Dagupan Hotels

Are you a traveler who goes to a place for history, for delicacies, or for natural wonders? If you are one or all of that, Dagupan is definitely a destination for you. Learn a piece of Philippine history as you roam around the historical sites in the city marking earthquake or colonial events; taste every dish that the locals had come up with for bangus; and explore the rivers cutting through the city showcasing a view you should not miss.

Known as the Bangus (Milk Fish) Capital of the Philippines, Dagupan City is the place to be during summer if you are looking for festivity, history and gastronomic treat. With its booming tourism industry, accommodating people and interesting tourist places are all around this city for you to appreciate and enjoy.

 

How to Go    

By plane

If you are not coming from Manila and you want to travel by plane, take a flight to the Clark International Airport in Angeles, Pampanga or to Loakan Airport in Baguio City. From the airport, go to the nearest bus terminal and take the bus that goes to Dagupan.

By boat or ferry

There were plans to establish a ferry system to accommodate travels between Dagupan, Alaminos and San Fernando, La Union. Awaiting its realization, there is currently no way to arrive in Dagupan by ferry or boat.

By land transportation

From Manila, there are buses which daily travels for approximately 6 hours going to Dagupan, with fares ranging from Php 350 to Php 700. You can also drive your own car or rent one for a shorter 3-hour drive, but for much more expense for gas and toll fees. You will have to take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) up to its end, then drive across Tarlac until you arrive in Pangasinan, where you will find Dagupan.

 

Getting Around

Traveling within the city, jeepneys and tricycles are common modes of transportation. In other areas, sidecars or pedicabs (bicycles with sidecars) are also available for public transportation. There are also buses that travels within the city as it passes through going to neighboring cities, municipalities or provinces.

 

Tourist Attractions

Visit the city in the month of April and participate in the Bangusan Street Party in celebration of the Bangus Festival.

Take the Dawel River Cruise, a new city attraction, which is a 45-minute cruise with stops at a bangus fish pond where you can feed the fishes.

Marvel at the paintings of National Artist Victorio Edades which are displayed at the Museo na Dagupan or the Dagupan City Museum.

 

Top Things to Do

You must not miss a trip to Tondaligan Beach and Tondaligan People’s Park. Walk along it and have a relaxing time with your family and friends.

For a trip back in time, visit the Dagupan Railway Station built during the Spanish colonial times, the Ruins of Franklin Bridge, and the century-old Water Tower at the back of the City Hall. You can also admire the Old Cathedral of the city or the Sanctuario de San Juan Evangelista and the New Cathedral or the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

 

Where to Eat

Dine at Pigar-Pigar Restaurant to have a taste of the local favorite pigar-pigar (sautéed beef served with cauliflower and spices), and at Silverio’s for a really good bangus dishes.

For fine dining, check out the restaurant of The Star Plaza Hotel or The Dagupenas Restaurant. For an eating place with the local Dagupan ambience, go to Matutinas along the Tondalingan Beach. For some dose of caffeine, get a coffee or tea at the Yellow Tree Café.

 

Nightlife

After having dinner, listen to some jazz music at Rag Time or to live band performances at the Music Warehouse. If you want to have some drinks, try the bars The Venue and Joshua Tree.

 

Where to Stay

If you are a business traveler, try

for an accommodation that equals the value that you pay for it, with its friendly staff and excellent rooms and facilities. For those traveling with family, check-in at Leisure Coast Hotel where the kids can enjoy its waterpark facilities. Or if you are traveling for fun and in budget, try

Lenox Hotel

,

Hotel Monde

or Orchids Hotel.

 

Travel Tips

• En route to or coming from Dagupan, take a side trip to Baguio or to other places in Pangasinan such as Alaminos and Bolinao.

• Local residents of the city are very accommodating as tourism in the area is recently very much promoted, so don’t hesitate to ask for help or directions when you need one. They speak Tagalog.

• If you have some free time from your planned trip around the city, take a walk in the downtown area and feel as if you are having a quick review of historical events in Dagupan.