“Agay-ayat Kadakayo Amin” or “We Love You All” in English is what will greet you once you enter and see the arch of the coastal city of San Fernando, La Union. Who wouldn’t love that, right? Everyone relishes that feeling when people welcome them to a new place. With La Union, you’ll never go wrong because of the warm and lovely smiles of the locals, the mouth-watering and sumptuous cuisines, the ‘instagrammable’ tourist spots and hostels, and of course, the high and surf-worthy waves!
With Manila as the center, you can find La Union in the northern part of the Philippines. Not only this, you can say goodbye to airfare tickets as you can enjoy a fun-filled five-hour road trip with your friends, family, co-workers, or significant other if you’re from Luzon! It’s fine, though, if you don’t have a private car because you can easily ride a bus called Partas Travels. You can purchase a ticket, either online or walk-in, for only Php 758.00 (price may vary) for a one-way ticket. It’s a small price to pay in exchange for a weekend getaway you surely won’t forget!
Why is it called ELYU?
“Let’s go to ELYU?” “ELYU sponty trip!” You’ve probably heard or seen this from your friends, acquaintances, or even social media platforms. You might be thinking, why do they call it that? Not many may know this as they may have just followed the trend, but locals from this unique province like to call it ‘ELYU.’ This is their way to make it stand out with its short but attractive name. Elyu is simply just the acronym ‘LU’ (La Union). Since then, all the youngsters and millennials have gone with the flow. And soon, these northern provincial waves gained traction around the world. “ELYU” does have a nice ring to it, don’t you think?
What is ELYU famous for?
Akin to other beach destinations in the Philippines, La Union prides itself on its white sand, pristine waters, and picture-perfect sunrise and sunset. What makes it unique, however, is its distinct waves, as these can reach up to 10 feet depending on the tides. This makes it perfect for all levels of surf enthusiasts, from beginner, intermediate, and advanced to competition-ready surfers!
It’s the surfing capital of the Philippines for a reason, but it doesn’t stop there! It is also the best place to unwind if you feel like you need to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. In Elyu, you get the best of both worlds. There’s the chill and laid-back atmosphere of some hostels, coffee shops, and restaurants. And the loud and vibrant nightlife along the seaside bars and clubs.
If you are a coffee lover and want to taste something authentic and unique, you have to try El Union Coffee. Since the opening of ELYU in 2013 in the country, El Union Coffee has committed itself to supporting local farmers while giving a simple life vibe at the beach through coffee. In addition to the cafe, El Union Coffee also operates The Shrine of Satisfaction, a cocktail bar, and a small roastery that was just recently installed. This roastery, distribute its single-origin coffee beans throughout the Philippines. The group is also putting in the effort to establish their farm eventually.
Famous Tourists Spots in Elyu
Aside from its mark as the “Surfing Capital of the North,” ELYU is a province with much to offer besides surfing. It also contains open-to-the-public agri-tourism farms as well as centuries-old churches, heritage monuments, natural attractions like the Tangadan Falls, and a thriving local arts scene. In La Union, there are plenty of things to do and places to visit.
Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan
We know that Elyu is more than just for surfing but not mentioning this spot in the list is a crime! The peak surfing months are July through October and November through March. A strong surf culture has developed recently in this part of La Union, which is known for having the most reliable waves in the nation. Numerous locations provide surfing instruction for all skill levels, and the beach is home to a large number of hotels. Additionally, there are surfboards you can rent throughout the area.
There are lots of restaurants in Urbiztondo serving anything from comfort food to Mexican, Asian, Italian, and Filipino specialties. Locals and tourists from other countries have been returning to Urbiztondo every year to enjoy the beach life because of its laid-back atmosphere and artistic flair.
Tangadan Falls
Tangadan Falls is a two-tiered waterfall that flows into the Baroro River in San Gabriel, La Union. It receives its water from the Cordillera Mountain Ranges. A brief plunge in the pool is ideal on a hot summer day. The lowest cascade of the falls has a width of 100 feet and a 40- foot drop.
The deeper pool basin and shorter waterfall of the upper cascade make it perfect for jumping off the bluff. The lower cascade, which has a more impressive and dramatic drop than the other, is famous for its arresting photo. After the picturesque hike to the waterfall, the cool spring water provides a pleasant escape from the heat.
Ma-Cho Temple (A Taoist Temple)
The architecture of the Ma-Cho Temple across the skyline of La Union creates a spectacular sight. The highest point provides a panoramic view of the West Philippine Sea and San Fernando harbor and is tucked on top of a hill at the height of 70 above sea level along Quezon Avenue in San Fernando. Do you know that it was the country’s first Taoist temple? It was built in 1975 in honor of the Chinese.
Inside this 11-tiered attraction are the interiors filled with Chinese decorations and Taiwanese art. Its most famous attraction is called the “Spider Dome.” It is a structure that features 13 tiers of interlinking wooden carvings of images of saints. There are other colorful attractions that you may also want to check out. Visit Bamboo Garden, Lian Thing Pagoda, the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, and the Majestic Five-Door Gate.
It is noteworthy that regardless of color, religion, or creed, anyone is welcome to worship at the Taoist temple. In this exquisitely designed hall of worship, visitors are encouraged to reflect and find comfort.
Bahay na Bato
This expansive art gallery was where Dr. Edison and Dr. Purita Chan-Noble spent their vacations before. Located on Barangay Nalvo Norte’s pebble beach and was primarily made out of stones and pebbles.
The statues dotted across the area are likely the first things you’ll notice. Our favorite thing about this place is that there’s a wide range significantly in terms of theme and design. The entire location offers a variety of Instagrammable photo opportunities and welcomes visitors of all ages. Another good thing about this spot is they allow prenuptial shoots and other themed photo shoots.
If you want to make the most of your visit and enjoy it, we suggest that you should go early in the morning or late afternoon!
Red Clay Pagdamilian
Red Clay Pagdamilian is a well-known pottery studio and shop that exhibits local talent with lovely pottery and other souvenir products for sale. The term “damili” is an Ilocano word that means “the art of pottery making.” More than the pottery on display, however, what makes it a well-known tourist destination in La Union is that for a nominal cost, anyone can handle the clay and create their very own unique souvenir clay item from scratch.
This serves as a great way for you and your loved ones to discover your artistic abilities and express your creativity. You can shape clays into functional objects for everyday use or into decorative pieces, which you can display around the house, including, but not limited to, mugs, food storage containers, and clay pots. You may find this place along the National Highway on Barangay La Union.
There are many more places you should visit that are not on this list, but we hope that this allowed you to be more intrigued in going to Elyu!
Are you now seeking to plan your much-needed vacation early because of this article? Head over to our blog Elyu La Union on the Weekend Destination to learn more about Elyu and discover the best things to enjoy during your Elyu vacation!
