The Philippines has over seven thousand islands sprinkled with stunning beaches. Some are flocked by tourists year-round while others remain untouched. White sand shores of Boracay or the grandiose karst cliffs of El Nido captivate many tourists. Known surfing destinations like La Union and Siargao enchant surfers and non-surfers alike. Beaches that are in close proximity to Manila like those in Batangas are also go-tos for travelers. And then there’s Pagudpud.
Pagudpud is a municipality in Ilocos Norte located at the far end of Luzon’s main island. It is known for its gorgeous beaches including Saud Beach, which was named one of the best beaches in the world by Travel and Leisure magazine. Despite it’s beauty, it doesn’t get as crowded because admittedly, it’s a bit far especially if you travel by land. But I reckon that the journey is worth it, especially if you’re looking to enjoy a quiet and relaxing time at the beach.
Keep reading to learn more about things to do in Pagudpud and Burgos, it’s nearby municipality. If you’re planning to go to Ilocos Norte soon, you can also check out our Things to Do in Laoag & Paoay article.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
Tourist Spots in Pagudpud and Burgos
Pagudpud
Pagudpud is a coastal municipality located at the northernmost part of Luzon. It boasts a number of natural attractions, but it is most popular for its beaches. Most tourists who find their way to this part of Ilocos Norte usually head to Blue Lagoon or Maira-ira Point and Saud Beach.
Saud Beach has a long stretch of fine, cream-colored sand and crystal-clear waters with a turquoise hue. The waves are mostly calm during the dry season, but you have to be mindful of the sudden drops in the water just a few meters from the shore. Saud Beach is also lined with multiple resorts so looking for a place to stay is not a problem. (If you don’t plan on staying overnight, you can also just go on a day tour!)
Maira-ira Point or Blue Lagoon, on the other hand, has white pebbly sand. Its stretch is not as long as Saud Beach, but its waters are just as stunning. When it’s not surf season, the water here can be very still and reflect the blue sky. The name “Blue Lagoon” likely takes after this imagery.
Book a private Pagudpud tour with Klook!
Patapat Viaduct
Located in Pagudpud, the Patapat Viaduct connects the Maharlika Highway in Laoag to Cagayan Valley. Measuring 1.3km, it is the fifth longest bridge in the Philippines. This elevated, winding bridge hovers over 30 meters above sea level. Because of this, the bridge provides a scenic view of the sea and the coastal mountains.
Aside from the stunning views from the bridge, Patapat Viaduct is also an architectural marvel. Since its completion in 1986, it has solved the problem of landslides that used to cause vehicular accidents. You can make a stop at the viaduct if you’re making a trip to the beaches in Pagudpud.
Klook has a private Pagudpud tour that you can book that makes a stop here. This is great if you’re traveling with a group or if you just prefer a more comfortable journey. The tour itinerary includes a few other attractions and things to do in Pagudpud and Burgos in Ilocos, too!
Location: Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also referred to as Burgos Lighthouse, sits in the town of Burgos. Perched on top of Vigia de Nagpartian Hill, it stands at 160 meters above sea level and marks the northwesternmost point of Luzon. It was built during the Spanish colonial period as part of the Spanish government’s plan to illuminate the Philippine archipelago.
To this day, the original structure remains. The lighthouse continues to function, although its light now comes from an electric lamp. You will now find the original apparatus used to illuminate the lighthouse on display in a room in the main pavilion. This room and three other rooms used to be offices and living quarters. Now, they serve as galleries where you can see Cape Bojeador’s history.
If you’re looking for other things to do in Pagudpud and Burgos in Ilocos Norte, you can go to Cape Bojeador as part of your Pagudpud Tour. You can book a Private Pagudpud tour in advance via Klook. This option is perfect for those who want a convenient trip or are traveling with a big group.
Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entrance Fee: Adult, P50; Senior Citizen & Students, P40; Child & PWD, FREE
Location: Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Ilocos Norte
EDC Burgos Wind Farm
Yes, there’s more than one wind farm in Ilocos Norte and one of them is in Burgos.
