Have you ever walked along cobblestone streets and felt like you turned the clock far back in time?
In Ilocos Sur, every corner tells a storied past—a province where heritage blends with adventure.
Vigan City, the capital of Ilocos Sur, is home to much of the history and tradition that have shaped the province and its residents over the years.
However, just a short trip outside of Vigan reveals even more exciting destinations.
If you’re looking for a place to unwind, escape the heat with nature trips, explore Ilocano culture and history, or enjoy numerous adventures, Ilocos Sur will not disappoint you with its must-visit spots.
Forest park
Adventure awaits at Caniaw Heritage and Forest Park for those seeking aerial and tree walks, zip lines, mountain tubing, camping, and scenic bike and hike trails.
Located at Mt. Caniaw, Barangay Taleb, Bantay, Ilocos Sur, the eco-tourism destination is just a five to 10-minute drive from the national highway in Bantay––northeast of Vigan City.
Activity prices range from P50 to P750 each, with an entrance fee of P75 for adults and P50 for children.
Packages that include the entrance fee and activities like mountain tubing, aerial walks, hiking, and biking, are available from P275 to P375.
Marianne Cayetano, content creator and owner of The Hungry Ilokano Facebook page, which features Ilocano food and places, shared her excitement about trying the park activities for the first time.
“The experience was fun and exciting. Not just the activities, but also the place feels nice. Fresh air, shady spots, chill vibes,” she said.
The park also accepts reservations for events at P25,000 per day. Some of its past activities include Girl Scout camping and educational tours from various schools.
The park has a rich history, starting in 1919 as a reforestation project where 246 hectares were planted with trees. However, only 15 percent of the trees survived after World War II.
Michelle Adolfo, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Tourism Office, explained that illegal logging caused damage to the forest. This led the provincial government to rebuild and preserve the forest to protect its habitat and wildlife.
“Some plants that still thrive at Mt. Caniaw include mahogany, narra, molave, fire tree, Agoho, and guijo… Monkeys also live here and can sometimes be seen at midnight when the forest is calm,” she added.
Today, the provincial government continues to develop Mt. Caniaw as an eco-tourism destination to emphasize the importance of forest reserves in the province.
For inquiries, contact the Provincial Tourism Development and Promotion Office at 0966-283-5744 or email [email protected].
After enjoying the natural beauty of Caniaw Heritage and Forest Park, visitors can head to Candon City, just two hours away, to explore its rich culture, local products, and historic sites.
Candon City treasures
Many people know Vigan for its museums, such as the National Museum-Ilocos Regional Complex, Syquia Mansion, Crisologo Museum, and the Vigan City Museum. But Candon City also offers its own historic sites.
The first is the Cariño Ancestral House in Barangay San Antonio, now known as the Candon City Museum. Built in the early 1700s, it is one of the city’s important Spanish Colonial structures.
This house belongs to Don Miguel Cariño, the grandfather of revolutionary leader Gabriela Silang. Inside, you’ll find important artifacts and collections, including the wooden seal from the short-lived Republic of Candon, founded on March 25, 1898.
Supervised by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the museum was restored from 2018 to 2020. Repairs included masonry, wooden structures, wall and ceiling paintings, and the electrical system.
The second museum is the Dario Ancestral House in Barangay San Juan, next to Saint John De Sahagun Parish Church, built by Augustinian missionaries in the 16th century. The house itself was built in the 18th or 19th century and once served as the residence of the Dario and De Guia families.
The Dario House features capiz shell windows for natural ventilation and other design elements common in 18th- and 19th-century colonial homes.
Inside the museum is an art collection with works by Filipino and international artists, including National Artists José Joya, Arturo Luz, Benedicto “BENCAB” Cabrera, and Ryan Cayabyab. Other notable names include Justin Nuyda, Araceli Limcaco-Dans, Virgilio Aviado, Elmer Borlongan, and Rodel Tapaya.
Candon City is also home to 22 Spanish-style houses, which local officials hope to restore after coordinating with their current owners.
Tallest waterfall
In addition to its rich cultural heritage, Ilocos Sur is also surrounded by natural wonders, including the Aw-asen Falls in Barangay Santo Rosario, Sigay, Ilocos Sur, the tallest waterfall in the Ilocos Region.
From Metro Manila, travel time to Sigay is 6–8 hours via Tagudin or Candon City, followed by a 45-minute hike.
Hikers must cross two rivers, including one with a hanging bridge, then climb up a mountain to reach the 110-meter-high waterfall. Camping is allowed near the site, but visitors must coordinate with the Sigay Tourism Office.
The local government is currently improving the visitor experience by adding restrooms, improving the trails, and building a bridge to avoid dangerous river crossings.
Safety railings have also been installed along parts of the trail to support hikers and ensure safe passage.
For more details, contact the Tourism Officer Quitor at 0968-443-7926 (Smart) or 0916-443-0028 (Globe).
Ilocos Sur is indeed a treasure trove for both museum enthusiasts and nature lovers.
These sites were highlighted during the 3rd leg of the Department of Tourism 1’s “May-Kan Tour” (Ilocano for “Come, let’s eat!”), which promoted upland attractions beyond Vigan City.
The tour aimed to showcase the beauty and culture of upland communities.
Social media influencers, content creators, food experts, celebrity chefs, and tour operators explored the rich heritage and diverse cuisine of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur from April 1-5.
If you’re planning to come and visit, let this serve as your guide to the wonderful experience that is Ilocos Sur! (CCMT/JMCQ, Ilocos Sur)
