Ilocos Sur Hotels

Surrounded by Luzon’s northern provinces and the West Philippine Sea, Ilocos Sur lures you in with its beautiful beaches, stunning Spanish-influenced architecture, its rich history, and its hardworking people. Roam around its busy streets where you can check out locally made goods or snap some photos of the picturesque sites.

Ilocos Sur has many hidden delights to offer the traveller. With the nearly four century old Vigan City as its capital, you will find yourself amazed by the beauty of the Spanish built stone houses. The cobble-stoned streets and the kalesas will also make you feel like you’re transported back in time. Aside from beaches and sites like Calle Crisologo, Ilocos Sur is also known for its top industries like food crops, tobacco, cotton, and smaller industries like weaving, ceramics, and furnitures.

How to Go

By plane

If you’re in a hurry, taking a flight to Laoag, Ilocos Norte is your easiest way. Cebu Pacific has daily flights going there and once you arrive, you can ride a bus or a jeepney going to Vigan. Travel time from Laoag to Vigan is only an hour.

By boat/ferry

If you are looking for something cheaper and you’re from Visayas or Mindanao, you might want to try taking a ferry to Manila. Once you’re in Metro Manila, ride a bus heading to Vigan.

By land transportation

If you’re travelling by land, the best way to to Vigan would be through Partas bus. They have daily trips and you can find their terminals in both Pasay and Cubao.

Getting Around

If you’re in Vigan, you can enjoy getting around the area with kalesas. But mostly, tricycles and jeepneys are the main modes of transportation in Ilocos Sur.

Tourist Attractions

Ilocos Sur has a variety of great tourist destinations that will surely excite the traveller in you. The provincial capitol, Vigan, is well-known for its famous Calle Crisologo, where kalesas come and go and the houses and streets are made of stone. Ilocanos also showcase and sell their work along the street and you can even bring some home as pasalubongs.

An Ilocos Sur trip without the beach would definitely be incomplete. If you don’t want to miss out on what the region has to offer beach-wise, check out their top beach destinations. Mindoro Beach, Candon Beach Resort, Catalina Beach Resort, and Cabugao Beach Resort are just some of the destinations you should put at the top of your list.

Churches like St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral and St. Augustine Church are also popular attractions.

Top Things to Do

When you cross Banaoang Bridge, why not snap some group photos as well? Because of the picturesque background, the bridge is a great spot for taking photos.

Instead of hiding away in your inn or hotel room, you should take advantage of the sunny weather in Ilocos Sur and get your tan on at the beach. Play in the water, relax on the shore, and come back with a tanned glow.

After you’ve toured around Vigan’s Calle Crisologo and shopped from its many souvenir stores, try to check out the Baluarte Zoo. This top tourist destination features not only a mini zoo with unique animals but also a stunning panoramic view of the city. Other landmarks you should take note of are Plaza Burgos, Padre Burgos House National Museum, Bantay Bell Tower, Chapel by the ruins, and Syquia Mansion.

Where to Eat

When you think of Vigan and Ilocos, what’s the first food that comes to mind? Of course, it's the empanada! If you want to try authentic Ilocano empanada, head over to Plaza Burgos and check out all the empanada stalls. Other famous dishes in the province include the bagnet and pinakbet. In the region, top restaurants like Kusina Felicitas, Abuelita’s, Los Majitos de Vigan, Hidden Garden, Bistro Candon, and Cafe Leona offer these delicious Ilocano delicacies and other must-try treats.

Nightlife

Grab a beer and chill with your friends at Sitio Bar. The relaxed ambiance and the background of modern music in this place is perfect for a simple get together, a chat, and some drinks. If you and your friends prefer to exercise your vocal chords, go to Cafe Leona’s videoke bar or the 8.88 Videoke and Halftime Sports Bar and sing to your hearts content.

Where to Stay

Looking for a budget-friendly inn or hostel? The comfort and the affordability of places like El Juliana, HEM Apartelle, and Vigan Plaza Hotel could be a great match for you. Other hotels in Ilocos Sur that offer a more luxurious stay include Candon Hotel, One Vittoria Hotel, Vitalis Resort and Spa, Hotel Luna, and West Loch Park Hotel Vigan.

Travel Tips

• Support local craftsmen and local food businesses by buying their goods and bringing back souvenirs for your family and friends.

• When you’re in museums, remember to read the signs about when to and when not to take pictures and try to avoid touching carefully preserved artifacts.

• The sunny weather in Ilocos can be really dehydrating so always bring a bottle of water with you as you tour sites in the province.