Last updated on December 3rd, 2022 at 12:48 pm
If you are looking for things to do in Laoag, then this is the perfect post for you! Read on as we tell you the places to go to while exploring the city and we will discover all Laoag tourist spots in our Laoag travel guide. Read here best hotels in Laoag
History has it that the name Laoag came from the Ilocano word meaning light, clarity or brightness thus, City if Light.
Laoag is a 3rd class component city and capital of the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It is the province’s political, commercial, and industrial hub and the location of the Ilocos Region’s busiest commercial airport. The name Laoag comes from the word “light” since the region of Ilocos Norte is one of the sunniest regions in the country. Read here Ilocos itinerary!
Laoag Travel Guide
How to get to Laoag
Getting to Laoag By Plane
Laoag International Airport is the main airport serving the general area of Laoag, the capital city of the province of Ilocos Norte in the Philippines. It is the only airport in Ilocos Norte and is the northernmost international airport in the Philippines by geographical location. Flight from Manila to Laoag will only take an hour. There are 9 flights weekly that are available.
Getting to Laoag by bus from Manila
Traveling by bus from Manila to Laoag will take you 10 hours or so on the road. Buses like Fariñas Trans and Partas Bus has direct routes to Laoag. Fare can cost 900 PHP for one way.
Click here to book online the bus from Manila to Laoag!
Getting to Laoag by bus from Clark
If you are coming from Clark Pampanga, you can ride the jeepney going to Dau Integrated Bus Terminal. Once in Dau Terminal, transfer or look for a bus going to Laoag as there are bus with direct route there. Travel time can take up to 7-8 hours.
We chose this option for traveling from Angeles City to Laoag. It took us 7 hours and the fare was 740 PHP each. The bus from Fariñas Trans was so comfortable and we enjoyed wifi the whole trip.
Getting to Laoag from Baguio
Coming from Baguio, there are numerous departures buses and vans that operate daily from Baguio City Bus Terminal to Laoag. Travel time is not more than four hours and the fare ranges from 500 PHP.
Getting to Laoag from Vigan
Coming from Vigan, Laoag is only an hour and a half away. There are buses going to and from the two places for no more than 100 PHP for one trip.
Read here how to get from Laoag to Vigan and Manila to Laoag full blog post!
Transportation around Laoag
There is a wide range of Laoag transportation options available once in the city itself and it includes jeepneys, tricycles and mini vans. The most commonly used is the jeepney though and this has a fixed route. For shorter distances, a tricycle can be ridden or a mini-van for a more comfortable.
There are buses and vans going to places around like Bangui or Pagudpud.
ATMs in Laoag
Aside from most establishments like restaurants and hotels specially those which are at least 3-stars in Laoag accepting cards, there’s also quite a few more ATM Machines around. Still, carrying cash will always be better for emergencies. If you are heading to Pagudpud we recommend you to withdraw cash in Laoag since can get complicated in that area to find ATM’s available.
Check here the exchange rate before your trip.
Internet and Wifi connection in Laoag
Laoag has internet even in the most remote part. The speed is quite decent but expect a few times a day wherein it can go really slow. You will find wifi in almost all the hotels and guest houses in Laoag. If you have Globe and Smart Laoag is LTE area in most of the places.
Read here for more information about the best Filipino sim for tourists.
Best time to visit Laoag
March to July is the peak season in Laoag. If you want to avoid many tourists visiting Laoag, it is advisable to visit on months of August to September. Although the weather is humid, it is not hot enough to make you not like it outdoors! All in all, a good time to be here! The best time to visit Laoag is October to December since is the chilliest time to visit Laoag.
Click here to know more about the weather in Laoag!
Daily budget to visit Laoag
Since most spots are either free of entrance fee or the fee is cheap, Laoag day trips can be cheap and budgeted. Aside from experiencing the sand dunes which is one of the most famous yet also one of the most expensive activity to do in Laoag.
With 1500 PHP can be a good budget with food, transportation and accommodation plus entrance fees to some Laoag tourist spots. Bigger budget will of course bring you more memorable experience but Laoag can already be a beautiful experience just being there. You can go for local food for 50-70 PHP in local carinderias and around 150 PHP in local restaurants in Laoag where you will find Filipino and Western food.
For accommodation a budget room would cost a minimum 1000 PHP ($20 USD) and you can go up to 5000 PHP. There are Airbnb options starting from $15-25.
WHERE TO STAY IN LAOAG? CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK WITH AGODA.
Click here if you want to get your discount booking activities in the Philippines with Klook!
Things to do in Laoag And Laoag Tourist Spots
1. Sinking Bell Tower
Image courtesy of Melissa Enderle
St. William’s Cathedral in Laoag City is famous for its Sinking Bell Tower. It is one of the things that will capture the attention of the tourists upon entering the city.
The bell tower is one of the landmarks of Spanish colony in the Philippines. The tower has earned its “sinking” reputation because it is so heavy and it was built on sandy foundations that it has been consistently sinking into the ground. It’s the most popular in the list of Laoag tourist spots.
