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Major city · Philippines

San Juan, Ilocos SurSan Juan

Give San Juan one night if you want a quiet beach stop between Vigan and Laoag; skip it if you only have time for Vigan's heritage core.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

San Juan is a small coastal town on the Manila North Road, about 30 minutes north of Vigan. It is the buri-palm handicraft centre of Ilocos Sur and has a long public beach and baywalk at Solot-Solot. Most travellers pass through on the way to Vigan or Laoag; a night here buys you an uncrowded sunset and a cheaper bed than in Vigan.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
PHP
Best months
Dec–May (dry season)
avoid Jun–Nov (rain and typhoon season)
Airports
LAO · MNL
Nights
1
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 ▾

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
Emergency numbers for San Juan, Ilocos Sur911 ▾
  • National emergency911
  • Philippine Red Cross143
  • Tourist assistance (DOT hotline)1-8888

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, Ilocos Sur, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or bottled water at a sari-sari store₱20–60 (≈ US$1–2)
  • BeerBeer at a store / in a bar₱50–90 (≈ US$1–2)₱100–180 (≈ US$2–4)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₱300–700 (≈ US$6–13)
  • Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person₱500 (≈ US$9)
  • Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room₱2,000 (≈ US$40)
  • High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room₱3,500 (≈ US$65)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱1,200 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₱2,200 (≈ US$40) · High ₱4,000 (≈ US$75)

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.

Buri palm handicraftsSolot-Solot beach and baywalkSaint John the Baptist Parish ChurchQuiet coastal stop north of Vigan
Airports
LAO Laoag International Airport (About 1.5–2 h south by road on Route 2; limited flights — check schedules.) · MNL Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila (Long-haul bus from Manila to Vigan or Laoag, then tricycle or jeepney to San Juan; 8–12 h by road.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    34°C (93°F)

  5. May

    Best

    34°C (93°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    33°C (91°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    32°C (90°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jun–Nov. Month by month →

Warmest Apr (34°C (93°F)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F) low), wettest Aug (21 rain days), driest Feb (2). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

San Juan, Ilocos Sur: 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

29°C (84°F)

18°C (64°F)

3 rd

Feb

30°C (86°F)

19°C (66°F)

2 rd

Mar

32°C (90°F)

21°C (70°F)

3 rd

Apr

34°C (93°F)

23°C (73°F)

5 rd

May

34°C (93°F)

24°C (75°F)

12 rd

Jun

33°C (91°F)

24°C (75°F)

18 rd

Jul

32°C (90°F)

24°C (75°F)

20 rd

Aug

32°C (90°F)

24°C (75°F)

21 rd

Sep

32°C (90°F)

23°C (73°F)

19 rd

Oct

32°C (90°F)

23°C (73°F)

14 rd

Nov

31°C (88°F)

21°C (70°F)

7 rd

Dec

30°C (86°F)

19°C (66°F)

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 way to move around town; agree the fare before you get in. Buses on Route 2 (Manila North Road) link San Juan with Vigan to the south and Cabugao and Laoag to the north. Walking works for the town centre and the baywalk.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Vigan

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Bus or van south on Route 2, about 30–45 min

Heritage core, Calle Crisologo and the food; go early to beat the heat.

Magsingal

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Bus or jeepney south on Route 2, about 15–20 min

Old church and a short stop on the way to Vigan.

Cabugao and Salomague Port

caution

Door to door: About 30 min

Bus or jeepney north on Route 2, about 15–20 min

Port for cruise calls; nothing much for a land traveller unless you have a sailing.

Sinait

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Bus north on Route 2, about 30–40 min

Northern Ilocos Sur town; combine with Cabugao.

Laoag

overnight

Door to door: About 2 h

Bus north on Route 2, about 1.5–2 h

Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in Laoag instead.

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.

Bannuar (along Manila North Road)

Main-road strip with the public market and Afamosa Villas; easiest for buses and tricycles.

Guimod Norte

Inland, farm-view guesthouses like Kalubungan Farm View; quieter, needs a tricycle to reach the beach.

Solot-Solot (near the baywalk)

Closest to the beach; fewer beds, book ahead in peak season.

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
₱1,200–2,000 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
Mid
₱2,000–3,500 (≈ US$40–65) excl. bed
High
₱3,500 (≈ US$65)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × ₱2,000₱2,000
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₱2,200₱4,400
Tricycle around town, one trip1 × ₱50₱50
Bus Vigan → San Juan, one way2 × ₱50₱100
eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₱500₱1,000
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge₱760
Trip total≈ ₱4,160 per person per day, bed included₱8,310≈ US$150

2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or bottled water at a sari-sari store₱20–60 (≈ US$1–2)
Local meal (rice plus viand) at a carinderia₱80–150 (≈ US$2–3)
Beer at a store / in a bar₱50–90 (≈ US$1–2) / ₱100–180 (≈ US$2–4)
Tricycle ride in town₱20–60 (≈ US$1–2)
Buri handicraft (basket, mat)₱150–800 (≈ US$3–15)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week₱300–700 (≈ US$6–13)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

San Juan is a small, low-crime town; the real risks are road traffic on Route 2, unlit streets after dark and swimming at an unpatrolled public beach. Keep cash on you and check the weather in typhoon season.
  • Tricycle drivers may quote high for visitors: agree the price first.
  • The beach at Solot-Solot is a public local beach, not a resort strip: no lifeguards, check conditions before swimming.
  • Typhoon season runs roughly Jun–Nov; check forecasts before committing to a coastal night.
  • ATMs are scarce outside Vigan: bring enough cash.

Emergency numbers

National emergency
911
Philippine Red Cross
143
Tourist assistance (DOT hotline)
1-8888

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

San Juan, Ilocos SurSan Juan

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Dito po, pakiusapTo this address, please

Emergency

  • National emergency911
  • Philippine Red Cross143
  • DOT tourist assistance1-8888

Embassy

No embassies in San Juan; the US embassy and most others are in Manila — check the address before you travel.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Tricycle in town: ₱20–60 (≈ US$1–2), agree first
  • Bus San Juan → Vigan: about ₱50 (≈ under US$1), 30–45 min
  • Bus San Juan → Laoag: about ₱150–200 (≈ US$3–4), 1.5–2 h

Say or show

  • Magandang umaga — Good morning (ma-gan-DANG u-MA-ga)
  • Salamat — Thank you (sa-LA-mat)
  • Magkano ito? — How much is it? (mag-KA-no i-TO)
  • Nasaan ang beach? — Where is the beach? (na-SA-an ang beach)
  • Puwede bang mag-card? — Can I pay by card? (pu-WE-de bang mag-card)
  • Nasaan ang CR? — Where is the toilet? (na-SA-an ang CR)

Cash is king outside Vigan; carry small notes for tricycles and carinderias.

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, Ilocos Sur. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Dec–May (dry season) · avoid Jun–Nov (rain and typhoon season) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Philippines

Sources