Destinations
Right At The Top Of Luzon
Pagudpud sits at the far northern end of Ilocos Norte, right at the top of the Philippines. It is the last town in Ilocos Norte before you cross into Cagayan province. There are beautiful beaches up here and not many tourists. The scenery reminds me a little of Batanes, the final frontier of the Philippines, which is further to the north.
The Beaches
The first beach we stopped at was long and white with hardly anyone on it. It was overcast, because we were there in the wet season and there was a low pressure system over the area, but it was still stunning. One end was a bit scrappy, with broken coral and rock and a little seaweed, but at the other end the sand was fine and powdery, and the water was very clean and clear. That end could easily rival Boracay, or anything in Palawan, El Nido or Coron.
Saud Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Ilocos Norte, and in the whole country. It is known as the Boracay of the north. The sand is soft and golden, there are coconut palms all around, and there are waves rolling in. I did not see many surfers, but there are some good breaks. There are very few foreign tourists and not many big resorts, so you will probably stay somewhere more Pinoy style. Where we stayed had a bed, a bathroom, a restaurant and food that was okay. In the distance you can see the wind turbines spinning, which are at Bangui.
Bantay Abot Cave
Another attraction around here is a cave. We went inside and up to the end of it for a look around.
Getting There
It is not the easiest place to get to. If you drive from Manila, it will take you around 12 hours. You can also fly to Laoag, and from there it is about an hour and a half to two hours by road. We did a road trip and stopped at different places along the way, and Pagudpud was our final destination.
Dezza’s Tip
Break the drive up with stops on the way, and do not expect big resorts. Book a simple local place, and come at a time of year when the weather is kinder than it was for us. Pair it with the Bangui Windmills the next morning.
Where Is Pagudpud?
