Laoag to Vigan would take 2 to 3 hours bus ride with some short stops picking up passengers on its way. Ordinary bus fare from Laoag to Vigan costs 100 pesos but requires additional 20 pesos for a Partas bus ride which is more comfortable than the former.
Day 1 - The Arrival
We went out for a while to have dinner and tried a Kare-Kare bagnet at Tummy Talk restaurant (at the end corner of Calle Crisologo). It is very delicious and the bagoong was just perfectly sautéed to match the salty-sweet flavor of the bagnet Kare-Kare.
Day 2 - Touring Vigan By Calesa
First thing we did in the morning was a Vigan breakfast at Bistro Amarillo, and for the first time, I forgot my aversion to longganisa. Delizioso! After that energizing breakfast, we went to Calle Crisologo to take a morning walk and witness this famous road in daylight. From there, we also arranged a deal with a Calesa driver to tour us around the city.
Rent a kalesa! The deal was 150 PhP per hour but a friend told me that during their visit, they only paid 20 pesos per hour (but they are about 6 persons)... so try to haggle! The whole trip lasted for 3 hours.
Here are the places he showed us:
Here are the places he showed us:
#1 Vigan Cathedral
Kunan ko sana ng litrato tong Vigan Cathedral alone... much to my surprise, ready na ang pose ni Jenny! lol "We all have that one friend!"
Vigan Cathedral was our first stop and right across it is an old spanish house themed McDonald's. Also, around the corner, you'll see plenty of Calesas.
More of this area:
#2 Vigan Bell Tower
Vigan Bell Tower is fronting Bantay Church and approximately a 10 minute Kalesa ride from Calle Crisologo.
More of Vigan Bell Tower:
#3 Padre Burgos House - National Museum
This is the ancestral house and birthplace of
priest patriot Fr. Jose Burgos. Inside you'll see portraits of other known Ilocano leaders, antique furnitures, historic artifacts and a lot more.
More of this museum:
#4 Hidden Garden
Hidden Garden is a home of native plants and flowers which also cultivates the plant "Bonsai" variety. In addition, it has a restaurant inside and a refreshment area to enjoy a Dragon Fruit Shake.
More of Hidden Garden:
#5 Baluarte
Baluarte is a property owned by the present Ilocos Sur Governor, Luis Chavit Singson. Baluarte is an 80 hectares zoo where you can come and play with animals.
More of Baluarte:
#6 Salcedo Market, Mercato Centrale
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| Vigan Empanada |
Expenses:
Laoag to Vigan Bus = 120 Php
Hotel = 1,000 Php
Calesa Tour (150/hour which lasted 3 hours divided by 2 persons) = 225 Php
Meal = 100 Php
Total of 1,445 Php
Here is our Vigan trip itinerary:
| Date/Time | Itinerary | Location | Links | Remarks |
| From Laoag - Travel & stay at Vigan | Hotel Salcedo de Vigan | - | - | |
| 7am-2pm | Day tour: Vigan | Calle Crisologo - Colonial Houses | - | - |
| - | - | St. Paul's Cathedral | - | - |
| - | - | Vigan Bell Tower | - | - |
| - | - | Hidden Garden | - | Tried Dragon fruit shake |
| - | - | Palacio de Arzobispado | - | - |
| - | - | Burgos National Museum | - | - |
| - | Baluarte | - | - | |
| 12 noon | Food Trip | Salcedo Market, Mercato Centrale | - | Specialty foods: Pinakbet, Bagnet, Longganisa, Okilas |
Our itinerary ended at 2pm because we were following a tight schedule to fit our Baguio excursion within our planned 5 day trip starting from Pagudpud down to Manila.
Related articles:
Day 3 - Baguio Itinerary
Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots
4D3N Pagudpud-Laoag-Vigan-Baguio Itinerary
17 comments:
I would want to go in vigan too and more also to explore philippines one day. great photos you have there! xx
I miss Vigan. I love the cobblestone paths and the old structures at Calle Crisologo.
wow!so nice trip.You're so lucky that you get such an awesome trip.
I miss Vigan too especially the food and restaurants :)
Thanks :)
Hi Gane! :) Nice blog and Vigan is also my ultimate dream VK. Anyway, how much inyong nagastos tanan? :D Thanks!
Hi MJ! 9,000 Php jud to akong nagasto Pagudpud-Laoag-Vigan-Baguio (4days)... wala pa nuon labot ang airfare. Kung sa Vigan lang, mga 2,000 Php ata to.
Thanks for dropping by :-)
Will make sure to bookmark your posts on Vigan for our next trip up North!
Did you try riding the Calesa in Vigan? My kids were so excited to ride because it was their first time.
Hi Traveler, I can tell your kids were very fascinated. Yes, we used Calesa in touring the City. It was a great experience. Thanks for dropping by :-)
Hi Traveler, I can tell your kids were very fascinated just like me. It was my first time too. Yes, we rode in a Calesa to tour the City and it was a great experience. Thanks for dropping by :-)
Hi MJ! 9,000 Php jud to akong nagasto Pagudpud-Laoag-Vigan-Baguio (4days)... wala pa nuon labot ang airfare. Kung sa Vigan lang, mga 2,000 Php ata to.
Thanks for dropping by :-)
Thanks for this. Its very helpful. Will be there to tour my friend.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Enjoy Vigan :)
Got question though ganessa. The vigan trip with calesa, when was that? Maybe the price is different now. Will be going there ds nov 15. Im from ilocos but i never go to vigan
That was August of 2012. I hope the price have no huge difference :)
How much fare ng Vigan to Baguio? Thanks for this very informative blog!
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