La Union
La Union is a coastal province on the west side of northern Luzon, about 270 kilometres north of Manila. Many young Filipinos call it Elyu. Its best known town is San Juan, the surf capital of the north, where soft beach waves make it one of the easiest places in the country to learn. Along the main road you find surf schools, small hostels, coffee bars, poke bowls, grilled seafood and sunset bars on the sand. The provincial capital, San Fernando, is a short ride south and has the big markets, malls and bus stops. Inland, green hills rise toward the mountains of Baguio. Here you can swim at Tangadan Falls, walk through grape farms in Bauang, or relax by a pebble beach in Luna. Since the TPLEX expressway opened fully in 2020, the drive from Manila is shorter, so weekends can be busy. The surf is best from about November to March, and the dry months are the easiest time to visit.
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All La Union Guides
5 in-depth guides to La Union — food, nightlife, beaches, transport, money and the practical detail that is hard to find.