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

Return to Ilocandia | Summer Stroll in the Sand Dunes and the Wind Farm Belt

Traveling along the windy coastlines give you an exciting thrill, as you walk along the rocky beaches and having an exhilarating ride in the vast sand dunes of the north. Furthermore, walking in the windy shore with towering, white electric windmills along with the strong, blue waves add thrill to tthe adventure as you visit Ilocos Norte. 

Revisiting the Bangui Windmills of Ilocos Norte

As the Ilocos Norte journey continues, let's take a glimpse of the two northwestern coastal towns in the province, known for its windy weather and strong waves from the West Philippine Sea and the home of the first wind farm in the country - Bangui and Burgos. Moreover, the northwesternmost town in the mainland Luzon will be revisited through taking a walk in the Boracay of the North. Lastly, the tour's excitement can be added with a thrilling 4x4 vehicle ride in Paoay Sand Dunes. 

Revisiting the Sand Dunes

A 4x4 jeep ride in the Paoay Sand Dunes during afternoon with a heart-shaped bamboo art.

A day before going to these towns, I revisited the famous Paoay Sand Dunes located in the town of Paoay. Seven years ago, this tourist attraction is part of our itineraries in the company's team building. During that time, it is raining but cool experience amidst the weather condition that makes the ride more enjoyable. 

4x4 vehicles are waiting on an adventure ahead with their drivers.

Traces of 4x4 vehicles in the vast slopes of Paoay Sand Dunes.

4x4 vehicles are waiting for tourists in the golden sunset along the sand dunes.

Children are enjoying in a ruined jeepney in the sand dunes that serve as their playground.

This summer, everything is different. We were able to take the thrilling 4x4 ride in a scorching afternoon in the Paoay Sand Dunes. The excitement remains the same with the first time I rode in this jeep, seven years ago, as the feeling is different due to summer season. Furthermore, I witnessed the sunset in the coast, followed by the sandboarding activity that I both experienced for the first time.

The golden Paoay Sand Dunes in a sunny afternoon.

The sandy coastline of Ilocos Norte from Paoay.

The sunset at the Paoay Sand Dunes overlooking the West Philippine Sea.

The whole area spans about 88 square kilometers which was used as a location in movies including Fernando Poe Jr.'s "Ang Panday" and Nora Aunor's "Himala" where you can pass by in the bamboo art installation used in the said movie. The 88 square kilometers area

The experience was totally exhilarating yet refreshing, as a thrilling ride in a 4x4 vehicle is like a rollercoaster - going up and going down, sometimes smooth, sometimes bumpy. Furthermore, the sunset along the Paoay coast gave a new encounter in this travel. 

Return to the Bangui Wind Farm

The giant windmills aligned in the curved coastlines of Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

Seven years ago, Bangui is one of the most memorable towns I've visited in Ilocos Norte, despite of the rainy weather where I enjoyed the stroll along the windmills and dipping in the shallow waters of the sea. In my second visit, I appreciated the walk in the Bangui Windmills, as blue skies along with the turquoise waters and waves hit the white beach in the Ilocos Norte coastline.

The tall white windmills of Bangui teemed with the view of mountains of Caraballo facing the West Philippine Sea.

Strong waves hitting the shore while tourists enjoying the stroll along the Bangui Wind Farm.

Another set of windmills in the elevated coastline in Bangui.

Stalls and huts are located along the shoreline as they sell souvenirs and native products.

Presence of cactus along the sandy shores of Bangui.

Mini windmills as souvenirs which can be sold along the coastlines of Bangui and Pagudpud.

Windmills are scattered and extended along the coastlines of Bangui, Burgos, and Pagudpud.

Bangui Wind Farm started on 2005 which considered as the first wind farm in Southeast Asia and part of the NorthWind Bangui Bay Project. The wind turbines facing the sea which makes its location ideal due to the presence of monsoons in the country. In the following years, wind farms are also installed in Burgos and Pagudpud which make these towns as a "Wind Farm Belt". 

The second visit in Bangui is such a reminiscing experience. Nothing changed with the ambiance and the establishments are still here, but few renovations are made for various turbines. I appreciated it more because of the sunny weather yet windy feeling, along with the strong waves from the blue waters of the sea. 

The giant windmills of the North facing the western sea, hitting the waves in the white sandy shore.

Ilocos Norte is the home of wind farms, the major source of wind energy in the province.

Traveling in the windy coastlines as I leave the wind farm will take me to another adventure, an experience that I've missed during my first visit - seeing the aquamarine waters, walking the northern viaduct, and trekking to the white rock formations. See you Pagudpud and Burgos! 

Check the 2018 post on the First Ilocandia Escapade | Sand Dunes, Giant Windmills, and Northern Waves.

Date of Travel: April 25 & 26, 2025