Discover Vigan

What drives tourists to Vigan is the curiosity to experience the only surviving colonial town in the Philippines. Unlike other cities bearing colonial traces, the center of Vigan City has successfully preserved its Spanish heritage. The city’s cultural heritage boasts a treasury of almost 200 ancestral houses, churches and towers, public squares (plaza in Filipino), museums and other historical landmarks built during the Spanish occupation of the country. It’s colonial atmosphere being its main tourist attraction, the city government successfully persuaded even new structures to be built with colonial designs. 

Vigan is the city capital of the Province of Ilocos Sur. It is situated along the western coast of Northern Luzon in the Philippines. The city has a total land area of 2,511 has. of which 144 has. covers the city center. The center of the city consists of 9 barangays boasting Spanish influence. The other 30 barangays surrounding the center of the city have structurally moved on with the changing times. 

Getting There

There are several points of entry to the city of Vigan. One may proceed straight from Manila or one may come from Baguio or the nearer provinces of La Union and Ilocos Norte. From Manila, the 408 km stretch is a seven-hour bus ride from any of the many bus stations around Manila and its neighboring cities. Partas Bus Company and Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines are two of the bigger and more expensive bus lines regularly plying the Manila-Ilocos route. Dominion and Florida buses are also Manila-Ilocos regulars, offering the same comforts but are more affordable than the first two. 

On my latest Ilocos trip I went to Vigan from Baguio City which was about a long five-hour ride via the Marcos highway. To save time, I traveled at night. We left Baguio City at about 6pm and arrived in Vigan at half past 10. The trip cost me Php298 (about US$7) on the Partas (English: speed). I had no memories of the trip as I was mostly asleep during its five-hour stretch except when I began to feel the familiar Ilocos atmosphere.

On my earlier trips however, I would always proceed from Manila to Ilocos Sur. The fare here ranges from Php550-750 (US$13 – US$18), depending on the bus line and the type of bus one decides to take. I prefer air conditioned buses (if only for a more comfortable feel and a speedier transport), and I only take regular buses if I have no other option.