Vigan to Pagudpud

Manila to Vigan

I spent the first week of the year in Northern Luzon, in one of the famous beaches in the country: Pagudpud. I had always been wondering what this place is so famous for, so off I went.

To make the trip more exciting, we passed by Vigan to find out whether it is, in fact, worthy of being a UNESCO world heritage. I was not wrong in deciding not to stay longer than five hours there. The famous site is really just one street surrounded by houses that look like they are going to fall if you stomp your foot. In all fairness to the place, it is indeed like being transported back to a hundred years ago with the ancient houses around. We left the place just before lunch.

Travel Notes

Bus Terminals:
Viron Transit
1209 Dapitan corner Blumentritt Streets, Sampaloc
741-6588 / 731-8620 / 726-7409
Partas
Aurora Blvd cor Bernardo St., Cubao
Telephone Number: (632) 7257303/7251740 (Cubao)

Bus Fare: Php 705 ~
Travel Time: 8 to 10 hours

Vigan to Paugudpud

To get to Pagudpud, we had to drop by Laoag, where we had lunch. The ride to Pagudpud took about three hours. Then we took a tricycle going to the beach from the bus terminal to Polaris beach resort. It is a great place to stay in. You can bring your own food and even cook there without corkage, not to mention the pleasant staff they have there. They even let me use their bike to go around. It is a cozy resort and I like their bar. With just a thousand bucks, you can have a room (with air conditioning) to yourself with its own bathroom.

Pagudpud's water is so clear there is no way you can swim butt-naked during the day. If you are the type who thinks sunsets are beautiful, you will have your fill. I do not recommend going to Pagudpud during summer or holy week, though. The entire Philippines goes swimming there then.

You might also want to check out another beach called "Blue Lagoon". You just need to take a tricycle (Php 400; a tour back and forth) going there from Saud. The waves are strong enough to go surfing. On your way back to Saud, tell the driver to drop by the jump off to Kabigan fall. Make sure you get there earlier in the afternoon, so you can still go swimming. This waterfall is beautiful, and the trek takes about 15 minutes. Don't over pay your guide, you can ask children there to guide you to the place. A hundred bucks would already be too much, I think. 

Travel Notes

Bus Fare from Vigan to Laoag: Php 121 (needs to be updated)
Travel Time: 2 hours
Bus fare from Laoag to Pagudpud: ~
Travel Time: 3 hours
Tricycle fare from bus terminal to the beach: Php 40 (needs to be updated)
Travel time: 20 mins
Accommodation: Polaris (although there are other resorts to choose from) Php 1000/night
- You may contact Polaris at 09193078803 to make reservations