Return to Ilocandia | White Rock Formations in Burgos

As the travel continues in the northwestern part of Luzon - Ilocos Norte, seeing the windmills along the highway and the long coast gives a magnificent and relaxing feeling. If there is one thing that will be treasured most in this travel - the visit to the small town of Burgos is a must for tourists who will visit Ilocos Region.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, the well-known landmark in Burgos, Ilocos Norte.

The horse-riding trail to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation during summer season.

Burgos is a municipality located in Ilocos Norte which is endowed with rock formations teemed with rugged cliffs and white sand beaches. It surrounded by the towns of Bangui in the north, Vintar in the southeast, and Pasuquin in the south, facing the West Philippine Sea. 

Kapurpurawan is noted for its white rock formations taken from Ilocano word puraw.

While going to Pagudpud, we passed by in a souvenir shop located in the coastal highway in Burgos and we found this beach known for its white sand and rocky coastline. The town is also popular in beach resorts which can be found along the highway going to the northern part of the province.

Coastal highway in Burgos.

Forgotten the name of this beach, but it offers a captivating view while on a roadtrip.

Rugged rock formations in the shores of Burgos.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation seen from the trail.

Big waves mold the rock formation as centuries passed which made its significant landmark.

The town is the home of the popular Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, a white limestone landmark molded through the years. It is located near the Bangui Wind Farm and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. 

Rugged path to the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation offering scenic view of Bangui Bay.

The iconic head as part of the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.

Horses can also be a mode of riding to the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.

A bridge as part of the trail going to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

The rock formation consists of limestone and calcarenite, shaped over centuries by winds, waves, and oceanic forces. The name Kapurpurawan taken from Ilocano term "puraw" meaning white depicting the vibrant color of the rock during sunny weather. The rock formation was formed through sedimentation where particles deposited from wind and waves gradually solidify into smooth, ivory-colored rocks.

Shallow rock pools as a result of accumulated seawater in Kapurpurawan Rock Formation,

Burgos Wind Farm can also be seen in Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.

Ivory rock formations can shine under the bright sunlight.

Limestone and calcarenite rock formations made its white color. 

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation overlooking the West Philippine Sea

Limestone rock formations shaped as years go by through wind, oceanic waves, and tides.

Limestone rock formations come in different sizes and shapes.

Smooth, white rock formations teemed with green vegetation.

Scratches and vandals can also be seen in the rock formation - a reminder that the place
should also been protected from undesirable activities that can destroy nature.

Tourists trek and flock in the rock formation with Burgos Windmill in the backdrop.

Tourists can enjoy their stay in the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation through sightseeing, horse riding, trekking, and photography. The place offers the view of Bangui Bay where the coastline provides excellent backdrop for photos. The best time to visit in the place can be in the early morning or late afternoon to see the sunrise or sunset in the area.

Tourists taking picture with the view of Bangui Bay.

Smaller ivory rocks in the shores of Bangui Bay.

The Burgos Wind Farm in the town is part of the windmill belt in the north.

The limestone rock formations can be shaped through the sea waves.

Horses are feeding on grass in the grassy yet rocky shores of Burgos.

Bangui Bay with its strong tidal waves.

The visit to Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is truly memorable with the interesting outdoor activity, seeing the natural beauty of Ilocos Norte with a glimpse of limestone rocks, rugged shores, and the majestic view of the bay.

Visiting Burgos will not be completed if you don't visit the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. With a trek and seeing the natural beauty of the north, your visit in the Ilocandia will be completed.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation from the distance.

Date of Travel: April 26, 2025

Perlas ng Silang: Where Nature Meets Serenity in the Hidden Haven

A peacock's tail with colorful shrubs and plants flocked by the tourists for picture taking purposes.

 A huge peacock statue standing on the grounds of Perlas ng Silang surrounded by yellow calosias.

As the radiant sun continuously shining in the huge, blue peacock statue overlooking on the bundle of colorful flowers and verdant plants swaying with the summer wind on a scorching afternoon in a hidden haven.

Perlas ng Silang welcome signage located in the flower park's facade.

The landscape of Perlas ng Silang as seen from the entrance.

Perlas ng Silang Flower Park Garden and Restaurant is one of the newest tourist attractions in the province located in Barangay Pulong Bunga is noted for its vibrant flowering plants and cool ambiance brought by the abundance of green grasses and tall trees. A former pineapple plantation, Perlas ng Silang is a home of numerous flowering plants on a sloping hill together with an al fresco dining serving local delicacies. 

Spectrum of plants and flowers can be found everywhere in Perlas ng Silang.

Radiant sunflowers in the bright afternoon sunlight.

The face of Perlas

Perlas sleeping in the area surrounded by plants and grasses in 2023.

From green to purple plants with a tall grass in 2024.

This place holds its tagline "Where nature meets serenity - perfect for your next stroll, shoot, or soul escape" which is considered as a blooming paradise in the heart of Silang, Cavite. It is also Instagrammable in a sense that you can appreciate the beauty of nature through its aesthetics and refreshing feeling in the area. 

The first take of its vintage car filled with succulents in 2023.

Vintage car filled with chrysanthemums and camia in 2024.

Some interesting sites in Perlas ng Silang include a statue of a woman named Perlas, a vintage car full of plants and flowers, and a mini-fishpond with a bridge. 

A mini-fishpond and a bridge in Perlas ng Silang.

The orange bridge in Perlas ng Silang added interesting spot in the area.

The manmade lake in Perlas ng Silang gives a refreshing vibe during afternoon.

