Sunrise at the Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud
Sunrise at the Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud, in front of Casa Consuelo

Pagudpud Ilocos Norte – Travel Guide

Pagudpud is a sleepy beach town at the tip of the Ilocos Norte region of the Philippines. No need to call it the Boracay of the North – Pagudpud is a tropical gem all on its own. Really fine creamy beaches, spectacular waterfalls, panoramic scenes and beautiful coastal drives give you a feeling of new discoveries and trails.

You won’t find the glittering party nightlife here. Pagudpud is laid-back. Best time to visit is anytime between November to April. That covers summer in the Philippines and its drier cold season, outside of the wet rainy months.

The two main beaches are the Blue Lagoon (also called Maira-ira Beach), located on the eastern side of Pagudpud, and the other one is the arguably more popular Saud Beach which is on the western side. If you’ve got several days, spend half at the Blue Lagoon and the remaining half at Saud Beach. Read on for the rest of our Pagudpud Travel Guide and plan your Pagudpud vacation and itinerary.

The Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira Beach), Hannah's on the left and the Dos Hermanos Islands on the right
The Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira Beach), Hannah’s on the left and the Dos Hermanos Islands on the right

How to Get to Pagudpud

If you’re bringing your own ride and have days to spare, leave Manila early in the morning so that you’re on provincial roads by daybreak. The drive is long, around 12 hours of continuous driving. If you’re going to do this, plan for stops at San Fernando City, Vigan City and Laoag City. If you’ve got several days to spare, then spend a full day or two at each of these cities for an epic road trip.

Getting to Pagudpud by Bus from Manila

Going from Manila to Pagudpud takes 10-12 hours by bus. Bus companies Partas and Fariñas only go up as far as Laoag City. From Laoag City, you need to take another 2-hour bus or jeepney ride to Pagudpud.

But Florida Bus has daily trips to Cagayan, which passes through Pagudpud, so riding them saves you a trip. Tell the bus driver to drop you off at the Pagudpud junction if you want to go to Saud Beach or at the Barangay Balaoi junction if you want to go to Blue Lagoon.From either junction, take a tricycle to your resort.

Call the bus companies below for fares, schedules and reservations.

FLORIDA BUS (G.V. FLORIDA TRANSPORT, INC.) CUBAO TERMINAL
Brgy. West Kamias, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Phone: +63.2.352-5393

FLORIDA BUS (G.V. FLORIDA TRANSPORT, INC.) SAMPALOC TERMINAL
Lacson Ave. Cor. Earnshaw St., Manila, Metro Manila
Phone: +63.2.743-3809
Phone: +63.2.912-5354
Phone: +63.2.781-5894

PARTAS BUS QUEZON CITY TERMINAL
816 Aurora Boulevard corner P. Bernardo St., Cubao, Quezon City
Phone: +63.2.725-7303
Phone: +63.2.724-9820
Phone: +63.2.725 1740
Phone: +63.2.725-1256
Phone: +63.2.727-8278

The road to Pagudpud
The road to Pagudpud

Getting to Pagudpud from Manila by Airplane

If you want to cut your travel time, then hop on a plane in Manila (or Clark) bound for Laoag City. Flight time is approximately an hour.

From Laoag, there are local jeepneys serving the Laoag- Pagudpud route or you can take the buses bound to Cagayan that will pass through Pagudpud.

These airlines have daily flights from Manila to Laoag:

Cebu Pacific
Philippine Airlines

Early morning at Saud Beach, Pagudpud
Early morning at Saud Beach, Pagudpud

Touring & Exploring – Sights to See and Things to Do in Pagudpud

Plan your Pagudpud adventure tour itinerary around these attractions and activities. You can ask your beach resort or hotel to give you directions, refer you to a tour guide, or put together a tour package for you.

