Welcome to Ilocos Region - Discover The Philippines (2024)

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Welcome to Ilocos Region - Discover The Philippines (1)

Welcome to Ilocos Region - Discover The Philippines (2)

Written by Patrick

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ABOUT

Ilocos is a region in the Philippines, encompassing the northwestern coast of Luzon island. Ilocos Region is known for its historic sites, beaches, and the well-preserved Spanish colonial city of Vigan. Dating from the 16th century, Vigan’s Mestizo district is characterized by cobblestone streets and mansions with wrought-iron balconies. Farther north, Laoag City is a jumping-off point for the huge La Paz Sand Dunes.

Location

Welcome to Ilocos Region - Discover The Philippines (4)

Best Time to Visit

For the best combination of agreeable temperatures of around 27° C (80° F) and as little rain as possible, the best time to visit this region is between February and March. The first months of dry season can still be rainy, while the last months are usually pretty hot and humid.

Fast Facts

Area: 13,012.60 km² (5,024.19 mi²)

Population:5,301,300

Density:370/km2

Regional Center:San Fernando, La Union

Languages: Ilocano; Pangasinan; Bolinao; English; Filipino

Provinces:

REGION 1 – Ilocos Region

PROVINCELAND AREA KM2POPULATION
Ilocos Norte3,467.89609,600
Ilocos Sur2,596.00706,100
La Union1,497.70822,400
Pangasinan5,451.013,163,200

Total

13,012.605,301,300

Cities: (9) Alaminos; Batac; Candon; Dagupan; Laoag; San Carlos; San Fernando; Urdaneta; Vigan

Barangays: 3,267

Major Industries:

  • Crops (Palay, Corn, Banana, Mango, Tomato, Tobacco, Coconut)
  • Food Processing
  • Mass Transportation Operation
  • Aqua Culture
  • Mining

Getting Here

The best way to get to Ilocos Region depends on where you’re traveling from and your budget.

The fastest and most convenient method of travel a far distance in the Philippines is most often by plane, however in some cases, traveling by sea or land may be a better option and more cost-effective.

Use the following online service to determine the various transportation options available to you based on your point of departure and your destination.

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Getting Around

The following are the modes of transportation available in this region.

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Bus

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Car for Hire

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Car Rental

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Jeepneys

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Shuttle

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Taxi

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Tricycles

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Motorcycles

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Bicycles

Suggested Budget

Use the chart below to get an idea of how much to budget daily. Actual amounts will depend on YOUR travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages … some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less. Prices are in USD.

ACCOMMODATION

FOOD

TRANSPORTATION

ATTRACTIONS

AVERAGE DAILY COST

Budget

Accommodation: $9

Food: $8

Transportation: $5

Attractions: $20

Average Daily Cost: $42

Mid-Range

Accommodation: $35

Food: $15

Transportation: $10

Attractions: $30

Average Daily Cost: $90

Luxury

Accommodation: $145

Food: $35

Transportation: $20

Attractions: $40

Average Daily Cost: $240

BEST NO-FEE INTERNATIONAL DEBIT & CREDIT CARDS

CHASE SAPPHIRE CREDIT CARD

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CHARLES SCHWAB DEBIT CARD

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CAPITAL ONE VENTURE CARD

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SEE & DO

EAT & DRINK

  • Alaminos Longanisa (Pangasinan)
  • Bagnet (Ilocos Norte)
  • Bagnet Pizza (Ilocos Sur)
  • Bagoong (Pangasinan)
  • Bangus (Pangasinan)
  • Batac Empanada (Ilocos Norte)
  • Binalonan longganisa (Pangasinan)
  • Binungey (Pangasinan)
  • Halo-halo de Iloko (La Union)
  • Ilocos Norte Burrito (La Union)
  • Kilawen (La Union)
  • La Union Fried Chicken (La Union)
  • Longganisa (Ilocos Norte)
  • Pigar-pigar (Pangasinan)
  • Pinakbet (Ilocos Norte)
  • Poqui-poqui (Ilocos Norte)
  • Puto Calasiao (Pangasinan)
  • Romana Peanut Brittle (Pangasinan)
  • Vigan empanada (Ilocos Sur)
  • Vigan longaniza (Ilocos Sur)

WHERE TO STAY

Where to Stay in Ilocos Region

Use the following online resources to determine the best place for YOU to stay when visiting the Ilocos region.

