I have to admit, I haven’t been to many places in the Philippines. I am well aware of it and that’s why it is part of my bucket list to visit as much as I can. So when an opportunity came my way to go to San Juan, La Union, I knew I had to take it!
I was traveling with Pia of Wander Jungle and we stayed in the The Circle Hostel La Union. It is a backpacker friendly hostel that offers affordable accommodation and they are just 200 meters from the beach. We got there around 7:00 am and luckily our bunk beds were already available and was allowed to check in so I managed to take a nap after grabbing breakfast by the beach.
The Circle Hostel is a chain of eco-hostels that is definitely budget friendly. Their two other locations are in Zambales and Baler. The hostel has a very cosy and artsy atmosphere that will make you feel at ease. The staff is very friendly, including the other guests that are staying here. True to their words, there are no strangers in The Circle Hostel.
A surf hostel for beach lovers and surfers, The Circle Hostel offers 1 bunk rooms with 45 single bed and 35 hammock with built in mosquito net. A bunk bed costs ₱500 (around $11 USD) and a hammock for ₱400 (around $10 USD).
The bunk beds also have mosquito nets but still bring a mosquito repellant! Once you check in they will give you a clean pillowcase, bed sheet and another linen to be used as a blanket. There are electric fans all around the sleeping area. When we stayed there I actually didn’t need to turn on the one close to my bed. I slept comfortably in my sweater and sweatpants!
Their shared T&B is kept clean all the time. The toilets are fully stocked with toilet papers and soap and have bidets installed in each cubicle.
Tip: To keep yourself organised in using a shared toilet & bath, always take a toiletries bag with you.
For your valuables, they provide free lockers but for safety reasons, you need to bring your own padlock. Free breakfast is included and they serve pandesal (bread) with different spreads, banana and coffee. It felt like an eat-all-you can because they kept on refilling! Hot and cold water is also available.
The common area is where everyone gets together to socialise. It is a relaxing space with pillows and hammock that you can either sit or sleep while staying there. Also, all the power outlets are here. If you feel a bit artistic, you can ask the staff for paint and go on a graffiti spree.
All in all, I enjoyed staying here and I’m pretty happy with my experience. I really think that the best place to stay in La Union is at The Circle Hostel. It’s cheap, clean and close to the beach and restaurants, what more do you need? Many people think that staying in a hostel is only good for a solo trip but I beg to differ, there were couples and even a family with a cute baby staying there. So if you are feeling quite adventurous, check out The Circle Hostel La Union. And since you are in a surf town, the longboard capital in Luzon to be exact, The Circle Hostel offers surfing lessons and even a waterfalls trip.
What to Bring
Backpack
Towel
Mosquito repellant
Padlock
Clothes
Bikini
Sarong
Sunscreen
Toiletries bag
Phone
Camera
Chargers
Waterproof bag
Money
Other Things To Do/Eat/Drink
Angel & Marie’s Place – the liempo and kilawin are really good!
Surf Shack – great selection of food, they usually have acoustic nights so check that out too
Elyu Classic – I did a 1 hour surfing lesson and my instructor was really good. More about it on a separate post.
If you want a different scenery, go on a waterfalls trip
How to get to San Juan, La Union
From Metro Manila, go to Partas Transportation Company Terminal: 816 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City, (it’s on Google Maps, dont worry)
Tell the conductor to drop you off at Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union or just say Sebay. The fare is ₱543 (roughly around $11 USD)
We left past midnight and took us 6 hours to get there. Ideally, it is best to take a late night trip to avoid traffic jam. If the traffic is really bad, it can take you up to 7 hours of travel time.
Partas busses depart every hour, every day from Cubao going to Laoag. This is the bus that you would be taking. I was quite impressed at how comfortable the busses of Partas are that I didn’t really mind at how long it took us to get to La Union. There is one stop over, in case you are wondering!
If you are closer to Pasay, then you can take a Partas bus from there too!
Going back to Manila
From San Juan, La Union, to Manila you can easily get on a bus back to Cubao from the main road, the same place where you were dropped off. I can’t guarantee that you will have a seat though. So it is best to take a jeep or a tricycle and ask them to drop you off at Partas Terminal where you can buy your ticket.
