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Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Photo: Derivative work by john2690. Other authors listed on source image page., CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Santiago is a town in Ilocos Sur with extensive beaches and a Spanish-era watchtower.
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An extensive stretch of cream-colored sand running to Biak na Bato aka Mapisi Rock, a rock formation marking the boundary with the town of San Esteban.
Sabangan Cove
The town's main draw, a horseshoe-shaped bay surrounded by Sabangan Beach, stretch of white-sand beach dubbed the “Boracay of the North”.
Santiago Church
Santiago's main Roman Catholic church, built in a Baroque style by the Spanish during the late 18th century on a hilltop. It also functioned as a fortress against pirates and foreign invaders at the time.
A rocky promontory with a walkway and viewdeck at the top.
Baluarte
A stout, Spanish-era watchtower overlooking Santiago Cove meant to guard against pirates and foreign invaders from the South China Sea. The site was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government in 2015.
A luxury accommodation overlooking Santiago Cove and architecturally inspired by the houses of Santorini in Greece.
A resort overlooking Santiago Cove
Santiago is along Route 2 (Manila North Road). Buses heading to Vigan and Laoag also ply this highway.
Read in the guideTricycles are the main form of transportation in town, particularly as downtown Santiago is further inland from the coast.
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