Book Online & Save Money

Book your room with these trusted online booking sites. Booking online in the Philippines almost always guarantees the best price and a room when you arrive. We use these sites frequently to get the best prices and enjoy convenient bookings. Click each of the buttons below to find the best place for you at the lowest rates or use the form below.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS

  • Bangus Festival

WHAT’S NEARBY

READ MORE: 17 Regions of the Philippines (with map)

Download Our FREE Travel Guides

We have dozens of guides to destinations throughout the Philippines. Download your FREE copy for your next trip today.

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About the Author

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Patrick

Patrick is an entrepreneur, digital nomad, explorer, and photographer. Patrick is always in search of fun and adventure. He is well travelled throughout the world, and although location independent, his home base is Phoenix, Arizona in the USA. Patrick loves island lifestyle which is no wonder why he is so interested in spending time in the Philippines with it’s over 7,000 islands. Patrick created this site to share his knowledge of and experiences in the Philippines with Filipinos as well as other foreigners.

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Welcome to Ilocos Region - Discover The Philippines (2024)

FAQs

Welcome to Ilocos Region - Discover The Philippines? ›

Known for its centuries-old architecture, Ilocos Sur is the perfect destination for history buffs and curious travelers alike. Ilocos Sur is world-famous for not one, but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites that let you travel back in time.

Why Ilocos is famous in the Philippines? ›

Known for its centuries-old architecture, Ilocos Sur is the perfect destination for history buffs and curious travelers alike. Ilocos Sur is world-famous for not one, but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites that let you travel back in time.

Who discovered Ilocos Region? ›

Ilocos Sur was founded by the Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo in 1572.
...
Ilocos Sur
Coordinates: 17°20′N 120°35′E
CountryPhilippines
RegionIlocos Region
FoundedJune 13, 1572
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What is the Ilocos Region famous for? ›

The Ilocos Region is an administrative region of the Philippines, designated as Region I, The region is also rich in crafts, with renowned blanket-weaving and pottery. The Ilocanos' burnay pottery is well known for its dark colored clay.

What is the history of the region 1 Ilocos Region? ›

HISTORY  Region 1 was first inhabited by the aboriginal Negritos before they were pushed by successive waves of Malay immigrants that penetrated the narrow coast. History In 1901, the region came under American colonial rule, and in 1941, under Japanese occupation.

What are Ilocanos mixed with? ›

The present Ilocanos are descendants of mixed race predominantly of the Austronesian (Malay) race. Chinese, Indian and Spanish bloods are significantly mixed. The early Austronesian ancestors of the Ilocanos arrived in the Philippines through barangays (boats) and settled the coastal side of northwestern Luzon.

What are Ilocanos commonly known as? ›

Ilocano, also spelled Ilokano, or Ilokan, also called Iloko, or Iloco, third largest ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines. When discovered by the Spanish in the 16th century, they occupied the narrow coastal plain of northwestern Luzon, known as the Ilocos region.

What nationality is Ilocos? ›

The Ilocanos (Ilocano: Tattao nga Iloko/Ilokano), Ilokanos, or Iloko people are the third largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group. They mostly reside within the Ilocos Region, in the northwestern seaboard of Luzon, Philippines. The native language of the Ilocano people is the Ilocano (or Ilokano) language.

