"This 4-hour itinerary would not be possible if you are commuting in between the destinations since it would be time-consuming to wait for a ride one after the other, worse, if there will be other passengers, the pain of budgeting your time would hurt deeper."

Just happened to have a limited time in San Fernando, La Union but want to see the major attractions of this city? You might have stumbled in the right page. With this post, I am sharing to you my experience in San Fernando City and on how I managed to explore the city in a doable 4-hour tricycle tour itinerary.

The tricycle I rode into for the 4-hour tour with "kuya"
Walking tour is always my favorite and doing a walking tour is cost-efficient and gives you a chance to feel the heartbeat of the place. Baguio and Vigan are good cities to have a walking tour and I wanted to do it in San Fernando the way I am doing in Vigan and Baguio but I learned that the major attractions in the city are few kilometers apart. 

Aside from the fact that the must-see places are far from each other, San Fernando is also a hot coastal city with busy streets congested with smokes from vehicles that add an uncomfortable feeling under the heat of the summer sun.

Because of this circumstance, an idea popped out at the back of my mind, "Why not try a tricycle tour for my remaining time in the city?"

First 45 minutes (Balance: 3 hours, 15 minutes)

Ok, we'll start the 4-hour tour by chilling out at Halo-Halo de Iloko Balay. This restaurant is considered as a tourists attraction in San Fernando City earning a title as a museum-restaurant (Click here to learn more).

The concept of starting your tour with a cold dessert or drinks has health benefits actually. Heat stroke is not uncommon during summer so for tourists who are hypertensive or high-risk with this kind of condition, ingesting some cold drinks may help lower down the body temperature.

So before you face the heat, be prepared to combat the heat.

It may take some time to wait for your halo-halo order here so 45 minutes is the time allotted for you to stay in this restaurant. There's 2 hours and 15 minutes left.

Next 40 minutes (Balance: 2 hour, 35 minutes)

For the next 40 minutes, the next destination would be at the Taoist temple called the Ma-cho Temple.

Ma-Cho temple is actually a Taoist temple with a connection to the Roman Catholic faith - weird eh? [Click here to learn more].

This Taoist temple is located on a hill that allows you to see the view of the San Fernando Bay. 30 minutes would be enough to tour around the temple. Don't forget to go inside it. The other 10 minutes is allotted for the travel time from Halo-Halo de Iloko Balay to this Taoist Temple.

Next 45 minutes (Balance: 1 hour, 50 minutes)

See a tangible part of history as you head to Pindangan Ruins. Pindangan Ruins are the remains of a church built in 1786 that was destroyed due to an earthquake (Learn more about Pindangan Ruins, Click here).


You may consume 15 minutes in reaching Pindangan Ruins from Ma-Cho Temple. Be sure to keep silent here because there might be a mass going on next door. The ruined area is being taken care by the nuns of the Carmelite Monastery which is just located nearby.

Next 1 hour (Balance 50 minutes)

After exposing yourself to the remains of the past, let us go contemporary as you head to the Santorini-inspired Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point...

Going to the resort, you don't need an entrance fee but if you are riding a tricycle, you may need to undergo an interview portion under several security guards.

Just before you enter the Poro Point Economic Zone, security guards will ask you what are you going to do inside. Be honest, say you are a traveler, or a tourist who is going to visit the Thunderbird Resort.

Before you enter the Thunderbird Resort, the security guards will ask you again about your intent. I was initially disapproved to enter when I said that I am going to take photos of the resort but they let me come in after a second appeal [Read my complete story here].

Last 50 minutes

For the Finale, you need to see a place that will alleviate your tiredness and to relax your mind and soul. A good choice for this is to climb at the top of Pagoda Hill for you to see the relaxing San Fernando Bay Sunset.

I started the tricycle tour at 2:30 pm so I was able to capture the sunset as a finale for my last 50 minutes just before it turned 6 pm..

The tricycle driver ascended me to the hilly part of the city.

So how did I come up with this 4-hour tour with a tricycle? I just picked a tricycle randomly and talked to the driver if he wants to tour me around (the deal was 250 pesos).

Well he agreed and I think the prize is already fine especially if you are running out of time and you want to maximize that remaining time.

This 4-hour itinerary would not be possible if you are commuting in between the destinations since it would be time-consuming to wait for a ride one after the other, worse, if there will be other passengers, the pain of budgeting your time would hurt deeper.

So, hiring your own tricycle could be a good choice. Please do haggle for the prize and if you think it is too expensive, there are still other tricycle drivers out there who might like a cheaper deal.

