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- For other places by the name, see San Juan (disambiguation).
San Juan is a town in La Union.
Understand
[edit | edit source]The town was founded by the Spanish in 1586. Long dismissed as a quiet agrarian suburb of San Fernando, it began attracting tourists from Metro Manila in the 2000s for its surfing-worthy waves and viability for a day-trip to and from Baguio. There is not much to see and to do here for an average tourist, except surfing. The two most touristic areas are both some kilometers outside of San Juan:
- Urbiztondo There are several resorts in this area with rooms, restaurants and surf lessons. Resorts are quite pricey. Prices for surfboards are usually about ₱200 per hour, surf lessons also amount to ₱200 per hour (Feb 2010). The swell is usually slightly better than in Montemar. The water can get very crowded, especially on weekends where you may count more than 70 surfers along the short beach.
- Montemar Is less developed, fewer resorts and you have all the water for yourself. Bring your own board or choose one of the resorts that rent out boards. Resorts do cost less here on average compared to Urbiztondo. Prices for boards are about ₱120 per hour. Surf lessons are not available here.
It is home to about 41,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
Get in
[edit | edit source]San Juan is along Route 2 (Manila North Road). The best way to get here is by bus from Manila. Take one of the many bus lines bound to La Union, Ilocos Sur or Ilocos Norte. Tell the bus driver to drop you at San Juan - Sebay (Urbiztondo) or San Juan - Montemar. Both are well known stops among the bus drivers. Downtown San Juan is your typical provincial commercial center and has nothing to offer related to surfing.
A junction in Barangay Ili Norte in downtown San Juan leads east towards the municipality of San Gabriel.
Get around
[edit | edit source]Tricycles are the main form of public transportation around town.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 San Juan Watchtower, Gaerlan Street, Ili Sur. Open 24 hours. The remains of a Spanish-era watchtower erected to defend the area against pirates and foreign invaders from the South China Sea. Free.
- 2 San Juan Church (St, John the Baptist Parish Church), Sobrepena Street, MacArthur Highway, Barangay Ili Sur. A Spanish-era church
Do
[edit | edit source]
- Surf Along with Siargao, San Juan is one of the places to learn surfing in the Philippines. Experienced surfers used to Hawaiian swells will yawn but San Juan has a reliable swell that is great for beginners and intermediates. Surfing Season is from November to April with reliable waves until end of January. Later there may be week-long periods without even the most minimal swell.
Festivals
[edit | edit source]- The annual Danggayan Festival, takes place in May. It celebrates happiness and unity. The festival features street dancing, a parade with colorful floats, and agricultural exhibits.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 San Juan Public Market, MacArthur Highway, Ili Sur.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Sunset German Beach Resort (Montemar), 290 Kingfisher Street, Ili Norte, ☏ +63 917 921 2420, toll-free: +63 72-720-2698. Check-out: 12:00. One of the best value choices around San Juan. Rents out surfboards for ₱120/hr. The hotel restaurant has German food. ₱800-2100.
- 2 Final Option (Montemar), 320 Eagle Street, ☏ +63 929 448 5505, finaloption.beachresort@yahoo.com.ph. Clean basic rooms and a decent restaurant if you are not in a hurry. Has German beers and European wines on offer. Rents surfboards and subcontracts lessons. There is a Sunday brunch buffet.
- 3 San Juan Surf Resort (Urbiztondo) (Urbiztondo San Juan), ☏ +63 917 887 5470, +63 919 528 7629, toll-free: +63 72 7200340, sanjuansurf@yahoo.com.ph. Dorm beds. Surfboard hire. ₱250.
- 4 Sebay (Urbiztondo), Urbiztondo Beach, ☏ +63 917 640 1118, reservations@sebaysurfcentral.com.
- 5 Little Surfmaid Resort (Urbiztondo), #170 Urbiztondo Street & MacArthur Highway, ☏ +63 951 678 2853, +63 997 220 2389, toll-free: (072) 619 2196Country code missing. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.
- 6 Circle Hostel, Urbizondo, ☏ +63 917 832 6253, +63 917 710 8130, toll-free: +63 72 607 3796, booking@thecirclehostel.com. Hammock, fan dorm beds. ₱350/450.
Connect
[edit | edit source]The town’s postal code is 2514.
Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through San Juan |
| Vigan ← Bacnotan ← | N  S | → San Fernando → Manila |