Which Philippine hero was born in Ilocos Norte and was also known for his? ›

Juan Luna
Juan Luna c. 1899
BornJuan Novicio LunaOctober 23, 1857 Badoc, Ilocos Norte, Captaincy General of the Philippines, Spanish Empire
DiedDecember 7, 1899 (aged 42) British Hong Kong
Known forPainting, drawing, sculpting
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Why is Ilocos called Ilocos? ›

As they sailed along the coast, they were surprised to see numerous sheltered coves (“looc”) where the locals lived in harmony. As a result, they named the region “Ylocos” and its people “Ylocanos”. As the Christianization of the region grew, so did the landscape of the area.

Which City is richest in Ilocos Region? ›

Laoag City is one of the richest cities in the country in terms of per capita income and the Human Development Index.

What is the unique culture in Ilocos? ›

Ilocanos are known to be hardworking and frugal, hardy in the face of adversity. Respect and humility in everyday dealings mark the Ilocano personality; they live simply, concentrating on work and productivity. Local artisans like fabric weavers and potters are famous for their skilled craftwork.

Why is Ilocos Norte called the best of culture and nature? ›

Combining the best of natural landscapes and man-made wonders, Ilocos Norte seeks to captivate every traveler with its historical charm. Ilocos Norte is blessed with a rich topography full of man-made natural wonders inviting you to explore the best of land, air, and water.

How old is Ilocos? ›

Ilocos Norte
RegionIlocos Region
FoundedFebruary 2, 1818
Capital and largest cityLaoag
Government
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Who are the indigenous people in Region 1 Philippines? ›

The seven dominant IPs groups in Region 1 are the Isnag/Isneg/Yapayao; Itneg/Tinguian; Kankana-ey; Bago; Ibaloi; Kalanguya; and Iowak.

What language is spoken in the Ilocos Region? ›

Ilocano is the most commonly spoken language of the Northern Luzon subfamily, and its speakers constitute the third largest language community of the Philippines.

What is the origin of the Filipino race? ›

the Philippines collectively are called Filipinos. The ancestors of the vast majority of the population were of Malay descent and came from the Southeast Asian mainland as well as from what is now Indonesia. Contemporary Filipino society consists of nearly 100 culturally and linguistically distinct ethnic groups.

What is my race if I am Filipino? ›

Filipinos belong to the brown race, and they are proud of it. They cherish a story that accounts for the difference in the races. According to Malay folklore, long ages ago the gods who dwelt upon the earth shaped clay after their own image and baked it.

Are Ilocanos Hawaiian? ›

About 85% of the Filipinos in Hawaii are Ilocano, meaning they trace their roots to the Ilocos region in northern Philippines — mainly the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

What is the main dish of Ilocanos? ›

Pinakbet may be a beloved dish all over the Philippines, but not everyone knows that it's a product of the Ilokanos. This vegetable stew is made of eggplant, okra, bitter gourd, garlic, onions, string beans, winged beans, and tomatoes as its base ingredients.

What is Ilocanos most loved dish called? ›

Pinakbet – Popular Mixed Vegetable Ilocos Food

Pinakbet is one of the most popular Ilocano dishes. It is a vegetable dish that can be found all over the country.

Are Ilocanos indigenous? ›

Ilocanos are of Malay stock, descendants of Southeast Asian migrants that settled the Philippines in successive waves for centuries.

Is Ilocos Norte rich or poor? ›

LAOAG CITY – Ilocos Norte has retained its title as the least poor province in the Ilocos Region with the lowest poverty incidence of 2.5 percent, according to the latest report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) which is released every three years.

Is Ilocano based on Spanish? ›

Though you can find words borrowed from other languages as well, such as Arabic, Sanskrit, and English, Spanish probably had the greatest influence on Ilocano and other Filipino languages. This is probably largely due to the Spanish colonization of the area, which left marks that are still seen today.

What supernatural beings do Ilocanos recognize? ›

Like other Filipinos, Ilocanos recognize an array of supernatural beings, such as the katawtaw-an (the spirits of infants, who died unbaptized who in turn victimize newborns).

