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Laoag is the capital city of Ilocos Norte. It is the province's political, commercial, and industrial hub. The historic scenic tourist spots makes Laoag an ecotourism center. For geographical reasons, this guide includes the neighboring towns of Sarrat and San Nicolas.
Understand
[edit | edit source]It is home to about 112,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
History
[edit | edit source]Laoag's history stretches back to pre-colonial times. It has been a trading post between the local Austronesian population and the Chinese and Japanese. Laoag was then called Samtoy, from the Ilocano for "this is our language". Laoag’s name itself is said to have been derived from the Ilocano word for light.
The Spaniards came in the 16th century, when Miguel López de Legazpi's nephew, Juan de Salcedo, ordered the invasion of the northwestern coastline of Luzon, from Vigan toward the present location of Laoag. Colonization began when Spanish friars seized lands for churches, where their belfries also doubled as garrisons through a Spanish royal edict. Due to the law, as well as the abusive treatment of the Ilocanos by the Augustinian friars, locals started numerous rebellions, most notably the Silang rebellions of 1762—63. The first of those rebellions was led by Diego Silang, who led victories against the Spanish colonial authorities in 1762, then in war with the British during the Seven Years' War. Silang was assassinated by his close friend who was hired by the Spanish, where his wife, Gabriela Silang, continued the rebellion until she was captured and hanged.
In 1965, Laoag gained cityhood through a plebiscite, and has remained the capital of Ilocos Norte since then.
Climate
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Laoag has a tropical dry and wet climate, being dry from November to April and wet from May to October. Daytime highs average at 32.3 °C (90.1 °F) and nighttime lows at 22.7 °C (72.9 °F). There is barely any rainfall during the drier months, but it rains almost every day in the rainy season.
Nights are mildly cool during the dry season, where the nightime low temperatures range from 19.5–22.5 °C (67.1–72.5 °F), and it almost never rains. Despite its northerly location in mainland Luzon, Laoag is shielded from the cool northeastern monsoon (amihan) by the Central Cordillera and does not suffer extreme nighttime temperatures, unlike Tuguegarao to the east.
The rainy season begins in May and lasts through September. May is a transition from dry and hot conditions to wet and rainy days, so, rainy periods, typically from thunderstorms, are unpredictable through the middle of the month as the southwest monsoon (habagat) advances through the Philippines towards East Asia. Rainfall slowly increases, peaking in August, and suddenly decreases by September. An average of five typhoons pass through Laoag, especially during the last months of the monsoon season.
Get in
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Laoag is at the terminus of the Manila North Road (MacArthur Highway, Route 2), and the Pan-Philippine Highway (Asian Highway 26, Maharlika Highway). Both roads converge in the vicinity of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol.
To alleviate traffic in the city center, a bypass road has been built to the west, from the boundary with Bacarra to Airport Road leading to Paoay.
By plane
[edit | edit source]- 1 Laoag International Airport (LAO IATA), Gabu, Laoag City. Cebu Pacific and PAL Express flies from Manila daily.
By bus
[edit | edit source]Despite having a central government-owned terminal to the west of downtown, buses to Laoag continue to use their dedicated terminals anywhere within the city.
- 2 Fariñas Bus Lines, F.R. Castro Street, ☏ +63 777720126. Fariñas Trans has multiple daily trips from Manila to Laoag and from Laoag to Manila. It has one trip in the morning at 7AM, one trip in the afternoon at 12:30PM, and 9 trips in the evening starting at 6PM. The last trip is at 11PM. Most of the trips from Manila start in Sampaloc with one in Cubao.
- 3 GMW Transport, Paco Roman Street. Connects Tuguegarao via Manila North Road through Pagudpud. The fare is ₱455 and the 300 km (190 mi) trip takes 7 hours.
- 4 G.V. Florida Transport, #311 Laoag - Paoay Road. Sleeper buses depart from their Sampaloc and Cubao terminals in Metro Manila.
- 5 Partas, Paco Roman Street. Departs from their terminals in Baguio (Gov. Pack Road) and Manila at (Cubao, Sampaloc and Pasay).
- 6 Maria De Leon Transportation Inc., MLD Terminal, A.G. Tupaz Street, ☏ +63 777720615. Manila-Laoag-Manila.
By ship
[edit | edit source]The nearest cruise ship terminal is in Currimao, 27 kilometres (17 mi) to the south. It is often served by prearranged excursions that also include trips to Batac and Paoay.
Get around
[edit | edit source]- Calesa - Horse-drawn carriage
- Jeepney
- Tricycle
- Rent-a-car
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Museo Ilocos Norte, #33-c V. Llanes Street. Tue-Sun 9AM to 5PM. Small museum showcasing artifacts & other items exploring local & regional culture & heritage. ₱50.
