Ilocos Sur Itinerary – DIY tour of Vigan, Bantay, and Santa Maria for 2 days

This is the do-it-yourself (DIY) itinerary I took during my trip to Ilocos Sur for 2 days. My major destinations were Vigan and the towns of Bantay and Santa Maria.

Arrived in Vigan from Laoag, Ilocos Norte by bus. Spent my few hours of remaining daylight orienting myself to the city proper area of Vigan. Calle Crisologo in particular. Also visited the Bantay Church and Watchtower during sunset.

On the second day, I went on a side trip to the Santa Maria Church. It should have only taken me two hours at most but the buses were so slow. It took me a bit over 5 hours from Vigan to Santa Maria and back. Had the rest of the day for the continuation of my Vigan walking tour.

Itinerary Map of my two day DIY Tour of Ilocos Sur

Day 1

(Day 7 of Northern Luzon Circuit)

• 12:30nn – Bus ride to Vigan from highway along San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte – P100 fare

• 3:00pm – Arrival in Vigan. Bus stop at Integrated Bus Terminal
• Tricycle ride to Calle Crisologo – P10

• Walk to Ilocos Sur Tourist Information Office
• Walk to Vigan Hotel
• Check-in at Vigan Hotel – P395 (single fan room w/ TV and shared TB)

Vigan Hotel

• 3:30pm – Vigan Walking Tour
• Calle Crisologo
• Vigan Cathedral
• Plaza Salcedo

Vigan Cathedral and Plaza Salcedo

• Tricycle to Bantay Church – P30 charter
• 4:50pm – Bantay Church and Belfry sightseeing

Bantay Bell Tower

• Tricycle to Vigan Hotel – P10 fare
• 5:50pm - Calle Crisologo photo-ops at sunset / dusk

• 7:15pm – Dinner at Los Majitos Street Dining Restaurant – Pinakbet with Bagnet, Rice, Iced Tea (P205)
• Sleep: Vigan Hotel

Calle Crisologo at Night

Day 1 expenses – P1,171 (including expenses made in Paoay Lake and Lunch at Dawang’s)

Day 2

• 8:30am - Breakfast at the Vigan Empanadaan
• Singalaw with Rice (P72)
• Vigan Empanada (P35)
• Plaza Burgos photo-ops

Bowl of Sinanglaw

• Tricycle to Vigan bus terminal – P10 fare
• 9:00am – Went aboard ”San Fernando” bound bus
• 10:00am – Departure from Vigan. Ride bus to Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur – P40 fare

• 11:00am – Arrival at Santa Maria Public Market
• Tricycle to Santa Maria Church – P8 fare

Santa Maria Church

• 11:15am – Santa Maria Church sightseeing

• Tricycle to Santa Maria Public Market
• 12:50nn – Bus ride back to Vigan – P40
• 2:30pm – Arrival at Vigan Bus Terminal
• Tricycle to Calle Crisologo – P10

• Vigan Walking Tour
• Calle Crisologo
• Syquia Mansion
• Snack at Irene’s Empanadaan – special empanada (P35)
• Late Lunch at Cafe Uno
• Vigan Longganisa – P80
• Bagnet – P160
• Rice – P20
• Iced Tea – P40

Lunch at Cafe Uno. Yum!

• Transfer of Nueva Segovia Marker
• Vigan City Hall
• UNESCO World Heritage Marker
• Ilocos Sur Provincial Capitol
• Father Burgos Birthplace
• Simbahan a Bassit Cemetery
• Crisologo Museum
• Bibingka at the sidestreet (near Crisologo Museum) – P30

• 5:40pm – Calle Crisologo Sunset

Sunset at Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur

• 6:20pm – Laoag Cathedral Nighthots
• Dinner at Carinderia – P70
• Sleep: Vigan Hotel

• Day 2 expenses – P647