Beach town, Philippines
La Union for solo travelers
Is La Union good for solo travel?
A surf coast about five hours north of Manila, centered on San Juan's beach strip with cafés, yoga and a creative weekend crowd. Relaxed and cheap; busy on weekends, quiet midweek, and rough surf in the wet season.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Watch drinks at weekend parties; avoid isolated beaches and the highway at night. |
How to meet people in La Union
Surf schools and social hostels on Urbiztondo, yoga and beach-club nights, cafés popular with remote workers, and weekend Manila crowds.
Good things to do alone
- Take a beginner surf lesson at Urbiztondo
- Watch sunset from the Urbiztondo beach cafés
- Climb to Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel
- Visit the Ma-Cho Temple in San Fernando
- Day trip to Baguio via Kennon Road
Where to stay in La Union
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| San Juan (Urbiztondo Beach) | Surf beach, cafés, hostels and nightlife; the main strip |
| San Fernando | City center: markets, hospitals, malls, buses |
| Bauang | Black-sand beaches, cheaper and quieter, near highway |
| Agoo–Bacnotan | Quiet northern coast, local feel |
Solo travel across Philippines
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Siargao | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Moalboal | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Manila | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Boracay | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Palawan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| El Nido | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cebu | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Coron | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Bohol | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Panglao | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Makati | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Baguio | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| La Union | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Dumaguete | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Siquijor | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Puerto Galera | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Malapascua | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Port Barton | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sagada | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Banaue | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Vigan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Iloilo | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| BGC | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Bantayan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Davao | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Tagaytay | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Angeles City | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is La Union good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). A surf coast about five hours north of Manila, centered on San Juan's beach strip with cafés, yoga and a creative weekend crowd.
How do you meet people in La Union?
Surf schools and social hostels on Urbiztondo, yoga and beach-club nights, cafés popular with remote workers, and weekend Manila crowds. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in La Union?
Widely spoken.
Is La Union safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Watch drinks at weekend parties; avoid isolated beaches and the highway at night.
More about La Union
Going to La Union solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in La Union meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.