Flamingo baskets in Perlas ng Silang.

This flower farm continuously having developments and this is an ideal nature trip if you will visit Cavite, especially if you want a side tour in Tagaytay and Silang.

Perlas ng Silang in 2023

Perlas ng Silang in 2024.

Date of Travels: April 10, 2023 and April 15, 2024

Return to Ilocandia | Tipping in the Northwestern Tip

"The most difficult roads often lead us to beautiful destinations". 

The Patapat Viaduct in Pagudpud providing connections from Ilocos Norte to Cagayan.

Passing through the long, winding highways from the smooth sailing ride in the plains of Laoag, enjoying the view of towering windmills and verdant mountains in the vast coastlines leading to the northwestern paradise of Ilocos Norte - Pagudpud. 

The welcome arch of Pagudpud from the neighboring town, Bangui.

The aquamarine waters of Blue Lagoon, earning Pagudpud's reputation as beach hub in the north.

Pagudpud is known as the "Boracay of the North" because of the white sand beaches and clear, blue waters of the sea, making it an ideal tourist spot during summer vacation. It takes 8-10 hours travel from Manila and 1-2 hours travel from Laoag, Ilocos Norte's provincial capital. 

Cottages and boats scattered along the coastlines in Blue Lagoon.

Pristine, aquamarine waters in a bright, sunny day in Pagudpud.

Some of the popular beach resorts in the town include Saud Beach and the Blue Lagoon noted for its aquamarine waters and foamy waves in a vibrant sunny weather.  Therefore, Pagudpud is Ilocos Norte's Boracay because of the white sand beach resorts where numerous tourists enjoy dipping in the waters, as well with the summer vibe in the area.

Tourists visited the Blue Lagoon as one of the popular beach spots in Pagudpud.

Blue Lagoon Inn and Restaurant is one of the gastronomic hubs in the area.

Bits of sunlight in the Blue Lagoon Resort.

Baywalk at Blue Lagoon Resort with coconut trees along the coastline.

During our tour in Pagudpud, a panoramic view of Blue Lagoon (also known as Maira-ira Beach) offers excitement to visit the place as we've seen the vibrant aquamarine waters teemed with the white sand in a bright, sunny weather. The Blue Lagoon is also a former spot for Hannah's Beach Resort which was closed in 2019. Today, the place is still a popular destination for tourist where they can enjoy swimming, banana boat, windsurfing, and kayaking. 

Bantay Abot Cave marker.

Aside from white sand beaches, Pagudpud is known for rock formations scattered along the shores of the town such as the Bantay Abot Cave and Timmangtang Rock. Hence, we have a chance to visit the Bantay Abot Cave, a natural arch carved by the wind and sea and shaped through the years.

The rock formation perfectly frames the sea with its captivating view.

Tourists flocked in Bantay Abot Cave as they climbed and take beautiful photos.

A closer look of the hole in the rock formation.

The view of the sea from the Bantay Abot Cave.

Tourists are also enjoying the windy atmosphere in the area.

Literally means "a mountain with a hole", Bantay Abot is a not actually a cave, but it is a rock formation which has an opening formed by two leaning rocks after an earthquake hit the area during the 1980s. Furthermore, the cave-like rock archway faced the West Philippine Sea believed that it is a hill and it is eroded as years passed. 

Rocky shores from the cave.

The view of West Philippine Sea from Bantay Abot Cave.

The eroded part where the hole was formed seeing the coastlines of Pagudpud.

Less than a kilometer away from Bantay Abot Cave is the Timmangtang Rock. Locals believed that it is the lover of Bantay Abot Cave separated from each other. These two majestic nature sculptures are not just hidden gems in Pagudpud, but also showcasing the natural beauty of its coastal town with the landscapes and sceneries.

The panoramic view of Patapat Viaduct taken from DSLR Camera.

The Patapat Viaduct connecting the Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.

Few kilometers away from Bantay Abot Cave, we visited the Patapat Viaduct located at the northwesternmost tip of Luzon Island. Crossing the Pasaleng Bay and connecting the towns of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and Santa Praxedes, Cagayan. The bridge is 1.3 kilometers long and elevated 31 meters above sea level.

The Patapat Viaduct offers a view of Pasaleng Bay, Pagudpud.

Tourists enjoy the view of the bay, having that accomplishment of reaching the tip of Luzon.

From the mountainside to the sea Patapat Viaduct offers that view with an achievement.

The visit to Patapat Viaduct gives a satisfying feeling, reaching the northernmost tip of Mainland Luzon with the view of steep, verdant mountainside and the vast, blue sea connected by concrete bridge. 

Enjoying the Patapat Viaduct with iskrambol.

Tourists having a good time with their stay in the bridge. 

Moreover, the place is one of the must-haves in visiting Ilocos Norte because of the achievement in making it to the northernmost tip of Ilocos Region which can be treasured and shared with family and friends. Besides, I've got a chance to buy iskrambol (shaved ice with evaporated milk topped with sago pearls and chocolate syrup) in Patapat Viaduct.

While traveling, there are also windmills in Pagudpud which can be found in Caparispisan Wind Farm which is also another promising tourist destination in the place, scattered along the mountains in the town.

Therefore, Pagudpud tour gives a great feeling of accomplishment of reaching the northwesternmost tip of Mainland Luzon, seeing majestic rock formations, having the summer vibe in the fine sand beaches and dipping in the blue waters. Despite of long, winding drive in the mountainous highways, everything is all worth it with its beautiful destination.

Date of Travel: April 26, 2025