  • Explore the length of Saud Beach
  • Explore the length of the Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira Beach)
  • Rent gear at Kingfisher Resort and go kite-surfing at Caparispisan Beach
  • Kayak along the Bolo River
  • Hike to Nacatnagan Cliff
  • Visit Caunayan Landing Site and Memorial
  • Surf near the Dos Hermanos Islands
  • Rent an all terrain vehicle from Hannah’s and explore the backroads in the blue lagoon area
  • Try out Hannah’s Beach Resort’s zipling which is 1.2 kilometers long
The Patapat Viaduct, Pagudpud
The Patapat Viaduct, Pagudpud

Take Pagudpud’s Northern Tricycle Tour and visit the following attractions:

  • Trek to Kabigan Falls
  • Walk along the Patapat Viaduct
  • Walk through the hole of Bantay Abot Cave
  • Skip and hop your way over the reefs to the Dos Hermanos Islands
  • Have a picnic at Agua Grande River Park
  • Stare at Paraiso ni Anton and wonder why it’s a tourist attraction
  • Hop on Timmangtang Rock

Take Pagudpud’s Southern Tricycle Tour and visit the following attractions:

  • Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in the town of Burgos
  • Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in the town of Burgos
  • Kaangrian Falls in the town of Burgos
  • Bangui Windmills in the town of Bangui

The Northern and Southern Pagudpud tours,  regulated by the Department of Tourism, are carried out by tricycle drivers using their tricycles as conveyance. They are trained and accredited by Department of Tourism in guiding visitors through the tour attractions. The tricycle drivers carry laminated brochures of the places to visit for the Northern and Southern tours. Some of these places charge a minimal fee outside of the original tour fee.

The rates are 750 pesos (USD 16.00) per tricycle for each tour, with a maximum of 3 persons, since that’s the maximum passenger capacity of a tricycle.

However, the tricycle drivers of Burgos and Bangui, are in talks with the tricycle drivers of Pagudpud for a more equitable sharing scheme of the organized tour operations, since they argue that the popular stops on the tour itinerary are actually in their municipalities. So – expect a tricycle transfer once you cross Pagudpud’s boundary and an additional amount to pay.

The Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira Beach), Pagudpud
The Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira Beach), Pagudpud

Where to Eat & What to Eat in Pagudpud

Try native Ilocano food such as their version of longganisa (pork sausage), Ilocos empanada (stuffed pie) , bagnet (deep fried pork), poqui-poqui (mashed eggplant), igado and dinakdakan. Seafood is abundant and you can have them grilled, fried or stewed (sinigang). Visit the local market in downtown Pagudpud, there are several eateries nearby serving inexpensive local fare or ask a tricyle driver for the best local eatery (carinderia). Pick from a fisherman’s early morning catch and have your resort’s kitchen cook them.

Most resort restaurants in Pagudpud offer standard Ilocano, Filipino and western/continental fare. Also, most resort restaurants are a bit pricey, with prices anywhere from 150 to 350 pesos for an entree. Here are some notable restaurants:

  • Evangeline’s Emohruo Beach Restobar – try their Orange Chicken, Pinakbet and Bagnet with KBL.
  • Kapuluan Vista Resort’s Restaurant – fresh seafood and organic vegetables.
  • Casa Consuelo’s La Cocina de Consuelo – try their Gamet Seaweed Omelet, Poqui-poqui and Bagnet and fresh seafood.
  • BergBlick Restaurant – a German restaurant in Pagudpud. A bit hard to find so ask locals for directions. Try their BergBlick Pan, Sausage Feast and Pinakbet.
  • Mekeni Paluto – located in the Blue Lagoon area, near Hannah’s. These are affordable eateries where you can have fresh seafood cooked any which way.
Kapuluan Vista Resort, Pagudpud
Kapuluan Vista Resort, Pagudpud

Where to Stay in Pagudpud – Beach Resorts & Hotels

Cheap budget resorts in Pagudpud? They’ve got it. Feeling flash and glam? They’ve got it too. Comb through the list for your pick. Click on the links for current rates.