How to get to San Juan, La Union by car
If you will be driving, travel time is a lot shorter thanks to TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway). It will be around 4-5 hours depending on traffic and how fast you drive. Google Maps will be your buddy!
Budget
| Roundtrip Transportation | ₱1,086.00 | Via Partas Bus |
| Lodging | ₱500.00 | One night bunk bed in The Circle Hostel |
| Surf Lesson | ₱400.00 | 1 hour board rental with instructor |
| ₱700.00 | 1 hour board rental with instructor, 3 hours board rental. So it’s a total of 4 hours | |
| Food | ₱1,000.00 | Food is roughly around PHP200-300, but you can find other places for as low as PHP100. It all depends on what you want to eat. |
| Total | ₱3,686.00 |
Budgetwise, I think this is pretty decent especially if you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Aside from getting some beach therapy, you will also get to learn how to surf! If you aren’t a picky eater, the total can go down to ₱3000. Not that bad, right?
Before I end this post, I made a vlog about our trip. Hope you guys like it! It’s my first time to make one, and I’m still learning 🙂 More to come soon!
I hope this helps you in planning your next out of town trip!
Let me know in the comments when you plan to go 🙂
What a cool place to stay! It’s very artistic. It reminds me of the Enigmata Tree House where we stayed in Camiguin. 🙂
Traveling in a shoestring budget. That’s my kind of traveling too. I’d love to visit La Union. I’ve heard it’s a good place to surf.
The Philippines has so many places worth-visiting. I have heard more about Cebu, Manila and Boraccay but good to read your blog and find about some more attractions! Thanks
I’ve seen this place featured once before, and there’s nothing that the blogger had but good words for the place. It’s a good escape, really.
This is such a cool place to visit with friends! I’ve always wanted to go to La Union! 😀
This is a really simple and affordable accommodation. It’s great for groups and those traveling on a budget.
It is! Oh wow, I’ve never been to Camiguin, I’ll check it out when I visit 🙂
That’s right! 🙂
Do it! There’s an upcoming long weekend 🙂
It is really is a nice place 🙂
Glad you enjoyed my blog!
Yes! Who said you need lots of money to travel?
I have not yet been to La Union, except passing through from Baguio by bus to Vigan. I wish to visit the beach there, but I do not think this hostel is for me. Looks cool, but I do not think I will feel comfortable there, especially with my wife and kids with me.
I actually love budget travelling as it gives you the scope of spending at other things. I have heard about this place before as well.
This place looks really really relaxing. The hammock like beds looks like a great place to do nothing and just chill.
Such an artsy place! Would you recommend it even for people who aren’t into surfing?
OMG! Those tree houses made of wood and thatched walls and roof look so gorgeous. I’ve stayed in resorts like these twice. They are just perfect!
I think this is a great hidden spot and surfers paradise. Wish to go there when I can. There are so many nice beaches in Philippines.
what a nice place. never been to la union before. perhaps I’d recommend this to my friends as a place to stay in at when we do visit.
This hostel looks fun with no pretentious. I wanna give it a try when given the opportunity!
Nice vid here Chel! I love the background music you use here. Anyway, the place is cool, and a bit weird. Or maybe I am not used to go to a place like this, especially that I have my kids with me. But this place is very nice to all backpackers indeed.
Stayed here too and I enjoyed it.
I didn’t know that you can also go surfing at La Union. That’s nice to know 🙂 The Circle Hostel looks so nice for a group of friends wanting to hangout.
Whoa! Thanks for sharing this. Gomna stay here for a stopover before heading to grandma
Chel inviteme next time. Matagal
Ko ng dream matutuong mag surfing… Pleaseeee! 🙂
I’ve never been to the Philippines. Yes, it is on my list – and this article only goes to show that it is definitely a place worth visiting!
Nag stop-over kami before sa La Union but we didn’t get a chance to explore the place. Thanks for posting this! 🙂
What a nice place! I’ve never been to hostel before although I tried a resort that have similar atmosphere but that resort is somewhere in Davao Region.
I do hope to visit La Union in the future and experience their beautiful beaches.