Here is the itinerary during my do-it-yourself (DIY) tour of Ilocos Norte for 4 days. My major destinations in Ilocos Norte were Pagudpud, Laoag City, and Paoay.

My first stop was Pagudpud, located at the northernmost tip of Luzon Island. To get there, I took the long bus commute from Tuguegarao City in Cagayan Province.

I arrived at around mid-morning and spent the rest of the day going to a couple of spots in town like the Patapat Viaduct, Kabigan Falls, Blue Lagoon, and Saud Beach.

On the second day, I decided to do a commuting tour of the Bangui Windmills, Kapurpurawan White Rock, and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse on my way down to Laoag, the capital city of Ilocos Norte. I spent two nights in Laoag while taking day trips to the beautiful churches of Paoay, Sarrat, and Bacarra.

I made sure to visit the Malacanang of the North at Paoay Lake before moving further south to the heritage city of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Ilocos Norte Itinerary Map


My Ilocos Norte Itinerary, a Day DIY Tour of Pagudpud, Laoag, and Paoay

Day 1 – Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte; Bus commute from Tuguegarao

(also day four of my Northern Luzon Circuit)

  • 5:00am –  Tricycle ride to “GMW Bus Liner” Terminal, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan from Hotel Ivory – P20
  • 5:20am – Board “Laoag” GMW aircon bus. All Laoag-bound buses pass by Pagupud
  • 6:20am – Departure from Tuguegarao City
    • Bus ride from Tuguegarao City to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (5 hours) – P350 fare
  • 11:30am – Arrival in Pagudpud
    • Drop-off at highway intersection to Saud Beach
  • Tricycle ride to Saud Beach – P60 charter
  • Drop-off at Henry’s Homestay, located near Polaris Beach Resort
  • Check-in at Henry’s Homestay – P300 per room per night (fan room with double bed and private CR).
    • Room was clean enough, aptly sized, and the reception was very friendly
  • 12:20nn – Lunch at Polaris Beach Resort
    • Longsilog meal + 500ml bottled water – P140
Saud Beach
  • 1:20pm – Tricycle tour of Pagudpud – P600 per tricycle
    • 1:40pm – Kabigan Falls (30 minute inland trek) – P100 guide fee
    • 3:15pm – Patapat Viaduct
    • 3:25pm – Agua Grande / Agua Paraiso
    • 4:00pm – Timmangtang Rock
    • 4:20pm – Blue Lagoon / Maira-ira Beach


Blue Lagoon / Maira-ira Beach

    • 5:00pm – Back to Saud Beach
  • Sunset at Saud Beach
  • 7:00pm – Dinner at Evangeline Beach Resort
    • Buffalo Chicken Meal (with drink) + extra rice – P214
  • Sleep: Henry’s Homestay

Day 2 – Pagudpud to Laoag City road trip

  • 10:00am – Ride tricycle to Pagudpud town proper or “centro” (15 minutes) – P30
  • 11:20am – Departure from Pagudpud centro
    • Bus ride from Pagudpud to Brgy. Baruyen in Bangui, Ilocos Norte (30 minutes) – P20
  • 12:00am – Ride tricycle to Bangui Windmills – P100 round-trip charter

Bangui Windmills
  • 1:00pm – Drop-off at Bangui Windmills viewdeck (along the highway)
  • 1:10pm – Ride bus toBurgos – P15
    • Drop-off at Cape Bojeador Lighthouse highway intersection
  • 1:30pm – Walk to Cape Bojeador Lighthouse (20 minutes uphill hike)
  • 1:50pm – Arrival at  Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
  • 2:20pm – Ride jeep to Kapurpurawan White Rock highway intersection – P10
  • 2:30pm – Walk to Kapurpurawan White Rock Sightseeing (45 minutes)
Kapurpurawan White Rock
  • Hitched a ride back to the highway
  • 5:30pm – Bus ride from to Laoag (1 hour) – P50
  • 6:30pm – Arrival in Laoag
  • Tricycle ride to Laoag Centro
  • Check-in at Pichay Lodge (corner Primo Lazaro – Hernando St.) – P350 per room per night (fan room with double bed and private CR)
    • Room was spacious but was very dirty and not maintained well.
  • Sleep: Pichay Lodge

Day 3 – Churches in Greater Laoag, Ilocos Norte Area

  • 8:00am – got out of Pichay
  • Breakfast at McDo
  • Walk along Rizal St.
  • 9:00am – Ride jeep to Sarrat, Ilocos Norte – P13
  • 9:30am – Arrive in Sarrat
  • Sarrat Church photo stop
Brickwork at Sarrat Church and Convent
  • Walk to Marcos Museum
  • 9:50am – Marcos Museum photo-stop
  • Ride jeep to Laoag – P13
  • Ride tricycle to Batac, Ilocos Norte – Paoay jeepney stop – P13
  • Ride jeep to Paoay, Ilocos Norte – P33
  • 11:15am – Arrive in Paoay
  • Paoay Church photo-stop
Paoay Church
  • 12:10nn – Lunch in La Herrencia Cafe
    • Bagnet with KBL (Kamatis, Bagoong, Lasona) – P200
    • Rice – P20 per cup
    • Iced Tea – P45
  • Jeep to Batac – P8
  • 12:40nn – Arrive in Batac
  • Batac Church photo-stop
  • Jeep to San Nicolas – P20
  • 1:40pm – San Nicolas Church photo-stop
  • Jeep to Laoag – P8
  • 2:40pm – Loaog Photo stop
    • Laoag City Hall
    • Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol
    • Laoag Church
Laoag Church
  • Tricycle to Bacarra jeepney terminal  -P15
  • Jeep to Bacarra – P11
  • 3:30pm – Arrive in Bacarra
  • Bacarra Church photo stop
  • Tricycle to highway – P10
  • Jeep to Laoag – P11
  • Jeep to San Nicolas / Robinsons Place Ilocos Norte – P8
  • Dinner at Foodcourt
    • Pinakbet + Dinuguan + Rice + Salad – P70
  • Jeep to Laoag – P8
  • Sleep: Pichay Lodge

Day 4 – Malacanang of the North and Paoay Lake of Ilocos

  • 9:00am – Tricycle ride to plaza area- P15
  • Walk to Jeepney terminal / loading station near the approach of the long bridge to San Nicolas (at the McDo side)
  • 10:00am – Jeepney ride to Malacanang of the North (30 minutes)  – P20 fare
  • Malacangang of the North tour – P20 entrance fee
  • Walk to highway
  • Tricycle ride to Pichay Lodge – P35 shared charter
  • 11:50am –  “check-out” at Pichay Lodge
  • Walk to San Nicolas Jeepney terminal
  • Ride jeep to Dawang’s restaurant – P8
  • Lunch at Dawang’s
    • Igado, Pork Adobo, Lauya (Boiled Pork Ribs), Rice, Coke – P103
  • 12:30nn – Ride bus to Vigan
  • 3:00pm – Arrive in Vigan
My trip to Ilocos Norte was just the first part of my Northern Luzon circuit tour. The whole trip lasted for 11 days. On my 7th day (4th day in Ilocos Norte), I continued my journey to Vigan in Ilocos Sur Province.

I will also post my Ilocos Sur itinerary soon. Subscribe to my feed to receive blog updates.