La Union Travel Budget: What a Weekend Really Costs in 2026

La Union can be one of the cheapest beach weekends you can do from Manila, or a proper resort break. Your room and how often you eat at cafés make the biggest difference. Here are typical 2025 and 2026 prices, plus three sample budgets.

Prices, fares and schedules in this post were checked in October 2026. They change often, especially with fuel surcharges and the seasons, so use them as a guide and confirm with the operator or venue before you travel.

Bus. A one-way ticket from Manila runs from about ₱600 to just over ₱900, depending on the operator, terminal and class. Partas from Pasay is ₱644 regular or ₱672 deluxe, and its Cubao Super Deluxe and Luxury buses were ₱756 and ₱913 in 2025. Fuel surcharges can add to that, so check the current fare with Partas or Viron.

Driving. Tolls on NLEX, SCTEX and TPLEX come to around ₱980 each way for a car, on top of fuel and parking.

More options are in our guide to getting to La Union.

A hostel bed in San Juan generally costs ₱600 to ₱1,000 a night, and mid-range rooms run roughly ₱2,500 to ₱5,000. Little Surfmaid, a reliable mid-range pick, is about ₱2,500 to ₱3,900.

Upscale starts around ₱7,000. Kahuna Beach Resort & Spa is from about ₱7,450 on a weekday with breakfast, and Awesome Hotel runs about ₱7,000 to ₱13,000. Kahuna's bunk house, at ₱1,500 per person, gets you resort facilities on a budget.

Weekends and holidays cost more, and weekdays are noticeably cheaper. Compare the areas in where to stay in La Union.

San Juan has a big café and restaurant scene, and eating out adds up fast. A latte is around ₱185 to ₱195. The grilled cheese at El Union Coffee is ₱290, kaya toast at Clean Beach is ₱220, and burgers run ₱300 to ₱330. Miryinda's crispy pork kare-kare with bagoong rice is ₱250.

Eating cheaply is easy if you mix it up. Rice bowls at Tagpuan sa San Juan are about ₱70 to ₱120, and carinderias cost less again.

Watch for service charges. Mad Monkeys, the burger place (not the hostel chain), adds 5% to its ₱300 Amboy Burger, and it isn't the only one. Check the menu or ask before you order.

Surfing

Lessons are usually ₱400 to ₱500 an hour with a board and instructor. Board rental is around ₱200 to ₱250 an hour. See our beginner surfing guide.

Tangadan Falls

The entrance is ₱30, paid at the San Gabriel municipal treasury. Guides are mandatory: expect roughly ₱500 to ₱700 per group, and confirm at the treasury. Add about ₱60 for a life vest and about ₱400 return per person for the habal-habal to the trailhead. Bring cash.

Immuki Island

Entrance is ₱20 (₱10 for students, seniors and PWDs). The raft is ₱250 for about 1.5 hours, shared by four or five people, and a life vest is ₱50. There are no ATMs nearby, so bring cash.

San Juan environmental fee

San Juan has a ₱50 environmental fee, paid by GCash QR at more than 200 businesses or at one of six fee hubs. It funds waste management. Ask your accommodation whether you need to pay it and how.

Photo: Patrickroque01 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Tricycle rides within San Juan cost around ₱20 to ₱60, and most of the Urbiztondo strip is walkable anyway. From San Fernando, a jeepney to Urbiztondo is ₱11 to ₱15 and a chartered tricycle about ₱100, based on 2024 prices.

Budget: around ₱5,000 to ₱6,000

Return bus, a hostel bed for one night, one surf lesson, simple meals and tricycles.

Mid-range: around ₱8,000 to ₱12,000

Return bus, a shared private room, two surf lessons, café meals and a Tangadan Falls trip.

Comfort: ₱15,000 and up

Driving or a private transfer, a resort room, lessons and restaurant dinners.

These are our rough estimates from the prices above. Your room and how you get there will swing the total more than anything else.

Go on a weekday. Room rates and crowds both drop from Monday to Thursday, and San Juan is a lot quieter.

Share a room. Many guesthouses have rooms for three or four.

Eat local. Mix café meals with carinderias and rice bowls. Your wallet will notice by Sunday.

How much money do I need for 2 days in La Union?

Around ₱5,000 to ₱6,000 per person on a tight budget, including the bus and a hostel. Mid-range trips cost more.

How much is the bus to La Union?

From about ₱600 for a regular seat to just over ₱900 for a luxury bus, one way, before any fuel surcharge.

Is there an environmental fee in San Juan, La Union?

Yes. San Juan charges ₱50, paid by GCash QR at participating businesses or at fee hubs. Ask your accommodation whether it applies to you.

Plan your days with the La Union itinerary, and see the La Union travel guide.

Cover photo: Noriel Rullamas, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons