La Union Travel Guide For First Time Travelers

La Union is our alternative destination if we are looking for a great place to chill and unwind. Now it's a rainy season, this is the best time to surf in Elyu. The waves are freaking high which can go up to 8 feet.  I'm not really good at surfing but I'm trying my best to learn and enjoy it.

Dubbed as the "Surfing Capital of Northern Luzon", this laid-back province offers a lot of beautiful places and fun outdoor activities. I must say, La Union is a year-round destination. You can do a lot of things here even if it's raining or sunny day.

How To Get To La Union

We always love to commute. It's not only a budget-friendly way but we can sleep the whole trip ( just tell the driver where you want to drop off ). Most of buses going to La Union offer a comfy seat and good air condition for a chill long trip.

From Manila, you can ride a bus going to San Fernando, La Union. You can choose bus like Partas, Viron and Dominion. Fare is from P450 to P500. Travel time is 5-7 hours depending on the traffic.

From San Fernando, you can take jeepney going to Urbiztondo Beach. Fare is P11 and travel time is 20-30 minutes.

Another option is to ride Partas bus going to Ilocos and Abra. Tell the driver to drop you off in Urbiztondo, La Union.

For private cars, I recommend to use the Google map or download the Waze app and type the destination. You will pass NLEX, TPLEX and the towns of Bauang and San Fernando.

Where To Stay

There are many budget-friendly accommodations in La Union. One of the famous hostels is the flotsam and Jetsam. It offers cheap rooms with a cozy ambiance. It has also an Instagrammable bar and restaurant, a perfect place to chill and unwind.

For backpackers and surfers, The Circle Hostel is the right place for you. It's a budget-friendly accommodation which surrounded with different form of arts, native houses and apparels for swimming and surfing.

This hostel offers accommodation that includes bunk beds, hammocks, and tents (bring you own tent). Each bunk bed has comfortable bed toppings, built-in mosquito and privacy curtains. Each hammock has a built-in mosquito net.

Other amenities and services include hot and cold showers (common CR), Free Wifi, Free Painting, a grill area, lockers (please bring your own padlock), and a complimentary surfer's breakfast. It has a bunkhouse with 45 single beds (Php450) and 35 hammock spaces (Php250).

If you are looking for a camping area, you can stay in Camp Avenue. it's a Bali-inspired camping site where you can bring your own tent or rent one.

The resort offers kubo-type rooms featuring comfy foam beds, pillows, and blankets. It also came with a clean towel, bottled water, and toiletries like soap, shampoo and toothpaste. Each Indo Bali Hut comes with a FREE breakfast.

Another unique lodging in La Union is the Charlie's Hangar Surf Hostel, a 1950s aviation-inspired hostel fronting the beach.

If you want a hotel with lots of amenities and facilities, you can book your room at Thunderbird Resorts. It's located in Poro Point Freeport Zone, San Fernando, La Union.

To search accommodation online, you can visit booking.com. agoda.com and airbnb.com

Where To Go ( Places to visit in La Union )

Urzbintondo Beach

La Union is very famous for surfing and Urzbintondo Beach is the place to be. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, you can enjoy surfing in this area. The surfing lesson starts at 400 per hour which includes a surfboard and a personal instructor. If you already know how to surf, you can rent a surfboard for P200 per hour and P500 for half a day.

Tangadan Waterfalls

Not everyone knows the Tangadan Falls. It's located in the quiet town of San Gabriel. Going to the falls involves trekking, passing through a concrete road and a wide farm.

You can rent a tricycle or ride a jeep going to San Gabriel and tell the driver to drop you off to the jump off point going to the falls. Guide fee is P500 (4-5 pax).

La Union Grape Farm

Visiting grape farms is becoming popular in La Union. Most of these farms can be found in the town of Bauang. The best time to visit a grape farm is around March to May which is the summer season.

You can rent a tricycle or ride a jeep going to Bauang and tell the driver to drop you off at Brgy. Urayong.

Other tourist destinations to visit include Ma-Cho Temple, Namacpacan Church and Watch Tower, Balay na Bato, and Pebble Beach.

Where To Eat

We love to eat and we are always hungry and looking for a place that offers mouth-watering dishes and refreshing beverages. Food destinations that you can visit include Above Sea Level La Union, Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel, Surf Shack, Gefseis Greek Grill, El Union Coffee and Elyu Hideout, Tagpuan, Above Sea Level,  Sizzling County, Sabong Fried Chicken Papa Bear, Halo Halo De Iloko Balay, Mad Monkeys, and Makai Bowls.

Best Time To Go La Union

If you are a surfing enthusiast, I recommend visiting Elyu for ber-months or North Swell Season from October to April. 

What do in La Union

Surfing is the most recommended activity to do in La Union. Locals and foreigners alike usually go Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan to surf all day, especially for surfing enthusiasts. This is also the perfect place to learn surfing. A lot of groups offer surf lessons from basic to advance surf lessons. Rates start at P400 per hour which includes a surfboard and a personal instructor. If you already know how to surf, you can rent a surfboard for P200 per hour and P500 for a half day. The best time to surf is during peak season which is from July to October.

Aside from surfing, you can enjoy camping and food tripping in Urbiztondo area, trekking and hiking in San Gabriel area and picture-taking in Thunderbird Resorts.

If you have a review, blog, opinion or any questions about La Union, please leave a comment below