VacationHive Logo
San Juan
Verified for 2026 Travel
La Union12 Verified Spots

San Juan

Explore San Juan La Union that offers ocean waves for all kinds of surfers. San Juan La Union also has several renowned establishments, such as resto-bars, coffee shops, and hotels that you can visit while enjoying your beach trip.

Hive at a Glance β€’ 2026 Executive Summary
Signature Delicacy

Fresh Grilled Seafood & Local BBQ

#1 Must-Visit Spot

Premier Island Spot

Best Season

Perfect Time to Visit San Juan

Current Weather

Loading...

Top Festival

Wattah Wattah Festival (Basaan)

Jump to:
Overview & Character

About San Juan

Known as the surfing capital of the north, San Juan is a highly sought-after town in the province of La Union, Ilocos Region. The 2nd class municipality of San Juan offers ocean waves for all kinds of surfers, whether you are a beginner or already an expert. The town also has several renowned establishments, such as resto-bars, coffee shops, and hotels that you can visit while enjoying your beach trip.Apart from various surfing spots, San Juan is also famous for its remarkable pottery industry. There are a lot of local pottery studios in San Juan, wherein you can craft your own vessels from dirt. One can really explore their creative side while also enjoying the beach vibe that San Juan offers.

Experiences & Must-Try Activities

Activities in San Juan, La UnionSurfingIf you are just a beginner but still wanted to try our surfing, San Juan, La Union is the perfect place for you. San Juan has plenty of surfing schools with approachable and highly skilled coaches who can avail services from. For as low as Php 500, you can easily start learning how to surf and enjoy the waves.Pottery WorkshopSan Juan has a local tradition of pottery and it is also very open to being tried out for tourists. If you wanted to try out creating your own craft, enrolling in one of their pottery classes can be a good deal. You can start learning how to make beautiful and artistic vessels from red clay and soil. Their pottery classes can cost about Php 500,000 which also includes all the materials that will be needed.PartyA long day at the beach can definitely be topped off by flowing drinks at night. San Juan offers numerous resto-bars you can visit when you want to party and have fun. One of these is the famous Flotsam & Jetsam, wherein you can have a drink and have a good time with other tourists as well. However, the drinks in Flotsam & Jetsam can be a bit pricier in comparison to other resto-bars in San Juan. But, it would definitely be worth the try when you get the experience they offer.

Best Time to Visit San Juan

Perfect Time to Visit San Juan, La UnionIf you are going to San Juan for a surf, it is best to know first the perfect time to visit in order to maximize your stay. There are two surfing seasons in San Juan, the North Swell, which lasts between November to March, and the South Swell, which lasts from July to October.Both seasons are considered great for surfing. However, if you prefer a calmer and sunnier season, go for the North Swell. The South Swell also offers great waves, however, it can be accompanied by rain and bad weather, due to the typhoons that are also common between those months.

How to Get There β€’ Verified Transit Hub

Getting to San Juan

Verified flight routes, ferry schedules, bus terminals, and insider transit tips.

land
Fastest Route

By Land / Bus Transit

From Manila

There are a lot of bus terminals that you can choose from if you will be coming from Metro Manila. Regular bus terminals are situated in Sampaloc, Manila, Cubao, Pasay, and EDSA. You can board a bus from any of these terminals and if your accommodation is located in Urbiztondo, you can even tell the conductor to drop you off directly to the place you will be staying in. The bus fare ranges from Php 400 to Php 425.

3–6 Hours
β‚±300 – β‚±800
local
Best Value

Local Transfer (Tricycle / Taxi)

From San Fernando

If you will be coming from San Fernando, La Union, you can easily go to San Juan through a tricycle, which can cost about Php 100 for the fare.

15–30 Mins
β‚±50 – β‚±250
Hive Culinary Guide β€’ Real Delicacies

Top Food & Delicacies in San Juan

Verified local food stands, iconic provincial specialties, and culinary favorites.

Interactive Trip Estimator
2026 Trip Budget Estimator

Estimated Travel Cost for San Juan

3-star central hotel, popular heritage restaurants, full-day city highlights tour, metered taxi or Grab rides.

Trip Duration:
Accommodations (2 Nights)β‚±5,200
Meals & Drinks (3 Days)β‚±3,300
Tours, Eco-Fees & Boatsβ‚±4,200
Local Transit & Transfersβ‚±1,650

Estimated Total

Per Traveler (Excl. Airfare)

β‚±14,350
Live Weather Engine

Real-Time Weather & 5-Day Forecast

Live atmospheric data for San Juan (Open-Meteo Edge Forecast)

Culture & Festivities

Festivals & Annual Events in San Juan

Color, rhythm, and local heritage celebrations you won't want to miss.

June
Feast of Saint John the Baptist & Water Dousing

Wattah Wattah Festival (Basaan)

Pinaglabanan Shrine Civic Parade & Street Water Dousing

High-spirited festival celebrating Saint John the Baptist where the community participates in playful street water dousing symbolizing baptism and renewal.

June 24, 2026Annual Celebration
Curated Travel Reading

Travel Guides & Itineraries for San Juan

Discover insider tips, side-by-side island comparisons, and curated reading for San Juan.

All 19 Guides
Things to do in Boracay : Top 10 activities to enjoy and relax
Travel Guide
8 min readβ€’Jul 11, 2022

Things to do in Boracay : Top 10 activities to enjoy and relax

Boracay, an island in the province of Aklan, is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Locals and foreigners visit Boracay to enjoy its white-sand beaches, tranquility, and nightlife. The various activities in Boracay cater to people who want to relax or go on an adventure. Plan your next getaway with us as we’ll share ...

Read Guide
Nature Spots Near Metro Manila: Top 7 Weekend Getaway Destinations
Travel Guide
4 min readβ€’Jun 12, 2022

Nature Spots Near Metro Manila: Top 7 Weekend Getaway Destinations

Too tired of the hustle and bustle of the city? What better way to remove the stress than a weekend getaway with nature as your buddy! Its serenity, natural beauty, and greenery are the best ways to refuel and re-energize both your mind and body. To jumpstart your planning process, here are the top 7 ...

Read Guide
Community Traveler Reviews

Reviews & Insights for San Juan

Verified traveler experiences, tips, and photos.

Be the first verified traveler to review San Juan!

Visited San Juan? Share your experience!

Sign in to post verified ratings, insider tips, and photos.

No community reviews yet

Have you been to San Juan? Be the first to share your insider tips and help other travelers plan their trip!

Hive Highlights

RegionLa Union
Curated Spots0 spots listed
Traveler Likes25
Recommended Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec