Here’s our actual itinerary and expenses for this trip.
Trip Duration: 2 Days, 1 Night
Month: January 2016
Total Budget: Php3,324 ($67) each, group of 2, excludes souvenirs and incidental expenses. All amounts were estimated for some may not be accurately noted.
Day 1 (Saturday) – Part1: Tangadan Falls at San Juan, La Union
00:00 AM Departure from Cubao via Partas Bus bound to Laoag
06:00 AM Arrival at San Juan Town Plaza
06:30 AM Departure from town plaza via jeep bound to San Gabriel
07:00 AM Arrival at San Gabriel. Hire a tricycle and guide going to Tangadan Falls
07:30 AM Start 45min-1hr trek to the falls
08:30 AM Explore Tangadan Falls
10:00 AM Trek back to jump-off point
12:00 NN Lunch at Kahuna Restaurant (Sea Bay)
Tangadan Falls from the top
Total expenses for each person – Php1,024 ($21)
- Bus 1-way – Php425
- Jeep 2-way – Php32
- Trike – Php60
- Guide – Php200 (each, too pricey!)
- Balsa rental – Php50
- Lunch – Php257
refreshing!
Travel Tips
- Maximize time by leaving as early as 12mn from Cubao, QC. Cubao – La Union land travel time is at least 5-6 hours.
- San Juan beach is the surfing area in La Union, which the province is known for. Tangadan Falls is actually one of the side trips you can do here.
- Trekking to Tangadan Falls is an easy trek during summer. You can wear your daily slippers, but I always recommend to wear trekking sandals to protect your feet and also for better grip at slippery rocks. You can never tell what challenges awaits you. So it’s better to wear proper footwear. Our guide told us that during the wet season, the trekking will be more challenging.
- The falls have several cliff jumping spots with a variety of heights to choose from. This is actually one of the activity highlights of this place. The other will be swimming and showering under the cold waterfalls.
dive spot
- I’m not sure about this, but I don’t think that there is a fixed rate for tricycle and guide fees. I had this opinion because we chatted with the driver of the jeepney bound to San Gabriel, while we were heading to the town. He said that some tricycles drivers and guides charge too much for their services. Anyway, always try to haggle as much as you can. But keep in mind that tourism is one of the way locals can earn a living.
Day 1 (Saturday) – Part2: Bahay na Bato at Luna, La Union
01:00 PM Departure from Sea Bay to Balaoan via bus bound to Vigan, Candog or Laoag
02:00 PM ETA Balaoan, Luna. Hire a trike going to Bahay na Bato
02:30 PM Arrival at Bahay na Bato
04:00 PM Back at Balaoan crossing. Wait for bus bound to Baguio.
04:30 PM ETD to Baguio
08:00 PM Baguio City, Check-in at Mount Crest Hotel
Total expenses for each person – Php1,500 ($30)
- Bus 1-way – Php30
- Trike – Php100
- Entrance – Php20
- Bus 1-way – Php130
- Hotel – Php1,122
- Dinner – Php100
inside the house
Travel Tips
- Bahay na Bato is a collection of anything made of stones found on the beach. Yes the beach has stones, instead of sands. There’s nothing to do here, but taking of photos and appreciation of the scenery. For Php20 entrance fee, it’s worth it. But travelling from San Juan to Luna may be a much of effort just to see this. If you have more time, then you can also visit Occlaong Falls.
- Getting to Baguio City may take longer than expected. Be ready to sit on a bus for more than 3 hours because of several stops and slow driving.
- It is always better to have a reservation to a hotel or inn when arriving to Baguio late at night. It can be cold outside while looking for a room to stay at.
beach front
Day 2 (Sunday) – Baguio City
07:45 AM Buy ticket at Victory liner bound to Cubao
08:00 AM ETD to Ben Cab Museum via taxi
08:45 AM ETA Ben Cab Museum
10:00 AM ETD to hotel
11:30 AM Check out, lunch
02:30 PM ETD to Cubao
10:00 PM ETA Cubao
that poster photo
Total expenses for each person – Php800 ($16)
- Bus 1-way – Php455
- Taxi – Php60
- Entrance – Php100
- Jeep – Php30
- Lunch – Php150
Travel Tips
- January is actually a good time to visit Baguio City. But make sure to arrange your hotel beforehand. It’s peak season. If it’s your first time to visit the place, there are plenty of interesting sites to check out here. I’d been here a couple of times but never been to Ben Cab Museum so I took this chance to visit it.
- Taxi cars are the easiest and most convenient way to explore the city. And what’s amazing is that taxi drivers here charge as metered. When you’re living in Manila, you what this means. Anyway, there are alternatives like a jeepney ride going to Ben Cab Museum. Look for the one bound to Barangay Asin, from the town proper.
- Ben Cab Museum is quite pricey for me. I can’t help but compare to other museums I’d been to. I think the exhibits are few. I also read that there’s something like an eco-tour. But you will have to pay additional fee for this.
- It is always better to reserve a seat in a bus going back to Manila. Victory Liner is the most popular and maybe the most reliable bus company to take you back to Manila. But in case you didn’t get your preferred departure time, there are several other bus companies that goes back to Manila. Just ask around, you will surely find it!
Get Out Dear 