Surfing? Yes! It is.
Visiting San Juan, La Union for the second time. Yes! You read it right. I can’t get over the last time I’ve experienced surfing here. I’m not a surfer but I’m wishing to be. Haha! I tried in Baler which made me fall in love doing it again in La Union. La Union is Philippines surf’s best kept secret, with clean waves reaching 7ft on a good swell, it is perfect from beginners to advanced surfers. It is located in the north Luzon, roughly 5 hours travel time by car from Manila. Accessible by public bus for tourists. When my auntie invited me for a visit I immediately agreed to her. I haven’t seen her for 3years so I toke the opportunity to visit her before leaving to Dubai.
It was a 7-8 hours bus ride from Manila-La Union since we traveled by bus. I was with my bestfriend Bry. (Para naman di ako mag-isa at walang kausap!) Hotel and food was not a problem for us since we will be staying at my auntie’s house. I suggest for a backpacker like me to travel at night so that you’ll reach La Union in the morning but during that time me and my bestfriend traveled day time because of his work commitments. We reach La Union around 7pm and take our rest after dinner for the next day activity.
Travel Suggestion via bus:
Take a PARTAS bus from Cubao, Quezon City to Abra costing php.500 plus. Please check on busses schedule so that you can plan your time travel. Please make sure to inform the ticket attendant (conductor) to drop you down exactly in San Juan, Urbiztondo the surfing location so it will cost you less.
We woke up early so we can enjoy surfing the whole day since my auntie’s house is located in Bangar, La Union which is 30 minutes away from San Juan via bus. We were accompanied by my cousin since I’m not familiar with the place. Reaching San Juan, La Union around 8 in the morning. People are very friendly offering surfing board rentals. There’s a lot of choices in renting a surf board almost the same in rates.
Rates:
Surf Board plus trainer php. 400 per hour
Surf Board without trainer php. 500 (whole day)
Surf Board without trainer php. 200 (Half day)
Less worries for first timers before going into the water. There will be a short training and instructions so that you will know how and when to puddle? When is the right time to stand on the board? And how to slay with the waves. It’s very easy and I guarantee you’ll enjoy it.
This is one of the best location in the north where you’ll enjoy the beach. La Union has good waves 10 months a year from January until May and then October until December. The most consistent waves come from the north swell from October until March, peaking in December and January where the beach becomes a tourist hot spot attracting surfers and tourists from all over the globe.
San Juan is the heart and primary surf beach in La Union. Large good quality waves are brought in on good swells. On the beachfront are many affordable surf resorts and hotels, bars, restaurants, surf shops and surf schools where board rental is also available.
San Juan Beach although is only one strip of beach has three spots as identified by the locals.
Beach break, the bowl and the point.
– Beach Break – located at the left of the strip is a great spot which provides both lefts and rights.
– The Bowl – the mid point of the beach.
– The Point – Located at the very right of the strip, the point is a beautiful point/reef break that provides a beautiful and long right hander and also a short left. During the north swell this is the spot to be. (http://surfingphilippines.com/surf-spots-philippines_v1-0/la-union-surf-spot/)
It was a memorable vacation for me with my bestfriend and got the chance to visit La Union again for surfing experience while visiting my family.
Restaurant Suggestion for your choices:
El Union Coffee
Coffee & Tea in San Juan
Gefseis Greek Grill
Mediterranean Greek Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options
Surf Shack
Italian American Bar Pizza
Olas Banditos
Mexican Latin Fast Food Vegetarian Friendly
Tagpuan
Filipino Asian
German Bistro
German Filipino Seafood International
Awesome Hotel
Filipino Asian Bar Seafood International Pub
Coast Call Kitchen & Bar
Bar Pub Filipino Asian
Francesco's Kitchen Italian
Top rated Italian food
Tung Lo Wan's Restaurant
Chinese
Raven's Nest
Japanese American European Asian Greek
The Big Kahuna Bar and Restaurant
Filipino Bar International Asian Pub Vegetarian Friendly
Kaizen Izakaya and Japanese Restaurant
Japanese American Asian Greek
Sandbar
Filipino Bar Pizza Asian Pub
Cube-o-Grill
Filipino Asian Barbecue
Angel's Kitchen
Filipino Asian
Le Point Bar PH
Bar Pub Fast Food Barbecue
Seabay Surf Resort - Beachside Restaurant
Filipino Asian Seafood
Sea Nymph Surf Cafe
Filipino European Asian
Magellan's
Choka
Gee's American Cuisine
Japanese American European Asian Greek
Cuisina
Filipino Asian Vegetarian Friendly
Halo Halo de Iloko
Filipino Asian Vegetarian Friendly
Tapa King
Filipino Asian
La Famiglia International Flavors
Japanese American Filipino Asian Korean
Midway Grill
American Filipino Asian
Poppy's
American Fast Food
Sea and Sky Hotel
Filipino International Asian
Filipino Barbecue Asian
A lot of hotels from expensive up to backpackers offers you can choose from. Here are some of the hotels;
