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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
San Juan, La Union
San 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.
- Country
- Philippines
- Local name
- San Juan
- 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
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PHP
- Money
- Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₱1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid ₱2,500–4,500 excl. bed · High ₱4,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- National emergency 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US flat pins common; check your devices for 220 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Boat crew: ₱100–200 per tour.; Massage: ₱50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.
- Toilets
- Called 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ₱80–180 |
| Noodle or rice meal at a beach restaurant | ₱150–350 |
| Beer: bottle at a bar / can at a sari-sari store | ₱80–150 / ₱50–80 |
| Bus Manila → San Juan, one way | ₱600–900 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- 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.
Typical fares
- Bus Manila → San Juan (Urbiztondo or Montemar drop-off)
- about ₱600–900, 5–6 h
Get 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.
See and do
Known for
- Beginner surf breaks at Urbiztondo
- Surf season November to April
- Danggayan Festival in May
- Beach hostels and surf schools
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| San Fernando, La Union | Bus or jeepney south along Route 2, about 20–30 min | About 45 min |
| Bauang | Bus or jeepney south along Route 2, about 20 min | About 40 min |
| Bacnotan | Bus or jeepney north along Route 2, about 20 min | About 40 min |
| Agoo | Bus north along Route 2, about 45 min | About 1 h |
| Luna | Bus north to Balaoan or Agoo, then tricycle | 1.5–2 h |
| Balaoan | Bus north along Route 2, about 50 min | About 1 h 15 min |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Thank you | Salamatsa-LA-mat |
| How much is it? | Magkano?mag-KA-no |
| Where is the beach? | Nasaan ang beach?na-SA-an ang beach |
| I would like to rent a surfboard | Gusto kong mag-rent ng surfboardgus-TO kong mag-rent ng surfboard |
| Can I pay by card? | Pwede bang mag-card?PWE-de bang mag-card |
| Where is the toilet? | Nasaan ang banyo?na-SA-an ang BAN-yo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Smile, handshake; 'po' to elders; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Beckoning: Palm down, wave; avoid: Palm up (used for animals)
- Invitations: Accept food offered or decline politely; avoid: Refusing bluntly
- Time: Expect 'Filipino time' socially; avoid: Lateness for flights and boats
- Churches: Covered clothes; avoid: Loud tours during Mass
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
Beach-town safe for tourists; the real risks are rip currents, crowded weekend line-ups, sunburn and typhoon-season travel disruption. Keep valuables in a dry bag, not on the sand.
One and two days
No timed day plan for San Juan, La Union yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Beginner surf breaks at Urbiztondo
- Surf season November to April
- Danggayan Festival in May
- Beach hostels and surf schools
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: San Juan (La Union), revision 5323048 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5323048
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
San Juan, La UnionSan Juan
Dito po, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- National emergency911
No embassies in San Juan; the US embassy and most others are in Manila. Consular help for La Union runs through Manila.
Tricycle fares and surf prices are quoted per hour or per ride; agree before you start.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/san-juan-la-union). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.