#bagnet

Space Saving Tools

Needing a little space? Try an over the door organizer! I also have a bagnet (magnet that holds up your bag) holding up my circle mat (it's a yoga mat) and my bag of supplies like candles and tiny glass bottles!

Tsokolateria , Artisinal Cafe

[ TAKEOFFPHILIPPINES.com ] A great time to end my month-long vacation on this New7Wonders in the World, Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Its rich history made it to the list of the Unesco Heritage Site as this city was established roughly 16th century now but still, the preservation of the architectural design are visible in the city even on their urban development program.

The main attraction of tourist here in Vigan is its preservation of almost 187 ancestral house in town, colonial structured churches, donation-driven museums, a free-roaming zoo and local Ilocano restaurants which is a must visit.

It was an exciting trip that I can’t forget as this was our first trip together with Gab going up north in Ilocos Region. It was really tiring but fun at the same time as we were simply backpackers. You can roam around the city within 2 - 3 days. We’ve got to experience The Ultimate Vigan Escape for a rough estimate of Php 5,000. 

Here are a travel guide and a sample DIY itinerary going to Vigan if your planning to visit this city soon.

Where to Ride Going to Vigan?

As Vigan is located here in Luzon, we can either go for a land or air transportation. There are many Vigan Tour Package offerings on every travel agency that you could try. It may include a van going to Vigan for an easy and worry-free trip but As for us, we decided to ride a bus. We felt that the best way to enjoy the trip is to experience riding it on the public transportation. 

We tried Partas Bus using their Online Booking System. There are several bus companies you can try on your Vigan trip but since convenience is our priority we ride on a Partas Bus. I recommend their good and fast service on accommodating our concern during our trip.

Express Bus Via TPLEX Fare: Php 760.00 (1 route, 5 - 6 hours travel time, 1 Stopover in between)

Riding a Partas First Class Express got us the following privileges:

Cuts your travel time by up to 4 hours! (Pasay to Laoag)

No passenger pick-ups along the road

Only one stopover

TPLEX

Terminal to terminal rates apply even for drop-offs

GPS-monitored

TV

Air-conditioned

Our Terminal Origin Address:

Aurora Blvd. cor. Edang St., Pasay City, Metro Manila. This terminal is along Tramo and alongside Five Star terminal.

Other Partas Terminal Address:

Pasay City, Bus Terminal

Aurora Boulevard (Tramo) Corner Edang St. San Roque, Pasay City, Philippines Telephone Number: +63 (2) 8528194

Sampaloc Manila, Bus Terminal Telephone Number: +63 (2) 7433242

Cubao, Bus Terminal 816 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines Telephone Number: +63 (2) 7278278

Bangued, Bus Terminal Zone 7, Nangaycayan, Bangued Abra, Philippines Telephone Number: +63 (74) 7528262

Baguio (Temporary Station) Convention Center, Baguio City, Philippines Telephone Number: +63 (74) 4448431

For the complete lists of Partas Bus Schedules, Fares and Terminals check out here.

Touring Around Vigan: Mode of Transportation

Vigan is a capital in Ilocos Sur that you can encapsulate your activities with just a day or two since its just a small town. Tourist spots along the Vigan proper are walking distance from each other but always prepare yourselves with a big bottled water and umbrella since the scorching heat of the sun is very imminent. Places like Baluarte, River Cruise, Mindoro Beach, Bantay Church Bell Tower seems to need to go for a ride since its a bit far. 

The main transportation used by people here is either the tricycle or a kalesa (horse-drawn carriages). If you’re looking for a more intimate time I would suggest riding a kalesa to enjoy the scenery but if you have limited time like us I would prefer riding a tricycle.

Tricycle Fee: Php 20 - up (Depends on the distance)

Kalesa Fee: starts at Php 150

Where to Stay in Vigan?

While exploring the streets of Vigan, we’ve noticed that each corner has numerous choice of hotels, inns and transient houses. Name it! You won’t have any problems looking for one. All you have to do is to be keen in looking for more affordable and cheaper rooms from the internet. 

