Background
Pagudpud a fourth class municipality and a coastal resort town of Ilocos Norte province, in the northern Ilocos Region of the Philippines. According to the latest census, Pagudpud has a population of 20,385 people in 3,804 households. It is the northernmost settlement on Luzon Island.
The town is bounded to the south by the town of Bangui and to the east by the Cordillera Mountain Range, the town of Adams and the province of Cagayan. The South China Sea lies to the west and north. The town rolls over mountains, hills, valleys and flat coastal land. It lies 45 miles (72 km) north of Laoag City, the provincial capital, and about 350 miles (560 km) north of Manila. They reside in 3,804 homes that are spread across 83 square miles (210 km2). Most make their living through farming, fishing and subsistence retailing. Tourism is a growing part of the economy.
Pagudpud was made a municipality on February 3, 1954. Unlike Laoag City, the province's only autonomous city, Pagudpud derives its authority from the provincial government. It had previously been a part of the neighboring town of Bangui.
There are no ATM"s in Pagudpud. The nearest ATM is in Loang which is about 2 hours on a local bus.
Attractions
Its white-sand beaches and crystal-blue water makes Pagudpud a haven for tourists. Maira-Ira Point is also an emerging attraction with its secluded beach known as the Blue Lagoon, as well as kilometer-long Saud Beach. Access to this public beach is from a secondary concrete road on the north side of the Maharlika Highway just before approaching the Patapat Viaduct. On the way to the Blue Lagoon, a sea arch can be seen. Coconut trees line much of the town's coast. On a clear day, the Babuyan Islands are visible from Patapat National Park.
The Patapat Viaduct, elevated 31 metres (102 ft) above sea level, is 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) concrete coastal viaduct that connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag to the Cagayan Valley Region. It rises along the town's coastal mountains, which is the starting point of the Cordillera Mountain Range that snakes through Northern Luzon. It is the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines. Located more than 16 kilometers from the town proper, it offers a scenic view of Pasaleng Bay- a view that leads towards wide and pristine beaches backed by mountains with breathtaking waterfalls Kabigan and Mabaga, along with the many cool, refreshing springs waiting to be discovered within.
Kabigan Falls is surrounded by thick forest and well known for its concaved basin, located at the eastern part of Barangay Balaoi, about 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) away from the national highway. Kabigan falls is also part of the town of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and a trek going to this falls is usually included in the tricycle tour offered in the area. There is a 20 Pesos/pax entrance fee at the jump-off point where you will be assigned your official trek guide going to the falls. You don't have to worry about being lost or being conned in the area because the locals organized their official group to guide tourist and receive payment. The trek going to Kabigan Falls takes 30 to 40 minutes mostly of flat area so you'll have time to enjoy the verdant panorama. Although there is a visible trail going to the falls, you'll still need a tour guide if it's your first time there just to be safe.
Transportation
By land, Pagudpud is approximately a 90 minute bus ride from Laoag City. Several bus lines serve the Manila-Laoag route, namely Partas, Florida, Farinas, and Maria de Leon among others.
(Reference: Wikipedia)
The Experience
If you love white sand, sun and waves without the crowd, Pagudpud in the Northern tip of Luzon, Province of Ilocos Norte, is the place to be. But Pagudpud is not just about beaches. Aside from the stunning beaches, Pagudpud offers a lot of other attractions as well.
Pagudpud was the final destination of our northern summer getaway. We first went to Vigan then Laoag then Pagudpud with side trip to Bangui, the town right before Pagudpud, where the famous Bangui Windmills are.
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| The Bangui Windmills. |
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| The Bangui Windmills. |
Our home for two days - Saud is where all the resorts are. The beach is long, palm-fringed and the water is emerald. The waters can be rough and dangerous during the rainy season as Saud faces the open sea and the current can be very treacherous so adequate caution is needed. Also, there are sudden drops a few meters from the shore. Resorts lined the shore and several houses also offer homestay, the cheaper way of accommodation in this idyllic town.
In 2007, Sunday Herald Sun of Australia ranked Saud Beach as Number 1 on its list of the top ten best, lesser-known beaches of Asia besting Thailand’s Ko Adang, Sri Lanka’s Bentota, and Cambodia’s Occheuteal among others.
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| Saud Beach, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. |
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| Saud Beach, pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. |
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| Saud Beach, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. |
But Pagudpud is not just about beaches. Aside from the stunning beaches, Pagudpud offers a lot of other attractions as well. The waterfalls of Kabigan is quite dramatic. It is an-80-feet falls surrounded by lush forest and a concave basin. The almost one-hour walk is all worth it once you reach the small lagoon in the greens!
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| Kabigan Falls, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. |
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| Kabigan Falls, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. |
Another popular place to visit in this northern town. is the Patapat Viaduct, considered as the 4th longest bridge in the Philippines at 1.2 kilometers. This winding bridge hugs the cliffs of the Northern Cordillera Mountain Ranges with a breathtaking view of the beautiful coast on one side - the reason why it was dubbed as the “French Riviera of the North”. Another falls could be found just after the viaduct - the Mabugabog Falls, a source of power for the mini-hydroelectric plant.
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| Shore at the Patapat Viaduct, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. |
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| Patapat Viaduct, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. |
Blue Lagoon, also known as Maira-ira, has a shorter beach but has calmer waters compared to Saud. It boasts of a mostly gently sloping beach into the ocean. For me, Blue Lagoon is more scenic than Saud - the beach forms a graceful arc, surrounded by magnificent rock formations and small islands. One of the best perks of the Blue Lagoon is one can actually lie down in sand and have your own little space of paradise - without being bothered by anyone.
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| Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. |
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| Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. |
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| Blue Lagoon, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. |
Check out for my next post - The Pagudpud Itinerary - my way!