My 4-Hour Itinerary Summary

Halo-halo de Iloko Balay (45 minutes)
Ma-Cho Temple (40 minutes)
Pindangan Ruins (45 minutes)
Thunderbird Resort (1 hour)
Pagoda Hill (Chinese Pagoda) (50 minutes)
SPEAK YOUR HEART OUT. DON'T BE SHY TO POST YOUR COMMENT, THOUGHTS, OR FEEDBACK. MAG-REREPLY AKO ONCE MAKITA KO ANG COMMENT MO. :)

Axact

EDMAR GUQUIB y DEL CASTILLO

Born and Raised in Vigan, Philippines. Hardcore Ilocano-Cordilleran. Professional Nurse on Weekdays. Coffee Addict. Travel Blogger in Between. For collaboration or partnership, email your business proposal at admin@edmaration.com.

Post A Comment:

41 comments:

  1. one day I will go to this part of the country. But until then, thanks for sharing your adventure because even for just a while I was able to experience San Fernando, La Union through your eyes. I like the ruins of the church...we have a similar one here too in Silay.

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  2. thunderbird resort. i shall visit here soon. since i cant really go to santorini! love the photos po! And thanks for the comment on my blog. i got a new blogpost again :D


    www.wandershugah.blogspot.com

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  3. What's the interview portion with the guards at Thunderbird? Sounds like a major hassle. :)) So I'll just skip that and go for the temple and the ruins.

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  4. jejejej talagang 4 hours jampacked iti bro,, interesting ung ruins!

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  5. Aliw 'tong post na to.. Talagang you always try to make the most out of your trips.. :D wish I can go on a San Fernando, La Union tricycle tour too! :D

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  6. I totally miss La Union. My friends and I totally loved Thunderbird, sobrang okay services nila :)

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  7. P250 f0r trike tour, ang mura ha. =)

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  8. love your blog post and i want to visit Thunderbird soon

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  9. Nice pics! Makes me want to visit that part of the country soon. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. I've never been to La Union. I heard it's very cold there.

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  11. this place is too far from us... but it's a good place to visit when i'll go to la union... nice pics you have here. thanks for sharing. Yahweh bless.

    http://trunklocker.blogspot.com/2011/07/yeshua-or-jesus.html

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  12. merlmd on April 20, 2012 11:16 PM said...

    one day I will go to this part of the country. But until then, thanks for sharing your adventure because even for just a while I was able to experience San Fernando, La Union through your eyes. I like the ruins of the church...we have a similar one here too in Silay.

    ---
    You are welcome merlmd, that's good to know that in Silay, you have that too :)

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  13. Shugah kang on April 20, 2012 11:25 PM said...

    thunderbird resort. i shall visit here soon. since i cant really go to santorini! love the photos po! And thanks for the comment on my blog. i got a new blogpost again :D

    --
    Hi Shugah, Congratulations you will be here soon, hehe.. Anyway, I will visit your blog after I finish replying all your comments here, it requires extra time and effort, hehe

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  14. ajpoliquit on April 21, 2012 12:34 AM said...

    What's the interview portion with the guards at Thunderbird? Sounds like a major hassle. :)) So I'll just skip that and go for the temple and the ruins.

    ---
    Yup, I don't know if this happens to everyone but in my case, they asked me what to do inside ad initially, they didn't allow me to go inside when I said I will capture photos... :)

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  15. Traveling Morion on April 21, 2012 1:02 AM said...

    jejejej talagang 4 hours jampacked iti bro,, interesting ung ruins!

    ---
    Oo nga bro, sulit and aking 4 hours :)

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  16. Sumi Go on April 21, 2012 1:33 AM said...

    Aliw 'tong post na to.. Talagang you always try to make the most out of your trips.. :D wish I can go on a San Fernando, La Union tricycle tour too! :D

    ---
    Oo nga Sumi, I maximize my time talaga, haha

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  17. msairrapingol on April 21, 2012 3:33 AM said...

    I totally miss La Union. My friends and I totally loved Thunderbird, sobrang okay services nila :)

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    True, I am hearing good reviews from this resort

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  18. michi on April 21, 2012 6:35 AM said...

    P250 f0r trike tour, ang mura ha. =)

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    Haha, nachambahan ko siya Mich :)

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  19. Belldandy on April 21, 2012 8:44 AM said...

    Nice pics! Makes me want to visit that part of the country soon. Thanks for sharing.

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    Thanks and you're welcome Bell :))

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  20. Itin Bique Calvo on April 21, 2012 8:55 AM said...

    I've never been to La Union. I heard it's very cold there.

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    Generally not, it is like a typical lowland weather in the Philippines I guess? haha..

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  21. Vonn Angelie David on April 21, 2012 5:46 PM said...
    i like your dusk shots..

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    Thanks for the like Vonn :)

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  22. ralph on April 21, 2012 5:52 PM said...
    this place is too far from us... but it's a good place to visit when i'll go to la union... nice pics you have here. thanks for sharing. Yahweh bless.

