La Union Circuits

Northern Circuit Central Circuit Central Eastern Circuit Southern Circuit South Eastern Circuit

Tourism Statistics in La Union

Tourist Data Statistic

Circuit

Northern

Sudipen, La Union

Sudipen is the northernmost town of the Province of La Union separated by the Amburayan River from the Province of Ilocos Sur. According to a story which happened during the Spanish period, the town got its name when a group of Spanish soldiers reached barrio Nagpanaoan, now called Old Central

  • Sudipen itself does participate in the Northern Agri-Tourism Circuit Program along with several other municipalities.

Bangar, La Union

Bangar is famous for its loom-weaving industry. The big bulk of orders for placemats, towels, draperies, curtains, blankets and even bathrobes from all over the country and even abroad speaks well of the quality of Bangar woven products. Agriculture, however, still remains the main source of income for the people of Bangar.

  • Its principal crop is rice while tobacco comes next. Farmers also find planting corn, peanuts, and vegetable crops as a quite lucrative source of additional income in between cropping.

Luna, La Union

Luna is known for its picturesque pebble beaches, particularly in Nalvo Sur and Darigayos, and its rich historical and cultural heritage. Formerly called Namacpacan, which means "one who feeds" in Ilocano, the town served as a resting place for travelers during the Spanish colonial period. It was renamed in 1906 to honor the Luna brothers, General Antonio Luna and painter Juan Luna, whose mother was from this area.

  • The Namacpacan Church, with its statue of Our Lady of Namacpacan—the tallest-known Marian image in the Philippines—serves as a prominent landmark and is a pilgrimage site for devotees.

Balaoan, La Union

Balaoan is historically significant and offers a blend of coastal beauty and agricultural prosperity. It is one of the oldest municipalities in La Union, founded in 1704. The town was an important trading post during the Spanish era, known for the exchange of Igorot gold.

  • Today, it remains an agricultural hub with extensive fields of rice and corn. The Balaoan Church stands as a symbol of its colonial past and cultural identity.

Santol, La Union

Nestled in the mountainous regions of La Union, Santol is known for its cool climate, scenic landscapes, and agricultural activities. The town is named after the Santol tree, which is abundant in the area.

  • Agriculture forms the backbone of the local economy, with rice, vegetables, and root crops being the primary products.

Circuit

Central

Bacnotan, La Union

The town of Bacnotan was formally founded in 1599 as part of Ilocos Sur. In 1785, during the administration of then Governor-General Jose Basco, Bacnotan became a part of Pangasinan. When La Union was created in 1850, Bacnotan was one of the original twelve towns that made up the province.

  • During the Spanish period, the name of the town was changed from “Bakunutan” to “Bacnotan” as evidenced by the communications that are still kept intact at the National Archives in Manila.

San Juan, La Union

At present, San Juan has a total area of 5,186 hectares and also holds a four -kilometer shoreline facing the China Sea. It is famous for its surfing area along the beaches of Urbiztondo with waves suitable for beginner and intermediate surfers. Because of this, the town has been a venue for local and international surfing competitions.

  • Consequently, San Juan has become a major tourist attraction in the Province and greatly contributes to La Union’s tourism. Aside from the surfing industry, San Juan is also famous for its pottery making industry..

San Fernando, La Union

San Fernando serves as the administrative and economic center of La Union. As the capital city, it is home to various educational institutions, commercial establishments, and government offices. The city boasts several tourist attractions, such as the Poro Point Lighthouse, Ma-Cho Temple, and multiple beach resorts.

  • San Fernando is a vibrant hub for both commerce and tourism, playing a significant role in the province's development.

San Gabriel, La Union

San Gabriel is known for its natural beauty and adventure tourism. It features popular destinations like Tangadan Falls, which attracts nature lovers and thrill-seekers. The town's mountainous terrain makes it an ideal spot for hiking and other outdoor activities.

  • San Gabriel is also recognized for its agricultural output, particularly coffee and root crops.

Circuit

Central Eastern

Bauang, La Union

In the early 70’s Bauang earned the appellation as the “Beach Capital of the Philippines” because of the calm waters, fine sand and languidly swaying coconut trees along the shorelines of Baccuit Sur to Pagdalagan Sur. A newly discovered “Research Reef” is a favorite dive spot among local and foreign scuba divers.

