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Thursday December 27, 2018
Laoag City is the vibrant capital of Ilocos Norte, and serves as the main gateway for exploring the various attractions within the province, as well as in neighboring Ilocos Sur.
As usual, the first thing I do upon arrival is to confirm my reservation at the place where I will be staying, which in this case is the Hotel Tiffany.
I was fortunate they had an available room that morning, allowing me to check in early (around 9:15am), even though their standard check-in time is around 12:00 noon.
I chose Hotel Tiffany since it is conveniently situated within a 5-minute walk to some of Laoag’s attractions, including the Cathedral and the Sinking Bell Tower.
This budget-friendly hotel features free WiFi, an on-site restaurant, and air conditioning, which is good enough for me.
Since I am traveling alone, and will be out for most of the day, I really do not need anything fancy. I just need a cozy room to rest, a hot shower to rejuvenate, and a safe place to keep my things while I’m away.
But do note that there are no elevators, so you may need to climb stairs to reach the upper rooms.
For direct inquiries, you can contact the hotel at (+63) 926 694 5221 and (077) 770 3550. Or you can book online via the following providers:
As per my travel plan, I was to do the sites north of Laoag first, and do the sites in Laoag when I get back.
So after a brief rest, a soothing hot bath, and a hearty breakfast at Macy’s, I asked at the front desk for recommendations on a vehicle I can rent during my stay, while showing them the list of places I wanted to see.
Most vans that can fit 10-15 persons charge around ₱3,500 to ₱5,000 per day, whereas smaller SUVs and sedans good for 4 to 7 passengers charge around ₱2,000 to ₱3,500 per day.
I found it too steep and excessive since I will be traveling solo. So someone suggested the cheapest way to get to the destinations I planned was to rent a motorbike, or if I preferred not to drive, to hire a tricycle.
At first I thought, are these guys serious? A trike to Pagudpud and back? Yes, they were serious and yes, many solo backpackers choose this option, as I was told.
So after some haggling with my trike driver/guide, we settled on a price of ₱1,200 for a day and a half, a ‘full-to-full’ fuel policy, and all regular meals throughout the trip. For me, this was a real bargain, as it covered all the locations in my Ilocos Norte itinerary.
Eventually, at about 10:20am, we were off to the first destination in my list: Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos.
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