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 sandhill!
Let's go, guys!
Faster!
You would surely love the landscape of Paoay Sand Dunes
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.
Paoay Sand Dunes is best explored by 4x4 vehicles
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! It's a race to the top!
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 or 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.
Please check out this short video of our 4x4 Adventure
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.
Team Nicerio and family visits Paoay Sand Dunes
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:
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.
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. =)
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
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
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 ?
Japan is undeniably a collector's paradise. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora of different things to collect here that are catered to every collector's unique taste and preference. Anime fans have their usual toys, mangas, and memorabilia. Pokemon fans have numerous Pokemon Centers that sell an assortment of Pokemon merchandise. Kitkat collectors have more than 300 flavors of Kitkat to try out. Pilgrims have the temple stamps called goshuin which I wrote about last time. These are but some of the numerous possible things to collect in Japan . A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps However, since I'm promoting budget travel, my article today talks about something that you can collect for FREE . Yup, you read that right. All you need to have is a clean notebook or tickler and an ever-watchful eye. A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps Eki stamps , also called train station stamps, are rubber ink stamps that are typically found in most train stations in Japan. These stamps f
Ashibetsu Roadside Station ( 道の駅 スタープラザ芦別 ) is one of the 128 roadside stations of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is located along Route 38 and 452 in Kita 4-jo Higashi 1-1-1 in Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Ashibetsu Roadside Station Ashibetsu Roadside Station details Ashibetsu Roadside Station is formally called Roadside Station "Star Plaza Ashibetsu" . It was one of the first roadside stations in Hokkaido. It was registered on April 22, 1993, and was given Registration Number 2. This station serves as a tourist information center and a hub for travelers to explore what the town has to offer. Ashibetsu Roadside Station - Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture The Tourist Information Center inside Ashibetsu Roadside Station is a must-visit spot for travelers. Here, they will find information about the town's famous products sold on the first floor. From the Yokoichi cheese, butter, and Ashibetsu melon, to the lily root, and zenzai, visitors can purchase a variety
10 Things to Do in Utashinai City Utashinai ( 歌志内市 ) is a city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . It is the smallest city in the country in terms of population. The city got its name when the railway was established in the region. It derived its name from the sound of the river coursing through the vicinity, referred to as " Otashinai ". For those planning to visit the town of Utashinai to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Utashinai City : Utashinai manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the manhole covers of Utashinai . So far, I have seen 2 unique manhole covers. The first one is common around town. The colored manhole cover can be found along Route 691. Utashinai Pokemon manhole cover 2. Check out the newly installed Utashinai Pokemon manhole cover at Utashinai Roadside Station. It features both Vulpix and its Alolan counterpart together with Joltik. Former Sorachi Coal Mine Club (旧空知炭鉱倶楽部) 3. Visit the Former Sorachi Coal Mine Clu
10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu City Ashibetsu ( 芦別市 ) is a city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . It is theorized that the city got its name from the Ainu word “ as pet , " meaning “ the river that flows in a shrub ”. Aside from that, other historians also believed that it came from the Ainu word “ hasi pet ” which means “ the standing river ”. In both theories, the name refers to the Ashibetsu River, which flows through the city. For those planning to visit the city of Ashibetsu to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu : Ashibetsu City manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the manhole covers of Ashibetsu . So far, I have seen four unique manhole covers which are common in the central part of the city. There are colored versions of these which are installed along Route 452. There is also a special Anne of Canadian World manhole cover found only in the Canadian World Park. Hokkaido Dai Kannon 2. Take a photo of the Hokkaido Dai Kannon
Located in Barangay San Pedro in Sto. Tomas in the province of Batangas, the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio is a pilgrimage site dedicated and inspired by Saint Padre Pio. National Shrine of St. Padre Pio National Shrine of St. Padre Pio History The shrine initially started out as a bamboo and nipa chapel back in 2003. Then on November 7, 2005, a 1.6-hectare agricultural land was donated to the Archdiocese of Lipa by a generous couple. A year later, another generous individual donated 200 square meters of land to provide the right of way to the site. This land would be the site of the new chapel and later on the Shrine of St. Padre Pio . The salakot like roof as seen from the bell tower Devotees hanging handkerchiefs dipped in the Well of Hope or Bukal ng Pag-asa St. Padre Pio welcomes the pilgrims to the shrine Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry - National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio St. Padre Pio belltower St. Padre Pio painting A relic inside the Reli
