Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of the beach. The best spot for beginners is the Cement Factory break in the nearby
barangay of Bacnotan. The peak season is September to March; at other times there
may be no waves but you can get significant discounts on accommodation.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
SAN FERNANDO AND AROUND
By bus The Partas terminal is north of San Fernando's
plaza on Quezon Ave, while Dominion's is near McDonald's
just south of the city centre.
Destinations Baguio (Partas: hourly; 1hr 30min); Laoag
(Partas: hourly; 6hr); Manila (Dominion & Partas: hourly;
6-8hr); Vigan (Dominion: every 30min; 3hr 30min; Partas:
hourly; 3hr 30min).
To San Juan Jeepneys (every 30min; 15min; P12) run
from the old market in San Fernando to San Juan, while a
tricycle will cost P100; alternatively, buses and local buses
travelling between San Fernando and Laoag, Vigan or Abra
province pass through San Juan - ask the driver to let you
off at one of the resorts.
INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES
Tourist information San Fernando's city tourist o ce
(Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; T 072 888 6922, W sanfernando
.city.gov.ph) is in the city hall, while the provincial tourist
o ce (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; T 072 888 2797, W launion
.gov.ph) is in the Provincial Capitol building.
Services Quezon Ave, San Fernando's main drag, has a
number of banks with ATMs, as well as a police station
behind La Union Trade Center.
Scuba diving Ocean Deep Diver Training Centre, on Poro
Point just west of the airport ( T 072 700 0493, W ocean
deep.biz).
3
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Unless you're staying the night in San Fernando before moving on, you're better off heading for the San Juan resorts . All
the resorts listed are right on the beach and within walking distance of each other, and most of them have restaurants
(there are no restaurants per se in San Juan).
resort certainly has verve. The rooms are stylish and
comforta ble, and the infinity pool is a great place to sip
cocktails. P5265
Little Surfmaid T 072 888 5528, W littlesurfmaid
resort.com. At the northern end of the string of resorts,
close to the Mona Liza point break, this Danish-owned place
offers spacious a/c rooms with fridge and nice touches
including colourful bedspreads from the Cordilleras. The
more expensive rooms have little balconies, and t here's a
restaurant serving good food. Free wi-fi throughout. P2500
Monaliza Surf Resort T 072 888 4892. This friendly
family-run resort has been going strong for more than
three decades. It isn't the flashiest place around, and
there's no food available, but the simple rooms are cheap
and decent value. The cheapest have no a/c. There's wi-fi,
too. P1000
San Juan Surf Resort T 072 687 9990, W sanjuan
surfschool.ph. Squarely aimed at surfers: there's a shop
selling kit, and surf conditions are posted by the bar. It has
a wide range of rooms; the c heapes t have no a/c. Wi-fi
around the bar and restaurant. P1800
Sebay T 072 888 4075, W sebeysurfcentral.com. The
nicely decorated rooms here give onto a leafy pathway and
are set in a thatched building adorned with nipa. There's
also a larger wooden structure slightly further back from
the beach with more spacious family rooms. Restaurant,
and wi-fi. P1800
SAN FERNANDO
Café Esperanza P Gomez St T 072 242 0659. This
pleasant café is a good spot for a quick lunch (sandwiches
P80) or a slice of cake (P60), with flavours including carrot
and mango. Mains include grilled fish, roast chicken and
beef steak (RM110). Daily 7am-7pm.
Halo Halo de Iloko 12 Zandueta St T 072 700 2030.
A restaurant and café with eclectic decor, including zebra-
print walls and colourful window panes. The main draw
here is the halo-halo (shaved ice with evaporated milk
and toppings including fruit and purple yam; P85). Daily
9am-9pm.
Sunset Bay Brgy Canaoay T 072 607 5907, W sunset
bayphilippines.com. Just south of San Fernando, this
welcoming resort overlooking the South China Sea has
nicely decorated rooms giving onto a well-tended garden
with potted plants and local crafts. There's a pool l and a
coral reef 90m off the shore where you can snorkel. P2000
SAN JUAN
Hacienda Peter's Surf Resort T 072 888 5253. The
ten simple rooms here face one another and look onto a
tiny fishpond. Each is livened up with co lourful polka-dot
curtains and a selection of books. P1500
Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa T 072 607 1040,
W kahunaresort.com. It may not be entirely in keeping
with San Juan's laidback surfer vibe, but this upmarket
 
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