Pagudpud and its Hidden Gems

We arrived in Sta. Ana Cagayan  bus terminal around 10:00 pm and the driver informed us that the first bus to Laoag, Ilocos Norte leaves at 3:00 am. We have no choice but to wait for 5 hours at the bus terminal. Good thing we have our jackets and mosquito repellent =).

Fortunately, the bus departs ahead of the scheduled time and picking up additional passengers along the way. The non-ac bus filled up easily with passengers, goods, commodities and livestock. The bus cargo compartment is already full so they put some chickens and sacks of rice inside the bus. The over loaded bus traveled on a level and winding road for 6 hours passing  Appari, Sanchez Mira and Claveria towns via Asian and Pan Philippine highway. 

We finally arrived in Pagudpud. From the bus terminal, we took a tricycle to Cathy's Homestay located at Saud Beach.Cathy the owner, greeted us warmly and she showed us our room. The room is spacious, great ambiance, clean and most of all affordable. Why spend more when you can spend less right?. Homestay's are more affordable than hotel. We just  payed P1,000 per night. Here are some images during our trip.


Boracay of the north

Early morning walk at the famous Saud Beach. Voted by Cnn go's top 10 Philippine beaches and " The most beautiful beach in Asia" by Sunday Herald.


Early morning walk at the famous Saud Beach. Voted by Cnn go's top 10 Philippine beaches and " The most beautiful beach in Asia" by Sunday Herald. 

Pagudpud Sunset

Lovely hues combined with the radiant glow of the sun .Truly a majestic sunset experience taken at the eastern part of Saud.

The following day, we contacted our tricycle driver  to pick us up around 7:00 am for our Pagudpud South Tour.  Due to time constraint, we just do the South Tour only. We paid P600.00 for the South Tour or Php 1,200 for North and South Tour.

North Tour: Kabigan Falls, Patapat Viaduct, Aqua Grande, Bantay Abot Cave, Blue Lagoon and Timantang Rock. 

South Tour: Bangui Windmills, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, Cape Bojeador.


Marlboro Country?

Kapurpurawan means "white" when translated. The horse handler told us that it was formed by the forces of nature.This rock formation attracts thousands of tourist every year.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Horses for rent

Those horses are for rent for Php 50.00 from the entrance to the site.

Wind Farm?

The first power generating "Wind Farm" in the Philippines and Southeast Asia . These energy generators standing proudly at Bangui Bay were prominently featured in one of the country’s tourism advertisements, firmly asserting its status as a tourist destination.

Bangui Windmills

Thanks to my three legged friend again = )

Visitors are welcome at the wind farm. There are markers along the road that leads to the turbines. It' s easy to spot and the last marker is right before Baruyen bridge, another marker will be found leading to the wind turbines.

The Lighthouse

This 100 year old Octagonal tower still functions as a welcoming beacon to the international ships that enter Philippines. It is a cultural heritage structure built during the Spanish Era. The lighthouse needs rehabilitation and hopefully the local government can come up with something.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

Cape Bojeador is  the  final destination of our tour and we had our lunch at a local eatery near the lighthouse. While waiting for the bus, we spotted him spearfishing along the coast. We flagged down a bus going to Laoag and continue to the next gem of our journey.

Getting Here

From Manila to Pagudpud

•  By Air.
Take a plane ride from Manila to Laoag (Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific). From Laoag, take the Cagayan bound bus and get off at Pagudpud (Locals will help direct you).
•  By Land.

Manila to Pagudpud is a 10-hour bus ride.
 
•  GV Florida Transport offers the only direct bus ride to Pagudpud daily for PhP500 (~US$11).
•  Their terminal is at A.H. Lacson Ave corner Earnshaw St, Sampaloc, Manila
Telephone Number +(632) 781 5894

•  GV Florida offers 2 bus-rides daily at: 7pm & 930pm (arriving early in the morning, perfect timing for the morning waves)

•  By Land (Alternate Route)
Bus companies: Partas, Baliwag and Fariñas all offer Manila-Laoag trips.
From Laoag, it is a two hour jeepney/bus ride to Pagudpud.

 How to get to Pagudpud from Laoag
 • Take a bus or van bound for Claveria Cagayan, it will pass by the town of Pagudpud, which is the last town before reaching Claveria Cagayan. Travel time is 1.5 hours.


Rundown of Expenses 

Hotel (Cathy's Homestay) - Php 1,000 / day
South tour - Php 600 /trike
Food - Php 500.00 /pax/ day
Souvenirs - Php 50.00