Sun, surf, and unforgettable vibes. La Union proved why it’s a must-visit for adventure, food, and chilling by the waves. Curious how my trip went? Read my blog!

Disclaimer: All views expressed on this blog are my own based on my own experiences and do not represent of any entity with which I have been, are now or will be affiliated.

October 22, 2023
Batangas, Philippines

Date of Trip
Oct12-14, 2023

La Union, the “Surfing Capital of the North,” is a province in the Philippines that lies about 270 km north of Manila. Its proximity to Manila makes it a popular weekend escape for those who live in cities, and its coastline on the West Philippine Sea is a major draw for beachgoers.

I’ve been to La Union before, with my brother Lewdan and sister-in-law Malen, but the waves and rocks on the shore made it impossible for us to have a good time there.

I almost said no to this trip, but now that I have a new outlook on life, I know I will appreciate this trip much more than before. Even though I didn’t surf, I had a great time hanging out with my coworkers. In San Juan, La Union, we visited the neighbourhood of Urbiztondo. Swimming can be challenging due to the waves being more suited for surfing. But, I was able to appreciate the scenery, the people I was with, cuisine, and drink in La Union.

Capital of La Union – San Fernando

How to Go to La Union from Manila – Carlo, one of my coworkers, drove us there in a private vehicle. It was a five-hour journey. You can also take a bus; the most popular company servicing trips to La Union is called Partas, Then you can take a tricycle to downtown San Juan.

Transportation – Buses and private cars. Once you are in La Union, there are tricycles for rent and it cost 20PHP/person. They also provide land tours.

Budget – PHP7,000 inclusive of accommodation, food and transportation

Currency/ATMs – Philippine Peso is accepted. There are ATMs across La Union. Most establishments accept cashless payment but it’s better to always have cash with you.

Internet Connectivity – the major network providers in the Philippines, Globe and Smart, and the hotel’s wifi have a solid connection.

Environmental Fees – This will cost you PHP50 right before your beach trip.

Language – Ilocano. Tagalog and English can be understood by some residents.

Accommodation – Our reservation at Creesante Hostel was made through their Facebook page. To secure your reservation at this hostel, a deposit equal to half of the remaining balance is required. It’s a good thing we made our reservation early because they sell out on the weekends. For PHP7600 for three days and two nights, including breakfast, we reserved a loft-style room. There is a 500PHP fee if you wish to check in before the official check-in time of 2:00PM and a mandatory check-out time of 12:00NN. Due to the availability of a room, we arrived early (about 12:00nn) and checked in.

Although the room was large and we had our own bathroom, the provided toiletries were inadequate, and the comforter was paper thin. It will cost you extra to request another blanket. Given that we are on the third floor, a backpack would be more practical than a suitcase (we brought backpack) because there was no elevator. On our very last day, the power went out and there was no backup generator. What I liked most about this hostel was the location, closeness to restaurants and the beach, and the quality of the breakfast.

Weather – The weather was clear and sunny. There are two distinct climate periods in the country: the rainy season (June–November) and the dry season (December–May).

Things to Note – Make sure your accommodation is close to restaurants and cafés so you can easily enjoy beachside strolls. Wearing sunscreen is a must, as the sun is extremely strong in La Union. Don’t forget your umbrella or cap.

Things to Bring – cash, water, sunblock, cap, umbrella, waterproof bags, powerbank, plastic bags to cover your things, swimwear and trail sandals or flipflops.

Itinerary

October 12, 2023 (Thursday)

We left Manila at 6:00 a.m. and arrived at San Juan, La Union, five hours later. The weather was pleasant, we encountered no difficulties, and we arrived at our hotel ahead of schedule, giving us time to go out for lunch before checking in.

October 13, 2023 (Friday)

On our second day in San Juan, we attempted to swim against the current for fun, but the water was too rough. Watching the waves and the sun go down in La Union is one of my favourite things to do. Weekends were my favourite since there were more people and stores stayed open later than they did during the week.

October 14, 2023 (Saturday)

There was a power outage on our last day, so we took advantage of the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll along the beach before we headed home. The hostel’s lack of a generator and extremely sluggish water pressure meant that we had to resort to using the bidet rather than the showers. haha Our time at La Union was a wonderful break from our regular job routine.

Due to the terrible traffic, we didn’t get into Manila from La Union until after dark (8:00pm), we left La Union around 1:00pm. I connected with my sibling in Manila at 10:00pm, and we travelled to Batangas, arriving there at about 1:00 a.m. the next day.

Recommended Eats

1. Kabsat
2. Clean Beach
3. La Kantina By Kermit
4. El Union

Kabsat
Accepts Cashless Payment
Menu here
Price PHP500-2000
Foods are for sharing

In the Ilocano language, this word basically means “sibling.” Along the northern coast of La Union, Kabsat is a nice place to eat and drink that is tucked away where rough waves meet calmer waters. The fact that this restaurant/hostel is only a three-minute stroll from our hotel is one of the many reasons I enjoy it so much. When we came here for lunch, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the food and drinks. The staff was quite helpful, and the service was quick. Views of surfers and the ocean provide a scenic backdrop for your meal.They also offer lodgings for their customers. This was our favourite hangout during our three-day trip in La Union, and I plan to return whenever I am in the area.

Clean Beach Cafe
Only Accepts Cash
More info here
Price PHP300-500
Dined on October 13 (Fri)

This is a solar-powered, pay-as-you-go, clean-up-after-your-own-mess cafe. Beer and food were great, and I appreciated the location right on the shore. I would suggest this place since the service was prompt and the meal was delicious.

La Kantina by Kermit
Accepts only cash and Gcash payment (cashless not credit card payment)
Price PHP200-1,000
More info here

Our hotel is a 10-minute walk from The Port, a commercial complex in San Juan with food vendors and a few restaurants. La Kantina by Kermit is also found there. They serve freshly baked pizza and pasta. Even though truffle pasta wasn’t on the menu, the kitchen gladly prepared it for us. I would come back to this restaurant again and again because I enjoyed the atmosphere and the food so much.

El Union
Accepts cash and Gcash only
PHP200-500
Menu here

It’s a cafe about a 10-minute stroll from our accommodation. After trying this coffee shop before and recalling the lengthy wait, I was relieved to find that there were quite few customers when we visited. I still plan on returning for more coffee at this coffee shop. I enjoyed a delicious Spanish latte or dulce iced coffee there.

Other Food Spots Tried

1. Tagpuan – The limited seating was a huge drawback, and despite the restaurant’s popularity, I did not find the meal to be very memorable. There are probably nicer cafeterias across La Union, or ELyu, so I probably wouldn’t return here.
2. Coffee Library – My friend highly suggested it, however I couldn’t drink their best-selling coffee (it includes coconut in it!) without getting a stomachache.
3. Flotsam Jetsam – The red lights plus the fact that it is still the work week made this part of La Union my least favourite. I remember places like this from when I was in college; they had the atmosphere of frat houses, and you had to sit on something that looked like a rag that hadn’t been cleaned in a while.
4. Halohalo De Iloko –  Halo-Halo is a traditional Filipino dessert that features a variety of native ingredients. When I return to La Union, I won’t be ordering this dessert because I prefer the one served in Batangas.

The three days I spent in La Union with coworkers were fantastic. We had a great time hanging out, drinking, swimming, and trying new restaurants. The next time we come here on our next trip, I want to go surfing and hang out with them.

Love,
Maria, sometimes, Niskie