- 2 Abolition of Tobacco Monopoly Monument, F.R. Castro Street (Located in: Aurora Park). Open 24 hours. Historical landmark. Free.
- 3 Sinking Belltower, A. Bonifacio Street. Part of Laoag Cathedral. Named so because it slowly sinks into the soft soil of the city. A decade ago, the entrance was still tall enough to let a man on horseback enter. Now not even a man could enter.
- 4 Aurora Park, J.P. Rizal Street. Open 24 hours. Free.
- 5 Marcos Hall of Justice, V. Legasca Street, ☏ +63 7787705291. Free.
- 6 Laoag City Bridge, MacArthur Highway. Open 24 hours. beautiful view of the city & surroundings. Free.
- 7 Laoag City Welcome Arch, National Highway. Open 24 hours. Free.
- 8 Sand Dunes View Deck, Barangay Talinaan. Open 24 hours. Free.
- 9 Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol, J.P. Rizal Street. 8AM–5PM. The headquarters of the provincial government of Ilocos Norte.
- 10 Saint William’s Cathedral (Laoag Cathedral), Juan Luna Street, ☏ +63 917 525 3787, swclaoag@gmail.com. This 1612 church features Italian Renaissance styling, a stately façade and an adjacent, sinking bell tower.
- 11 Laoag City Hall, Tupaz Street. Here you can see the LAOAG letter sign. The building is an old Spanish type.
- 12 Santa Monica Parish Church (Sarrat Church), Agcao Street, San Vicente, Sarrat. Open 24 hours. Sarrat's main Roman Catholic church, built in the Baroque style in 1724. Access to the site may be restricted due to renovations since 2025 to repair damage caused by earthquakes in 1983 and 2022. The river of Sarrat and the Santa Monica Park in the front make it more beautiful and to relax.
- 13 Marcos Museum, Sarrat. A museum on the life of president Ferdinand Marcos, who was born in Sarrat in 1917.
- 14 San Nicolas Church (Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Nicolás de Tolentino), Manila North Road, San Ildefonso, San Nicolas, ☏ +63 946 272 6097. The main Roman Catholic church in San Nicolas, built during the Spanish era. Its present Baroque structure dates from 1693.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 4x4 off roading.
- Beach.
- Relax, unwind, enjoy nature.
- Sand boarding.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- Banana chips.
- Hand woven baskets.
- Taro (kamote) chips.
Malls/Supermarkets/Markets
[edit | edit source]- 1 Robinsons Ilocos, Manila North Road, Barangay 1 San Francisco, San Nicholas, ☏ +63 77 781-2595, toll-free: 8397-1888 loc. 36201Phone with wrong formatCountry code missing. 10AM–9PM. The biggest mall in Ilocos Region.
- 2 SM Hypermarket Heroes Hall Laoag, J.P. Rizal Street. 9AM-8PM.
- 3 Laoag City Commercial Complex, Manila North Road. 6AM–7PM.
- 4 Mart One Department Store Laoag, Bonifacio Street, ☏ +63 9178875119. 8AM–6:30PM.
- 5 SM City Laoag, Airport Road, Barangay 51 B. 10AM–9PM.
- 6 Puregold Laoag, J.P. Rizal corner M. Nolasco Streets (beside Laoag Cathedral), toll-free: +63 2 5344 891, +63 77 670 7453. 8AM-9PM.
- 7 Laoag Public Market, J.P. Rizal Street.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Cailian Grill, #42 Gen. Segundo Avenue (along Bacarra Road), ☏ +63 777704998. 7AM–9:30PM. Filipino restaurant.
- 2 Dap-ayan ni Lawiswis, #30-B East F. Siazon Road, Stanta Maria. 5AM–1 PM. Try the Laoag Empanada along Rizal Street near Provincial Capitol.
- 3 Dawang's Eatery sa Laoag, Paterno Street. 7AM–2PM. Try their crispy dinuguan.
- 4 Macy's Diner, Gen Segundo Ave. cor M.H. del Pilar St (Coming from the Sinking Bell Tower: Walk northbound for approx 200 m (2 small blocks).), ☏ +63 77 770-3551. 10AM–8PM. An American 1950s inspired restaurant. Serves most of your favorite American, Chinese, & Filipino foods.
- 5 Saramsam Resto Bar, Airport Road, Brgy. Buttong (along Rizal Street Infront of Texicano Hotel). 11AM–10PM.
