Where to stay?
Tartaruga's Hotel and Pagudpud Yacht Club Restaurant
Pagudpud B&B and Inns
Apo Idon Beach Hotel
Punta Garvida Beach Resort
Arinaya White Beach Resort
Villa Del Mar Ivory Beach Resort
Pagudpud Rinnovati
Cathys Homestay
Romaville Beach Resort
Tartaruga's Hotel
Pagudpud Hotels (3)
Saud Beach Resort & Hotel
Terra Rika Dive Resort
Pannzian Beach and Mountain Resort
How to get to Pagudpud Beach?
There are some choices, some more convenient than others.
To get to Pagudpud, first get yourself to the Philippines. You'll arrive in Manila, one of the world's biggest cities. It's an awesome place that is choked with traffic, people and life. There are skyscrapers, malls, parks and attractions in large numbers. Accomodations in Manila run the range, from the deluxe to the seedy. The Makati district has some of the city's finest hotels. Many, including the most high-class, offer excessive discounts to balikbayans and the cheapest rates to local residents.
By Air
Flight schedules to and from Laoag, the provincial capital of Ilocos Norte, are difficult to come by. Things keep changing. Philippine Airlines used to have connecting flights to and from Manila. Air Philippines used to fly there, too. Laoag International Airlines has or used to have operations there. There are some carriers that fly directly from Taiwan. The province has long talked about upgrading its airport to increase tourism, but so far it's just that.
Land transportation (Bus)
Take a long-distance bus and ride 8 hours to the Northern part of Luzon, known as Ilocos Norte. Ilocos is home of historic Vigan that offers the oldest stone-built houses in the country and Laoag City that holds the so-called "Malacañang of the North". But those are just sites you'll be passing through when you go to Pagudpud beach which is located 110 kilometers from Vigan.
The welcome scene: What does Pagudpud have in store for you? Dig this, the beach has crystal blue waters, white sand and Ilocos' native version of lechon kawali, bagnet (deep fried pork belly). Pagudpud beach is considered the Boracay of the North for its close resemblance to the beach island. The wonderful landscape will hold you in charm while you scan the town’s streams, falls, and mountain ranges.
Some bus companies will take you straight to Pagudpud from Manila. Be cautious because the trip is long and you'll be traveling about 350 miles, approximately the distance between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The bus (ordinary fare buses) often stops to unload passengers or pick up new ones. If you leave Manila at 7:30 p.m., expect to arrive in Pagudpud anywhere between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. getting a Deluxe, air-conditioned bus makes things a lot more manageable -- and a lot speedier because of fewer stops. A night trip isn't that bad; just fall asleep, and when you wake up, you're there.
If you must get down in Laoag, you can continue the trip to Pagudpud by taking a mini-bus, renting a car or hiring a private vehicle. Commuter buses depart from Laoag every half hour, sometimes more or less frequently, depending on how quickly they fill up. The fare is reasonable, and the trip takes about an hour.
If using this route, just take a tricycle to the Pagudpud bus station. TIP: The tricycle fare should be no more than 10 pesos, although it doesn't hurt to double it as a bonus -- say no if they ask for something extreme, unless you don't mind spreading your wealth to complete strangers.
Here's a list of some of the bus companies that originate from Manila.
The benefit of taking a bus, particularly during the day, is that it allows you a more thorough sight of the country, even if from the national highway. Another plus is that a bus ticket from Manila is affordable, from $7 US (ordinary fare) to $10 (deluxe), depending on the exchange rate and the class of service.
Rent a car. Check with the major rental companies for rates. Driving in Manila will make you crazy. There's tons of traffic. Worse, lanes and traffic laws are seemingly optional. If you're prone to road temper, leave the driving to others.
Taxis are reasonably priced, though taxi drivers will try to snooker - heck, cheat and lie. Keep your eye on the meter; make sure it's working and is ticking correctly. Fares to and from the airport is more expensive.
Hire a driver. Some taxi drivers will offer to take you around. You can strike a deal for hourly or full-day service. Taxi service to outlying areas is pricier than bus service, but has its conveniences. Taxi drivers will sometimes offer their services to take you anywhere - I mean anywhere -- for a flat hourly or daily fee, though you pay for fuel, meals and any other minor expense. Driving allows you to go anywhere a car can go. You can stop anywhere, anytime, to get a closer look.
Whatever you choose, you'll find Pagudpud a wonderful place to escape. Once in Pagudpud, a tricycle -- it's not what you're thinking; it's an enclosed sidecar hitched to a motorcycle -- can take you to your destination. You can also arrange with the driver for transportation during the length of your visit.
From Manila, bus travel usually takes eight to nine hours, sometimes longer. If you've got time, the bus is a good deal. It's always a good idea to make sure the bus is air-conditioned. You'll be glad, especially during days of harsh heat. A deluxe bus, with reclining seats, is the best bet.
Verify with each bus company for schedules, fares and accurate destinations. Some of the companies listed below travel only as far as Laoag, the provincial capital of Ilocos Norte. From there, hop on a mini-bus to Pagudpud. Not sure where to get off, where to go? The bus conductor will be glad to help. Or just ask the person sitting next to you.
Auto Bus
Dimasalang cor. Laong Laan St., Sampaloc, Manila
Fariñas Transit
Laong-Laan St., cor. M. dela Fuente, Sampaloc, Manila
Maria De Leon Transit
Dapitan St., Sampaloc, Manila
Partas Transit
Aurora Blvd., cor. Bernardo St., Cubao, QC
Philippine Rabbit
Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila
RCJ Transit
1558 España, Sampaloc Manila
Viron Transit
1209 Dapitan cor. Blumentritt St., Sampaloc, Manila
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