right in the heart of Paoay Sand Dunes 🏜️ From my ✈️ flight to Laoag, 🚐 airport transfer, to 🏨 hotel near the dunes—Trip.com handled everything. No more juggling apps or guessing routes. Just me, the roaring engine, and sand flying everywhere. And the view? Wild. The ride? Unforgettable. The experience? 100% worth it. Whether you’re after thrills or just want to feel like you’re in an action movie—this is your sign. 📲 Book your Paoay Sand Dunes adventure now on Trip.com—flights, stay, and heart-pounding fun all in one go. #TripDotCom #PaoaySandDunes #IlocosNorteAdventures #BookWithTrip #AdrenalineEscape #TripComPH #ExploreTheNorth #PhilippinesTravel #DesertRideGoals

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips

nice place#travel

Getting There - like a breeze. it was sooo easy Attractions - 10/10. the place feels and looks like it's straight from a storybook Beaches - Utang ng pinas/10 Food & Restaurants - 10/10 excuisite Shopping - 10/10

Nice very highly recommended for your next trip

Short trip to small, old town in Philippines

A celebration of love and happiness with my one and only love. Celebrating our ups, downs and creating more memories together at the beach with beautiful sunset 🧡 Love the view and I love the person beside me 🤗🧡#celebrateit #couplestrip #beachlife

Located north of Luzon island, Philippines, Paoay sand dunes is full of exciting activities. The 4 x 4 ride experience was very thrilling. It was over 20 minutes ride. The station of 4 x 4 is located about a km away from the sand dunes. It cruises you through the Barangay (local word for village) and enters the majestic sand dunes. The driver and staff were very friendly and humorous. They took us to the coast, took some of our pictures and gave us an experience of sand surfing. One of the best experiences I had in the Philippines. #sanddunes #paoay #ilocosnorte #philippines #4x4