Vigan City Tour Itinerary

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Treasures from the past: Antique shopping in Vigan City

Backpacking | Vigan City Tour
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur (North Luzon)
Hours from Manila: around 10 hours
Specs: Spanish colonial architecture, churches, antique shops, museums, zoo.


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Public transportation and fares/Buses to Vigan City, Ilocos Sur:
(here is a list of buses traveling directly from Manila to Vigan, at least the ones who answered their phones)
. Dominion Bus Lines (New York St., Cubao; 7272350 / Laong Laan St., Blumentritt; 741-4146): P540 airconditioned
. Fariñas Transit (Laong Laan St., Sampaloc; 731-4507): P543 regular airconditioned / P583 airconditioned with restroom / P628 Super Deluxe (first class seats)
. Maria de Leon Transit (Dapitan St., Sampaloc, Manila; 731-4907): (they didn't answer their phones)
. Partas Bus Co. (Arayat St., Cubao; 725-7303): P585 airconditioned
. Viron Transit (Dapitan St., Sampaloc, Manila.; 741-6588) P560 airconditioned

Notes:
. This itinerary is fitted for weekend warriors wishing to escape.
· All bus lines listed above stop directly in Vigan City
. Remember to bring a travel blanket if you intend to sleep through the trip
. Vigan City is 408 kilometers from Metro Manila
. There are a handful of hotels/travel lodges/inns in Vigan City. If you are travelling during peak season (weekends and holidays), you better book a room ahead of time to avoid getting bad rooms.
. It is always best to do the Vigan Tour only as a part of a larger Ilocandia tour which includes Laoag, Cape Bojeador, Bangui Windmills and Pagudpud, just to name a few
. Vigan town proper is very compact. If you don’t have any qualms about walking then it is the best way to enjoy your Vigan tour
. No entrance fee to Baluarte Zoo
. Minimal entrance fee to some museums

Options:
. Taking a private car doesn’t affect the travel time; it may actually even prolong it since you can take more stopovers and take more time spending them (picture taking on boundary arches)
. Buses bound for Laoag City also pass by Vigan (i.e. Florida Bus, RCJ Bus Lines, F. Franco Transit, Auto Bus and Rayjan Bus Lines)
. There are stalls at the plaza (Burgos) selling Ilocano empanadas (longganisa, egg and vegetables, wrapped and fried) and shrimp okoy (crispy shrimp pancake) you simply have to try

Budget: around P1720 per pax (non-overnight stay)
Budget estimate for 2 people:
1120 bus to Vigan (average)
1120 bus back to Manila (average)
200 entrance fees
200 trike/calesa rides
600 food share
200 misc

*Calesa is a horse-drawn carriage- very romantic but slow and expensive
*tricycle is a 3-wheeled passenger motorcycle- rugged, fast and cheap

more info from Department of Tourism here: http://www.tourism.gov.ph/dot/investment_areas.asp
from Vigan City government: http://www.vigancity.gov.ph/

Vigan Church

Watch where you walk: Bricks stamped "VIGAN"

Night stroll at Calle Crisologo

Calle Crisologo antiques

Itinerary and expenses recorded on Dec 26, 2008.