3 Days La Union Itinerary – We will show you in this blog post our La Union itinerary from surfing, there are other La Union tourist spots to visit and things to do around La Union for your next trip.
In the Philippines, La Union is one of the most popular spots for surfers. But this place is more than just its beautiful waves!
Read here where to stay in La Union and top San Juan La Union Resorts
SIM CARD AT MANILA AIRPORT
I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Manila airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Manila. Read here Philippines sim card for tourist and best Philippines eSim
WHERE TO STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES
You can get accommodation starting from 800-1000 PHP (less than $20 USD) for a room in a guesthouse. Can you imagen if you are two of you traveling in the Philippines, it will be $10 USD each.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING AND AGODA!
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review
You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included
HOW TO GET TO LA UNION
GETTING TO LA UNION BY BUS FROM MANILA
If you are getting from Manila to La Union by bus. The most popular is Partas with routes going to Laoag, Vigan and San Fernando in La Union. Prices are around 500 PHP per head. The travel time is around 5-7 hours depending on traffic and where you are coming (from Cubao or Pasay).
Once you are in San Fernando, you can take a jeepney to Urbiztondo Beach or San Juan, where most of the accommodation and restaurants are. The price for the jeepney ride is 11 PHP. There are also tricycles available if you prefer a solo ride.
If you went by bus with Partas, there are a few direct trips to San Juan Beach in La Union. There are a couple of them actually, one in the afternoon and one at night.
GETTING FROM PAMPANGA TO LA UNION BY BUS
If you are getting to from Pampanga to La Union. We chose this option since we are based in Angeles City and we traveled by bus with Partas. The travel time from Pampanga to La Union was around 4-5 hours and there is no fixed schedule.
However, we observed that there is a few buses take trips during the day. The price from San Fernando in La Union to DAU Terminal was 333 PHP.
GETTING TO LA UNION BY BUS FROM VIGAN
If you are getting to La Union from Vigan. You can take a 2-hour bus ride that costs around 250 PHP to La Union. There are hourly bus rides to San Fernando and La Union. Read here how to get from La Union to Vigan
INTERNET AND WIFI CONNECTION IN LA UNION
Hotels and other establishments in La Union offer free wifi for guests and tourists. The internet in La Union used to be pretty slow, but recently it become pretty reliable but you can still experience slowness at times. Luckily, the connection improved. You can also get LTE connection with Globe and Smart around La Union.
Read here the best Filipino sim for tourist!
BEST TIME TO VISIT LA UNION
Like any other place in the Philippines there are two kinds of seasons- the dry season from November to April and the wet season from May to October.
It is recommended that travelers visit during dry season, especially from December to February when temperatures are much cooler and touring will most likely not be interrupted by rains and will not be really hot going around.
Click here to know more about the weather in La Union!
DAILY BUDGET TO VISIT LA UNION
For budget or DIY travelers, you’ll surely choose cheaper options especially when it comes to accommodation.
With 1500 PHP, it can be a good budget with food, transportation and accommodation plus entrance fees to some spots since most of them are with donation or free of charge. You can go for local food for 50-70 PHP in local carinderias and around 150 PHP in local restaurants in La Union, where you will find Filipino and Western food.
For accommodation, a budget room would cost minimum 1000 PHP ($20 USD) and you can go up to 5000 PHP. Airbnb options are starting from $15-25. CLICK HERE TO BOOK WITH AGODA FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP IN LA UNION.
Click here if you want to get your discount booking activities in the Philippines with Klook!
LA UNION ITINERARY
DAY 1 ITINERARY IN LA UNION: GOING AROUND
The best way to move around La Union is renting a motorbike you can find them 500-700 PHP for a day. Or you can rent a tricycle for the whole day around 1200 PHP and bringing to all the tourist spots in La Union. If you are coming from Manila we suggest you to take a night bus. So you can start early morning your La Union itinerary.
Visiting the main tourist spots in La Union Ma-Cho Temple, Balay na Bato, Pebble Beach, Baluarte Watchover, Poro Point Lighthouse, Namacpacan Church and finishing your day for the sunset at Urbiztondo Beach. After sunset you have to go out for restaurants and a drink since La Union nightlife is so popular in the Philippines.
MA-CHO TEMPLE
BALAY NA BATO
One of the tourist spots in La Union is Balay na Bato or Bahay na Bato, or Noble Stone House. It was a rest house that turned into a tourist spot. Balay na Bato is owned by a couple from Baguio and it features a lot of stone sculptures by Vong Kim, a Korean artist. Entrance fee costs less than PHP 50.
