Major city · Philippines
San Fernando, La Union
Spend 1–2 days in San Fernando, La Union: explore the historic plaza, Ma‑Cho Temple and Poro Point, then head to nearby beaches.
San Fernando, the capital of La Union, sits on Route 2 (Manila North Road) and offers a compact historic centre, several temples and a coastal headland. With tricycles for short hops and bus links to Manila and nearby towns, a short stay (1‑2 days) lets you see the main sights before moving on to the surf towns further north.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PHP
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season)
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- San Fernando (SFE)
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Philippines ↗Complete the free eTravel registration on the official government site within 72 hours before arrival; ignore lookalike sites that charge.
- Philippines ↗Typhoon season runs roughly June to November: flights and boats are cancelled at short notice; buy flexible tickets and keep a spare day.
- Philippines ↗Carry pesos in small notes; many stalls, jeepneys and taxis are cash-only.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Fernando, La Union911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Fernando, La Union, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.Philippines-wide
- SIM or eSIMGlobe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.Philippines-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.Philippines-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if no service charge.Philippines-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Philippines-wide
- SafetySan Fernando is generally safe for tourists; petty theft is rare but keep an eye on belongings in crowded markets and on beach evenings.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsCalled 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.Philippines-wide
- Emergency numbers911 National emergency · 117 police · 117 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysHoly Week shuts much; malls open daily; banks closed weekends.Philippines-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSFE San Fernando Airport (No commercial flights; use Manila or Laoag and continue by bus.).
- Getting aroundTricycles are the main local transport; inter‑city buses run along Manila North Road (Route 2) to Manila, Laoag and Baguio.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)₱50–₱120 (≈ US$1–3)
- Street or quick mealStreet food (e.g., fishball, kwek‑kwek)₱30–₱80 (≈ US$1–2)
- Budget bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per room₱1,500 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per room₱2,500 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per room₱4,000 (≈ US$75)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱1,200 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₱2,000 (≈ US$40) · High ₱3,500 (≈ US$65)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SFE San Fernando Airport (No commercial flights; use Manila or Laoag and continue by bus.)
Map of San Fernando, La Union
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- San Fernando, La Union
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- San Juan, La Union · 5.8 km straight line
- Bauang · 10 km straight line
- Bacnotan · 12 km straight line
- Balaoan · 22 km straight line
- Luna · 27 km straight line
- Agoo · 32 km straight line
- La Trinidad · 34 km straight line
- Tagudin · 38 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–May. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Aug (21 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Fernando, La Union: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
21 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Tricycles are the main local transport; inter‑city buses run along Manila North Road (Route 2) to Manila, Laoag and Baguio. No commercial flights serve San Fernando Airport.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: ≈30 min total
Bus or tricycle north along Route 2, about 15 min
Surf town with a relaxed vibe.
Door to door: ≈2 h total
Bus south on Route 2, about 1 h 30 min
Historic city; consider an overnight stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Plaza Hotel
Budget fan rooms near the City Plaza
La Union Blue Marlin Resort
Mid‑range beachfront resort on Airport Road
Thunderbird Resorts and Casinos Poro Point
Splurge option on the Poro Point Freeport Zone
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₱1,200–2,000 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₱2,000–3,500 (≈ US$40–65) excl. bed
- High
- ₱3,500 (≈ US$65)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 1 night × ₱2,500 | ₱2,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₱2,000 | ₱4,000 |
| Inter‑city bus Manila → San Fernando2 × ₱350 · check | ₱700 |
| Tricycle ride within town (per trip)2 × ₱50 · check | ₱100 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × ₱800 · check | ₱1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₱890 |
| Trip total≈ ₱4,900 per person per day, bed included | ₱9,790≈ US$180 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | ₱50–₱120 (≈ US$1–3) |
| Street food (e.g., fishball, kwek‑kwek) | ₱30–₱80 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Meal at a mid‑range restaurant | ₱200–₱400 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Bus ticket Manila → San Fernandocheck | ₱330 (≈ US$6) |
| Tricycle ride (short trip) | ₱20–₱50 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No scheduled commercial flights; fly into Laoag (Laoag Airport) or Manila then take a bus.
- Bus schedules can vary; confirm times at the terminal, especially for early‑morning departures.
- Poro Point cliffs have no railings; watch your step near the edge.
Emergency numbers
- National emergency
- 911
- Police
- 117
- Fire and ambulance
- 117
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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San Fernando, La UnionSan Fernando, La Union
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Sa address na ito, paki‑dalaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire / Ambulance117
- National emergency911
Embassy
US Embassy in Manila; consulate‑general in Manila for most countries.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Manila → San Fernando (bus): about ₱330 (≈ US$6), 6 h (check)
- Tricycle within town: ≈₱30 per short ride
Say or show
- Pasensya na — Excuse me / Sorry (pah-sen-ya na)
- Salamat — Thank you (sa-la-mat)
- Magkano? — How much? (mag-ka-no?)
- Saan ang banyo? — Where is the bathroom? (saan ang ban-yo?)
- Pwede ba mag‑card? — Can I pay by card? (pwe-de ba mag-card?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Fernando, La Union. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May (dry season) · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a bus ticket from Manila to San Fernando (≈₱330, 6 h).
- Consider a night at a mid‑range resort for beach access.
- If flying, use Laoag Airport (≈1 h 30 min by bus) and rent a car or take a bus north.
Sources
Ask about San Fernando, La Union
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