2. Visit La Paz Sand Dunes
Image from Tourists Haven
The La Paz Sand Dunes is an 85-square-kilometer protected sandy coastal desert and beach located in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, in the Philippines. The area is known locally by the name Bantay Bimmaboy, a name which refers to the common perception that the dunes resemble pigs (“baboy” in Filipino) in shape. The area is also known as the Desert of the North and is a popular location for shooting films.
3. Visit Ilocos Norte Museum
Image from Flickr
Housed in the historic Tabacalera warehouse, the snazzy Museo Ilocos Norteis one of the better ethnographic museums in the Philippines. It houses a large collection of Ilocano, Igorot and Itneg traditional clothing, household utensils, ceremonial objects and more.
4. Malacanang Ti Amianan
Image courtesy of tony hidalgo
Malacanang Ti Amianan, or also commonly called as Malacañang of the North, is a presidential museum in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It was the residence of the family of Ferdinand Marcos when he was the President of the Philippines.
It is a two-story mansion overlooking the Paoay Lake, and consists of seven (supposedly a lucky number for Marcos) rooms, with each room having a theme of historical events from the Marcos era: Study, Agriculture, Diplomacy, OFW (overseas Filipino workers), Culture, Nation Building and Family. The entrance is 20 PHP and it is open from 9am to 5pm daily.
5. Paoay Lake National Park
Image courtesy of Ilocos Norte
Paoay Lake, locally known as Dacquel a Danum, is a lake in the municipality of Paoay in northwestern Luzon in the Philippines. It is the largest lake in the province of Ilocos Norte and one of the largest natural lakes in the area.
6. Santa Monica Church
Image courtesy of Melissa Enderle
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, commonly known as the Santa Maria Church is the Parish church of Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur province, Philippines.
7. Paoay Church (San Agustin Church)
Image courtesy of anyoflores
The Saint Augustine Church, commonly known as the Paoay Church, is the Roman Catholic church of 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.
8. Rizal Amusement Park
Image from Tripadvisor
Rizal Amusement Park is where the Philippines’ national hero, Jose Rizal’s status was erected in 1957 by the Ilocos Norte Teachers Club and the citizens of Ilocos Norte. The park was also later restored and renovated and a playground, swimming pool, picnic area and a mini zoo were added. Because of it, it has become one of the most well known Laoag tourist spots in this list.
9. Visit Burgos Lighthouse
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as Burgos Lighthouse, is a cultural heritage structure in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, that was established during the Spanish Colonial period in the Philippines.
The lighthouse of Cape Bojeador serves shipping heading towards the Pacific Coast heading towards the Babuyan Channel, also serves ships heading towards the ports of Salomangue and Curmimao. The entrance fee is 20 PHP.
More Things to do in Laoag And Laoag Tourist Spots
10. Try Empanadas
Ilocos Norte has the best tasting empanadas. If you are in Laoag, you can go to Batac which was about 30 minutes away to buy empanadas. Batac is like the empanada capital in Ilocos Norte. They even have Empanada Festival on the City Charter Day each 23rd of June.
11. Patapat Viaduct
The Patapat Viaduct is a viaduct at the municipality of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, a coastal resort town on the northernmost tip of Luzon Island in the Philippines. The bridge is elevated 31 meters over sea level.
12. Bangui Windmills
Bangui Wind Farm is a wind farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The wind farm uses 20 units of 70-meter (230 ft) high VestasV82 1.65 MW wind turbines, arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, facing the West Philippine Sea. The wind farm is created to supply electricity to the province. Thus, the windmills are not only beautiful to look at; they are also useful and environmental tools used to supply electricity.
It’s a perfect place to take pictures and enjoy. If you go first things in the morning you will avoid the crowd.
13. Taoid Museum
Image from Langyaw
Taois Museum is an intimate museum showcasing exhibits on the life of the Cordillera tribes, with relics & artwork. If you want to have a deeper understanding of the Cordilleran culture and their way of life, you can visit the “Taoid” Museum in La Tabacalera Lifestyle Center in Laoag City.
14. Aurora Park
Image courtesy from Flickr
Aurora Park, located in National Highway, Brgy. 14, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, is where the statue of the maiden Pamulinawen can be seen at the top of a fountain. This is also the same place where the Tobacco Monopoly monument is standing since 1882.
15. Day Trip to Pagudpud
Since Pagudpud is just less than two hours away from Laoag, you can opt for a day trip in Pagudpud while in Laoag. You can rent a motorbike for 400-500 PHP per day for a day tour in Pagudpud. You can also rent tricycles for a day tour 2-3 people maximum. Prices for a day tour in Pagudpud on the North are 600 PHP and 900 PHP for the South. If you do both day tours in the same day it costs 1300 PHP.
16. BLUE LAGOON
Maira-ira beach is a stretch of white sand and crystal clear waters stretching out to the West Philippine Sea. Dubbed as the Blue Lagoon, this is one of the most well known destinations in Pagudpud. A number of resorts, luxury and budget, are along the way so tourists can surely enjoy the view and the activities such as swimming and other water sports longer.
The water is so clear and you can even get there with the zipline!