PEBBLE BEACH
In Luna, La Union, locals collect pebbles from the Pebble Beach. They sort out the pebbles and handpick the best ones so they can sell them to other countries. They believe that the beautiful pebbles in La Union won’t run out soon.
BALUARTE WATCHOVER
Image from Flickr
Baluarte Watchover is located in Pebble Beach in Luna, La Union. This is a mix of modern and old watchover, with the view to the calm sea. If you love taking photos, the door with padlocks is a great background!
PORO POINT LIGHTHOUSE
This lighthouse was an old one, built in 1905 during American occupation in the Philippines. It is 8 meters high and made up of concrete and it also has a gallery but no lantern. Take note that it is not accessible by visitors because it’s located in a military base.
You can just take a photo of the lighthouse for remembrance. However, there are rumors that they will soon develop the lighthouse as a tourist destination. Hopefully, haha!
NAMACPACAN CHURCH
This church houses the image of Our Lady of Namacpacan, a the title given to the Virgin Mary by the natives of La Union. If you are a Catholic who loves church/cathedral hopping, you’ll definitely want to stop by here to offer your prayers and just enjoy the silence of the church.
URBIZTONDO BEACH
The main beach for surfing. You will find shops for renting surfing boards if you want to learn how to surf. Around the area, you will find restaurants and places to stay in La Union depending on your budget and preferences.
NIGHTLIFE IN LA UNION
La Union is one of the most popular provinces for nightlife, apart from surfing. You can go for a beer and dance if you like it. Enjoy the night and socialize with the locals! The option of restaurants is wide, with every restaurant having affordable prices. We enjoyed partying in La Union and meeting new friends.
DAY 2 LA UNION ITINERARY
You can start your day early morning going to Tangadan Falls. Trekking and enjoying a swim can be great for the morning. After this you can pass by Thunderbird Resort where you can get an entrance ticket for your day 500 PHP and you can have 300 PHP consumables for your lunch.
There is a nice pool, great views and there are a few spots to take pictures if you like it. The Resort is popular because is similar to Santorini with the colors white and blue over the place. It just a few minutes driving from La Union and if your have the budget you can stay overnight. Click here to know their availability and book your stay starting at $199 USD per night!
TANGADAN FALLS
If you are coming from San Juan Beach or San Fernando La Union, you have to ride a jeep to San Gabriel for around 20 PHP. Just mention to the jeepney driver that you are going to Tangadan Falls and he will drop you off in the tricycle terminal where you can get a tricycle for 50 PHP for two people.
The entrance fee for Tangadan Falls is 30 PHP. You can have a guide for 500-600 PHP (good enough for 6-7 people and you can always join a group to share expenses) and they will guide you around the trek for 50-60 minutes to get to Tangadan Falls.
THUNDERBIRD RESORT
You can visit Thunderbird Resort in La Union for spending the whole day. The entrance fee is 500 PHP (300 PHP consumables) for adults and 300 PHP (300 PHP consumables) for kids.
You can enjoy of a swim, casino and walking around the property. It’s a nice place to take pictures around. The food is delicious and you can relax with your smoothie in the pool area. If you like taking pictures, you will feel the vibe of Santorini with the villas and the similar white and blue colors Santorini.
Click here to know their availability and book your stay starting at $199 USD per night!
MORE DAYS IN LA UNION ITINERARY
DAY 3 LA UNION ITINERARY
Apart from relaxing in San Juan Beach or surfing there are also a few plans that you can do. visiting a Grape Farm, Immuki Island, Tapuakan River one of the cleanest in the Philippines and you can also go to Bacnotan only 20 minutes driving from La Union where you can find calm and relaxed beaches. There is a local market in Bacnotan where you can stop for lunch and having fresh juices.
GRAPE FARM
Yes, there are a number of grape farms in La Union. One of the most famous grape farms is in Bauang, La Union. It is called Lomboy Grape Farm, the one believed to be the first grape farm in the Philippines.
Entrance Fee is PHP 100 and PHP 150 for grape picking. It is open from 7AM to 4PM from Monday to Saturday and 7AM to 3:00 PM on Sunday.
IMMUKI ISLAND
This beach has blue-green lagoons and natural pools. It’s just 30 minutes away from San Juan Beach. Immuki is a word derived from the name sea slugs, that can thrive only on dead corals.
TAPUAKAN RIVER
Tapuakan River or Tapuacan River is claimed to be the cleanest Inland River of the northern region of the Philippines. It has crystal clear waters flowing from the mountain top towards the river mainstream.
It’s definitely a must to visit this place. Just remember to bring your own food as there are no nearby restaurants or stores. Also, if you are bringing kids on your trip, be careful as the place is rocky.
