Vigan Travel Answers

Yes, there are buses that leave Vigan late evening, check with Partas Lines or Dominion Lines for times (or Florida). As you have had a long journey just go the extra distance to Pagudpud, then return to Laoag perhaps later than 3 pm if you enjoy Pagudpud, but there is probably more choice of restaurants and things to do in Laoag in the evening. (perhaps a quick look at Laoag and on to Vigan same day, we arrived at Vigan 10 pm, no trouble finding a room, try Vigan Hotel)) Next day get the early transport to Vigan which is a very interesting town. See my travel pages for points of interest. In Vigan most sites are within walking distance of the centre, perhaps if anything further away just get a trike.Florida has a sleeper class bus service. to reach Florida bus terminal you have to get the LRT to Cubao and it will be a 5 to 10 minute walk from there.

Since you'll be taking Florida Bus, why not take their Manila-Pagudpud coach service (sleeper bus) then work your way down south to Laoag and Vigan? Arrive mid morning in Pagudpud then leave around 5pm for Laoag. Spend the night in Laoag then a tour of the city next morning before heading to Vigan. As you are not pressed for time (since you mentioned that you want to experience Vigan at night), you can pass by the town of Paoay. As mentioned by David, there are buses even late in the night from Vigan to Manila. Aside from its Cubao terminal, Florida also has a bus station in Sampaloc, Manila. It will help if you will mention where you'll be coming from so we can guide you on how to reach the terminal.

Hi, David and Aida, Thanks for your advices. Yes, actually I was thinking to take the sleeper bus straight to Pagudpud, then going back to Laoag in the evening. But, I think that will be nicer if I can enjoy the sunset in Pagudpud beach. Well, will there be possible? Or it's supposed to be sunrise? My first intention was to visit Vigan, actually. Therefore I want to give enough time to explore the city. But, checking at the hotel rates, I prefer to change the itinerary so I will be staying in Laoag that is cheaper. If in the last morning I spend my time in Laoag first, it means I have a shorter time in Vigan. Don't you think so or not?

Yes, as Asian Belle suggests Florida has a daily trip from their Sampaloc terminal on a delux bus each evening at 9.30 pm. (possibly another bus at 8.30pm)

Yes i think that if you go direct to Pagudpud, enjoy the sunset, then leave early for Laoag spend a couple of hours there then to Vigan. Vigan Hotel is an old lovely place with lots of wood inside and 2 years ago it cost me 450 for a double with tv and fan. Or it might be better to go from Pagudpud (in the evening, change bus in Laoag) ) directly to Vigan, because i am sure Asian Belle will agree that there is not much to see in Laoag compared to the world heritage site in Vigan.

You're right David, there's not much to see in Laoag. The sinking bell tower which is in the middle of a busy road, Museo Ilokos and 1-2 monuments, that's all!

Ok. I think I'm stick with my first plan to stop at Laoag and then make a quick city tour (I only want to see the rock church anyway). Then, I depart to Pagudpud around 10 or 11 and enjoy the Sunset. Going around, then move back to Laoag at night, only to sleep. At the very early morning (5 pm maybe?), I'm heading to Vigan so I can enjoy my time there. I realize that 450 bucks for a night in Vigan is not that expensive, Dave. But, since it's a round trip (I'm heading Macau, Schenzen, Hongkong first before Phillipine), I think I prefer the cheaper one to safe my budget (that is in Laoag). Anyway, I will arrive in the Manila airport at 12.45 from Hongkong. That means, I still have time to move around in Manila before heading to Laoag by Florida bus. After the Ilocos journey, I will stay in Manila for 3 more days, though. Therefore, in you guys opinion, where's the best place to spend to during my waiting hours to Laoag? And how to get to Florida's terminal from that place? Thanks...

The most convenient way to go to the bus terminal is to take a cab esp if you have a luggage with you. Sorry to say but public transpo in Manila are not "luggage-toting-commuter friendly". Even the MRT/LRT, the guards will ask you to open your luggage for security inspection. Since you'll be spending days in Manila on your return journey, I would suggest spending your time (before your Ilocos trip) at the Mall of Asia. You can have your meals and even experience Manila Bay sunset here. Just make sure that you leave the area around 5pm so as not to be stuck in the rush hour traffic. Also, you may have to be at the bus terminal early to get a seat.

Yeah, I think I'll go with Mall of Asia. My friend in Manila said that Manila Bay is closed right now becos of typhoon? But that's ok. I will hang around in the mall then. Thanks for your reminder about the traffic. I live in Jakarta, Indonesia, that also have a crazy traffic. Will be noticed about that when I'm in Manila... Are you from Manila, Aida?

A portion of the bay walk is closed and under rehabilitation. However, at the back of Mall of Asia is a seawall where you can view the sunset. Yes, I stay in Metro Manila.

Lovely. I will go for the sunset. What time is the sunset usually in Manila? 6 pm?

I travelled back overnight from Vigan to Manila in 2008 by Victory Liner. Fine except for the horror films playing at too high a volume for far too long. Sunrise/sunset times for Manila are here: timeanddate.com/worldclock/a...

Glad that we were of assistance in making your mind up. Seems like a quick tour, enjoy it. I am not a fan of Manila so hopefully Asian Belle may help you with exact directions to bus terminal. I can recommend Friendly's GH in Manila, which is for backpackers, dorms are around 300 pesos, they have book exchange, internet, rooftop sitting area, refrigerator and cooking facilities so you can make your own nasi goring or gado-gado. www.friendlysguesthouse.com. It is owned by a great Filipino guy who has backpacked around the world and he enjoys talking and entertainin g all his guests. Nearest LRT is Pedro Gil. You can spend an hour or two at INTRAMUROS, the old Spanish quarter.

Yes, Dave, you guys are really helpful. Hope I can enjoy my time there. It's a quick journey but I hope I will learn a lot. I've checked the Friendly Guest House, but it's fully booked at my holiday dates. So, I took the Red Carabao. The review is also good for that hostel and it's near the chinese cemetry, where I plan to take some pictures there. Hehehe... Anyway, I saw your travel journey. Phiew!!! I envy you :)

Keith, wow that website is so cool. Never seen it before. Thanks, ya!

Thanks; yes "time and date" is very useful for all sorts of things. When I was in Manila, my sunset pics were usually from Roxas Blvd, as, for my last two visits I stayed little more than 100 yards inland. PS Hope to visit Bandung next year

i have never been to the Chinese cemetery but i intend to go when i am in Manila in Sept. Many 1000s of people live there, should be interesting, enjoy

@Davidjo sent you a VT mail (on the basis that it's working), giving you a link to my flickr set of Manila cemetery pictures K

Come, come to Bandung! It's a land of good food and factory outlets! Hahaha.. If you love music, Bandung is famous for their indie music also. Many great musicians in Indonesia comes from Bandung. You can also go to Kawah Putih...

been to bandung in 1983,. went up a nearby volcano

I think lot's of thing has changed since the last time you're there, Dave. Drop me a line if you guys visiting Indonesia. If I'm available, I'll guide you around :)