Best Itineraries in La Union, Philippines

Popularly known as the “Surfing Capital of the North”, La Union is one of the best beach destinations in the country. For millennials and Gen Zs, they refer to La Union as LU, which reads as Elyu, for its short term.  Since the place is only a 4-5 hour drive, locals and foreigners travel here for a quick get-away near the metro. So without further ado, here are some of the best itineraries I recommend for visiting Elyu. 

Tangadan Falls

As time goes by, Tangadan Falls is becoming more known and accessible to tourists. I remember going there for the first time, my heart literally skips a beat every time we are near the cliff. We were with a professional driver at that time, yet the ride was still nerve-wracking.

However, the second time I visited was in March 2022, and I can say that the roads are much safer now. I feel at ease traveling to the falls, considering the fact that we are riding on the roof of the jeepney. It was a fun experience, because of the fresh air you can smell, different from the pollution in the city. 

Meanwhile, after the 30-minute drive, we walked for 10 minutes going down to the falls. While on our way, you can already hear the splashes of water from the falls to the stream. Do not worry if you do not know how to swim, since there are available life jackets that you can rent for just sixty pesos.

Once you dive into the water, all you can think is how amazing nature can be. You will be surrounded by big rocks, and will only hear the loud falls, and the tweeting birds. The cold water and the picturesque view are such a relaxing way to reward yourself after tiring months of work.

Lakbai Musika

If you’re finding a place to spend your night, Lakbai Musika may be one of your best choices. Honestly, we just found out about this resto-bar by accident. After a long day of a road trip, we woke up at 11:00 pm and were about to go to famous resto bars in Elyu to eat and chill. However, most of the restaurants were already closed and the bars were too far from our hotel.

Luckily, we found Lakbai Musika along the highway and decided to spend dinner there. I honestly did not expect anything spectacular from this place since it just looked like a normal diner where people eat and drink. Little did I know that this is going to be one of the best nights I would have.

The resto-bar is actually not that big but a lot of locals and foreigners were there, occupying all the tables. People are happily drinking their beers while watching the performers of the night. The performers were locals from Baguio, and it was very enjoyable since they sang popularly known reggae songs. All you can do is sing with the crowd while taking a sip of your cold beer. 

In addition, their food is also delicious and affordable. They serve rice meals, appetizers, alcoholic drinks, and cocktails. Their menu is at a very reasonable price, considering the awesome ambiance of the place. If you are a music lover, you can also buy their customized ukuleles and other wood instruments. 

And if there’s one place that I can go every night to chill, Lakbai Musika would be it. 

San Juan Beach

Needless to say, San Juan beach is a must if you plan a trip to Elyu. And, the best activity that you can do is, of course, surfing!

No worries if you do not have any experience in surfing. Surfing instructors are there to coach you before your surfing time starts. They will teach you the proper positions, the parts of a surfing board, and the right time to stand on the board. For just five hundred pesos per hour, you can now enjoy getting along with the waves. The local surfing instructors are so nice and friendly and will make the surfing lessons much easier.

So, if you have not been in these three spots, better put them on your bucket list. For sure, you will also have a memorable experience just like mine.