Pagudpud Beach Resorts & Hotels along the Blue Lagoon (aka Maira-ira beach)

Wholly different from Saud Beach, the Blue Lagoon (aka Maira-ira Beach) is at eastern side of Pagudpud.

 

Surfville

Owned by Hannah’s Beach Resort, but designed with a more tropical island feel. Right across the Dos Hermanos Islands. Geared toward the surfing crowd.

  • Website: www.hannahsbeachresort.com.ph/surfville
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3300.00 / USD 73.00

Casa Consuelo

Our favorite place to stay in Pagudpud since it is in a quiet and less populated location. Casa Consuelo is a cozy bed & breakfast right on the beach, also in front of the Dos Hermanos Islands. The rest of the resorts in the Blue Lagoon, Barangay Balaoi area are separated by a road parallel to the beach.

Though the pristine waters are not that “swimmable” because of the reefs – for us this place offers the best view of the ocean. The “swimmable” areas are right in front of Punta Azul, Aqua Seda and Hannah’s.

If you aren’t able to get a room, you can rent a tent and pitch it anywhere on their expansive grassy beachfront lawn. Very good restaurant with reasonable prices on their menu.

  • Website: www.facebook.com/casaconsuelo
  • Cell: +63.918.9905385
  • Email: casa_consuelo@hotmail.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2800.00 / USD 62.00
Casa Consuelo, Pagudpud
Casa Consuelo, Pagudpud

Kapuluan Vista Resort

Pagudpud’s surf beach resort. They offer surfing lessons. Probably our second favorite resort, near Casa Consuelo. Kapuluan Vista has a good restaurant too, though the menu’s a bit pricey.

  • Website: www.kapuluanvista.com
  • Cell: +63.920.9522528
  • Tel: +63.2.6976597
  • Tel: +63.77.6760073
  • Email: kapuluan_vista_resort@yahoo.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2700.00 / USD 60.00

Punta Azul Beach Resort

  • Website: www.punta-azul-pagudpud.com
  • Cell: +63.927.3231981
  • Cell: +63.928.4822643
  • Cell: +63.927.2247825
  • Cell: +63.905.2662327
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3200.00 / USD 71.00

Agua Seda

  • Website: www.aguaseda.com
  • Cell: +63.920.9699166
  • Email: info@aguaseda.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2500.00 / USD 55.00

Hannah’s Beach Resort

A very large resort. With all its concrete, it has that urban subdivision feel to it, like you never left the city. The place to be if you want to be in the middle of all the action in the Blue Lagoon area. Try out their very long 1.2 kilometer zipline spanning over the waters of the Blue Lagoon. They have various water sports equipment available to rent like banana boats, pedal boats, kayaks and jet skis. The resort caters to the packaged tour crowd and conventioneers.

  • Website: www.hannahsbeachresort.com
  • Cell: +63.928.5206255
  • Email: info@hannahsbeachresort.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3500.00 / USD 77.00
Hannah's Beach Resort, Pagudpud
Hannah’s Beach Resort, Pagudpud

Pagudpud Beach Resorts & Hotels along Saud Beach

Saud Beach, dubbed the Boracay of the North, is what put Pagudpud on the map. The resorts below marked with asterisks are clustered at Burayoc Point, which is the southern  end of Saud Beach.

Burayoc Point is a rocky outcrop, so they don’t have a sandy beachfront, but it offers a great sunset view with the rocks in the foreground. Standing on Burayoc Point, you’ll see the windmills of Bangui lined up on the horizon.

Saud Beach Resort, which has the best beachfront in our opinion, is just a few steps away from Burayoc Point for those wanting to take a dip. Tartaruga’s is inland, but the beach is just a short walk away via the municipal beach entrance.  Click on the links for current rates.

Saud Beach Resort and Hotel

Probably the largest resort in the area, with the best beachfront. Probably the oldest too, since we first stayed here in the late 1990’s, but it is still well maintained.

