Essentials
- City
- San Juan, La Union, Ilocos Region, Philippines
- Population
- 37,000 (San Juan municipality)
- Internet Speed
- Starlink and Fiber (PLDT/Globe) offer 50-200 Mbps in Urbiztondo; rural areas vary.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 56 PHP. Major banks: BDO, BPI, and Metrobank in San Fernando City (15 mins away).
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use 5-gallon purified water delivery (approx. 40-50 PHP).
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Flat two-pin). Power outages occur; many nomads use power stations.
- SIM Card
- Globe and Smart. eSims available via Airalo or local apps. 20GB data ≈ 499 PHP.
- Banking for Expats
- GCash and Maya used widely. High-end resorts accept Visa/Mastercard; local shops are cash-based.
- Accommodation
- Surf hostels, boutique hotels (The Kahuna), and loft-style Airbnbs.
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. GCash is king; keep cash for tricycles and market stalls.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local Facebook groups ('La Union For Rent') range from 20,000 - 45,000 PHP/month.
- Budget Accommodation
- Charlie's Hangar Surf Hostel or Flotsam & Jetsam (Dorms from 800 - 1,200 PHP/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Urbiztondo Beach (The 'Heart' of Elyu) for surfing and nightlife.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- San Juan City Proper or Bacnotan (North) for reliable vibe and quieter surroundings.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Clean Beach Coworking (Urbiztondo). Daily rate: 500 PHP including coffee/internet.
- Best Cafe for Work
- El Union Coffee (try the Dirty Horchata) or Seabuds (vegan options and fast Wi-Fi).
- Networking Events
- Weekly 'Sunset Sessions' at Flotsam & Jetsam and occasional 'Nomad Meetups' organized on LU Community FB groups.
- Social Events for Expats
- Surfing competitions and 'Beach Cleanups' organized by CURMA are primary social hubs.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No GrabCar. Use 'Grab' for food delivery. Hire local tricycles (50-150 PHP per trip).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local shops in Urbiztondo. Rent for 400-600 PHP/day or 6,000 PHP/month.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Urbiztondo Beach for surfing; Bacnotan Beach for longboarding and fewer crowds.
- Top Regional Airline
- Cebgo / Philippine Airlines (Flying into San Fernando Airport, though limited; mostly Clark or Manila).
- Top International Airline
- Emirates, Qatar, or PAL via Manila (MNL) or Clark (CRK).
- Highway Access
- TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway) connects to Manila in 4-5 hours.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Partas Bus Terminal in San Fernando (Hourly buses to Manila: 600-900 PHP).
- Public Transport Passes
- None. Pay cash or GCash to Jeepney and Tricycle drivers.
- Regional Travel
- Partas Luxury Bus or V-Hire (Vans) to Baguio (2 hours) or Vigan (3 hours).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Lorma Medical Center (San Fernando City) - High-quality private healthcare.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Circle Hostel (Yoga classes) and various sessions at Vessel Hostel rooftop.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- SPARTA La Union or Gold's Gym (San Fernando branch).
- Laundry Services
- Urbiztondo Laundry (Self-service or drop-off: 40-60 PHP per kg).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foodpanda and GrabFood (Mostly servicing San Fernando and San Juan area).
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Bagnet (Crispy fried pork) and Ilocos Empanada.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Seabuds (Urbiztondo) and Barefoot La Union.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Aureo by the Beach (Gelato) and Tagpuan for local sweet snacks.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- San Fernando Public Market for fresh produce and seafood.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Shopee and Lazada (Standard 3-5 day delivery from Manila).
- Grocery Delivery
- CloudCart or Metro Supermarket online via official website.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Great Northwest Philippines Creative Hub (Bars/Restaurants overlooking the ocean).
- Local Brewery
- Papa Bear in The Great Northwest (Craft beers).
- Wine Bars
- Some boutique resorts; specialized wine bars are rare, but 'The Kermit' has a good selection.
- Street Food Stalls
- Urbiztondo 'Food Park' area - BBQ sticks and Isaw after 6 PM.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Kermit (Italian/Pizza), Masa (Bakery/French), and Chu's (Japanese).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Ma-Cho Temple (Taoist temple) and Tangadan Falls (San Gabriel).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Halo Halo de Iloko Arts & Museum in San Fernando.
- Historical Sites
- Pindangan Ruins and the Watchtower (Baluarte) in Luna.
- Religious Sites
- St. John the Baptist Parish and Ma-Cho Temple.
- Annual Events
- Sillag Festival (Lights festival in March) and Surfing Break (October).
- Cultural Districts
- Luna (Heritage town known for pebble beaches and art).
- Theater Venues
- Agoo Civic Center (Regional events).
- Local Markets
- Urbiztondo Sunday Market (Organic produce and crafts).
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic bands at Flotsam & Jetsam and DJ sets at Tavern.
- Street Art
- The Great Northwest murals and San Juan 'Surf' graffiti.
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes at local homestays (requested locally for Adobo/Sinigang).
- Art Galleries
- Bahay Na Bato (Luna) - Sculptures and stone art.
- Historic Buildings
- San Juan Church and the old Provincial Capitol.
- Local Heritage
- Surfing culture and Ilocano craftsmanship (weaving and pottery).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel for cliff jumping and trekking.
- National Parks Nearby
- Mount Pulag National Park (approx. 4 hours away in Benguet).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- San Juan bypass road (popular for sunset cycling) and the long beach stretch.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point for Santorini-style views.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Coastal areas of Bacnotan and the Poro Point cliffs.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Permitted at specific hostel beachfronts (e.g., The Circle Hostel).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- LBC Express and J&T Express (San Juan branches).
- Tech Repair Services
- CSI Mall or Robinons Place in San Fernando for phone/laptop repair shops.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Available in some larger hostels like Kahuna.
- Language Classes
- Private Tagalog/Ilocano tutors can be found via Facebook groups.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- San Fernando Provincial Library; various quiet cafes like The Coffee Library.
- Community Centers
- San Juan Municipal Hall Community Center.
- Gaming Lounges
- Local 'Pisonet' shops in San Juan town proper.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Thunderbird Resorts & Casinos at Poro Point.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 120,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 3.6M PHP / $64,000).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 85,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 2.55M PHP / $45,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 110,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 5.5M PHP / $98,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 75,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 3.75M PHP / $67,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 100,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 8M PHP / $142,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 70,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 5.6M PHP / $100,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 25% standard (CREATE Law).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents, 25% for non-resident individuals.
- Tax System
- Resident aliens taxed on income derived from sources within the Philippines.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (for income over 8M PHP).
- VAT
- 12% (Value Added Tax).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules, but transfer pricing guidelines apply.
- Property Tax
- Yes, Real Property Tax (Amilyar) approx 1-2% of assessed value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6% Capital Gains Tax, 1.5% Documentary Stamp Tax, 0.5% Transfer Tax.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific 0% nomad tax; however, many operate as fly-in tourists on renewable visas.