Major city · Philippines
San Juan, La UnionSan Juan
Go for 2–3 nights if you want to learn to surf: base in Urbiztondo, ride the Nov–Apr swell, and skip the town centre.
San Juan is the Philippines' main learn-to-surf town on the north Luzon coast, about 5–6 hours by bus from Manila. Almost everything a visitor wants sits in two beach strips outside the town centre: Urbiztondo, with the surf schools, hostels and bars, and quieter Montemar to the north. Two to three nights covers a beginner course and a rest day; the town itself has little beyond a church, a watchtower and a market.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PHP
- Best months
- Nov–Apr for surf; Dec–May for dry weather
- avoid Jul–Oct (rain and typhoon season), weekends if you want an uncrowded line-up
- Airports
- MNL · CRK
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Philippines ↗Complete the free eTravel registration on the official government site within 72 hours before arrival; ignore lookalike sites that charge.
- Philippines ↗Typhoon season runs roughly June to November: flights and boats are cancelled at short notice; buy flexible tickets and keep a spare day.
- Philippines ↗Carry pesos in small notes; many stalls, jeepneys and taxis are cash-only.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Juan, La Union911 ▾
- National emergency911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Juan, La Union, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.Philippines-wide
- SIM or eSIMGlobe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.Philippines-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.Philippines-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if no service charge.Philippines-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Philippines-wide
- SafetyBeach-town safe for tourists; the real risks are rip currents, crowded weekend line-ups, sunburn and typhoon-season travel disruption.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsCalled 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.Philippines-wide
- Emergency numbers911 National emergency
- Sundays & holidaysHoly Week shuts much; malls open daily; banks closed weekends.Philippines-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMNL Manila Ninoy Aquino International (Then a 5–6 h bus north to San Juan; no airport in La Union.).
- Getting aroundTricycles are the main public transport between the town centre, Urbiztondo and Montemar; agree the fare before you get in.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₱80–180 (≈ US$2–4)
- Street or quick mealNoodle or rice meal at a beach restaurant₱150–350 (≈ US$3–7)
- Beerbottle at a bar / can at a sari-sari store₱80–150 (≈ US$2–3)₱50–80 (≈ US$1–2)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person₱350 (≈ US$7)
- Mid-range bedBeach resort double room, a night, per room₱2,500 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedBeach resort double room, a night, per room₱6,000 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱1,500 (≈ US$30) · Mid ₱3,000 (≈ US$55) · High ₱6,000 (≈ US$110)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MNL Manila Ninoy Aquino International (Then a 5–6 h bus north to San Juan; no airport in La Union.) · CRK Clark International (Closer to the north Luzon expressway; bus connections to La Union are thinner, so check before booking.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–May. Avoid: Jul–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Aug (21 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Juan, La Union: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
19 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
21 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Tricycles are the main public transport between the town centre, Urbiztondo and Montemar; agree the fare before you get in. Most visitors walk within their own beach strip and take a tricycle for the 10–15 minute hop between strips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
San Fernando, La Union
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus or jeepney south along Route 2, about 20–30 min
Provincial capital with the main bus terminals, market and food stops.
Bauang
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus or jeepney south along Route 2, about 20 min
Quieter beaches and grape farms; easy half-day.
Bacnotan
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus or jeepney north along Route 2, about 20 min
Coastal barangays and a riverside stop on the way to Vigan.
Agoo
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus north along Route 2, about 45 min
Worth it mainly for the basilica and market; check bus times back.
Luna
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus north to Balaoan or Agoo, then tricycle
Longer run; better as an overnight than a return day trip.
Balaoan
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Bus north along Route 2, about 50 min
No standout sight for a short trip; pass through on the way north.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Urbiztondo
The surf hub: hostels, surf schools, restaurants and bars within walking distance of the break. Noisiest and busiest at weekends.
Montemar
A few kilometres north; fewer resorts, cheaper rooms, own board or a resort that rents one. No surf lessons here.
San Juan town centre (Ili Sur)
Church, watchtower and public market only. Fine for a local errand, not for a beach stay.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₱1,500–2,500 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₱2,500–4,500 (≈ US$45–80) excl. bed
- High
- ₱4,500 (≈ US$80)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Beach resort double room1 × 3 nights × ₱2,500 | ₱7,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × ₱3,000 | ₱18,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₱500 | ₱1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₱2,650 |
| Trip total≈ ₱4,860 per person per day, bed included | ₱29,150≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in pesos; flights and long-distance buses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₱80–180 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Noodle or rice meal at a beach restaurant | ₱150–350 (≈ US$3–7) |
| Beer: bottle at a bar / can at a sari-sari store | ₱80–150 (≈ US$2–3) / ₱50–80 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bus Manila → San Juan, one way | ₱600–900 (≈ US$11–16) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Weekend line-ups at Urbiztondo get crowded; go early on a weekday if you can.
- Surf season runs Nov–Apr, but reliable swell mostly holds to late January; later weeks can go flat.
- Typhoon season Jun–Oct can close roads and cancel buses; check forecasts before travelling.
- Bring cash: smaller resorts and surf schools may not take cards.
Emergency numbers
- National emergency
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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San Juan, La UnionSan Juan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Dito po, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- National emergency911
Embassy
No embassies in San Juan; the US embassy and most others are in Manila. Consular help for La Union runs through Manila.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Manila → San Juan (Urbiztondo or Montemar drop-off): about ₱600–900 (≈ US$11–16), 5–6 h
Say or show
- Salamat — Thank you (sa-LA-mat)
- Magkano? — How much is it? (mag-KA-no)
- Nasaan ang beach? — Where is the beach? (na-SA-an ang beach)
- Gusto kong mag-rent ng surfboard — I would like to rent a surfboard (gus-TO kong mag-rent ng surfboard)
- Pwede bang mag-card? — Can I pay by card? (PWE-de bang mag-card)
- Nasaan ang banyo? — Where is the toilet? (na-SA-an ang BAN-yo)
Tricycle fares and surf prices are quoted per hour or per ride; agree before you start.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Juan, La Union. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr for surf; Dec–May for dry weather · avoid Jul–Oct (rain and typhoon season), weekends if you want an uncrowded line-up · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MNL and CRK: last bus departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Urbiztondo beach strip, Montemar, San Juan town centre.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (watchtower, church, public market) and eat pages with last orders.
- Surf-school and board-rental fixtures so gates A–D can go green.