  • Bauang is also famous for its delicious grapes and guapples. The grape industry is an additional income for farmers among the residents in these barangays until imported varieties came in.

Naguilian, La Union

Built in areas of the towns are generally clustered linearly around the barangay roads. Agricultural land areas are situated in the valleys which are planted with rice, corn, tobacco, sugarcane and other crops. Forest areas command a large portion of land areas. Barangay Casilagan was declared by the Bureau of Forestry as a potential watershed area.

  • Naguilian is also known for being the home of the original Basi where the tradition of Basi making dates back to the World War II era. With the help of the local government, this industry has been revived and is now one of the main sources of income of the Province.

Burgos, La Union

Burgos is a serene town characterized by its agricultural landscape and community-oriented lifestyle. It is named after the martyred priest, Fr. Jose Burgos.

  • The local economy primarily revolves around farming, with residents growing rice, corn, and tobacco. The town's quiet charm and simple living make it a peaceful destination.

Bagulin, La Union

Bagulin is a remote town surrounded by mountains and lush forests. It is a predominantly agricultural community, where locals engage in farming and handicrafts.

  • The town is known for its cultural heritage, reflected in its festivals and traditional practices, which are celebrated with much enthusiasm.

Circuit

Southern

Caba, La Union

History records show that this municipality used three names interchangeably-CABA, CAVA and CAUA. According to a local historian Pedro Manongdo, two tales have persisted on how the town got his name. One group referred to an incident when a Spaniard asked an inhabitant the name of the place.

  • The youth mistook the question as an inquiry to the name of the animal he was herding and answered “CAVA.” The repetition of the name ended with CAVA and later CABA.

Aringay, La Union

Aringay, then a part of Pangasinan, was created as a municipality in 1741 under the jurisdiction of the Province of Pangasinan and the Bishopric of Nueva Segovia. Don Pablo Vergara was the first Gobernadorcillo. Aringay became a part of the province of La Union when the latter was founded in 1850.

  • When the Philippine Commission reorganized the administrative and territorial set-up of municipalities in 1903, the towns of Aringay and Caba were integrated into one municipality. Aringay was the seat of government until Caba was separated in 1907.

Agoo, La Union

Agoo is a historically rich town and one of the most prominent in La Union. It is known for the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity and the Agoo-Damortis National Seashore Park.

  • The town has a diverse economy, with agriculture, aquaculture, and trade contributing significantly. It is also a cultural hub, with a long history dating back to the pre-Spanish era.

Sto Tomas, La Union

Santo Tomas is recognized for its fertile agricultural lands, producing a significant amount of rice and corn. The town also features beautiful beaches, attracting tourists to its coastal areas.

  • The local community maintains a strong sense of cultural and religious traditions, which are evident in their vibrant festivals and celebrations.

Circuit

Southern Eastern

Tubao, La Union

Tubao is another southern town of La Union nestled in the Cordillera Mountains that surfaced in the mid 1880s. Proposed to be carved out of surrounding Agoo and Aringay, Tubao was a barrio in the eastern boundaries.

  • Along with eleven other barangays of Agoo (Amallapay, Ambangonan, Anduyan, Boganin, Caquile, Damosil, Dao, Linapio, Macoton, Pugo and San Pascual), it petitioned on March 28, 1873 to be created as a municipality. Five Aringay barrios (Calupaan, Cataguintingan, Cupang, Guinitaban and Pangaoaoan) also joined the mover.

Pugo, La Union

Pugo was organized as a town on January 1, 1912 from the sub-province of Benguet, Mountain Province in accordance with Executive Order No.77 dated December 11, 1911, approved by Governor General S. Cameron Forbes.

  • It is originally consisted of the territories comprising of eight barrios (Pugo, Ambangonan, Dagupan, Maoasoas, Enmistampa, San Luis, Cuenca and Saytan) with barrio Pugo as the seat of government. In 1919, Pugo became a municipal district in the sub-province of Benguet.

Rosario, La Union

Rosario is a bustling town at the southern gateway of La Union. Its strategic location near the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) has made it a key area for commercial and industrial activities.

  • The town's rapid development is evident in its growing business sectors and infrastructure, making it a pivotal point for economic growth in the region.