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    Thanks Ralph! :))

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  23. Amazing. I had no idea San Fernando has so much to offer. Maganda sigurong mag three-day tour sa La Union. City tour sa San Fernando, tapos surf sa Seabay. Hmmm...

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  24. Wow, that's great you manage to squeeze all that goto's in four hours :O

    How's the food at Halo-halo de Iloko?

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  25. Went to La Union two weeks ago. Sayang hindi namin napuntahan yung ibang places like the ruins kasi nagmamadali =(

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  26. totenggaleng on April 21, 2012 10:49 PM said...

    Amazing. I had no idea San Fernando has so much to offer. Maganda sigurong mag three-day tour sa La Union. City tour sa San Fernando, tapos surf sa Seabay. Hmmm...

    ---
    Pwede! Also include the falls at the highlan towns!

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  27. Eugene Constantino on April 21, 2012 11:00 PM said...
    Wow, that's great you manage to squeeze all that goto's in four hours :O

    How's the food at Halo-halo de Iloko?

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    I can't find any other adjective to substitute DELICIOUS! Haha.. THE BEST!

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  28. Stacy Liong on April 21, 2012 11:07 PM said...
    Went to La Union two weeks ago. Sayang hindi namin napuntahan yung ibang places like the ruins kasi nagmamadali =(

    ---
    Ay sayang... Go back again Stacy ano ba. May next time pa naman eh :)

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  29. i want to try this too.. but for longer time maybe 6 hours/half day :)

    [nanardxz]

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  30. hello kuya. i hope i'd be able to travel as much as you do in the near future.

    i've always liked walking around new places as well, pero given na i'm with my family and are in a place for just a short time, it is not really possible.

    wow 250 for a tour for four hours ? it's an absolute steal kasi from where i live, kahit 4 km lang ang layo ng pupuntahan ko basta may "pasikot-sikot", 70php na ang sinisingil. :/

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  31. 4 hours trip by tricycle.You really make the most out of it. And the P250 fare was a good deal.

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  32. Based on the photos that you posted, I doubt if I can complete the itinerary within 4 hours. Can we extend it to 6 hours or so? Kidding aside, one will definitely enjoy the place and the sight as he visits the place. Lost in time and space. LOL.

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  33. Wow! Only P250 for a 4-hour trip? Not bad at all! It is much more convenient, if you prefer a less hassle travel. This is a great alternative to hiring private van or even bring your own car (gas and all) :) Now I know what to do next time I plan to travel around. Thank you!

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  34. admin on April 21, 2012 11:54 PM said...

    i want to try this too.. but for longer time maybe 6 hours/half day :)

    [nanardxz]

    ---
    Actually for you to enjoy your stay, one to two days is ideal, but because of my limited time, I tried to maximize the 4 hours :)

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  35. athena on April 22, 2012 12:02 AM said...

    hello kuya. i hope i'd be able to travel as much as you do in the near future.

    i've always liked walking around new places as well, pero given na i'm with my family and are in a place for just a short time, it is not really possible.

    wow 250 for a tour for four hours ? it's an absolute steal kasi from where i live, kahit 4 km lang ang layo ng pupuntahan ko basta may "pasikot-sikot", 70php na ang sinisingil. :/

    ---
    Aisttt... ang mahal naman ng trike na yan :(

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  36. filipinobloggersworldwide.com on April 22, 2012 7:45 AM said...

    4 hours trip by tricycle.You really make the most out of it. And the P250 fare was a good deal.

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    I was just lucky! :))

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  37. The House of JCJEE on April 22, 2012 8:28 AM said...

    Based on the photos that you posted, I doubt if I can complete the itinerary within 4 hours. Can we extend it to 6 hours or so? Kidding aside, one will definitely enjoy the place and the sight as he visits the place. Lost in time and space. LOL.

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    Yes! You can do it in 6 hours or take your time, do it in one day, don't be in a hurry like me LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  38. myiconicworld on April 22, 2012 2:15 PM said...

    Wow! Only P250 for a 4-hour trip? Not bad at all! It is much more convenient, if you prefer a less hassle travel. This is a great alternative to hiring private van or even bring your own car (gas and all) :) Now I know what to do next time I plan to travel around. Thank you!

    ---
    If you're in a hurry, this is possible :))

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  39. Hi! I am just wondering, legit ba yung tricycle tour, like sa Pagudpod north and south tour na may specific places na pupuntahan as well as the amount or mangongontrata ka lang ng tricycle, then go to ? your preferred tourist spot? Thanks! :) -Dianne

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  40. Dianne | what I did ay mangontrata lang. Then negotiate for the price. Goodluck! :)

    ReplyDelete

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