Laoag

History

Laoag's history stretches back to pre-colonial times. It has been a trading post between the local Austronesian population, and the Chinese and Japanese. Laoag was then called Samtoy, from the Ilocano for "this is our language".
The Spaniards came in the 16th century, when Miguel López de Legazpi's son, Juan de Salcedo ordered the invasion of the northwestern coastline of Luzon, from Vigan toward the present location of Laoag. Colonization began when Spanish friars seized lands for churches, where their belfries also double as garrisons through an Spanish royal edict. Due to the law, as well as the abusive treatment of the Ilocanos by the the Augustinian friars, locals started numerous rebellions, most notably the Silang rebellions of 1762—63. The first of those rebellions was led by Diego Silang, who led victories against the Spanish colonial authorities in 1762, then in war with the British during the Seven Years' War. Silang was assassinated by his close friend who was hired by the Spanish, where his wife, Gabriela Silang, continued the rebellion until she was captured and hanged.
In 1965, Laoag gained cityhood through a plebiscite, and remained the capital of Ilocos Norte since then.

Climate

Laoag has a tropical dry and wet climate, being dry from November to April and wet from May to October. Daytime highs average at and nighttime lows at . There is barely any rainfall during the drier months, but it almost rains every day at the rainy season.
Nights are mildly cool during the dry season, where the nightime low temperatures range from , and it almost never rains. Despite its northerly location in mainland Luzon, Laoag is shielded from the the cool northeastern moonsoon (amihan) by the Central Cordillera and does not suffer extreme nighttime temperatures unlike Tuguegarao to the east.
Rainy season begins at May, and lasts through September. May is a transition from dry and hot conditions to wet and rainy days, so, rainy periods, typically from thunderstorms, are unpredictable through the middle of the month as the southwest monsoon (abagat) advances through the Philippines towards East Asia. Rainfall slowly increases, peaking at August and suddenly decreases by September. An average of five typhoons pass through Laoag, especially during the last months of the monsoon season.

By plane

• Laoag International AirportDespite its international designation, it is not served by scheduled international flights, except for occasional charter service. PAL Express flies daily from Manila, using an Airbus A320 jet.

By bus

Despite having a central government-owned terminal to the west of downtown, buses to Laoag continue to use their dedicated terminals anywhere within the city.

• Fariñas Bus LinesTrips depart from Manila

• GMW TransportConnects Tuguegarao via Manila North Road through Pagudpud. The fare is and the trip takes 7 hours.

• G.V. Florida TransportSleeper buses depart from their Sampaloc and Cubao terminals in Metro Manila

• PartasDeparts from their terminals in Baguio (Gov. Pack Road) and Manila at (Cubao, Sampaloc and Pasay).

• Philippine RabbitDepartures from Baguio, via Naguilian Road and Manila North Road

• Calesa - Horse-drawn carriage
• Jeepney
• Tricycle
• Rent-a-car

• Ilocos Norte Museum

• Tobacco Monopoly

• Sand Dunes, La PazThe only desert in the Philippines. 4x4 vehicle recommended to appreciate the desert beauty.

• Sinking BelltowerPart of the Laoag church. Named so because it slowly sinks into the soft soil of the city. A decade ago, the entrance was still tall enough to let a man on horseback enter. Now not even a man could enter.

• Tabacalera

  address: Assorted Stores

• 4x4 off roading

• Beach

• Relax, unwind, enjoy nature

• Sand boarding

• Banana chips

• Hand woven baskets

• Taro (kamote) chips

Malls & supermarkets

• Robinsons Place Mall & Robinsons Supermarket

  phone: +63 77 781-2595
  address: Brgy 51

• S M Savemore Hypermarket

  address: J P Rizal Street

• Puregold Supermarket

  address: J P Rizal street & M Nolasco Street

• Cailian Grill

• Dap-AyanTry the Laoag Empanada along Rizal Street near Provincial Capitol.