Who is the king of Ilocos? ›

Diego Silang y Andaya (Spanish: [ˈdjeɣo si. ˈlaŋg]; December 16, 1730 – May 28, 1763) was a Filipino revolutionary leader who allied with British forces to overthrow Spanish rule in the northern Philippines and establish an independent Ilocano state.

Who is the first man who came from Philippines? ›

hom*o luzonensis, a species of archaic humans, was present on the island of Luzon at least 67,000 years ago. The earliest known anatomically modern human was from Tabon Caves in Palawan dating about 47,000 years. Negrito groups were the first inhabitants to settle in the prehistoric Philippines.

Who was considered the king of the Ilocanos? ›

The Ilocanos were the first ethnic group to revolt against Spanish officials. It was in January 1661 when the Ilocanos proclaimed their illustrious leader, Don Pedro Almazan, as their King.

What is the personality of the Ilocano people? ›

(Ilocanos are known to be hardworking and frugal, hardy in the face of adversity. Respect and humility in everyday dealings mark the Ilocano personality; they live simply, concentrating on work and productivity. Local artisans like fabric weavers and potters are famous for their skilled craftwork.)

What is the cultural heritage of the Ilocanos? ›

CULTURAL HERITAGE

The Ilocanos have an epic, the Biag ni Lam-ang ("The Life of Lam-ang"), which, however, exists only in the form of a highly Hispanicized metrical romance composed in the 19th century. Ilocos is also the only place in the country where the zarzuela (operetta) is still performed.

What is the religion of the Ilocos? ›

Ilocos Region (Region 1)

Approximately 85 percent of the total population professes Roman Catholicism, the prevailing religion in the province. The remaining percentage of the population professes to Protestantism, Buddhism, Iglesia ni Cristo, Aglipayan, Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Seventh Day Adventists.

Is Ilocos one of the poorest province in the Philippines? ›

According to the latest report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Ilocos Norte has a poverty incidence of 2.5% today, one of the lowest in the whole country.

What is the poorest city in Ilocos Norte? ›

llocos Sur has the highest poverty and food thresholds in the region in 1st Semester 2021.

Who is the richest man in Ilocos? ›

Luis Crisologo Singson (born June 21, 1941), better known as Chavit Singson (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈtʃavɪt ˈsiŋson]), is a Filipino businessman and politician, serving as the mayor of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, since 2019 up to 2022.
...
Chavit Singson.
The Honorable Chavit Singson
NationalityFilipino
Political partyNPC (2021–present)
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What do the Ilocanos believe spiritually? ›

Most Ilokanos are Roman Catholics, while a significant number belong to the Aglipayan Church, which originated in Ilocos Norte. Catholicism in the Philippines combines belief in patron saints with belief in supernatural forces. Many consult faith healers for herbal treatments of physical ailments.

What do the Ilocano people believe about death? ›

The Ilocano People

When a man dies, his wife prepares the body with a special outfit by herself. She does this because they believe the spirit of the dead can give her messages from the afterlife. Then the body is placed in a coffin laid out in the center of the house.

What are the beliefs of marriage in Ilocano? ›

Ilocanos believed that the lighted candles symbolize the torch that will light their way toward married life. Aside from the lighted candles, rice is also used to welcome the newlywed while ascending the house stairs. The showering of the couple with grains of rice is necessary in the marriage rites.

What is the oldest church in Ilocos? ›

Completed in 1710, the church is famous for its distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building.
...
Paoay Church
LocationPaoay, Ilocos Norte
CountryPhilippines
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
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What is the main livelihood in Ilocos Norte? ›

Tourism is one of the livelihoods of the locals and a major economic driver of Ilocos Norte with the numerous Hospitality and Tourism establishments, activities and sites offered by the province.

What are the 2 world Heritage Sites in Ilocos Region? ›

Among its most noteworthy attractions included in an Ilocos itinerary are Calle Crisologo in Vigan City and the Bantay Church Bell Tower.

