Bagbag Beach is Pangasinan Town’s Very Own “Little Batanes”

For the longest time, I didn’t know much about Pangasinan except for its bangus and the Hundred Islands National Park. To tell the truth, I haven’t spent as much time in Northern Luzon as I probably should have before the pandemic.

But over time, I’ve heard about how gorgeous Pangasinan seaside resorts and attractions are. One such attraction is the Bagbag Beach, which has been abuzz with interest from social media users for one reason — the place looks just like Batanes!

Also read: Dear Batanes, I Should’ve Visited You While I Could

Bagbag Beach and its familiar features

Tucked in the town of Sual, Bagbag Beach boasts a rocky shore and nearby hill. The latter offers expansive ocean views spanning portions of the Hundred Islands National Park. Because of this, Travis Jay Calderon, who uploaded a video of the budding Pangasinan destination, called it the “Batanes of Pangasinan” in his post.

But more than these, Bagbag Beach is also known for its white-sand beach and rock formations, which could very well rival those in more popular destinations like Bataan, Batangas, and the Ilocos Region.

According to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report, a Dagupan resident by the name of Fidel de Guzman said that travelling to Bagbag Beach also reminded him of Baguio City, because of the zigzag roads and pine trees in the area.

Also read: La Palmera Mountain Range: A Short Travel Guide to This Southern Gem

How to get there and what to know before visiting

To get to Bagbag Beach, you must first make your way to Sual’s Barangay Baybay Norte via Alaminos, Pangasinan. Then, trek for about 30 minutes. If you want to make it to the top of the Batanes-like hill, you must go through the rocky shores and a ‘forest-like’ area of the Bagbag Beach, according to the same PNA report.

There are Bagbag Beach parking areas for those visiting via a private drive or ride. Since these are private lots, you’re required to pay a fee starting from ₱20 depending on your vehicle. You’ll also find visitor cottages where you can camp or stay for ₱200 to ₱300 per day. In addition, residents of the area sell food and beverage should you decide to visit for a longer period.

At the time of writing, Sual tourism is only open to those coming from within the Ilocos Region. As always, visitors must wear a face mask and face shield, as well as observe physical distancing.

All images credited to Hilda Austria (Philippine News Agency) | Official Website