Thanks for the tip, although for food – nothing beats your very own Dap-ayan ti Ilocos Norte. Ilocano food is scrumptious!

Cheers!

Ryan

Thanks for your kind comments, I am glad that my article (and some comments here too!) is going to help you in some ways. Regarding your question, the roads were okay coming from Laoag to Pagudpud. As far as I can remember, there was a short dirt road going to the Currimao rock formations but it is not as bad as I think it is (we went last June 2009 and this was before Typhoon Pepeng). Also I remember that going to into Maira-ira in Pagudpud, there were short patches of gravel roads as well. Overall, the road conditions in Ilocos are passable during the time when we traveled there. Pretty much we traveled mostly on a van while we were in Ilocos as well as a bus, tricycles and calesas.

Hope that helps! Don’t forget to come back and share your experience and tips here as well! Enjoy Ilocos!

Cheers!

Ryan

Ps. Please always keep a watchful eyes on the kids that will be coming with you especially when in Saud where the waves can be really rough and there are sudden drops.

I came across your Ilocos Norte article on the web while doing research on our upcoming trip this holyweek with my 4 siblings (and their two little ones). I sooo love your article and it is in my opinion, the best and most informative I could find. I would definitely use your article in putting together our itinerary. :)

We are thinking of covering Vigan, Laoag and Pagudpud in four days and we will be driving a honda civic from Manila. I just want to ask if the roads are smooth or should we except a bumpy ride, considering we will just be taking a sedan. I am most especially concerned with the roads leading to the coastal towns of curimao and the beaches in Pagudpud.

Hope to hear from you soon and more power to you!

I think your plan is pretty workable, but my question is, how are you suppose to go to Vigan? Over land as well? As you can see from the past posts here, it takes about a 2 hours to get from Vigan to Laoag and around another hour to get to Pagudpud. Most of the places that are described here are pretty easy to get to. :) I think you and your hubby will be fine. Just make sure that you get a road map. :) Locals are pretty friendly over there and they will be happy to help you out.

Cheers!

Ryan

I’m so happy to see this blog of yours. My hubby and I, with some our friends are going on a road trip this April. My hubby and I are photo enthusiast. Our itenery so far is somewhat like this, Day 1 (early morning Thursday) Vigan then spend Thursday & Friday nights in Pagudupod (probably in apo idon). Can you suggest on how we can better go about this? Para naman masulit yung trip and of course to get the pics as well. Thanks. I’ll check on your articles from now on. :)

Had it all printed cos I’ll be in Ilocos in about a week! Yay!

Can’t wait,

Rizzie ^_^

When it comes to booking for flights, it’s always better to book in advance – as the fares come cheaper. For ferries, however, you may have to book it weeks ahead. For small ferries, however, usually you just show up at the port!

Please anticipate that Holy Week travel can be very hectic as there is a huge rush of travelers to popular destinations, and this is the time that prices significantly up. I think your South African fiance would love our beaches – and if you can also bring him up the Cordilleras around that time, I think he will be soo stunned by the sights there.

Good luck in exploring our beautiful country!

Ryan