A DIY Travel : Exploring the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City

Baguio can be reached by bus from Metro Manila. It roughly 250 kilometers from Manila and it may take 4-6 hours travel time depends on how heavy the traffic is. 

Baguio is known to be as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, owing to its cool climate since the city is located approximately 1,540 meters (5,050 feet) above sea level in the Luzon tropical pine forests eco-region, which makes it conducive for the growth of mossy plants and orchids. 

Where to Stay in Baguio? 

There were heaps of hotels and travel inns in Baguio City where you can stay during your visit. If you are not tight in budget then you can go to a deluxe hotel but if you are a poor traveler like us then you can stay in a cheap travelers inn but of course, you need to consider its safeness and cleanliness. 

A DIY Travel in the Province of Ilocos Norte: 13 Must-see Tourist Spots in Ilocos Norte - the Northern Coastal Province in the Philippines

Aspirant traveler? 

Why not visiting Ilocos Norte? I know most of us want to be a traveler for being a traveler is amazing but having the required budget can be pretty tough. Nowadays, there were heaps of air flight promos that may tempt you to go and travel to other places. 

Are you planning to visit Ilocos Norte?  Or, if you don't have a vacation destination in mind yet, why not considering visiting Ilocos Norte the beautiful northern coastal province in the Philippines? If you would check the internet, there were heaps of splendid places that you may want to see.

The province of Ilocos Norte is about 500 km (8 hrs and 43 mins) via MacArthur Hwy/Manila N Rd.  There are a lot of popular tourist destinations that you may enjoy during your visit to the province of Ilocos Norte. Some are man-made and some are created by nature. Some tourist spots that are man-made are: The Sinking Bell Tower, Fort Ilocandia Resort and Casino,  Malacañang of the North, Paoay Church, Marcos Museum and Mausoleum, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Bangui Windmill, Patapat Bridge

Some tourist spots that are made by nature are Lapaz Sand Dunes, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Kabigan Falls.

This article will go over 13 of the most popular tourist destinations. They're all definitely worth the trip.

A DIY Travel in the Province of Ilocos Norte: Exploring the Beauty in the Province of Pagudpud

The next day after strolling Calle Crisologo in Vigan City, we had prepared our selves for another adventure in the municipality of Pagudpud. Despite of a very tiring and exhausted day after wandering the City of Laoag and Vigan, we have to have a great power and energy, lol to explore the beauty of Pagudpud. 

About Pagudpud

Pagudpod is known to have a lot of beautiful beaches. Pagudpod can be reached by bus. It lies 74 kilometers north of Laoag City, the provincial capital and is roughly 550 kilometer and the travel time may take roughly 12 hours from Metro Manila.

A night before going to Pagudpud, I contacted Kuya Noel - +63 921 248 1578, a tricycle driver and a tourist guide from the municipality of Pagudpud. Pagudpud can be reached out via minibus for only P67.00 (regular/non-air-conditioned) and P81.00 for the air-conditioned bus. 

The travel time to Pagudpud from Laoag may take roughly 1 hr and we officially start our Pagudpud tour at 1030 am. 

A DIY Travel in the Province of Ilocos Sur: Wandering Calle Crisologo Vigan City

So right after, we discover the beauty of Laoag City, we went back to the place where we stayed and have our selves cleaned up. Vigan can be reached via buses, there are a lot of buses heading to Vigan so you have nothing to worry. It will cost you P137.00 for an air-conditioned bus. 

About Vigan City

Vigan City is located before Laoag City, it is on the western coast of the large island of Luzon, facing the South China Sea. Vigan City is one of the few town left in the Philippines and it is also one of UNESCO World Heritage Site whose old structures have mostly remained intact, and it is well known for its cobblestone streets and a unique architecture of the Philippine colonial era. Vigan City is also the birthplace of the 6th President of the Philippines, Elpidio Quirino.  Together with Beirut, Doha, Durban, Havana, Kuala Lumpur and La Paz, Vigan City was officially recognized as one of the New7Wonders Cities last May of the year 2015. 

Vigan City is located roughly 400 kilometers from Manila. The same with Laoag City, Vigan can be reached by bus or by private car. It is not difficult to go there since there are lots of buses heading to Vigan from Manila.

A DIY Travel in the Province of Ilocos Norte: Laoag City the Beautiful Northern Coastal Province in the Philippines

We never took a long time in Venice Grand Canal, shortly after we eat and wander the mall we went back to Cubao wherein buses heading for Laoag City is located. A regular air-conditioned bus without comfort room will cost you P797.00 per head. They also have student and PWD discount, just present your ID. 

Heading to Laoag City

We are very lucky when we arrived in Partas Terminal because there was a bus ready to go to Laoag City at 5:00 pm. Unfortunately, we have to re-book our trip from 8:00 pm trip to 5:00 pm and we have to pay the re-booking fee for P89.00 each ticket. 

The travel time to Laoag may take 9-10 hours if traveling during night time and may take within 11-12 hours if traveling daytime due to traffic. The advantage in traveling during daytime is that you can enjoy the scenic views while you are on your trip. 

We arrive in the Laoag City at 4:00 am. We met Kuya James, a tricycle driver in the Partas Terminal, he brings us to Viewport where we stay for a night. We also agreed to hire James as our driver for the day and bring us to the tourist spots in Laoag City. It cost us P1000.00 for 4 pax, actually it was only P900.00 but since he's kind then we have added something to the fee. 

Where to Stay in Laoag City? 

There were heaps of hotels and travel inns where you can stay during your visit in the province. If you are not tight of budget then you can go to a deluxe hotel but if you are a poor traveler like us then you can stay in a cheap travelers inn but of course, you need to consider its safeness and cleanliness. 

During our visit, we stay in Viewport, there is no specific check-in time, your check out time will depend on what your check-in time is. 1 room will just cost you P450.00 good for 2 pax and P50.00 per additional person. The room is clean enough, air-conditioned and with hot shower.

A DIY Travel: Exploring Venice Grand Canal Mall before Ilocos Norte

Traveller? ....

Wanderer? ....

There are a lot of flight promotion that you may want to take advantage with. Air Asia has its own red-hot sale once every year. Recently, during the writing of this article, AirAsia has a red-hot sale in which I booked for a flight in Cebu - Davao November for next year. lol! Since I have a tight budget, I have to book my travel a quite sometime before the actual date so that I can have ample time to have savings. 

Of course, we have to have enough budget so that we can enjoy our trip so much.  Your laag will still depend on the place where it has flight fare promotion. Travelling in a very short time can be a bit stressful and exhausted for which we can't have enough rest. Yes, it is based on my past experience. 

During this laag, it was my first time riding a plane and the first time going out of Visayas. lol! And yes, it was very exciting knowing the fact that almost everything is my first time.