Northern Luzon Roadtrip
The kids had a 5-day weekend in August so we took advantage of that and went on a road-trip. I must confess that I was a bit apprehensive since Blake was only 8 weeks old and was colicky. But, Matt did a wonderful job planning this road-trip and all of the kids did great. I really like spending time with my little family and exploring more of this country.
![The route we traveled in northern Luzon in 5 days. We discovered once again how beautiful this country is outside of the big city](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/10-7-2014-8-11-05-AM.jpg)
The route we traveled in northern Luzon in 5 days. We discovered once again how beautiful this country is outside of the big city.
![Our first stop was to Baler where we stayed at Coasta Pacifica. We stayed here for 2 nights and enjoyed the swimming pool, beach, having a tour of the area and getting out of the car. There were 2 routes to get to Baler and we took the route that goes through the mountain which tacked on 3 extra hours...thanks Google Maps for the recommendation](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/5c9cec53ef0ead20e308596c61a390a2-600x398.jpg)
Our first stop was to Baler where we stayed at Coasta Pacifica. We stayed here for 2 nights and enjoyed the swimming pool, beach, having a tour of the area and getting out of the car. There were 2 routes to get to Baler and google maps recommended we take the route that goes through the mountain which tacked on 3 extra hours.
![All of the kids on a surf board. This was Blake's first time in the ocean/pool & Kalani's first time back in the ocean after being stung by a jelly-fish](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2236e84f67a04a1deb295b1f4d03e0bb-600x398.jpg)
All of the kids on a surf board. This was Blake’s first time in the ocean/pool & Kalani’s first time back in the ocean after being stung by a jellyfish
![Our "city tour" took us to Cunayan Falls. The kids were a bit disappointed that they didn't have their swimsuits, but we told them they could swim in their clothes like the locals and that made them happy](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/adfba80361027ab7917a7b1f39ae69a1-600x398.jpg)
Our “city tour” took us to Cunayan Falls. The kids were a bit disappointed that they didn’t have their swimsuits, but we told them they could swim in their clothes like the locals and that made them happy
![We got to explore the "Millennium Balete Tree" where you can walk through it since there is a path "carved out". And the kids could have stayed here for a couple of hours climbing all over it](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/515f2ced86cab0049641f8d3bc91802e-600x398.jpg)
We got to explore the “Millennium Balete Tree” where you can walk through it since there is a path “carved out”. And the kids could have stayed here for a couple of hours climbing all over it
![We left Baler and the only road to get to Tuguegarao was a bit scary at times with it only being dirt roads and even some roads were washed away](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/455828abc22e7143ab9d0e5e8a5f5b62-600x398.jpg)
We left Baler and the only road to get to Tuguegarao was a bit scary at times with it only being dirt roads, land slides and washed away in some places
![On this road to Tuguegarao we saw some of the descendants of the very first people in the Philippines called "aeta"](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/6bf164f584ffed17fc53c3bfdf53b8e5-600x398.jpg)
On this road to Tuguegarao we saw some of the descendants of the very first people in the Philippines called “aeta“
![After a few hours in the car we made it to Tuguegarao and met up with our friend Mavis. She and our driver Juan joined us exploring the C caves](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/c973038d599b0ad9b2d6bb045314e523-600x398.jpg)
After a few hours in the car we made it to Tuguegarao and met up with our good friend Mavis. She and our driver Juan joined us exploring the Callao caves
![There are 7 "openings" at Callao caves and in the 2nd opening is a "church" that holds services once or twice a month](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/6c48358d8d1c630992713326cc7614b0-600x398.jpg)
There are 7 “openings” at Callao caves and in the 2nd opening is a “church” that holds services once or twice a month
![We said our good-byes to Mavis and continued driving north to reach Cagayan Resort. This is the place that Survivor 2012 was located](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/79b4ebcecc42d6f3db600ba59263cf4a-600x398.jpg)
We said our good-byes to Mavis and continued driving north to reach Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort. This is where theĀ Survivor Cagayan crew stayed
![Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort has a bunch of homes (5 bedrooms & private pool) to rent out, a casino & private airstrip...mostly caters to Chinese clients](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/358ca59590fb5cc317db4fc8cd223ab5-600x398.jpg)
Cagayan Holiday & Leisure Resort has a bunch of homes (our had 5 bedrooms & private pool) to rent out, a casino & private airstrip…mostly caters to Chinese clients who like to gamble
![We stopped at Padgudpud beach and enjoyed the powder white sand and beautiful scenery](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/f3136a6de0cb27bea3995c86eb7c54a0-600x398.jpg)
We stopped at Pagudpud beach and enjoyed the powder white sand and beautiful scenery. They call this place the Boracay of the north.
![Our hotel on the north/west of Luzon was at Fort Ilocandia and it was wonderful. There was so much to do/see at the resort](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/3e952c2199fbf8047acef0bbc18aad87-600x398.jpg)
Our hotel on the north/west of Luzon was at Fort Ilocandia and it was wonderful. There was so much to do/see at the resort that we will most likely go back since we didn’t get to do everything we wanted to
![After staying at 3 wonderful hotels, our last hotel, in La Union, would be considered a dive. But, we enjoyed a walk on the beach and were now only 6-7 hours away from home](https://www.farleyfamily.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/f2ee8381fb51a37ea11920d9f872e9ec-600x398.jpg)
After staying at 3 wonderful resorts, our last hotel in La Union would be considered a dive in comparison. But, we enjoyed a walk on the beach and were now only 6-7 hours away from home.
More photos from our road trip here.
Hi! Great post! Our family wants to go through the same route. You mention a driver. How did you arrange it? Who did you go through and would you recommend them? Thanks!
Hi Jewel! We had a full-time family driver provided by my employer for the duration of our 3 years in the Philippines. He drove us the entire way. The company he worked for is deltarentacars.com. You can contact his supervisor at margeo@deltarentacars.com. His name was Juan. I’m not sure if he’s available or what the cost would be. Good luck!