beach
Urbiztondo Beach
Main surf beach in San Juan with consistent breaks
Best timeJuly - October
Duration3-4 days
Budget / day₱1,500 - ₱4,000
From Manila5-6 hours by
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The lay of the land
La Union, particularly San Juan, has become the surfing capital of Northern Luzon. Beyond surfing, it offers a laid-back beach town vibe, excellent food scene, craft breweries, and a growing community of digital nomads and artists.
La Union, officially the Province of La Union, is a coastal province in the Philippines situated in the Ilocos Region on the island of Luzon. The province's capital, the City of San Fernando, is the most populous city in La Union and serves as the regional center of the Ilocos Region.
Travel guide
La Union, also known as L.U. in short, is a province in the Ilocos region of the Philippines.
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Highlights
01
Consistent surf breaks for all levels
02
Chill beach town atmosphere
03
Growing food and craft beer scene
04
Just 5-6 hours from Manila
What to see
Top attractions
nature
Tangadan Falls
Beautiful waterfall requiring a short trek
beach
Pebble Beach
Unique beach covered in smooth pebbles
cultural
Ma-Cho Temple
Taoist temple with ocean views in San Fernando
nature
Grape Farm
Bauang grape farms with wine tasting
cultural
Balay Ili
Heritage house showcasing Ilocano culture
landmark
Surf Town
Hub of surf shops, cafes, and bars
landmark
Thunderbird Resort
Greek-inspired resort with casino
How to spend the days
Things to do
Activity
Surf Lessons
Learn to surf with local instructors
Guide price₱400-600/hour
Activity
Board Rental
Rent surfboards by the hour or day
Guide price₱200-300/hour
Activity
Tangadan Falls Trek
Hike to a beautiful hidden waterfall
Guide price₱200-500
Activity
Cafe Hopping
Visit unique cafes like El Union and Flotsam
Guide price₱150-400
Activity
Sunset Sessions
Watch sunset while surfing or from the beach
Guide priceFree
Activity
Wine Tasting
Sample local grape wines at Bauang farms
Guide price₱100-300
Activity
Yoga Classes
Beach yoga offered at various spots
Guide price₱300-500
Gallery
See it first
Logistics
Getting there
Nearest airportManila - then bus north
From Manila5-6 hours by bus via TPLEX
Travel options
- Partas or Dominion bus from Manila (5-6 hours)
- Private car via TPLEX (4-5 hours)
- P2P bus services available
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Eat
Local food
El Union Coffee
Famous surf-side cafe with great coffee and dirty horchata
Fresh Seafood
Grilled catch of the day at local eateries
Bagnet
Crispy pork belly, Ilocano specialty
Great Island Craft Beer
Local craft brewery with sea views
Sleep
Where to stay
San Juan (Urbiztondo)
Main surf area, most hostels and cafes
Nightly range₱800-5,000/night
San Fernando
City proper, more hotel options
Nightly range₱1,000-4,000/night
Bauang
Quieter beaches, resorts
Nightly range₱1,500-6,000/night
Bacnotan
Less crowded surf spots
Nightly range₱600-2,500/night
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