The Historical Mestizo River Cruise

The Mestizo River Cruise is operated by the City Geovernment of Vigan to reinforce the Heritage Conservation Program using the historical Mestizo River to trace the historical timeline of the said city. Through the 45 minute river tour, a voice over is played narrating the City's origin, historical background and other life sized tableaus. Classical and ilocano folk music will be heard throughout the cruise, and the tour guide also explains more about the stories of the Mestizo River. The graphic representations serves as stopovers to depict the major historical events that shaped Vigan to what it has become today as a UNESCO World Heritage City in the Philippines.

The  recorded narration also  tells why Vigan was able to preserve it's vibrant past. During World War II, Fujihima Takayashi successfully convinced his fellow Japanese soldiers to spare this town from the ravages of war.

How to Get There:

1. Once in Vigan, tell the Trike driver that you are interested in Vigan Heritage River Cruise.

2. A fee of 100 pesos for per person will be charged for anyone who wants to experience the cruise, boat leaves even with a single passenger

Mindoro Black Beach in Vigan

The not so familiar beach in Vigan is located in the coastline of Brgy. Mindoro of the said city. Playa de Oro Resort, is the only resort that caters to the Black Beach that is comprised of fine grain black sand, it faces the West Philippine Sea and a picturesque sunset can be best viewed here.

As Black Beach is not popular to Filipno beach goers, the opposite goes to foreign tourist who will die for a black beach sand. According to some locals that i've talked to, the beach was legally and illegally mined in the previous years before the locals protested and halted the quarrying. As it turned out the sand is rich in iron ore or magnetite, a precious mineral commodity. 

It's a nice place to visit when in Vigan, the place is not crowded - fresh air and calm waves from the sea will greet anyone who wishes to relax and be alone with nature.

How to Get There:

1. Once in Vigan, just tell the Trike driver that you are interested to visit the Mindoro Black Beach. It's way above the normal fare.