With the flock of tourists that San Juan is receiving, nearby towns might either receive the same treatment or might forgotten. But based on my observation, most of the visitors who explore other towns of La Union were the same people who came from San Juan, looking for other adventure than surfing or a change of scenery. Though I never saw a lot, I compiled some of the places that starting to get notice at the province of La Union.
S A N G A B R I E L, L A U N I O N
T a n g a d a n F a l l s
If you are looking for other activities rather than surfing, trekking to Tangadan Falls might interest you. It is located at San Gabriel, La Union and since it is just a neighbor town of San Juan, the falls became one of the favorite side trip destination.
Location
Coming from San Juan, you can ride a jeepney to San Gabriel and you will be directed to tricycle lane to the jump-off point of the Falls. To avoid the hassle and if you are in group, you can opt to directly hire a tricycle from San Juan. The trail along Baroro River can last for about an hour. This trek requires a guide with fix amount of P500.00
Our way was the easy one. We came here in a private car and parked near the trail head. From there, we rode a habal habal (motorbike). The habal ride was stiff and in zigzag so I found myself uneasy at first but do not worry, the drivers do know what they were doing. Habal rent was at 250.00.
The habal ride lasted for about 15 minutes to the jump off where you need to pay for the P30.00 entrance fee. Going down to the falls require around another walk for 20 minutes.
And these is the Tangadan Falls, around 50 feet high of water falling in the cold water of Baroro River.
It was surprisingly crowded when we came. Didn't expected it.
L U N A, L A U N I O N
B a h a y n a B a t o
Another rising attraction of La Union is the "Bahay the Bato" or "House of Stone", situated at Brgy. Nalvo Norte, Luna, La Union, a town which is around 30 km from San Juan. The house is built in stones and pebbles and caters art display made from stone and woods. General admission fee was P30.00 per head.
Some arts inside the gallery
The main House.
Wooden hand craft inside the main house.
Bahay na bato was built along the coastline of Luna so you can enjoy a wide beach view at the back once you finish being artsy inside the house.
P e b b l e B e a c h
Being the "Pebble Capital of the North", you can obviously come across a pebble beaches at Luna, La Union. You will be greeted with a long coastline of different pebble shape beach anywhere in the town. There were areas good for swimming and some were not due to the tides.
Pebble Beach was a nice location to catch a sunset.
B A L A O A N, L A U N I O N
Around 24 km from San Juan thru McArthur Highway and 10 km from Luna thru Bacnotan, is another charming Municipality of Balaoan La union. Unlike the crowded San Juan, Balaoan is still not as known to many that make it more exciting to explore.
Balaoan is one of the oldest municipality in La Union and dubbed as the "Sea Urchin Capital" of the province. This peaceful town caters pretty long sand bar. Though we only got a chance to reached the sand bar, beside it was the location of the most visited spot, the Immuki Island.
It's nice to know that little by little, these towns are getting the attention. Most of it have their own unique charm that also deserves the highlight. La union has still a lot of secrets to reveal and definitely would love to discover more some other time. :)
If you want to go back to San Juan and check their popular spots, you can click here.
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