Luckily we found the right tool to search for affordable hotels in Vigan by using Traveloka. Traveloka helps you book your hotels and flights in less than 5 minutes with just a click away. They even had promos that you can use while booking.  You can check their website or download their app on Android and IOS to try it first hand on this travel booking app.

Since we want to visit all the well-known tourist spots around Vigan City with less cost but still has a decent accommodation we landed on Mel Sol’s Inn and Resort at Bantay, Ilocos Sur, a 5-6 minutes tricycle ride from Vigan Proper.

Mel Sol’s Inn and Resort

Address: National Highway Metro Vigan, Bantay, Vigan City

Phone: 0917 571 2888 

When in Vigan: Where to Go?

We arrived at Vigan earlier than expected, we didn’t foresee that our bus has a new that's why we have ample time to roam around and go to church to start our Sunday with a positive outlook.

Simbaan A Basit

Liberation Blvd, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

It is located at the edge of a Cemetery in Vigan. According to history, the cemetery chapel was built over a century now and it is dedicated to Santo Cristo also known in Ilocos as “Apo Lakay” who is believed to save Vigan’s populace from a plague in 1756 and 1882. 

The chapel’s marker bears that the cemetery was blessed by Rev. Vicente Barreiro on Nov. 9, 1852 but the chapel’s interior now looks modern with all the repairs done through the years. Its name "Simbaan a Bassit" literally means "Small Church", since it’s a small it can only accommodate up to 100 people. 

Vigan Heritage Village - Calle Crisologo

Crisologo, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur 

After a mass at Simbaan A Basit, we decided to stroll around Vigan and search the well known Vigan Heritage Village wherein it was considered as a UNESCO Heritage Site as it helps out preserved the culture and history of Ilocos Region. 

You can explore those old houses with a century older than me by riding a Kalesa (horse wagon)  or by simply walking on the streets, as it also helps out burn some calories. It is much appreciated during the night as you can feel the romantic ambiance and stunningly beautiful light post in the area.

Mostly you can have your dinner on this streets as they have plenty restaurants to choose from and buy some cool stuffs on souvenir shops.

Vigan Cathedral / St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

Burgos St., Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

After not so far from Vugan Heritage Village you can visit again a nearby church. Vigan Cathedral, It is a Roman Catholic Cathedral in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.

According to history, The church itself was built in 1641 to replace the chapel and became a cathedral when the seat of the Diocese of Nueva Segovia was transferred here from Lal-lo, Cagayan in 1758, but not before being ravaged by a fire in 1739. 

The Cathedral of Vigan, as it is sometimes called, is a stunning tribute to Baroque architecture modified by the Ilocanos to survive earthquakes. It also has a bit of Chinese influence thanks to the carvings of lion dogs beside the outermost doors. 

Plaza Salcedo

Plaza Salcedo, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

Right in front of Saint Paul Metropolitan Cathedral is the Plaza Salcedo, named after the Spanish conqueror, Juan de Salcedo who subdued the early native settlement in Vigan and established upon it Villa Fernandina for the monarchs of Spain in 1572. With this, Juan de Salcedo founded the third of many Hispanic settlements in the Philippines. Plaza Salcedo was the site of the execution of Gabriela Silang in September 1763.

According to history, the plaza was susceptible to fire during the Spanish regime. So the plan then was to create a man-made lagoon to minimize fire incidents. The original concept dating back several years ago is retained until March 2013 wherein a dramatic addition has been added to the once quiet and laid back park in between the Vigan Cathedral and the Ilocos Sur Capitol. The addition is a majestic dancing fountain.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

See below complete sample itinerary. 

It’s More Fun To Experience The Wonders of Philippines! Brace yourself for more exciting, budget-friendly, mouthwatering and extreme trips.

Other Suggested Budget Itinerary:

Byaheng Norte: The Baguio Day Tour + Food Crawl Challenge

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