  • Website: www.saudbeachresort.com
  • Cell: +63.917.5195495
  • Cell: +63.918.5533073
  • Tel: +63.2.9212856
  • Tel: +63.2.9289853
  • Email: inquiries@saudbeachresort.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3619.00 / USD 80.00

Villa Del Mar

  • Website: www.villadelmarpagudpud.com
  • Cell: +63.915.2674100
  • Cell: +63.919.8995673
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 1890.00 / USD 42.00

Arinaya White Beach Resort

  • Website: www.arinaya.webs.com
  • Cell: +63.921.9728672
  • Cell: +63.916.3931082
  • Email: arinaya_pagudpud@hotmail.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 1700.00 / USD 37.00
Hammocks at Saud Beach Resort, Pagudpud
Hammocks at Saud Beach Resort, Pagudpud

*Apo Idon Beach Hotel (at Burayoc Point)

  • Website: www.apoidon.com
  • Cell: +63.917.5100671
  • Cell: +63.918.9334464
  • Tel: +63.77.6760438
  • Tel: +63.77.6760325
  • Email: apoidon@hotmail.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 4800.00 / USD 106.00

*Rinovatti (at Burayoc Point)

  • Website: www.pagudpudrinnovati.com
  • Cell: +63.927.8904292
  • Cell: +63.927.6137466
  • Cell: +63.912.5164798
  • Email: info@pagudpudrinnovati.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 1800.00 / USD 40.00

*Terra Rika Dive and Beach Resort (at Burayoc Point)

Terra Rika runs a dive shop for those looking to explore under water.

  • Website: www.terrarika.com
  • Tel: +63.77.6761559
  • Tel: +63.77.6761790
  • Cell: +63.918.9371752
  • Cell: +63.920.2558377
  • Cell: +63.917.5540005
  • Email: inquiries@terrarika.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3850.00 / USD 85.00

*Evangeline’s Beach Resort (at Burayoc Point)

Their restaurant, Emohrou’s at Evangeline’s (anagram of our home?), provide a romantic sea view dining ambiance – more so during sunset.

  • Website: www.evangelinebeachresort.net
  • Tel: +63.77.6555862
  • Cell: +63.908.8637564
  • Cell: +63.927.4116284
  • Cell: +63.923.2057445
  • Email: info@evangelinebeachresort.net
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2600.00 / USD 57.00

*Keahana Resort (at Burayoc Point)

  • Website: www.keahanaresort.com
  • Cell: +63.918.4902713
  • Email: contact@keahanaresort.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3500.00 / USD 77.00

*Jun and Carol Beach Cottages (at Burayoc Point)

  • Website: www.juncarolbeachresort.com
  • Cell: +63.917.5471270
  • Cell: +63.919.6405630
  • Cell: +63.920.5740136
  • Cell: +63.917.5486331
  • Cell: +63.921.4847746
  • Tel: +63.77.6760183
  • Email: jcbc_inquiry@yahoo.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2500.00 / USD 55.00

[alert type=white ]Note: Burayoc Point is the rocky southern end of Saud Beach.[/alert]

Tartaruga’s

  • Website: www.pagudpud-ilocos.com
  • Cell: +63.947.5429521
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2900.00 / USD 64.00
Gazing at the sky and sea at Burayoc Point
Gazing at the sky and sea at Burayoc Point

Beach Resorts & Hotels in Barangay Caparispisan, Pagudpud

Barangay Caparispisan is about 7 kilometers north of Saud Beach. Not that frequented by tourists yet, however you’ll bump into intrepid local and foreign backpackers now and then. The way there after Saud Beach, segues into a dirt road all the way.  Click on the links for current rates.

Kingfisher Sand Sea Surf Resort

Kingfisher caters mostly to the kite surfing crowd. They provide kite rentals and conduct kite surfing lessons.

