La Union - Soul Surfing with Travel Guide

That's River, Luke Landrigan's Labrador... chillin! LOL

The closest surf spot from the capital. A 5-6 hour bus ride or a 4 hour drive and you're in San Juan, La Union, which for me is best for
beginners as the waves here normally create those short rides. The town surfers say that the waves peak from October to January. 

San Juan is the heart and primary surf beach in La Union. Large good quality waves are brought in on good swells. On the beachfront are many affordable surf resorts and hotels, bars, restaurants, surf shops and surf schools where board rental is also available.

San Juan Beach although is only one strip of beach has three spots as identified by the locals.

Beach break, the bowl and the point.

- Beach Break – located at the left of the strip is a great spot which provides both lefts and rights.
- The Bowl – the mid point of the beach.
- The Point – Located at the very right of the strip, the point is a beautiful point/reef break that provides a beautiful and long right hander and also a short left. During the north swell this is the spot to be.

Sunset
Sunset is a 2 minute drive north from San Juan, can provide medium to large, good quality, left and right hand breaks, depending on the direction of the swell. Sunset is a great place to surf on a busy day.

Carille
Carille, a 5 minute Jeepney ride south from San Juan, is a famous 300m right hand point break that seems to go on forever.

Bacnotan
Located near the cement factory in La Union, 10 minutes drive from San Juan Surf Beach is Bacnotan a beautiful wave that provides good and long rides. It works best here during North Swell (October-April).

Darigayos
Darigayos is a 30 minute Jeepney ride further north of San Juan, it can also provide for clean waves with both left and right hand breaks depending on the swell. Darigayos works best during south swell (May-September).


My first visit... July. Well, I just did the kayak and paddleboard. Why? Flat.

That pretty much explains my first San Juan experience. I'm blaming myself for not asking how the waves were doing or if there were waves at all before I left the metro. The instructors were telling me about secret surf spots during that time, but I really just wasn't in the mood to take another trip that day since I was only staying overnight.  Hence, I went on luxury mode. Bum all day.

Oh well... still flat

Of course that wasn't my last... October. I went back and this time, for Soul Surf... and yes, it's surf break. I still went out to rent a board. What are the odds of getting a wave... say 40/60. Imagine yourself about to snag that wave and you just go berserk because there's no space for you to even do a short ride since everyone's just blocking your way. You don't want to thrust someone with your board, not a good sight. Oh well, I'll try January. :)

There are plenty of accommodations you can choose from, and many of them are beachfront.  You can do pricey villas or budget-friendly homestays. In my case, stayed at San Juan Surf Resort which costs P2300/night. I'll make a separate post on my stay and other the accomodations in La Union. 

Me and Luke Landrigan

San Juan Surf Resort, La Union

How to get there: Easy

by Car or Private vehicle: 

from Manila, take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) then connect through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and then connect to the new Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), exit at Carmen Temporary Toll Plaza under the Carmen overpass in Pangasinan and turn left following Carmen-Poblacion Rosales Road (Tumana, Rosales), turn right to Teofilo Sison Bridge going to Villasis, Pangasinan, and follow the National Highway (MacArthur Highway) through Pangasinan and then La Union.

Another option after Carmen TPLEX Exit is through the Magilas Trail in Sta. Maria and exit at Binalonan, Pangasinan bypassing the busy towns of Villasis and Urdaneta going through La Union.

When you reach Rosario - the first town of La Union, turn left at the Rosario junction. (The road on the right is the way up to Baguio City). You will be passing by the following towns; Sto. Tomas, Agoo, Aringay, Caba, Bauang and then San Fernando City. After passing by downtown San Fernando, you will see Lorma Medical Center/College to your right, you are now about 5 minutes away. Upon entering Brgy. Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union, you will then see the National Food Authority (NFA)building to your right and a blind sharp curve ahead.

by Public Transport/Bus:

From Metro Manila, the most reliable way to get to San Juan, La Union is by bus via Partas Bus with terminals at Cubao, Quezon City and Tramo, Pasay City. San Juan, La Union is around 277 kilometers north of Metro Manila, travel time is around 4 to 5 hours and bus fares will cost you from 400Php to not more than 500Php. Just tell the bus steward/conductor or driver to drop you off at Urbiztondo surfing area.

Other buses that operate in the area from Manila are Dominion Bus Lines, Fariñas Trans, Maria de Leon, Viron Transit, Sta. Lucia and Florida which leaves Manila terminals every hour. Take a bus bound for Laoag, Vigan, Abra or San Fernando City - La Union.

Book your tickets now at PinoyTravel.

Enjoy!!! :0