Tourist Destination

CABUGAO BEACH

-Cabugao Beach Resort, located in Ilocos Sur, is another fine place to be especially during summer
vacations. To begin with, the resort has a very fine white sand beach along a majestic cove. And aside
from the breathtaking views that guests surely enjoy there, a wide array of food choices from their
Cabana Bar and Grill ensures its visitors satisfaction from their hunger. The resort also has a Function
Hall and Conference Room which can be used upon request for certain activities like business meetings,
team buildings, family reunions, weddings, etc. And if you want to avail rooms, well, all of the rooms are
stylishly comfortable and rates vary depending on your choice. 

Aw-asen falls

The tallest waterfall in Ilocos Region, Aw-asen Falls, is located in Sto. Rosario, Sigay, Ilocos Sur. The area
of the falls is remote that keeps the place away from pollution, the water comes from a spring uphill,
and it is so fresh that you can even drink from it. The water basin of the falls runs deep and still during
summer, non-swimmers can enjoy the place floating on a raft; its waters might get harsh and cruel as it
appears during rainy season but gives a majestic view of nature that seems to urge for a photograph.

Sangbay ni Ragsak Falls

Sangbay ni Ragsak” which when translated to English means the Waterfalls of Happiness. It was first
named as Burayok and named Sangbay ni Ragsak by Barangay Captain of Patoc-ao August of 2007. It is
approximately 30 m in height. Its natural formation is inherent to mountain terrain. It attracts local and
foreign tourists seeking ecological and natural surroundings to enjoy. Its pool area is not deep for diving.
Nevertheless, it’s good for dipping with its cool waters.

I must say that the height of this cascade is more impressive. It resembles the Rook chess piece because
of its seemingly castle tower shaped rock formation. Water flows at three sides of it and might be more
powerful during the rainy days.The water level at its deepest is just around 6-7 feet and icy cold.

Several huts and cottages line up the trail going down to the waterfall and can be rented at the
registration area. There aren’t any stores around so might as well bring snacks and water with you to
avoid inconvenience.

DAWARA FALLS-POBLACION, SUYO

It is located at Barangay Poblacion.

It is larger and higher than the Sangbay ni Ragsak. Its rock face wall is rugged making. Its drop water
burst and scatter sometimes into a spray. Partially hidden from view is a large pipe at the left side of the
falls. A few meters away along the stream to which it plunges. The waterway is partially obstructed and
made shallow by erosion.From Poblacion bridge hiking will take 15-20 minutes to reach the waterfalls
Yamashita Cave

Yamashita Cave is located in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. Yamashita Cave named is because of General
Yamashita was hidden in the cave during the World War II. To reach Yamashita Cave you will have to hile
around 40 minutes from Cervantes.

The cave is named as such because it served as a barrack of General Yamashita during World War II.
Locals say that the Japanese hid treasures beneath the cave which has a range of 64 meters.To get here,
expect to hike across pine forests and cross brooks. Along the way, you’ll catch sights of grasslands, high
meadows, and different flora species such as orchids.

Vitalis Villas

Vitalis Villas in Ilocos Sur Mirrors Magical Island of Santorini Greece

the ever-captivating Vitalis Villas, seating majestically along Santiago Cove in Ilocos Sur.Known to many
as the “Santorini of the North”, Vitalis Villas mirrors that of the famous landscape of Santorini in Greece
with its cubiform villas painted in a wash of white and blue

This mountain of elegant villas named after the owner’s favorite local painter with French
origins, Macario Vitalis, can be considered as the most luxurious and scenic among the many
accommodations in Ilocos.

These villas that overlook the sea are also a work of art as they sport many pieces from the country’s
most sought-after artists namely Ben Cabrera, Fred Baldemor, and Macario Vitalis himself.

Tirad Peak

An exciting new destination in the Ilocos Region is Tirad Peak, which towers above the historical trail of
Tirad Pass. 

Tirad Peak in Tirad Pass is a place we all read from our Sibika at Kultura books way back from grade
school . It was a place where General Gregorio Del Pilar took his last stand. 

Tirad Pass is an area in Mount Tirad known in Philippine history as a battle site between 60 Filipino
soldiers and over 500 Americans forces during the Philippine-American War. This battle costed the life of
52 Filipino men including the great Brigadier General Grerorio del Pilar. The Filipinos may have lost on
this battle but it was considered a success for it ensured the safe escape of then President Emilio
Aguinaldo and his troop.
As a mountaineer, it is one of the favorite day climbs in Ilocos Region being the third highest mountain
in the Province of Ilocos Sur. One of its peak, the Tirad Peak at 1,388 meters above sea level, is the usual
destination of the climb.

I was able to summit Tirad Peak on a rainy and foggy day of November 2014 on a four-hour trek from
Poblacion Gregorio del Pilar and back. It was a relatively easy trek with a challenging ascent to its
pointed peak. The next day was spent rediscovering the old world charm of the UNESCO World Heritage
City of Vigan.

KEN NGILAWEN CAVE

Located at the mountainside of Barangay Apaya, just few minutes walk from the residential area is a
huge boulder about 3-storeys to 4-storeys high rock with a crevice or a wide space underneath. This
space underneath it, serves as a burial cave.

The two log coffins has a sculpture of a head that  resembled that of a serpent, cow or lizard.

It also has a inscriptions at its side. For a moment it read like an Ilocano or Spanish. That must have been
where they got the numbers 1888-89 as dates denoting that it was from the 18th century.

Some recent improvements where done like the patches of yellowish paints on the surfaces of the rocks
and cave's wall that served as decorations.

Along with the recent offerings are some coins and metal spears which are now rusting.

Pinsal falls

Pinsal Falls is located at the far end of Sta. Maria, bordering the province of Abra. Behind the largest
waterfalls in Ilocos is a mythology of a giant named Angalo searching for his love, Aran. It is said that
they were like a version of Adam and Eve in Ilocos and that Angalo passed by the mountains of Pinsal in
search for Aran, leaving a large mark of his footprints that locals call as “Tugot ni Angalo”. The said
footprint is now a naturally-made pool.

It is said that they were like a version of Adam and Eve in Ilocos and that Angalo passed by the
mountains of Pinsal in search for Aran, leaving a large mark of his footprints that locals call as “Tugot ni
Angalo”. The said footprint is now a naturally-made pool.

Dancing Fountain

the Dancing Fountain offers a stunning display of lights and water accompanied by both traditional and
contemporary music. Audiences will enjoy towering pillars of water dancing to the beat, along with
colorful light displays that complete the 30-minute show.
The Dancing Fountain is located across the provincial capitol and the Vigan Cathedral, and it is only a few
minutes away from other Vigan attractions such as Calle Crisologo and Syquia Mansion. Many day tours
that take you around Vigan end their itineraries with the fountain’s show.

The Dancing Fountain has shows every night from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM. On weekends, it holds a second
show from 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Make sure you add this spectacle to your Ilocos Sur itineraries!

Bessang Pass Natural Monument/Landmark is in Philippines, has been designated as Natural

Monument at National level in 2018. It covers 5.84 km2 and it is managed by Protected Area
Management Board

A large protected area which was located in the heart of Ilocos Sur. There is also a memorial which
commemorates the victory on 14 June 1945 by Filipino soldiers serving the U.S. Army Forces in the
Philippines Northern Luzon over the Imperial Japanese Army. The park contains pine forests as well as
mossy type forests. The park is also the habitat of 29 bird species, 5 mammals, and reptiles such as the
monitor lizard and different species of snakes.