Words and images by Ma. Glaiza Lee

La Union used to be just one of those provinces we pass by to reach the more popular tourist spots of Ilocos. Today, Elyu, as it is more popularly known nowadays, is competing as a tourism hub that side of the world. In fact, it is dubbed as the ultimate surfing destination up north.

Just a six-hour drive away from Manila, La Union boasts of activities not just for surfing enthusiasts but also for pleasure seekers. Here are my top picks:

When one speaks of La Union, surfing is the first thing that comes to mind. La Union after all has several surfing spots from beginners to the professionals. The most frequented surf spot however is Urbiztondo in the town of San Juan.

Reaching this spot is quite easy. Just ride the bus heading to Ilocos region, and ask the driver to drop you off in Urbiztondo.

Except during peak season, finding accommodations here is fairly easy. It is recommended though to make your reservations before coming to this surfing town.

Once you have checked in at your hotel, just head to the beach and ride the waves. If you don’t have a surfboard, you can rent one at one of the tents with multi-colored surfboards organized in a neat row by the beach.

You can borrow the board for a minimal fee. Or you can opt for a surfing package, which allows you to both rent a board and hire a surfing instructor who will gladly teach novices the basics on surfing and guide them on their first ride.

The instructor will first teach you the proper way of standing on the board as well as provide some safety instructions. Your water adventure begins with you getting on your board and paddling towards the sea.

Then, you wait for the right wave (patiently waiting for the perfect wave is as much part of the surfing experience).

Once you’ve spotted your wave, feeling the dense but fluid force rush beneath your board, you push yourself up and stand on your board like how the instructor taught you.

Crashing out is perfectly normal for first-timers. So you don’t need to worry about it. Soon you will learn to get the hang of it. But I’m warning you, once you’ve learned how to stand on the board and ride the wave, there is no going back. Surfing can be quite addicting.

In San Gabriel, another town of La Union, is the mesmerizing Tangadan Falls. To reach the falls, take the jeepney from Urbiztondo to San Gabriel. From the town proper, hail a tricycle going to Sitio Bulala in Barangay Duplas, the jumping-off point to the falls. If you are a big group, you can rent a tricycle from Urbiztondo, which will take you directly to Sitio Bulala.

There are two trails going to the falls. There is the river trail which entails trekking through grass fields and muddy trails and crossing a river. This trail takes about an hour or so, depending on the trekker’s pace, but it will give you a beautiful river view.

The other route is less time consuming; it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the falls using this shortcut. There is a long, winding stairway that leads straight to the falls.

Rising about 40 feet high, the Tangadan Falls astounds with its clear, cool water cascading down towering walls like silver curtains and flowing straight into the natural pool below. A verdant rainforest surrounds the falls, with enormous boulders dotting its terrain.

While there, you can rent a balsa (bamboo raft) to get closer to the falls and enjoy the pool while soaking up the sun. For some adrenaline rush, try cliff diving.

Follow the queen bee at the La Union Honeybee Center in Bacnotan, another town of La Union. At the center, visitors learn about apiculture or bee-keeping. The guide introduces the different kinds of bees, and their roles in the colony, as well as honey production. Don’t be shy to try some of the honey at the center, which also serves as one-stop shop for various honeybee by-products such as soaps, creams, and wines, among others.

Feel the artistic vibe and appreciate local artistic expressions at the LU Art Gallery, which is also known as Silid ti Adal ken Laing ti La Union Gallery. The gallery is home to the Artists Guild of La Union (AGLAUN), a group of artists who want to showcase their talents while celebrating the province's rich heritage.

One never gets hungry in La Union. Start your culinary adventure at Natalna Grille, a quaint restaurant located near the beach whose name means a sense of serenity. Another must-try is Mommy Lu’s, a family-run business that has been serving home-cooked meals to the surfing crowd for 15 years now.

For some charcoal-grilled Ilocano fares, head to LU BBQ. This casual dining restaurant offers Ilocano favorites such as dinakdakan (grilled pig mask with pig's brain and vinegar), insarabasab (grilled pork belly tossed with tomatoes, onions and chilis), and poqui-poqui (grilled eggplant salad).

There is also the Cube-O Grill, whose name is a play on the word kubo (the Filipino traditional house). Here, you can have a boodle fight with Ilocano dishes such as pinakbet and grilled meats and seafood, served with three different kinds of rice.Back to top

Beach life in ELyu is never complete without experiencing its night scenes. Start the bar crawl at Surf Shack, which gives a new meaning to the word chill. We love their Bang Da Bass, a potent cocktail made from basi (local sugarcane wine), and their local craft beers. Pair these drinks with their Bacnotan Pizza, topped with locally-sourced longanisa and egg, and Mommy Lu's Tuyo Pizza that comes with honey to cut the saltiness of the dried fish.

Just a stone's throw away is Mad Monkeys. Don’t be fooled by its menu that simply says burgers, fries, and beers. The secret is in the sauce as they say: imagine juicy patties on a bun slathered with beer cheese sauce. Don’t forget to smother those thick cut fries with Sriracha mayo for some kick.

Elyu is definitely not a place you can easily ignore. It is a place full of adventures. So when it comes calling, better get your surfboard on the ready.

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