Its been more than 20 years since I left this place to study in the US as a young man. This was just dirt and sea at the time, nothing was here except old huts and fishing villages!
Now, its a thriving resort community with a hotel, surfing school, restaurants and a view to a kill from the too of the hotel. San Juan Surf was my home for 4 days, coming back to serve as a commencement speaker and to train their educators and leaders as part of giving back to the old country I grew up in.
The hotel offers a variety of rooms according to your preferneces, three floors of rooms that or perfect for vacationers or just stopping by to see the beach and enjoy a stride or better yet, a sunset or perhaps a surfing lesson. The rooms are not too classy, just enough for one or a couple but will offer an extra bed here and there, if you need to.
The rooms might need upgrading, its a little old now and kinky but comfortable and cool. Step out into the restaurant and they serve food from 7-9:00 P.M. From Vigan Longaniza (sausages) to milfish and eggs with coffee or chocolate. Prices are very reasonable and the staff are wonderful and nice.
If you want to explore and get out of your room at 5 A.M, their gates to the sea opens up life the seemingly metaphorical gateway to paradise, fine sa D, clean landscape with umbrellas and a horde of surf instructors waiting to take you under their wings for about 600 pesos per hour. There's also some of these folks trying to sell you souvenirs and other stuff but what's cool are photographers who'll take your live photos and transfer it on your phone for a couple of hundred pesos! What a deal for a hundred-thousand likes for social media enthusiasts? LOL
Drive out to San Fernando and see along lists of food haven from large chains to simple pleasures manner by Mom and Pops serving local delicacies and culinary delights of the north. Don't worry about the menu, many offer fresh fish grilled to perfection and dishes that are not often seen in larger cities of even Los Angeles where I live and work.
Drive farther to Pagudpud and you won't ignore the excellent local foods by the sea, too ...from their dinengdeng (vegetables) to dinakdakan (grilled pork with mayonnaise) or a seafood combo with all sorts of clams and shelled galore.
I can go on and on but if you happen to go to this wonderful country and travel north, drop by San Juan Surf Resort and experience a little about the sun, sea, surf and wonderful hospitality of the Ilocanos. read more