Pagudpud's Blue Lagoon Beach

Maira-ira Beach which is better known as Blue Lagoon Beach is about 30 minutes away from Saud Beach in Pagupud. I was really excited to go to this place because of the glowing reviews that I read in magazine articles and travel blogs.

Since I came with such high expectations, I was very much disappointed with what I saw. It was white fine sand alright but the surrounding beach area reminded me of a better version of the beaches in Cavite. There were vendors with tables along the main beach area selling food and other souvenir items. It was like a tiangge by the sea with litter all over the beach. Also, cheap looking nipa huts dotted the shoreline. Overpriced price resorts are also operating in the area.

I had intended to stay in Blue Lagoon Beach for 2 nights but opted instead to go back to Saud Beach which is much cleaner and where there is better management of the beach area. In Saud Beach, there are designated areas where vendors can sell souvenirs and the beach is always kept clean.

Pagupud Northern Sights

View of Bantay-Abot Cave

Dos Hermanos Islands

Lagoon in Saud Beach

View of Coastline from Bantay-Abot Cave

Pagudpud is blessed with beautiful natural scenery. The pictures above are some of the pretty sights in this part of Ilocos Norte. These places are part of the North Loop Tour of Ilocos Norte.

Kaibigan Falls Refreshes

Good thing about traveling in Ilocos Norte is that they have organized tours around the province. There is the South Loop tour which will take you to Bangui Windmills and Cape Bojeador lighthouse and the Kapupurawan Rock Formation. The North Loop covers more sites including the Patapat Viaduct, Paraiso ni Adan, Lover's Rock, Blue Lagoon, Agua Grande and Kaibigan Falls. Both tours cost P600 (US$14) on tricycle good for 3 persons.

On the North Loop, the best part is the Kaibigan Falls. Its is a 1 hour walk to and from the Falls. There is a P10 (US$ 0.23) entrance fee and a P100(US$2.32) fee if you opt to take a guide.

The walk at first is tiring because of the humidity but as you enter the tropical forest close to the falls, you will feel refresh by the relatively cooler temperatures and the sight of the clean stream originating from the Falls. Kaibigan Falls pours really clean and cold waters into the natural pool by the Falls.

Pretty Pagudpud

Saud Beach in Pagudpud is an easy 2 hour bus trip from Laoag City. It is pretty in its own way with its ivory fine sand and deep blue waters. But definetely it is not another Boracay. For one, the beach turns deep immediately from the shore and there is a dangerous undertow. So most people stay really close to the shore for safety purposes. It is also the only beach where life vests are being rented out for obvious reasons.

Nevertheless, Saud beach is clean and scenic. There are a number of reasonably priced resorts in the area catering to different budgets. However there are limited dining options. The place is ideal for a quiet time at the beach if your idea of a beach holiday is just to savor the fresh air and the beautiful scenery and not really to take a swim.