  • Website: www.kingfisherbeach.com
  • Cell: +63.927.5258111
  • Email: kingfisher.ph@gmail.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 3500.00 / USD 77.00

Natsuca Beach Resort

  • Website: www.natsuca.com
  • Cell: +63.999.9991965
  • Cell: +63.915.9052715
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2500.00 / USD 55.00

Villa del Nico

Villa del Nico looks like it was originally a private beachfront vacation house. They rent out a catamaran and provide sailing lessons.

  • Website: www.villadelnico.ph
  • Cell: +63.947.2337623
  • Email: nico@villadelnico.ph
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 1650.00 / USD 36.00

Beach Resorts & Hotels in Barangay Pancian, Pagudpud

Barangay Pancian is east of the Blue Lagoon, towards Cagayan Province, past the Patapat Viaduct and near the junction road going to the mountain town of Adams. The Panziann resort is nestled between the sea and the mountainside.

Pannzian Resort

  • Website: www.pannzian.com
  • Tel: +63.2.6469020
  • Cell: +63.920.9520662
  • Fax: +63.2.6827844
  • Email: pannzian@yahoo.com
  • Indicative Rates (A/C, Twin-Share, Peak Season): Php 2200.00 / USD 48.00

Click on the links or contact the resorts directly for room availability, actual prices and reservations.

These are the seasons that affect resort prices:

Non-Peak Season – June – November
Peak Season – December – May
Super Peak – Christmas, New Year, Valentines, Holy Week (prices spike during these days)

Outrigger bancas at Saud Beach, Pagudpud
Outrigger bancas at Saud Beach, Pagudpud

Homestays & Guesthouses in Pagudpud

If somehow you’re unable to get a room from any of the resorts above or would like to spend less on accommodations (especially if you plan on being outdoors most of the time) try bunking at homestays.

Local residents free up their guestrooms or their own rooms for visitors at rates significantly lower than resort rates. Often you get home-cooked local cuisine and an immersive experience with the amiable residents of Pagudpud. Some homestays have grown into full-time B&B’s.

Homestays though are generally not beachfront in Saud Beach, but a handful in the Blue Lagoon area are almost beachfront.

Below’s a small sampling of homestays in Pagudpud. If all are full, just ask any local resident for recommendations, especially tricycle drivers, and they’ll point you to a house where you can get a roof over your head.

Saud Beach, Pagudpud
Saud Beach, Pagudpud

Homestays in Saud Beach, Pagudpud

Pearl’s Transient Homestay

  • Tel: +63.77.7131218
  • Cell: +63.917.8073713

Cathy’s Homestay

  • Cell: +63.919.5716680

Curammeng Homestay

  • Cell: +63.920.4557633
  • curammengshomestay@yahoo.com

Garrison Homestay

  • Tel: +63.77.6769839
  • Cell: +63.949.1798952
  • seabreeze_25@yahoo.com

Hannah Lou Homestay

  • Cell: +63.921.3104826

Rafols Homestay

  • Cell: +63.919.8627731
  • Cell: +63.921.2557237
  • dhel_rafol_pagudpud@yahoo.com

Arlyn’s Homestay

  • Cell: +63.918.5698886

Ubasa Homestay

  • Cell: +63.920.2646400
  • Cell: +63.906.6121374

Marilyn’s Homestay

  • Cell: +63.918.6870808

Tita Nora’s Homestay

  • Cell: +63.918.7126789
  • Cell: +63.930.1370750

Homestays in Blue Lagoon/Maira-ira Beach, Pagudpud

Wally’s World Surf Homestay

Wally’s World offers surfing lessons when the waves are right.

  • Cell: +63.938.6159568

Arnold’s Blue Lagoon Homestay

  • Cell: +63.928.6099699
High noon at the Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira Beach), Pagudpud
High noon at the Blue Lagoon (Maira-ira Beach), Pagudpud

Any new discoveries in Pagudpud? Would you agree that it’s the Boracay of the North?