Utashinai Roadside Station , formally called Roadside Station Utashinai Tyrol ( 道の駅 うたしないチロルの湯 ) is one of the 128 roadside stations spread around Hokkaido. It is located at 72-2 Nakamura, Utashinai City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Utashinai Roadside Station Utashinai Roadside Station details Discover Hokkaido’s charm by stopping over at Utashinai Roadside Station , located along Route 114. This station is the perfect base for exploring Central, Northern, and Eastern Hokkaido, and houses a variety of tourism resources and facilities. Utashinai Roadside Station - Utashinai City, Hokkaido Prefecture One of the standout features of Utashinai Roadside Station is its accessibility for travelers with disabilities. Equipped with a covered parking lot that can be used even when it snows in winter, and a road-heating pavement, visitors can enjoy the station’s facilities with peace of mind. The Utashinai Roadside Station signage also shows the day's temperature The map of Utashinai
Akabira Tokugawa Castle ( 赤平徳川城 ) is a replica castle located along National Route 38 at 174 Horookacho, Akabira City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Akabira Tokugawa Castle Akabira Tokugawa Castle details Akabira Tokugawa Castle may not be a real historical site, but its story is just as fascinating. Built in 1991 by Matsuzawa Yoroi Co., Ltd, a manufacturer of festival dolls, Akabira Tokugawa Castle has served as a showroom and manufacturing factory. It boasts four floors of unique and interesting attractions, including a souvenir and doll-making demonstration area on the first floor, an impressive doll display and sales area on the second and third floors, a Hina doll display and Japanese restaurant on the fourth floor, and an armored helmet exhibit on the fifth floor. The castle also has a sixth floor, which once served as an observatory tower. Akabira Tokugawa Castle - Akabira City, Hokkaido Prefecture Although the castle is currently closed to the public, it remains a symbol of
Located in the center of the Poblacion or town proper of Imus City in the province of Cavite, Imus City Plaza is one of the city's scenic and historical attractions. Imus City Plaza Imus City Plaza Details This plaza is located in front of the equally historical Imus Cathedral and Imus City Hall . Imus City Plaza is also the first place to greet you if you're heading to the cathedral via Sapinoso Street. Imus City Plaza - Imus City, Cavite General Licerio Topacio The general guarding the flag Checking out each angle of the monument Imus City Plaza History Imus City Plaza is probably easily remembered because of the monument with two vintage artillery flanking it. The monument stands as an honor to the children of Imus who joined the fight for the independence of the country against Spain. As for the man standing on top of the monument, he is General Licerio Topacio . He is one of the most notable sons of Imus. He is famously known for honorably declining
10 Things to Do in Chitose City Chitose ( 千歳市 ) is a city in the Ishikari Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . Chitose was originally named shikot in the Ainu language, which means " big depression or hollow ," similar to Lake Shikotsu, which is a caldera lake. This sounded too much like dead bones (死骨, shikotsu ) in Japanese, so it was altered to Chitose. For those planning to visit Chitose City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Chitose : Chitose City manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Chitose City . So far, I have seen one unique manhole cover which is expected in the city. There is a colored version of this installed in front of Michinoeki Salmon Park Chitose . Chitose Roadside Station 2. Visit the Chitose Roadside Station / Michinoeki Salmon Park Chitose and buy products that are produced or made in the town. You can also get the roadside station stamp here for the Hokkaido Stamp rally booklet. This roadside statio
Porta Mariae is a commemorative arch built to celebrate the 300 years of Bicolano devotion to Our Lady of Penafrancia. It is l ocated on the corner of Paz Street and Barlin Street in front of the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral in Naga City in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines . Porta Mariae Porta Mariae details Although it's fairly a new attraction to the city, it's slowly gaining fame due to its "background-ish" nature. What I mean is, it serves as a great backdrop to any pictures. As a matter of fact Porta Mariae is as grandeur as the cathedral. Porta Mariae - Naga City, Camarines Sur Visitors and pilgrims would often leave positive comments about how the arch gives a regal feel once they enter the vicinity of Naga Metropolitan Cathedral . Porta Mariae stands 36 feet high and 59 feet wide Porta Mariae is a solar-powered arc. For those who don't know Porta Mariae is the Latin for Marian Gate . It was built and formally opened on the 9th
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.
ReplyDeleteYes 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. =)
DeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteWow! 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.
DeleteWow what a fantastic place it is. Nice post and photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
DeleteSounds 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
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. =)
DeleteThis 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!
ReplyDeleteYou should go see this place Jane. =)
DeleteThe 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 ?
ReplyDeleteThanks Harini. It was very windy during our visit thank goodness we got to visit in the afternoon as it was not that hot anymore.
DeleteHi! How many minutes or hours is the 2,500 good for? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt's actually an hour pero kung gusto mo magtagal sa sand boarding pwede. =) Kami ata mga 2 hours kami.
DeleteHi! Did you schedule this beforehand? Can you give me the name and contact for the sand dunes adventure? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Paula.
DeleteNope we did not. We just booked upon arrival.
You can try contacting these numbers:
+63 920 611 3611
+63 929 771 9036
Thank you so much! 😊
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteHi po! Just asking if we are six can we have the ride for the 4 to 5 persons? Or hindi po pwede? Thankyou!
ReplyDeleteHi there were 6 of us in the 4x4 pero isa or dalawa dun bata. =)
DeleteProud Ilocano here. Malapit lang sa amin yang lugar na yan. Diyan kami naglalaro dati ng mga kaklase ko.
ReplyDeleteSalamat po sa pagiwan ng comment. =)
DeleteParang sa middle east lang. Ganda!
ReplyDeleteMaganda po talaga. Bisita po kayo pag may chance.
Delete