Just 8-10 hours away from Manila, Pagudpud drawn to be one of the top destinations in Luzon particularly in the Ilocos Region. Among the rich, beautiful and scenery beach and coastlines are the remarkable architectural natural wonders of rock formations framed with lush green mountains and cliffs, rocketeer blue skies and deep blue oceans like sapphire.

Today, I will be sharing must see attractions in Pagudpud as a highlights on my trip as a travel joiner. We’ve got Patapat Viaduct or Patapat Bridge, Bangui Windmills, Hannah’s Beach Resort and Blue Lagoon, Timmangtang Rock formation, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.

Patapat Viaduct (Patapat Bridge)

Patapat Bridge is one of the legacy project during Marcos regime. Opened in 1986 that connects the Maharlika Highway from Ilocos to Cagayan Valley. One of the longest bridge in the Philippines (5^th), standing at 31 meters high above sea level with 1.3 kilometers long made of concrete. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is maintaining the bridge that carries (2) two lanes – one each direction.

Bangui Windmills

Standing 70 meters long, 41 meters long blades with 1.65 megawatt each of electric power, making 33 megawatt for the 20 units of wind turbines offers a friendly, sustainable energy and electric source for Ilocos Norte. Project commissioned on 2005 for first 15 units and 5 units added and completed in 2008. Each units are spaced 326 meters.

Installation of these wind turbines is the result of the study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) about wind resource analysis and mapping in the country in 1996. Ilocos is one of areas included in the study including farthest northernmost part in Luzon such as Babuyan Islands and Batanes archipelagic islands down to the Visyas and Mindanao selected provinces with high interior terrain. To date, 40%-50% supplies the Ilocos Norte’s electricity needs.

Hannah’s Beach Resort and Blue Lagoon

Hannah’s Beach Resort and Blue Lagoon is of the sought after destination in the North. Dubbed as the crown jewel, Hannah’s offers a calm, serene and peaceful place to stay with. Aside from the infinity and swimming pools and beach, Hannah offers a lot of adventure such as zipline, trekking and water sports. Wellness and recreation are available in this exclusive resort such as gym and sauna, basketball court, tints, nipa huts, grotto and playground and theme park that will surely love by the kids and young at hearts. Check out hannahsbeachresort.com for more details.

To date, Hannah’s Beach Resort is the official partner and sponsor of Miss Earth Philippines and Miss Earth organization, one of the big four international pageant promoting environmental awareness and responsibility and fully accredited and supported by the United Nations Environment Program. No entrance fee is required at this spot but if you are using cottage to stay on a whole day, or other activities as mentioned above, you can settled it at their tourism office also located within the vicinity. 

One of the majestic site when visiting Pagudpud is the Timmangtang Rock formation. Walking distance from Bantay Abot Caves – a mountain with a hole, it is a bell-shaped rock located along the seacoast of Sitio Gaoa, Balaoi, Pagudpud. Rumor has it that Bantay Abot Caves (female) and Timmangtang Rock formation (male) believed to be lovers and dubbed as “Lovers Rock”. No entrance fee is required at this spot.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Ilocano word “puraw” which means white is the origin of the name, Kapurpurawan because majority of the rock that you can see all around are in white. Situated in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, this pristine and immaculate marvels were the result of the natural forces of the ocean banging all over rocky coastlines through the years.

Horseback riding for Php 100.00 is the best way to reach the spot instantly but walking is good too. You can explore a lot of poses right at this picturesque spot. Burgos windmills (2^nd windmill project in Ilcos) are visible adding more scene and play in the area. Entrance fee is Php 15.00 for adult and Php 5.00 for kids.  

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse (Burgos Lighthouse)

I would say that this is my favorite place in Ilocos Norte. Standing at 20 meters tall and an octagon tower shape, it was first constructed in 1890’s and set high at Vigia de Nagpartian Hill, Burgos, Ilocos Norte overlooking the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). To date, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse also known as Burgos Lighthouse is 128 years old but still functions and serves as guide to ships and seafarers within the Philippine archipelago. Access to view the top is limited from a few people and actually prohibited.

Built under the Spanish regime, the lighthouse declared as a National Historical Landmark in 2004 and a National Cultural Treasure in 2005 by the Philippine Government. No entrance fee required at this spot.

Special thanks to below travel joiners who happened to be my travel friends as well during the whole Ilocos trip and some of these photos are from their personal social media accounts since I recovered a few from my file storage.

EC5 Travel & Tours our official travel organizers during our Ilocos trip made all this to happen. A big thank you for safe and happy tour. Check their official Facebook page @Facebook/ECFIVEtravelAndTour/ for more details.

Disclaimer: This blog is not promoting travel agencies or individuals. This is a way of sharing information and experience that might be useful for future travelers and wanderers like me and you.