BACNOTAN BEACHES
It’s just 10 kilometers North from San Juan Beach where you will find other beaches. Some of them are great for surfing. But if you aren’t a surfer, there are also beaches which are more relaxing where you can just swim, sunbathe or relax at the shore. It’s great to visit Bacnotan beaches at sunset time!
WHERE TO STAY IN LA UNION
THUNDERBIRD RESORT
Our choice was the luxury stay at Thunderbird Resort where we enjoyed a villa with views to the golf court. We had amazing time at sunset taking pictures, walking around, and just relaxing. It’s inspired by Santorini and it’s great to experience it!
Well, just in case you haven’t gone to Greece yet or you went to Santorini like us and you want to have amazing memories again. And of course, we had amazing time swimming in the pool area since it wasn’t very crowded at that time.
It’s located 5-10 minutes drive away to San Fernando and the area is perfect for resting.
Click here to know their availability and book your stay starting at $199 USD per night!
KAHUNA BEACH RESORT AND SPA
Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa is located in Urbiztondo with free Wi-Fi in all rooms, convenience store, daily housekeeping, gift/souvenir shop, Wi-Fi in public areas.
The hotel features 30 beautifully appointed guest rooms, many of which include television LCD/plasma screen, internet access – wireless, internet access – wireless (complimentary), non smoking rooms, air conditioning. The complete list of recreational facilities is available at the hotel, including hot tub, golf course (within 3 km), outdoor pool, spa, massage.
Address: Urbiztondo, San Juan, San Juan, La Union, Philippines, 2514
Click here to check prices and availability!
AUREO RESORT LA UNION
If you are looking for a more laid-back stay in La Union, we recommend Aureo Resort La Union. It’s a beach resort with great facilities such as the outdoor pool and located just in front of the beach. You can choose which view you want in picking your preferred room- beach view, pool view, garden view, or lagoon view.
Aureo Resort is located in San Francisco, San Fernando, La Union.
You can book a room for as low as $133 USD.
Click here to book your stay at Aureo Resort La Union.
WHERE TO STAY IN LA UNION ON A BUDGET
HOTEL MIKKA
To start our list of places where to stay in La Union under the cheap hotels category, there’s Hotel Mikka which will surely make the most out of your money. For only an affordable price, you’ll get to sleep in their neat, air-conditioned rooms with TV and private bathroom. Perfect place for resting when visiting La Union tourist spots.
However, wifi is not available in all rooms. For some rooms, you can pay for an additional fee if you want. They also offer airport transfer for a fee. You don’t have to worry if you get hungry because they have their own restaurant where you can dine. What the guests love about hotel Mikka is the service of their staff, who are very polite and friendly to guests.
Hotel Mikka can be found at Quezon Ave., San Fernando, La Union. Click here to know their availability and book your stay starting at $18 USD per night!
LA GRANJA EXCLUSIVE
A cheaper option in where to stay in La Union is La Granja Exclusive. This one is even more awesome because they have a tent option, which is the cheapest in their place.
Their tents are just in the garden where the outdoor pool is, so it is a relaxing alternative if you prefer to stay outside that in their exclusive rooms. For every option at La Granja Exclusive, you may use the barbecue grill, pool, and free parking. They even have free Wifi but for public areas only.
La Granja Exclusive is at Tabtabungao Barangay Road, 2506 Rosario, La Union.
Click here to know their availability and book your stay starting at $11 USD per night!
HOTEL ARIANA
This 3-star hotel offers guests a nice experience in La Union for an affordable price. Their rooms are all air-conditioned with its own TV and bathroom.
The guests love that it is near La Union’s tourist spots and that they have their own restaurant, bar and coffee shop. Also, if you’d like to relax after touring La Union all day, you can avail their massage!
Hotel Ariana is at Paringao, Bauang, La Union.
Click here to know their availability and book your stay starting at $40 USD per night!
VILLA ELITA
Villa Elita has a “Very Good” rating with a score of 8/10. Because of this, your stay is almost guaranteed to be satisfactory. Their services include a 24-hour service desk and room service. This hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant where you can dine.
They also offer breakfast served in your room if you want, but expect to pay additional fee. Inside their bedrooms are a TV, private bathroom, comfortable bed, toiletries, closet, and you can enjoy their free wifi. If you have a vehicle, you can also avail the parking for free. The guests love the Continental, Asian, and American food, as well as the free wifi in every room.
Villa Elita is located at National Highway, Brgy Ipet, 2520 Sudipen, La Union.
Click here to know their availability and book your stay starting at $31 USD per night!
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Happy travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.