Puerto de San Juan, La Union

ONE of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Baguio Council BOD meeting was held at PUERTO DE SAN JUAN (La Union) Beach Resorts. A stay at the resort can be whatever you imagine it to be – totally relaxed or filled with the most exciting experience.

There are two swimming pools, bar and grill, souvenir shop, cottages, garden, and a great view of the beach. It’s all your choice if you want to make a splash on the seashore or take a dip in the pool, play beach volleyball during daytime and billiards in the evening, enjoy touring around the spacious grounds, or feast at the Bar & Grill Restaurant for satisfying meals and snacks.

Although our group did not stay overnight, we were given VIP treatment to use the facilities and a free room for changing into more comfortable outfits. However, there are two downsides of the resort: there is a beachfront but it is not swimmable and far from the surfing gizmo. We learned that management can call out for an instructor for those looking forward to surfing. Your teacher will then lead you to the area located at Urbiztondo which is minutes away from PSJ.

Surfing is P400 per head per hour, inclusive of board and trainer. Also, it is not a good place for food tripping due to limited choice of restaurants. From the hotel, you have to ride either a tricycle, jeep or your personal vehicle to dine out. But overall, we had a great time with the quiet and simple but enjoyable and pleasant atmosphere. Puerto de San Juan is commended for family outings and barkada getaways.

After our meeting, we drove to ARUBAYAN NI YSABELLE where we had an all-you-can-eat buffet of authentic Ilocano Filipino dishes. The location is 300-m away from the Diversion Road going to Barangay Mameltac, City of San Fernando, La Union. It was efficient for everyone to freely get their food on the table whenever they like without calling for a server or ordering additional dishes. To our surprise, the all-you-can-eat rate was just P150 pesos per head and the food they served was gratifying. In addition, the location is relaxing as it is surrounded with trees and plants which provided a calm and restful feeling.

I would recommend to friends and family to visit this place and experience the picnic-like-buffet.

One of the swimming pools was being cleaned.

Multiple rooms are located near the seashore.

There is a wide golden-sands stretch by the seacoast.

There is a convenient store at Ysabelle restaurant.

A picnic-style lunch at Arubayan ni Ysabelle was relaxing.

Ampy and Pansie select food stuff at the ‘eat all you can’ fore at Ysabelle restaurant.