17. KAPURPURAWAN ROCK FORMATIONS
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is a natural rock formation created through the years by the natural forces of the ocean on the rocky coast of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, just a few minutes from the Cape Bojeador. Kapurpurawan comes from an Ilocano word “puraw” which means white. Since most of the rock formations in that area are white, local folks called it “Kapurpurawan”.
Where to stay Laoag
Casa Felipa
Casa Felipa provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Laoag. The property has a garden, as well as a terrace. The property has a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi is available. Guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a seating area. All rooms feature a desk. Room rate starts at 1090 PHP a night.
Click here to check their rates and availability!
Pamulinawen Hotel
Pamulinawen Hotel is located in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. Providing free Wi-Fi in public areas, it also has an outdoor pool and free parking. The front desk operates 24 hours. Air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and fridge. Suites come with a separate living room. Private bathrooms have either a bathtub or shower facilities. Room rate starts at 3600 PHP a night.
Click here to check their rate and availability!
Universal Suite
Located in Laoag, Universal Suite provides accommodations within 14.5 km of Paoay Sand Dunes. Complimentary WiFi is featured. All units feature air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. There’s a fully equipped private bathroom with bidet and free toiletries. A continental breakfast is served at the property. The in-house restaurant specializes in International cuisine. A car rental service is available at the bed and breakfast. Room rate starts at 1100 PHP a night.
Click here to check their rates and availability!
Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center
This hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and an outdoor swimming pool. Local and international dishes are served at Ayuyang Restaurant. Rooms with tiled flooring and a balcony are equipped with cable TV, mini refrigerator and private bathroom with shower. Select rooms offer a bath. Relaxation options at Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center include massage and spa therapies. Other facilities include a 24-hour front desk and chapel. An airport transfer service is available at a charge. Laoag International Airport is a 15-minute drive away. Room can costs up to 3200 PHP a night.
Click here to check their rates and availability!
Or you can check other accommodations through Agoda by clicking here!
Food to try in Laoag
Bagnet
Bagnet is the double-fried crispy pork specialty of Ilocos. It’s a cross between chicharon and lechon kawali where the lean meat is crispy but not dry and the pork skin is fried to a crisp. You’ll taste the natural taste oh so yummy taste of the pork!
Longganisa
Ilocano Longganisa might be famous, but it is said that the ones from Laoag, specifically in San Nicolas Public Market are jucier because it contains more fat, making it also more lethal. Unlike the Vigan longganisa, Laoag has minimal vinegar or contains none at all.
Pinakbet
Pinakbet is a popular Ilocano vegetable dish. t is a vegetable stew made with tomatoes, eggplant, string beans, okra, and bitter gourd. The dish might have different version all over the country but the Ilocano pinakbet uses a much loved fermented fish sauce called bagoong isda to season the dish, so it is really a must try!
Festivals in Laoag
Pamulinawen Festival
Image courtesy of Constantine Agustin
The festival is in honor of the Feast day of St. William the Hermit, the patron Saint of Laoag City which is being celebrated every February 10. Celebrated for a whole week, the Pamulinawen Festival is something that the locals prepare for with plays, dances, parades and other merry making activities. There is even a food festival during the Pamulinawen Festival which draws people from all over the region to participate. All government and non-government organizations prepare for this Laoag festival and even corporations actively participate in it.
Dulang Food Festival
The Dulang Food Festival is a Laoag festival where one can taste test the local favorites of Ilocos and those who join this event come from all areas of the region.
The dishes that one can taste during the Dulang Food Festival are prepared with one-of-a-kind utensils that one will not find in any store and they also have unique names. During the first few times that the Dulang Food Festival was celebrated, every single household in Laoag would prepare their favorite dish and invite guests over for merry making.
There are more places to visit in the Philippines and around Laoag. You can go to Pagudpud and Vigan in Ilocos Province. Hope you liked it our Laoag travel guide and Laoag tourist spots. And let us know in the comments below your favorite things to do in Laoag.
Feel free to use our links for discounts. Using our links will help us to continue with the maintenance of the website and it will not cost you anything. Thanks for the love guys
Happy Travels!
Maki
Sunday 9th of April 2023
Hello! Do we need to have an International Driver's License when renting motorcycles in Laoag?
Ruben Arribas
Monday 10th of April 2023
Hey Maki, in my case Im from Spain and we don't need International Driver's Licence the first 3 months for this if you are bringing your Driver's Licence
17 BEAUTIFUL REGIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES - Gamintraveler
Sunday 12th of June 2022
[…] The main tourist spots are Vigan, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bangui Windmills, Laoag, La Union popular for surfers and […]
Ilocos Norte Beaches: 7 Best Beaches in ilocos Norte - Gamintraveler
Friday 3rd of June 2022
[…] here our favorite things to do in Laoag and Day Tour around […]
A Perfect 3 Days Ilocos Itinerary 2021 - Gamintraveler
Monday 2nd of May 2022
[…] Read here our favorite things to do in Laoag […]
22 Unbelievable Tourist Spots in Luzon, the Philippines - Gamintraveler
Monday 2nd of May 2022
[…] Read here things to do in Laoag! […]