- 6 La Tabacalera Food Park, V. Llanes Street. La Tabacalera is a new dining and lifestyle center in Laoag, the capital city of Ilocos Norte. There were a handful of food and retail shops.
- 7 Fremantle Pizzeria Al Fresco Dining Laoag, Brgy 40 Sitio Salladay, Balatong, ☏ +63 9451552058. 2PM–10 PM.
- 8 Corner Avenue, #258 Tupaz Street corner Romero Street, ☏ +63 956 722 3640, corneravesamgyupsarap@gmail.com.. 10AM–7PM. Korean restaurant.
- 9 Ladrillos Restaurant, Cleveland Street, San Nicolas, ☏ +63 9992280071. 11AM–9PM. The first Spanish-inspired restaurant with Ilocano food.
- 10 Christine Marie's Miki Hauz, Simon Building, Paco Roman Street. 5AM–10PM.
- 11 SwiftSteak, Governor Villanueva Street, ☏ +63 9164111335. 9AM–9PM. Filipino sizzling food restaurant.
- 12 Cuisine de Iloco Restaurant, Hernando Street, ☏ +63 9179766178. 10AM–8:30PM.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]Budget
[edit | edit source]- 1 Texicano Hotel & Restaurant, Rizal Aveune, ☏ +63 77 7720209. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 2PM. Fan single/double room with out side bathroom. Fan single/double rooms with own bathrooms. A good place for backpackers to stay. 50 rooms. Can pay with Visa/Mastercard. ₱350/₱410/₱470.
- 2 Star Light Lodge, Ablan Avenue, ☏ +63 77 7721267. Fan single/double rooms. 19 rooms. ₱270-550.
- 3 Hotel Del Norte, 28 Fonacier Street, ☏ +63 9204751073. Check-in: 6AM, check-out: noon. Fan single room with own bathroom. Fan single/double room with own bathroom and cable TV. AC double with own bathroom and cable TV. ₱380/₱500/₱600/₱750.
- 4 Supertram Lodge, Hernando Avenue, ☏ +63 77 7705175. Check-in: 2PM. Fan double room with own bathroom. A/c double room with own bathroom. ₱500/₱600.
Mid-range & Splurge
[edit | edit source]- 5 Gertes Resort, Brgy. Balatong, ☏ +63 77 786 - 10 53. The hotel offers air-conditioned accommodation rooms, all equipped with cable TV, Wi-Fi connectivity, telephone, and also comes with complimentary breakfast. Some of its facilities are Gertes Restaurant, Bare n' Bloom Spa, swimming pools, and business center. From ₱1000.
- 6 Ilocos Rosewell Hotel, Brgy.1, San Francisco National High-Way San Nicolas, ☏ +63 77 670-6528. Offers 22 air-conditioned guestrooms, all of which have cable TV, free Wi-Fi, mini-bar, and a telephone. Some of its amenities include massage service, laundry and dry cleaning, wake-up call, and airport and city transfers. From ₱1200.
- 7 Isabel Suites, Bacarra Road (beside Jollibee Bacarra road), ☏ +63 77 770-4998, +63 77 771-1900. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 8 Java Hotel, Bacarra Road 55-B, Salet (Fariñas Caltex Station), ☏ +63 2 246-1010. A hospitable place with touches of Balinese, Moroccan, and Spanish style decoration. Offers rooms, suites, and dormitory-type quarters. From ₱1980.
- 9 Casa De Renzo, 37 Abadilla St, ☏ +63 77 600 2898. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Light pastel colors.
- 10 Plaza Del Norte Hotel And Convention Center, Barangay 41 - Balacad, ☏ +63 77 670 8818. Check-in: 2PM. It offers 96 rooms, all of which have air-conditioning system, cable TV, private toilet and bath, phone and coffee/tea maker. Its amenities include high-speed Internet access, swimming pool, and restaurant, bar and café. Rates start at ₱2500.
- 11 Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel, Barangay 37, Calayab, booking@fortilocandia.com.ph. The only 5-star deluxe resort hotel in northern Philippines sprawling over 77 hectares of land amidst gentle sand dunes and pine forests with a 2-km sandy beach facing the South China Sea. The resort is a complete service complex resort hotel. It’s a 10-minute drive from Fort Ilocandia Golf & Country Club at Paoay and from the Laoag International Airport.
- 12 Hotel Tiffany, Gen. Segundo Avenue corner M.H. del Pilar Street, ☏ +63 777703550. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 13 The Palacio de Laoag Hotel, #27 P. Paterno Street corner Vintar Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
Connect
[edit | edit source]Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Laoag |
| Tuguegarao ← Bacarra ← | N  S | → END |
| END ← | N  W | → Batac → Vigan |