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Paoay Sand Dunes - Ilocos Norte

Located in the town of Paoay in Ilocos Norte, Paoay Sand Dunes is actually part of the wide Ilocos Sand Dunes which encompasses several towns of the province.

Paoay Sand Dunes

Paoay Sand Dunes Details

I have once visited La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag City a few years back with my then girlfriend-now-wife. All we did then was to take photos and pretend to be models just for fun. It was then the most popular part of the Ilocos Sand Dunes. However, just recently, the one located in the town of Paoay started to gain popularity too. This was because of the thrilling Paoay Sand Dunes Adventure.

Paoay Sand Dunes - Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Check out the terrain

Up we go towards that sand hill!

Let's go guys!

Faster!

Sand dunes
Slower!

The Paoay Sand Dunes adventure is the generic term used by bloggers and tourists to refer to the exhilarating 4x4 ride and the exciting sandboarding activity. To experience this kind of adventure, visitors may rent a 4x4 jeep in Barangay Masintoc for P2500. Each 4x4 jeep can accommodate 4-5 riders excluding the driver. The adventure may take an hour or more depending on your activities and the number of guests in the area. The P2500 also includes the sandboarding activity for each member of your group.

Photoshoot stopover

Ready for the sea of sand?

Going back to the 4x4 ride, you may request the driver to do the "extreme ride". Meaning he would drive faster in rough terrain to the point that you'd think the vehicle would overturn. You would surely enjoy going up and down the 20 to 30-foot sand ridges particularly the part they call "roller coaster" in this type of ride. If you have a kid or a senior citizen with you, you may request the driver to do the "mild ride", he will go easy with that accelerator and drive less through the bumpy terrain but that doesn't mean that he will skip the sandhills and the "roller coaster". Don't worry though the drivers are all professionals and have mastered the terrain. Here's a bit of a tip when trying out the 4x4 ride... enjoy and don't forget to let out that scream (it would become a sticky fart if you don't!).  

Hi guys!

 For those who love to document their trips, there are several stops where drivers would allow you to do that much-anticipated photo shoot. You can also take photos during the ride too but since the terrain is rough it is going to be a challenge in composing the perfect shots. I tried it with my DSLR and as expected, half of my shots are blurred or out of focus.

The sandboarding area as seen from one of the sand slopes

Ready to go sandboarding?

Now, regarding the sandboarding activity, you may choose to try it out our skip it but since it is included in the fee, it is a waste to miss out on the opportunity. Sandboarding is pretty basic, you either sit on the sandboard and treat it like a sled or stand on it like a surfer then slide down the 20 to 30-foot sandy slope. Don't worry about falling down as there are thousands that did before you and the sand won't break your bones trust me (grin). If you feel that one try is not enough, you can always go for a second one.  I successfully slid down the slope sitting down as I had my 4-year old adventurous daughter with me and for me, that was one of the most memorable things I did during this trip.
You would also enjoy it if you are with your family.

Paoay Sand Dune Admission Fees:

It's FREE to visit Paoay Sand Dunes but it costs 2500 pesos to rent the 4x4 jeepney which includes the sandboarding activity.

Why visit Paoay Sand Dunes?

Overall, Paoay Sand Dunes is a great place to visit with your adventurous barkada (leave the killjoys and primadonnas at home please). Your adventures there will surely be the main topic of your stories until you get back home. 

Getting to Paoay Sand Dunes:


From Manila, ride a bus bound to Laoag City. Travel time is usually 11-12 hours. You may choose to ride a plane to Laoag International Airport from NAIA and it will only be an hour's travel time but of course, it will be a bit pricey. Once you reach Laoag City, ride a tricycle and tell the driver to bring you to Barangay Masintoc or just mention Paoay Sand Dunes, they will surely know the way.

 Ratings:
Crowd
Cleanliness
Overall rating

Location: Paoay, 2902 Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Comments

  1. SamJanuary 11, 2018 at 7:22 PM

    I've long wanted to try the Paoay Sand Dunes. I was offered to try it around 4 years ago, and yet I haven't gone to doing it. This reminds me of my adventures in Mt. Pinatubo via 4 x 4 across lahar. So maybe if I get the chance to go to Paoay, I'll try sand surfing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 15, 2018 at 9:31 AM

      Yes that's true! The 4x4 ride to Mt. Pinatubo is longer compared to this though but both presents a unique picturesque landscape and adventure. You should try this one out. =)

      Delete
  2. NehaJanuary 12, 2018 at 11:12 AM

    I just came back from a holiday visiting the golden sand dunes of Thar Desert in India. I totally loved the dunes as well as the sunrise and sunset that we watched there. The construct of ilocos norte paoay sand dunes looks very different. The sand is so fine and white. I would love to visit this kind of sand dunes next

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 15, 2018 at 9:34 AM

      Wow! I Googled Thar Desert in India and the photos that I saw were all astonishing. Thanks for that, I would surely add that to my bucketlist.

      Delete
  3. TestJanuary 12, 2018 at 3:55 PM

    Wow what a fantastic place it is. Nice post and photos.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJanuary 12, 2018 at 10:29 PM

    Sounds like you had a great time with the 4x4's and sandboarding. I can somewhat relate to this post as I've done both in different countries and there's not much more exhilarating than 4x4's through the dunes haha. I will be keeping this post and your information in mind if I ever go to Paoay sand dunes :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJanuary 13, 2018 at 12:13 AM

    This is one of the few places I wanted to see before I left Philippines. I hope that I can get to see them when I come back :) Hopefully soon!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Harini JayaramanJanuary 14, 2018 at 6:59 PM

    The idea of sand boarding sounds so much fun.And your pictures have turned out excellent despite the rough terrain I must say.And how is the weather in that area ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 15, 2018 at 12:22 PM

      Thanks Harini. It was very windy during our visit thank goodness we got to visit in the afternoon as it was not that hot anymore.

      Delete
  7. UnknownMarch 9, 2018 at 1:58 AM

    Hi! How many minutes or hours is the 2,500 good for? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMarch 9, 2018 at 6:44 AM

      It's actually an hour pero kung gusto mo magtagal sa sand boarding pwede. =) Kami ata mga 2 hours kami.

      Delete
  8. PaulaJune 9, 2018 at 3:38 AM

    Hi! Did you schedule this beforehand? Can you give me the name and contact for the sand dunes adventure? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJune 11, 2018 at 10:28 AM

      Hi Paula.
      Nope we did not. We just booked upon arrival.
      You can try contacting these numbers:
      +63 920 611 3611
      +63 929 771 9036

      Delete
  9. PaulaJune 14, 2018 at 11:25 AM

    Thank you so much! 😊

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJuly 11, 2018 at 1:24 AM

    Hi po! Just asking if we are six can we have the ride for the 4 to 5 persons? Or hindi po pwede? Thankyou!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJuly 12, 2018 at 4:10 PM

      Hi there were 6 of us in the 4x4 pero isa or dalawa dun bata. =)

      Delete

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