You know you are a spoiled country when your “shit” beaches would be among the best of most nations, and that is where the Philippines is at. Currimao, its beach and indeed its street food make it one of my favorite places on the planet!
Here’s my guide to one of the best places we stay on the Extreme Philippines Tour.
The Municipality of Currimao is a small town located in Ilocos Norte on the island of Luzon in the Philippines (so north of Manila). The town is located alongside a glorious black sand beach where many locals run fishing boat operations. Currimao beach is not a popular destination with foreign tourists, but at weekends locals flock there to grab the huts, BBQ, drink, and sing classic Filipino videoke.
There are several cheaper beachside options, and Playa Tropical, a resort-style place with a decent restaurant that has a stunning infinity pool overlooking the ocean. The hotel has indeed seen better days (apparently the new Chinese owners are not that great), but the sunset alone makes it worth staying in Currimao.
There’s not all that much to do in Currimao itself, but there are shops to buy food and drinks, and nipa huts to BBQ a storm and have some brews after sunset.
Around Currimao there’s a whole heap to do though. The nearest town is a place called Batac AKA the “home of great leaders”. Former President Ferdinand Marcos was from here, and his museum is still there. A very interesting museum that would not be all that out of place in North Korea.
Further north there’s a great place called Laoag, which has a desert that you can go quad biking on, which as you can imagine is fairly good fun.
Currimao won’t exactly revolutionize your life, but as sleepy backwater beach resorts go, it is right up there with the best….