The EDC Burgos Wind Farm is the second wind farm built in the province and the largest one in the Philippines. Owned and operated by Energy Development Corporation or EDC, the project occupies a 600-hectare site with a total of 50 wind turbines. It covers barangays Saoit, Poblacion, and Nagsurot.
Located on higher ground, a portion of the wind farm is a cliff that serves as a viewpoint of the wind turbines. Paired with this is a stunning view of the ocean. And if you look a bit further, you can get a glimpse of the first wind farm in Ilocos Norte, Bangui Wind Mills, as well as the Pagudpud Wind Farm from a distance.
If you can, visit Burgos Wind Farm during the late afternoon so you can watch the breathtaking sunset over the spinning turbines. It’s also a great spot to take photos. Just be careful not to get too close to the cliff edge for your safety!
Note: Burgos Wind Farm does not allow tourists on the viewing deck when the wind is too strong. Unfortunately, you will find out if that’s the case at the gate when you visit.
Entrance Fee: P20
Location: Kapurpurawan Rock Formation Access Road, Burgos, Ilocos Norte
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
Named after the Ilocano word puraw, which means white, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is a natural rock formation located in Burgos. These white limestone formations are the result of the waves hitting the rocks over thousands of years. It’s located very close to the Burgos EDC Wind Farm and Bangui Windmills, so a few windmills are visible from here.
From the jump-off point, there’s a 10-minute walk to reach the rock formations. Alternatively, you can ride a horse for P100 for a roundtrip ride. We chose to walk and the trail involves going down a flight of stairs, but don’t worry, the rest of the way is flat! However, it’s still best to wear comfortable footwear, as you’ll encounter small rocks in some portions of the trail. Before reaching the rock formations, we passed by a statue depicting Biag ni Lam-ang (The Life of Lam-Ang), an Ilocano epic.
Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is a part of the private Pagudpud tour offered by Klook. This tour will also take you to Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Bangui Windmills, Kabigan Falls, Saud Beach, and more.
Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entrance Fee: Adult, P30; Senior Citizen & Students, P20; Child, PWD, FREE
Location: Burgos, Ilocos Norte
Where to Stay
Along with the myriad of things to do in Pagudpud and Burgos, there are equally as many resorts, inns, and homestays in Pagudpud. You’ll surely find one that will fit your preferences. A number of these are beach front accommodations which are perfect if you want to stay within walking distance from the crystal clear waters. Here are some of the highly-rated accommodations in Pagudpud that you can consider for your trip.
Top Hotels on Agoda
- IKANI SURF RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - PALM GROVE SAUD HOLIDAY COMPLEX HOTEL
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - NATSUCA BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - CASA VICTORIA RESORT AND RESTAURANT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - PANNZIAN BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
Top Hotels on Booking.com
- ALTA VISTA ILOCANDIA INC.
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - BLUE LAGOON INN
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - BIA’S BEACH HOUSE
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - NEST RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - SAFFIRE BEACH RESORT AND GLAMPING
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
Find more Ilocos Norte Hotels!
How to Get There
By Air
9 hours is a long time to commit if you’re looking for things to do in Pagudpud and Burgos. It’s definitely worth it, but we can’t deny that it’s quite the long drive. However, you can easily get to Ilocos by air. Cebu Pacific has daily flights to Laoag so you can book a flight on any day that’s convenient to you. The flight time is 1 hour and 20 minutes which is a huge difference compared to the travel time if you go by land.
Apart from the much shorter travel time, Cebu Pacific flights to Laoag also have good timing. Their flights land in Laoag at around 5:30 AM so you’ll have the whole day for your first day of the trip. You can immediately start your day going around giving you extra time to explore especially if you only have a limited time.
By Bus
If you have more time, you can also travel by bus. Multiple bus companies ply the Manila to Ilocos routes with destinations in different parts of the province. Travel time takes about 8 to 9 hours depending on the traffic condition and your destination. You can check out our Manila to Ilocos by Bus article for more details.
Updates Log
2024.03.23 – First uploaded
Related Article: Top Things to Do in Laoag & Paoay, Ilocos Norte
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