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Touring Ilocos Without a Car Part 3: Pagudpud
This is Part 3 of Touring Ilocos Without a Car series.
As I mentioned in my previous post, there are 2 gorgeous beaches in Pagudpud, Saud and Blue Lagoon or what is known by the locals as “Maira-ira”. Both offers nice, soft, white sand and surfing waves (at the right time of the year). The two beaches are about 20 minutes apart from each other so choosing where to stay will be based on what beach you prefer.
SAUD OR BLUE LAGOON?
You can compare Saud Beach to Puerto Galera wherein the resorts are all lined up for you to choose from. Since there are plenty of resorts along Saud Beach, expect many people and activities around. Also, there are many places to eat in Saud. If you like crowds when you go to a beach, choose Saud.
Saud Beach, not crowded on December
If you want privacy, then Blue Lagoon is for you. It is practically off the beaten path. There are three major resorts in Blue Lagoon. Hannah’s, Punta Azul and the farthest to the beach, Kapuluan Vista Resort. You can also rent nipa huts at the parking area. From Kapuluan, it’s about 7-10 minutes walk going there.
Blue Lagoon on a calm, sunny day. Waves are larger in December.
If you’re planning to go during the Holy Week, book as early as December. Blue Lagoon gets a lot of tourists during Holy Week so it might get crowded. But not as crowded as Saud though.
We decided to check-in at Kapuluan Vista Resort because it’s nearer Blue Lagoon at that time. Not to mention that it’s cheaper than the nice resorts at Saud.
KAPULUAN VISTA RESORT
Welcome to Kapuluan Vista Resort
Mike and his wife Alma owns the beautiful place. It is situated far from the shore so you don’t have to worry about storm surges unlike in Saud. The beach in front of the resort is not swimmable but very surfable with the nice reef breaks. They offer surf lessons and surfboard rentals by the way.
Mike, the owner of the resort, told us that the best time to visit them is around July – September when the weather is not too hot, the water not to cold and the breeze is just right.
Our room is simple but with a zen-inspired theme, we even have a bonsai on our bathroom. With the wind blowing and the waves crashing, sometimes you don’t wanna leave your bed. The food is very great that some people go there just to eat. It’s a bit pricey though for the budget-conscious but their package already includes free breakfast.
PAGUDPUD TOUR
The following day, we decided to take the Pagudpud tour after lunch.
Ask the locals or the resort employees to get you a tricycle to tour you around Pagudpud. It will cost you around Php 500-600 for a whole day tour. Here are the places that you can visit:
- Blue Lagoon / Saud (depends on where you are staying)
- Patapat Bridge and Viaduct
- Agua Grande
- Paraiso ni Anton
- Kabigan Falls
Manuel was our tricycle driver / tour guide / photographer. He charged us Php 500 for the tour which did not include the Kabigan Falls because aside from a 30-minute hike to the falls, the ground is a bit slippery.
Another kind driver is Mang Arnel (0918-6890723). You should definitely look for this guy. Read how he helped a fellow blogger on her birthday tour of Pagudpud.
It took us less than 3 hours to do the entire tour since we only planned to see the sights and take pictures. But I think for the Php 500 we paid, we could stay for a while at the beach if we decided to swim. Better ask the driver first before you commit.
The winding Patapat Bridge
Patapat Viaduct
Agua Grande Mini Hydro Power Plant
Paraiso ni Anton, there’s also a grotto here but that’s it
Afterwards, we spent the rest of the day sleeping, eating, chatting with Mike and her wife, telling sweet nothings to each other and preparing for our trip back to Laoag the following day.
CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE and BANGUI WINDMILLS
What about the Lighthouse and Windmills? We did not visit those two since it’s hard without a car. They are located in between Laoag and Pagudpud.
Bangui Windmills and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
There are some tricycles you could rent to get there (for P600 for both places) but it’s a very long and cramped ride. 1 hour to Bangui and another hour to the Lighthouse.
If you decide to take a bus going to the Bangui Windmills, ask to be dropped at Bangui and take a trike from there. For the Lighthouse, ask the bus conductor to drop you off Burgos and take a trike from there.
Mike told us that they offer a van transport from the airport to their resort for Php3000. They can stop at the lighthouse and windmills on the way.
I’ll write about Laoag on the next part.
If you have any questions/suggestions/corrections, please feel free to leave a comment. Thanks!
You might also be interested in:
- Touring Ilocos Without a Car Part 2: Going to Pagudpud
- Touring Ilocos Without a Car Part 1: From Manila to Laoag
- Touring Ilocos Without a Car Part 5: South of Laoag
- Touring Ilocos Without a Car Part 4: City of Laoag
Filed under: Travel
to all those who are interested in Punta Azul.
Contact number and person is:
0918-782-9491 – Lanie Pedronan
Watch out for the coming TV show of Trip Na Trip featuring Blue Lagoon on August 15, 2008. We are hoping they will show our very own Punta Azul Beach Resort.
Hi Calvin!
Meron ka bang alam na makukuhanan or maddownload-an ng Pagudpud Tourist / Travel Map, just to help us around..
Search na ako sa Net, wala kase ako makita.. Hope you can help us.
Thanks,
Hazel
calvin: Hazel, naku ako rin walang nakitang matinong travel map. sa Wikimapia lang kami umasa just to get a bearing kung nasan ang mga lugar. Maybe you could ask the good people of the place where you are staying in Pagudpud to sketch you a map (that’s what we did in Ilocos) if you’re planning on going to the places yourselves. Karamihan naman nasa may highway lang eh. Sorry di kita natulungan.
