PAGUDPUD, The Paradise of the North: Itinerary and Travel Guide

Pagudpud Ilocos Norte Itinerary travel guide

Pagudpod known as the “Boracay of the North” is situated at the northernmost tip of mainland Luzon. It is a 10-hour journey from Manila by bus. It has a pristine coastline which also has a surfing site, picturesque rock formations, nature-based attractions, and the well-known Pagudpud’s Bangui Bay which features 20 wind turbines, making it Southeast Asia’s first windmill farm.

PAGUDPUD Travel Guide:

I’ve always been wanting to visit Pagupud. As a matter of fact, this place is on my bucket list of places I wanted to visit. That is why when the opportunity to go here presents itself, I grab it right away! A big thank you to my friend Joy for tagging me along.

HOW TO GET TO PAGUDPUD

Pagudpud is accessible by land from different areas in Luzon and by air through Laoag airport.

Getting to Pagudpud By Air
Only Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific offer flights from Manila, Cebu, and Davao to Laoag City. Once at Laoag airport, take a tricycle to its city proper where you can find a bus to Pagudpud. Travel time is close to 2 hours, bus fare is P75.
Click here for the cheapest flight from Manila to Laoag via 12Go.

Getting to Pagudpud By Land
Manila to Pagudpud
Partas Transit has a direct trip to Pagudpud daily, fare ranges from P750 to P970 for a travel time of around 10 hours. Alternatively, G. V. Florida, Partas, Baliwag, or Fariñas Transit have daily bus departure going to Laoag, the fare is around P600 – P700 and travel time is around eight hours. From Laoag, transfer to a bus or van going or passing by Pagudpud for two hours of travel time. You can book your bus from Manila to Laoag or vice versa here: From Click here for the cheapest flight from Manila to Laoag via 12Go.
Tuguegarao to Pagudpud
If you’re coming from Tuguegarao, GMW Liner and Florida Liner buses bound to Laoag, Vigan or Abra pass through Pagudpud, the fare is not more than P250.00.
Clark to Pagudpud
For those coming from Diosdado Macapagal Airport in Clark Field, Pampanga, ride the shuttle or jeepney going to Dau Integrated Bus Terminal, the fare is around P50. In Dau Terminal, look for buses going to Laoag. From Laoag, there are local jeepneys serving the Laoag-Pagudpud route or you can take the buses bound for Cagayan that pass through Pagudpud.

Or you can also join guided tours available online. If you are interested you can book through Klook using the link below.

BOOK NOW ➡Private Pagudpud Tour with Saud Beach in Ilocos

BOOK NOW ➡ Private Pagudpud Full Day Tour from Laoag with Manila to Laoag and Vigan P2P Bus Ticket

WHERE TO STAY IN PAGUDPUD

I would recommend staying at a place near Saud Beach or Blue Lagoon. The main mode of transport is by tricycle, although some locals prefer to ride a bike. So upon arriving at the airport or bus terminal, you can hop on to these tricycles going to your accommodation. I would recommend you take the 10-hour overnight bus trip and arrive in Pagudpod early in the morning. Klook.com

TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN PAGUDPUD

Here are the top tourist spots that you can cover in a day tour or with an itinerary for 2 to 3 days while you are in Pagudpud. If you are doing a DIY tour, please note that the tourist spots are grouped by their location – the NORTHBOUND TOUR and the SOUTHBOUND TOUR. When you arrived at the terminal or airport, you’ll see drivers offering these tours. If you have your own car, you can make this your reference for the places in Pagudpod you are visiting.

The tricycle for the northbound tours is prohibited to go around the tourist spots in the southbound area, and vice versa. Guests will have to transfer to the designated tricycle if going from one tour to another.

Pagudpud Tricycle Tour – Northbound Tour Php 600 good for 3 pax

Kabigan Falls
Patapat Viaduct
Agua Grande
Paraiso ni Anton
Timmangtang Rock
Bantay Abot Cave
Blue Lagoon
Saud Beach
Dos Hermanos Islands

Pagudpud Tricycle Tour – Southbound Tour Php 600 good for 3 pax

Bangui Windmills
Bangui View Deck
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

KABIGAN FALLS

We went on a 30-minute easy trek before reaching Kabigan Falls. This waterfall is deeply tucked away somewhere in thick forest terrain, it cascades water from an 87 ft (26.5 m) height and the water is refreshingly cold.

