Sometimes, all you want is to get away from the hustle and bustle of life—to hear the sea waves as you crack a cold one with your friends, catch the sunset without thinking of stressful deadlines, and relax in your tropical cabana.
Well, you can do all those by heading to La Union. The province is popular among local tourists for its exhilarating waves, exciting nightlife, and overall laid-back ambiance. All of these are just a few hours’ drive away from the metro.
Planning a quick weekend getaway to this province? Check out this La Union travel guide.
Fondly called Elyu, La Union is a province in the Ilocos Region known for its surfing waves, natural attractions, and chill environment. Surrounding it are the provinces of Ilocos Sur in the north, Pangasinan in the south, and Benguet in the east.
What’s the best time to visit La Union? If you’re a surfer, the months between December and March are your best bets. During this period, waves are taller and more powerful. However, the downside includes expensive and often sold-out accommodations.
If you simply want to lounge on the sand and get your tan, the months of March through June can give you your fill of sun. However, waves are tame; the upside is that surfing newbies can easily learn the sport.
Read more: Sama All This Summer: Best Outdoor Activities in the Philippines for ₱3,000 or Less
Before your trip to the north, get financial protection against travel-related accidents and mishaps. Get travel insurance, especially if you’re doing high-risk activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.
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Getting to La Union is easy and straightforward. If you’re commuting, just take a bus from one of these companies: Partas Transportation (either in Cubao or Pasay), Viron, or Dominion. The trip from Manila to La Union takes usually between five and seven hours, depending on the traffic.
If you’re driving, the travel time ranges from four to five hours, depending on where you’re coming from in Manila. The trip is more efficient now with the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX). Just take the Pozorrubio Exit and continue driving through San Fernando.
Getting around La Union is easy. If you’re staying within a town, you can go from point A to point B via tricycles and jeeps. Driving around is also easy since traffic jams are virtually nonexistent.
If you’re staying in San Juan, which is a popular town in La Union, you can get around on foot or bike. But if you’re doing a full tour, which requires moving from one town to the other, renting a private van is a practical choice.
This will depend on how long you’re staying in La Union. Many vacationers recommend staying over the weekend or three days at most. A short and sweet holiday in the province makes perfect sense, as there isn’t much to do except surf, dine, and party.
If you’re traveling with a friend, prepare a budget of ₱5,000 to ₱6,000 per person. This already includes the bus fares and accommodation. Nevertheless, you can lower this budget by traveling with more people or streamlining your activities.
The right travel credit card makes it easy to book activities and accommodations. It also makes spending more exciting with a range of rewards, such as points that can be converted to miles and exclusive travel deals and discounts.
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La Union’s host of accommodations caters to tourists with varying budgets. Check out the following:
Photo: @flotsamandjetsamhostel (Instagram)
If you’re looking for the cheapest beach resorts and hotels in La Union, here are your top candidates:
Ready to splurge by booking a hotel or BnB with upgraded creature comforts? Here are some of the top-rated lavish hotels in La Union:
Looking for places to visit in La Union? Here are the top destinations you and your friends should visit:
No Elyu travel guide is complete without this famous surf town where the popular area of Urbiztondo is located.
Urbiztondo Beach is where the heart of the surfing action lies, but it’s also popular among tourists because of its diverse collection of hotels, bars, and restaurants. So if you’re not surfing, you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.
The best thing about Urbiztondo Beach? It’s accessible from the highway. Once you get off the bus, you just have to take a short walk to reach it.
Read more: The Waves Beckon: 12 Best Surf Spots in the Philippines
Found in the town of San Gabriel, this La Union tourist spot draws in people in search of a light workout. You need to trek to reach it, but don’t worry because you’ll be rewarded with a serene view and spring-cold waters at the end of your hike.
The limestone cliffs from which the waters fall are interestingly textured, giving them a photographic appeal. The clean waters of the basin, meanwhile, are perfect for swimming. If you’re not a skilled swimmer, you can always rent a vest around the area.
Want more action? Try cliff-jumping!
Ma-Cho Temple is a trace of Taoism in La Union that attracts lots of tourists. Located in San Fernando, this landmark was built in the 1970s to honor Mazu, a sea goddess in Chinese folklore. Such an intention is clearly seen, as the temple gives you a peaceful view of the West Philippine Sea.
The temple complex also boasts other attractions, such as the Bamboo Garden, the Bell Tower, and the Majestic Five Door Gate.
The Baluarte Watch Tower is one of the best places to visit in La Union if you’re a history buff. This 400-year-old structure made of reddish bricks served as an elevated outpost for any approaching pirates and invaders. This colonial structure has been recognized as a National Cultural Treasure since 2014.
One of the best things about visiting the area is that it gives you uninterrupted sea views.
Less than an hour away from San Juan lies a unique beach called Pebble Beach. As the name suggests, this beach is covered with pebbles of varying shapes, sizes, and colors.
Right along the beach, you can find Bahay na Bato. This complex is mostly built with stones and pebbles. Formerly a rest house, Bahay na Bato is now an art gallery filled with pieces made of stones and even wood.
This La Union tourist spot houses the remains of a church built in the late 18th century. Since it’s located along the coast, pirates often targeted it. This resulted in the relocation of the church, effectively abandoning the Pindangan Church until it eventually fell into perpetual disrepair.
Include this in your La Union itinerary if you want to enjoy some stunning sea views. Built in 1905, Poro Point Lighthouse is a favorite spot among locals. Early risers go here for their morning walk or run.
You don’t have to pay anything to enter the area. And if you’re looking for a place to stay, the lavish Thunderbird Resort Hotel is just nearby.
Whether you’re a devout Catholic or a history lover, Namacpacan Church is one of the top places to visit in La Union. Built in the late 17th century, the church was named a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.
Namacpacan Church bears the Earthquake Baroque style.[3] This design discipline was borne out of the necessity of combatting earthquakes and is characterized by thick walls and buttresses.
Read more: 19 Religious Destinations in the Philippines to Nourish Your Spirit
Looking for things to do in La Union? Check out the following:
Make your trip to La Union more fun and memorable with these helpful tips:
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La Union is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the north, thanks to its towering waves, serene natural attractions, good food, and warm people. If you’re raring to escape from life’s busyness, just book a bus ticket—the next thing you know, you’re already in a chill place.
You can always go beyond this La Union travel guide. If some of your friends have frequented the province, ask them for recommendations and tips to make your vacay comfortable, fun, and memorable.
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