DiscoverSan Juan
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of San Juan.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit San Juan
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into San Juan
- Holidays to San Juan, Abra is the place to be with its smooth, hilly terrain which runs to the huge Abra River to provide a serene rest to the lives in the city.
- The countryside is the heart of the town, the urban rhythm of agriculture, farmers bragging rice and tobacco to grow in lots of gold beds that cover the countryside.
- It is an ideal stopover to those explorers who would like to follow the historic trails that bound the capital of Abra, Bangued, to the communities of the lowland areas.
- There will be a tranquil Ilocano-style atmosphere, which is reflected in the friendly smiles of the locals and the local dialect that can be heard at the daily conversations.
- Harvests mean colourful streets every season as farmers exhibit their crops, and common people celebrate their conquests with the help of simple and heart-felt parties.
- It should be ideal here to enjoy the fantastic scenery or to savour the aromatic delights on holidays to San Juan, Abra, it will all feel like a home.
- Capital (of the province): Bangued
- International airport: None in San Juan
- Nearest commonly used airports:
- Loakan Airport (Baguio City, Benguet) – domestic flights (~4–5 hours by land)
- Laoag International Airport (Ilocos Norte) – domestic flights (~6–7 hours by land)
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) – primary international gateway (~8–10 hours by land)
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official / local languages: Ilocano, Abra Kankanaey, Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- Holidays to San Juan, Abra is known as the closest place to the river Abra which is the life source of the river and feeds the settled people of the fertile plains.
- The rural life is depicted by a close view of the large rice fields that grow and submerge with the seasons and show the efforts and sacrifice of the population.
- The other economic pillar, which is the tobacco cultivation, provides the visitor with an understanding of the old-fashioned methods of curing as well as a slight aroma to the air.
- The historical connexion that the town has with Bangued is reflected in its structures and the structure of its streets and roads a reminder of a common history.
- Ilocano culture is deeply ingrained in all aspects of life, including the language used in the market to the beat of local festival.
- The soft, running of the Abra River welcomes the pensive strolls along the banks of the river where one can stop to receive the beauty around him or her.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- Holidays to San Juan, Abra is most enjoyed in the dry season, which is between December and May when the weather is crisp and the temperature is mild making travelling painless.
- In this season, the fields, which are filled with rice have a green tint which darkens to a gold shade when harvest time is near making it a beautiful scene.
- It has a rainy season during June-October which causes a green vegetation but it may increase the level of rivers making some of the ways water-logged and inaccessible.
- The place is also within the wet months in which the rivers are swollen and this provides magnificent view and an opportunity to see the natural dynamism of the Cordillera.
- Harvest periods are usually accompanied by seasonal festivals which provide the tourists with opportunity to attend cultural events that exhibit local dances and music.
- booking with world pinoy flights, will make your trip begin on a good note as you will have an easy ride to Bangued, and then you will have to travel a short distance to San Juan to be in a position to experience the adventure fully.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Agricultural Fields
- Observe the fantastic expanse of rice paddies that covers the plains, with every row of which the community is disciplined in their farming.
- Have a look at the well-maintained irrigation systems which are fed by the Abra River making sure that the fields are not left dry.
- Consult local farmers who will tell you about crop rotation and sustainable practises that will not deplete the soil of its nutrient resources.
- Take shots of sunrise or set when the light is warm and golden and paints the landscapes.
- Find out about the seasonal change of the crops yield, which determines the economic cycles and the life of the town.
- Sense the vibrations of the earth when you are walking on the terraces and feel the contact of people and the land.
Abra River Views
- Find points of view on the riverbank that have a panoramic view of the expansive size of the river and the hills surrounding it.
- See how the river passes across the plains, and forms mild valleys in which strong animals and farming population are found.
- See how the sun is playing on the water surface, and it makes a glimmering spectacle, but it varies according to the time of the day.
- Have a listen to the calls of native birds that can be heard at a distance, which indicates the ecological safety of the river.