The word ‘kaibigan’ means ‘friend’ in the Filipino language. According to the locals that live near the Kabigan Falls; the waterfall gets its name because the falls and the river water are ‘magkaibigan‘ (friends).

PATAPAT VIADUCT

The coastal bridge of Patapat stretches for about 1.3 kilometers connecting Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley. It was constructed in 1986. This bridge has an amazing view of the mountains and the sea on each side.

BANTAY ABOT CAVE

Bantay Abot Cave means “A mountain with a hole”. The rock is really not a cave but only an opening formed by two leaning rocks after an earthquake hit the area during the 80s.

CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE

Cape Bojeador lighthouse is a 20-meter octagonal tower designed by Magin Pers in the year 1887. The lighthouse was declared a national historical landmark in 2004 and a cultural treasure in 2005. There’s a very nice view from the top of the lighthouse. It’s funny because I heard about this lighthouse first in a Filipino TV program – Jessica Soho’s Gabi ng Lagim. It has very interesting paranormal horror stories from the caretakers, locals, and even tourists.

TIMMANGTANG ROCK

Legend has it that the Timmangtang rock is the lover of Bantay Abot Cave. Both are collectively known as the “Lover’s Rock” and are directly opposite a few meters away from each other.

SAUD BEACH

Saud Beach has calmer waters compared to another famous beach in Pagudpud which is the Maira-ira Cove or Blue Lagoon. This beach boasts of its white, fine sands that make for a perfect spot for relaxing and chilling.

For DIY travelers, Saud Beach is off the main road, to get here, charter a tricycle at the Municipal hall or from your accommodation. The entrance fee to Saud Beach is P20.

KAPURPURAWAN ROCK FORMATION

The Kapurpurawan rock formation is a fine art of nature. It has a fascinating white rock structure. The best time to visit is early in the morning when there is less crowd and the heat of the sun is less scorching. From here, we can already see the windmills in a distance.

BANGUI WIND FARM

The Bangui Wind farm consists of 20 turbines that form an arc at the shores of Bangui Bay. It is a major tourist attraction in Ilocos Norte. It is amazing to know and see in person how the people here in Ilocos Norte found an alternative sustainable source of energy. They convert this wind power into electricity for home and office use.

And here’s us doing some crazy shot, that we weren’t able to achieve. ^_^ So, we settled for a jump shot since it is already getting dark.

PAGUDPUD ITINERARY & BUDGET

The best way to get around the tourist attractions in Pagudpud is to go by a tricycle tour package which is more economical and time-saving compared to going by public vehicles. Here is a sample itinerary for Pagudpud for 2 days.

DAY ZERO

Activity	Expenses
5PM Bus from Manila to Laoag – Click here for the cheapest flight from Manila to Laoag via 12Go.	P970

DAY ONE

Activity	Expenses
4 AM ETA to Laoag Bus Terminal. Transfer to another bus going to Pagudpud. Travel Time is 2 hours	P75
7AM Breakfast ( There are small restaurant near the terminal)	P100
8 AM Rent a tricycle for the NORTHBOUND TOUR. (There will be drivers offering tours in the terminals with pictures of the places to visit. P600 for 1 tricycle with a max of 3 passengers. You will shoulder the whole P600 if you are alone.)	P300
12 PM Lunch	P200
1 PM NORTHBOUND TOUR continuation.
3 PM Check-in to Hotel ( You can find a cheaper option in Agoda)	P1600
5 PM Sunset at Saud Beach
7 PM Dinner	P200
9 PM Lights Out

DAY TWO

Activity	Expenses
6 AM Breakfast	P100
8 AM Rent a tricycle for the SOUTHBOUND TOUR. ( P600 for 1 tricycle with a max of 3 passengers. You will shoulder the whole P600 if you are alone.)	P300
12 PM Lunch	P200
1 PM Blue Lagoon
2 PM Checkout
Back to Manila	P1,045

TOTAL EXPENSES – P 5,090 for 2 days and 1 night including bus fares and accommodation. You can get cheaper from this if you find a cheaper option for accommodation.

Another option is booking a tour online. Enjoy a hassle-free round-trip transfer from your hotels and travel with an experienced driver – Private Pagudpud Full Day Tour from Laoag or Private Pagudpud Tour with Saud Beach in Ilocos. If you book these tours you still need your own transportation from Manila to Laoag. Click here for the cheapest flight from Manila to Laoag via 12Go.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO PACK

You might want to continue reading: CEBU ITINERARY – 3 Days Travel Guide + Expenses

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