Hi Calvin,
May contact # ka pa ba ni Manuel, ung tricycle driver/tour guide nyo sa Pagudpud?
Thanks!
Claire
Ay naku wala kaming contact nya. What we did is ask one of the staff sa Kapuluan and if she knows someone who could tour us. Ganun na lang gawin niyo, ask somebody from the place where you’re staying.
Hi Calvin,
We will be visiting Pagudpud on May 30-June 1. I just want to ask if this itinerary is feasible. We want to cover Laoag-Pagudpud-Vigan sana, but I’m not sure if we have enough time to do that. FYI, we have hired a van for our 3-day trip.
DAY 1:
- arrive in Laoag at 11:10 am via PAL, have lunch.
- Tour: Laoag City, Sarrat, La Paz Sand dunes.
- Head to Pagudpud after Laoag tour, check-in at Kapuluan.
DAY 2:
- Pagudpud Day
North Bound tour (Saud, Patapat Bridge & Viaduct, Agua Grande, Paraiso ni Anton, Kabigan Falls
South Bound Tour (Burgos Lighthouse, Bangui Viewdeck, Windmills)
DAY 3:
- Leave Kapuluan early for Vigan/Laoag tour. (around 6am)
- On the way to Vigan, visit: Paoay Church, Paoay Lake, Malacanang of the North, Fort Ilocandia Resort
- In Vigan, visit: Plaza Burgos / Plaza Salcedo, Calle Crisologo, Baluarte Zoo, Pagburnayan, Museums
- Head back to Laoag for flight back to MNL (departure time: 7:35 PM)
Kaya kaya namin ito, or masyadong nakakapagod? Gusto namin sana yung mag-eenjoy pa din kami. Thanks much!
Hmm I’m not an expert on this pero here’s my take.
Day 1, no problem.
Day 2, you can cover the first half of the tour and maybe have lunch sa Kabigan falls. Or just bring some snacks there and have a late lunch sa Kapuluan. Maganda kasi yung place and pwede rin maligo.
As for the second half, that means wala na kayong chance magswim sa beaches of pagudpud. Why not cover Lighthouse and Windmills on the 3rd day on your way back to Vigan?
Day 3.
Eto yung madugo, around 3.5 hours to Vigan from Pagudpud if you’re not going to stop.
Paoay Church is a must. Malacanang not so much since you have to spend time touring the house to take pictures it. Fort Ilocandia hindi na rin siguro. It’s just a resort.
Aim to be in Vigan by lunch kung kaya. Pero paghindi ok lang rin since hindi rin maganda yung Calle Crisologo pagmataas araw.
Be sure to head back to Laoag by 4 PM at most. Medyo Amazing Race yung Day 3 ninyo pero kaya yan. Hehehe.
Dami talagang sites in Ilocos Region and doing it in 3 days is a challenge. Good luck!
Wow, that was a quick-reply!
Yeah, naisip ko din that our Day 3 looks jam-packed. I’ll just let the group decide if they still want to visit Vigan. 
BTW, may mga nagluluto ba sa Kabigan Falls or do we have to bring packed-lunch if we want to have lunch there? Also, may Calesa ride din ba sa Laoag? Hehe. Thanks much!
I doubt kung meron nagluluto sa Kabigan Falls. Malinis yung place kaya dapat di dumihin. hehehe. eat heavy breakfast tapos bring snacks na lang. baka by lunch nakabalik na kayo ng kapuluan.
hmm meron i think akong nakikitang mga calesa sa laoag pero konti lalng eh. sa vigan talaga yung calesa tour.
Thank you, thank you! You’re such a great help!
Hi! my bf and I are going to Ilocos on Independence Day weekend. Manila-Pagudpud-Vigan-Manila will be great and I have somehow prepared our itinerary already. However, we prefer to go to Vigan first sana then last 2 nights sa Pagudpud para mas relaxed before going back to Manila. The problem is how to go to Pagudpud from Vigan. Any suggestions? We’re traveling without a car. Thanks!
hi i know Florida bus lines have trips from Manila to Pagudpud. So baka may stop in Vigan where you can board then diretso na sa Pagudpud. Better call them to be sure: 749-4862.
Pwede rin mag-bus from Vigan to Laoag like we did then from Laoag, bus to Pagudpud.
hey, thanks a lot!
Hi Calvin!
My husband and I are planning to go in August, but because of our schedule we can only have one night there. We will arrive lunch time via PAL on a Saturday and then leave at 10 pm the next day. We were planning to check in at Kapuluan. Do you think we will still have time for Vigan? Is there much we can do with that short amount of time?
Hi Mariben,
It depends on what time will you be leaving for Vigan from Pagudpud. Give or take around 4.5 hours ang travel time if you’re going to commute. Then 2 hours going back to Laoag from Vigan. It’s doable pag 10PM pa flight nyo although try to leave at around 5PM from Vigan para just in case matagalan kayo bumalik.
As for sites to see, you can spend the whole afternoon touring around Pagudpud although you won’t be able to swim at the beach anymore.
[...] activities, if you don’t feel like swimming, you might want to tour the countryside. Pagudpud offers a lot of cool places to visit. There are tricycles out there that can take you to [...]