• Dawang's

  address: San Nicolas
  Try their crispy dinuguan.

• La Preciosa

• Macy's Diner

  phone: +63 77 770-3551
  address: Gen Segundo Ave. cor M.H. del Pilar St
  An American 1950s inspired restaurant. Serves most of your favorite American, Chinese, & Filipino foods.

• Saramsam

• Giannis - along Mckinley Street, Brgy 10, behind Provincial Capitol. Giannis offers good food, ambiance, music and vibe. Try their baby back ribs (no MSG) with Giannis fried rice.

• herencias cafe

  address: paoay ilocos norte
  Try pinakbet and dinuguan pizza

Mid-range & splurge

• Gertes Resort

  phone: +63 77 786 - 10 53
  address: Brgy. Balatong
  The hotel offers air-conditioned accommodation rooms, all equipped with cable TV, Wi-Fi connectivity, telephone, and also comes with complimentary breakfast. Some of its facilities are Gertes Restaurant, Bare n' Bloom Spa, swimming pools, and business center.

• Hotel Tiffany

  phone: +63 77 770-3550
  address: Gen. Segundo Ave Cor. M.H. del Pilar St
  Offers 24 guestrooms, all of which have air-conditioned, cable television, and private toilet and bath. Some of its amenities include high-speed Internet access, room service, and wake-up call.

• Ilocos Rosewell Hotel

  phone: +63 77 670-6528
  address: Brgy.1, San Francisco National High-Way San Nicolas
  Offers 22 air-conditioned guestrooms, all of which have cable TV, free Wi-Fi, mini-bar, and a telephone. Some of its amenities include massage service, laundry and dry cleaning, wake-up call, and airport and city transfers.

• Isabel Suites

  phone: +63 77 770-4998, +63 77 771-1900
  address: Bacarra Road (beside Jollibee Bacarra road)

• Java Hotel

  phone: +63 2 246-1010
  address: Bacarra Road 55-B, Salet
  A hospitable place with touches of Balinese, Moroccan, and Spanish style decoration. Offers rooms, suites, and dormitory-type quarters.

• Renzo Hotel

  phone: +63 77 770-4898, +63 77 770-5288
  address: Brgy.19, Santa Marcela, Rizal cor. Guerrero Street

• Playa Tropical Hotel Ilocos

  address: Barangay Victoria
  A Balinese-inspired hotel located in the heart of Currimao, 25 minutes from Laoag Int'l Airport and 45 min-1 hr away from Vigan. The hotel has a seafront view of calm waves and fine sand beaches where you can do water sports activities like kayaking, pedal boating and skim boarding.

• Plaza del Norte

  phone: +63 77 670 8818
  address: Barangay 41 - Balacad
  It offers 96 rooms, all of which have air-conditioning system, cable TV, private toilet and bath, phone and coffee/tea maker. Its amenities include high-speed Internet access, swimming pool, and restaurant, bar and café.

Budget

• Texicano Hotel

  phone: +63 77 7720209
  address: Rizal Aveune.
  Fan single/double room with out side bathroom. Fan single/double rooms with own bathrooms. A good place for backpackers to stay. 50 rooms. Can pay with Visa/Mastercard

• Pichay Lodging House

  phone: +63 77 7721267
  address: P Lazaro corner Heranado streets
  Fan double rooms with own bathroom. 25 rooms.

• Star Light Lodge

  phone: +63 77 7721267
  address: Ablan Avenue
  Fan single/double rooms. 19 rooms.

• Hotel Del Norte

  phone: +63 9204751073
  address: 28 Fonacier Street
  Fan single room with own bathroom. Fan single/double room with own bathroom and cable TV. AC double with own bathroom and cable TV.

• Supertram Lodge

  phone: +63 77 7705175
  address: Hernando Avenue
  Fan double room with own bathroom. A/c double room with own bathroom.

• Vigan
• Pagudpud
• Tuguegarao