Vigan on A Budget: An Informative Guide When Backpacking in Vigan!

We all know for a fact that the Philippines is abundantly blessed with all the resources and natural beauty one can ever think of. I’m sure you’ve seen breathtaking photos all over the web and also dreamed of visiting those places someday.

Here in wheninmanila.com, we would like for you to also live more and make your travel dreams come to life, so we’ve decided to use our time and talents to come up with budget friendly local trips tailor fit for common working Pinoys like us! Let’s make it happen!

It seems that most people I talk with, dream of going to Vigan. Everybody wants to experience strolling and taking photos at the famous Calle Crisologo Heritage site. To experience authentic Ilocano cuisine, the pleasure of touring the town on a horse carriage and pigging out on Pinoy favorites such as the longganisa, bagnet and empanada. To tell you in all honesty, Vigan is indeed a MUST visit place for Vigan never fails to leave you wanting for more! So ok, allow me to design the most affordable Vigan trip specially for 1 to 2 people without missing out on the Vigan essentials!

Pack light!

Many of my friends and readers have asked me about tips on packing light… At first, I also had the tendency to bring everything, which resulted to a lot of burden on my back, but as I got used to it, I was able to identify all the essentials I needed for every journey! It really depends on how many days and accommodation you are to have.

If staying in a hotel (3star up), no need to bring a towel, toothbrush and other toiletries as it’ll be readily provided to you. But for budget trips such as these, sometimes even a towel won’t be provided. Good thing Hotel ni Among is one of those generous hotels which provide the basics. For budget inns and bed and breakfasts, be sure to bring your toiletries as they would cost really high if you buy from the hotel itself!

 

the essentials I always bring when traveling…

FARES…

Although this should be a budget friendly tour, there are some vital things we should consider like safety! Never feel bad on investing on your safety specially when you travel. If possible, you should even get a travel insurance!

Anyway, to go to Vigan, take the Partas Bus either in Pasay or Cubao. Be sure to check their schedules first (their trips are often delayed but you should get there early to buy a ticket)! They offer two options, the ordinary aircon 665php and deluxe 805php. It takes 10hrs for the day journey and 8hrs if you take the night trip! I recommend taking the night trip to avoid extreme boredom and the heat!

 

their trips are often delayed but you should get there early to buy a ticket 

They badly need to improve!

Touchdown Vigan!

From Partas terminal take a trike to Hotel ni Among! Pay only 10pesos according to locals!

 

Hotel ni Among : The most affordable and safest place to stay when in Vigan!

Hotel ni Among offers the most affordable accommodations in Vigan! There may be places which offer less than 500/night stays but those aren’t really legit or accredited. Safety is a must, so be sure to stay in an accredited and safe place when staying out of town!

Hotel ni Among is also a popular place for backpackers and group outings and events with its reasonably priced dorm type rooms and huts. Expect nothing fancy here so be sure to bring essential toiletries for they will only provide you with soap, tissue and towels. They have rooms that can house 12 to 32 pax and air-conditioned huts for two. They don’t even have an in-house resto yet but they do provide free breakfast (packed food) that can be brought to your room. They also have a really nice and well maintained pool so Hotel ni Among is an ideal place for group outings. Room rates cost around 500/pax for a group of 3+ and 750/pax for two.

 

the Kubo with Aircon at Hotel ni Among (P1500/night)

cute n cozy

fully-air-conditioned room with cable tv

 with your own decent toilet and bathroom

sample photo of their 32-bed dorm type room

ideal for big groups (500php/pax/night)

 the pool at Hotel ni Among

Vigan City Tour

The most popular way to tour the city is by riding the kalesa. It costs 150/hr. The kutsero will also serve as your guide and will take you to around 8-10 key places which every tourist must see! Prepare around 500 for a 3-hr tour.

 

 

If you’re lucky enough to know some locals, they could even let you borrow their bike so you can freely tour around town! Good thing my friends from Gordion Hotel and Hotel ni Among gladly allowed me to use theirs!

 

 cheapest way to get around Vigan!

Every hotel also provide maps for tourists so if you are to tour around on a bike, be sure to have a map with you and lots of water to keep you hydrated from the scorching heat! Understanding the map is so easy it’ll be impossible for you to be lost!

 pointing at my location…

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