Elyu La Union is one of the popular beach destinations for young Filipinos today. What’s not to like about it? It’s only 5 hours away from Manila, it has the hippest, and coolest, places to hang out, and you can learn how to surf! It’s like Boracay and Siargao met in one place! Though nothing beats the powdery white sand of Boracay. But Elyu La Union is nearer and great for spontaneous trips.
Enjoy the Instagram-perfect hostels, restaurants, and the beach itself. Charming you with deep colored fine sand and slightly strong waves perfect for surfing. If you just want to take a chill dip in the waters some areas of San Juan beach make that possible for you too.
San Juan La Union beach resorts gained popularity among young Filipinos in the late 2010s all thanks to social media and pop-culture references. Now, it is the place to be if you don’t have time or the budget for a plane ticket to Boracay or Palawan.
Over the recent months, Elyu La Union also gained popularity to younger Filipino professionals who can work and have a vacation at the same time.
Geography
Elyu La Union is a coastal province that faces the West Philippine Sea and is north of Metro Manila. During the late 1990s, it gained popularity as a surfing destination. But in the age of social media, and Instagram, younger Filipino Millenials and Gen Zs found the beach as a good hang-out spot due to its picturesque pinterest-inspired aesthetics.
There’s no need to wait for your favorite airline to go on a seat sale just for you to save some money on your next beach trip because La Union is reachable by car.
How Do I Get There?
La Union is quite accessible for everyone, even if you have a car or not. A bus called Partas travels to La Union for P596 for a one-way ticket. Like always, it is still best for you to book a ticket online for guaranteed seating and no surprises when you get to the bus station.
You may also opt to travel on your own private vehicle, but be prepared to pay toll fees in the expressways you’ll use.
Where to Stay?
La Union, especially San Juan, and Urbiztondo have several accommodations available. The development of the area was huge in recent years. There are several hostels that you can choose from, and all of them are affordable. But the artsy Flotsam and Jetsam Hostel & Restaurant stood out. Tanawan Hostel is an affordable choice for travelers on a budget. You can find safe, and affordable air conditioned sleeping pods for only a little over P1,000. As you will notice, Elyu La Union hotels are generally much more affordable compared to hotels located in more popular destinations.
But if you’re willing to spend some more, then Fatwave Sunset Shack is the one for you. With its overall aesthetics that remind us of coastal hip restaurants in Los Angeles and Miami.
Activities to do
Learn to surf:
The months of July to September and October to March are some of the best times for you to visit Elyu La Union resorts if you intend to surf. The waves of the beach around those times can reach as high as 10 feet!
Surfboard rental costs around P200 and if you’re learning from scratch you can hire an instructor for a fee. Some hotel accommodations offer a package wherein you can learn how to surf with a professional instructor for around P1,800 per 1.5 hours. Not bad for a newbie right?
Enjoy the public beach:
Aside from surfing, if you intend to visit Elyu La Union beach resort in months when the waves are not high enough for surfing you can just enjoy the beach. There are several restaurants and bars around which all have access to the beach.
Since the beach is facing the west, it is a must for every visitor to watch the sunset, and witness one of the most dramatic sunsets you can see in the Philippines.
Enjoy good food & drinks:
Just like Boracay, La Union attracted a lot of food and hospitality businesses in recent years, and here are some of our best picks that you should visit! There are a variety of choices for different taste buds. But here are some of the best recommended restaurants in La Union.
Coffee: El Union Coffee
El Union Coffee is one of the first establishments in San Juan La Union. They gained prominence with their cozy and Instagrammable coffee nook. They source coffee beans from several regions across the country. You must try their cold brew coffee, and Horchata (a dairy based drink made with ingredients like barley, sesame seeds, and almonds) you can also have this unique concoction blended to your cup of coffee. Just be sure to inform the barista as you order.
Beachside Restaurant & Bar: Kabsat
Kabsat, which means sibling in Ilocano is one of the best restaurants in Elyu La Union. It boasts a huge 1,500-square-meter space that can accommodate several people in peak hours. The architecture of the restaurant takes inspiration from a contemporary beach house and traditional tropical nipa huts for that luxurious tropical feel.
Treat yourself to delicious Filipino cuisine meals, refreshing cocktail blends, and local & imported craft beers while admiring the beautiful coast. The sunset view over the horizon is another reason for you to visit this place for an early dinner and carefully watch the sun fade into darkness.
Affordable Hostel:
Tanawan Hostel
Budget-friendly accommodations doesn’t mean that they can’t be IG-worthy. Tanawan Hostel’s aesthetics of white and wooden elements will make you snap some pics for the ‘gram!
Unlike other accommodations around, this hostel’s sleeping pods come with curtains for your privacy and are fully air-conditioned so you can truly have a restful sleep. The accommodation is not a beachfront place, but the public Urbiztondo beach is only a few meters away. Making it the best choice for travelers on a budget.
One-stop-Hostel/Restaurant/Bar: Flotsam and Jetsam
Popular for local and foreign tourists alike, this hostel and restaurant is perfect for the hippie young crowd. The beach dining area reminds us of the colorful decorations of Bali. The pop of colour from their artistic decorations gives the place a hipster feel. Making it the perfect spot for the younger crowd to hang out over drinks. Not to mention that they have an artsy hostel too!
San Juan, La Union definitely gained popularity among young Filipinos and to foreign tourists as well. All made possible by social media. It was developed from a quiet beach that only surfers visit due to its waves, to a tourist destination that continues to evolve as one of the best places to visit in the Philippines.
Planning a much-needed vacation? Head over to our other blog posts like this Bantayan Island Travel Guide or this 7 Cool Destinations to Beat the Heat in the Philippines and discover the best one that will fit your budget and lifestyle.
