This DIY trip was planned to celebrate our 4th year anniversary as a couple. We jot down every peso spent and all activities we did from departure on October 26 until arrival on October 29 in Cubao. We also chose to leave in the evening so that we can start walking around Vigan first thing in the morning.
Day 1: October 26
- 6:00PM Left home in Pasig.
- 7:10PM Arrived at Save More Cubao
- 7:30PM Arrived at Partas Cubao Bus Station
- 8:10PM Departure in Cubao
- 11:30PM First bus stop somewhere in Tarlac
Since we arrived earlier than expected, we had to wait at the bus station for the Sun to come out. We used that time Google-ing must-see, must-do and must-eat of Vigan.
Day 2: October 27
- 2:45AM Arrival at Partas Vigan Bus Station
- 4:30AM We started walking going to Calle Crisologo
- 5:30AM We had our breakfast in a small eatery in front of McDonald’s near the church.
- 6:30AM We started roaming around in a tricycle looking for a place to stay in.
- 7:30AM Toured around Vigan City.
- 12:30PM Lunch at Hidden Garden.
- 1:30PM Went back to the hotel and slept for 6 hours.
- 7:30PM Walked around the heart of Vigan looking for home cooked meals.
- 8:30PM Wandered at Calle Crisologo with all the awesome lights switched on.
- 9:30PM Went back to the hotel to prepare for our early departure.
Day 3: October 28
We planned to leave at 6:30AM so we can catch the first bus trip from Vigan to Laoag but as expected, we overslept. Paul still had to report for work the night before leaving Manila so the short travel time to Vigan is not enough for him to catch some sleep. That’s the good side of having a DIY trip, we get to go to places we want and leave when we want to. We manage our time so we get to have enough sleep and we budget our money so we can maximize our trip.
- 8:00AM Woke up.
- 9:00AM Checked out at the hotel.
- 9:30AM Had breakfast in a small eatery at Plaza Burgos
- 11:20AM Departure from Vigan going to Laoag via Partas
- 1:40PM Arrival at Partas Laoag City Terminal
- 2:00PM Visited Laoag Church
- 2:15PM Had lunch at Johnny Moon Cafe
- 3:30PM Went to Paoay Church
- 5:30PM Arrived at Laoag City
- 6:30PM Departure from Laoag going to Pagudpod
- 8:30PM Arrival at Pagudpod town proper
- 9:00PM Dinner at our homestay
- 11:00PM Lights off
Day 4: October 29
- 7:30AM Went to the beach.
- 9:30AM Had breakfast at homestay
- 11:30AM Departure from Pagudpod to Baruyen, Ilocos Norte
- 1:30PM Arrival at Baruyen, Ilocos Norte drop off point going to Windmills
- 2:00PM Departure at Baruyen going to Burgos drop off point for Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
- 3:30PM Tour to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation at Burgos
- 5:30PM Departure at Burgos, Ilocos Norte going to Sampaloc Manila via Florida Bus
- 9:30PM Dinner at bus stop at Bantay, Ilocos Sur
- 4:30AM Arrival at Florida Bus Station in Sampaloc Manila
Expenses
Day 1: October 26-27
- Snack bought at Save More Cubao P85
- Water (1.5L) P26
- Bus going to Vigan via Partas P1330 (P665/head)
- Tissue P15
- Boiled egg P16
- Water (1L) P30
- Cellphone load P10
- Alcohol P20
- Mosquito repellent P85
- Breakfast P70
- Bread P10/4pcs
- Coffee P20/cup
- Mami with egg P20
- Donation at Bell Tower P20
- Candles at St. Agustin Church P20
- Tinubong P100/5pcs
- Pottery donation P40
- Shawl P130
- Lunch at Hidden Garden P725/3
- Vigan Longganisa P150
- Hidden Garden Rice P150
- Bagnet P220
- Poqui Poqui P115
- Halo Halo P90
- Vigan City Tour P400
- Accommodation P750
- Dinner P115
- Longanisa P30
- Adobo P40
- Rice P20
- Sundae P25
- Water (1L) P30
TOTAL: P4,017
Day 2: October 28
- Tricycle going to Plaza Burgos P20
- Breakfast P130
- Pork Steak P40
- Longanisa P50
- Rice (4) P40
- Kalesa ride going to Partas P50
- Bus going to Laoag P270 (P135/head)
- Tricycle going to Mcdo Laoag P22
- Lunch P595
- Meat Platter P180
- Johnny Moon Pasta P180
- Adobado Rice P155
- Tupig con Tsokolate P80
- Jeep to Paoay Church P68 (P34/head)
- Jeep to Laoag P68 (P34/head)
- Johnny Moon Empanada P45
- Puto P20/5pcs
- Bus going to Pagudpod P140 (P70/head)
- Dinner P100 (P50/head)
TOTAL: P1,528
Day 3: October 29
- Karyoka by the beach P40 (P10 eachx4)
- Souvenirs P200
- Pearl bracelet with earrings P100
- Ref magnet P100/3pcs
- Breakfast/Lunch P50/head P100
- Ordinary bus fare from Pagudpod town proper to Baruyen Drop Off Point to Windmill P25/each P50
- Tricycle to Windmill P200
- Souvenir P100
- Snacks P57
Softdrinks P10 (2) P20
Hopia P30/5pcs
Chips P7 - Bus going to Burgos Lighthouse Drop Off Point P40 (P20/head)
- Lighthouse/Kapurpurawan Tour P300
- Kapurpurawan Entrance P30 (P15/head)
- Horse ride P100
- Bus fare from Burgos Ilocos Norte to Sampaloc Manila P1300 (P650/head)
- Empanada at 1st stop in Pasuquen Ilocos Norte P70
- Dinner at Bust stop in Bantay Ilocos Sur P160
- Chichacorn P50/50grams P300/6packs
- Water (1L) P32
- España to Cubao P30 (P15/head)
TOTAL: P3,109
Total expenses for 3D2N Ilocos Trip
Day 1: P4,017
Day 2: P1,528
Day 3: P3,109
Total: P8,654/2
P4,327 per head
Kilometer 27 
hi, would you mind sharing what hotels did you stay in for your trips? thanks
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Posted by Chat | June 24, 2015, 7:14 AMHi,
We stayed at Green R Hotel. It’s just a walking distance from Partas Vigan Station. For more info, https://kilometer27.wordpress.com/2014/10/31/vigan-where-to-stay/
In Pagudpod, we stayed in a transient house accredited by the local government. I can give you the number maybe later. The contact details are at home 🙂
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Posted by Kilometer27 | June 24, 2015, 11:27 PMHi can you give me the cintact details of the places where you stayed in??? Thanks ..