- Learn how the river sustains the lives of the locals in the area, including fishers who use its abundance to farmers who are fed by its waters.
- Think about the importance of the river in history as a route of exchange, as it linked San Juan to other markets in the region.
San Juan Town Proper
- Take a walk around the central square, on which the municipal office is a small, but practical, focal point of local government.
- Observe how the streets are neatly organised, an ode to proper planning, that does not forget the old but responds to the contemporary requirements.
- Visit the simple houses, most of which have rocky foundations and thatched roofs, which represent the accommodation to the climate of the place.
- Go to the local market stalls where sellers have fresh items on their hands, which were harvested that same day.
- Interact with residents who welcome you with friendly nods which give you a hint of the warm hospitality of the community.
- Witness the ritual practises of praying, social work, and eating together, which hold the town social life.
St. John the Evangelist Parish Church
- Be amazed by the church architecture which is simple, yet elegant, being the combination of local craft and the elements of the colonial architecture.
- Have the experience of the silent devotion in its rooms, where the twinkling of candles gives one a sense of quietness.
- Get to know how the church is a part of the community life a meeting point of spiritual and social activities.
- See the stained-glass windows, which show events in the life of St. John, which are not only pretty but also interesting.
- Have a guided tour around the history of the parish with regards to its impact on the local customs.
- Enjoy the quietness in the town, remembering about the unity of faith, nature, and everyday labour that is the hallmark of this town.
Reason 05
Discover More
Local Market (Public Market)
- Shop down aisles of colourful produce: rice, corn and greens that are freshly grown in nearby fields.
- Savour local delicacies including local aromatic dishes like bagnet and pinakbet which are served in plates that are decorated with the local culinary artistry.
- Negotiate with suppliers on fresh tobacco leaves, and get to know how they are graded and cured.
- Take a look at the busy negotiations involving farmers negotiating about prices and the future harvest.
- Try local delicacies such as dinardaraan, a savoury offal stew of pig, which is indicative of the local culinary diversity.
- Take pictures of the vibrant pictures of the market place, where fresh produce and spices make up the rainbow of edibles.
Tobacco Curing Barns (Seasonal)
- Visit the wooden barns in which the tobacco leaves are spread to dry, and the smell of earthy perfume is in the air.
- Interview curers who tell you how important it is to get the flavour and the texture just right.
- Observe how leaves are turned into the dark, fragrant product which has been the staple of the economy of Abra decades.
- Know how the curing process prevents attacks of the tobacco by pests and maintains its quality to be used locally and exported into the market.
- Learn the practises used in the environment to achieve sustainable harvesting and reduced ecological footprint.
- Have a picture of the barns in the background of rolling hills, a tribute to the world of harmonious industrial landscape and nature.
Rolling Hills Viewpoints
- Take several provincial roads that climb the softly rolling hills that surround the town and have panoramic views over the plains.
- Halting place at a chosen position where the horizon is stretched into a landscape of green meadows and mountains in the distance.
- Notice the use of the hills, though not high, to outline the farming area in a natural fashion.
- Take the smell of crop fields, the air that was cooler in the upper planes, with the breeze.
- Wake up on these heights and take advantage of the sunrise or the sunset, when the light transforms the landscape into a golden and ambered tapestry.
- Consider the relationship between the hills, river, and plains as one unified ecosystem which supports local life for holidays to San Juan.
Ilocano/Abrenian Cuisine
- Visit restaurants, which prepare traditional Abra food, and the tastes are deep-rooted in the history of the culinary art.
- Taste bagnet, crispy deep-fried pork belly, but tender inside, served with fresh pinakbet.
- savour some dinardaraan, a thick stew of pig blood and offal, and after spiced up with local spices, it tells what the region eats.
- Sample bagoong is a fermented fish sauce, which is the main ingredient of many dishes, providing a layered umami flavour.
