Any vacation plans? Do you have any thoughts of holidaying in Laoag City? We know you got to consider a lot before deciding. We also know it is a frenzied activity for you to fix on a destination, plan the itinerary, book flight tickets, check the accommodation in a foreign land, safety measures and what not! If you are planning a visit to the Laoag city, we are here to ease your chaotic pre-planning activity. Read through our travel guide to Laoag city that comprehensively covers all the basic details. We also wish to share one more advice while booking tickets. Check out iEagle for cheap flights to Laoag and save your hard-earned money!
How to get to Laoag city:
Our travel guide to Laoag city starts with the chief information on how to get to the City of Laoag which is the capital of the province of Ilocos Norte. The city is served by the Laoag International Airport, the only airport in Ilocos Norte. The international flights from the USA, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong and Guangzhou land here. The Laoag city is located about 450 km north of Manila and domestic flights from Manila to Laoag are operated daily by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Airlines, which also offer flights from Cebu and Davao. Buses and tricycles are available at the airport to get to the center of the city.
Laoag is also well-connected to other parts of the Philippines likes Vigan, Manila, Pagudpud and Baguio by road-routes. The 9-hour ride from Metro Manila to the Laoag city in tourist takes you through a scenic journey passing by the rice fields of Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac.
Getting around the city:
Our travel guide to Laoag city also brings forward the best ways to conveniently move around in the city. You can hire a private car or van for comfortable trips in and around the City of Laoag. The minivans, minibuses, tricycles and motorcycles are a good choice to reach nearby short-distance towns or catch a local bus or jeepney for long-distance travel around the city.
Weather in Laoag city and the best time to visit:
The Ilocano word ‘Laoag’ means ‘light’ and the characteristically clear and sunny days in the city made Laoag popular as ‘The Sunshine City.’ The tropical savanna climate is prevalent in the city and is featured by two seasons – the dry season from November to April and the wet monsoon season from May till October. As the city occasionally experiences heavy rainfalls, flooding or Typhoons during the wet season, tourists often plan their trips during the dry season. The average temperature in Laoag City is estimated to be around 27 degrees with a clear sky and refreshing ambiance. So, this travel guide to Laoag city recommends dry season for a perfect holiday.
Accommodation in Laoag city:
Choosing a temporary residence in a foreign country is definitely not easy. This travel guide to Laoag city covers both the budget and luxury hotels to help you plan your stay without compromising on your comfort standards.
- If you are traveling with family, stay at Balay da Blas Hotel which has been the first priority of families because of the congenial and homely vibe. The lovely interiors, spacious rooms with a kitchenette and caring staff never make you homesick.
- The basic amenities, clean and cozy rooms at Casa Felipa, Hotel Tiffany, Viven Hotel, Vybe Hotel and People’s Inn are comfortable enough for a peaceful stay, whereas the large and sumptuous rooms at Sola Hotel, trendy interiors and multi-cuisine restaurant at Bellagio Hills Hotel, Java Hotel, and Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel (the only five-star hotel in Ilocos Norte) are for luxury-seekers.
A culinary guide to relish the Ilocano and Filipino cuisine:
As much as a traveler is excited to visit a new place, he/she is also hungry for the local delicacies of the place! Out travel guide to Laoag city doesn’t miss adding the signature dishes of Ilocos Norte and the places in the Laoag city where you can find them. ‘La Preciosa’ is the classic restaurant whose menu is rich with traditional Ilocano recipes like Longganisa (Ilocos sausage seasoned with local garlic), pinakbet (a mixed vegetable stew), Bagnet (pork cracklings), and Poqui-Poqui (a simple dish made of eggplant, tomatoes, and eggs).
‘Cuisine de Iloco’ is one more popular restaurant where a variety of seafood, pork and beef dishes are served. The Bagnet Sisig and the unique Poqui-Poqui available here are the best sellers. If you have a never-ending craving for a pizza, you must try the variety of pizzas like longganisa pizza, pinakbet pizza, Poque Poque Pizza, Dinuguan Pizza available at ‘Saramsam Ylocano.’
Lastly, you cannot miss Empanada, the favorite snack of Ilocos. You don’t have to visit a restaurant to find the authentic taste of this famous street food; it is so popular that it is available at food stalls situated around every street corner. There’s also a food festival called the ‘Empanada Festival’ celebrated in June every year!
Tourist attractions in Laoag city:
Bordered by the Cordillera mountain range in the East and the West Philippine Sea in the west, the city that spreads over a relatively small land offers diverse tourist spots, including heritage sites, colonial buildings, baroque churches, natural rock formations, scenic beaches, and stunning sand dunes. This travel guide to Laoag city attempts at listing the best tourist spots.
- The architectural beauty of the stone churches: The two most famous Roman Catholic churches in the city are William’s Cathedral constructed in Italian Renaissance style and a baroque-style Paoay Church which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The other popular tourist spot is The Sinking Bell Tower, about 85 meters away from the St. William’s Cathedral. The Bell Tower built on the sandy soil sinks into the ground about 1 inch every year.
- La Paz Sand Dunes: There are not many places to enjoy sand boarding or sand surfing, which is the reason why ‘La Paz Sand Dunes’ is the most famous tourist attraction in Laoag City. One of the best things to do in Laoag is to try the thrilling 4×4 vehicle ride on the sprawling sand of La Paz Sand Dunes.
- Rizal Amusement Park: The large garden surrounded by green trees is a peaceful place to picnic and people-watch. Spend a relaxing evening at the park and catch the impressive view of the fountain lit up at night!
- Museo Ilocos Norte: Visit Museo Ilocos Norte to learn the culture of the Ilocos Region. The museum exhibits traditional clothes, artifacts and other objects and photos depicting the stories of the Spanish-era churches.
- Bangui windmills: Bangui wind farm established to supply electricity to Ilocos Norte province features 20 wind turbines, each of 70-meter height, lining the nine-kilometer coastline of Bangui Bay. Tourists crowd the area to view and photograph the mind-blowing scenery of the man-made windmills.