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Posted by Chin | July 5, 2015, 8:13 AMI really really want to go to Vigan, there a lot of beautiful tourist spots in northern luzon. Especially the foods so mouth watering.
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Posted by Michael | June 29, 2015, 8:00 AMHi Michael! You should! Food there is one thing I keep coming back for. And the places are picturesque.
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Posted by Kilometer27 | June 30, 2015, 5:42 AMHello! do you know the next bus schedule for vigan to laoag next to 6:30 am?
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Posted by Travel and Bite | November 1, 2015, 3:06 PMHi! Next one is at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 12:30. 🙂
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Posted by Kilometer27 | November 11, 2015, 12:00 AMHi you have a very informative blog. 🙂
Thank you for sharing all the details here. 🙂 would like to ask if the 750 php room you got is good for how many persons? Is there an addtl charge for extra person? We are a group of three 🙂
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Posted by Penny | December 4, 2015, 5:03 PMHi! Sorry for the late reply as I was away and been very busy too. 🙂 They charge P200 per head in excess of 2 pax. 🙂
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Posted by Kilometer27 | December 29, 2015, 1:00 AMHi,
I really like your blog. Very detailed! 🙂 do you think 2d1n is already sufficient as well to enjoy Vigan and Laoag? 🙂
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Posted by Vida | January 16, 2016, 6:34 PMHI! Thanks for the compliment. 🙂 I think 2D1N is enough. Stay in Vigan on your first night then leave early in the morning for Laoag. But I tell you, that would be tiring and bitin. 😛
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Posted by Kilometer27 | February 4, 2016, 2:12 AMAny suggestions as to where to stay in pagudpud
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Posted by josephine austria | March 17, 2016, 1:56 PMwhere and what hotel you’ve stayed for the 2nd night at pagudud? how much?
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Posted by jenny | May 18, 2016, 9:57 PMOh wow! This is very helpful as we are only planning to budget 10k for 3d2n… 🙂 so glad i bumped into this blog. Thanks for sharing
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Posted by Jean | August 27, 2016, 12:54 PMEnjoy your upcoming trip! 🙂
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Posted by Kilometer27 | August 27, 2016, 4:27 PMHi, I would like to ask the frequency of buses from pagudpud to laoag and laoag to vigan? Is it not that difficult to commute in there? I mean, can we catch a bus ride easily? We’re planning to go there next week. We paid for a joiner’s tour group however we are planning to have an overnight stay in vigan that is why we are going to vigan earlier than what is being scheduled by the tour group. You’re respond will be of great help.
Great blog anyway! God Bless You both!
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Posted by theaudeatour | September 2, 2016, 9:51 AMHi! Buses are leaving every 2 hours. 🙂
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Posted by Kilometer27 | September 7, 2016, 5:35 AMHi. I was just searching for a travel agency for laoag trip but i don’t know how i find my self reading your blog and it was awesomely helpful. I also saw some tour package but then i was amazed on your total expenses. I would really want to try travelling to ilocos norte with my nanay (i hope so). I would like to ask if how you guys planned for this trip? Maybe you could share some ideas.
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Posted by denxclusive | October 12, 2016, 11:16 AMHi! 🙂 Thank you for your feedback! It makes me want to post more! I am currently caught up with work and life’s thingamajigs that’s why I stopped writing. 😦
To answer your question, we didn’t plan anything ahead. All we know is we wanted to visit Vigan, Laoag and Pagudpod! We just leaped at the opportunity to travel. 🙂 We found ourselves looking at a hotel from the outside deciding if we want to spend much in one night, looking at restaurant’s menu to see if the food is worth a try and if they can’t be found in Manila. But my suggestion for you is you find all the cheapest rates possible before going on the trip or just go to the accommodation we went to. 🙂 All you need to bring with you is PATIENCE.
Also one thing to consider if your Nanay can bear the long bus travel. It’s fun and very draining at the same time, but she’ll love it. And oh, some tricycle drivers may offer you tricycle ride from Vigan to Laoag, NEVER EVER consider it. Enjoy!
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Posted by Kilometer27 | October 13, 2016, 12:21 AMThank you so much for your tips. I am very excited to file my annual leave. I’ve been planning my vacation in Philippines and since before I really want to go to Vigan. I am more inspired to go kasi you guys proved na kaya pala mag travel na di kelangan big amount of money ang kelangan. I’m sure my nanay will enjoy long bus travel. 🙂 Thank you.
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Posted by denxclusive | October 13, 2016, 5:46 AM