What is the oldest town in Ilocos Norte? ›

Batac
RegionIlocos Region
ProvinceIlocos Norte
District2nd district
Founded1587
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What is the Ilocos history? ›

The region was first inhabited by the aboriginal Negritos, before they were pushed by successive waves of Austronesian immigrants that penetrated the narrow coast. Tingguians (Igorot) in the interior, Ilocanos in the north, Pangasinenses in the south, and Zambals in the southwesternmost areas settled the region.

What are indigenous Filipinos called? ›

Culturally-indigenous peoples of northern Philippine highlands can be grouped into the Igorot (comprising many different groups) and singular Bugkalot groups, while the non-Muslim culturally-indigenous groups of mainland Mindanao are collectively called Lumad.

What is the biggest indigenous tribe in the Philippines? ›

With an estimated population of 400 thousand, the Badjao are the most populous. They are an indigenous ethnic group in the Philippines that has been there for at least 500AD. For over 1500 years, Badjao has been employing sustainable fishing practices.

Why did America come to the Philippines? ›

Americans who advocated annexation evinced a variety of motivations: desire for commercial opportunities in Asia, concern that the Filipinos were incapable of self-rule, and fear that if the United States did not take control of the islands, another power (such as Germany or Japan) might do so.

Is Ilocano an ethnicity? ›

The Ilocanos (Ilocano: Tattao nga Iloko/Ilokano), Ilokanos, or Iloko people are the third largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group. They mostly reside within the Ilocos Region, in the northwestern seaboard of Luzon, Philippines. The native language of the Ilocano people is the Ilocano (or Ilokano) language.

What are Ilocanos known for? ›

The Ilocanos are known for being hardworking, appreciative, simple and determined. The Ilocos Region is situated in between the barren lands of the Cordillera mountain ranges and the South China Sea. Although their rich land is blessed with agricultural benefits, making a living in Ilocos is very difficult.

Where do Ilocanos came from? ›

Ilocano, also spelled Ilokano, or Ilokan, also called Iloko, or Iloco, third largest ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines. When discovered by the Spanish in the 16th century, they occupied the narrow coastal plain of northwestern Luzon, known as the Ilocos region.

Why is Ilocano important? ›

Ilocano has become the lingua franca of northern Luzon, as Ilocano traders provide highland peoples with their primary link to the commerce of the outside world.

Why are Ilocanos unique? ›

We, the Ilocanos, are one of the dominating groups in the Philippines. We are unique because we have our own way of living. We differ from how we live it and how we make it. Take a look on this blog and feel the beauty of Ilocano cultural group.

What race is Ilocano? ›

The Ilocanos (Ilocano: Tattao nga Iloko/Ilokano), Ilokanos, or Iloko people are the third largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group. They mostly reside within the Ilocos Region, in the northwestern seaboard of Luzon, Philippines. The native language of the Ilocano people is the Ilocano (or Ilokano) language.

Why do Hawaiians speak Ilocano? ›

The Ilocano people of northern Luzon were some of the first Filipinos to immigrate to the U.S., bringing their language and culture with them to Hawaii, California, and other parts of the western U.S. In fact, most of the immigrants in the first wave of immigration from the Philippines to the U.S. spoke Ilocano.

What is the origin of Ilocano tribe? ›

The term "Ilonggo" is derived from "Ilong-ilong", the old name for Iloilo City, Panay. “Ilonggo” is considered to define a specific group of people whose ethnic origins are in the provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, and Panay, while "Hiligaynon" defines the language and culture of the Ilonggo people.

Why Ilocos Sur called the Heritage Village of the Philippines? ›

The well-preserved city is the capital of Ilocos Sur, in the northwest of Luzon, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The unique architectural fusion of colonial Spanish and Philippine building designs resulted in the development of a unique townscape and culture, with no parallel anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

Why Ilocos Norte is the best place to visit? ›

Laoag, the jewel of Ilocos Norte, is a city that deserves to be on everyone's travel bucket list in the Philippines. It offers majestic sand dunes along the Ilocos coastline, awe-inspiring natural rock formations, and centuries-old stone churches.

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