Explore Ilocos Norte and discover its amazing tourist spots. From historical sites, beautiful beaches, to breathtaking views, the province has something unique for everyone. Get ready for a fun-filled adventure with friends and family.

ABOUT ILOCOS NORTE

Ilocos Norte is a province in the Philippines’ northernmost region. Laoag City is its capital. It is located in the northwest corner of Luzon Island, with Cagayan and Apayao to the east and Abra and Ilocos Sur to the south. The South China Sea borders Ilocos Norte on the west and the Luzon Strait on the north.

The name Ilocos was derived from the local word “ylokos,” which means “lowlands.”

Pagudpud, located at the province’s northernmost tip, is known for its beaches, such as Blue Lagoon, the bell-shaped Timmangtang Rock, and the towering Kabigan Falls.

LIST OF MUNICIPALITIES IN ILOCOS NORTE

  1. Adams
  2. Bacarra
  3. Badoc
  4. Bangui
  5. Banna
  6. Batac
  7. Burgos
  8. Carasi
  9. Currimao
  10. Dingras
  11. Dumalneg
  12. Laoag
  13. Marcos
  14. Nueva Era
  15. Pagudpud
  16. Paoay
  17. Pasuquin
  18. Piddig
  19. Pinili
  20. San Nicolas
  21. Sarrat
  22. Solsona
  23. Vintar

HOW TO GET TO ILOCOS NORTE

  • BY BUS
    Take a bus to Laoag from Cubao or Pasay (Partas Bus, Florida Bus, Fariñas Transit)
  • BY PRIVATE CAR
    Use Google Maps or Waze for precise directions. It takes about 12 hours to travel by land from Manila.
  • BY PLANE
    There are direct flights from NAIA to Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte. The journey takes one hour and ten minutes.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ILOCOS NORTE

The best time to visit Ilocos Norte is in the months of March, April, May, June, and July which are the peak season in Loaog.

This province has a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. Tropical cyclones and storms pass through the province on occasion during the southwest monsoon season.

FESTIVALS IN ILOCOS NORTE

  1. Ani Festival in Dingras (March)
  2. Bac-bacarra Festival in Bacarra (November)
  3. Empanada Festival in Batac (June)
  4. Guling-guling Festival in Paoay (February)
  5. Pamulinawen Festival in Laoag (February)
  6. Panagabuos Festival in Banna (April)
  7. Pinakbet Festival in Marcos (March)

LIST OF THE BEST TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN ILOCOS NORTE

  1. Anat Falls
  2. Aqua Grand
  3. Bacarra Church
  4. Bangui Windmills
  5. Bantay Abot Cave
  6. Blue Lagoon
  7. Cabongaoan Beach
  8. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
  9. Church of the Immaculate Conception
  10. Dos Hermanos Islands
  11. Gov. Roque Ablan Sr. Shrine
  12. Juan Luna Shrine
  13. Kabigan Falls
  14. Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
  15. La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc Church
  16. Laoag Sinking Bell Tower
  17. Madongan Dam
  18. Malacanang Of The North
  19. Marcos Museum and Mausoleum
  20. Museo Ilocos Norte
  21. Paoay Church
  22. Paoay Lake National Park
  23. Pasaleng Beach
  24. Santa Monica Church Complex
  25. Saud Beach Resort
  26. St Augustine’s Church
  27. St. William’s Cathedral
  28. The Winding Patapat Bridge
  29. Timangtang Rock

BEST THINGS TO DO IN ILOCOS NORTE

  1. Admire the magnificent Kapupurawan rock formation.
  2. Climb some steps to reach the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.
  3. Climb up to the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.
  4. Explore the Malacanang of the North.
  5. Feel the breeze from Bangui’s windmills.
  6. Sandboard and ride a 4×4 in the sand dunes.
  7. Stop by and enjoy the view from the Patapat Viaduct.
  8. Try sandboarding.
  9. Try ziplining and other activities at Blue Lagoon
  10. Visit Ilocos Norte’s largest church.
  11. Visit the fourth-longest bridge in the country.
  12. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Church of Paoay.
Photo of Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte
Paoay Church

THE BEST MUST-TRY FOODS IN ILOCOS NORTE

  1. Abrillantadas
    A sugar-coated crystallized colored coconut candy.
  2. Anakan
     A meat dish that resembles pork kilawen.
  3. Bagbagis
     Crispy fried pork intestines. Bagis is Ilocano for intestine.
  4. Batac Miki
  5. Bulong Unas Dating
    Dried fish (cutlassfish, a sword-like species) dipped in sukang Iloko (sugarcane vinegar with live, wriggly worms, which are edible).
  6. Buridibud
     Soup made from malunggay pods and sweet potatoes.
  7. Callente
    Boiled cow or carabao skin stewed in vinegar, ginger, salt, and a small amount of cow brain.
  8. Crispy Dinuguan
    Dinuguan made with bagnet slices.
  9. Dinakdakan
    Sisig-like dish with pig brain.
  10. Dinemdem
    Dinengdeng with malunggay pods.
  11. Dinengdeng
    Lowland vegetable stew in bagoong.
  12. Dinoydoy
     Sautéed squash and ampalaya in onions and broth.
  13. Dudol
     A toffee-like dark brown rice cake variety, also known as maja blanca Ilocana
  14. Gamet soup
    Soup with seaweed
  15. Hibol
    Ilocanos’ version of mami and batchoy, a greenish, papaitan-like soup with pancit lusay or miki topped with innards.
  16. Tamalis
    Boiled ipon wrapped in banana leaf and steamed with onions and tomatoes.
  17. Inartem nga kamas
    Turnip strips or seasonal fruits steeped in saltwater.
  18. Lomo-Lomo
    Soup with beef tenderloin.
  19. Padas
     Bagoong made from fermented small ziganid fish.
  20. Pinakbet or Pakbet
    Bagoong-based eggplant, ampalaya, tomato, and okra stew.
  21. Poqui-poqui
     Grilled and peeled eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and boiled egg slices.
  22. Sinanglaw
    Ilocano goat spareribs with eggplant and okra; Ilocandia’s papaitan.
  23. Siniwsiwan
     Native chicken soup with broth, bile, and ginger, spiced with native chilis.
  24. Sukang Iloco
    Cane vinegar.
  25. Tupig
    Sticky rice thinly spread and rolled in banana leaf, then grilled over hot oven embers.
  26. Yusi
    Soup of beef tenderloin with chives and gamet.

THE BEST PRODUCTS TO BUY IN ILOCOS NORTE

  1. Ilocos Chichacorn
  2. Bagnet
  3. Empanada and
  4. Miki from Batac
  5. Raw garlic
  6. Basi Wine
  7. Sukang Iloco
  8. Longganisa
  9. Inabel (Woven Cloth)
  10. Rice Coffee