- Watch the way meals are being served and they are usually served with hot rice that has been harvested in the nearby fields.
- Have conversations with chefs, who will discuss the cultural meaning of every dish and make a meal into a lesson.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- The language that is mostly used in the area is Ilocano and greetings and expressions show warmth and respect to the community.
- Agriculture determines the calendar, since the time of planting and harvest determines the festivals, religious practises and the pace of life.
- The historical fests, including the San Juan fiesta, incorporate religious worship with the communion of people as a result of music and dancing.
- Tingguian and Itneg perspectives give extra flavour to the local way of life, which is evident in the wardrobe, songs, and narratives.
- Community meetings usually include common meals strengthening social bond and group identification.
- The stewardship practises in the town are respectful of the natural resources of the town, namely the river, fields and hills.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- Bagnet is a local delicacy, crispy pork belly, which provides a nice crunch and a good flavour.
- Pinakbet demonstrates the harvest of the land, as the vegetables are cooked in savoury fish paste that is quite healthy and nutritious.
- Fresh local rice which is grown in the fertile plains is the staple carbohydrate in most dishes.
- Dinardaraan Pig-offal stew has a strong heavy earthy flavour that is distinctive to the local culinary palate.
- Local ingredients are combined with easy recipes through traditional Ilocano snacks like the use of tortang talong.
- Fruits such as mangoes, bananas are seasonal and offer natural sweetness to match savoury meal.
Fun
- The large rice fields provide a serene scenery to be explored at leisure time and is the best of all in photography.
- Rural immersion enables the traveller to live the daily life such as helping in farm work to knowing how to collect rice using the traditional methods.
- The action Scenic drives through the plains express the interaction of agriculture and nature in a manner that is relaxing and invigorating.
- The attendance of a local harvest festival is an insight into the exuberance and community nature that characterises the culture of San Juan.
- The slow pace of daily life with its soft rhythms encourages self-reflection and a decrease in the pace of life.
- A walk along the Abra River is something that can be brought to mind even after spending the night especially when doing it with new acquaintances on holidays to San Juan.
Fashion
- Cotton and linen can be described as light, breathable materials, which are suitable in the tropical climate to make the traveller comfortable in the case of any outdoor activity.
- Wearable shoes such as durable sandals or closed-toe shoes are essential when walking on broken farm paths.
- Summer clothing can be a broad-brimmed hat to keep off the sun in the hot season.
- Simple geometric patterns can be sourced locally in the form of textiles and they can be used to create a sense of cultural addition to the ordinary clothes.
- Long drives through the rolling hills require comfortable clothes that will not bind the body.
- When travelling to religious locations, travellers can opt to wear modest dresses, as it is a sign of respect within the local culture.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- Abra River, which is one of the leading waterways, has boat tours that show the natural beauty and ecological diversity of the river.
- There are fertile farming lands that sustain various crops and offer the local wildlife a place to thrive, which includes freshwater fish and birds.
- The topography of San Juan is a series of rolling hills, which creates picturesque views and a sense of location.
- The river floodplains provide a source of biodiversity in the form of wetlands that are seasonal and benefit amphibians and insects.
- The climate of the area is mild which makes the place open to all-year long outdoor activities, whether it is hiking or watching birds.
- The local communities have conservation activities that preserve the delicate nature/agriculture balance for holidays to San Juan.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- The holidays to San Juan town fiesta on 27 th December celebrates St. John the Evangelist with processions, music and feasting.
- Harvest festivals are in tandem with the best crop productions, and the fields become the stage of dancing, singing, and telling storeys.
- Every year, there is a tobacco-curing festival in the town which demonstrates the traditional methods of doing this and honours its economy.
- The cultural exchange activities allow the visitors to engage in local handicrafts, including weaving and pottery.
- Masses at the parish church and then street processions that wind in the centre of the town are also common at religious celebrations.
- Cultural events such as fiestas strengthen the social connexions and give an avenue to tell storeys and share traditions.